EXHIBIT 10(c)
SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
CMS GAS TRANSMISSION COMPANY,
AND
SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY
DATED AS OF
MAY 12, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Specific Definitions..............................................3
ARTICLE II SHARE RESTRICTIONS
Section 2.1 Standstill and Related Provisions.................................4
Section 2.2 Legends...........................................................6
Section 2.3 Sale of Shares....................................................6
ARTICLE III TERM
Section 3.1 Term..............................................................7
ARTICLE IV MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.1 Dispute Resolution................................................7
Section 4.2 Specific Performance..............................................7
Section 4.3 Entire Agreement..................................................7
Section 4.4 Expenses..........................................................7
Section 4.5 Amendment.........................................................8
Section 4.6 Notices...........................................................8
Section 4.7 Severability......................................................8
Section 4.8 Waiver............................................................8
Section 4.9 Headings..........................................................8
Section 4.10 Third Party Beneficiaries........................................9
Section 4.11 Assignment.......................................................9
Section 4.12 Choice of Law....................................................9
Section 4.13 Facsimiles; Counterparts.........................................9
Section 4.14 Consent to Jurisdiction..........................................9
Section 4.15 Waiver of Jury Trial............................................10
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SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT
This SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of May 12, 2003,
is made by and between Southern Union Company, a Delaware corporation ("Southern
Union"), and CMS Gas Transmission Company, a Michigan corporation ("CMSGT").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, Southern
Union and CMSGT, have entered into that certain Amended and Restated Stock
Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2003 (the "Purchase Agreement"),
pursuant to which CMSGT will acquire 3 million shares of Southern Union Common
Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares") as part of the consideration
received for the sale of Panhandle; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their agreement as to certain
rights and obligations relating to the Shares upon the terms and subject to the
conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
premises, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein
and in the Purchase Agreement, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Specific Definitions For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any specified
Person, any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
the Person specified.
(b) "Beneficially Own" or "Beneficial Ownership" with respect
to any securities shall mean having "beneficial ownership" of such securities
(as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act")), including pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing. Securities Beneficially
Owned by a Person shall include securities Beneficially Owned by all Affiliates
and "associates" (as defined under the Exchange Act) of such Person and all
other Persons with whom such Person would constitute a "group" within the
meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated
thereunder.
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(c) "Common Stock" shall mean Southern Union common stock, par
value $1.00 per share.
(d) "including" shall mean including without limitation.
(e) "Person" shall mean an individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or
other entity.
Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, shall have the meaning set forth
in the Purchase Agreement.
ARTICLE II
SHARE RESTRICTIONS
Section 2.1 Standstill and Related Provisions.
(a) Southern Union and CMSGT agree that, without the prior
written consent of Southern Union, CMSGT will not, directly or indirectly, alone
or in concert with others, in the event that a prospectus supplement relating to
the offering by Southern Union of (x) equity securities or (y) equity-linked
securities occurs on or prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated by
the Purchase Agreement, from the date of this Agreement until ninety (90) days
after the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, or
in the event that a prospectus supplement relating to the offering by Southern
Union of (x) equity securities or (y) equity-linked securities occurs after the
closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, then from
the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of (A) ninety (90) days
from the date of a prospectus supplement relating to the offering by Southern
Union of (x) equity securities or (y) equity-linked securities pursuant to a
prospectus supplement or (B) one hundred and five (105) days from the closing of
the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement:
(i) sell, transfer, assign, offer, pledge, or
otherwise dispose of,directly or indirectly, the Shares
(ii) sell any option or contract to purchase any
