Judge Debra R. McCaslin was born in Tampa, Florida, but is a life-long resident of Chapin, South Carolina. She is married to Michael W. McCaslin, a retired engineer with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and together they have two children.

After graduating from Chapin High School, Judge McCaslin was employed by Senator Strom Thurmond before attending the College of Charleston and graduating in 1990 with a degree in Political Science.  Judge McCaslin earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1993, and was subsequently admitted to the South Carolina Bar the same year.  She was also admitted to the U. S.  District Court in November 1993; the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in November 1993; and the United States Supreme Court in April 1999.

Following law school, Judge McCaslin worked as a law clerk for J. Preston Strom, Jr., Attorney-at-law.  In 1993, Judge McCaslin began working at the Leventis Law Firm as an Associate, before ultimately starting her own legal practice in 1995, where she remained until her election to the judiciary.

Judge McCaslin was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly to the Circuit Court, At-Large Seat-13 on February 5, 2020.

Judge McCaslin and her family attend St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Chapin, S.C.

Law Clerk: Bruce H. Norton II