In Memoriam: Richard Lettieri

Ropes & Gray is saddened to report the passing of former partner Richard Lettieri on May 4 at age 76.

Rich joined Ropes & Gray in 1987 and was a partner from 1990 until his retirement in 2012. A graduate of Villanova University and Boston College Law School, he joined Ropes & Gray after serving for a decade at the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), including six years as its chief legal counsel.

Rich focused his practice on the representation of airports and other public development projects. He served as the outside counsel to Massport at a time when its leadership was deep in negotiations related to the “Big Dig” – the construction of multiple eight- to ten-lane superhighway tunnels underneath Boston and its harbor. His work also contributed to the construction of the last new runway built at Logan Airport and extensive reconstruction projects of public schools in the Greater Boston area.

Rich was also committed to pro bono work and served on the board of the New England Center for Homeless Veterans.

“Rich’s lasting contributions are all around us,” said Ropes & Gray chair Julie Jones. “Beyond his professional achievements, Rich was a delight to work with, always able to find common ground and quick to laugh. He was the consummate Ropes & Gray partner and a friend to many. He will be missed.”