William Robinson Pattangall began his career in public service, serving multiple terms in the Maine House of Representatives. He later held the position of Maine's Attorney General, during which he successfully defended a law increasing state funding for schools. Pattangall transitioned to the judiciary, being appointed as an Associate Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and eventually serving as its Chief Justice. His career reflects a commitment to public service and legal expertise, marked by significant legislative and judicial achievements.

William Robinson Pattangall's political identity is marked by an ideological fluidity that defies conventional party lines, blending progressive education advocacy with staunch anti-Klan activism. His judicial career, which saw him transition from Democratic to Republican allegiance, underscores a highly localized approach to governance. Pattangall's rhetorical style centers on principled stands against extremism, as evidenced by his vocal opposition to the Ku Klux Klan within his own party. This combination of progressive education policies and anti-Klan fervor reveals a calculated strategy to balance regional interests with broader civil rights.