In Memoriam: Stephen Warnke

Ropes & Gray is sad to announce that Stephen Warnke, a widely admired colleague, beloved friend and retired partner of the firm, unexpectedly passed away on May 13. 

Stephen joined Ropes & Gray in 2003 and immediately became a cornerstone of our growing health care practice.  His legal excellence, sharp intellect and expansive knowledge of health care policy made him an incredibly well-respected and in-demand advisor to many of New York’s most prominent health care organizations.  His expertise, high standards and relationships played an enormous role in putting Ropes & Gray’s health care capabilities on the map in New York and across the country.

Stephen’s passion for the law and for our clients was reflected in his contributions to strengthening our firm and our culture.  He devoted endless energy and patience to coaching and mentoring countless young lawyers, including them in hands-on client work and positioning them to grow as practitioners and as people.  He was generous with his insights and always eager to share credit.  Many Ropes colleagues can raise their hands and say that Stephen taught them a lesson about being a great lawyer – and a great human.    

Stephen embodied our firm’s “practice with purpose” ethos.  His very active pro bono practice extended his impact by improving health care quality, expanding access for underserved groups, and fighting for greater transparency to health care costs and insurance information.  He was memorably at the forefront of New York’s COVID response, playing an instrumental role (among other accomplishments) in establishing an emergency standard of care for patients surging into hospitals in the pandemic’s earliest days.  His work eased suffering and saved lives. 

Stephen left his mark on Ropes & Gray in ways that few have.  He balanced confidence with kindness, and brilliance with benevolence.  He will be missed.

In addition to his three children (including Jack, an associate in our private capital transactions practice), Stephen leaves behind his wife Susan Sommer, an accomplished lawyer with whom the firm has collaborated many times, including on the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges litigation during her time at Lambda Legal. 

Our deepest sympathies go out to Susan, Jack and their entire family, as well as to Stephen’s countless loved ones, friends and former colleagues.