WESTSTAR ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
1,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[ ], 2000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Gentlemen:
Weststar Environmental, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the
State of Florida, together with its subsidiaries (the "Company"), hereby
confirms its agreement with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Davidson Securities Corporation, ("▇▇▇▇▇▇▇")
as the managing underwriter of its securities (the "Underwriter" and together
with the several underwriters the "Underwriters"), as set forth below.
The Company proposes to issue and sell to the Underwriters, severally and
not jointly, 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per
share (the "Common Stock"). The shares of Common Stock being sold by the Company
are referred to as the "Firm Shares." The Common Stock will be sold to the
public at a price of $6.50 per share and the Underwriters will be entitled to a
discount of ten percent (10%) (resulting in a purchase price of $5.85 per
share). The Underwriter shall also be entitled to a three percent (3%)
non-accountable expense allowance as described herein.
In addition, for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments from the sale
of the Firm Shares the Company proposes to grant to the Underwriters an option
to purchase an additional 150,000 shares of Common Stock, (the "Firm Option
Shares" or the "Option Shares"), all as provided in Section 2(c) of this
agreement (the "Agreement") and to issue to you the Underwriter's Warrant (as
defined in Section 2 hereof) to purchase certain further additional shares of
Common Stock. The Firm Shares and the Option Shares are collectively referred to
herein as either the "Shares" or the "Securities".
1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents
and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriter that:
(a) A registration statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-43356), with
respect to the Securities and the Underwriter's Warrant Securities (as
hereinafter defined), including a prospectus subject to completion, has been
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act "), and one
or more amendments to that registration statement may have been so filed. Copies
of such registration statement and of each amendment heretofore filed by the
Company with the Commission have been delivered to the Underwriters. After the
execution of this Agreement, the Company will file with the Commission either
(i) if the registration statement, as it may have been amended, has been
declared by the Commission to be effective under the Act, a prospectus in the
form most recently included in that registration statement (or, if an amendment
thereto shall have been filed, in such amendment), with such changes or
insertions as are required by Rule 430A under the Act or permitted by Rule
424(b) under the Act and as have been provided to and approved by the
Underwriters prior to the execution of this Agreement, or (ii) if that
registration statement, as it may have been amended, has not been declared by
the Commission to be effective under the Act, an amendment to that registration
statement, including a form of prospectus, a copy of which amendment has been
furnished to and approved by the Underwriter prior to the execution of this
Agreement. The Company also may file a related registration statement with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act for purposes of registering
certain additional Securities, which registration statement shall become
effective upon filing with the Commission (the "Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement"). As used in this Agreement, the term "Registration Statement" means
that registration statement, as amended at the time it was or is declared
effective, and any amendment thereto that was or is thereafter declared
effective, including all financial schedules and exhibits thereto and any
information omitted therefrom pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and included
in the Prospectus (as hereinafter defined), together with any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement; the term "Preliminary Prospectus" means each prospectus
subject to completion filed with the Registration Statement (including the
prospectus subject to completion, if any, included in the Registration Statement
at the time it was or is declared effective); and the term "Prospectus" means
the prospectus first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Act or, if no prospectus is so filed pursuant to Rule 424(b), the prospectus
included in the Registration Statement. The Company has caused to be delivered
to the Underwriters copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and has consented to
the use of those copies for the purposes permitted by the Act. If the Company
has elected to rely on Rule 462(b) and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement
has not been declared effective, then (i) the Company has filed a Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement in compliance with and that is effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) and has received confirmation of its receipt and (ii)
the Company has given irrevocable instructions for transmission of the
applicable filing fee in connection with the filing of the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, in compliance with Rule 111 promulgated under the Act or
the Commission has received payment of such filing fee.
(b) The Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending
the use of any Preliminary Prospectus. When each Preliminary Prospectus and each
amendment and each supplement thereto was filed with the Commission it (i)
contained all statements required to be stated therein, in accordance with, and
complied with the requirements of, the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder and (ii) did not include any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. When the Registration Statement was or is declared
effective, it (i) contained or will contain all statements
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required to be stated therein in accordance with, and complied or will comply
with the requirements of, the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder and (ii) did not or will not include any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading. When the Prospectus and each amendment or
supplement thereto is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (or, if
the Prospectus or such amendment or supplement is not required so to be filed,
when the Registration Statement containing such Prospectus or amendment or
supplement thereto was or is declared effective) and on the Firm Closing Date
and any Option Closing Date (as each such term is hereinafter defined), the
Prospectus, as amended or supplemented at any such time, (i) contained or will
contain all statements required to be stated therein in accordance with, and
complied or will comply with the requirements of, the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and (ii) did not or will not include
any statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. The foregoing provisions of this paragraph (b)
do not apply to statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto
in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by the Underwriters specifically for use therein.
(c) The Company is duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdictions of
incorporation, and duly qualified or authorized to transact business as a
foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the
ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its businesses require
such qualification or authorization.
(d) The Company has full corporate power and authority, and all
necessary material authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and
permits of and from all governmental regulatory authorities, to own or lease its
property and conduct its business as now being conducted and as proposed to be
conducted as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and, if
the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus).
(e) At the date of the Closing, the Company does not own, directly or
indirectly, an interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, trust or other business entity.
(f) The Company has an authorized, issued and outstanding
capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus). All of the issued shares of
capital stock of the Company, have been duly authorized and validly issued and
are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. There are no
outstanding options, warrants or other rights granted by the Company to purchase
shares of its Common Stock or other securities, other than as described in the
Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus). The Firm Shares have been duly authorized, by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and, when the Firm Shares
are issued and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriter pursuant to this
Agreement, the Firm Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and
free of preemptive rights and will conform to the description thereof in the
Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
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most recent Preliminary Prospectus). No holder of outstanding securities of the
Company is entitled as such to any preemptive or other right to subscribe for
any of the Securities, and no person is entitled to have securities registered
by the Company under the Registration Statement or otherwise under the Act other
than as described in the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in existence,
the most recent Preliminary Prospectus).
(g) The capital stock of the Company conforms to the description
thereof contained in the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in existence,
the most recent Preliminary Prospectus).
(h) All issuances of securities of the Company have been effected
pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Act. No
compensation was paid to or on behalf of any member of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), or any affiliate or employee thereof, in
connection with any such issuance.
(i) The financial statements of the Company included in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) fairly present the financial
position of the Company as of the dates indicated and the results of operations
of the Company for the periods specified. Such financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in effect
in the United States of America, consistently applied, except to the extent that
certain footnote disclosures regarding unaudited interim periods may have been
omitted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"). The financial data
set forth under the caption "Summary Financial Information" in the Prospectus
(and, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus) fairly present, on the basis stated in the Prospectus (or such
Preliminary Prospectus), the information included therein.
(j) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company LLC has audited the financial statements of the
Company as of December 31, 1998 and 1999, and Reddish & White, C.P.A.'s has
audited the financial statements of Pipeline Contractors, Inc., Wealing
Brothers, Inc. and Village Ventures, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1999,
and each has delivered their report with respect to the financial statements
included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and, if the
Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), and are
independent public accountants with respect to the Company as required by the
Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder.
