EXHIBIT 10.7
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), effective as of the
Effective Date (as defined below), is entered into by and between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "REIT"), ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Properties, L.P.,
a Maryland limited partnership (the "Operating Partnership") and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
(the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the REIT and the Operating Partnership (collectively, the
"Company") desire to employ the Executive and to enter into an agreement
embodying the terms of such employment; and
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept employment with the
Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Employment Period. Subject to the provisions for earlier
termination hereinafter provided, the Executive's employment hereunder shall be
for a term (the "Employment Period") commencing on the Effective Date and ending
on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the "Initial Termination Date");
provided, however, that this Agreement shall be automatically extended for one
additional year on the Initial Termination Date and on each subsequent
anniversary of the Initial Termination Date, unless either the Executive or the
Company elects not to so extend the term of the Agreement by notifying the other
party, in writing, of such election not less than sixty (60) days prior to the
last day of the term as then in effect. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Effective Date" shall mean the date of the closing of the initial public
offering of shares of the REIT's common stock.
2. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, the Executive shall serve as
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the REIT and the
Operating Partnership and shall perform such employment duties as are
usual and customary for such positions. At the Company's request, the
Executive shall serve the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates
in other offices and capacities in addition to the foregoing. In the event
that the Executive, during the Employment Period, serves in any one or
more of such additional capacities, the Executive's compensation shall not
be increased beyond that specified in Section 2(b) of this Agreement. In
addition, in the event the Executive's service in one or more of such
additional capacities is terminated, the Executive's compensation, as
specified in Section 2(b) of this Agreement, shall not be diminished or
reduced in any manner as a result of such termination for so long as the
Executive otherwise remains employed under the terms of this Agreement.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods
of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
Executive agrees to devote substantially full-time attention and time
during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company.
During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or
charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking
engagements or teach at educational institutions or (C) manage his
personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an
employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have
been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued
conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature
and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter
be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company; provided that no such activity that
violates any written non-competition agreement between the parties shall
be permitted.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall receive a base salary (the "Base Salary") of $400,000 per annum, as
the same may be increased thereafter pursuant to the Company's normal
practices for its executives. The Base Salary shall be paid at such
intervals as the Company pays executive salaries generally. During the
Employment Period, the Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually for
possible increase in the Company's discretion. Any increase in Base Salary
shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive
under this Agreement. The Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such
increase and the term "Base Salary" as utilized in this Agreement shall
refer to Base Salary as so increased.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the
Executive shall be eligible to earn, for each fiscal year of the Company
ending during the Employment Period, an annual cash performance bonus (an
"Annual Bonus") under the Company's bonus plan or plans applicable to
senior executives. During the Initial Bonus Period, the Executive's Annual
Bonus target shall be 100% of his Base Salary actually paid for such year,
but the actual Annual Bonus shall range from 50% to 150% of the Base
Salary actually paid for such year, determined on the basis of the
Executive's and/or the Company's attainment of objective financial or
other operating criteria established in accordance with the terms and
conditions of such bonus plan(s); provided, however, that notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Annual Bonus payable to the Executive for the first
full fiscal year of the Employment Period shall not be less than 100% of
the Base Salary for such year. For purposes of this Agreement, "Initial
Bonus Period" shall mean the period commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on the earlier of (A) the first material modification of such bonus
plan(s) (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the regulations issued thereunder),
(B) the expiration of such bonus plan(s), (C) the first meeting of
stockholders at which members of the Board are to be elected that occurs
after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in
which occurred the first registration of an equity security of the Company
under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"), or (D) such other date required by Section 162(m) of the Code and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(iii) Restricted Stock Award. Subject to adoption by the Board
and approval by the REIT's stockholders of the Company's incentive award
plan (the
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"Incentive Plan"), the REIT shall, as of the Effective Date, grant the
Executive a number of restricted shares of the REIT's common stock (the
"Restricted Stock") equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x)
$1,000,000 by (y) the initial public offering price of a share of the
REIT's common stock. The Restricted Stock shall be granted to the
Executive under the Incentive Plan at a purchase price of $0.01 per share;
provided, however, that the aggregate purchase price of the Restricted
Stock shall not exceed $2,000. Subject to the Executive's continued
employment with the Company, the Restricted Stock shall vest in three
equal annual installments on each of the first, second and third
anniversaries of the Effective Date. Consistent with the foregoing, the
terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock shall be set forth in a
restricted stock agreement (the "Restricted Stock Agreement") to be
entered into by the Company and the Executive which shall evidence the
grant of the Restricted Stock.
