Chad Rhoades is an experienced litigator with extensive policy and political experience at both the federal and state level across multiple branches of government. Prior to joining Cranfill Sumner, Chad was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, served as Chief Counsel to United States Senator Thom Tillis, and worked in state government at the North Carolina General Assembly. Chad practices in the Raleigh office and is a member of the firm’s Administrative, Regulatory and Government Law and White Collar, Government Investigations, and Special Matters practice groups. Chad is also a member of Mincey Bell Milnor, an affiliate boutique group of Cranfill Sumner LLP.
As a federal prosecutor, Chad prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases, led violent crime reduction task forces, chaired nine jury trials, and successfully argued before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Chad has led complex investigations and indicted sophisticated criminal organizations engaged in drug trafficking, violent crime, fraud, firearms trafficking, and money laundering.
Prior to joining the United States Attorney’s Office, Chad served as Chief Counsel to United States Senator Thom Tillis. As Chief Counsel, Chad advised on matters that included firearms policy, antitrust, criminal justice reform, whistleblower protection, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, data privacy, campaign finance, and congressional and oversight investigations. During his time on Capitol Hill, Chad helped the office author, introduce, and shepherd bipartisan legislation. He also guided the office through the nomination and confirmation of Supreme Court justices, circuit court judges, and high-level executive appointments.
Before his time in Washington, D.C., Chad worked in state government at the North Carolina General Assembly where he practiced and advised in election and campaign law. His experience coalition and consensus building, and his deep knowledge of federal government and North Carolina legislative and regulatory processes will help clients navigate complex issues and achieve results outside the courtroom.
Chad received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and law degree from Campbell University.
Most Recent Posts
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An Administrative State No Longer: How North Carolina May Reduce Executive Authority
The distinctions and relationships between the three branches of government-legislative, judicial, and administrative-are not static, but ever-changing, both at the...
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United States Supreme Court Upholds Biden Administration’s Regulation of Ghost Guns
In November 2023 we discussed the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to strike down a Biden-era firearm regulation concerning...
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Record Number of Qui Tam Actions Filed in Fiscal Year 2024
The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently announced that in fiscal year 2024 (“FY2024”), settlements and judgments under the False...
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Chad Rhoades Named Chair of Cranfill Sumner Practice Group
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Chad Rhoades has been named the Chair of the firm’s Administrative, Regulatory and Government Law Practice Group. Robert El-Jaouhari will continue to serve as the practice group Vice Chair....
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Cranfill Sumner LLP Names New Partners
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Christina Zaroulis Milnor, Charlie Raphun, and Chad Rhoades have been named partners in the firm....
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Making Strides Toward Whistleblower Protection Law in Europe: Spain’s Implementation of the EU Whistleblower Directive
The European Union adopted the Whistleblower Protection Directive in 2019, seeking to establish a uniform complainant protection regime across EU...
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Breaking Precedent: Florida Court Declares False Claims Act Qui Tam Provisions Unconstitutional
On September 30, 2024, Judge Kathryn Mizelle of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida issued a...
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Chad Rhoades Serves on Criminal Justice Reform Panel
On Oct. 11, Chad Rhoades presented at the 2024 North Carolina Chapters Conference of the Federalist Society....
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DOJ’s Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program Is Open for Business
On August 1, 2024, the United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Division announced the details of its much-anticipated Corporate...
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Cranfill Sumner Launches Mincey Bell Milnor in Washington, D.C. with Partners Patrick Mincey, Stephen Bell and Christina Zaroulis Milnor, Former Assistant Secretary of the SEC
WASHINGTON - May 1, 2024 - North Carolina-based law firm, Cranfill Sumner LLP, announced today it has brought on former...
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Top Administration Officials Warn of Risks of Cyberattacks on U.S. Water and Wastewater Systems
On March 18, 2024, Michael S. Regan, Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Administrator, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a...
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The Department of Justice Unveils Groundbreaking Pilot Program: Incentivizing Whistleblowers with Immunity
On April 15, 2024, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) released an internal memo introducing a Pilot Program on Voluntary Disclosures...
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United States House Members Introduce Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act
Last month, Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC), along with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY), introduced legislation-the Protecting...
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DOJ Announces New Whistleblower Reward Program for Individuals to Combat Significant Corporate or Financial Misconduct
During a March 7, 2024, speech at the American Bar Association’s 39th National Institute on White Collar Crime, Deputy Attorney...
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Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Strikes Down Biden Administration’s “Ghost Gun” Rule
In April 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives finalized a rule designed to address so-called “Ghost Guns”...
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Chad Rhoades Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Chad Rhoades has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as Of Counsel. He focuses his practice in the firm’s Administrative, Regulatory, and Government Law and White Collar, Government Investigations, and Special Matters practice groups....
