In Memoriam: Stephen A. Warnke, Esq.

Stephen A. Warnke was the founding Director and Board Chair of FAIR Health for over a decade (2009-2020). Quite simply, FAIR Health would not exist in its current form without Stephen’s vision, leadership and unwavering commitment. The work we are able to do today, is in no small part thanks to Stephen’s efforts in building and stewarding the organization from the very beginning.

Mr. Warnke practiced law in New York for over 25 years and, at the time of his death, was a retired partner at Ropes & Gray where he led the firm’s Healthcare Group, focusing on healthcare regulation; enforcement; compliance, including clinical research compliance; and federal and state policy matters, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Warnke served in a policy position in New York City government. He was a trustee of probono.net and served as a Director of the Legal Aid Society and Trustee of the Legal Action Center and the Women’s Prison Association and Home. He won numerous awards throughout his career, including Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year, Health Care Law, New York (2016, 2020, 2024).

Mr. Warnke unexpectedly passed away on May 12, 2026. Read a previous FAIR Health interview with Stephen Warnke here.

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