Ronak D. Desai is Partner in the Investigations and White Collar Defense practice based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles offices and firm-wide leader of Paul Hastings’ Congressional Investigations practice. 

A seasoned international investigations, enforcement defense, and compliance attorney, Ronak has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. He advises clients on a broad range of complex investigative, compliance, crisis management, and public policy matters.

Ronak has been recognized for his track record of delivering for clients. In addition to his recognition by Chambers & Partners, he has been named a “rising star” and a top “40 under 40” attorney by Law360, The National Law Journal, The American Bar Association (ABA), and The Minority Corporate Counsel Association for his work in the white collar, Congressional investigations, and India spaces.

In 2023, The American Lawyer recognized Ronak as its “young lawyer of the year.”

Ronak is a frequent author, speaker, and commentator on topics about investigations, Congress, and the Indian Subcontinent. He is a regular contributor to Forbes and publications in the Asia-Pacific. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The National Law Journal, The Hill, Foreign Policy, The Huffington Post, among others.

Congressional Investigations

As the firm-wide leader of the Firm’s Congressional Investigations practice, Ronak deploys his extensive government and private sector experience to help clients navigate the unique legal, political, reputational, and media risks generated by Congressional scrutiny. 

Prior to joining Paul Hastings, Ronak served as investigative counsel to a high-profile Select Committee on Capitol Hill. His other Congressional experience includes time with the Senate Foreign Relations and the House Judiciary Committees.

“His experience on the Hill shines through. He understands the subtleties and nuances to be able to move cases forward and his whole experience allows him to navigate the process seamlessly,” one client notes.

Clients have also hailed Ronak’s “granular understanding of the inner workings of Congress and his ability to translate that into concrete plans of action,” as well and characterized his approach as “smart” and driven by “common sense.”

Ronak provides clients with expertise regarding Congress’ investigations and oversight function, deep familiarity and relationships with Members and staff from both sides of the aisle, best practices regarding responding to document requests and subpoenas, and preparing for public and private Congressional testimony.  

Ronak has successfully represented companies and individuals in front of a host of Congressional committees and offices, including the House Judiciary Committee, House Financial Services Committee, House Oversight and Reform Committee, the House Agricultural Committee, the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, the Senate Banking Committee, and the House and Senate Ethics Committee, and several select and special committees and commissions. 

India and the Subcontinent

A recognized expert on India and the Subcontinent, Ronak draws upon his deep understanding of the region to help U.S. and other multinational clients navigate the unique legal and policy challenges arising in the course of their cross-border operations. He also routinely counsels Indian companies conducting business abroad, including in the United States.

Community Engagement

Ronak serves as pro bono General Counsel and Independent Board Director to the Partnership for a Secure America, a DC-based foreign policy think tank that seeks to promote bipartisanship on Capitol Hill through its flagship Congressional Partnership Program. In 2016, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser appointed Ronak to her Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) on which he served until 2022. He also serves as a Member of the Board of the South Asian Symphony Foundation, an Asia 21 Young Leader, and a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.  

• Chambers and Partners – Congressional Investigations (2023)
• Young Lawyer of the Year – The American Lawyer – honors a young lawyer under 40 who has made meaningful advancements in service delivery, public interest, and the legal professional (2023)
• White Collar Rising Star – Law360 – recognizes the top legal talent under 40.who are top attorneys practicing at a level usually seen from veteran attorneys (2023)
• Rising Star – The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) - recognizes attorneys who demonstrate a pursuit of excellence while maintaining a desire to better their communities (2022)
• On the Rise 40 under 40 – The American Bar Association – recognizes individuals with a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service. (2021)
• Rising Star – The National Law Journal – recognizes DC's "40 under 40" who "have wielded influence in their practice areas in the D.C. area and beyond." (2020)
• Rising Star – The South Asian Bar Association of DC – recognizes "a talented individual within…the community, who…has been practicing for fewer than 10 years, and has achieved prominence and distinction in their respective field while demonstrating a strong commitment… to the South Asian community." (2019)

• Harvard Law School, J.D. (magna cum laude), Dean Scholar's Prize 
• Harvard Kennedy School, M.P.P.
• The Johns Hopkins University, B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, University-wide and Departmental honors