STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT Dated as of January 2, 2007 By and Among MCF CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, as Seller MCF WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Stockholder MALLORY ACQUISITION CORP., a California corporation,...
Execution
Copy
Dated
as of January 2, 2007
By
and Among
MCF
CORPORATION,
a
Delaware corporation, as Seller
MCF
WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC,
a
Delaware limited liability company, as Stockholder
XXXXXXX
ACQUISITION CORP.,
a
California corporation, as Buyer
CATALYST
FINANCIAL PLANNING & INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
CORPORATION,
a
Delaware corporation, as Company
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
an
individual, as Xxxxxxx
Execution
Copy
This
Stock Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”),
dated
as of January 2, 2007, is entered into among MCF CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (“Seller”),
MCF
WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Stockholder”),
XXXXXXX ACQUISITION CORP., a California corporation (“Buyer”),
CATALYST FINANCIAL PLANNING & INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION., a Delaware
corporation (“Company”),
and
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX, an individual (“Xxxxxxx”),
with
respect to the following facts and circumstances.
RECITALS
A. Pursuant
to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 21, 2005 (the
“Merger
Agreement”),
Seller acquired from Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Trustee, The Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Revocable
Trust u/a/d/ June 14, 2001 (“Xxxxxxx
Trust”),
the
corporate predecessor to Company, by merger of the predecessor into the Company
(the “Merger”).
Stockholder owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of Company consisting
of one thousand (1,000) shares of common stock (the “Shares”).
B. The
merger consideration received by the Xxxxxxx Trust included cash of $389,021
delivered in part at closing and in part on the first anniversary of closing
of
the merger effected by the Merger Agreement, 185,065 shares of Seller common
stock received upon the first anniversary of the merger (the “MCF
Merger Shares”)
and an
additional 370,130 shares of Seller common stock as additional contingent
consideration and held in escrow (the “MCF
Escrow Shares,”
the
Merger Shares and the Escrow Shares being referred to in the aggregate as the
“MCF
Shares”).
Seller desires to sell to Buyer the Shares. Buyer desires to purchase the Shares
from Seller.
C. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx (“Xxxxxxx”)
became
an employee of Stockholder pursuant to the Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx/Catalyst Financial
Planning & Investment Management Corporation Employment Agreement dated as
of February 28, 2005 (the “Employment
Agreement”)
and
the Employment, Confidential Information, and Invention Assignment Agreement
between the same parties dated as of March 1, 2005 (the “NDA
and Assignment Agreement”).
Pursuant to the Employment Agreement Xxxxxxx was granted options to purchase
additional Seller shares of common stock (the “Options”).
D. The
Parties have concluded that it would be in the best interests of all Parties
to
this Agreement for Buyer to acquire the Company for the consideration set forth
in this Agreement and for the Parties to enter into a mutual settlement and
release of all claims except for such obligations as are expressly reserved
in
this Agreement.
E. Certain
terms used in this Agreement are defined separately in Article
X
and are
integral to this Agreement.
For
good
and valuable consideration, the adequacy of which hereby is acknowledged,
Seller, Stockholder, Buyer, Xxxxxxx, and Company agree as follows:
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ARTICLE
I.
THE
SALE
AND
PURCHASE
TRANSACTION
1.1 Sale
and Purchase of Shares.
Effective upon execution hereof, Seller shall sell to Buyer, and Buyer shall
purchase from Stockholder, the Shares, free and clear of all
Encumbrances.
1.2 Purchase
Price.
The
purchase price for the Shares shall be (i) $282,362 cash and (ii) the
transfer to Seller of the MCF Shares (the “Purchase
Price”).
1.3 Closing
of Transaction; Payment of the Purchase Price and
Deliveries.
1.3.1 Closing
Date.
The
closing of this transaction (“Closing”) shall take place at the offices of MBV
Law LLP, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 on January 2, 2007
(the “Closing Date”) at 10:00 a.m. local time, or at such other place and time
as the parties shall agree.
1.3.2 Obligations
of Buyer to Purchase the Shares.
Buyer’s
obligation to purchase the Shares and to take the other actions required to
be
taken by Buyer at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to
the
Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by
Buyer, in whole or in part):
(a) Accuracy
of Stockholder’s Representations and Warranties.
All
representations and warranties by Seller and Stockholder in this Agreement
(considered collectively), and each of these representations and warranties
(considered individually), must have been accurate in all material respects
as
of the date of this Agreement, and must be accurate in all material respects
as
of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date unless stated to be effective
as of an earlier date.
(b) Seller’s
and Stockholder’s Performance.
