William C. "Bubba" Head

William C. “Bubba” Head is widely regarded as one of the architects of modern DUI defense in the United States. Alongside pioneers such as the late Reese I. Joye, Jr., of North Charleston SC and the late Lawrence E. Taylor, of Long Beach, CA, he helped shape the national movement to formally train and educate defense lawyers in impaired‑driving litigation, laying the groundwork for what would become a nationwide standard of advanced DUI defense practice. The first major “kick-off” seminar was held in the Buckhead section of Atlanta for the inaugural “Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI-DWI Cases” multi-day seminar and mock trial in October of 1994.

Over the course of his career, the Columbus, Georgia native has handled and influenced cases across the country, working not only in Georgia but also alongside attorneys in jurisdictions where impaired driving offenses are labeled differently—such as DWI in North Carolina, OWI in Michigan, and DUI in California. His work in these states has included both direct litigation and consultation, often focusing on complex evidentiary and scientific issues unique to each jurisdiction.

After graduating with honors from the University of Georgia as a history major, he immediately started law school at UGA. There, he was heavily involved in the UGA moot court program, which was his proving ground for competing in a courtroom.

His legal practice then started in Athens, before he relocated to the Atlanta GA area, due to this metro area having the most DUI arrests in the Peach State. After moving to Georgia’s bustling capital city, he has been dedicated almost exclusively to DUI defense.

He has hired dozens of other attorneys over five decades, making valuable connections with other criminal litigators. He is a Life Member of GACDL.org and a Life Member of NACDL.org, having spoken at many seminars for these criminal defense entities.

His current law firm has two law partners, Larry Kohn and Cory Yager. Neither criminal attorney has worked in any other law office except Mr. Head’s. Both partners focus 100% on criminal defense and are multiple year recipients of Best Lawyers’ awards in DUI defense and general criminal defense, Super Lawyers, AVVO and Martindale.com.

To consistently achieve optimal outcomes for clients, a criminal defender must have a deep understanding of constitutional protections, search and seizure law, and (for OVI-DUI defense cases) a comprehensive command of the scientific principles underlying breath tests, forensic blood analysis, and the pitfalls to be aware of if the police try to use urine testing. This focus on being able to debunk “junk science” has positioned all three members of the Firm as leading criminal litigators for their clients facing serious impaired‑driving cases.

Mr. Head has been involved in more than 12,000 DUI-related cases over his half century of work, ranging from first-offense misdemeanors to serious felony charges such as vehicular homicide and injury by vehicle. Earlier in his career, he led what was then one of the largest law practices in the country devoted to serious traffic and DUI offenses, managing a team of 12 attorneys in Georgia. Today, he continues to work closely with his law partners, Larry Kohn and Cory Yager, maintaining a philosophy that every client’s case deserves the same level of commitment as if it involved a member of their own family.

His national reputation is also built on his courtroom work and strategic consulting. In North Carolina, he has partnered with local counsel to challenge traffic stops and breath testing procedures under that state’s specific legal framework. In Michigan, he has contributed to the defense of OWI and high-BAC cases by scrutinizing calibration records, lab procedures, and admissibility issues. In California, he has served as both a consulting and trial attorney in DUI cases, frequently focusing on breath testing and officer-administered field sobriety tests.

As a trained instructor in standardized field sobriety testing through NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), Mr. Head is known for exposing weaknesses in roadside testing and so-called “junk science.” His cross-examination methods --- particularly involving arresting officers and forensic experts --- have been taught to attorneys nationwide and have influenced how OWI-DUI cases are defended in courtrooms across the country.

Because of this experience, he is often sought out by other defense lawyers as a consultant on difficult or high-stakes cases. Within the legal community, he is frequently described as a “lawyer’s lawyer”—someone other attorneys rely on for insight, strategy, and practical trial techniques. Whether assisting a newer attorney preparing for a first jury trial or collaborating with seasoned counsel on complex litigation, he brings the same intensity and preparation to every case.

Mr. Head has played a significant role in the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), particularly during its early years. He regularly lectured and led breakout sessions, helping to train generations of DUI defense attorneys. His contributions included hands-on instruction in forensic science, informed in part by the time he spent learning about testing procedures inside a Tennessee crime laboratory located in Memphis. During that period, he collaborated with the then-director, the late Dr. David Stafford, Ph.D., to produce an educational video resource that remains a valuable teaching tool.

Through decades of national speaking engagements, he has educated thousands of attorneys on topics such as field sobriety testing, cross-examination of police officers, and challenging forensic evidence. His teaching has consistently emphasized practical, trial-focused skills that attorneys can apply immediately in court.

In 2003, his peers within the NCDD recognized his influence by voting him the top OUI- DUI defense attorney in the United States—a unique and singular national honor announced at the time by then-Dean of NCDD, Texas superstar DWI lawyer Gary Trichter, following a vote of more than the 800 NCDD members.

In addition to his trial work, Mr. Head is a prolific author. He has written and co-authored numerous DUI defense manuals and legal guides used by attorneys nationwide.

His Georgia DUI Trial Practice Manual, first published in 1995, became a foundational resource and was later acquired by Thomson Reuters. Updated editions of this 1400-page legal guide continue to serve as the comprehensive guide for litigating DUI cases at both the state and national level. Today, partners Cory E. Yager (an ex-cop before attending law school) and Lawrence A. Kohn co-author the book with him.

Despite his extensive teaching and writing credentials, he remains first and foremost a trial lawyer. His approach centers on thorough preparation, aggressive litigation, and a willingness to take challenging cases to trial. He is known for carefully analyzing video evidence, dissecting police reports, and challenging the reliability of forensic testing methods—efforts that have led to favorable outcomes in cases others considered difficult or unwinnable.

Recognizing the high stakes involved in DUI arrests—including risks to employment, professional licensing, and personal reputation—Mr. Head has approached each client’s case with urgency and strategic focus. His firm utilizes a team-based model that often includes the use of private investigators, field sobriety and crime laboratory expert witnesses, and collaboration with other experienced attorneys to challenge every aspect of the prosecution’s case.

Beyond individual cases, he has worked to foster collaboration within the defense community, helping establish networks of attorneys in Georgia and participating in similar efforts in South Carolina. These groups emphasize shared knowledge and strategy development rather than competition, strengthening the overall quality of DUI defense in the region.

His career has earned consistent recognition from leading legal rating organizations. He has maintained top peer-review ratings from Martindale-Hubbell for over three decades, has been repeatedly selected to Super Lawyers, and has been included in Best Lawyers since 2009—including multiple “Lawyer of the Year” honors in Atlanta, most recently in 2025. He has also held AVVO’s highest rating since the platform’s early presence in Georgia.

For clients and attorneys searching for experienced DUI representation, Mr. Head’s career reflects a rare combination of trial experience, national teaching influence, and long-standing leadership within the DUI defense community. Across five decades of practice, he has helped define what effective, science-based, and trial-ready DUI defense looks like—regardless of whether the charge is labeled DUI, DWI, OWI, or otherwise.