He was an acting state's attorney of Cook County from 1947 to 1948, and a special prosecutor from 1951 to 1952.

He was chief justice of the Criminal Court of Cook County from 1954 to 1955, running unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee for governor of Illinois in 1956 (replacing Herbert C. Paschen as the party's nominee), and again served as chief justice of the court from 1960 to 1961.

[1] On August 7, 1961, Austin was nominated by President John F. Kennedy to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois vacated by Judge Walter J. LaBuy.

Austin was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 15, 1961, and received his commission the same day.

He assumed senior status on October 10, 1975, serving in that capacity until his death on February 7, 1977, in Chicago.