ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi θɹˈiː, hiː mˈuːvd bˈæk ˌɪntʊ pˈʌblɪk sˈɜːvɪs æz ɐpˈɔɪntmənts sˈɛkɹətɹi tə ɡˈʌvɚnɚ dʒˈɔːɹdʒ djuːkmˈiːdʒiən, ɐdvˈaɪzɪŋ hˌɪm ˌɔn dʒuːdˈɪʃəl ænd ɛɡzˈɛkjuːtˌɪv ɐpˈɔɪntmənts.
In 1983, he moved back into public service as Appointments Secretary to Governor George Deukmejian, advising him on judicial and executive appointments.