(k) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), (i) except as otherwise
contemplated therein, there has been no material adverse change in the business,
operations, condition (financial or otherwise), earnings or prospects of the
Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, (ii) except
as otherwise stated therein, there have been no transactions entered into by the
Company and no commitments made by the Company that, individually or in the
aggregate, are material with respect to the Company, (iii) there has not been
any change in the capital stock or indebtedness of the Company, and (iv) there
has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the
Company in respect of any class of its capital stock.
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(l) The Company has full corporate power and authority to enter into
and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Underwriter's Warrant
Agreement (as hereinafter defined). The execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and this Agreement and the
Underwriter's Warrant Agreement have each been duly executed and delivered by
the Company and each is a valid and binding agreement of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
fraudulent conveyance, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether
enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and except as
rights to indemnity and contribution under this Agreement may be limited by
applicable law. The issuance, offering and sale by the Company to the
Underwriters of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or the Underwriter's
Securities pursuant to the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, the compliance by
the Company with the provisions of this Agreement and the Underwriter's Warrant
Agreement, and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement do not (i) require the
consent, approval, authorization, registration or qualification of or with any
court or governmental or regulatory authority, except such as have been obtained
or may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws and, if the
registration statement filed with respect to the Securities (as amended) is not
effective under the Act as of the time of execution hereof, such as may be
required (and shall be obtained as provided in this Agreement) under the Act, or
(ii) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a
default under, any material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
agreement, note, lease or other material agreement or instrument to which the
Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its property is bound or
subject, or the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company, or any
statute or any rule, regulation, judgment, decree or order of any court or other
governmental or regulatory authority or any arbitrator applicable to the
Company.
(m) No legal or governmental proceedings are pending to which the
Company is a party or to which the property of the Company is subject, and no
such proceedings have been threatened against the Company or with respect to any
of its property, except such as are described in the Prospectus (and, if the
Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus). No
contract or other document is required to be described in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement that is not described therein (and, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) or filed as required.
(n) The Company is not in (i) violation of its certificate of
incorporation, by-laws or other governing documents, (ii) violation in any
material respect of any law, statute, regulation, ordinance, rule, order,
judgment or decree of any court or any governmental or regulatory authority
applicable to it, or (iii) other than as described in the Prospectus, default in
any material respect in the performance or observance of any obligation,
agreement, covenant or condition contained in any material contract, indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease or other material agreement
or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its property may
be bound or subject, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of
time or both would constitute such a default.
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(o) The Company currently owns or possesses adequate rights to use all
intellectual property, including all trademarks, service marks, trade names,
copyrights, inventions, know-how, trade secrets, proprietary technologies,
processes and substances, or applications or licenses therefor, that are
described in the Prospectus (and if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most
recent Preliminary Prospectus), and any other rights or interests in items of
intellectual property as are necessary for the conduct of the business now
conducted or proposed to be conducted by them as described in the Prospectus
(or, such Preliminary Prospectus), and, except as disclosed in the Prospectus
(and such Preliminary Prospectus), the Company is not aware of the granting of
any patent rights to, or the filing of applications therefor by, others, nor is
the Company aware of, nor has the Company received notice of, infringement of or
conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing.
All such intellectual property rights and interests are (i) valid and
enforceable and (ii) to the best knowledge of the Company, not being infringed
by any third parties.
(p) The Company possesses adequate licenses, orders, authorizations,
approvals, certificates or permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or
foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct its business as
described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and, if the
Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), and,
except as disclosed in the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), there are no pending or, to
the best knowledge of the Company, threatened, proceedings relating to the
revocation or modification of any such license, order, authorization, approval,
certificate or permit.
(q) The Company has good and marketable title to all of the properties
and assets reflected in the Company's financial statements or as described in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), subject to no lien,
mortgage, pledge, charge or encumbrance of any kind, except those reflected in
such financial statements or as described in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus (and such Preliminary Prospectus). Except as disclosed in the
Prospectus, the Company occupies its leased properties under valid and
enforceable leases conforming to the description thereof set forth in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and such Preliminary Prospectus).
(r) The Company is not and does not intend to conduct its business in
a manner in which it would be an "investment company" as defined in Section 3(a)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act").
(s) The Company has obtained and delivered to the Underwriter the
agreements (the "Lock-up Agreements") with the officers, directors and principal
shareholders of the Company substantially to the effect that, among other
things, each such person will not, commencing on the date that the Registration
Statement is declared effective by the SEC (the "Effective Date") and continuing
for a period of twenty-four (24) months thereafter, without the prior written
consent of the Underwriter, directly or indirectly, publicly sell, offer or
contract to sell or grant any option to purchase, transfer, assign or pledge, or
otherwise encumber, or dispose of any shares of Common Stock now or hereafter
owned by such person and that the purchaser or transferee in any private sale
agrees to be bound by the Lock-Up Agreement.
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(t) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company exists, is
threatened or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, is imminent that could
result in a material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
business, prospects, net worth or results of operations of the Company, except
as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not
in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus).
(u) The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial
responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent
and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; the Company has not been
refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no
reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance
coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from
similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that
would not materially and adversely affect the condition (financial or
otherwise), business, prospects, net worth or results of operations of the
Company, except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus (and, if the
Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus).
(v) The Underwriter's Warrant (as hereinafter defined) will conform to
the description thereof in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus
(and, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus) and, when sold to and paid for by the Underwriter in accordance with
the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, will have been duly authorized and validly
issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled
to the benefits of the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement. The shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Underwriter's Warrant (the "Underwriter's
Warrant Shares") have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon
exercise of the Underwriter's Warrant by all necessary corporate action on the
part of the Company and, when issued and delivered and paid for upon such
exercise in accordance with the terms of the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement and
the Underwriter's Warrant, respectively, will be validly issued, fully paid,
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights and will conform to the description
thereof in the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most
recent Preliminary Prospectus).
(w) No person has acted as a finder in connection with, or is entitled
to any commission, fee or other compensation or payment for services as a finder
for or for originating, or introducing the parties to, the transactions
contemplated herein and the Company will indemnify the Underwriter with respect
to any claim for finder's fees in connection herewith. Except as set forth in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), the Company has no
management or financial consulting agreement with anyone. No promoter, officer,
director or stockholder of the Company is, directly or indirectly, affiliated or
associated with an NASD member and no securities of the Company have been
acquired by an NASD member, except as previously disclosed in writing to the
Underwriter.
(x) The Company has filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax
returns which are required to be filed through the date hereof, or has received
extensions thereof, and has paid all taxes shown on such returns and all
assessments received by it to the extent that the same are material and have
become due.
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(y) Neither the Company nor any director, officer, agent, employee or
other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company has, directly or
indirectly: used any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, gifts,
entertainment, or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; made
any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or
to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds;
violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended;
or made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback, or other
unlawful payment. No transaction has occurred between or among the Company and
any of its officers or directors or any affiliates of any such officer or
director, that is required to be described in and is not described in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(z) Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or
affiliates (as defined in the Regulations), has taken or will take, directly or
indirectly, prior to the completion of the Offering, any action designed to
stabilize or manipulate the price of any security of the Company, or which has
caused or resulted in, or which might in the future reasonably be expected to
cause or result in, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security
of the Company, to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities or the
Option Securities.
