Ragan Naresh, P.C.

Partner Litigation

Washington, D.C. +1 202 389 5267

Ragan Naresh, P.C.

Overview

Ragan Naresh litigates complex civil disputes in federal courts, state courts, and arbitrations across the country, with a focus on cases in the energy, agriculture, and telecommunications sectors. Ragan represents clients from pre-trial briefing and discovery through trial and appeal, and has achieved numerous significant outcomes from his clients. For example, Ragan was recently recognized for his work in obtaining a series of favorable rulings for client Chesapeake Energy in Ohio, including entry of summary judgment in two certified statewide class actions. Ragan’s work has been recognized by Super Lawyers, where he was named a “Rising Star” five times, and by the Legal 500 for his work in energy litigation and false advertising litigation.

Ragan also has significant experience litigating class actions and multi-district litigations. Ragan has represented clients in class actions filed in more than 25 states, and has represented clients at all stages of the class action process—including class certification and trial. Ragan frequently lectures on class actions at the D.C. Bar and the Federal Bar Association, and has written numerous articles on that topic. In 2018, Ragan was recognized by Law360 as one of six attorneys nationwide as a “Rising Star” for his work in class action litigation.

Ragan serves on the Board of Directors of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and maintains an active pro bono practice. For example, Ragan and a team of Kirkland lawyers, in partnership with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee, recently won a precedent-setting judgment holding neo-Nazi defendants liable for hate crimes and harassment after Kirkland’s client was elected as the first female African-American student body president of American University. Ragan also represents clients in immigration and asylum proceedings on a pro bono basis.

Ragan also serves as the hiring partner in Kirkland’s Washington, D.C., office.

Class Actions & Multi-District Litigation

  • Trial counsel for seed manufacturer in multi-district litigation involving tens of thousands of class action and individual lawsuits alleging damages because China had not approved certain corn seeds for import. In re Syngenta AG MIR162 Litigation, 14-md-2591 (D. Kan.)
  • Counsel for herbicide manufacturer in multi-district litigation alleging injuries resulting alleged exposure to paraquat. In re Paraquat Prods. Liability Litigation, 21-md- 3004 (S.D. Ill.)
  • Counsel for energy producers in putative North Dakota class action claiming breach of oil and gas leases. Certified question answered in client’s favor by North Dakota Supreme Court. Blasi v. Lime Rock Resources, 2021 WL 2006233 (N.D. May 20, 2021).
  • Counsel for natural gas producers in putative Ohio class action claiming breach of natural gas leases. Summary judgment entered in client’s favor and class certification denied. Lutz v. Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C., 2017 WL 4810703 (N.D. Ohio Oct. 25, 2017), affirmed 807 Fed. Appx. 528 (6th Cir. 2020).
  • Counsel for renewable energy producer in putative nationwide class action claiming nuisance, negligence, and failure to obtain necessary approvals. Temporary restraining order denied and case dismissed. Mattwaoshshe v. NextEra Energy, et al., 2021 WL 3633695 (D.D.C. Aug. 17, 2021). 
  • Counsel for natural gas producers in certified Ohio class actions claiming breach of natural gas leases. Summary judgment entered in client’s favor in each case. Henceroth v. Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., 2019 WL 4750661 (N.D. Ohio Sept. 30, 2019), affirmed 814 Fed. Appx. 67 (6th Cir. 2020); and Zehentbauer v. Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., 450 F. Supp. 3d 790 (N.D. Ohio 2020).
  • Counsel for cable company in putative nationwide class actions in Connecticut federal court alleging violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Summary judgment entered in client's favor and affirmed by Second Circuit on appeal. Simmons v. Charter Communications, Inc., 222 F. Supp. 3d 121 (D. Conn. 2016), affirmed 686 Fed. App’x 48 (2d Cir. 2017).
  • Counsel for natural gas producers in putative Pennsylvania class arbitration claiming breach of natural gas leases. Summary judgment entered in client’s favor and affirmed by Third Circuit on appeal. Scout v. Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C., 2017 WL 1541659 (M.D. Pa. Apr. 28, 2017), affirmed 727 Fed. Appx. 749 (3d Cir. 2018).
  • Counsel for manufacturer of nutritional drink in putative nationwide class action in California federal court alleging violation of California consumer protection and false advertising laws and other statutory and common laws. Class certification denied. Otto v. Abbott Laboratories, 2015 WL 9698992 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 29, 2015).
  • Counsel for medical device manufacturer in putative class action alleging false advertising regarding electronic testing devices. Class certification denied. Andren v. Alere, Inc., 2017 WL 6509550 (S.D. Cal. Dec. 20, 2017).

RICO & Securities

  • Counsel for foreign electronics company in suit brought by the Republic of Iraq in New York federal court arising from alleged corruption of the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program. Case dismissed and affirmed by Second Circuit on appeal. The Republic of Iraq v. ABB AG, et al., 920 F. Supp. 2d 517 (S.D.N.Y. 2013), affirmed 768 F.3d 145 (2d Cir. 2014).
  • Counsel for foreign electronics company in action brought by Mexican government-owned entity in New York federal court alleging RICO violation based on alleged actions in Mexico. Case dismissed and affirmed by Second Circuit on appeal. Petroleos Mexicanos v. SK Engineering, et al., 2013 WL 3936191 (S.D.N.Y. July 30, 2013), affirmed 572 Fed App’x 60 (2d Cir. 2014).
  • Counsel for foreign electronics company in Dodd-Frank whistleblower action brought in New York federal court. Case dismissed and affirmed by Second Circuit on appeal. Meng-Lin Liu v. Siemens AG, 978 F. Supp. 2d 325 (S.D.N.Y. 2013), affirmed 763 F.3d 175 (2d Cir. 2014).

Law ClerkHonorable John D. BatesUnited States District Court for the District of Columbia

Pro Bono Counsel representing plaintiff against perpetrators of hate crime-related troll storm on American University campus.

Pro Bono Counsel in numerous cases in Immigration Court and U.S. Courts of Appeals representing refugees seeking asylum in the United States.

More

Thought Leadership

Publications

"Marketability and Enhancement in the Utica," Dan Donovan, Ragan Naresh and Holly Trogdon, Landman, (May/June, 2022) 

“Class Action Settlement Approval in an Era of Heightened Judicial Scrutiny,” Dan Donovan, Ragan Naresh and Carrie J. Bodner, N.Y. Law Journal (February 27, 2019)

“Mitigating Energy Litigation Where Gaps in Jurisprudence Exist,” Dan Donovan, Ragan Naresh and Alexandra Caritis, Texas Lawyer (August 10, 2018)

Recognition

Faculty at DC Bar and Federal Bar Association in CLE courses related to class action litigation developments

Faculty at DC Bar on litigation skills training

Adjunct Professor of Law, Catholic University Law School

Kirkland & Ellis LLP Pro Bono Service Award

Super Lawyers Rising Star (2014–present)

Law360 Rising Star, Class Action Litigation

The Legal 500, Energy Litigation

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2008New York
  • 2008District of Columbia

Courts

  • United States District Court for the District of Columbia
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the District of North Dakota
  • United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Languages

  • English
  • German

Education

  • Georgetown University Law CenterJ.D.magna cum laude2007
    Order of the Coif
  • Tulane UniversityB.A., Political Economy & German Studies2001