KHALIF J. RHODES, ESQ., was appointed chief magistrate of Mecklenburg County of the 26th Judicial District in 2017. Under his guidance, Mecklenburg County addressed the significant disparities in the criminal justice system and Attorney Rhodes was part of the team that rewrote Mecklenburg County’s bail policy. Thanks to the new policy, Mecklenburg County is the standard across the country for true criminal justice reform.

After resigning as chief magistrate, he returned to private practice at the Rhodes Firm, where he assists small to medium-sized businesses in mergers and acquisitions, corporate compliance, and due diligence.

In 2019, the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte Mecklenburg (BPC), a leadership body for the Black citizenry in Mecklenburg County, committed to informing and educating the community on the political process, voted to appoint Attorney Rhodes as its chairman.

Rhodes is on the board of directors for S.T.A.R.S Math & English Academy, is a former member of the Criminal Justice Advisory Group (CJAG), a former board member of the Mecklenburg County Commissioner’s Small Business and Entrepreneurial Advisory Board, and was a member of the planning committee for establishing the Family Justice Center in Mecklenburg County.

Rhodes received his Doctor of Law degree (J.D.) and his Master of Law degree (LL.M.) in corporate law and finance from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. He is also a graduate of Pennsylvania State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in political science.

Rhodes is a devout family man and 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 more than 14 years. They have four children, Khalif Jr., Camille, Cimone, and Corinne.

“When I am done, like Paul, I want to be able to say: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith,” says Rhodes.