David Paragas is a partner in Barnes & Thornburg LLP's Columbus, Ohio, and Washington, D.C., offices, where he is a member of the firm's Governmental Services and Finance Department.
Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Mr. Paragas practiced with Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP . While there, he served as managing partner of the firm's Columbus office; co-chair of the firm's Public Law Practice group and Economic Growth and Development team; and principal of the firm's subsidiary, Public Policy Advocates.
Mr. Paragas represents clients on policy matters before the Ohio General Assembly, Executive Agencies and state departments. He has more than 20 years of legislative, political, lobbying and legal experience, including serving as a former senior aide to two Ohio Senate presidents. He has advised numerous statewide, legislative, judicial, and local campaigns, including various candidates for the Ohio Senate. He has handled virtually all facets of campaigns, such as polling, issue development and grassroots organization. As a consultant, Mr. Paragas has also been involved in statewide and local ballot initiatives, including gaming and anti-smoking issues.
Mr. Paragas received his B.A. in international business from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1983. He earned his J.D. from Capital University Law School in 1990.
Mr. Paragas was named one of Columbus' "Forty Under 40" and has been included in Best Lawyers in Columbus 2008 and 2009 by Columbus Business First. He was also listed in Ohio Super Lawyers® in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2006-2010.
Mr. Paragas is involved in a number of civic and professional organizations, and currently serves as chair elect of the Board of Trustees to United Way of Central Ohio and chair of its Impact Council; serves as a board member and former chair of Flying Horse Farms; board member of Ohio Council of Retail Merchants and is on the board of governors for Capital University Law School. In addition, he is a member of the Asian American Bar Associations of Ohio and Central Ohio; the Columbus Bar Association and its Managing Partners Diversity Initiative Advisory Board; the Ohio State Bar Association; the Ohio Lobbying Association; and the Advanced Logistics Council of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
He is admitted to practice in the states of Ohio and Illinois.
Publications
· Ohio Currents - March 2011
· Ohio Currents - Volume 1