Ismail's practice focuses in the areas of taxation, elder law, and bankruptcy. He explained that tax challenges permeate many areas of legal practice, including estate planning and business organization. He also shared his commitment to serving the legal needs of the "Sandwich Generation" -- the baby boomers who are often sandwiched between taking care of their parents and their own children at the same time. There is an immense transfer of wealth going on from the older generation to the baby boomers. On the other hand, the parents are living longer and need legal advice regarding estate planning, long term care and dealing with aging and disability. 

He has also helped those severely affected by the recession that began in December of 2007 and intensified in late 2008. Self-employed individuals in the various building trades were particularly affected; the lack of work caused great difficulty in making mortgage payments, and clients faced the prospect of foreclosure. Ismail was able to help many of these individuals through negotiating loan modifications with the lenders, and in some cases by filing bankruptcy to prevent the loss of the home.