All of
the covenants and obligations that Seller and Stockholder are required to
perform or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
(considered collectively), and each of these covenants (considered
individually), must have been duly performed and complied with in all material
respects.
(c) Closing
Deliveries.
Seller
and Stockholder shall have delivered, or caused the delivery to Buyer of, each
of the documents required to be delivered by Seller and Stockholder on the
Closing Date under Section 1.3.4.
(d) Absence
of Litigation.
No
action, suit or proceeding before any court or any governmental body or
authority, pertaining to the transaction contemplated by this Agreement or
to
its consummation, shall have been instituted or threatened against the Company
on or before the Closing Date.
(e) Consents.
Seller
and the Stockholder shall use their best efforts to obtain and deliver all
necessary certificates, licenses, agreements and consents or other
authorizations of any parties to the consummation of the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement, or otherwise pertaining to the matters covered
by it, including without limitation, all third-party consents necessary for
the
assignment and transfer of the Shares listed in Exhibit
C.
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(f) Approval
of Documentation.
The form
and substance of all certificates, instruments, opinions and other documents
delivered by Seller and Stockholder under this Agreement shall be satisfactory
in all reasonable respects to Buyer and its counsel.
(g) Governmental
Authorizations.
All
Governmental Authorizations presently held by the Company required to operate
the Business will continue to be valid on the Closing Date.
1.3.3 Obligations
of Seller to Sell the Shares.
Seller’s
obligation to sell the Shares to Buyer and to take the other actions required
to
be taken by Stockholder at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or
prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may
be
waived by Stockholder, in whole or in part):
(a) Accuracy
of Representations.
All
representations and warranties by Buyer and Xxxxxxx in this Agreement
(considered collectively), and each of these representations and warranties
(considered individually), must have been accurate in all material respects
as
of the date of this Agreement, and must be accurate in all material respects
as
of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date unless stated to be effective
as of an earlier date.
(b) Buyer’s
and Xxxxxxx’x Performance.
All of
the covenants and obligations that Buyer and Xxxxxxx are required to perform
or
to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing (considered
collectively), and each of these covenants (considered individually), must
have
been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.
(c) Closing
Deliveries.
Buyer
and Xxxxxxx shall have delivered or caused the delivery to Seller of each of
the
documents required to be delivered by Buyer and Xxxxxxx on the Closing Date
under Section 1.3.4.
(d) Consents.
All
necessary certificates, licenses, agreements and consents or other
authorizations of any parties to the consummation of the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement, or otherwise pertaining to the matters covered
by it, shall have been obtained by Buyer and delivered to Seller.
(e) Absence
of Litigation.
No
action, suit or proceeding before any court or any governmental body or
authority, pertaining to the transaction contemplated by this Agreement or
to
its consummation, shall have been instituted or threatened against Buyer on
or
before the Closing Date.
(f) Approval
of Documentation.
The form
and substance of all certificates, instruments, opinions and other documents
delivered by Seller and Stockholder under this Agreement shall be satisfactory
in all reasonable respects to Seller and its counsel.
1.3.4 Deliveries.
At
Closing, the Parties shall make the following deliveries.
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(A) Buyer
shall
(1) deliver
to Seller payment of $282,362 by wire transfer to Seller;
(2) deliver
the MCF Merger Shares accompanied by an assignment separate from share
certificate in favor of Seller;
(3) execute
with Seller joint escrow instructions instructing escrow to release to Seller
the MCF Escrow Shares;
(4) deliver
to Seller written letters of resignation from any and all officer or director
positions with Seller, Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any of them, other
than
Company;
(5) deliver
to Seller a good standing certificate for the Buyer, dated as close as
practicable to the Closing Date, from the Secretary of State of California
and
the Secretaries of State in each of the jurisdictions in which the Buyer is
qualified to do business;
(6) deliver
to Seller (i) a certified copy of the resolutions of the board of directors
of Buyer authorizing and approving this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (ii) incumbency certificates
relating to each person executing any document executed and delivered to Seller
or Stockholder by Buyer pursuant to the terms hereof; and
(7) deliver
to Seller all other documents, instruments or writings required to be delivered
to Seller or Stockholder at or prior to Closing pursuant to this Agreement
and
such other certificates of authority and documents as Seller or Stockholder
may
reasonably request.
