EXHIBIT 10.1
ZIPREALTY, INC.
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement ("Agreement") is effective as of
___________, ______ by and between ZipRealty, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and the indemnitee listed on the signature page hereto
("Indemnitee").
WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of
highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, to serve the Company and its
related entities;
WHEREAS, in order to induce Indemnitee to continue to provide services
to the Company, the Company wishes to provide for the indemnification of, and
the advancement of expenses to, Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by
law;
WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the continued difficulty
in obtaining liability insurance for the Company's directors, officers,
employees, agents and fiduciaries, the significant increases in the cost of such
insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance;
WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee further recognize the substantial
increase in corporate litigation in general, subjecting directors, officers,
employees, agents and fiduciaries to expensive litigation risks at the same time
as the availability and coverage of liability insurance has been severely
limited; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee desire to continue to have in place
the additional protection provided by an indemnification agreement and to
provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to the Indemnitee to the
maximum extent permitted by Delaware law.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for Indemnitee's services to the
Company, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) "Change in Control" shall mean:
(1) The acquisition by any individual, entity or
group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (a
"Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares
of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii)
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the
Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
"Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes
of this part (1), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of
Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company or any acquisition from
other stockholders where (A) such acquisition was approved in advance by the
Board of Directors of the Company and (B) such acquisition would not constitute
a change of control under
part (3) of this definition, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv)
any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of part (3) of this definition; or
(2) Individuals who, as of the date hereof,
constitute the Board of Directors (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; provided, however,
that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by the stockholders, was approved by a vote
of at least two thirds (2/3) 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 actual or threatened
election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other
actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a
Person other than the Board of Directors; or
(3) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless,
following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities
immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 80% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case
may be, of the Company resulting from such Business Combination (including,
without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the
Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or
through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may
be, and (ii) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the
action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination; or
(4) Approval by the stockholders of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(b) "Claim" shall mean with respect to a Covered Event:
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or alternative
dispute resolution mechanism, or any hearing, inquiry or investigation that
Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such
action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether
civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other.
(c) References to the "Company" shall include, in
addition to the Company, any constituent corporation (including any constituent
of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or
any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party which, if its separate
existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries, so that if Indemnitee is
or was a director, officer,
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employee, agent or fiduciary of such constituent corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the
same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such
constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(d) "Covered Event" shall mean any event or occurrence
related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee,
agent or fiduciary of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee,
agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, or by reason of any action or inaction on the part of
Indemnitee while serving in such capacity.
(e) "Disinterested Director" shall mean a director of the
Company who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which
indemnification is sought by the Indemnitee.
(f) "Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses (including
attorneys' fees and all other costs, expenses and obligations incurred in
connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in
(including on appeal), or preparing to defend, to be a witness in or to
participate in, any action, suit, proceeding, alternative dispute resolution
mechanism, hearing, inquiry or investigation), judgments, fines, penalties and
amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred, of any Claim and
any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on the Indemnitee as a result
of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement.
(g) "Expense Advance" shall mean a payment to Indemnitee
pursuant to Section 3 of Expenses in advance of the settlement of or final
judgment in any action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution
mechanism, hearing, inquiry or investigation which constitutes a Claim; provided
however, that Indemnittee shall have no right to any payment of Expense Advances
in the event Indemnitee pleads guilty to willful misconduct.
(h) "Independent Legal Counsel" shall mean a law firm, a
member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in
matters of corporation law and shall include any person who, under the
applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a
conflict of interest in representing either the Company or the Indemnitee in an
action to determine the Indemnitee's rights under Section 2(d) hereof.
(i) References to "other enterprises" shall include
employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes
assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references
to "serving at the request of the Company" shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes
duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or
fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or its
beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee
reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries
of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a
manner "not opposed to the best interests of the Company" as referred to in this
Agreement.
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(j) "Reviewing Party" shall have the meanings as set
forth in Section 2(d).
(k) "Section" refers to a section of this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated.
2. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification of Expenses. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2(b) below, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for
Expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law if Indemnitee was or is or
becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be
made a party to or witness or other participant in, any Claim (whether by reason
of or arising in part out of a Covered Event), including all interest,
assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect
of such Expenses.
