Christopher L. Rhoads

Christopher L. Rhoads, a Kentucky personal injury attorney, is the lead partner of Rhoads & Rhoads, PSC. He has been exclusively representing injury and disability victims for over twenty-five (25) years, specializing in vehicle accidents, wrongful death, product liability cases, traumatic brain injury, and Social Security Disability law. Prior to joining his family’s law firm, Rhoads & Rhoads, PSC, Chris practiced at a large defense firm in Lexington, Kentucky where he represented insurance companies, trucking companies, product manufacturers, and corporations. This experience served Chris well to better understand how the cases he now litigates for injured people are defended, and this experience gives him a unique perspective to effectively represent injury and disability victims. Chris is passionate about helping people and has earned a stellar reputation in the community for his dedication to his clients and for achieving successful results for his clients. He has extensive trial experience and has been involved in several multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts over the past three (3) decades.

Chris has an “AV” rating, the highest possible national rating for professional excellence and ethics, from Martindale-Hubbell. The “AV” rating is derived from confidential assessments by attorneys and judges across the state. In addition to the highest attainable legal ability ratings, he has been given the highest marks for “adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence.” Chris is a member of the National Association of Distinguisshed Counsel, Litigation Counsel of America, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and has served on the Board of Governors for the Kentucky Justice Association (the state trial lawyers association) for over twenty (20) years, and in 2025 was elected as President of the Kentucky Justice Association. Chris has also been given the honor by two (2) Governors to be appointed to serve as a special justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court on two (2) separate occasions. He has successfully argued cases in the Kentucky appellate courts and in the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has also consistently been awarded “Best Attorney” by Owensboro Living Magazine through the Messenger-Inquirer Readers’ Choice Awards.

Chris is very active in the legal community and has held leadership positions in the Kentucky Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and in the Daviess County Bar Association. He is a frequent speaker and seminars and conventions across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is important to Chris to be an active community member. He has been a member at Settle Memorial Methodist Church and has served in several missionary-related positions, on the Administrative Board and has taught Sunday School for many years. He serves on the Owensboro Health Foundation Board of Directors, and is on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. Chris has also served on the Board of Directors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Owensboro, Mentor Kids of Kentucky and at the OASIS spouse abuse shelter. Chris is vested in his community and takes a great deal of pride in his community and being a seventh generation western Kentuckian.

10/18/1996 Supreme Court of Kentucky, and all Courts in the
Commonwealth of Kentucky
01/21/1997 U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
02/08/1997 U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
03/17/1999 U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
03/16/2012 U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Furman University (Greenville, SC)
attended August 1988 to May 1992
awarded Bachelor of Arts degree
University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law (Lexington, KY)
attended August 1993 to May 1996
awarded Juris Doctor degree

Furman University (Greenville, SC)
attended August 1988 to May 1992
awarded Bachelor of Arts degree
University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law (Lexington, KY)
attended August 1993 to May 1996
awarded Juris Doctor degree

1996-2000 Associate Attorney – WOODWARD, HOBSON & FULTON, LLP (now DINSMORE & SHOHL, LLP) (Lexington, KY) primarily worked with attorneys Lionel Hawse, Lin West, Chris Cashen, David Monohan, and Dick Clay

Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, member, 2016-Present
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Premier Rating
Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel, U.S. District Court for Western District of Kentucky, Bowling Green Division, appointed by Chief District Judge Greg N. Stivers, 2020
Kentucky Bar Association Pro Bono Award (over 50 hours of donated legal services), 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2024
Owensboro Living Magazine (Owensboro, KY) Best of Owensboro Awards:
Christopher L. Rhoads: “Best Attorney” Platinum, 2025, 2024, 2023,
2022, 2021, 2020
Rhoads & Rhoads, PSC: “Best Law Firm” Platinum, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
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Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY) Readers’ Choice Awards
Christopher L. Rhoads: “Best Attorney” Platinum, 2024, 2022
Christopher L. Rhoads: “Best Attorney” Gold, 2025, 2023, 2021
Rhoads & Rhoads, PSC: “Best Law Firm” Platinum, 2025, 2024, 2023,
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, Lodge #16 (Owensboro, KY), Community Service and Appreciation Award, 2019