(B) Seller
shall
(1) cause
Stockholder to deliver to Buyer the Shares accompanied by an assignment separate
from share certificate executed by Stockholder in favor of Buyer;
(2) shall
execute with Buyer joint escrow instructions instructing escrow to release
to
Seller the MCF Escrow Shares;
(3) deliver
UCC-3 termination statements or other evidence of the release of any
Encumbrances on the assets of the Company;
(4) deliver
to Buyer a good standing certificate for the Company, dated as close as
practicable to the Closing Date, from the Secretary of State of Delaware and
the
Secretaries of State in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company is
qualified to do business;
(5) deliver
to Buyer resignations duly executed by each of the elected and acting directors
and officers of the Company (other than Xxxxxxx), effective as of the Closing
Date;
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(6) deliver
(i) a certified copy of the resolutions of the board of directors of Seller
authorizing and approving this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (ii) incumbency certificates
relating to each person executing any document executed and delivered to Buyer
by Seller or Stockholder pursuant to the terms hereof;
(7)
deliver to Buyer the consents and approvals, if any, Seller is required to
obtain under Section
2.9;
and
(8)
deliver or make available to Buyer all other documents, instruments or writings
required to be delivered or made available to Buyer at or prior to Closing
pursuant to this Agreement, specifically including those described in
Section
2.8
and
3.12(c),and
such
other certificates of authority and documents as Buyer and Xxxxxxx may
reasonably request.
(C) Stockholder
shall
(1) deliver
to Buyer an executed assignment separate from share certificate accompanied
by a
share certificate evidencing the Shares;
(2) deliver
to Buyer letters of resignation of any employees or other personnel (other
than
Xxxxxxx) of Seller or Stockholder who also are serving as officers or directors
of Company. Stockholder also shall deliver, to the extent Company does not
already have possession, to Buyer physical possession of the corporate minute
book, stock book ledger, and other books and records of the Company;
and
(3) deliver
to Buyer change of authorized signatory consents for each of the Company’s Bank
Accounts, in accordance with Buyer’s written instructions.
1.4 “As
Is” Purchase of Company.
The
Parties acknowledge that as the Company is the successor to Xxxxxxx’x former
business and that Xxxxxxx is director, President, and CEO of the Company and
that as such she has full access to all books, and records of the Company.
Buyer
is acquiring the Company “as is” subject only to the representations and
warranties of Seller and Stockholder set forth in this Agreement, the
indemnification obligations set forth in Article
7
hereof,
and such other express undertakings as are set forth in this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
II.
CERTAIN
AGREEMENTS
2.1 Continuing
Employment and Termination of Employment Agreements.
The
Parties acknowledge that Xxxxxxx’x employment by Company shall not terminate as
a result of this Agreement and that Company shall continue after this Agreement,
as immediately prior to execution hereof, to be Xxxxxxx’x sole employer. As a
result, the Parties agree that Company shall continue to be responsible for
payment to Xxxxxxx of such items of compensation and bonus, including the
executive bonus defined in her Employment Agreement, as Company and Xxxxxxx
shall agree after sale of the Shares to Buyer. Effective upon the date hereof,
the Employment Agreement and the NDA and Assignment Agreement shall terminate
and be of no further force or effect. Effective upon receipt by Seller of the
Purchase Price, neither Xxxxxxx nor Buyer shall have any claim against Seller,
Stockholder or any Affiliate (other than Company) for any compensation or other
amount under the Employment Agreement or the NDA and Assignment Agreement.
Seller and Stockholder acknowledge that notwithstanding section 15(a) of the
Employment Agreement, Buyer and Xxxxxxx shall be subject to no covenant not
to
compete against Seller, Stockholder, or any of their Affiliates. At the Closing
Xxxxxxx shall return to Stockholder or Seller, as the case may be, any Seller
or
Stockholder property identified in Exhibit
B or
which
she may have in her possession in any medium.
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2.2 Certain
Tax Matters.
2.2.1 Section
338(h)(10) Election.
Buyer
and Seller agree to file an election to treat the acquisition of the Shares
as
an acquisition under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code. Buyer and Seller shall
join
in an election to have the provisions of Section 338(h)(10) of the Code and
similar provisions of state, local or other federal law (where permissible)
(the
“Section
338(h)(10) Election”)
apply
to the acquisition of the Shares. The election will include the execution and
subsequent filing of IRS Form 8023-A pursuant to the requirements as stated
therein. Within ten days after Buyer’s request, but not earlier than 30 days
after the Closing Date, Seller shall properly execute and deliver to Buyer
such
documents or forms (including Section 338 Forms, as defined below) as Buyer
shall reasonably request or as are required by applicable law for an effective
Section 338(h)(10) Election for Buyer. Buyer and Seller shall allocate the
Purchase Price to the Company’s asset categories as contemplated by Form 8883 as
set forth on Schedule
2.2.1
attached
hereto. After the date of this Agreement, neither Buyer, Company, Seller, nor
the Stockholder shall knowingly take, or knowingly fail to take, any action
which may cause the acquisition of the Stock to not be eligible for the Section
338(h)(10) Election set forth herein. “Section 338 Forms” shall mean all
returns, documents, statements, and other forms that are required to be
submitted to any federal, state, county or local taxing authority in connection
with the Section 338(h)(10) Election for Company, including any “statement of
Section 338 election” and IRS Form 8023 (together with any schedules or
attachments thereto) that are required pursuant to Treasury Regulations or
the
Code. Neither Seller nor Stockholder makes any representation or warranty
regarding eligibility to make the Section 338(h)(10) Election or, if made,
the
efficacy thereof. In the event that the Section 338(h)(10) Election is not
available or is rejected for whatever reason by the IRS or other taxing
authority, neither Buyer, Company, nor Xxxxxxx shall have any recourse against
Seller or Stockholder for lost tax benefits or other consequential or related
losses.
