 John Philip Reid notes that during Doe's private practice of law, he both exploited and argued against the use of technicalities that he would later be instrumental in eliminating from New Hampshire law.As a judge, Doe showed a zeal for reform that had significant influence not only in New Hampshire, but on American law as a whole.He achieved a great deal in his effort to simplify antiquated rules of pleading, reform the rules of evidence, and dispense with formalities and ceremonies that stood in the way of speedy, efficient disposition of cases.