[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 24, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Nomination of Jacquelyn D. Austin

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin to the U.S. District Court for the District 
of South Carolina.
  Born in Sumter, SC, Judge Austin earned her B.S. from the University 
of South Carolina School of Engineering and her J.D. from the 
University of South Carolina School of Law. After law school, Judge 
Austin completed a clerkship for Judge Matthew J. Perry on the U.S. 
District Court for the District of South Carolina. She then entered 
private practice as a patent attorney for the Hardaway Law Firm, where 
she was responsible for drafting and prosecuting patent applications 
with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Judge Austin also worked in 
business litigation at Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice, PLLC, where 
she handled matters ranging from intellectual property litigation to 
Fair Housing Act claims.
  In 2011, Judge Austin was appointed to an 8-year term as a federal 
magistrate judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of South 
Carolina. She was reappointed to the position in 2019. Throughout her 
time on the bench, Judge Austin has issued thousands of reports and 
recommendations. She also presides over the district's drug court 
program, which identifies criminal defendants whose presence in the 
criminal justice system is primarily a function of drug abuse rather 
than independently motivated criminal behavior.
  The American Bar Association unanimously rated Judge Austin as ``well 
qualified,'' and she has the strong support of Senators Graham and 
Scott.
  Judge Austin's dedication to service, knowledge of the District of 
South Carolina, and judicial experience make her an outstanding 
nominee. I will vote in favor of her confirmation and encourage my 
colleagues to do the same.