2.2.2 Mutual
Cooperation.
Buyer
and Seller shall each assist the other, and Buyer shall cause Company to assist
Seller, as may reasonably be requested by any of them with the preparation
of
any Tax Return, any Tax audit, or any judicial or administrative proceedings
relating to any Tax. In addition, each Party shall retain and provide the other
with any records or information that may be relevant to such Tax Return, Tax
audit, proceeding or determination. Buyer and Seller further agree, upon
request, to use their reasonable Best Efforts to obtain any certificate or
other
document from any governmental authority or any other Person as may be necessary
to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed (including with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby).
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2.2.3 Responsibility
for Filing Tax Returns.
Buyer
shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed all Tax
Returns for Company which are filed for Reporting Periods commencing on or
after
the Closing Date.
2.2.4 Certain
Taxes and Fees.
All
transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes,
and
all conveyance fees, recording charges and other fees and charges (including
any
penalties and interest) incurred in connection with consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the Party against
whom they are assessed when due, and each Party will, at its own expense, file
all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all such
Taxes, fees and charges.
2.3 Termination
of Options.
Effective as of the Closing Date, the Options and all options granted to other
employees, officers, directors, consultants or advisors of Company who are
not
also providing service in other capacities to affiliates (other than Company)
of
Seller and Stockholder, shall terminate in accordance with the terms of the
2003
MCF Corporation Stock Option and Incentive Plan, with all post-termination
rights remaining in effect as set forth in the Plan. Buyer and Xxxxxxx disclaim
any and all ownership interest in Seller, Stockholder, or any Affiliate of
either except for Buyer’s ownership of the Shares upon giving effect to the
transactions described herein.
2.4 Mutual
Covenant of Nondisparagement;
Disclosure.
After
the date of this Agreement, no Party will make any statements to any person
or
entity, whether oral or in any written or other medium, or cause or encourage
or
knowingly permit others to make any such statements, that defame, disparage,
or
in any way criticize the personal or business reputations, practices, or conduct
of any of the other Parties or any of their affiliates, without limitation
in
time, except that any Party hereto may (i) confer in confidence with its legal
counsel and (ii) provide truthful testimony in connection with judicial
proceedings and governmental inquiries and investigations. In the event that
any
Party receives inquiries, whether from its own personnel or from third parties,
regarding Xxxxxxx’x employment, Stockholder’s ownership of Company, or the sale
to Buyer of the Company, such Party agrees to make statements only in a manner
consistent with the statements set forth on Exhibit
A
to this
Agreement (“Permitted
Disclosures”).
2.5 Transition
Plan.
The
parties agree to cooperate in good faith to carry out their respective
obligations set forth in the Transition Plan attached as Exhibit
B
hereto
(the “Transition
Plan”).
Seller
and Stockholder’s responsibility and liability for such transition shall
strictly be limited to its obligations as set forth on Exhibit
B and
elsewhere in this Agreement. Neither Seller nor Stockholder shall have any
responsibility or liability for any loss of business, customers, or revenue,
or
any other adverse impact to the Company or its business that Buyer or Xxxxxxx
may experience after selling the Shares to Buyer hereunder, except as such
may
arise in connection with breach of this Agreement by either Seller or
Stockholder, and/or their respective gross negligence or willful
misconduct.
2.6 Publicity.
After
the date of this Agreement, no Party shall issue any press release or otherwise
make any announcements to the public or the employees of Company regarding
this
Agreement or the transactions described herein without the prior written consent
of the other Parties, except as required by any applicable Legal Requirements.
To the extent not covered by the Permitted Disclosures in Exhibit
A
hereto,
Seller and Buyer shall agree upon the means by which the employees, customers,
and suppliers and others having dealings with Company shall be informed of
the
sale of the Shares.