(iv) Stock Option Award. Subject to adoption by the Board and
approval by the REIT's stockholders of the Incentive Plan, the REIT shall,
as of the Effective Date, grant the Executive a non-qualified stock option
to purchase 500,000 shares of the REIT's common stock (the "Stock
Option"). The Stock Option shall be granted to the Executive under the
Incentive Plan at an exercise price per share equal to the initial public
offering price of a share of the REIT's common stock. Subject to the
Executive's continued employment with the Company, the Stock Option shall
become fully vested on the third anniversary of the Effective Date.
Consistent with the foregoing, the terms and conditions of the Stock
Option shall be set forth in a stock option agreement (the "Stock Option
Agreement") to be entered into by the Company and the Executive which
shall evidence the grant of the Stock Option.
(v) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
other incentive plans, practices, policies and programs, and all savings
and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs, in each case that
are applicable generally to senior executives of the Company.
(vi) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and the Executive's eligible family members shall be eligible
for participation in the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and
programs (including, if applicable, medical, dental, disability, employee
life, group life and accidental death insurance plans and programs)
maintained by the Company for its senior executives.
(vii) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
business expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the
policies, practices and procedures of the Company provided to senior
executives of the Company.
(viii) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to such fringe benefits and perquisites as are
provided by the Company to its senior executives from time to time, in
accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company.
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(ix) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company applicable to its senior executives.
(x) Relocation Expenses. The Executive agrees to relocate his
primary residence to the Southern California area prior to July 1, 2003.
The period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the earlier to
occur of the date of the Executive's relocation or July 1, 2003 is
hereinafter referred to as the "Relocation Period." Subject to the
Executive's business and travel obligations in connection with his
employment with the Company, the Executive's principal place of employment
shall be the Company's offices in downtown Los Angeles (or such other
location in the Los Angeles area as the Company may utilize as its
principal offices) and the Executive agrees that he shall be resident in
such offices during the Relocation Period and thereafter. In connection
with the Executive's relocation, the Company agrees that:
(A) During the Relocation Period, the Company shall pay
directly or reimburse the Executive for the reasonable, actual costs of
commuting to and from the Company's offices in Los Angeles, California on
a weekly basis, including round-trip airfare and hotel or corporate
apartment accommodations in the Los Angeles area.
(B) The Company shall pay directly or reimburse the Executive
for the following additional relocation costs actually incurred by the
Executive: (a) sales commission on the sale of the Executive's current
residence, which is not expected to exceed $170,000, (b) reasonable costs
and expenses not to exceed $50,000 in the aggregate associated with the
Executive's purchase of a residence in the Southern California area,
including title premiums, closing costs and financing points, provided
that the Executive agrees to use his best efforts to minimize such costs
by considering the use of financing sources with whom the Company has
existing relationships, and (c) reasonable costs and expenses not to
exceed $50,000 in the aggregate of moving the Executive's and his family's
personal possessions to the Southern California area.
(xi) Signing Bonus. The Company shall pay the Executive a
signing bonus (the "Signing Bonus") of $200,000, payable in two equal
installments of $100,000 on July 1, 2003 and July 1, 2004.
(xii) Additional Payments.
