What did William Taft do before he was in office?

Before becoming President, William Taft held various significant positions, including serving as the 42nd Secretary of War under President Theodore Roosevelt from 1904 to 1908. He also was appointed as the Governor-General of the Philippines from 1901 to 1904, where he helped to establish civil government and improve infrastructure. Additionally, Taft was a federal judge, serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit from 1892 to 1900, demonstrating his strong legal background.