About Khaled
Khaled Issa earned his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in 2011 after completing a Bachelor of Business Administration at Robert Morris College in 2008. He entered law school having already shown interest in courtroom work, and he later added a trial advocacy certification from John Marshall to his academic credentials. Those years shaped an early emphasis on litigation skills and courtroom procedure.
His first notable legal role came in 2010 when he served as a law clerk in Cook County. That experience placed him inside the public sector and gave him exposure to everyday courtroom operations and case preparation. After finishing law school he moved into private practice and by 2013 he was working as a partner lawyer at James A. Payonk, Jr., P.C., where he handled trial preparation and client representation across a range of matters.
Issa created his own firm in 2021, founding Issa Law, LLC. The move to open a small practice reflected a desire to run a practice that prioritized direct client contact and hands-on trial work. Over the years he has balanced courtroom appearances with case strategy and client counseling, often taking on matters that require contested hearings and jury trials.
He maintains active membership in the State Bar of Illinois and holds membership in the Northern District of Illinois Federal General Bar, allowing him to practice in federal court. He is also a member of professional organizations that emphasize trial and criminal defense work, including The National Trial Lawyers and the National Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers. These memberships align with his practical background in litigation and trial advocacy.
Colleagues describe him as pragmatic in court and methodical in case preparation. He tends to prepare cases with an eye toward trial rather than relying solely on negotiation, and he often emphasizes clear presentation of evidence and witness preparation. His trial advocacy training informs how he frames factual narratives and questions witnesses during direct and cross-examination.
Issa represents clients in matters that require courtroom advocacy and federal filings. He splits his time between litigation tasks, client meetings, and court appearances. His current practice operates under Issa Law, LLC, where he represents clients in criminal defense and other trial-focused matters.
