 In 1872 he was elected as a probate judge, and in 1875 was chosen circuit judge of the 5th district.In 1878 on the recommendation of U.S.Senators Thomas W. Ferry and Isaac P. Christiancy and Representative Jonas H. McGowan, Van Zile accepted an appointment to the office of U.S. District Attorney for the Utah Territory from President Rutherford B. Hayes, as authorized by the Poland Act.