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2.7 Confidentiality;
Privilege.
Each
Party shall keep confidential all aspects of this Agreement, and shall not
appropriate for its own use, reveal or disclose to anyone except as necessary
to
fulfill a Party’s obligations hereunder or as explicitly may be permitted
hereunder, any confidential information of the other (as a “Disclosing
Party”)
which
may have become known to it prior to this Agreement at any time, including
prior
to entering into the Merger Agreement (a “Receiving
Party”).
Each
Party agrees to take the necessary steps to protect and maintain the
confidentiality of such confidential and proprietary information of the other.
Confidential or Proprietary Information shall mean any information maintained
as
confidential by the other which is not publicly known and not lawfully available
without restriction from a third Party. The foregoing restrictions will not
apply to any such Confidential Information that is (i) required to be disclosed
by court order or decree or in compliance with applicable law; (ii) in the
public domain other than a breach hereof by the receiving Party, (iii) known
to
the Receiving Party prior to its receipt from the Disclosing Party hereunder
and
is not subject to a confidentiality obligation, (iv) independently developed
by
the Receiving Party, or (v) received by the Receiving Party from a third Party
and not subject to a confidentiality obligation. Each Party acknowledges that
the Disclosing Party is not waiving, and will not be deemed to have waived
or
diminished, any of its attorney work product protections, attorney-client
privileges or similar protections and privileges as a result of disclosing
its
Confidential Information, regardless of whether such claims have or are entitled
to be asserted. These confidentiality obligations shall be supplemental to,
and
shall not limit, any other promises of confidentiality which may exist among
the
Parties hereto.
2.8 Retention
of Records.
On or
before the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver or make available to Buyer all
records and data of the Company, including without limitation all insurance
policies, vendor agreements, regulatory filings, tax returns, correspondence
with federal and state authorities, and customer records. After the Closing
Date, Buyer shall retain for a period consistent with standard record-retention
policies and practices of publicly traded financial institutions those records
of Company delivered to Buyer. Buyer also shall provide Seller reasonable access
thereto, during normal business hours and on at least three days’ prior written
notice, to enable it to prepare financial statements or tax returns or deal
with
tax audits.
2.9 Cooperation
and Third Party Consents.
The
Parties shall cooperate in good faith to implement the Contemplated Transactions
including, without limited, working together to receive any required third
party
Consents or Legal Approvals, provided that Buyer and Xxxxxxx, with the
cooperation of Stockholder and Seller in providing any required information,
shall be solely responsible for amending Company’s Form ADV and taking any steps
required to receive Legal Approvals from state and federal securities
regulators. Seller and Stockholder have set forth on Exhibit
C hereto
the only Consents or Legal Approvals of which they are aware.
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ARTICLE
III.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND
WARRANTIES
OF SELLER
AND
STOCKHOLDER
REGARDING
COMPANY
Seller
and Stockholder jointly and severally represent and warrant to Buyer as set
forth in this Article
III.
All
representations and warranties made in this Article
III
are made
subject to knowledge which Xxxxxxx actually acquired in her capacity as
President, Chief Executive Officer, and director of the Company.
3.1 Organization;
Qualification.
Company
is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Company has the corporate power
and authority to operate, own and lease its properties, perform its obligations
and carry on its business as now conducted. Company has the power, authority
and
capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations under this
Agreement.
3.2 Authorization;
Enforceability.
This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Company and constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligations of Company, enforceable it in accordance
with its respective terms. Company has duly and validly authorized this
Agreement.
3.3 Shares;
Capitalization. The
authorized capital stock of Company consists solely of 1,000 shares of common
stock, $0.001 par value, of which one thousand (1,000) shares are issued and
outstanding. To their knowledge, there are no options, warrants, or other rights
granting to anybody other than to Xxxxxxx any rights in the capital stock or
equity of Company. The Shares constitute all of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of Company. All of the Shares are owned of record,
legally, beneficially and exclusively by Stockholder. Stockholder holds the
exclusive right and power to vote the Shares. The Shares are free and clear
of
any and all Encumbrances. No legend or other reference to any purported
Encumbrance appears upon any certificate representing the Shares. Upon delivery
of the Shares under this Agreement, Buyer will acquire good and valid legal
and
exclusive title to the Shares, free and clear of any Encumbrances. The Shares
are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The Shares were issued in
compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements, including federal and state
securities laws.
3.4 Title
to Assets.
At
the
Closing all assets of the Company are free and clear of any and all
Encumbrances.
3.5 Legal
Proceedings.