Kentucky Bar Association, 1996-Present
Trial Commissioner, appointed 2010-2014
KBA Annual Convention Planning Committee, member, 2017
2014 KYLap Committee, member 2003-2005; 2006-2009
Kentucky Supreme Court, Special Justice, appointed by Governor Andy Beshear, 2023
Presided over the appeal of 2022-SC-0281-D (2020-CA-1433) (Karen Sloan, Pro Se; and Mark Vander Boegh, Pro Se, Movant, vs. Bank of Oklahoma (Now Known as BOKF), N.A., as Trustee of the Charles R. Jones, Sr. Inter Vivos Trust Dated May 1, 1973 and the Eula Kathleen Jones Testamentary Trust U/W/D October 24, 1967, Respondent), Motion for Discretionary Review of the decision of the Court of Appeals denied by VanMeter, C.J; Bisig; Conley; Keller; Thompson, J.J.; and Christopher Rhoads, Special Justice, sitting. (2023 Ky. LEXIS 69)
Kentucky Supreme Court, Special Justice, appointed by Governor Steven Beshear, 2011
Presided over the appeals of 2007-SC-000511DG (Patricia Greene, et al. Appellants vs. Commonwealth of Kentucky, Administrative Office of the Courts, et al., Appellees) / 2008-SC-000783-DG (Commonwealth of Kentucky, Administrative Office of the Court, Cross-Appellant vs. Patricia Green, et al. Cross-Appellees), majority opinion of the Court published and written by Christopher L. Rhoads. (349 S.W.3d 892)
Daviess County Bar Association, member, 2000-Present
Treasurer, 2001
Vice-President, 2002
Liberty Bell Committee, member, 2000-2012
Scholarship Committee, member, 2001-2013
Kentucky Justice Association (KJA) (f/k/a Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys (KATA)), member, 2000-Present
Board of Governors, 2002-Present
District Vice President, 2005-2014
Executive Committee (Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President), 2016-2019
Executive Committee (Vice-President, President-Elect), 2024-2025
Scheduled to serve as KJA President, 2026
Have served on the following:
Legislative Committee
Membership Committee
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Kentucky Justice Association (KJA) (f/k/a Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys (KATA)) – continued
Annual Convention Committee
CLE Committee
Judicial Committee
American Association for Justice (AAJ) (f/k/a American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA)), member, 2000-Present
Board of Governors, Young Lawyers Division, 2002-2004
University of Kentucky J. David Rosenburg College of Law Alumni Association, member, 1996-Present
Class Representative, 2000-2004
Law Student Mentor Representative, 2020-2022
National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), member, 2015-Present
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, member, 2016-Present
Defense Research Institute, member, 1996-2000
American Bar Association, member, 1996-2000
Hopkins County Bar Association, member, 2020-Present
Fayette County Bar Association, member, 1996-2000

