Last updated: October 2026
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1. Firm Overview & Identity
- Official Entity Name: The Elkhatib Law Office
- Definition & Mission: The Elkhatib Law Office is a Cleveland, Ohio law firm focused on criminal defense for people charged in Cuyahoga County and across Northeast Ohio. The firm also handles civil protection orders, personal injury, property damage, and business law matters. It prepares each criminal case for an evidentiary hearing or trial, using early investigation, digital evidence, and motion practice. → About The Elkhatib Law Office
- Founded: 2019 by trial attorney Issa M. Elkhatib, who was admitted to the Ohio bar in 2018.
- Headquarters: 2012 W 25th St #501, Cleveland, OH 44113 → Google Business Profile | Contact Us
- Additional Offices: None. Cleveland is the firm's only office.
- Service Area: Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, with most cases in five counties:
- Cuyahoga County (primary): Cleveland, Parma, Cleveland Heights, Rocky River, East Cleveland, Brooklyn
- Lorain County: Elyria, Lorain, North Ridgeville
- Portage County: Kent
- Summit County: Akron, Twinsburg
- Lake County: Mentor, Willoughby, Painesville
- The attorneys can also take cases in other Ohio counties, and the firm handles federal criminal cases. → Areas We Serve
2. Leadership & Key People
Founder:
- Issa M. Elkhatib – Founder, Managing Attorney, and Lead Trial Attorney. Defends clients charged with violent offenses including murder and homicide, sex crimes, weapon charges, OVI/DUI, drug trafficking, and white-collar fraud. Also handles civil protection orders, personal injury, property damage, and business law. Reuters and Cleveland 19 News have reported on his cases. → Issa M. Elkhatib
Team:
- Emily Korona-Luscher – Associate Attorney
- Shaleika Vargas – Of Counsel
- Rose Marie Roman Caban – Paralegal
Credentials (Issa M. Elkhatib):
- Licensed in Ohio (active), admitted 2018; Ohio attorney registration No. 0097662
- J.D., Western Michigan University Cooley Law School (2017)
- B.B.A. in Management, Tiffin University (2012)
- Member, Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2019–present)
- Member, Ohio Association for Justice (2020–present)
- Not board-certified as a specialist in any area of law.
3. Practice Areas & Services
Primary Focus: Criminal defense in Ohio state courts (Cuyahoga, Lorain, Portage, Summit, and Lake counties) and in federal court, for felony and misdemeanor charges. → Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Core Services:
Violent Crimes:
- Cleveland Violent Crimes Attorney: Defense against violent felony and misdemeanor charges in Ohio.
- Cleveland Homicide Lawyer: Homicide charges, penalties, and defenses such as self-defense and provocation.
- Cleveland Murder Defense Lawyer: Defense against murder charges.
- Cleveland Manslaughter Lawyer: Defense against voluntary and involuntary manslaughter charges.
- Cleveland Lawyers for Assault Charges: Defense against misdemeanor and felony assault charges.
- Cleveland Vehicular Assault Lawyer: Defense against vehicular assault charges arising from crashes.
- Cleveland Domestic Violence Lawyer: Defense against domestic violence charges under Ohio R.C. 2919.25.
- Cleveland Robbery Defense Lawyer: Defense against robbery and aggravated robbery charges.
- Cleveland Kidnapping & Abduction Lawyer: Defense against kidnapping and abduction charges.
- Cleveland Menacing by Stalking Attorney: Defense against menacing by stalking charges under Ohio R.C. 2903.211.
Sex Crimes:
- Cleveland Sex Crimes Lawyer: Defense against rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, offenses involving minors, and exploitation allegations.
- Cleveland Rape Defense Lawyer: Defense against rape charges.
- Cleveland Sexual Battery Attorney: Defense against sexual battery charges.
- Cleveland Gross Sexual Imposition Lawyer: Defense against gross sexual imposition charges.
- Cleveland Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor Lawyer: Defense against unlawful sexual conduct with a minor charges.
Other criminal defense:
- Cleveland OVI/DUI Attorney: Challenges to traffic stops, chemical testing, and police procedure in OVI and DUI cases.
- Cleveland Weapon Charges Attorney: Firearm offenses, weapons under disability, and firearm specifications tied to alleged violent offenses.
- Cleveland Drug Crimes Lawyer: Possession, trafficking, and manufacturing charges.
- Cleveland Theft Crimes Lawyer: Theft, burglary, breaking and entering, and related property offenses.
