David Paragas

David Paragas

Columbus, OH recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006
Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Administrative / Regulatory Law Economic Development Law Government Relations Practice Municipal Law

Biography

David Paragas serves as a devoted advocate who emphasizes technical strength and preparation. David represents a wide array of clients in forums that stretch from the statehouse to the courthouse – and on issues that range from healthcare to educational programs to homelessness.

Co-chair of the firm’s Federal Relations practice, David advises on policy matters before the White House and federal agencies and the Ohio General Assembly, state agencies and departments. David provides clients with more than three decades of legislative, political, lobbying and legal experience, including serving as a former senior aide to two Ohio Senate presidents.

David advises clients on economic development, infrastructure and public private partnership matters before state and local government. As special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General, David has represented multiple state departments, agencies and universities on complex legal matters, including securities transactions and litigation, structured finance and concession agreements. Notably, he has successfully argued multiple cases before the Ohio Supreme Court.

In addition, David has advised on numerous statewide, legislative, judicial and local campaigns, including various candidates for the Ohio Senate. He has handled virtually all facets of a campaign, such as polling, issue development and grassroots organization. As a consultant, David has also been involved in statewide and local ballot initiatives, including horsing, gaming and anti-smoking issues.

By seeking to deliver the right blend of legislative and legal skills, David advocates his clients’ objectives across many different venues while safeguarding their position. He thrives under the challenge of realizing diverse client goals, and has provided veritable defenses and persuasive arguments in court and before forums and agencies on the full array of commercial law issues.

With an absolute focus on professionalism and carefully balanced approach to negotiation, David is appreciated for his seemingly natural ability to establish immediate rapport and trust. By diffusing the emotional aspects of an issue, David serves as the catalyst for setting personal opinions aside to resolve the issues at hand and realize client’s objectives.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Overview

  • Capital University, J.D., graduated 1990
  • Ohio Wesleyan University, B.A., graduated 1983

  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association
  • Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association
  • Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association
  • Capital University, J.D., graduated 1990
  • Ohio Wesleyan University, B.A., graduated 1983
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Administrative / Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Government Relations Practice
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law, Columbus, OH (2016)
  • Government Relations Practice, Columbus, OH (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Economic Development Law
  • Government Relations Practice
  • Municipal Law

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