(A) Compensation Gross-Up. The amount of compensation
payable to Executive pursuant to Sections 2(b)(i), (ii), (iii) and (xi)
above shall be "grossed up" as necessary (on an after-tax basis) to
compensate for any additional social security withholding taxes due as a
result of Executive's shared employment by the Operating Partnership, the
REIT and, if applicable, any subsidiary and/or affiliate thereof.
(B) Restricted Stock Gross-Up Payment. The Company shall
pay to the Executive such additional amounts (the "Restricted Stock
Gross-Up Payment") as are necessary to reimburse the Executive, on an
after-tax basis, for all taxes payable by
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the Executive with respect to the grant and/or vesting of the Restricted
Stock pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii) above and with respect to the
Restricted Stock Gross-Up Payment.
3. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death or Disability during the Employment
Period. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of
the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis
for 90 consecutive days or on a total of 180 days in any 12-month period, in
either case as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is
determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or
its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal
representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
during the Employment Period for Cause or without Cause. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Cause" shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following
events unless the Executive fully corrects the circumstances constituting Cause
within a reasonable period of time after receipt of the Notice of Termination
(as defined below):
(i) the Executive's willful and continued failure to
substantially perform his duties with the Company (other than any such
failure resulting from the Executive's incapacity due to physical or
mental illness or any such actual or anticipated failure after his
issuance of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason), after a written
demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the
Board, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Board
believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his duties;
(ii) the Executive's willful commission of an act of fraud or
dishonesty resulting in economic or financial injury to the Company;
(iii) the Executive's conviction of, or entry by the Executive
of a guilty or no contest plea to, the commission of a felony or a crime
involving moral turpitude;
(iv) a willful breach by the Executive of his fiduciary duty
to the Company which results in economic or other injury to the Company;
or
(v) the Executive's willful and material breach of the
Executive's covenants set forth in Section 9(a) or 9(b) hereof.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board, upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of
the REIT or the Operating Partnership, as applicable, or based upon the advice
of counsel for the REIT or the Operating Partnership, as applicable, shall be
conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in
good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation of
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employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until
there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly
adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire
membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such
purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive
is given an opportunity, together with counsel for the Executive, to be heard
before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the
Executive is guilty of any of the conduct described in Section 3(b), and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail; provided, that if the Executive is
a member of the Board, the Executive shall not vote on such resolution nor shall
the Executive be counted in determining the "entire membership" of the Board.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason or by the Executive without Good Reason. For purposes
of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of
the following events without the Executive's prior written consent, unless the
Company fully corrects the circumstances constituting Good Reason (provided such
circumstances are capable of correction) prior to the Date of Termination (as
defined below):
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially
inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position (including
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or
responsibilities as contemplated by Section 2(a) of this Agreement, or any
other action by the Company which results in a material diminution in such
position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this
purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad
faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of
notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) the Company's reduction of the Executive's annual base
salary or bonus opportunity, each as in effect on the date hereof or as
the same may be increased from time to time;
(iii) the relocation of the Company's offices at which the
Executive is principally employed (the "Principal Location") to a location
more than thirty (30) miles from such location, or the Company's requiring
the Executive to be based at a location more than thirty (30) miles from
the Principal Location, except for required travel on the Company's
business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive's
present business travel obligations;
(iv) the Company's failure to obtain a satisfactory agreement
from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as
contemplated in Section 10 hereof; or
(v) the Company's failure to cure a material breach of its
obligations under the Agreement after written notice is delivered to the
Board by the Executive which specifically identifies the manner in which
the Executive believes that the Company has breached its obligations under
the Agreement and the Company is given a reasonable opportunity to cure
any such breach.
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(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other parties hereto given in accordance with Section 12(c)
of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination"
means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in
this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and
(iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of
receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not
more than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the
Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or
preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein (which date shall not be more than 30 days
after the giving of such notice), as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination, (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated
by the Executive without Good Reason, the Date of Termination shall be the tenth
day after the date on which the Executive notifies the Company of such
termination, unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the Executive, and (iv)
if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability,
the Date of Termination shall be the date of death or Disability of the
Executive, as the case may be.
