Judges|Judge Carlan

Hon. William E. Carlan

Associate Judge

Career

2023-Present: Full-time Associate Magistrate Judge, Cherokee County

2009-2022: Trial Lawyer, Carlan Law, LLC

2020-2022: Canton City Councilor, Ward II, Canton, Georgia

2015-2020: Part-time Associate Magistrate Judge, Cherokee County

Education

Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University – J.D. 2009

School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia – B.S. 2006

Liberal Arts, Young Harris College- A.A 2004

Awards and Service

Eagle Scout, Troop 241, Canton, Georgia

Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals – Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, 2016

Leadership Cherokee- Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, 2018

“Best Law Firm” Award, Cherokee Tribune-Ledger “Best of Cherokee,” 2020

“Best Overall Attorney” Award, Cherokee Tribune-Ledger “Best of Cherokee,” 2020

Blue Ridge Bar Association, President 2013-2014

Canton Main Street Board

Cherokee Arts Center, Vice President

Teaching Experience

2019-Present – Adjunct Professor, Business Law and Ethics at Reinhardt University

Personal

Will Carlan was born and raised in Canton. A product of the Cherokee County school system, Will is a proud Cherokee High School Warrior. He graduated from Young Harris College, and then the University of Georgia with a degree in Political Science and Government. Will received his law degree from Mercer University and immediately began practicing in Downtown Canton. During college, he worked in Senator Zell Miller’s office in Washington, D.C. assisting in federal transportation appropriation negotiations.

Prior to joining the Magistrate Court as a full-time Associate Judge, Will served as the Ward II elected official to the Canton City Council. During his time on Council, Will helped rewrite the Charter and Ordinances for the City.

Will is an avid music, film, and theater patron with an ever-growing library of books and vinyl. He and his family live in Downtown Canton.