In Memoriam: John Ayer

Ropes & Gray is sad to announce that John Ayer, a cherished colleague, dear friend, and retired partner of the firm, passed away on June 1, 2026.

John joined Ropes & Gray in 1987, during the early days of the private equity and alternatives industry, and he retired in 2025. John’s impact on Ropes & Gray is immeasurable. As former co-head of our private equity industry group and head of the private investment funds group, John laid the groundwork for the success that the practice is today. Widely recognized as one of the industry's leading practitioners, John guided sponsors on some of the largest fundraisings. His legal excellence, sharp commercial instincts, and deep client loyalty made him one of the most trusted advisors in the industry. Clients prized his “clear, authoritative advice” and “tremendous market knowledge.” At Ropes & Gray, we knew John to be calm under pressure, pragmatic, and always ready with a plan in times of crisis.

John's passion for mentoring was one of his greatest legacies—his impact on a generation of lawyers at Ropes & Gray cannot be overstated. He invested countless hours in helping junior colleagues grow, generously sharing his time, insights, and trust in their capabilities. He also believed deeply in humility and the contributions of others, once reflecting that “we are almost never acting alone—others contribute significantly to whatever individual successes each of us may have.” He lived that belief every single day.

Committed to giving back to the community, John set a powerful example for many through his efforts on behalf of United Way.

John is a shining example of our firm's values of stewardship, commitment, and loyalty. He left Ropes & Gray better than he found it. He will be profoundly missed.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to John’s wife Deb, their daughter Jenny, and to John’s many other loved ones, friends, and former colleagues.