Why Choose Rhys Rhodes Law?
Being charged with a crime is one of the most terrifying and isolating experiences a person can face. In that moment, you don’t just need a lawyer — you need someone who truly cares and understands.
I became a criminal defence lawyer because I’ve lived under the system’s scrutiny. I know firsthand how overwhelming it feels when your freedom, reputation, and dignity are on the line. When someone honours me with the trust of handling their case, I take it personally and defend them like family.
This isn’t just a job to me. I only take on cases I believe in, and when I do, I show up fully — prepared, passionate, and relentless. I’m not an out-of-touch professional in a suit. I speak plainly, listen without judgment, and treat every client with the time, care, and respect they deserve.
Your lawyer should help you feel informed, in control, and protected. I’ll make sure you do.
Rhys Rhodes, Barrister & Solicitor
Rhys is a trial lawyer who is both fierce and calculated in her approach to advocacy. Outside the courtroom, she supports her clients as a compassionate and down-to-earth guide.
She earned her Juris Doctor from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, where she was recognized for her excellence in criminal law with the Leon Judah Blackmore Award (2022) and the Honourable Grant D. Burnyeat, K.C., Award (2021).
Rhys’s path to becoming a lawyer wasn’t typical. She was the first in her family to finish high school and worked full-time to support herself through university. These experiences taught her from a young age how to face tough odds and succeed.
Before law school, Rhys graduated with honours from UBC’s Sauder School of Business, earning a Bachelor of Commerce and a Minor in Psychology. This background gives Rhys a unique insight into both complex systems and the people affected by them.
Rhys takes every case personally — because she knows how overwhelming the justice system can be when a person’s freedom, reputation, and dignity are at stake.
Based in British Columbia, Rhys defends serious charges across the province, from Provincial Court to the Court of Appeal.
Her practice focuses on complex cases, including violent and sexual offences, and she’s proud to stand beside people from all walks of life.
Mentorship in Action
Rhys shared her experiences as a first-generation graduate at a UBC Career Centre event, offering students practical advice on mentorship, funding opportunities, and navigating work alongside studies. She also delivers guest lectures on wrongful convictions, a subject she’s been passionate about bringing into high schools for the past six years.
Hayley Chang, Designated Paralegal
Hayley is used to playing defence. As a Division 1 Academic All-American athlete, she thrives under pressure and brings precision, energy, and empathy to every case.
Hayley has worked with Rhys throughout her studies at Merrimack College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in Criminology and Criminal Justice and triple minor in Political Science, Pre-Law, and Law, Ethics & Society.
After interning with leading criminal law firms in Vancouver and the UBC Innocence Project, Hayley began working as a paralegal while she prepares for law school. She brings dedication, attention to detail, and a caring approach to every case. She works closely with clients to ensure that no stone is left unturned.
