The Mountain Judicial Circuit’s newest judge is on the bench. Habersham County attorney William “Bill” Oliver was recently sworn in as the Mountain Judicial Circuit’s third judge.
Judge Oliver was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp on Dec. 6, 2022. He was sworn in at the Habersham County Courthouse by Chief Judge Russell Smith on Jan. 13, 2023.
Oliver is a native of Habersham County.
He attended Gainesville College, Western Carolina University, and the University of Georgia. He received his law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law in 1981 and began his law practice in Cornelia in the firm founded by his grandfather, Grover C. Oliver.
He subsequently practiced law as a partner in his own firm, first with Oliver & Woods and, most recently, with Oliver & Weidner.
Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Oliver to serve as the Habersham County solicitor in 2010. Oliver held that position until his appointment as superior court judge.
Judge Oliver resides in Habersham County. He has two daughters and four granddaughters and is a member of River Point Community Church.
Georgia’s superior courts are the highest general jurisdiction trial courts in the state. Superior courts have jurisdiction over criminal cases, including felonies and cases where the death penalty is sought, as well as civil cases, including divorce and custody cases, child support, family violence and stalking, property disputes, personal injury cases and almost every other type civil case. Superior courts have exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving injunctions and restraining orders.
The Mountain Judicial Circuit consists of Habersham, Rabun and Stephens counties.
Oliver’s office is located at the Rabun County Courthouse in Clayton. He is the first superior court judge in the circuit’s history to have an office in Rabun County.
