Notice; Defense of Claims An indemnified party may make claims for indemnification hereunder by giving written notice thereof to the indemnifying party within the period in which indemnification claims can be made hereunder. If indemnification is sought for a claim or liability asserted by a third party, the indemnified party shall also give written notice thereof to the indemnifying party promptly after it receives notice of the claim or liability being asserted, but the failure to do so shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability except to the extent that it is prejudiced by the failure or delay in giving such notice. Such notice shall summarize the bases for the claim for indemnification and any claim or liability being asserted by a third party. Within 20 days after receiving such notice the indemnifying party shall give written notice to the indemnified party stating whether it disputes the claim for indemnification and whether it will defend against any third party claim or liability at its own cost and expense. If the indemnifying party fails to give notice that it disputes an indemnification claim within 20 days after receipt of notice thereof, it shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed to the claim, which shall become immediately due and payable. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to direct the defense against a third party claim or liability with counsel selected by it (subject to the consent of the indemnified party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) as long as the indemnifying party is conducting a good faith and diligent defense. The indemnified party shall at all times have the right to fully participate in the defense of a third party claim or liability at its own expense directly or through counsel; provided, however, that if the named parties to the action or proceeding include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and the indemnified party is advised that representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct, the indemnified party may engage separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. If no such notice of intent to dispute and defend a third party claim or liability is given by the indemnifying party, or if such good faith and diligent defense is not being or ceases to be conducted by the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the right, at the expense of the indemnifying party, to undertake the defense of such claim or liability (with counsel selected by the indemnified party), and to compromise or settle it, exercising reasonable business judgment. If the third party claim or liability is one that by its nature cannot be defended solely by the indemnifying party, then the indemnified party shall make available such information and assistance as the indemnifying party may reasonably request and shall cooperate with the indemnifying party in such defense, at the expense of the indemnifying party.
Notice and Defense of Third Party Claims Promptly following the earlier of (a) receipt of notice of the commencement by a third party of any Action against or otherwise involving any Indemnified Party or (b) receipt of information from a third party alleging the existence of a claim against an Indemnified Party, in either case, with respect to which indemnification may be sought pursuant to this Agreement (a “Third Party Claim”), the Indemnified Party shall give the Indemnifying Party written notice thereof. The failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided in this Section 6.07 shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, the Indemnifying Party shall, by giving written notice thereof to the Indemnified Party, (a) acknowledge, as between the parties hereto, liability for, and at its option elect to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim at its sole cost and expense or (b) object to the claim of indemnification set forth in the notice delivered by the Indemnified Party pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 6.07 setting forth the grounds therefor; provided that if the Indemnifying Party does not within the same thirty (30) day period give the Indemnified Party written notice acknowledging liability or objecting to such claim and setting forth the grounds therefor, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have acknowledged, as between the parties hereto, its liability to the Indemnified Party for such Third Party Claim. Any contest of a Third Party Claim as to which the Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense shall be conducted by attorneys employed by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party; provided that the Indemnified Party shall have the right to participate in such proceedings and to be represented by attorneys of its own choosing at the Indemnified Party’s sole cost and expense. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party may settle or compromise the claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party if such settlement or compromise is solely for monetary damages for which the Indemnifying Party shall be responsible for; in all other events, the Indemnifying Party may not agree to any settlement or compromise without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of a Third Party Claim for which it has acknowledged liability for indemnification under Article VI, the Indemnified Party may require the Indemnifying Party to reimburse it on a current basis for its reasonable expenses of investigation, reasonable attorney’s fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in defending against such Third Party Claim, and the Indemnifying Party shall be bound by the result obtained with respect thereto by the Indemnified Party; provided that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party in cash the amount for which the Indemnified Party is entitled to be indemnified (if any) within 15 days after the final resolution of such Third Party Claim (whether by the final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise), or, in the case of any Third Party Claim as to which the Indemnifying Party has not acknowledged liability, within 15 days after such Indemnifying Party’s objection has been resolved by settlement, compromise or the final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
Defense of the Underlying Proceeding (a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee, or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.