(aa) The operations of the Company have been conducted in accordance
with all applicable laws, regulations and other requirements of all governmental
bodies having jurisdiction over the Company, including, without limitation, all
such laws, regulations and requirements relating to antitrust, consumer
protection, currency exchange, equal opportunity, health, pollution or
protection of the environment, occupational safety or pension, except where the
failure so to comply would not individually or in the aggregate have a material
adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company. The
Company has all licenses, permits, orders or approvals from governmental bodies
required for the conduct of it business, and the Company is not in violation of
any such license, permit, order or approval. All such licenses, permits, orders
and approvals are in full force and effect, and no suspension or cancellation
thereof has been threatened.
(bb) The Company has obtained all permits, licenses and other
authorizations which are required with respect to the Company under all
applicable laws, regulations and other requirements of governmental bodies
relating to pollution or protection of the environment, including laws relating
to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants,
contaminants, or hazardous or toxic materials or wastes into ambient air,
surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or
handling of pollutants, contaminants or hazardous or toxic material or wastes,
except where the failure to have such permits, licenses and other authorizations
would not individually or in the aggregate have a materially adverse effect on
the business or financial condition of the Company. The Company is in full
compliance with all terms and conditions of the required permits, licenses and
authorizations, and are also in full compliance with all other limitations,
restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements, obligations,
schedules and timetables contained in those laws or contained in any regulation,
code, plan, order, decree, judgment, notice or demand letter issued, entered,
promulgated or approved thereunder. The Company is not aware of, nor has it
received notice of, any past, present or future events, conditions,
circumstances, activities, practices, incidents, actions or plans which may
interfere with or prevent continued compliance, or which may give rise to any
common law or legal liability, or otherwise form the basis of any claim, action,
suit, proceedings, hearing or investigation, based on or related
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to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport, or handling, or the emission, discharge, release or threatened
release into the environment, of any pollutant, contaminant, or hazardous or
toxic material or waste.
2. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Securities and the Underwriter's
Warrants.
(a) On the basis of the representations, warranties, agreements and
covenants herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set
forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Underwriter, and the
Underwriter agrees, to purchase from the Company, the number of Firm Shares as
set forth opposite its name on Schedule 1 annexed hereto, at a purchase price of
$6.50 per share.
(b) Certificates in definitive form for the Firm Securities that the
Underwriters have agreed to purchase hereunder, and in such denomination or
denominations and registered in such name or names as the Underwriters request
upon notice to the Company at least 48 hours prior to the Firm Closing Date,
shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Underwriter, against
payment by or on behalf of the Underwriters of the purchase prices therefor by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account specified by the
Company. Such delivery of the Firm Securities shall be made at the offices of
Sichenzia, Ross & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, LLP, Counsel for the Underwriter, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, Eastern Standard Time on [DAY], [DATE] 2000,
within three (3) business days from the Effective Date, or at such other place,
time or date as the Underwriter and the Company may agree upon, such time and
date of delivery against payment being herein referred to as the "Firm Closing
Date". The Company will make such certificates for the Firm Securities available
for checking and packaging by the Underwriter, at such offices as may be
designated by the Underwriter, at least 24 hours prior to the Firm Closing Date.
In lieu of physical delivery, the closing may occur by "DTC" delivery.
(c) For the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection with
the distribution and sale of the Firm Securities as contemplated by the
Prospectus, the Company hereby grants to the Underwriter an option to purchase
any or all of the Option Shares, which options are exercisable by the
Underwriter on behalf of and for the account of the Underwriter. The purchase
price to be paid for any of the Option Shares shall be the same price per share
for the Firm Securities set forth above in paragraph (a) of this Section 2. The
option granted hereby may be exercised as to all or any part of the Option
Shares from time to time within 45 calendar days after the Firm Closing Date.
The Underwriter shall not be under any obligation to purchase any of the Option
Shares prior to the exercise of such option. The Underwriter may from time to
time exercise the option granted hereby by giving notice in writing or by
telephone (confirmed in writing) to the Company setting forth the aggregate
number of Option Shares as to which the Underwriter is then exercising the
option and the date and time for delivery of and payment for such Option Shares.
Any such date of delivery shall be determined by the Underwriter but shall not
be earlier than two business days or later than three business days after such
exercise of the option and, in any event, shall not be earlier than the Firm
Closing Date. The time and date set forth in such notice, or such other time on
such other date as the Underwriter and the Company may agree upon, is herein
called the "Option Closing Date" with respect to such Option Shares. Upon
exercise of the option as provided herein, the Company shall become obligated to
sell to the Underwriter, and, subject to the terms and conditions herein set
forth, the Underwriter shall become obligated to purchase from the Company, the
Option
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Shares as to which the Underwriter is then exercising its option. If the option
is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Shares, certificates in
definitive form for such Option Shares, and payment therefor, shall be delivered
on the related Option Closing Date in the manner, and upon the terms and
conditions, set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section 2, except that reference
therein to the Firm Securities and the Firm Closing Date shall be deemed, for
purposes of this paragraph (c), to refer to such Option Shares and Option
Closing Date, respectively.
(d) On the Firm Closing Date, the Company will further issue and sell
to the Underwriter or, at the direction of the Underwriter, to bona fide
officers of the Underwriter, for an aggregate purchase price of $100.00,
warrants to purchase Common Stock (the "Underwriter's Warrant") entitling the
holders thereof to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of Common Stock for a
period of four years, such period to commence on the first anniversary of the
Effective Date. The Underwriter's Warrant shall be exercisable at a price equal
to 165% of the public offering price of the Common Stock, and shall contain
terms and provisions more fully described herein below and as set forth more
particularly in the warrant agreement relating to the Underwriter's Warrant to
be executed by the Company on the Effective Date (the "Underwriter's Warrant
Agreement"), including, but not limited to, (i) customary anti-dilution
provisions in the event of stock dividends, split mergers, sales of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets, sales of stock below then prevailing
market or exercise prices and other events, and (ii) prohibitions of mergers,
consolidations or other reorganizations of or by the Company or the taking by
the Company of other action during the five-year period following the Effective
Date unless adequate provision is made to preserve, in substance, the rights and
powers incidental to the Underwriter's Warrant. As provided in the Underwriter's
Warrant Agreement, the Underwriter may designate that the Underwriter's Warrant
be issued in varying amounts directly to bona fide officers of the Underwriter.
As further provided, no sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation of
the Underwriter's Warrant shall be made for a period of 12 months from the
Effective Date, except (i) by operation of law or reorganization of the Company,
or (ii) to the Underwriter and bona fide partners, officers (not directors) of
the Underwriter and selling group members.
3. Offering by the Underwriter. The Underwriter proposes to offer the Firm
Securities for sale to the public upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus
(the "Offering").
4. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the
Underwriter that:
(a) The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration
Statement, if not effective at the time of execution of this Agreement, to
become effective as promptly as possible. If required, the Company will file the
Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto with the Commission in the
manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the Act. During
any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be
delivered under the Act, the Company (i) will comply with all requirements
imposed upon it by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder to the extent necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or
dealings in the Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and of the
Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, and (ii) will not file with the
Commission any prospectus or amendment referred to in the first sentence of
section (a) (i) hereof, any amendment or supplement to such prospectus or any
amendment to the Registration Statement as to which the Underwriter shall
10
not previously have been advised and furnished with a copy for a reasonable
period of time prior to the proposed filing and as to which filing the
Underwriter shall not have given its consent. The Company will prepare and file
with the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Commission, promptly upon request by the Underwriter or counsel to the
Underwriter, any amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or
supplements to the Prospectus that may be necessary or advisable in connection
with the distribution of the Securities by the Underwriter, and will use its
best efforts to cause any such amendment to the Registration Statement to be
declared effective by the Commission as promptly as possible. The Company will
advise the Underwriter, promptly after receiving notice thereof, of the time
when the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has been filed or
declared effective or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto as
been filed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Underwriter of each
such filing or effectiveness.
(b) The Company will advise the Underwriter, promptly after receiving
notice or obtaining knowledge thereof, of (i) the issuance by the Commission of
any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any
order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, (ii) the suspension of the
qualification of any Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, (iii)
the institution, threat or contemplation of any proceeding for any such purpose,
or (iv) any request made by the Commission for amending the Registration
Statement, for amending or supplementing the Prospectus or for additional
information. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of
any such stop order and, if any such stop order is issued, to obtain the
withdrawal thereof as promptly as possible.
(c) The Company will, in cooperation with counsel to the Underwriter,
arrange for the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under the
Blue Sky or securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriter may
designate and will continue such qualifications in effect for as long as may be
necessary to complete the distribution of the Securities.
(d) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is
required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs as a result of which
the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would include any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, or if for any other reason it is necessary at
any time to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act or the
rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder, the Company will promptly
notify the Underwriter thereof and, subject to Section 4(a) hereof, will prepare
and file with the Commission, at the Company's expense, an amendment to the
Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus that
corrects such statement or omission or effects such compliance.
(e) Intentionally left blank.
(f) The Company will, without charge, provide to the Underwriter and
to counsel for the Underwriter (i) as many signed copies of the registration
statement originally filed with respect to the Securities and each amendment
thereto (in each case including exhibits thereto) as the Underwriter may
reasonably request, (ii) as many conformed copies of such registration statement
11
and each amendment thereto (in each case without exhibits thereto) as the
Underwriter may reasonably request, and (iii) so long as a prospectus relating
to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, as many copies of
each Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto as the Underwriter may reasonably request.
(g) The Company, as soon as practicable, will make generally available
to its security holders and to the Underwriter an earnings statement of the
Company that satisfies the provisions of Section 11 (a) of the Act and Rule 158
thereunder.
(h) The Company will reserve and keep available for issuance that
maximum number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock which are
issuable upon exercise of any outstanding warrants and the Underwriter's Warrant
(including the underlying securities) outstanding from time to time.
(i) The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the
Securities being sold by it as set forth under "Use of Proceeds" in the
Prospectus.
(j) Intentionally left blank.
(k) Prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date (if any), the
Company will not, directly or indirectly, without prior written consent of the
Underwriter, issue any press release or other public announcement or hold any
press conference with respect to the Company or its activities with respect to
the Offering (other than trade releases issued in the ordinary course of the
Company's business consistent with past practices with respect to the Company's
operations).
(l) If, at the time that the Registration Statement becomes effective,
any information shall have been omitted therefrom in reliance upon Rule 430A
under the Act, then immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the
Company will prepare, and file or transmit for filing with the Commission in
accordance with Rule 430A and Rule 424(b) under the Act, copies of the
Prospectus including the information omitted in reliance on Rule 430A, or, if
required by such Rule 430A, a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement (including an amended Prospectus), containing all information so
omitted.
(m) The Company will assist the Underwriter in causing the Securities
to be listed on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on the Effective Date and to maintain
such listing thereafter.
(n) During the period of five years from the Firm Closing Date, the
Company will, as promptly as possible, not to exceed 135 days, after each annual
fiscal period render and distribute reports to its stockholders which will
include audited statements of its operations and changes of financial position
during such period and its audited balance sheet as of the end of such period,
as to which statements the Company's independent certified public accountants
shall have rendered an opinion and shall timely file all reports required to be
filed under the securities laws.
(o) During a period of three years commencing with the Firm Closing
Date, the Company will furnish to the Underwriter, at the Company's expense,
copies of all periodic and special reports furnished to stockholders of the
Company and of all information, documents and
12
reports filed with the Commission.
(p) The Company has appointed Stock Trans, Inc., as transfer agent for
the Common Stock, subject to the Closing. The Company will not change or
terminate such appointment for a period of three years from the Firm Closing
Date without first obtaining the written consent of the Underwriter. For a
period of three years after the Effective Date, the Company shall cause the
transfer agent to deliver promptly to the Underwriter a duplicate copy of the
daily transfer sheets relating to trading of the Securities. The Company shall
also provide to the Underwriter, on a weekly basis, copies of the DTC special
securities positions listing report.
(q) During the period of 180 days after the date of this Agreement,
the Company will not at any time, directly or indirectly, take any action
designed to or that will constitute, or that might reasonably be expected to
cause or result in, the stabilization of the price of the Common Stock to
facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities.
(r) The Company will not take any action to facilitate the sale of any
shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act if any such sale would
violate any of the terms of the Lock-up Agreements.
(s) Prior to the 120th day after the Firm Closing Date, the Company
will provide the Underwriter and their designees with five bound volumes of the
transaction documents relating to the Registration Statement and the closing(s)
hereunder, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter.
(t) The Company shall consult with the Underwriter prior to the
distribution to third parties of any financial information news releases or
other publicity regarding the Company, its business, or any terms of this
offering and the Underwriter will consult with the Company prior to the issuance
of any research report or recommendation concerning the Company's securities.
Copies of all documents that the Company or its public relations firm intend to
distribute will be provided to the Underwriter for review prior to such
distribution.
(u) The Company and the Underwriter will advise each other immediately
in writing as to any investigation, proceeding, order, event or other
circumstance, or any threat thereof, by or relating to the Commission or any
other governmental authority, that could impair or prevent the Offering. Except
as required by law or as otherwise mutually agreed in writing, neither the
Company nor the Underwriter will acquiesce in such circumstances and each will
actively defend any proceedings or orders in that connection.
(v) The Company shall first submit to the Underwriter certificates
representing the Securities for approval prior to printing, and shall, as
promptly as possible, after filing the Registration Statement with the
Commission, obtain CUSIP numbers for the Securities.
(w) The Company will prepare and file a registration statement with
the Commission pursuant to section 12 of the 1934 Act, and will use its best
efforts to have such registration statement declared effective by the Commission
on an accelerated basis on the day after the Effective Date. For this purpose
the Company shall prepare and file with the Commission a
13
General Form of Registration of Securities (Form 8-A or Form 10).
(x) For so long as the Securities are registered under the 1934 Act,
the Company will hold an annual meeting of stockholders for the election of
directors within 180 days after the end of each of the Company's fiscal years
and within 135 days after the end of each of the Company's fiscal years will
provide the Company's stockholders with the audited financial statements of the
Company as of the end of the fiscal year just completed prior thereto. Such
financial statements shall be those required by Rule 14a-3 under the 1934 Act
and shall be included in an annual report pursuant to the requirements of such
Rule.
