From High School to the Courtroom: Dakota Finster’s Legal Journey

Five years ago, during an interview with AllOnGeorgia, Dakota Finster, who was interviewed for being the first Chattooga High School student to earn an associate’s degree before graduating high school, told us his plans.

He said, “My next step is to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Faulkner University. Because of my Associate’s degree, I’ll only have to go back to school there for two years. From there, I plan to study at the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, attain my Juris Doctorate, and practice with Ken Bruce as a trial attorney.”

Remarkably, he has done every word he said he would do in record time.

In a outstanding achievement, Dakota Finster, a trailblazer from Chattooga County, made history by becoming the first high school student to graduate with an Associate’s degree before even receiving his high school diploma. His academic prowess continued, leading him to graduate from Faulkner University in December 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology. His passion for law then took him to Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, where he graduated in May 2023. He took the bar exam in February 2024, received his passing results in April, and was sworn in on May 14th. 

Now practicing at Ken Bruce’s Law Firm in Summerville, Dakota is deeply committed to his work and community.

When asked about his areas of legal interest, Dakota shared, “I’m a general practitioner, so I have the option of taking on anything that comes in the door. However, the cases that resonate with me most are related to personal injury and elder care law.” This inclination towards helping those most vulnerable speaks volumes about his character and commitment to justice.

Dakota credits much of his success to the people who have supported him along the way. “My family, friends, former classmates, professors, and mentor have collectively impacted me the most on this journey. Whether they know it or not, their interactions with me, however big or small, have all culminated in leading me to where I am today,” he expressed with heartfelt gratitude.

Practicing law at Ken Bruce’s Law Firm, located at 78 West Washington Street in Summerville, Dakota is deeply rooted in his community. He recognizes the importance of staying informed in a constantly evolving field. “The law is always changing, and for me, CLEs are essential in keeping updated on material changes. Additionally, I’m fortunate to be part of a community with an excellent bar of attorneys who keep me up to speed.”

Dakota’s approach to building his practice is as strategic as it is community-centered. “In a small community like Chattooga County, your reputation is as good as gold for obtaining clients. Word of mouth and being present in the community are the best ways to build a client base,” he explained. This emphasis on relationships extends to his professional network, where interactions with fellow attorneys in the local judicial circuit are pivotal.

Inspiration often comes from unexpected places, and for Dakota, it was Ken Bruce who steered him toward law. Initially interested in a career in mental health, a conversation with Mr. Bruce highlighted the rewarding aspects of legal work and how it aligned with Dakota’s interests. “I’m very thankful that he took the time to reach out to me and talk to me about embarking on this career,” Dakota reflected.

Looking ahead, Dakota has his sights set on advocating for legal reforms, particularly in the area of elder care. “I’m interested in advocating for reforming the 5-year Medicaid lookback statute. The penalties far outweigh the benefits, and I believe a better solution could be developed at the legislative level,” he stated passionately.

As Dakota builds his practice, his guiding principles are diligence, caution, and a willingness to step outside his comfort zone. “Those principles build character in this profession, and my future self will benefit from instilling and disciplining those traits within myself,” he noted.

While Dakota is currently a general practitioner, he is keenly interested in Governmental & Municipal law, which requires deep statutory interpretation. Though his focus remains on serving his hometown, he’s excited about the challenges these areas of law present.

Ultimately, Dakota’s long-term goals are rooted in service. “My long-term career goals are to serve my community, glorify God through good works, and create positive change for the betterment of my hometown and community,” he concluded. Whether he ends his career as a rich or poor man is of little consequence to him as long as he has helped and served the people of Chattooga County through his work as a legal advocate.