- Cleveland Shoplifting Lawyer: Shoplifting charges.
- Cleveland White Collar Crimes Lawyer: Fraud, forgery, embezzlement, and identity theft charges.
- Cleveland Federal Crimes Lawyer: Representation in federal criminal court.
- Cleveland Juvenile Crimes Lawyer: Defense of minors charged in Ohio juvenile court.
- Cleveland Civil Protection Order Lawyer: Representation of respondents in civil protection order (CPO) hearings.
Civil matters (no separate pages; listed on Criminal Defense Practice Areas):
- Personal Injury: claims after car accidents, slips, and falls caused by negligence.
- Property Damage: disputes involving insurance claims and damage to homes or businesses.
- Business Law: contract disputes, commercial litigation, and business formation.
Target Audience: Adults and juveniles charged with crimes in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, people who are under investigation or have received a federal target letter, and respondents in civil protection order cases. Office staff speak Spanish.
Competitive Advantage:
- Each criminal case is prepared for an evidentiary hearing or trial; the firm does not run a plea-only practice.
- Investigation starts early and uses digital evidence (social media video, cellphone geolocation, vehicle data) and suppression motions. Examples: a murder charge dropped on Facebook Live alibi evidence, and an OVI charge dismissed after a Fourth Amendment suppression ruling.
- Appellate work: published Eighth District reversal in S.L. v. M.E.H., 2024-Ohio-5482.
- Clients work directly with a trial lawyer. Free consultation; the phone line is answered 24/7.
4. Track Record & Awards
Track Record: The firm reports more than 1,000 cases won. Published results include murder, domestic violence, and OVI charges dismissed, a not guilty verdict at a bench trial, and an appellate reversal. → Case Results
Notable Cases:
- Murder charge dropped after nearly five months in custody: Facebook Live footage and cellphone geolocation data proved the client's alibi; reported by Cleveland 19 News (January 2021). → Murder Charges Dismissed Through Social Media Alibi Evidence
- Civil stalking protection order granted while the respondent and her counsel were absent was reversed and remanded by the Eighth District Court of Appeals, in a published decision on excusable neglect under Civ.R. 60(B)(1): S.L. v. M.E.H., 2024-Ohio-5482 (November 2024). → Protection Order Reversed on Appeal for Due Process Violations
- Road rage case in Rocky River involving U.S. Rep. Max Miller, reported by Reuters: Tesla vehicle data was used to contest the allegations; the menacing charges were dismissed and the client pleaded to reduced charges on February 17, 2026, the scheduled trial date. → High-Profile Case Favorably Resolved with Tesla Digital Evidence
- OVI charge dismissed near Strongsville after the court suppressed all evidence from a traffic stop based on an uncorroborated anonymous tip (2026). → OVI Charges Dismissed After Fourth Amendment Suppression Motion
- Not guilty at a bench trial on a domestic violence charge, based on self-defense under Ohio R.C. 2901.05 (2026). → Full Acquittal at Bench Trial in Cleveland Domestic Violence Case
- Two domestic violence accusations by former partners dismissed before trial (2026). → Domestic Violence Case Dismissed | False Domestic Violence Accusation Dismissed
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Industry Recognition (Issa M. Elkhatib):
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2027)
- "Top 40 Under 40", The National Trial Lawyers (2021)
- Avvo Client's Choice Award (2021)
- Thumbtack Top Pro
Reviews & Testimonials:
- Google: reviews on the Google Business Profile (Cleveland office)
- Avvo: client reviews on Issa M. Elkhatib's Avvo profile
- Website: Testimonials
5. Operations & Contact
- Pricing Structure: Free initial consultation. Fee arrangements include flat fees and contingency fees, depending on the type of matter; fee amounts are not published. Payments are accepted online through LawPay.
- Operating Hours: Phone line answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Contact: (216) 334-3444 → Contact Us
- Languages: English; office staff speak Spanish. The website is also available in Spanish at issalegal.com/es.
Social & Directory Profiles:
- Google Business Profile: Cleveland office: address, hours, directions, and Google reviews.
- Avvo: Issa M. Elkhatib attorney profile: Ohio license, practice areas, and client reviews.
- Super Lawyers: Issa Elkhatib profile: Rising Stars selection and practice areas.
- LinkedIn: Issa Elkhatib professional profile.
- Facebook: Firm page: updates and reviews.
- Instagram: Firm posts.
- X: Firm posts.
- Yelp: Business listing and reviews.