(y) The Company will take all necessary and appropriate actions to be
included in Standard and Poor's Corporation Descriptions or other equivalent
manual and to maintain its listing therein for a period of five (5) years from
the Effective Date or until such time as the Company's securities are listed on
the Nasdaq National Market. Such application shall be made on an accelerated
basis no more than two days following the Effective Date.
(z) On or prior to the Effective Date, the Company will give written
instructions to the transfer agent for the Common Stock directing said transfer
agent to place stop-order restrictions against, and appropriate legends advising
of the Lock-Up Agreements on, the certificates representing the securities of
the Company owned by the persons who have entered into the Lock-up Agreements.
5. Expenses
(a) The Company shall pay all costs and expenses incident to the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 10 hereof, including all costs and expenses incident to (i)
the preparation, printing and filing or other production of documents with
respect to the transactions, including any costs of printing the Registration
Statement originally filed with respect to the Securities and any amendment
thereto, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto, this Agreement, the selected dealer agreement and the other
agreements and documents governing the underwriting arrangements and any Blue
Sky memoranda, (ii) all reasonable and necessary arrangements relating to the
delivery to the Underwriter of copies of the foregoing documents, and the costs
and expenses of the Underwriter in mailing or otherwise distributing the same
including telephone charges, duplications and other accountable expenses, (iii)
the fees and disbursements of the counsel, the accountants and any other experts
or advisors retained by the Company, (iv) the preparation, issuance and delivery
to the Underwriter of any certificates evidencing the Securities, including
transfer agent's, warrant agent's and registrar's fees or any transfer or other
taxes payable thereon, (v) the qualification of the Securities under state Blue
Sky or securities laws, including filing fees and fees and disbursements of
counsel relating thereto and any fees and disbursements of local counsel, if
any, retained for such purpose, (vi) the filing fees of the Commission and the
NASD relating to the Securities, (vii) the inclusion of the Securities on The
Nasdaq SmallCap Market and in the Standard and Poor's Corporation Descriptions
Manual, (viii) any "road shows" or other meetings with prospective investors in
the Securities, including transportation, accommodation, meal, conference room,
audio-visual presentation an similar expenses, but not including such expenses
for the Underwriter
14
or their designees and (ix) the publication of "tombstone advertisements" in
newspapers or other publications selected by the Underwriter, and the
manufacture of prospectus memorabilia. In addition to the foregoing, the
Company, shall reimburse the Underwriter for its expenses on the basis of a
non-accountable expense allowance in the amount of three percent (3%) of the
gross offering proceeds to be received by the Company. The non-accountable
expense allowance, based on the gross proceeds from the sale of the Firm
Securities, shall be deducted from the funds to be paid by the Underwriter in
payment for the Firm Securities, pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement, on the
Firm Closing Date. To the extent any Option Shares are sold, any remaining
non-accountable expense allowance based on the gross proceeds from the sale of
the Option Shares shall be deducted from the funds to be paid by the Underwriter
in payment for the Option Shares, pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement, on
the Option Closing Date. The Company warrants, represents and agrees that all
such payments and reimbursements will be promptly and fully made.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the
Offering is terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 or Section
10(a), the Company agrees that, in addition to the Company paying its own
expenses as described in subparagraph (a) above, the Company shall pay
Underwriter a non-accountable out-of-pocket expense allowance (in addition to
expenses referred to in subparagraph (a) above) equal to 3% of the total
offering proceeds, up to a maximum of $195,000.
6. Conditions of the Underwriter's Obligations. The obligations of the
Underwriter to purchase and pay for the Firm Shares shall be subject to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein
as of the date hereof and as of the Firm Closing Date as if made on and as of
the Firm Closing Date, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company's
officers made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the
Company of its covenants and agreements hereunder and to the following
additional conditions:
(a) If the Registration Statement, as heretofore amended, has not been
declared effective as of the time of execution hereof, the Registration
Statement, as heretofore amended or as amended by an amendment thereto to be
filed prior to the Firm Closing Date, shall have been declared effective not
later than 5:30 P.M., New York City time, on the date on which the amendment to
such Registration Statement containing information regarding the initial public
offering price of the Securities has been filed with the Commission, or such
later time and date as shall have been consented to by the Underwriter; if
required, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto shall have been
filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time period required by
Rule 424(b) under the Act, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued, and no proceedings for that
purpose shall have been instituted or threatened or, to the knowledge of the
Company or the Underwriter, shall be contemplated by the Commission; and the
Company shall have complied with any request of the Commission for additional
information (to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or
otherwise).
(b) The Underwriter shall have received an opinion, dated the Firm
Closing Date, of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, counsel to the Company, substantially
to the effect that:
15
(1) the Company, and each of its subsidiaries, has been duly
incorporated and are validly existing as corporations in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of their organization and are duly qualified to
transact business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the
laws of each other jurisdiction in which its ownership or leasing of any
properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except
where the failure to be in good standing or so qualify would not have a
materially adverse effect upon the Company;
(2) the Company and each of its subsidiaries has full corporate
power and authority to own or lease its property and conduct its business as it
is now being conducted and as it is proposed to be conducted, as described in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and the Company and each of its
subsidiaries has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement
and the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement and to carry out all the terms and
provisions hereof and thereof to be carried out by it;
(3) there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights
granted by the Company to purchase shares of its Common Stock, preferred stock
or other securities other than as described in the Prospectus; the Shares have
been duly authorized and the Underwriter's Warrant Shares have been duly
reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
Company and the Shares when issued and delivered to and paid for by the
Underwriter, pursuant to this Agreement, the Underwriter's Warrant when issued
and delivered and paid for in accordance with this Agreement and the
Underwriter's Warrant Agreement by the Underwriter, and the Underwriters Warrant
Shares when issued upon payment of the exercise price specified in the
Underwriter's Warrant, will be validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and
free of preemptive rights and will conform to the description thereof in the
Prospectus; to the knowledge of such counsel, no holder of outstanding
securities of the Company is entitled as such to any preemptive or other right
to subscribe for any of the Shares or the Underwriter's Warrant Shares; and to
the knowledge of such counsel, no person is entitled to have securities
registered by the Company under the Registration Statement or otherwise under
the Act other than as described in the Prospectus;
(4) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Underwriter's Warrant Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company and this Agreement and the
Underwriter's Warrant Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the
Company, and each is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may
be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance,
moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and by
general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law) and except as rights to indemnity and
contribution under this Agreement and the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement may be
limited by applicable securities laws and the public policy underlying such
laws;
(5) the Underwriter's Warrant is duly authorized and upon payment
of the purchase price therefore specified in Section 2(d) of this Agreement will
be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company;
and the certificates representing the Securities are in due and proper form
under law;
16
(6) the statements set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
"Description of Capital Stock" insofar as those statements purport to summarize
the terms of the capital stock and warrants of the Company, provide a fair
summary of such terms; to the knowledge of such counsel, the statements set
forth in the Prospectus describing statutes and regulations and the descriptions
of the consequences to the Company under such statutes and regulations are fair
summaries of the information set forth therein and are accurate in all material
respects; to the knowledge of such counsel, the statements in the Prospectus,
insofar as those statements constitute summaries of the contracts, instruments,
leases or licenses referred to therein, constitute a fair summary in all
material respects of those contracts, instruments, leases or licenses and
include all material terms thereof, as applicable;
(7) none of (A) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, (B) the issuance, offering and sale by the
Company to the Underwriter of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement and the
Underwriter's Warrant Shares pursuant to the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, or
(C) the compliance by the Company with the other provisions of this Agreement
