In 1970, after Levine was admitted to the California bar, he set up a private law practice. He was a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator
John V. Tunney from 1971 to 1973. He served in the
California State Assembly from 1977 to 1982. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993. He supported the 1991
Gulf War Authorization Act, which authorized the use of United States Armed Forces pursuant to
United Nations Security Council Resolution 678. In 1992, Levine ran for U.S. Senate; he lost in the Democratic primary, to
Barbara Boxer, who went on to win the
general election in November. In August 2013 Levine was appointed by
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to become a member of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. On September 11, 2013, Levine was confirmed to become a member of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners by the
Los Angeles City Council. Levine was the president of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, but has since left the Board. Levine is counsel at the law firm
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and a member of the board of directors of the
Pacific Council on International Policy. == Personal life ==