Common Stock;
(iii) purchase any option or contract to sell any
Common Stock;
(iv) grant any option, right or warrant to sell any
Common Stock;
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(v) lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any of
the Shares;
(vi) enter into swap or other agreement that
transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership
of any Common Stock whether any such swap or transaction is to be
settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or
otherwise;
(vii) publicly announce an intention to effect a
transaction contemplated in subsections (i) through (vi) above;
(viii) acquire, other than by dividend, or offer,
propose or agree to acquire, directly or indirectly, whether by
purchase, tender or exchange offer, through the acquisition or control
of another Person or otherwise, any shares of Southern Union;
(ix) make, or in any way participate, directly or
indirectly, in any "solicitation" (as such term is used in the proxy
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission as in effect on the
date hereof) of proxies or consents (whether or not relating to the
election or removal of directors), seek to advise, encourage or
influence any Person with respect to the voting of any shares of
Southern Union, initiate, propose or otherwise "solicit" (as such term
is used in the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission as
in effect on the date hereof) shareholders of Southern Union for the
approval of shareholder proposals, whether made pursuant to Rule 14a-8
of the Exchange Act or otherwise, or induce or attempt to induce any
other Person to initiate any such shareholder proposal;
(x) except as provided for under the Purchase
Agreement, seek, propose, or make any statement with respect to, any
merger, consolidation, business combination, tender or exchange offer,
sale or purchase of assets, sale or purchase of securities,
dissolution, liquidation, reorganization, recapitalization or similar
transaction involving Southern Union or its subsidiaries; provided,
however, that nothing in this provision shall prohibit CMSGT from
exercising its right to vote as a stockholder in connection with any
such transaction contemplated by this Section 2.1(a)(ix);
(xi) form, join or in any way participate in a
"group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act)
with respect to any Southern Union shares;
(xii) call or seek to have called any meeting of the
stockholders of Southern Union or execute any written consent with
respect to Southern Union or Southern Union shares;
(xiii) seek representation on the Board of Directors
of Southern Union, or seek the removal of any member of such Board;
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(xiv) make any proposal or publicly disclose any
intention to make any proposal (whether or not subject to conditions)
or enter into any discussion regarding any of the foregoing;
(xv) make any proposal, statement or inquiry, or
disclose any intention, plan or arrangement (whether written or oral)
inconsistent with the foregoing, or make or disclose any request to
amend, waive or terminate any provision of this Agreement; and
(xvi) have any discussions or communications, or
enter into any arrangements, understandings or agreements (whether
written or oral) with, or advise, finance, assist or encourage, any
other Person in connection with any of the foregoing, or make any
investment in or enter into any arrangement with, any other Person that
engages, or offers or proposes to engage, in any of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) CMSGT may transfer or assign the Shares to an
Affiliate of CMSGT that agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement; (b)
the Shares may be pledged to a lender of CMSGT or an Affiliate of CMSGT; and (c)
CMSGT or CMS Energy Corporation ("CMS") may enter into a business combination or
transaction with respect to at least a majority of the shares of CMSGT, CMS, or
CMS Enterprises Company.
(b) Neither Southern Union nor CMSGT shall disclose the terms,
or existence, of this Agreement to any Person except as required by law.
Section 2.2 Legends.
(a) If requested in writing by Southern Union, CMSGT shall
present or cause to be presented promptly all certificates representing the
Shares for the placement thereon of a legend substantially to the following
effect, which legend shall remain thereon for the period of the restrictions set
forth in Section 2.1(a):
"The Securities represented by this certificate are subject to the
provisions of a Shareholder Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2003, between
Southern Union Company and CMS Gas Transmission Company, and may not be sold,
transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of except in accordance therewith. A
copy of said Shareholder Agreement is on file at the office of the Corporate
Secretary of Southern Union Company."
Section 2.3 Sale of Shares.
Southern Union shall assist CMSGT, to the extent reasonably
requested, in connection with selling all or any significant portion of the
Shares to any potential purchaser, including, without limitation, making
officers, employees and other representatives available to meet with potential
purchasers.
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ARTICLE III
TERM
Section 3.1 Term.
This Agreement shall terminate at the earlier to occur of (a) the
sale of all the Shares by CMSGT or on the second anniversary of the date hereof.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.1 Dispute Resolution.
