Will Cannon helps clients negotiate technology contracts, develop innovative products, 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 or refine a product.
Will represents Fortune 500 companies, midsize manufacturers, public and private colleges, startups, and individual clients. He enjoys collaborating with clients via technology to function as a fully integrated member of their teams, including in providing counsel on product development. He has negotiated multimillion-dollar deals with some of the country's largest social media and software companies. He also manages the trademark portfolios of universities across North Carolina and is the former leader of Parker Poe's Education Industry Team.
Will is a North Carolina State Bar board-certified specialist in trademark law and co-chairs the NC Bar Association's Intellectual Property Licensing Committee. He also leads Parker Poe's Technology Industry Team and serves on the firm's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee, which drives the firm's efforts to deliver the most value to clients through AI.
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. The NC Bar Association's Intellectual Property Section has honored Will with its Outstanding Achievement Pro Bono Award.
In 2019, the Triangle Business Journal named Will among the 40 top business leaders under the age of 40 in the region.