Ronak D. Desai | Paul Hastings LLP

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

International A-list
India Business Law Journal (2026)
Congressional Investigations
Chambers USA (2023-Present)
Leading Global Investigations Lawyers – Congressional Investigations & Crisis Management
Lawdragon 500 (2026)
40 Under 40
Global Investigations Review (GIR) (2023)
Young Lawyer of the Year
The American Lawyer (2023)
White Collar Rising Star
Law360 (2023)
Rising Star
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) (2022)
40 Under 40 on the Rise
The American Bar Association (2021)
40 under 40 in White Collar
The National Law Journal (2020)
Rising Star
The South Asian Bar Association (DC) (2019)

“South Korean Bill Takes Aim At Businesses And Human Rights”, Forbes, Author
JULY 17, 2025
“Trump''s EPA, Alongside Citibank, Face Litigation Surge Over Termination of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grants”, National Law Journal, Quoted
APRIL 10, 2025
“The Just Security Podcast: Understanding the Congressional Investigations Landscape”, Just Security, Featured
MARCH 7, 2025
“NYC''s Barnard Clashes With Protestors as Trump Targets Antisemitism at Colleges”, Bloomberg, Quoted
FEBRUARY 27, 2025
“Trump’s antisemitism order leaves U.S. colleges uncertain and bracing for crackdown”, CNN, Quoted
FEBRUARY 21, 2025
“The Santos Expulsion: A Milestone in Congressional Governance”, The National Journal, Author
DECEMBER 4, 2023
“The U.S. Still Doesn’t Have an Ambassador in this Important Capital”, The Washington Post, Author
OCTOBER 31, 2022
“Why Crypto’s Rough Year in India Just Got Worse”, Forbes, Author
MAY 11, 2022
“As Trump Associates Defy Jan. 6 Committee Subpoenas, Congress'' Power to Investigate at Stake”, The National Law Journal, Author,
NOVEMBER 18, 2021
“Did Corruption Cause the Covid-19 Outbreak?”, Legal Era Magazine, Author
FEBRUARY 2, 2021
“Why India is Facing U.S. Sanctions”, Forbes, Author
FEBRUARY 1, 2021
“SCOTUS’ Mazars Ruling Leaves Many Legal Questions Unanswered”, The National Law Journal, Author
DECEMBER 29, 2020
“Beam Suntory FCPA Settlement Highlights Corruption Risks in India”, Bloomberg Law, Co-Authored with T. Giunta
DECEMBER 21, 2020
“Universities Face Federal Crackdown on Academics with China Ties”, Bloomberg Law, Author
NOVEMBER 27, 2020
“Conducting Anti-Corruption Investigations During the Pandemic”, Bloomberg Law, Author
MAY 18, 2020
“Cybercrime in India Surges Amidst Coronavirus Lockdown”, Forbes, Author
MAY 14, 2020
“Is India Failing to Make Progress in its Campaign Against Corruption?”, Forbes, Author
MARCH 3, 2020
“Iran Sanctions Prompt Surge in U.S. and Venezuelan Oil Exports to India”, Forbes, Author
AUGUST 11, 2019
“Will Prime Minister Modi’s Second Term Usher in Real Economic Reform?”, Forbes, Author
JUNE 25, 2019
“India’s Data Localization Remains a Key Challenge for Foreign Companies” Forbes, Author
APRIL 30, 2019
“Cognizant Settlement Spotlights FCPA Enforcement, Corruption Risk in India”, Bloomberg Law, Author
MARCH 7, 2019
“U.S. Oil Sanctions on Venezuela Could be an Energy Windfall for India and China” Forbes, Author
JANUARY 31, 2019
“Anticorruption Enforcement in Asia Shows the FCPA Remains Strong Under Trump” Forbes, Author
JULY 31, 2018
“With U.S. Withdrawal from the Iran Deal, Expect India-Iran Oil Trade to Take a Hit”, Forbes, Author
JUNE 11, 2018
“The FCPA is Here to Stay”, ABA Litigation Journal, Author
JUNE 1, 2018
“Compliance with U.S. Anticorruption Laws in Emerging” ABA Litigation Journal, Author
JANUARY 1, 2017

“What the U.S. Elections Mean for India and Cross-Border Business”, Harvard University, Webinar, Panelist and Moderator
OCTOBER 28, 2020
“What You Need to Know about Conducting Business in India”, Risk Assistance + Network Exchange Intelligence Corporation, Webinar, Keynote Speaker
FEBRUARY 25, 2020

“The US-India Partnership: Challenges and Opportunities”, Partnership for a Secure America, Washington D.C., Keynote Speaker with US Ambassador to India, Rich Verma
FEBRUARY 13, 2020
“Two Trailblazers in the Law: Judge Sri Srinivasan and Vanita Gupta”, South Asian Bar Association, Washington D.C., Moderator
OCTOBER 1, 2019
“Dealing with US Sanctions: An Indian Perspective”, Webinar, Nishith Desai Associates, Panelist
JULY 30, 2019
“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 D.C., Moderator
JULY 25, 2019
"Congressional Oversight & Investigations", South Asian Bar Association, Washington D.C., Speaker
SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
"Corruption and Sanctions in Iran and Russia," Partnership for a Secure America, Washington D.C., Panelist and Moderator with Ambassador Thomas Pickering (ret.)
AUGUST 20, 2018
“Dispute Resolution and FCPA in India and the US: Challenges and Recent Developments”, Legal Era Conclave, New York, NY, Moderator
MAY 25, 2018
“US-India Strategic and Commercial Ties under President Trump”, Worcester World Affairs Council, Boston, MA, Keynote Speaker
MAY 19, 2018
“Asia Responds to Trump in Asia”, Harvard University Asia Center, Cambridge, MA, Panelist
NOVEMBER 30, 2017
“The Role of Developed Economies in Strengthening the Rule of Law Abroad”, IPAG, New York, NY, Panelist
OCTOBER 10, 2017
“Critical Moments & Critical Decisions: Conducting & Defending Congressional & Internal Investigations”, South Asian Bar Association Annual Conference, Houston, TX, Moderator
MAY 14, 2016
“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, Panelist
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
“Recent Developments in India’s Foreign Direct Investment Policy and other Important Sectors,” US-India Business Council, Washington D.C., Keynote Speaker
MAY 2, 2015
“The Future of US-India Relations: Can the Private Sector Lead the Way?”, Columbia Business School, Keynote Speaker with Consul General of India
APRIL 4, 2015

Anti-Corruption & FCPA

Anti-Corruption & FCPA

Business & Human Rights

Business & Human Rights

Crisis Management

Crisis Management

Higher Education

Higher Education

Investigations & White Collar Defense

Investigations & White Collar Defense