(b) Review of Indemnification Obligations.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any Reviewing Party shall have
determined (in a written opinion, in any case in which Independent Legal Counsel
is the Reviewing Party) that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified
hereunder under applicable law, (i) the Company shall have no further obligation
under Section 2(a) to make any payments to Indemnitee not made prior to such
determination by such Reviewing Party, and (ii) the Company shall be entitled to
be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all
Expenses theretofore paid in indemnifying Indemnitee; provided, however, that if
Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of
competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee is entitled to
be indemnified hereunder under applicable law, any determination made by any
Reviewing Party that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder
under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required
to reimburse the Company for any Expenses theretofore paid in indemnifying
Indemnitee until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as
to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed).
Indemnitee's obligation to reimburse the Company for any Expenses shall be
unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.
(c) Indemnitee Rights on Unfavorable Determination;
Binding Effect. If any Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee substantively
is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder in whole or in part under applicable
law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence litigation, within one (1) year
of the Reviewing Party's determination, seeking an initial determination by the
court or challenging any such determination by such Reviewing Party or any
aspect thereof, including the legal or factual bases therefor, and, subject to
the provisions of Section 15, the Company hereby consents to service of process
and to appear in any such proceeding. Absent such litigation, any determination
by any Reviewing Party shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and
Indemnitee.
(d) Reviewing Party; Change in Control. The determination
of Indemnitee's entitlement hereunder shall be made by the Reviewing Party as
follows: (1) if requested by the Indemnitee, by Independent Legal Counsel, or
(2) if no request is made by the Indemnitee for a determination by Independent
Legal Counsel, (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of Disinterested Directors, or (ii) if a quorum of the Board of
Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if
obtainable, such quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent
Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a
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copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee, or (iii) if a quorum of
Disinterested Directors so directs, by the stockholders of the Company. In the
event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by
Independent Legal Counsel at the request of the Indemnitee, the Independent
Legal Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors unless there shall
have occurred within two years prior to the date of the commencement of the
proceeding for which indemnification is claimed a "Change of Control" (as
defined in Section 1(a)), in which case the Independent Legal Counsel shall be
selected by the Indemnitee unless the Indemnitee shall request that such
selection be made by the Board of Directors. Such counsel, among other things,
shall render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and
to what extent Indemnitee would be entitled to be indemnified hereunder under
applicable law and the Company agrees to abide by such opinion. The Company
agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Legal Counsel referred to
above and to indemnify fully such counsel against any and all expenses
(including attorneys' fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to pay
Expenses of more than one Independent Legal Counsel in connection with all
matters concerning a single Indemnitee, and such Independent Legal Counsel shall
be the Independent Legal Counsel for any or all other Indemnitees unless (i) the
Company otherwise determines or (ii) any Indemnitee shall provide a written
statement setting forth in detail a reasonable objection to such Independent
Legal Counsel representing other Indemnitees. If it is so determined that
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to the Indemnitee shall be
made within ten (10) days after such determination.
(e) Mandatory Payment of Expenses. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement other than Section 10 hereof, to the extent
that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise, including,
without limitation, the dismissal of an action without prejudice, in defense of
any Claim, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred by
Indemnitee in connection therewith.
3. Expense Advances.
(a) Obligation to Make Expense Advances. Upon receipt of
a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amounts if
it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified therefor by the Company, the Company shall make Expense Advances to
Indemnitee.
(b) Form of Undertaking. Any written undertaking by the
Indemnitee to repay any Expense Advances hereunder shall be unsecured and no
interest shall be charged thereon.
(c) Determination of Reasonable Expense Advances. The
parties agree that for the purposes of any Expense Advance for which Indemnitee
has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all
Expenses included in such Expense Advance that are certified by affidavit of
Indemnitee's counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be
reasonable.
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4. Procedures for Indemnification and Expense Advances.
(a) Timing of Payments. All payments of Expenses
(including without limitation Expense Advances) by the Company to the Indemnitee
pursuant to this Agreement shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law
as soon as practicable after written demand by Indemnitee therefor is presented
to the Company, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after such written
demand by Indemnitee is presented to the Company; unless the Reviewing Party has
given a written opinion to the Company that Indemnittee is not entitled to
indemnification under applicable law.
(b) Notice/Cooperation by Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall,
as a condition precedent to Indemnitee's right to be indemnified or Indemnitee's
right to receive Expense Advances under this Agreement, give the Company notice
in writing as soon as practicable of any Claim made against Indemnitee for which
indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement. Notice to the
Company shall be directed to the Secretary of the Company at the address shown
on the signature page of this Agreement (or such other address as the Company
shall designate in writing to Indemnitee). In addition, Indemnitee shall give
the Company such information and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as
shall be within Indemnitee's power.
