Overview
Ronak D. Desai is a partner in the Investigations and White Collar Defense practice based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles offices. He serves as firmwide leader of Paul Hastings’ Congressional Investigations practice as well as its India practice.
Clients turn to Ronak for his experience in international investigations, enforcement defense and compliance in both the public and private sectors. They also rely on him for crisis management and public policy matters.
He advises clients on a broad range of complex litigation, white collar and investigations matters. He also routinely represents clients on Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) matters.
Ronak is a frequent author, speaker and media commentator on topics about investigations, the U.S. Congress and the Indian subcontinent. He regularly contributes to Forbes and publications in the Asia-Pacific. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The National Law Journal, The Hill, Foreign Policy and The Huffington Post, among others.
Congressional Investigations
As the firmwide leader of the 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 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,” and have 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, 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, as well several select and special committees and commissions.
India and the Subcontinent
Ronak also serves as firmwide leader of Paul Hastings’ India Practice.
A recognized authority on the Indian subcontinent, he brings deep regional insight and strategic counsel to clients navigating complex legal and regulatory matters involving India and the broader region. His work spans a wide range of industries and practice areas, including national security, cross-border investigations, tax, corporate governance, energy project finance, intellectual property, pharmaceuticals and hospitality.
Ronak regularly advises U.S., European and Indian conglomerates both in India and abroad, as well as sovereign governments, trade associations, religious institutions, nonprofits and individuals on high-stakes, cross-border issues that sit at the intersection of law, policy and strategy. His practice sits at the intersection of matters often involving sensitive diplomatic or enforcement considerations across jurisdictions. He routinely advises members of Congress and other officials on legal and policy issues pertaining to the region.
Ronak serves on the Global Board of Directors of the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), a part of the U.S. Chamber of Congress. He previously served as a longstanding fellow at Harvard University’s Project on India and the Subcontinent as well as the Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute.
Community Engagement
Ronak serves as pro bono general counsel and independent board director to the Partnership for a Secure America, a D.C.-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.
Accolades
- Chambers USA, Congressional Investigations (2023-2024)
- Global Investigations Review (GIR), “40 Under 40” (2023)
- The American Lawyer, “Young Lawyer of the Year” (2023)
- Law360, “White Collar Rising Star” (2023)
- The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), “Rising Star” (2022)
- The American Bar Association, “40 Under 40 on the Rise” (2021)
- The National Law Journal, “40 under 40” (2020)
- The South Asian Bar Association (DC), “Rising Star” (2019)
Education
- 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
Representations
- Represented high-profile client in front of multiple congressional committees simultaneously
- Represented C-suite executives in front of the DOJ and SEC in connection with FCPA investigations
- Designed compliance program for extractive minerals client in high-risk jurisdictions
- Government Service – United States Congress
Engagement & Publications
Speaking Engagements
- Panelist and Moderator, “What the U.S. Elections Mean for India and Cross-Border Business,” Harvard University, Webinar, October 28, 2020
- Keynote Speaker, “What You Need to Know about Conducting Business in India,” Risk Assistance + Network Exchange Intelligence Corporation, Webinar, February 25, 2020
- Keynote Speaker with US Ambassador to India, Rich Verma, “The US-India Partnership: Challenges and Opportunities,” Partnership for a Secure America, Washington DC, February 13, 2020
- Moderator, “Two Trailblazers in the Law: Judge Sri Srinivasan and Vanita Gupta,” South Asian Bar Association, Washington DC, October 1, 2019
