Arnold Goodstein Biography – Arnold Goodstein Wiki

Arnold Goodstein is an American attorney and a former state senator, highway commissioner, and home builder. He served in the South Carolina Senate from 1969 to 1970 and from 1975 to 1979. The South Carolina native was a Member of the House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973. He represented Charleston County as a Democrat.

Goodstein was educated in North Charleston public schools. He was the president of the student body at North Charleston High School in 1962. He graduated with his A.B. from Davidson College in 1966 and received his J.D., Cum Laude, from the University of South Carolina in 1971.

At Davidson, Goodstein was a Judge of the Honor Court and Cadet Capt. of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). He was also a member of Wig & Robe and Temple Beth Elohim.

Goodstein practiced in the firm of Goodstein, Bowling, Douglas & Phillips. He later became a partner in the Summerville firm of Goodstein & Goodstein, P.A., the practice he shared with his wife Diana Goodstein. He was the longtime attorney for the Charleston County Aviation Authority. The attorney is currently the owner of Goodstein Law Firm LLC in Summerville, SC.

Military Service

Goodstein was in active duty as an Armored Cavalry Officer in 1966. During his tour of duty as Combat Advisor to South Vietnamese Army, he twice awarded Bronze Star for heroism in action and cited for valor by South Vietnamese Government. He was wounded during 1968 Tet offensive. He was a captain in the South Carolina Army National Guard.

Home Builder

Goodstein led Summerville Homes, which was once one of the largest home-building businesses in the area until it ceased operations in 2008. He filed for a $61 million bankruptcy, which was discharged in 2011.

Arnold Goodstein Age

Arnold Samuel Goodstein was born on April 17, 1944 in Florence, South Carolina, to parents Melton A. and Carolyn F. Goodstein.

Arnold Goodstein Wife

Arnold Goodstein is married to Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein. He was previously married to Cynthia Lovay.

Arnold Goodstein Family

Arnold Goodstein and his wife, judge Diana Goodstein, have two children, Arnold Samuel Goodstein, II and Eve Schafer Goodstein. They are members of the Charleston Temple Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE). He had one daughter, Carmel Ann, from his first marriage to Cynthia Lovay.

Arnold Goodstein Political Party

Arnold Goodstein is a Democratic.

House Fire

On October 5, 2025, the St. Paul’s Fire District received reports of a fire with entrapment at a home in a gated area off Planters Retreat in Jeremy Cay on Edisto Island. The home is linked to former state Sen. Arnold Goodstein (D-Charleston) and his wife, Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein.

SPFD responded to assist the Edisto Beach Fire Department in extinguishing the fire and looking for occupants. According to officials, the occupants escaped the home by jumping from an elevated first floor. Three people were taken to the Medical University of South Carolina: One was airlifted and the other two were taken by ambulance. The current condition of the victims are unknown.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the incident, though it is not yet clear what caused the large property to burn to the ground, WYFF News 4 reported.