Bio

William Cannon helps clients negotiate technology contracts and safeguard their intellectual property rights. He is skilled at analyzing contracts and explaining legal complexity, walking clients through the information they need to complete a deal. Will represents Fortune 500 companies, midsize manufacturers, public and private colleges, startups, and individual clients. He manages the trademark portfolios of universities across North Carolina and is the former leader of Parker Poe’s Education Industry Team. He has also negotiated multimillion-dollar deals with some of the country’s largest social media and software companies. He is a North Carolina State Bar board certified specialist in trademark law and co-chairs the N.C. Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Licensing Committee. In the area of privacy law, clients rely on Will as they prepare for and respond to security breaches. The U.S. currently has a complicated state-by-state patchwork of security breach statutes, and Will helps clients large and small navigate that landscape. In addition, he is experienced with contracts involving cloud software, data sharing, distribution and supply, logistics, disaster recovery, and other areas. He has advised clients on both sides of franchise agreements, whether they are looking to open a local franchise or want to sell their business using that model. Outside of work, Will uses his understanding of intellectual property to serve nonprofits in North Carolina. He provides pro bono services to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Carroll’s Kitchen, A Place at the Table, Pretty in Pink Foundation, Kanuga, Water for Wildlife, and other organizations. In 2017, the N.C. Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Section honored Will with its Outstanding Achievement Pro Bono Award.