Education

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law

Juris Doctor, with Honors, May 2006




University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Romance Languages, May 2003

Rhonda Patterson for Judge

Rhonda L. Patterson-Wrighten earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and Romance Languages from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.

Legal Experience

Rhonda began her legal career at two of our nation’s most prestigious law firms—Alston + Bird LLP and KL Gates LLP. Rhonda served as partner at Offit Kurman LLP and was the founder and managing attorney at The Patterson Law Office, PLLC.

Rhonda served as a partner at Offit Kurman LLP and as the founder and managing attorney at The Patterson Law Office, PLLC. She began her legal career at Alston + Bird LLP and K&L Gates LLP.

Rhonda L. Patterson (Democratic Party) is a judge of the North Carolina District Court District 26 Seat 21. Patterson assumed office on January 1, 2023. Patterson's current term ends on December 31, 2026.

Rhonda Patterson

Patterson (Democratic Party) ran for election for judge of the North Carolina District Court District 26 Seat 21. Patterson won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Rhonda currently serves as a judge of the North Carolina District Court, District 26, Seat 21. She was elected in 2022.

Rhonda Patterson - Ballotpedia

2026 North Carolina General Election

District Domestic Court – Judge Christy T. Mann (CTM)
Calendar Call on 12/12/2025 (for the Trial Term beginning 1/20/2026)
District Domestic Court – Judge J. Rex Marvel (JRM)
Calendar Call on 12/4/2025 (for the Trial Term beginning 01/12/2026)
Administrative Calendar : For the session beginning 1/12/2026
Calendar Call on 1/15/2026 (for the Trial Term beginning 2-9/2026)
District Domestic Court – Judge Paige Barnes McThenia (PBM)
CALENDAR CALL ON 12-18-2025 at 9:00 AM (FOR THE TRIAL TERM BEGINNING 1-26-2026)
ADMINISTRATIVE CALENDAR – FOR THE SESSION BEGINNING 1-26-2026
CALENDAR CALL ON 1-29-2025 at 9:00 AM (FOR THE TRIAL TERM BEGINNING 2-23-2026)
District Domestic Court – Judge Rhonda L. Patterson-Wrighten (RLP)
ADMINISTRATIVE CALENDAR – FOR THE SESSION BEGINNING 1-5-2026
CALENDAR CALL ON 1-8-2026 at 11:00 AM (FOR THE TRIAL TERM BEGINNING 2-2-2026
ADMINISTRATIVE CALENDAR – FOR THE SESSION BEGINNING 2-2-2026
CALENDAR CALL ON 2-5-2026 at 11:00 AM (FOR THE TRIAL TERM BEGINNING 3-2-2026

Mecklenburg County Local Administrative Schedules

Why I’m Running

I’ve spent the last three years primarily in family and domestic violence courtrooms—both civil and criminal. Every day that I badge into a courtroom, I strive to preside with patience and to extend the grace that we all need. At the same time, I work hard to listen, to study the law and to make legally sound decisions. I’m responsive, manage my case load and run an efficient courtroom. When necessary, I hold people accountable and make hard decisions in away that is respectful and that promotes positive change.

Serves as a District Domestic Court judge.

Has worked primarily in civil and criminal family and domestic violence courtrooms for the past three years.

Began her legal career at Alston + Bird LLP and K&L Gates LLP.

Founded and served as managing attorney at The Patterson Law Office, PLLC.

- Serves as a District Domestic Court judge.
- Has worked primarily in civil and criminal family and domestic violence courtrooms for the past three years.
- Began her legal career at Alston + Bird LLP and K&L Gates LLP.
- Served as a partner at Offit Kurman LLP.
- Founded and served as managing attorney at The Patterson Law Office, PLLC.

Legal Experience

Said she manages her caseload and runs an efficient courtroom.

- Said she manages her caseload and runs an efficient courtroom.

Judicial Administration

Said she strives to preside with patience and extend grace in the courtroom.

Said she works to listen, study the law, and make legally sound decisions.

Said she holds people accountable and makes difficult decisions respectfully when necessary.

- Said she strives to preside with patience and extend grace in the courtroom.
- Said she works to listen, study the law, and make legally sound decisions.
- Said she holds people accountable and makes difficult decisions respectfully when necessary.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 5, 2026, Rhonda L. Patterson-Wrighten’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Rhonda has been affiliated with the following organizations: North Carolina Bar Association, Council for Children’s Rights,

Mecklenburg County Bar Association, A

Child’s Place, Leary Bar, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Mecklenburg

County District Court Arbitrations Team, Socrates Academy Board

of Directors, Meck County Domestic Bench Bar Committee

Has been affiliated with the Council for Children’s Rights.

Has been affiliated with A Child’s Place.

Has been affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Has been affiliated with the Socrates Academy Board of Directors.

- Has been affiliated with the Council for Children’s Rights.
- Has been affiliated with A Child’s Place.
- Has been affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Has been affiliated with the Socrates Academy Board of Directors.

Community Involvement

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Rhonda L. Patterson-Wrighten

Rhonda is a judge for the North Carolina District Court, District 26. She previously worked as a partner at Offit Kurman LLP, as a managing attorney at The Patterson Law Office, PLLC, and at two law firms, Alston + Bird LLP and KL Gates LLP. 

Rhonda is currently a judge of the North Carolina District Court, District 26, Seat 21. She was elected in 2022 and her current term ends in 2026. 

2026 elections start. Who's running for Congress, legislature ...

As a judge, Patterson-Wrighten is responsive, manages her case load effectively, and runs an efficient courtroom while holding people accountable and making respectful, hard decisions that promote positive change.

Pavel Tantchev

Buket Urgen

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

Judge who handles majority of trial level cases.