About C. Austin
C. Austin McDaniel trained first as a scientist before turning to law. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Resource Management and Environmental Science and Policy from Clemson University and earned his J.D. from Appalachian School of Law in 2004. Those academic years gave him a mix of technical literacy and legal training that he has carried into courtroom work.
McDaniel began his legal career in public service. In 2007 he joined the Eighth Circuit Solicitor’s Office as an assistant solicitor. That role put him in the prosecutor’s seat on a steady stream of cases and taught him trial procedure, evidence handling, and the practical rhythms of courtroom life. He moved into private practice in 2010 as an associate at The Ronnie Cole Law Office, where he shifted perspective and started representing clients rather than the state.
In 2015 McDaniel opened his own practice, C. Austin McDaniel, Lawyer At LAw. Running a solo firm changed the day-to-day. He took on intake, case strategy, and client counseling. He also handled litigation. His background includes both prosecution and defense work, which he uses to evaluate cases from multiple angles.
McDaniel’s training reflects a concentration on impaired driving and drug recognition. In 2010 he completed DMT Datamaster training through the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In 2011 he completed DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing courses, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) course, all through IDS and NHTSA training programs. Those certifications support his handling of DUI and drug-impaired driving cases and inform how he assesses chemical testing, field tests, and expert testimony.
He is a member of the Anderson County Bar and the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, affiliations he has maintained since 2014. Those memberships keep him connected to local judges and fellow practitioners and provide ongoing education resources.
Clients consulting McDaniel can expect a lawyer who has seen cases on both sides of the courtroom and who draws on specific training in impaired driving and drug recognition. He practices law in South Carolina and maintains his private practice in Anderson County, focusing on criminal defense and traffic-related matters.