No
Legal Proceeding is pending or, to their knowledge, threatened against or
affecting Company, the Business, any of Company’s assets, any of the Shares or
the Contemplated Transactions.
3.6 Consents.
No
consent, waiver, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, any Governmental Body or any third party, including
a party to any agreement with the Company or Stockholder (so as not to trigger
any Conflict), is required by or with respect to the Company in connection
with
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
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3.7 Company
Financial Statements.
Xxxxxxx
previously has received the financial statements of the Company dated October
31, 2006 (the “Company
Financials”).
The
Company Financials have been prepared in accordance with USGAAP applied on
a
basis consistent throughout the periods indicated and consistent with each
other. The Company Financials present fairly in all material respects the
financial condition, operating results and cash flows of the Company as of
the
dates and during the periods indicated therein, subject in the case of the
unaudited financial statements to normal year-end adjustments, which will not
be
material in amount or significance. The Company’s October 31, 2006 balance sheet
shall be referred to as the “Balance
Sheet.”
3.8 No
Undisclosed Liabilities.
To the
best knowledge of Seller and/or Stockholder, the Company has no liability,
indebtedness, obligation, expense, claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement
of
any type, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, matured, unmatured or other
(whether or not required to be reflected in financial statements in accordance
with USGAAP), except as reflected in the Balance Sheet, or in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices since the date of the Balance
Sheet.
3.9 Tax
Matters.
(a) Definition
of Taxes.
For the
purposes of this Agreement, “Tax” or, collectively, “Taxes,” means (i) any and
all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments and other governmental
charges, duties, impositions and liabilities, including taxes based upon or
measured by gross receipts, income, profits, sales, use and occupation, and
value added, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, withholding, payroll, recapture,
employment, excise and property taxes, together with all interest, penalties
and
additions imposed with respect to such amounts; (ii) any liability for the
payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (i) as a result of being
a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any
period; and (iii) any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type
described in clause (i) or (ii) as a result of any express or implied obligation
to indemnify any other person or as a result of any obligations under any
agreements or arrangements with any other person with respect to such amounts
and including any liability for taxes of a predecessor entity.
(b) Tax
Returns and Audits.
(i) The
Company as of the Closing Date will have prepared and timely filed or made
a
timely request for extension for all Returns relating to any and all Taxes
concerning or attributable to the Company or its operations since the Merger,
and such Returns are true and correct and have been completed in accordance
with
applicable law.
(ii) The
Company as of the Closing Date (A) will have paid or accrued all Taxes it is
required to pay or accrue and (B) will have withheld and timely remitted with
respect to its employees all income taxes and other Taxes required to be
withheld and remitted.
(iii) The
Company has not been delinquent in the payment of any Tax nor is there any
Tax
deficiency outstanding, assessed or proposed against the Company, nor has the
Company executed any waiver of any statute of limitations on or extending the
period for the assessment or collection of any Tax.
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(iv) No
audit
or other examination of any Return of the Company, is presently in progress,
nor
has the Company been notified of any request for such an audit or other
examination.
(v) The
Company has no liabilities for unpaid federal, state, local and foreign Taxes
which have not been accrued or reserved against on the Balance Sheet, whether
asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise, and the Company has no
knowledge of any basis for the assertion of any such liability attributable
to
the Company, its assets or operations.
(vi) The
Company has made available to Xxxxxxx or her legal counsel, copies of all
foreign, federal and state income and all state sales and use Returns filed
for
all periods since the date of Company’s incorporation.
(vii) There
is
no Encumbrance of any sort on the assets of the Company the relating to or
attributable to Taxes other than Liens for taxes not yet due and
payable.
(viii) The
Company has no knowledge of any basis for the assertion of any claim relating
or
attributable to Taxes which, if adversely determined, would result in any
Encumbrance on any material assets of the Company.
(ix) As
of the
Closing, there will not be any contract, agreement, plan or arrangement,
including but not limited to the provisions of this Agreement, covering any
employee or former employee of the Company that, individually or collectively,
could give rise to the payment of any amount that would not be deductible by
the
Company as an expense under Sections 162, 280G or 404 of the Code.
(x) The
Company is not a party to a tax sharing, indemnification or allocation agreement
nor does the Company owe any amount under any such agreement.
(xi) The
Company uses the accrual method of accounting for income tax purposes and its
tax basis in its assets for purposes of determining its future amortization,
depreciation and other federal income tax deductions is accurately reflected
on
the Company’s tax books and records.
(xii) The
Company qualifies as a corporation for all federal and state income tax
purposes.
