CareersFIRM NEWS | MARCH 2026
WH Burkley Announces Firmwide Leadership Appointments
WH Burkley is pleased to announce a unified leadership structure across its practice groups, offices, and executive team — marking a major milestone in the firm’s integration following the February 2026 merger of Bernstein-Burkley and Walter Haverfield. These appointments represent the first fully combined leadership slate for the newly formed firm and are designed to advance our strategy of delivering integrated, business focused legal solutions across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
“The creation of WH Burkley brought together two leading firms with shared values and complementary strengths,” said Kirk Burkley, Managing Partner of WH Burkley. “This new leadership structure solidifies our foundation as one firm, positioning us to accelerate growth, deepen collaboration, and deliver a unified client experience across offices and practices.”
PRACTICE GROUP LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS
Real Estate
– Tyler Bobes, Firm Administrative Partner & Practice Group Chair
– Jennifer Beer, Practice Group Vice Chair
Bankruptcy & Restructuring
– David Ross, Practice Group Chair
Creditors’ Rights
– Shawn McClure, Practice Group Chair
Litigation
– John J. “J.J.” Richardson, Practice Group Chair
– Mark Fusco, Practice Group Vice Chair
Corporate
– Christopher Reuscher, Practice Group Chair
Tax & Wealth Management
– Lacie O’Daire, Practice Group Chair
PARTNER-IN-CHARGE OFFICE APPOINTMENTS
– Cleveland – Josh Hurtuk
– Mayfield – Charles Daroff
– Pittsburgh – Kit Pettit
– Columbus – Alicia Zambelli
– Wheeling – Kirk Burkley
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS
– Seth Apple, Chief Operating Officer
– Janine Book, Director of Practice Development & Strategic Advisor to the Managing Partner
** The new WH Burkley website is coming soon! Until then, please follow us on LinkedIn at WH Burkley for additional firm updates, as well as our legacy websites found at walterhav.com and bernsteinlaw.com. **
About WH Burkley
WH Burkley is a leading middle market business law firm with more than 70 lawyers across Ohio (Cleveland, Mayfield, Columbus), Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh), and West Virginia (Wheeling). The firm is recognized for its sophisticated transactional and litigation capabilities, serving publicly traded companies, privately held businesses, financial institutions, private equity sponsors, executives, and individuals.
Formed through the 2026 merger of Bernstein-Burkley and Walter Haverfield, WH Burkley is dedicated to delivering business focused legal solutions across core areas including real estate, bankruptcy and restructuring, creditors’ rights, corporate transactions, finance, commercial litigation, labor and employment, tax, and private wealth. The merger advances a disciplined growth strategy aligned with client needs across diverse sectors and geographies — integrating strategic business advisory services with traditional legal representation.
Media Inquiries: Seth Apple | sapple@walterhav.com