After the 1971 primary, Combs retired from politics and resumed his law practice, maintaining an office in Frankfort. He continued to represent large coal companies, drawing the ire of local environmentalist and author Harry M. Caudill, who asserted that Combs claimed to represent the powerless while actually representing the powerful.[2] He was active in the formation of the Rural Housing and Development Corporation and served on the Council on Higher Education.[11] He also served on President Jimmy Carter's General Advisory Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament.[61]