(c) Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If Indemnitee is
not paid in full by the Company within thirty (30) days after a written notice
has been received by the Company, the Indemnitee may, at any time within the
year following the thirty (30) days of notice, bring suit in any court in the
State of California or the State of Delaware against the Company to recover the
unpaid amount of the Expenses and, if successful in whole or in part, the
Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense (including attorneys'
fees) of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action that
the Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible
under the Delaware General Corporation Law for the Company to indemnify the
Indemnitee for the amount claimed. The burden of proving such a defense shall be
on the Company. Neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of
Directors, Independent Legal Counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of
the Indemnitee is proper under the circumstances because he has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation
Law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of
Directors, Independent Legal Counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee
had not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the
action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable
standard of conduct.
(d) No Presumptions; Burden of Proof. For purposes of
this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement
(whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee
did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or
that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this
Agreement or applicable law; provided, however that the Company's obligation to
pay Expense Advances shall terminate upon a conviction, plea of nolo contendere
or its equivalent. In addition, neither the failure of any Reviewing Party to
have made a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular
standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by
any Reviewing Party that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did
not have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by
Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that
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Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement or applicable law, shall
be a defense to Indemnitee's claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has
not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular
belief. In connection with any determination by any Reviewing Party or otherwise
as to whether the Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden
of proof shall be on the Company to establish that Indemnitee is not so
entitled.
(e) Notice to Insurers. If, at the time of the receipt by
the Company of a notice of a Claim pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, the Company
has liability insurance in effect which may cover such Claim, the Company shall
give prompt notice of the commencement of such Claim to the insurers in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company
shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers
to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such
Claim in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(f) Selection of Counsel. In the event the Company shall
be obligated hereunder to provide indemnification for or make any Expense
Advances with respect to the Expenses of any Claim, the Company, if appropriate,
shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Claim with counsel approved by
Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) upon the delivery
to Indemnitee of written notice of the Company's election to do so. After
delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the
retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to
Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees or expenses of separate counsel
subsequently employed by or on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to the same
Claim; provided that, (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitee's
separate counsel in any such Claim at Indemnitee's expense and (ii) if (A) the
employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by
the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a
conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any
such defense, or (C) the Company shall not continue to retain such counsel to
defend such Claim, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee's separate counsel
shall be Expenses for which Indemnitee may receive indemnification or Expense
Advances hereunder.
5. Additional Indemnification Rights; Nonexclusivity.
(a) Scope. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the
Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such
indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this
Agreement, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Company's Bylaws or
by statute. In the event of any change after the date of this Agreement in any
applicable law, statute or rule which expands the right of a Delaware
corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary, it is the intent of the parties hereto that
Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits afforded by such
change. In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which
narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board
of directors or an officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, such change, to the
extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this
Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties' rights and
obligations hereunder except as set forth in Section 10(a) hereof.
(b) Nonexclusivity. The indemnification and the payment
of Expense Advances provided by this Agreement shall be in addition to any
rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled
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under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any other
agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise; provided, however that
this Agreement shall supersede any prior indemnification agreement between the
Company and Indemnittee. The indemnification and the payment of Expense Advances
provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action
taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though
subsequent thereto Indemnitee may have ceased to serve in such capacity.
6. No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable
under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any Claim made
against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received
payment (under any insurance policy, provision of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, Bylaws or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise payable hereunder.
7. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any
provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a
portion of Expenses incurred in connection with any Claim, but not, however, for
all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify
Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.
8. Mutual Acknowledgement. Both the Company and Indemnitee
acknowledge that in certain instances, federal law or applicable public policy
may prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors, officers, employees,
agents or fiduciaries under this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee understands
and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the
future to undertake with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the
question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a
determination of the Company's right under public policy to indemnify
Indemnitee.
9. Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains
liability insurance applicable to directors, officers, employees, agents or
fiduciaries, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policies in such a manner as to
provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are provided to the most
favorably insured of the Company's directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of
the Company's officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an
officer; or of the Company's key employees, agents or fiduciaries, if Indemnitee
is not an officer or director but is a key employee, agent or fiduciary.
10. Exceptions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement:
(a) Excluded Action or Omissions. To indemnify Indemnitee
for Expenses resulting from acts, omissions or transactions for which Indemnitee
is prohibited from receiving indemnification under this Agreement or applicable
law.
