 In 1837, Hurlbut relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked in his brother's law office and in 1839 was admitted to the bar.After being admitted to the bar, Hurlbut opened his own law office in Massillon, Ohio in 1839, and entered private practice in partnership with David Kellogg Cartter.He stopped practicing in 1852 after a lucrative career as lawyer, and thenceforth became more involved in banking.