 From 1938 to 1941, he was Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Portsmouth and, in 1941, became judge of the Hustings Court there.Judge I’Anson remained in that position until he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeals in 1958.While serving as a Supreme Court judge, I'Anson led the Virginia Court System Study Commission whose 1971 recommendations resulted in wholesale reform of the state courts system.