Background:

I graduated from HHCA in 2005. In 2016, I graduated from the University of South Carolina, School of Law, and I graduated from the Darla Moore School of Business with an MBA in 2017. After law school, I clerked for Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. at the United States District Court, and then I clerked for Judge David R. Duncan at the United States Bankruptcy Court. Thereafter, I started my career in private law practice. Currently, I am the Co-Owner/Co-Founder of Spetsas Buist PLLC in Orlando, FL.

In recent news, I wrote a bestselling law school guide in 2020: How to Crush Law School. I was also selected to Rising Stars by Super Lawyers in 2022, which is an award bestowed upon roughly 2% of attorneys under 40.

What was your most memorable HHCA experience?

Orientation day. I moved to Hilton Head for my senior year of high school. I was absolutely terrified of being the new kid as a senior. I didn’t have friends or a social group or anything. However, after orientation day, I felt like everything was going to be alright. The teachers and students were very good to me, and I’ll never forget it.

What advice would you give to current students?

Boldly make choices. You can erase a lot of the confusion in life, especially when you’re young, by simply being decisive. Choose a path and give it everything you got. If you fail, thank God for the lesson and regroup. Then, pick another path, and go 100%. The key to success is to never stop moving forward. If you put in the effort, God will handle the rest. Just make sure He is a part of your decision-making process.

Boldly make choices. You can erase a lot of the confusion in life, especially when you’re young, by simply being decisive.

- Charles Buist (HHCA Class of 2005) on advice to current students