and the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, to the knowledge of such counsel (1) requires
the consent, approval, authorization, registration or qualification of or with
any court or governmental authority known to us, except such as have been
obtained and such as may be required under state Blue Sky or securities laws as
to which we express no opinion or (2) conflicts with or results in a breach or
violation of, or constitutes a default under, any material contract, indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease or other material agreement
or instrument known to such counsel to which the Company is a party or by which
the Company or any of its property is bound or subject, or the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws of the Company, or any material statute or any
judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation of any court or other governmental
or regulatory authority known to us applicable to the Company;
(8) to the knowledge of such counsel, (A) no legal or
governmental proceedings are pending to which the Company is a party or to which
the property of the Company is subject except those arising in the ordinary
course of business and fully covered by insurance and (B) no contract or other
document is required to be described in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that is
not described therein or filed as required;
(9) to the knowledge of such counsel, the Company possesses
adequate licenses, orders, authorizations, approvals, certificates or permits
issued by the appropriate federal, state or local regulatory agencies or bodies
necessary to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus, and, there are no pending or threatened proceedings relating to
the revocation or modification of any such license, order, authorization,
approval, certificate or permit, except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, which would have a material adverse effect on the
Company;
(10) The Company is not in violation or breach of, or in default
with respect to, any term of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws, and to
the knowledge of such counsel, the Company is not in (i) violation in any
material respect of any law, statute, regulation,
17
ordinance, rule, order, judgment or decree of any court or any governmental or
regulatory authority applicable to it, or (ii) default in any material respect
in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or
condition contained in any material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, loan agreement, note, lease or other material agreement or instrument to
which it is a party or by which it or any of its property may be bound or
subject, and no event has occurred which with notice, lapse of time or both
would constitute such a default;
(11) the Shares have been approved for inclusion on The Nasdaq
SmallCap Market and the Boston Stock Exchange;
(12) the Registration Statement is effective under the Act; any
required filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made in the
manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); and to our knowledge,
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any
amendment thereto has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been
instituted or threatened or, to the best knowledge of such counsel, are
contemplated by the Commission;
(13) the Registration Statement originally filed with respect to
the Securities and each amendment thereto and the Prospectus (in each case,
other than the financial statements, the notes, schedules and other financial
and statistical information contained therein, as to which such counsel need
express no opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder; and
(14) the Company is not an "investment company" as defined in
Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and, if the Company conducts
its business as set forth in the Prospectus, it will not become an Investment
company" and will not be required to register under the Investment Company Act
of 1940.
Such counsel also shall state in its opinion that it has participated
in the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that
nothing has come to its attention that has caused it to believe that the
Registration Statement, at the time it became effective (including the
information deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement at the time of
effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A(b), if applicable), contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
that the Prospectus, as of its date or as of the Firm Closing Date, contained an
untrue statement of material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
In rendering any such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to matters of
fact, to the extent such counsel deems proper, on certificates of responsible
officers of the Company and public officials, copies of which certificates will
be provided to the Underwriter, and, as to matters of the laws of certain
jurisdictions, on the opinions of other counsel to the Company, which opinions
shall also be delivered to the Underwriter, in form and substance acceptable to
the Underwriter, if such other counsel expressly authorize such reliance and
counsel to the Company expressly states in their opinion that such counsel's and
the Underwriter's reliance upon such opinion is justified.
18
(c) At the time this Agreement is executed, the Underwriter shall
have received a letter, dated such date, addressed to the Underwriter in form
and substance satisfactory (including the non-material nature of the changes or
decreases, if any, referred to in clause (3) below) in all respects to the
Underwriter and Underwriter's counsel, from each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company, LLC and
Reddish & White, CPA's:
(1) confirming that it is a independent certified public
accountant with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act and the
applicable Rules and Regulations and that it is SEC qualified;
(2) stating that it is their opinion that the financial
statements of the Company, or the subsidiaries, as the case may be, as included
in the Registration Statement comply as to form in all material respects with
the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations
thereunder and that the Underwriter may rely upon the opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
Company, LLC and Reddish & White, CPA's, auditors for the Company and the
subsidiaries, respectively, with respect to the financial statements included in
the Registration Statement;
(3) stating that, on the basis of a limited review which included
a reading of the latest available unaudited interim financial statements of the
Company, a reading of the latest available minutes of the stockholders and board
of directors and the various committees of the boards of directors of the
Company or the subsidiaries, as the case may be, consultations with officers and
other employees of the Company or the subsidiaries, as the case may be,
responsible for financial and accounting matters and other specified procedures
and inquiries (which, as to the interim financial statements included in the
Registration Statement, shall constitute a review as described in SAS No. 71,
Interim Financial Statements), nothing has come to their attention which would
lead them to believe that (A) the unaudited financial statements of the Company,
or the subsidiaries, as the case may be, included in the Registration Statement
do not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations or are not fairly
presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on
a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited financial statements
of the Company included in the Registration Statement, or (B) at a specified
date not more than five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, there has been any
change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company, or the
subsidiaries, as the case may be, or any decrease in the stockholders' equity or
net current assets or net assets of the Company as compared with amounts shown
in the December 31, 1999 consolidated balance sheet included in the Registration
Statement, other than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration
Statement, or, if there was any change or decrease, setting forth the amount of
such change or decrease, and (C) during the period from March 31, 2000, to a
specified date not more than five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, there
was any decrease (increase) in net revenues, net income (loss) or in net
earnings (loss) per common share of the Company, in each case as compared with
the corresponding period beginning March 31, 2000, other than as set forth in or
contemplated by the Registration Statement, or, if there was any such decrease,
setting forth the amount of such decrease (increase);
(4) setting forth, at a date not later than five (5) days prior
to the Effective
19
Date, the amount of liabilities of the Company;
(5) stating that they have compared specific dollar amounts,
numbers of shares, percentages of revenues and earnings, statements and other
financial information pertaining to the Company set forth in the Prospectus in
each case to the extent that such amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and
information may be derived from the general accounting records, including work
sheets, of the Company and excluding any questions requiring an interpretation
by legal counsel, with the results obtained from the application of specified
readings, inquiries and other appropriate procedures (which procedures do not
constitute an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards) set forth in the letter and found them to be in agreement; and
(6) statements as to such other matters incident to the
transaction contemplated hereby as the Underwriter may request.
(d) At the Firm Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the
Underwriter shall have received from ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company, LLC and Reddish & White,
CPA's, a letter, dated as of the Firm Closing Date or the Option Closing Date,
as the case may be, to the effect that it reaffirms that statements made in the
letter furnished pursuant to subsection A of this Section 6(c), except that the
specified date referred to shall be a date not more than five (5) days prior to
the Firm Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and, if
the Company has elected to rely on Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations, to
the further effect that they have carried out procedures as specified in clause
(5) of this Section 6(c) with respect to certain amounts, percentages and
financial information as specified by the Underwriter and deemed to be a part of
the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A(b) and have found such amounts,
percentages and financial information to be in agreement with the records
specified in such clause (5).
