J Shane Starkey

Career

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.