We recently connected with Mohamad Tokko and have shared our conversation below.

Mohamad, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

Yes, my firm serves the underserved community of individuals who have no knowledge of the law yet get taken advantage of, whether that be a corrupt judicial system, racial injustice, ignorance of the law when dealing with other individuals or contracts, and in running their own business or household without the knowledge of the law.

I had a criminal defense case wherein the defendant did not knowingly and intelligently enter into his plea and the ambiguity of sentencing of flat time (calendar time) versus soft time (eligible for early release at 85% time served) was such that the defendant continued to be in custody after his sentence expired. He was sentenced to 10 years in his plea deal, however, he was under the impression, with specific language in his plea, that he would be serving his 10 year sentence at 85% and be eligible for early release. The prosecution stated on the record that he would be eligible for probation as there was a statute that would not be applicable for flat time for his charges. This created ambiguity in entering his plea, ultimately leading to my client being released as soon as possible (his 8.5 year mark) instead of completed the full 10 years because when he entered the plea, he understood it as soft time and to be released early.

My client’s initial counsel was a public defender who was ineffective at explaining the terms of the plea deal. The ineffectiveness of counsel and the ambiguity of the terms led to post-conviction relief for my client for punishment far beyond the sentencing guidelines put in place by the lawmakers and what my client understood.

These types of cases and representation matter because although a crime was committed and he was sentenced, the prosecution overreached the sentencing guidelines and misled my client into entering into this plea without full knowledge of what he was agreeing to. This happens every single day and there is a huge number of underserved communities that are underrepresented and I hope to help change that, day by day, case by case.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Mohamad Tokko and I am a first-generation Lebanese American born and raise in Dearborn, Michigan (right outside Detroit). I moved to Arizona in 2007 to pursue a career. I attended college at Arizona State University and initially wanted to become an Anesthesiologist but ultimately concluded that my true passion is law and decided to prepare for law school in my third-year of undergrad. I attended law school in 2012 and graduated in 2014 with honors. I do not regret my decision to change my profession and am so happy I made the change. This reiterates the principles that it is never too late.

After law school, I got admitted to practice law in the state of Arizona in 2016 and have been practicing ever since. I began in civil litigation, then moved on to criminal defense and additional civil litigation. After years of experience with both, I transitioned into insurance defense practicing commercial litigation, construction defect, and general liability like mass torts and catastrophic injuries. I now practice personal injury with some criminal defense.

My hobbies included golf, travel with my fiancé Lauren, food, content creating, music, and reading.

The problems I solve for my clients include any legal troubles or concerns or questions they may have to better assist them in their life achievements and goals. What sets me apart is my personality, knowledge, and charisma. I am approachable and can relate to clients, all while giving them exceptional legal advice.

I am most proud of the people that I have helped. Whether it be aiding a Plaintiff into being made whole again for someone’s wrongdoing or defending someone who has been wrongfully charged, sued, or convicted. It gives people hope that there is good in this world and there are people who really do care and want to help.

I aim to continuing to help people and providing them the knowledge of the law to help them succeed. Not everyone is afforded the opportunity to go to law school like I was, so I not only represent people in their legal matters but I create content of the law and give legal tips in a fun and digestible way for people to use and understand without being bogged own by attorneys.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I was in a deposition once with opposing counsel. He had been practicing for 30+ years, I’ve been practicing for almost 7 years. I am not sure if he thought he could walk all over a younger attorney or thought he was going to win all his arguments only based on his “experience.”

We had a discovery dispute at the deposition where he wanted to ask my client questions related to subsequent events from the event in question. I disagreed as irrelevant, and instructed my client not to answer. Opposing counsel “threatened” that he had the judge ready on the phone to handle this dispute. I said let’s call him. The judge hears both of our positions and ultimately agreed with me that the questions were irrelevant and prejudicial to my client. The deposition ended shortly after.

Opposing counsel later filed a Motion on this same issue to reopen depositions and I opposed it. Opposing counsel’s motion was denied, again.

I say this to say that in anything you do, one may be intimidated by someone else based on their demeanor, experience or attitude. However, if you believe in what you are doing or your position, stick with it, back it up with facts and arguments and play it out, rather than making down.

This story ultimately led to a satisfied client and referrals for other clients as my reputation in the legal community grew.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Not only is advertising great and that will get you new clients but it must be backed by great representation and reputation. That is my best source of new clients, word of mouth. If I do a great job, that client will tell his friends and family and when they have legal issues, questions, or troubles, they will reach out to me based on my representation and reputation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/realtokko
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/realtokko
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/tokko
• Other: TikTok : www.tiktok.com/@tokkothelawyerr?_t=8XSI3kVRym2&_r=1