4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Without Cause or For Good Reason. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment without Cause or
the Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason:
(i) The Executive shall be paid, in a single lump sum payment
within 60 days after the Date of Termination, the aggregate amount of (A)
the Executive's earned but unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unpaid
vacation pay through the Date of Termination, any Annual Bonus required to
be paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 2(b)(ii) above for any fiscal
year of the Company that ends on or before the Date of Termination to the
extent not previously paid, and any unpaid portion of the Signing Bonus
(the "Accrued Obligations"), and (B) one and one half (1.5) (the
"Severance Multiple") times the sum of (x) the Base Salary in effect on
the Termination Date plus (y) the average Annual Bonus received by the
Executive for the three complete fiscal years (or such lesser number of
years as the Executive has been employed by the Company) of the Company
immediately prior to the Termination Date (the "Severance Amount");
(ii) At the time when annual bonuses are paid to the Company's
other senior executives for the fiscal year of the Company in which the
Date of Termination
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occurs, the Executive shall be paid an Annual Bonus in an amount equal to
the product of (x) the amount of the Annual Bonus to which the Executive
would have been entitled if the Executive's employment had not been
terminated, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days in such fiscal year through the Date of Termination and the
denominator of which is the total number of days in such fiscal year (a
"Pro-Rated Annual Bonus");
(iii) For a period of years equal to the Severance Multiple,
the Company shall continue to provide the Executive and the Executive's
eligible family members with group health insurance coverage at least
equal to that which would have been provided to them if the Executive's
employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that if the
Executive becomes re-employed with another employer and is eligible to
receive group health insurance coverage under another employer's plans,
the Company's obligations under this Section 4(a)(iii) shall be reduced to
the extent comparable coverage is actually provided to the Executive and
the Executive's eligible family members, and any such coverage shall be
reported by the Executive to the Company.
(iv) The Company shall, at its sole expense and on an
as-incurred basis, provide the Executive with outplacement services the
scope and provider of which shall be reasonable and consistent with
industry practice for similarly situated executives; and
(v) To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the
Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any vested benefits
and other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the
Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or
practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliates (such
other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other
Benefits").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be a condition to the Executive's right
to receive the amounts provided for in Sections 4(a)(i)(B) and 4(a)(ii), (iii)
and (iv) above that the Executive execute, deliver to the Company and not revoke
a release of claims in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(b) For Cause or Without Good Reason. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good
Reason during the Employment Period, the Company shall have no further
obligations to the Executive under this Agreement other than pursuant to
Sections 7 and 8 hereof and the obligation to pay to the Executive the Accrued
Obligations in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination and to provide
the Other Benefits.
(c) Death or Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated
by reason of the Executive's death or Disability during the Employment Period:
(i) The Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's
estate or beneficiaries or to the Executive, as applicable, in cash within
30 days of the Date of Termination;
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(ii) 100% of the Executive's annual Base Salary, as in effect
on the Date of Termination, shall be paid to the Executive's estate or
beneficiaries or to the Executive, as applicable, in cash within 30 days
following the Date of Termination;
(iii) The Pro-Rated Annual Bonus shall be paid to the
Executive's estate or beneficiaries or to the Executive, as applicable, at
the time when annual bonuses are paid to the Company's other senior
executives for the fiscal year of the Company in which the Date of
Termination occurs;
(iv) For a period of twelve months following the Date of
Termination, the Executive and the Executive's eligible family members
shall continue to be provided with group health insurance coverage at
least equal to that which would have been provided to them if the
Executive's employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that if
the Executive becomes re-employed with another employer and is eligible to
receive group health insurance coverage under another employer's plans,
the Company's obligations under this Section 4(d)(iv) shall be reduced to
the extent comparable coverage is actually provided to the Executive and
the Executive's eligible family members, and any such coverage shall be
reported by the Executive to the Company; and
(v) The Other Benefits shall be paid or provided to the
Executive on a timely basis.
