Ironside Criminal Defense Officially Launches in Greenville, South Carolina

Ironside Criminal Defense is a new Greenville criminal defense firm led by former state and federal prosecutors Sloan Ellis and Brandi Hinton.

Ironside Criminal Defense is a new criminal defense firm in Greenville, South Carolina, led by managing attorneys Sloan Ellis and Brandi Hinton. Both are former state and federal prosecutors, and both oversee every case the firm takes. We officially opened October 1, 2026, and on Wednesday, November 4, we’re celebrating with a ribbon cutting at our office on Augusta Street.

Why We Built Ironside Criminal Defense

Ironside Criminal Defense was founded by Chris Carsten, owner and CEO of Armada Law Injury Attorneys. The firm joins the Armada family of brands and was built around one idea: breaking traditions in criminal defense law. That starts with treating the person who has been charged as a person with a life, a family, and a job that matters just as much as the case file.

“Our vision for Ironside is to take what we do best, high-quality criminal defense, and bring it to more people across South Carolina,” said Sloan Ellis. “Every person we represent deserves our full attention and care, no matter where they come from.”

Behind the attorneys is a full team that handles operations. Sloan and Brandi are joined by associate attorney Anthony McCollum. Ironside Criminal Defense’s operations team allows all three attorneys to spend their time with their clients, in and out of the courtroom.

Where the Firm’s Name Comes From

Ironside Criminal Defense’s name is inspired by “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution. The ship was built to withstand pressure and keep sailing forcefully ahead while protecting the people aboard. That is the job we take on for our clients, and it shapes the firm’s mission: defending the person, not just the charge.

Meet the Attorneys Who Lead the Firm

Sloan Ellis and Brandi Hinton have worked together at every stage of their careers. Before Ironside Criminal Defense, both spent years on the other side of the courtroom as state and federal prosecutors.

• Sloan Ellis: Sloan spent nearly a decade as a state and federal prosecutor, handling white-collar, drug, and violent crime cases.
• Brandi Hinton: Brandi handled thousands of criminal cases as a prosecutor, including South Carolina’s largest federal racketeering conspiracy case.

Both received the U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Prosecution. Now they use that experience to defend people charged with crimes.

“We represent people, not warrants,” said Brandi Hinton. “It is our job to help the prosecutor understand our client beyond the case file in front of them.”

Join Us for Our Ribbon Cutting on November 4

On Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 11 a.m., we’re holding a ribbon cutting at our office at 21 Augusta Street, Suite C, in Greenville. Business owners, community members, and local media are invited to stop by, meet the team, and enjoy a small reception with coffee and pastries.

We hope you’ll join us. Our door is open, and we’re glad to be part of Greenville’s vibrant community.

Talk With an Attorney at Ironside Criminal Defense

If you or someone you love has been charged with a crime, our attorneys can explain what you’re facing and what comes next. Call 864-568-4750 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; for advice about yours, talk with a criminal defense attorney.