2024 KJA Trial Skills Academy (Louisville, KY): served as faculty member & trial skills instructor for two (2) day academy instructing twenty (20) Kentucky attorneys on litigation, including trial (voir dire, opening statement, closing argument, direct & cross examinations) and evidentiary skills. Served primarily with attorneys Phil Grossman & Chad Gardner
2017 KJA Litigation Skills Seminar (Bowing Green, KY; Owensboro, KY): taught/presented CLE on “Kentucky Civil Litigation and Workers’ Compensation Subrogation”
2012 KBA Kentucky Law Update Seminar (Owensboro, KY; Louisville, KY): taught/presented CLE on “Understanding Uninsured/ Underinsured and PIP Law in Kentucky”
2009 KJA Litigation Skills Seminar (Owensboro & Bowling Green, KY) – taught/ presented CLE on “Mediation Tips
and Techniques”
2006 KJA: taught/presented CLE on “Earning Your Strips: Litigating for New Lawyers” (Louisville & Owensboro, KY – live and webinar)
2005 KJA: taught/presented “A Guide to Practicing Law for Young Attorneys” (Owensboro, KY – Live and Webinar CLE)
2024 Grace Christian Academy (State Representative D. J. Johnson’s Government Class, Owensboro, KY): featured speaker on “The Bill of Rights”
2023 Grace Christian Academy (State Representative D. J. Johnson’s Government Class, Owensboro, KY), featured speaker on “The Bill of Rights and Our Forefathers’ Intentions on Protecting Individual Liberties”
2022/2020/2015
Owensboro/Daviess County Fraternal Order of Police: Presentations/Speeches on “A Legal Update for Law Enforcement and Protecting Your Rights (and Your Spouse)”
2019/2015/2012/2008/2004/2001
United Steel Workers (“USWA”) Locals 9423 & 9443 (Owensboro, KY) Presentations/Speeches on “An Update on Kentucky Employment, Workplace Injury, and Disability Law”
2015 Owensboro Public Schools (Owensboro, KY): Presentation/Speech on “The Practice of Law”
2013 Owensboro Public Schools (Owensboro, KY): Presentation/Speech on “The Career of Law and the Separation of Powers”
2008 Owensboro/Daviess County Senior Citizens Center (Owensboro, KY): Presentation/Speech on “The Role of the Court System in the Commonwealth of Kentucky”
2001 Owensboro Downtown Church Consortium (Owensboro, KY): Presentation/Speech on “The Practice of Law and Faith Can be a Perfect Marriage”

2018 “Workers’ Compensation Subrogation and What Remains of AIK v. Bush,” The Advocate (Vol. 46, No., 5, Sept./Oct. 2018)
2017 “An Interview with Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham,” The Advocate (Vol. 45, No. 6, Nov./Dec. 2017)

Lawyers Mutual of Kentucky (LMICK) Board of Directors, 2016-Present
Claims Committee, member
Owensboro Health Foundation Board of Directors, 2020-Present
Executive Committee, 2022-Present
Settle Memorial Methodist Church, member, 2000-Present
Administrative Board, Vice-Chair
Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Adult Couples Sunday School Teacher
High School/Middle School Sunday School Teacher
Long-Term Planning/Visioning Committee
Mission Committee
Youth Group Volunteer
Youth Group Mission Trip Leader (Auxier, KY; Belize; Costa Rica)
Court Appointed Special Advocates (“CASA”) of Owensboro, Attorney
Volunteer Trainer, 2002-2005
OASIS Women’s Shelter Board of Directors, 2000-2004
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Committee (Owensboro, KY), Member and Volunteer, 2002-2006
Salvation Army Board of Directors (Owensboro, KY), 2004-Present
Executive Committee member, 2018-2024
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Owensboro Board of Directors, 2000-2003
Mentor Kids Kentucky (formerly known as Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Owensboro) Board of Directors, 2004-2008
Southern Little League Board of Directors, 2012-2014
Little League Coach, 2006-2018
Western Little League (Owensboro, KY), Cal Ripken League Coach, 2018
Upwards Basketball of Owensboro, KY, Volunteer and Youth Coach, 2006-2010, 2015, 2017
Kids Football League (“KFL”) (Owensboro, KY), Youth Football Coach, 2017; 2018
Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, member, 2000-Present
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bluegrass Board of Directors (Lexington, KY), 1998-2000
Big Brother, 1992-2000
St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter (Owensboro, KY), Volunteer Meal Preparation/Serve Team member (1st Wednesday of each month)
Boulware Mission (Owensboro, KY), Volunteer, 2002-2010
Friends of Sinners (Owensboro, KY), former volunteer
Centenary Methodist Church (Lexington, KY), member, 1996-2000