(e) The representations and warranties of the Company contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct as if made on and as of the Firm
Closing Date; the Registration Statement shall not include any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and the
Prospectus, as amended or supplemented as of the Firm Closing Date, shall not
include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Company shall
have performed all covenants and agreements and satisfied all conditions on its
part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Firm Closing Date.
(f) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or any amendment thereto shall have been issued, and no proceedings
for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened or contemplated by the
Commission.
(g) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is
given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there shall not have
been any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective
material adverse change, in the business, operations, condition (financial or
otherwise), earnings or prospects of the Company, except in each case as
described in or contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or
supplement thereto).
20
(h) The Underwriter shall have received a certificate, dated the Firm
Closing Date, of the Chief Executive Officer and the Secretary of the Company to
the effect set forth in subparagraphs (e) through (g) above.
(i) The Common Stock shall be qualified in such jurisdictions as the
Underwriter may reasonably request pursuant to Section 4(c), and each such
qualification shall be in effect and not subject to any stop order or other
proceeding on the Firm Closing Date.
(j) The Company shall have executed and delivered to the Underwriter
the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement and a certificate or certificates evidencing
the Underwriter's Warrant, in each case in a form acceptable to the Underwriter.
(k) The Underwriter shall have received Lock-up Agreements executed by
the persons listed on Schedule 2 annexed hereto.
(l) On or before the Firm Closing Date, the Underwriter and counsel
for the Underwriter shall have received such further certificates, documents,
letters or other information as they may have reasonably requested from the
Company and other security holders of the Company.
All opinions, certificates, letters and documents delivered pursuant to
this Agreement will comply with the provisions hereof only if they are
reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to the Underwriter and counsel
for the Underwriter. The Company shall furnish to the Underwriter such conformed
copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents in such quantities
as the Underwriter and counsel for the Underwriter shall reasonably request.
The obligation of the Underwriter to purchase and pay for any Option Shares
shall be subject, in its discretion, to each of the foregoing conditions, except
that all references to the Firm Securities and the Firm Closing Date shall be
deemed to refer to such Option Shares and the related Option Closing Date,
respectively.
7. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter
and each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Underwriter, or such
controlling person may become subject under the Act or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon:
(1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in (A) the Registration Statement or any amendment
thereto, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or (B) any application or other document, or any amendment
or supplement thereto, executed by the Company or based upon written information
furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to
qualify the Securities under the Blue Sky or securities laws thereof or filed
with the Commission or
21
any securities association or securities exchange (each an "Application"), or
(2) the omission or alleged omission to state in such
Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any Preliminary Prospectus or
the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Application a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and will reimburse, as incurred, the Underwriter and
such controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the Underwriter or such controlling person in connection with investigating or
defending against any loss, claim, damage, liability, action, investigation,
litigation or proceeding; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable
in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability
arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement or any
amendment thereto, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment
or supplement thereto, or any Application in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company by the Underwriter,
specifically for use therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to
any liability which the Company may otherwise have. The Company will not,
without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, or controlling person,
settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or
threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification
may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Underwriter or any person who
controls the Underwriter or within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act is a party to such claim, action, suit or
proceeding), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an
unconditional release of the Underwriter and each such controlling person from
all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.
(b) The Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration
Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against, any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company or any such director,
officer, or controlling person may become subject under the Act or otherwise,
but only insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or any amendment thereto, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus
or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Application, or (ii) the omission
or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any Preliminary
Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any
Application, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each
case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Underwriter specifically for use therein; and, subject to the limitation set
forth immediately preceding this clause, will reimburse, as incurred, any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director,
officer, or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending
against any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action investigation,
litigation or proceedings, in respect thereof. This indemnity agreement will be
in addition to any liability which the Underwriter may otherwise have.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section 7 of notice
22
of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section
7, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the omission
so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which
it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 7. In
case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies
the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will
be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however,
that if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and
the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it and/or other
indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to
the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to
direct the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties
and such indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate
counsel to defend such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.
After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such indemnified party
of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying party will not be
liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7 for any legal or other
expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the
indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the
proviso to the next preceding sentence or (ii) the indemnifying party has
authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of
the indemnifying party. After such notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party, the indemnifying party will not be liable for the costs and
expenses of any settlement of such action effected by such indemnified party
without the consent of the indemnifying party.
(d) In circumstances in which the indemnity obligation provided
for in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7 is unavailable or insufficient
to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), each indemnifying party, in
order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by
the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on
the other from the offering of the Securities, or (ii) if the allocation
provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not
only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the indemnifying
party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions
that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof). The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
and the Underwriter on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as
the total proceeds from the Offering (net of underwriting discounts and
commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the
total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriter. The
relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company or the Underwriter, the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission, and the other equitable considerations
23
appropriate in the circumstances. The Company and the Underwriter agree that it
would not be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro
rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not
take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence
of this paragraph (d). Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph
(d), the Underwriter shall not be obligated to make contributions hereunder that
in the aggregate exceed the total public offering price of the Securities
purchased by the Underwriter under this Agreement, less the aggregate amount of
any damages that the Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay in respect
of the same or any substantially similar claim, and no person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 (f) of the Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who is not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this paragraph (d), each person,
if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act
or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who
signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the 1934
Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.
8. Substitution of Underwriter.
If any Underwriter shall for any reason not permitted hereunder cancel its
obligations to purchase the Firm Securities hereunder, or shall fail to take up
and pay for the number of Firm Securities set forth opposite names in Schedule 1
hereto upon tender of such Firm Securities in accordance with the terms hereof,
then:
(a) If the aggregate number of Firm Securities which such Underwriter
or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total
number of Firm Securities, the other Underwriter shall be obligated to purchase
the Firm Securities which such defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to
purchase.
(b) If any Underwriter so defaults and the agreed number of Firm
Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occurs is more than
10% of the total number of Firm Securities, the remaining Underwriter shall have
the right to take up and pay for the Firm Securities which the defaulting
Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase. If such remaining Underwriter does
not, at the Firm Closing Date, take up and pay for the Firm Securities which the
defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase, the time for delivery of
the Firm Securities shall be extended to the next business day to allow the
remaining Underwriter the privilege of substituting within twenty-four hours
(including non-business hours) another underwriter or Underwriter satisfactory
to the Company. If no such underwriter or Underwriter shall have been
substituted as aforesaid, within such twenty-four hour period, the time of
delivery of the Firm Securities may, at the option of the Company, be again
extended to the next following business day, if necessary, to allow the Company
the privilege of finding within twenty-four hours (including non-business hours)
another underwriter or Underwriter to purchase the Firm Securities which the
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase. If it shall
be arranged for the remaining Underwriter or substituted Underwriter to take up
the Firm Securities of the defaulting Underwriter as provided in this section,
(i) the Company or the Underwriter shall have the right to postpone the time of
delivery for a period of not more than seven business days, in order to effect
whatever changes may
24
thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in
any other document or arrangements, and the Company agrees promptly to file any
amendments to the Registration Statement or supplements to the Prospectus which
may thereby be made necessary, and (ii) the respective numbers of Firm
Securities to be purchased by the remaining Underwriter or substituted
Underwriter shall be taken as the basis of the underwriting obligation for all
purposes of this agreement.
