After graduating from law school, Magney worked as an attorney at Jenswold & Jenswold in Duluth. He was elected mayor of Duluth in 1917 and served until 1920. He was later elected to serve as a district court judge. Magney was appointed as an associate justice of the
Minnesota Supreme Court in 1943 and served until 1953. After retiring as a justice, he continued to work as commissioner of the Minnesota Supreme Court until his death in 1962. == Personal life ==