McCarty graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2001. While at The Citadel, he was a member of the training Cadre and played rugby all four years. McCarty was recognized on the Dean's List, Commandant's List and President's List for both academic and military achievement. Following his graduation from The Citadel, Ryan attended law school at the University of Dayton and graduated in 2005. After his graduation, McCarty and his wife moved to the Greer area, where he began working as an Assistant Solicitor under then Solicitor Trey Gowdy in the Seventh Circuit Solicitor's Office. During his six years tenure as an Assistant Solicitor, Ryan handled hundreds of cases, including DUI; forgery; burglary; larceny; financial transaction card fraud and theft; drug trafficking, distribution and possession; assault; and battery and murder. During McCarty's last year at the Solicitor's Office, he was promoted to the level of Supervisor and handled the prosecution of drug-related offenses in Spartanburg County. McCarty worked at another firm in Spartanburg for several years before joining Harrison, White, Smith & Coggins, maintaining a wide variety of cases in his practice. He regularly represents clients in civil and criminal court, along with representing clients in the Probate Court and Family Court.
