J Shane Starkey

Practice Areas

Clients enjoy working with Shane on executive compensation matters because he is responsive, efficient and practical. Shane represents more than 20 public companies, with market caps between $30 million and $60 billion. He addresses complex compensation issues across various industries and identifies best practices as they evolve. As a result, he is well-positioned to provide a concise legal analysis, along with alternative and creative approaches, for emerging issues. Shane leverages this experience to drive cost-effective solutions for his clients in a predictable and transparent manner. He handles a large spectrum of executive compensation matters, including equity- and cash-based incentive plans; director compensation programs; employment and change-in-control agreements; SEC disclosures (including proxy statements, Forms 8-K and Forms 4); compensation policies (including stock ownership, anti-hedging, clawbacks, risk assessments, etc.); deferred compensation plans; and tax planning (including the golden parachute rules). He also helps private companies navigate the compensation “tune-up” phase of the IPO process, manages compensation programs for portfolio companies owned by private equity firms, and represents management teams in private equity buyouts. A recognized leader, Shane served as partner-in-charge of Thompson Hine’s Cincinnati office for 10 years and in top board positions for various nonprofits in the region.