Sonya Pfeiffer is an American criminal defense lawyer known for her vigorous representation of clients in both federal and state courts. With a background in documentary filmmaking and journalism, she excels in communication and has successfully counseled numerous clients in complex plea negotiations and jury trials.
Early Life, Education, Family, Age
She loves her parents and is very close to her mother, Janet and she finds her mother is the best source of her inspiration.
From 1991 to 1995, Sonya attended Ohio University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and a minor in French.
During her time there, she served as the Club Soccer captain and an On-Air personality for WOUB TV and Radio. In the years 2004 to 2007, she pursued a Juris Doctor degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating Cum Laude with honors in Law.
Married Life, Husband, Kids
Sonya is happily married to her husband, David Rudolf, and they share a daughter named Zayne Rudolf. As a passionate wife/husband duo, Sonya and David dedicate their lives to combating civil rights violations, abuses by law enforcement, and wrongful convictions.
Career, Salary, Net Worth
Sonya began her legal career in the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s office, serving in both the Felony Drug and Misdemeanor Unit. She later worked in the business litigation division of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge, and Rice in Charlotte, handling both civil and criminal cases.
Since September 2011, Sonya has been an Attorney at Rudolf Widenhouse, based in North Carolina. She is a member of several bar associations and holds leadership positions in professional organizations.
Apart from her legal career, Sonya spent a decade covering local television news in various cities, including Raleigh, Omaha, Boston, and New York City. Based in Paris, she covered significant international stories, leveraging her proficiency in French.
Sonya is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker, having produced and directed films like “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Social Justice.” Additionally, she serves as the Creative Director/Owner of Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art in Charlotte, NC.
Throughout her career, Sonya has received numerous accolades, including the Service Award in 2019 and 2017, the 2016 Ebbie Award for Service by the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and Top Verdicts of 2012 and Service Award 2010 by North Carolina Lawyer’s Weekly and Mecklenburg County Public Defender.
Her documentary, “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Social Justice,” was officially selected for the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival in 2007.