Any disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
the breach, termination or validity thereof or the parties' performance
hereunder shall be resolved as provided by Section 9.9 of the Purchase
Agreement.
Section 4.2 Specific Performance.
The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in
the event that any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance
with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to specific
performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or
equity.
Section 4.3 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes
all prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, among the parties with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may be altered,
amended or changed only by a writing making specific reference to this Agreement
and signed by duly authorized representatives of each party.
Section 4.4 Expenses.
All costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring
such expenses.
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Section 4.5 Amendment.
This Agreement may not be amended, changed, supplemented, or
otherwise modified or terminated, except upon the execution and delivery of a
written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.
Section 4.6 Notices.
All demands, notices, consents, approvals, reports, requests and
other communications hereunder must be in writing, will be deemed to have been
duly given only if delivered personally or by facsimile transmission (with
confirmation of receipt) or by an internationally-recognized express courier
service or by mail (first class, postage prepaid) to the parties at the
addresses or telephone or facsimile numbers set forth in Section 9.7 of the
Purchase Agreement (or to such other address as the addressee shall have last
furnished in writing in accord with this provision to the addressor) and will be
deemed effective upon delivery; provided, however, that any communication by
facsimile shall be confirmed by an internationally-recognized express courier
service or regular mail.
Section 4.7 Severability.
Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of
this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law but if any provision or portion of any provision of this
Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under
any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability will not affect any other provision or portion of any provision
in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and
enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provision or portion of any provision had never been contained herein.
Section 4.8 Waiver.
Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time
by the party that is entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall
be effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on
behalf of the party or parties waiving such term or condition. No waiver by any
party of any term or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances,
shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the same or any other term or
condition of this Agreement on any future occasion. All remedies, either under
this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded, will be cumulative and not
alternative.
Section 4.9 Headings.
The headings used in this Agreement have been inserted for
convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.
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Section 4.10 Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. None
of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable
by any third party, including any creditor of any party or any of their
affiliates. No such third party shall obtain any right under any provision of
this Agreement or shall by reasons of any such provision make any claim in
respect of any liability (or otherwise) against either party hereto.
Section 4.11 Assignment.
This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the
prior written consent of the other party except as specifically provided herein.
Section 4.12 Choice of Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York (regardless of the laws that might
otherwise govern under applicable New York principles of conflicts of law).
Section 4.13 Facsimiles; Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures by any
party and such signature shall be deemed binding for all purposes hereof,
without delivery of an original signature being thereafter required. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which, when
executed, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall
constitute one and the same document.
Section 4.14 Consent to Jurisdiction.
Each party shall maintain at all times a duly appointed agent in
the State of New York, which may be changed upon ten (10) Business Days' notice
to the other party, for the service of any process or summons in connection with
any issue, litigation, action or proceeding brought in any such court. Any such
process or summons may also be served on it by mailing a copy of such process or
summons to it at its address set forth, and in the manner provided, above. Each
party hereby irrevocably consents to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and
venue of any New York State or United States Federal court of competent
jurisdiction sitting in New York County, New York, in any action, Claim or
proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and agrees not to
commence or prosecute any action, Claim or proceeding in any other court. Each
of the parties hereby expressly and irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert
the defense of lack of personal jurisdiction, forum non conveniens or any
similar defense with respect to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding
in New York County, New York.
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Section 4.15 Waiver of Jury Trial.
THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE
ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED
HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER DOCUMENT DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT,
COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY.
EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED FULL AND SUFFICIENT
CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROVISION (AND EACH OTHER PROVISION OF EACH OTHER
DOCUMENT DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY) AND THAT THIS
PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR SUCH PARTY ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT
AND EACH SUCH OTHER DOCUMENT.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as
of the date first written above.
CMS GAS TRANSMISSION COMPANY
By:/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President and CEO
SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY
By:/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: President and Chief Operating Officer
