Executive Compensation & Benefits
Corporate
Compensation and Incentive Planning for Businesses and Key Personnel
WH Burkley advises businesses on designing executive compensation and benefits programs that attract, retain, and align key personnel with company performance. We provide practical, business-focused guidance tailored to each organization’s structure, objectives, and growth strategy.
Our experience includes incentive design, equity-based compensation, and benefits coordination, with a focus on balancing performance alignment, tax efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Executive compensation planning
• Structuring compensation packages aligned with performance, retention, and business goals
• Designing total compensation strategies for executive teams and key employees
Deferred compensation arrangements
• Designing deferred compensation plans that balance tax efficiency and long-term incentives
• Advising on timing, payout structures, and compliance considerations
Equity and Incentive Compensation
• Developing stock option and equity incentive plans
• Structuring equity-based compensation for executives and key contributors
• Aligning incentive structures with ownership and growth objectives
Retention and incentive programs
• Designing bonus and retention programs to support business continuity
• Structuring long-term incentive arrangements for leadership teams
Employee Benefits and Compliance
• Advising on employee benefit program structure and coordination
• Supporting compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, including ERISA-related considerations
Our Approach
- Align compensation strategies with business objectives and ownership goals
- Move matters forward efficiently from design through implementation
- Coordinate across tax, corporate, and regulatory considerations to deliver practical solutions
- Focus on balancing incentives, retention, and risk management
- Prioritize responsiveness, clear communication, and reliable execution
Why WH Burkley
- Practical experience designing compensation, incentive, and retention programs for middle-market businesses
- Ability to align executive compensation with ownership, performance, and long-term business objectives
- Strong understanding of the needs of closely held, founder-led, and family-owned companies
- Integration with corporate, tax, succession planning, and transactional capabilities
- Responsive, partner-level service focused on practical implementation
Recognition
Best Law Firms | Cleveland
- Band 1 – Banking and Finance Law
- Band 1 – Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
- Band 1 – Corporate
- Band 2 – Banking and Finance
- Band 2 – Tax
Best Law Firms | Pittsburgh
- Band 2 – Litigation – Commercial
Best Law Firms | US
- Band 2 – Banking and Finance Law
- Band 3 – Banking and Finance
*Certain recognitions displayed on this page were earned prior to the formation of WH Burkley LLP and may reflect the accomplishments of our legacy firms, Walter Haverfield LLP and Bernstein-Burkley, P.C.