She previously served as a United States magistrate judge of the same court from 2011 to 2024.

Austin received a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina School of Engineering in 1989 and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1996.

From 1999 to 2006, she was an associate with Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice, PLLC and served as a partner from 2006 to 2011.

President Biden nominated Austin to the seat vacated by Judge J. Michelle Childs, who was elevated to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on August 2, 2022.

[11][12] On January 24, 2024, the United States Senate invoked cloture on her nomination by a 79–17 vote.