- Moderator, “Artificial Intelligence and National Security: Offensive Capabilities, Defensive Challenges, and Operational Difficulties,” with Drs. Reginald Brothers and Jason Matheny, Partnership for a Secure America, Washington DC, July 25, 2019
- Panelist, “Dealing with US Sanctions: An Indian Perspective,” Webinar, Nishith Desai Associates, July 30, 2019
- Speaker, "Congressional Oversight & Investigations," South Asian Bar Association, Washington DC, September 26, 2018
- Panelist and Moderator with Ambassador Thomas Pickering (ret.), "Corruption and Sanctions in Iran and Russia," Partnership for a Secure America, Washington DC, August 20, 2018
- Moderator, “Dispute Resolution and FCPA in India and the US: Challenges and Recent Developments,” Legal Era Conclave, New York, NY, May 25, 2018
- Keynote Speaker, “US-India Strategic and Commercial Ties under President Trump,” Worcester World Affairs Council, Boston, MA, May 19, 2018
- Panelist, “Asia Responds to Trump in Asia,” Harvard University Asia Center, Cambridge, MA, November 30, 2017
- Panelist, “The Role of Developed Economies in Strengthening the Rule of Law Abroad,” IPAG, New York, NY, October 10, 2017
- Moderator, “Critical Moments & Critical Decisions: Conducting & Defending Congressional & Internal Investigations,” South Asian Bar Association Annual Conference, Houston, TX, May 14, 2016
- Panelist, “India & the United States Cross Border Investment: Counseling in Reform Environments,” ABA and Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) Annual US-India Legal Conference, New Delhi, India, February 18, 2016
- Keynote Speaker, “Recent Developments in India’s Foreign Direct Investment Policy and other Important Sectors,” US-India Business Council, Washington DC, May 2, 2015
- Keynote Speaker with Consul General of India, “The Future of US-India Relations: Can the Private Sector Lead the Way?” Columbia Business School, April 4, 2015
Representative Thought Leadership
- Quoted in “Trump's EPA, Alongside Citibank, Face Litigation Surge Over Termination of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grants,” National Law Journal, April 10, 2025
- Featured in “The Just Security Podcast: Understanding the Congressional Investigations Landscape,” Just Security, March 7, 2025
- Quoted in “NYC's Barnard Clashes With Protestors as Trump Targets Antisemitism at Colleges,” Bloomberg, February 27, 2025
- Quoted in “Trump’s antisemitism order leaves U.S. colleges uncertain and bracing for crackdown,” CNN, February 21, 2025
- Author, “The Santos Expulsion: A Milestone in Congressional Governance,” The National Journal, December 4, 2023
- Author, “The U.S. Still Doesn’t Have an Ambassador in this Important Capital,” The Washington Post, October 31, 2022
- Author, “Why Crypto’s Rough Year in India Just Got Worse,” Forbes, May 11, 2022
- Author, “As Trump Associates Defy Jan. 6 Committee Subpoenas, Congress' Power to Investigate at Stake,” The National Law Journal, November 18, 2021
- Author, “Did Corruption Cause the Covid-19 Outbreak?” Legal Era Magazine, February 2, 2021
- Author, “Why India is Facing U.S. Sanctions,” Forbes, February 1, 2021
- Author, “SCOTUS’ Mazars Ruling Leaves Many Legal Questions Unanswered,” The National Law Journal, December 29, 2020
- Co-Authored with T. Giunta, “Beam Suntory FCPA Settlement Highlights Corruption Risks in India,” Bloomberg Law, December 21, 2020
- Author, “Universities Face Federal Crackdown on Academics with China Ties,” Bloomberg Law, November 27, 2020
- Author, “Conducting Anti-Corruption Investigations During the Pandemic,” Bloomberg Law, May 18, 2020
- Author, “Cybercrime in India Surges Amidst Coronavirus Lockdown,” Forbes, May 14, 2020
- Author, “Is India Failing to Make Progress in its Campaign Against Corruption?” Forbes, March 3, 2020
- Author, “Iran Sanctions Prompt Surge in U.S. and Venezuelan Oil Exports to India,” Forbes, August 11, 2019
- Author, “Will Prime Minister Modi’s Second Term Usher in Real Economic Reform?” Forbes, June 25, 2019
- Author, “India’s Data Localization Remains a Key Challenge for Foreign Companies,” Forbes, April 30, 2019
- Author, “Cognizant Settlement Spotlights FCPA Enforcement, Corruption Risk in India,” Bloomberg Law, March 7, 2019
- Author, “U.S. Oil Sanctions on Venezuela Could be an Energy Windfall for India and China,” Forbes, January 31, 2019
- Author, “Anticorruption Enforcement in Asia Shows the FCPA Remains Strong Under Trump,” Forbes, July 31, 2018
- Author, “The FCPA is Here to Stay,” ABA Litigation Journal, June 1, 2018
- Author, “With U.S. Withdrawal from the Iran Deal, Expect India-Iran Oil Trade to Take a Hit,” Forbes, June 11, 2018
- Author, “Compliance with U.S. Anticorruption Laws in Emerging,” ABA Litigation Journal, January 1, 2017