5. Termination Upon a Change in Control. If a Change in Control (as
defined herein) occurs during the Employment Period and the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for
Good Reason, in each case within one (1) year after the effective date of the
Change in Control, then the Executive shall be entitled to the payments and
benefits provided in Section 4(a), subject to the terms and conditions thereof,
except that for purposes of this Section 5, the Severance Multiple shall equal
two (2). In addition, in the event of such a termination of the Executive's
employment, all outstanding stock options, restricted stock and other equity
awards granted to the Executive under any of the Company's equity incentive
plans (or awards substituted therefore covering the securities of a successor
company) shall become immediately vested and exercisable in full. For purposes
of this Agreement, "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the
following events:
(i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any "person"
or "group" (as those terms are defined in Sections 3(a)(9), 13(d), and
14(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder) of "beneficial
ownership" (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act)
of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
("voting securities") of the REIT that represent 35% or more of the
combined voting power of the REIT's then outstanding voting securities,
other than
(A) an acquisition of securities by a trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) sponsored or maintained by the REIT or any person
controlled by the REIT or by any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) sponsored or maintained by the REIT or any person controlled
by the REIT, or
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(B) an acquisition of securities by the REIT or a
corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of
the REIT in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of
the stock of the REIT, or
(C) an acquisition of securities pursuant to a
transaction described in clause (iii) below that would not be a
Change in Control under clause (iii), or
(D) any direct or indirect acquisition of securities by
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ III or his family, or any entity controlled
thereby;
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following event shall not
constitute an "acquisition" by any person or group for purposes of this
clause (i): an acquisition of the REIT's securities by the REIT which
causes the REIT's voting securities beneficially owned by a person or
group to represent 35% or more of the combined voting power of the REIT's
then outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that if a person or
group shall become the beneficial owner of 35% or more of the combined
voting power of the REIT's then outstanding voting securities by reason of
share acquisitions by the REIT as described above and shall, after such
share acquisitions by the REIT, become the beneficial owner of any
additional voting securities of the REIT, then such acquisition shall
constitute a Change in Control;
(ii) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least
a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election by the REIT's
shareholders, or nomination for election by the Board, was approved by a
vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent
Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the
Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual
whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an election
contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than
the Board;
(iii) the consummation by the REIT (whether directly involving
the REIT or indirectly involving the REIT through one or more
intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or
business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the REIT's assets or (z) the acquisition of assets or
stock of another entity, in each case, other than a transaction
(A) which results in the REIT's voting securities
outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the REIT or the person that, as a result
of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the REIT or
owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the REIT's
assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the REIT (the REIT
or such person, the "Successor Entity")) directly or indirectly, at
least 50% of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity's
outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
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(B) after which no person or group beneficially owns
voting securities representing 35% or more of the combined voting
power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or
group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (B) as
beneficially owning 35% or more of combined voting power of the
Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the
REIT prior to the consummation of the transaction; or
(iv) approval by the REIT's shareholders of a liquidation or
dissolution of the REIT.
For purposes of clause (i) above, the calculation of voting power
shall be made as if the date of the acquisition were a record date for a vote of
the REIT's shareholders, and for purposes of clause (iii) above, the calculation
of voting power shall be made as if the date of the consummation of the
transaction were a record date for a vote of the REIT's shareholders.
6. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company and for which the Executive
may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company. Amounts
which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to
receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or
agreement with the Company at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or
agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
7. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and except as
expressly provided, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the
Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred
(within 30 days following the Company's receipt of an invoice from the
Executive), to the full extent permitted by law, all reasonable legal fees and
expenses which the Executive or his beneficiaries may reasonably incur as a
result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the
Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under,
any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof
(including as a result of any contest by the Executive or his beneficiaries
about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case
interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code. The preceding sentence shall not apply with
respect to any such contest if the court having jurisdiction over such contest
determines that the Executive's claim in such contest is frivolous or maintained
in bad faith.
8. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and
except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any Payment
would be subject to the
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Excise Tax, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (the "Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that, after
payment by the Executive of all taxes (and any interest or penalties imposed
with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes
(and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax
imposed upon the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of
the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(a), if it
shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to the Excise Tax Gross-Up
Payment, but that the Parachute Value of all Payments does not exceed 110% of
the Safe Harbor Amount, then no Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the
Executive and the amounts payable under this Agreement shall be reduced so that
the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor
Amount. The reduction of the amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be
made by first reducing the payments under Section 4(a)(i), unless an alternative
method of reduction is elected by the Executive, and in any event shall be made
in such a manner as to maximize the Value of all Payments actually made to the
Executive. For purposes of reducing the Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, only
amounts payable under this Agreement (and no other Payments) shall be reduced.
If the reduction of the amount payable under this Agreement would not result in
a reduction of the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, no
amounts payable under the Agreement shall be reduced pursuant to this Section
8(a). The Company's obligation to make Excise Tax Gross-Up Payments under this
Section 8 shall not be conditioned upon the Executive's termination of
employment.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 8(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 8, including whether and when an Excise
Tax Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment
and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be
made by such nationally recognized accounting firm as may be selected by the
Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive (the "Accounting Firm");
provided, that the Accounting Firm's determination shall be made based upon
"substantial authority" within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code. The
Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the
Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from
the Executive that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested
by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne
solely by the Company. Any Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant
to this Section 8, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five
days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by
the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive, unless
the Company obtains an opinion of outside legal counsel, based upon at least
"substantial authority" within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code, reaching
a different determination, in which event such legal opinion shall be binding
upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Excise Tax Gross-Up
Payments that will not have been made by the Company should have been made (the
"Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder.
In the event the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 8(c) and the
Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the
benefit of the Executive.
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(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim
by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment
by the Company of the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be
given as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim. The Executive shall apprise the
Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is
requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the
expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives
such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any
payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the
Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that the Company
desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by
the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim
as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect
to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and
expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(c),
the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest,
and, at its sole discretion, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative
appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the applicable taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole discretion, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and ▇▇▇ for a refund or contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that, if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and ▇▇▇ for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or
income tax (including interest or penalties) imposed with respect to such
advance or with respect to any imputed income in connection with such advance;
and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating
to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to
issues with respect to which the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment would be payable
hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case
may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other
taxing authority.
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(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an Excise Tax Gross-Up
Payment or an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 8(c), the
Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to the Excise Tax
to which such Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment relates or with respect to such claim,
the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of
Section 8(c), if applicable) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such
refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes
applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 8(c), a determination is made that
the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and
the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest
such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such
determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to
be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof,
the amount of Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8, the
Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal
Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the
Executive, all or any portion of any Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment, and the
Executive hereby consents to such withholding.
(f) Any other liability for unpaid or unwithheld Excise Taxes shall
be borne exclusively by the Company, in accordance with Section 3403 of the
Code. The foregoing sentence shall not in any manner relieve the Company of any
of its obligations under this Employment Agreement.
(g) Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Section 8:
(i) "Excise Tax" shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Code, together with any interest or penalties imposed with
respect to such excise tax.
(ii) "Parachute Value" of a Payment shall mean the present
value as of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G
of the Code of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a "parachute
payment" under Section 280G(b)(2), as determined by the Accounting Firm
for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will
apply to such Payment.
(iii) A "Payment" shall mean any payment or distribution in
the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of
the Code) to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable
pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.
(iv) The "Safe Harbor Amount" shall mean 2.99 times the
Executive's "base amount," within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the
Code.
(v) "Value" of a Payment shall mean the economic present value
of a Payment as of the date of the change of control for purposes of
Section 280G of the
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Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm using the discount rate
required by Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.