Notice and Defense of Claims As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by the Indemnified Party of notice of any liability or claim incurred by or asserted against the Indemnified Party that is subject to indemnification under this Article III, the Indemnified Party shall give notice thereof to Contributor, including liabilities or claims to be applied against the indemnification deductible established pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof; provided that failure to give notice to Contributor will not relieve Contributor from any liability that it may have to any Indemnified Party, unless, and only to the extent that, such failure (a) shall have caused prejudice to the defense of such claim or (b) shall have materially increased the costs or potential liability of Contributor by reason of the inability or failure of Contributor (due to such lack of prompt notice) to be involved in any investigations or negotiations regarding any such claim. Such notice shall describe in reasonable detail the facts known to such Indemnified Party giving rise to such claim, and the amount or good faith estimate of the amount of Losses arising therefrom. Unless prohibited by law, such Indemnified Party shall deliver to Contributor, promptly after such Indemnified Party’s receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents received by such Indemnified Party relating to such claim. The Indemnified Party shall permit Contributor, at Contributor’s option and expense, to assume the defense of any such claim by counsel selected by Contributor and reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and to settle or otherwise dispose of the same; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party may at all times participate in such defense at its sole expense; and provided further, however, that Contributor shall not, in defense of any such claim, except with the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party in its sole and absolute discretion, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff in question to all Indemnified Parties a full and complete release of all liabilities in respect of such claims, or that does not result only in the payment of money damages which are paid (or deemed paid) in full by Contributor. If Contributor shall not have undertaken such defense within 20 days after such notice, or within such shorter time as may be reasonable under the circumstances to the extent required by applicable law, then the Indemnified Party shall have the right to undertake the defense, compromise or settlement of such liability or claim on behalf of and for the account of Contributor and at Contributor’s sole cost and expense (subject to the limitations in Section 3.4 hereof).
Defense of Claim In case any claim, demand or deficiency (a “Claim”) is asserted or any action is commenced or notice is given of any administrative or other proceeding against a party hereto (“Indemnified Party”) in respect of which indemnity properly sought against the other party (“Indemnitor”) pursuant to this Agreement, Indemnified Party shall give prompt notice thereof in writing to Indemnitor. Within 30 days after receipt of such notice (or prior to such earlier date as any answer in any administrative or other proceeding is due), Indemnitor may give Indemnified Party written notice of its election to conduct the defense of such Claim at its own expense (and any separate counsel engaged by Indemnified Party shall be at its expense). If Indemnitor has given Indemnified Party such notice of election to conduct the defense, Indemnified Party shall nevertheless have the right to participate in the defense thereof, but such participation shall be solely at its expense. If Indemnitor shall not notify Indemnified Party in writing (within the time hereinabove provided) of its election to conduct the defense of such Claim, Indemnified Party may (but need not) conduct (at the expense of Indemnitor) the defense of any Claim. The party assuming the defense of a Claim hereunder (the “Defending Party”) shall notify the other party of its intention to settle, compromise or satisfy any such Claim and may make such settlement, compromise or satisfaction unless such other party (the “Assuming Party”) shall notify the Defending Party in writing (within 30 days after receipt of such notice of intention to settle, compromise or satisfy) of its election to assume (at its sole expense) the defense of any such Claim and promptly thereafter take appropriate action to implement such defense. The Assuming Party shall indemnify the Defending Party and hold it harmless against any losses in excess of the amount of losses the Defending Party would have incurred if the proposed settlement had been agreed to. Indemnified Party shall cooperate with Indemnitor in any defense, at Indemnitor’s cost, and Indemnified Party shall provide reasonable access to, and copies of, records requested by Indemnitor and shall provide the reasonable assistance of Indemnified Party’s employees in connection with any defense.