3.10 Restrictions
on Business Activities. To
the
best knowledge of Seller and/or Stockholder, there is no agreement (noncompete
or otherwise), commitment, judgment, injunction, order or decree to which the
Company or Stockholder is a party or otherwise binding upon the Company which
has or may have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any business practice
of
the Company, any acquisition of property (tangible or intangible) by the Company
or the conduct of business by the Company.
3.11 Minute
Books. The
minutes of the Company, which shall be made available to counsel for Buyer
on or
before the date first indicated above, are the only minutes of the Company
and
contain an accurate summary of all meetings of the Board of Directors (or
committees thereof) of the Company and its shareholders or actions by written
consent since the date of the Merger.
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3.12 Employee
Matters and Benefit Plans.
(a) Definitions.
For
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:
(i) “Affiliate”
shall mean any other person or entity under common control with the Company
within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code and the
regulations issued thereunder;
(ii) “COBRA”
shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as
amended;
(iii) “Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
(iv) “Company
Employee Plan” shall mean any plan, program, policy, practice, contract,
agreement or other arrangement providing for compensation, severance,
termination pay, deferred compensation, performance awards, stock or
stock-related awards, fringe benefits or other employee benefits or remuneration
of any kind, whether written or unwritten or otherwise, funded or unfunded,
including without limitation, each “employee benefit plan,” within the meaning
of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or has been maintained, contributed to, or
required to be contributed to, by the Company for the benefit of any Employee,
or with respect to which the Company has or may have any liability or
obligation;
(v) “DOL”
shall mean the Department of Labor;
(vi) “Employee”
shall mean any current or former employee, consultant or director of the
Company;
(vii) “Employee
Agreement” shall mean each management, employment, severance, consulting,
relocation, repatriation, expatriation, visas, work permit or other agreement,
contract or understanding between the Company and any Employee;
(viii) “ERISA”
shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended;
(ix) “FMLA”
shall mean the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended;
(x) “International
Employee Plan” shall mean each Company Employee Plan that has been adopted or
maintained by the Company, whether informally or formally, or with respect
to
which the Company will or may have any liability, for the benefit of Employees
who perform services outside the United States;
(xi) “IRS”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Service;
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(xii) “Multiemployer
Plan” shall mean any “Pension Plan” (as defined below) which is a “multiemployer
plan,” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA;
(xiii) “PBGC”
shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and
(xiv) “Pension
Plan” shall mean each Company Employee Plan which is an “employee pension
benefit plan,” within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA.
(b) Schedule.
Exhibit
D
contains
an accurate and complete list of each Company Employee Plan and each Employee
Agreement under each Company Employee Plan or Employee Agreement. The Company
does not have any plan or commitment to establish any new Company Employee
Plan
or Employee Agreement, to modify any Company Employee Plan or Employee Agreement
(except to the extent required by law or to conform any such Company Employee
Plan or Employee Agreement to the requirements of any applicable law, in each
case as previously disclosed to Buyer in writing, or as required by this
Agreement), or to enter into any Company Employee Plan or Employee
Agreement.
(c) Documents.
On or
before the Closing Date the Company shall deliver or make available to Buyer:
(i) correct and complete copies of all documents embodying each Company Employee
Plan and each Employee Agreement including (without limitation) all amendments
thereto and all related trust documents; (ii) the most recent annual actuarial
valuations, if any, prepared for each Company Employee Plan; (iii) the three
(3)
most recent annual reports (Form Series 5500 and all schedules and financial
statements attached thereto), if any, required under ERISA or the Code in
connection with each Company Employee Plan; (iv) if the Company Employee Plan
is
funded, the most recent annual and periodic accounting of Company Employee
Plan
assets; (v) the most recent summary plan description together with the
summary(ies) of material modifications thereto, if any, required under ERISA
with respect to each Company Employee Plan; (vi) all IRS determination, opinion,
notification and advisory letters, and all applications and correspondence
to or
from the IRS or the DOL with respect to any such application or letter; (vii)
all material written agreements and contracts relating to each Company Employee
Plan, including, but not limited to, administrative service agreements, group
annuity contracts and group insurance contracts; (viii) all communications
material to any Employee or Employees relating to any Company Employee Plan
and
any proposed Company Employee Plans, in each case, relating to any amendments,
terminations, establishments, increases or decreases in benefits, acceleration
of payments or vesting schedules or other events which would result in any
material liability to the Company; (ix) all correspondence to or from any
governmental agency relating to any Company Employee Plan; (x) all COBRA forms
and related notices; (xi) all policies pertaining to fiduciary liability
insurance covering the fiduciaries for each Company Employee Plan; (xii) all
discrimination tests for each Company Employee Plan for the most recent plan
year; and (xiii) all registration statements, annual reports (Form 11-K and
all
attachments thereto) and prospectuses prepared in connection with each Company
Employee Plan.
