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Image: Ronak D. Desai

Ronak D. Desai

Partner, Litigation Department

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 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 PostThe National Law JournalThe HillForeign 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.  

Recognitions

  • Chambers and Partners – Congressional Investigations (2023-2024)
  • 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)

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

  • 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, “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

Practice Areas

Investigations and White Collar Defense

Anti-Corruption and FCPA

Government Affairs

Asia

Congressional Investigations

Litigation

White Collar Defense

ESG & Sustainable Finance

Business & Human Rights

Global Dispute Resolution Practice for Japanese Clients


Languages

English


Admissions

District of Columbia Bar

California Bar


Education

Harvard Kennedy School, M.P.P. 2011

Harvard Law School, J.D. 2011

Johns Hopkins University, B.A. 2006