In the event of a default by any Underwriter, if the remaining Underwriter
shall not take up and pay for all the Firm Securities agreed to be purchased by
the defaulting Underwriter, or substitute another underwriter or Underwriter as
aforesaid, and the Company shall not find or shall not elect to seek another
underwriter or Underwriter for such Firm Securities as aforesaid, then this
Agreement shall terminate.
If, following exercise of the option provided in Section 2(c) hereof, any
Underwriter or Underwriter shall for any reason not permitted hereunder cancel
their obligations to purchase Option Shares at the Option Closing Date, or shall
fail to take up and pay for the number of Option Shares, which it became
obligated to purchase at the Option Closing Date upon tender of such Option
Shares in accordance with the terms hereof, then the remaining Underwriter or
substituted Underwriter may take up and pay for the Option Shares of the
defaulting Underwriter in the manner provided in Section 8(b) hereof. If the
remaining Underwriter or substituted Underwriter shall not take up and pay for
all such Option Shares, the Underwriter shall be entitled to purchase the number
of Option Shares for which there is no default or, at their election, the option
shall terminate, the exercise thereof shall be of no effect.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes any person
substituted for an Underwriter under this Section. In the event of termination,
there shall be no liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter to the
Company, provided that the provisions of this Section 8 shall not in any event
affect the liability of any defaulting Underwriter to the Company arising out of
such default.
9. Survival. The respective representations, warranties, agreements,
covenants, indemnities and other statements of the Company, any of its officers
or directors and the Underwriter set forth in this Agreement or made by or on
behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of
the Company, any of its officers or directors, the Underwriter or any
controlling person referred to in Section 7 hereof, and (ii) delivery of and
payment for the Securities. The respective agreements, covenants, indemnities
and other statements set forth in Sections 4 and 7 hereof shall remain in full
force and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation of this
Agreement.
10. Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Firm
Securities or any Option Shares in the sole discretion of the Underwriter by
notice to the Company given prior to the Firm Closing Date or the related Option
Closing Date, respectively, in the event that the Company shall have failed,
refused or been unable to perform all obligations and satisfy all conditions on
its part to be performed or satisfied under Section 6 hereunder at or prior
thereto or if at or prior to the
25
Firm Closing Date or such Option Closing Date, respectively. Termination of this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability of any party to
any other party, except as provided in Section 5(b) and Section 7 hereof.
11. Information Supplied by the Underwriter. The statements set forth in
the first paragraph on page 41, (as to the underwriting commitment of the
Underwriter) and the fourth paragraph under the heading "Underwriting" in any
Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (to the extent such statements relate
to the Underwriter) constitute the only information furnished by the Underwriter
to the Company for the purposes of Section 7(b) hereof. The Underwriter confirms
that such statements (to such extent) are correct.
12. Notices. All notice hereunder to or upon either party hereto shall be
deemed to have been duly given for all purposes if in writing and (i) delivered
in person or by messenger or an overnight courier service against receipt, or
(ii) sent by certified or registered mail, postage paid, return receipt
requested, or (iii) sent by telegram, facsimile, telex or similar means,
provided that a written copy thereof is sent on the same day by postage paid
first-class mail, to such party at the following address:
To the Company: Weststar Environmental, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, President
With Copy To: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
To the Underwriter: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Davidson Securities Corporation
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
with a copy to: Sichenzia, Ross & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
or such other address as either party hereto may at any time, or from time to
time, direct by notice given to the other party in accordance with this section.
The date of giving of any such notice shall be, in the case of clause (i), the
date of the receipt; in the case of clause (ii), five business days after such
notice or demand is sent; and, in the case of clause (iii), the business day
next following the date such notice is sent.
13. Amendment. Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment of this
Agreement shall be valid or effective, unless in writing and signed by or on
behalf of the parties hereto.
26
14. Waiver. No course of dealing or omission or delay on the part of either
party hereto in asserting or exercising any right hereunder shall constitute or
operate as a waiver of any such right. No waiver of any provision hereof shall
be effective, unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of the party to be
charged therewith. No waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver or waiver in
respect of any other or subsequent breach or default, unless expressly so stated
in writing.
15. Applicable Law. This agreement shall be governed by, and interpreted
and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without
regard to principles of choice of law or conflict of laws.
16. Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents
and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of New York
and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in
connection with any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or relating
to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, waives any objection
to venue in the County of New York, State of New York, or such District and
agrees that service of any summons, complaint, notice or other process relating
to such suit, action or other proceeding may be effected in the manner provided
by clause (ii) of Section 12.
17. Remedies. In the event of any actual or prospective breach or default
by either party hereto, the other party shall be entitled to equitable relief,
including remedies in the nature of rescission, injunction and specific
performance. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive, and
nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit or limit either party from pursuing
any other remedy or relief available at law or in equity for such actual or
prospective breach or default, including the recovery of damages.
18. Attorneys' Fees. The prevailing party in any suit, action or other
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, shall be entitled to recover its costs and reasonable
attorneys' fees.
19. Severability. The provisions hereof are severable and in the event that
any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or
unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining
provisions hereof shall not be affected, but shall, subject to the discretion of
such court, remain in full force and effect, and any invalid or unenforceable
provision shall be deemed, without further action on the part of the parties
hereto, amended and limited to the extent necessary to render the same valid and
enforceable.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original and which together shall constitute one and
the same agreement.
21. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Underwriter, the Company and their respective successors and assigns.
Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be
construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or in respect of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained, this
Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be and
being for the sole and exclusive benefit of such persons and for the benefit of
no other person except that
27
(i) the indemnities of the Company contained in Section 7 of this Agreement
shall also be for the benefit of any person or persons who control any
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
1934 Act, and (ii) the indemnities of the Underwriter contained in Section 7 of
this Agreement shall also be for the benefit of the directors of the Company,
the officers of the Company who have signed the Registration Statement and any
person or persons who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act. No purchaser of Securities from the
Underwriter shall be deemed a successor because of such purchase.
22. Titles and Captions. The titles and captions of the articles and
sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not in
any way define or interpret the intent of the parties or modify or otherwise
affect any of the provisions hereof.
23. Grammatical Conventions. Whenever the context so requires, each pronoun
or verb used herein shall be construed in the singular or the plural sense and
each capitalized term defined herein and each pronoun used herein shall be
construed in the masculine, feminine or neuter sense.
24. References. The terms "herein," "hereto," "hereof," "hereby," and
"hereafter," and other terms of similar import, refer to this Agreement as a
whole, and not to any Article, Section or other part hereof.
25. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement of the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any
prior agreement, commitment or arrangement relating thereto.
[Signatures on following page]
28
If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate
your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon
this letter shall constitute an agreement binding the Company, and the
Underwriter.
Very truly yours,
WESTSTAR ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
By:
_____________________________
The foregoing agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES CORPORATION
By:______________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: CEO