Defense of Third Party Claims In the case of a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right: (a) to control and conduct any proceedings or negotiations in connection therewith and necessary or appropriate to defend the claim, (b) to take all other reasonable steps or proceedings to settle or defend any such Third-Party Claim; provided, that the Indemnifying Party shall not settle any Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed), and (c) to employ counsel designated by the Indemnifying Party to contest any such Third-Party Claim in the name of the Indemnified Party or otherwise. The Indemnifying Party shall, within fifteen (15) days of receipt of a Third-Party Claim Notice (the “Indemnity Notice Period”), give written notice to the Indemnified Party of its intention to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not deliver to the Indemnified Party within the Indemnity Notice Period written notice that the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense of any such Third-Party Claim, then the Indemnified Party may defend against any such Third-Party Claim in any such manner as it may deem appropriate, provided, that the Indemnified Party shall not settle any such Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed. In the event that the Indemnifying Party does assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to fully participate in (but not control) such defense (including with counsel of its choice), at its sole expense, and the Indemnifying Party shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnified Party in connection with such participation. In the event that either the Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Party assumes the defense of a Third-Party Claim as provided above (the “Controlling Party”), the non-Controlling Party shall have the right to fully participate (but not control) in such defense (including with counsel of its choice), at its sole expense, and the Controlling Party shall reasonably cooperate with the non-Controlling Party in connection with such participation; provided, however, that Buyer and Seller shall each use its commercially reasonable efforts with respect to any information shared pursuant to this Section 7.3(b) to preserve attorney-client privilege.
Defense of Claims Subject to the provisions of applicable policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, if any, the Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Indemnifiable Claim or to assume or lead the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee; provided that if Indemnitee determines, after consultation with counsel selected by Indemnitee, that (a) the use of counsel chosen by the Company to represent Indemnitee would present such counsel with an actual or potential conflict, (b) the named parties in any such Indemnifiable Claim (including any impleaded parties) include both the Company and Indemnitee and Indemnitee shall conclude that there may be one or more legal defenses available to him or her that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company, (c) any such representation by such counsel would be precluded under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, or (d) Indemnitee has interests in the claim or underlying subject matter that are different from or in addition to those of other Persons against whom the Claim has been made or might reasonably be expected to be made, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel in respect of any particular Indemnifiable Claim for all indemnitees in Indemnitee’s circumstances) at the Company’s expense. The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any threatened or pending Indemnifiable Claim effected without the Company’s prior written consent. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee, effect any settlement of any threatened or pending Indemnifiable Claim which the Indemnitee is or could have been a party unless such settlement solely involves the payment of money and includes a complete and unconditional release of the Indemnitee from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such Indemnifiable Claim. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided that Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a complete and unconditional release of Indemnitee.
Right of Claimant to Bring Suit If a written claim received by the Company from or on behalf of an indemnified party under this Article VIII is not paid in full by the Company within 90 days after such receipt, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Company) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Company to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the Company (including the Board, independent legal counsel, or the Member) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Company (including the Board, independent legal counsel, or the Member) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
Forum Indemnitee shall be entitled to select the forum in which determination of whether or not Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct shall be decided, and such election will be made from among the following:
a. Those members of the Board who are Independent Directors even though less than a quorum;
b. A committee of Independent Directors designated by a majority vote of Independent Directors, even though less than a quorum; or
c. Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld, which counsel shall make such determination in a written opinion. If Indemnitee is an officer or a director of the Company at the time that Indemnitee is selecting the forum, then Indemnitee shall not select Independent Counsel as such forum unless there are no Independent Directors or unless the Independent Directors agree to the selection of Independent Counsel as the forum. The selected forum shall be referred to herein as the “Reviewing Party”. Notwithstanding the foregoing, following any Change in Control subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the Reviewing Party shall be Independent Counsel selected in the manner provided in c. above.
Defense With respect to any Proceeding as to which Indemnitee notifies the Company of the commencement thereof, the Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense and except as otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any Proceeding, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such Proceeding other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ legal counsel in such Proceeding, but all Expenses related thereto incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense shall be at Indemnitee’s expense unless: (i) the employment of legal counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee has reasonably determined that there may be a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in the defense of the Proceeding, (iii) after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been approved by the Independent Counsel, or (iv) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, in each of which cases all Expenses of the Proceeding shall be borne by the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which Indemnitee shall have made the determination provided for in (ii), (iii) and (iv) above.
