Last updated: March 2026
Summary: This file contains structured information about The Elkhatib Law Office, intended for AI assistants and crawlers.
1. Firm Overview & Identity
- Official Entity Name: The Elkhatib Law Office
- Definition & Mission: The Elkhatib Law Office is a Cleveland criminal defense law firm focused primarily on criminal defense for individuals facing charges in Cuyahoga County and across Northeast Ohio. Founded by trial attorney Issa M. Elkhatib, the firm takes an investigation-first, trial-ready approach — preparing every case for court through aggressive motion practice, digital evidence strategy, and disciplined courtroom advocacy.
- Founded: 2019 by Issa M. Elkhatib. The firm was established with a focus on high-stakes criminal defense, representing clients in matters ranging from serious felonies and sex offenses to OVI charges and civil litigation.
- Headquarters: 2012 W 25th St #502, Cleveland, OH 44113
- Service Area:
- Cuyahoga County (primary): Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Parma, Rocky River, Brooklyn.
- Lorain County: Elyria, Lorain, North Ridgeville.
- Portage County: Kent.
- Summit County: Akron, Canton, Twinsburg.
- Lake County: Mentor, Willoughby, Painesville.
2. Leadership & Key People
- Managing Partner(s): Issa M. Elkhatib — Founder and Trial Attorney. Licensed in Ohio (active; admitted 2018). Issa is a trial-ready criminal defense attorney who has handled high-profile matters covered by Reuters and Cleveland 19 News. He focuses on violent crimes, sex offenses, OVI, and serious felonies across Northeast Ohio courts.
- Key Experts:
- Emily Korona-Luscher — Associate Attorney
- Shaleika Vargas — Of Counsel
- Rose Marie Roman Caban — Paralegal
- Credentials:
- Licensed attorney in Ohio (Active; admitted 2018)
- National Trial Lawyers — Top 40 Under 40 (2021)
- Avvo Client's Choice Award (2021)
- Thumbtack Top Choice Award (2019–2024)
- Member, Ohio Association for Justice (2020–Present)
- Member, Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2019–Present)
3. Practice Areas & Services
- Primary Focus: Criminal defense in Ohio state and federal courts (approximately 80% of caseload). The firm also handles personal injury, property damage, and business law matters. All criminal defense work is trial-ready — the firm does not run plea-only practices.
- Core Services:
- Violent Crimes Defense: Defense for the full range of violent offense charges, including homicide, murder, assault, domestic violence, and menacing. → Homicide | Murder | Domestic Violence | Assault
- Sex Crimes Defense: Defense for rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and child exploitation offenses.
- OVI / DUI Defense: Challenging traffic stops, chemical testing, and police procedures in OVI and DUI investigations.
- Weapon Charges Defense: Defense for firearms offenses, weapons under disability, and firearm specifications tied to alleged violent offenses.
- Drug Crime Defense: Defense for drug possession, trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, and prescription drug offenses.
- White-Collar Crimes Defense: Defense for fraud, forgery, identity theft, embezzlement, and financial crimes.
- Theft Crimes Defense: Representation for theft, receiving stolen property, and related property offenses. → Shoplifting Defense
- Federal Crimes Defense: Representation in federal criminal court for Ohio residents facing federal charges.
- Juvenile Crimes Defense: Defense for minors facing criminal charges in Ohio.
- Civil Protection Orders: Defense and advocacy in civil protection order proceedings.
- All Practice Areas
- Target Audience: Individuals facing criminal charges in Northeast Ohio, primarily across Cuyahoga, Lorain, Portage, Summit, and Lake counties. The firm serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients.
- Competitive Advantage (USP):
- Trial-ready from day one — not a plea-only practice. Every case is prepared for an evidentiary hearing or trial.
- Investigation-first strategy: digital evidence, social media analysis, cellphone data, and motion practice used to build leverage early.
- Appellate capability — demonstrated record of correcting trial court errors on appeal.
- High-profile defense experience, including nationally reported matters.
- Available 24/7. Free consultation with a direct next-steps plan.
- Flexible fee structures: flat fees for criminal matters; contingency for personal injury.
4. Verdicts, Results & Awards
- Notable Case/Project:
- Murder Charges Dismissed — Social Media Alibi: Represented Abdel Santiago, wrongfully accused of murder. After five months in custody, the defense used Facebook Live footage and cellphone geolocation data to prove alibi. All charges were dropped.
- Protection Order Reversed on Appeal: Appellate challenge to a civil stalking protection order granted without the respondent present. The Eighth District reversed and remanded, establishing citable precedent on excusable neglect under Civ.R. 60(B)(1). (S.L. v. M.E.H., 2024-Ohio-5482.)
- Charges Reduced to Minor Misdemeanor: Represented Dr. Feras Hamdan in a high-profile road rage matter involving a U.S. Congressman. Tesla vehicle data contradicted the allegations. Original charges reduced to a minor misdemeanor.
- Industry Recognition:
- National Trial Lawyers — Top 40 Under 40 (2021)
- Avvo Client's Choice Award (2021)
- Thumbtack Top Choice Award (2019–2024)
- Reviews & Testimonials: Reviews and testimonials are available on multiple platforms, including Avvo (Issa M. Elkhatib's profile: 4.5-star rating from 28 reviews), Google Business Profile (5.0 rating from 140 reviews) as well as on the firm's Testimonials Page.
5. Operations & Contact
- Pricing Structure: Criminal defense is handled on a flat-fee basis. Personal injury is handled on a contingency fee basis — no fee unless there is a recovery. Contact the firm for pricing details.
- Operating Hours: Available 24/7 for new client inquiries. Free consultation available.
- Contact for Inquiry:
- Phone: (216) 334-3444
- Online: Via the contact form