9. Confidential Information and Non-Solicitation.
(a) The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit
of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data
relating to the REIT, the Operating Partnership, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Services, Inc., a
Maryland corporation, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates
(collectively, the "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Group"), and each of their respective businesses,
which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's
employment by the Company and which shall not be or become public knowledge
(other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in
violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment
with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of
the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate
or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the
Company and those designated by it; provided, that if the Executive receives
actual notice that the Executive is or may be required by law or legal process
to communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data, the Executive
shall promptly so notify the Company.
(b) While employed by the Company and, for one (1) year after the
Termination Date, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit,
induce, or encourage any employee, consultant, agent, customer, vendor, or other
parties doing business with any member of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Group to terminate their
employment, agency, or other relationship with the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Group or such member
or to render services for or transfer their business from the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Group or
such member and the Executive shall not initiate discussion with any such person
for any such purpose or authorize or knowingly cooperate with the taking of any
such actions by any other individual or entity.
(c) In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of
this Section 9 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts
otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement. However, in recognition
of the facts that irreparable injury will result to the Company in the event of
a breach by the Executive of his obligations under Sections 9(a) and (b) of this
Agreement, that monetary damages for such breach would not be readily
calculable, and that the Company would not have an adequate remedy at law
therefor, the Executive acknowledges, consents and agrees that in the event of
such breach, or the threat thereof, the Company shall be entitled, in addition
to any other legal remedies and damages available, to specific performance
thereof and to temporary and permanent injunctive relief (without the necessity
of posting a bond) to restrain the violation or threatened violation of such
obligations by the Executive.
10. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the
prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.
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(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume and
agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.
11. Payment of Financial Obligations. The payment or provision to
the Executive by the Company of any remuneration, benefits or other financial
obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be allocated to the Operating
Partnership, the REIT and, if applicable, any subsidiary and/or affiliate
thereof in accordance with the Employee Sharing and Expense Allocation
Agreement, by and between the REIT, the Operating Partnership, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Services, Inc., as in effect from time to time.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not
be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) Arbitration. Except as set forth in Section 9(c) above, any
disagreement, dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the interpretation of this Agreement or any arrangements relating
to this Agreement or contemplated in this Agreement or the breach, termination
or invalidity thereof shall be settled by final and binding arbitration
administered by JAMS/Endispute in Los Angeles, California in accordance with the
then existing JAMS/Endispute Arbitration Rules and Procedures for Employment
Disputes. In the event of such an arbitration proceeding, the Executive and the
Company shall select a mutually acceptable neutral arbitrator from among the
JAMS/Endispute panel of arbitrators. In the event the Executive and the Company
cannot agree on an arbitrator, the Administrator of JAMS/Endispute will appoint
an arbitrator. Neither the Executive nor the Company nor the arbitrator shall
disclose the existence, content, or results of any arbitration hereunder without
the prior written consent of all parties. Except as provided herein, the Federal
Arbitration Act shall govern the interpretation, enforcement and all
proceedings. The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law (and the law of
remedies, if applicable) of the state of California, or federal law, or both, as
applicable, and the arbitrator is without jurisdiction to apply any different
substantive law. The arbitrator shall have the authority to entertain a motion
to dismiss and/or a motion for summary judgment by any party and shall apply the
standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The
arbitrator shall render an award and a written, reasoned opinion in support
thereof. Judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.
-16-
(c) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
If to the Executive: at the Executive's most recent address on the
records of the Company,
If to the REIT or the Operating Partnership:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Properties, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: General Counsel
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(d) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ Act of 2002. Notwithstanding anything herein to
the contrary, if the Company determines, in its good faith judgment, that any
transfer or deemed transfer of funds hereunder is likely to be construed as a
personal loan prohibited by Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, then such transfer or deemed transfer shall
not be made to the extent necessary or appropriate so as not to violate the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(e) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement.
(f) Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. In
addition, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company
may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal Revenue
Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the
Executive, all or any portion of any Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment or Restricted
Stock Gross-Up Payment, and the Executive hereby consents to such withholding.
(g) No Waiver. The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist
upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to
assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including,
without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good
Reason pursuant to Section 3(c) of this Agreement, shall not be
-17-
deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right
of this Agreement.
(h) Entire Agreement. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement,
together with the Restricted Stock Agreement, Stock Option Agreement, and any
non-competition agreement between the parties, constitutes the final, complete
and exclusive agreement between the Executive and the Company with respect to
the subject matter hereof and replaces and supersedes any and all other
agreements, offers or promises, whether oral or written, made to you by any
member of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Group or any entity (a "Predecessor Employer"), or
representative thereof, whose business or assets any member of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Group
succeeded to in connection with the initial public offering of the common stock
of the REIT or the transactions related thereto. The Executive agrees that any
such agreement, offer or promise between the Executive and a Predecessor
Employer (or any representative thereof) is hereby terminated and will be of no
further force or effect, and the Executive acknowledges and agrees that upon his
execution of this Agreement, he will have no right or interest in or with
respect to any such agreement, offer or promise. In the event that the Effective
Date does not occur, this Agreement (including, without limitation, the
immediately preceding sentence) shall have no force or effect.
(i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in
two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused
these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and
year first above written.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ PROPERTIES, INC.,
a Maryland corporation
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer and
President
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ PROPERTIES, L.P.,
a Maryland limited partnership
By: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Properties, Inc.
Its: General Partner
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer and
President
"EXECUTIVE"
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
EXHIBIT A
GENERAL RELEASE
For a valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the undersigned does hereby release and forever discharge
the "Releasees" hereunder, consisting of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Properties, Inc., a Maryland
corporation, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Properties, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Services, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and each of their partners,
subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, successors, heirs, assigns, agents,
directors, officers, employees, representatives, lawyers, insurers, and all
persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of
and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in
law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises,
liability, claims, demands, damages, losses, costs, attorneys' fees or expenses,
of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter
called "Claims"), which the undersigned now has or may hereafter have against
the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing
whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof. The Claims released
herein include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims in
any way arising out of, based upon, or related to the employment or termination
of employment of the undersigned by the Releasees, or any of them; any alleged
breach of any express or implied contract of employment; any alleged torts or
other alleged legal restrictions on Releasee's right to terminate the employment
of the undersigned; and any alleged violation of any federal, state or local
statute or ordinance including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination In Employment Act, the Americans With
Disabilities Act, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.
THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS BEEN ADVISED BY LEGAL
COUNSEL AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION
1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:
"A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES
NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE
RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS
SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR."
THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHTS HE MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW
PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT OF 1990,
THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:
(A) HE HAS THE RIGHT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS
RELEASE;
(B) HE HAS TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS RELEASE BEFORE
SIGNING IT; AND
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(C) HE HAS SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE THIS
RELEASE, AND THIS RELEASE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE EXPIRATION OF
THAT REVOCATION PERIOD.
The undersigned represents and warrants that there has been no
assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim which he may have
against Releasees, or any of them, and the undersigned agrees to indemnify and
hold Releasees, and each of them, harmless from any liability, Claims, demands,
damages, costs, expenses and attorneys' fees incurred by Releasees, or any of
them, as the result of any such assignment or transfer or any rights or Claims
under any such assignment or transfer. It is the intention of the parties that
this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by
the Releasees against the undersigned under this indemnity.
The undersigned agrees that if he hereafter commences any suit
arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder
or in any manner asserts against Releasees, or any of them, any of the Claims
released hereunder, then the undersigned agrees to pay to Releasees, and each of
them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all
attorneys' fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to
said suit or Claim.
The undersigned further understands and agrees that neither the
payment of any sum of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute
or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees, or
any of them, who have consistently taken the position that they have no
liability whatsoever to the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Release this
____ day of ___________, ____.
----------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
-21-