Before retiring, Ralph practiced in commercial litigation, with an emphasis on construction-related claims. Ralph litigated cases in 31 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe, and Australia, and he served as a private and court-appointed mediator and arbitrator. He handled disputes ranging in size to $1 billion on a wide array of construction projects, including water and wastewater treatment systems, coal and gas-fired power plants, highways, pipelines, transmission lines, and heavy industrial and commercial construction projects. He represented EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers, owners, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and pipeline suppliers and installers.