Austin is the founding partner of Austin Lafferty Solicitors and Estate Agents, having qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and opened his own firm in 1987. As well as managing the firm, Austin has expertise in various aspects of private legal practice, now dealing mainly with business clients in commercial property transactions, leases, general business advice and support, and company acquisition.

He is also involved in a full range of legal services for individual clients, from wills and powers of attorney to conveyancing, civil disputes and family problems, working with solicitor colleagues in the firm on cases and transactions.

Austin is also a well-known broadcaster and writer on legal and other matters, and is a member of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland.