Howell was nominated by President
Harry S. Truman on July 18, 1947, to a seat on the
United States Court of Claims vacated by Judge
John Marvin Jones. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on July 23, 1947, and received his commission on July 30, 1947. Howell was initially appointed as a Judge under
Article I, but the court was raised to Article III status by
operation of law on July 28, 1953, and Howell thereafter served as an
Article III Judge. His service terminated on September 30, 1953, due to his resignation. ==Post judicial service and death==