Khalif J. Rhodes, Esq., is a criminal defense attorney at the Rhodes Firm, PLLC. He holds a J.D. and LL.M., from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University.
He has been a lawyer for 12 years focusing on criminal defense and complex litigation involving civil rights. He has handled and litigated matters before state courts, federal courts, and administrative agencies.
Further, he is part of a small number of attorneys in North Carolina who represent defendants who are charged with capital offenses.
In 2017, he was appointed the Chief Magistrate of the 26th Judicial District. Under his guidance Mecklenburg County attempted to address the significant disparities in the criminal justice system. In 2019, he returned to private practice at The Rhodes Firm.
As a former law school adjunct professor, he taught on the subjects of ethics and professional responsibility.
For his service to his community, he has been recognized as:
- 40 Under 40 (2018) – Charlotte Business Journal
- Bar Leadership Institute Class of 2018 – Mecklenburg County Bar
- Inspiring Black Leader (2018) – Turning Point Academy
- Raising the Bar Award (2019) – Justice Initiatives, Inc.
- Men Moving Mountains (2021) – Pride Magazine, Inc.
- He is the Former Chairman of The Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
- He is a former board member of the Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Fatality review board
- He is a former member of the Criminal Justice Advisory Group (CJAG)
- He is a former board member of the Mecklenburg County Commissioner’s Small Business and Entrepreneurial Advisory Board
- Mr. Rhodes was a member of the planning committee to bring a Family Justice Center to Mecklenburg County
- Mr. Rhodes is a current member of the board of directors for S.T.A.R.S Math & English Academy
- He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Mecklenburg County Bar
- He is a member of the board of trustees for Central Piedmont Community College
Mr. Rhodes is a devout family man and a member of the Empowerment Center Church. Additionally, he is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Incorporated.
He has been married to Courtney Rhodes for over 14 years and they share four amazing children.