(b) Claims Initiated by Indemnitee. To indemnify or make
Expense Advances to Indemnitee with respect to Claims initiated or brought
voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, counterclaim or
cross-claim, except (i) with respect to actions or proceedings brought to
establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any
other agreement or
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insurance policy or under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Covered Events, (ii) in
specific cases if the Board of Directors has approved the initiation or bringing
of such Claim, or (iii) as otherwise required under Section 145 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is
determined to be entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the
case may be.
(c) Lack of Good Faith. To indemnify Indemnitee for any
Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee with respect to any action instituted (i) by
Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court having
jurisdiction over such action determines as provided in Section 13 that each of
the material assertions made by the Indemnitee as a basis for such action was
not made in good faith or was frivolous, or (ii) by or in the name of the
Company to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court having jurisdiction
over such action determines as provided in Section 13 that each of the material
defenses asserted by Indemnitee in such action was made in bad faith or was
frivolous.
(d) Claims Under Section 16(b). To indemnify Indemnitee
for expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by
Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.
(e) Settlement of Claims. The Company shall not be liable
to indemnify Indemnittee under this Agreement or otherwise for any amounts paid
in settlement of any proceeding effected without the Company's written consent,
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided, however that if a Change
of Control has occurred (other than a Change of Control approved by a majority
of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such
Change of Control), the Company shall be liable for indemnification of
Indemnitee for amounts paid in settlement if Independent Legal Counsel has
approved the settlement. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify the
Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial award if the Company
was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to
participate in the defense of such action; the Company's liability hereunder
shall not be excused if participation in the proceeding by the Company was
barred by this Agreement.
11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.
12. Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties
hereto and their respective successors, assigns (including any direct or
indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), spouses, heirs and
personal and legal representatives. This Agreement shall continue in effect
regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as a director, officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary (as applicable) of the Company or of any other
enterprise at the Company's request.
13. Expenses Incurred in Action Relating to Enforcement or
Interpretation. In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under
this Agreement or under any liability insurance policies maintained by the
Company to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof or thereof, Indemnitee
shall be entitled to be indemnified for all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee with
respect
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to such action (including without limitation attorneys' fees), regardless of
whether Indemnitee is ultimately successful in such action, unless as a part of
such action a court having jurisdiction over such action makes a final judicial
determination (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or
lapsed) that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for
such action was not made in good faith or was frivolous. In the event of an
action instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement to
enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be
entitled to be indemnified for all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in defense of
such action (including without limitation costs and expenses incurred with
respect to Indemnitee's counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action),
unless as a part of such action a court having jurisdiction over such action
makes a final judicial determination (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom
have been exhausted or lapsed) that each of the material defenses asserted by
Indemnitee in such action was made in bad faith or was frivolous.
14. Notice. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly
given (i) if delivered by hand and signed for by the party addressed, on the
date of such delivery, or (ii) if mailed by domestic certified or registered
mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date postmarked.
Addresses for notice to either party are as shown on the signature page of this
Agreement, or as subsequently modified by written notice.
15. Consent to Jurisdiction. The Company and Indemnitee each
hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of
Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which
arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted
under this Agreement shall be commenced, prosecuted and continued only in the
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, which
shall be the exclusive and only proper forum for adjudicating such a claim.
16. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any
provision within a single section, paragraph or sentence) are held by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the
remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by
law. Furthermore, to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this
Agreement (including without limitation each portion of this Agreement
containing any provision held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable,
that is not itself invalid, void or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to
give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable.
17. Choice of Law. This Agreement, and all rights, remedies,
liabilities, powers and duties of the parties to this Agreement, shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
18. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the
Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights
of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do
all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company
effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
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19. Amendment and Termination. No amendment, modification,
termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in
writing signed by both the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of
this Agreement shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver of any other
provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a
continuing waiver, except as specifically provided herein.
20. Integration and Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth
the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges
all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and
agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto.
21. No Construction as Employment Agreement. Nothing contained in
this Agreement shall be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained
in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities.
* * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Indemnification Agreement as of the date first above written.
ZIPREALTY, INC.
By: _________________________________
Name: _______________________________
Title: ______________________________
Address: 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED
_____________________________________
(Signature)
_____________________________________
(Print Name)
_____________________________________
(Address)
_____________________________________
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