John B. Ayer
Partner
John Ayer has more than 30 years of experience advising fund sponsors on a wide range of matters related to fundraising, fund transactions, governance, organizational structure and internal operations. A partner in Ropes & Gray’s asset management practice, he co-heads the firm’s private equity industry group and previously led the private investment funds group.
John’s involvement in Ropes & Gray’s renowned private funds practice since the very early days of the private equity and alternatives industry in the 1980s gives him a nearly unrivalled depth and breadth of perspective on the industry, its evolution and its players. He has worked with sponsors throughout their lifecycles—from newly formed firms raising a first-time fund to long-established, multi-asset class managers. In addition to traditional fundraising engagements, leading sponsors look to John for ongoing senior counseling advice on some of their most critical commercial and legal matters and for leadership in the development and execution of new products and transactions, including long-dated funds and complex GP-led secondary transactions.
Widely recognized by clients and peers as one of the industry’s leading funds practitioners, John is highly valued for his “clear, authoritative advice from a wealth of experience” and “tremendous market knowledge,” as well as his ability to “be incredibly thoughtful” about what is most important to clients. John is regularly quoted in the press about industry trends, including, most recently, challenges facing private funds in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experience
- Alta Park Capital
- Atairos Group
- Bain Capital
- CCMP Capital Advisors
- Cove Hill Partners
- Crosspoint Capital
- Dragoneer Investment Group
- Equality Asset Management
- Exeter Capital
- Golden Gate Capital
- Neuberger Berman Alternatives
- Sands Capital
- Strategic Value Partners
- Thomas H. Lee Partners
Publications
- Quoted, “As SEC Focuses on SPACs, Conflicts Come to the Fore,” Private Equity Law Report (June 15, 2021)
- Quoted, “The Creative Ways PE Firms Are Holding Investments Longer,” Law360 (March 6, 2020)
- Quoted, “PE fundraising remains resilient going into 2019,” Buyouts (December 24, 2018)
- Quoted, “Asset Management Group Of The Year: Ropes & Gray,” Law360 (January 26, 2018)
- Quoted, “Private Equity Paves Long and Gradual Road to Succession,” WSJ Pro Private Equity (November 27, 2017)
- Quoted, “Kreutzer’s Take: Putting the Co-CEO Model to the Test,” WSJ Pro Private Equity (November 6, 2017)
- Q&A, “Co-Investments the Biggest Factor in Overall Cost of PE Investments for LPs: Ayer,” Bloomberg BRIEF | Private Equity (May 4, 2016)
- Quoted, “Window for First-Time Funds May Open a Little Wider in 2015,” Private Equity News (December 31, 2014)
- Profiled, “Need to Meet John Ayer, Partner, Ropes & Gray,” Buyouts (December 10, 2012)
- John Ayer, Raj Marphatia & Susan Eisenberg, "United States," chapter nine of The Private Equity Review (Law Business Research, 2012)
Education
- JD, Stanford Law School, 1987
- BA, summa cum laude, Colby College, 1984
Admissions / Qualifications
Qualifications
- Massachusetts, 1987
Awards
- Boston Magazine “Top Lawyers” (2021)
- Financial Times Innovative Lawyers (2018) – Honored for developing an innovative fund structure for a new private equity firm.
- IFLR 1000 (2018-2024)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2014-2023)
- Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business (2019-2023)
- Best Lawyers in America (2014-2024)
- Lawyer of the Year (2021)
- Legal 500 (2013-2019, 2021-2023)
- BTI Consulting Client Service All-Star (2009)