Rodney completed his LLB (Hons) degree at the University of Auckland, receiving the Auckland Law Society Prize for the best undergraduate record. He also qualified as an accountant, becoming an Associate Chartered Accountant in 1969. From 1973 to 1991 he practised with Simpson Grierson and predecessor firms. He joined Shortland Chambers as a barrister sole in 1991 and took silk in 1995.
Rodney has completed the Bond University mediation course and since his retirement has practised as Shortland Chambers as an arbitrator and mediator.