(d) Employee
Plan Compliance.
The
Company has performed in all material respects all obligations required to
be
performed by it under, is not in default or violation of, and has no knowledge
of any default or violation by any other party to each Company Employee Plan,
and each Company Employee Plan has been established and maintained in all
material respects in accordance with its terms and in compliance with all
applicable laws, statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not
limited to ERISA or the Code; (ii) each Company Employee Plan intended to
qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code and each trust intended to qualify
under Section 501(a) of the Code has either received a favorable determination,
opinion, notification or advisory letter from the IRS with respect to each
such
Plan as to its qualified status under the Code, including all amendments to
the
Code effected by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and subsequent legislation, or
has
remaining a period of time under applicable Treasury regulations or IRS
pronouncements in which to apply for such a letter and make any amendments
necessary to obtain a favorable determination as to the qualified status of
each
such Company Employee Plan; (iii) no “prohibited transaction,” within the
meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 and 407 of ERISA, and not
otherwise exempt under Section 408 of ERISA, has occurred with respect to any
Company Employee Plan; (iv) there are no actions, suits or claims pending,
or,
to the knowledge of Seller or Stockholder, threatened or reasonably anticipated
(other than routine claims for benefits) against any Company Employee Plan
or
against the assets of any Company Employee Plan; (v) each Company Employee
Plan
can be amended, terminated or otherwise discontinued after the Closing Date
in
accordance with its terms, without liability to the Company or any of its
Affiliates (other than ordinary administration expenses); (vi) there are no
audits, inquiries or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company
or
any Affiliates, threatened by the IRS or DOL with respect to any Company
Employee Plan; and (vii) neither the Company nor any Affiliate is subject to
any
penalty or tax with respect to any Company Employee Plan under Section 502(i)
of
ERISA or Sections 4975 through 4980 of the Code.
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(e) Pension
Plan.
Since
the Merger Company has not maintained, established, sponsored, participated
in,
or contributed to, any Pension Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA or
Section 412 of the Code.
(f) Multiemployer
Plans.
At no
time since the Merger has the Company contributed to or been obligated to
contribute to any Multiemployer Plan.
(g) No
Post-Employment Obligations.
No
Company Employee Plan provides, or reflects or represents any liability to
provide, retiree life insurance, retiree health or other retiree employee
welfare benefits to any person for any reason, except as may be required by
COBRA or other applicable statute, and the Company has never represented,
promised or contracted (whether in oral or written form) to any Employee (either
individually or to Employees as a group) or any other person that such
Employee(s) or other person would be provided with retiree life insurance,
retiree health or other retiree employee welfare benefit, except to the extent
required by statute.
(h) COBRA
etc.
The
Company, since the Merger and in any material respect, has not violated any
of
the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, the requirements of FMLA,
the requirements of the Women’s Heath and Cancer Rights Act, the requirements of
the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996, or any similar
provisions of state law applicable to its Employees.
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(i) Effect
of Transaction.
(i) The
execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not (either alone or upon the occurrence of any
additional or subsequent events) constitute an event under any Company Employee
Plan, Employee Agreement, trust or loan that will or may result in any payment
(whether of severance pay or otherwise), acceleration, forgiveness of
indebtedness, vesting, distribution, increase in benefits or obligation to
fund
benefits with respect to any Employee.
(ii) No
payment or benefit which will or may be made by the Company with respect to
any
Employee as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
otherwise will be characterized as a “parachute payment,” within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (but without regard to clause (ii)
thereof).
(j) Employment
Matters.
The
Company: (i) is in compliance in all respects with all applicable foreign,
federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations respecting employment,
employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours,
in
each case, with respect to Employees; (ii) has withheld and reported all amounts
required by law or by agreement to be withheld and reported with respect to
wages, salaries and other payments to Employees; (iii) is not liable for any
arrears of wages or any taxes or any penalty for failure to comply with any
of
the foregoing; and (iv) is not liable for any payment to any trust or other
fund
governed by or maintained by or on behalf of any governmental authority, with
respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other benefits
or obligations for Employees (other than routine payments to be made in the
normal course of business and consistent with past practice). There are no
pending, threatened or reasonably anticipated claims or actions against the
Company under any worker’s compensation policy or long-term disability
policy.
3.13 Compliance
with Laws. Assuming
that Xxxxxxx has not violated any applicable laws in the performance of her
duties and obligations, the Company has complied with, is not in violation
of,
and has not received any notices of violation with respect to, any foreign,
federal, state or local statute, law or regulation, since the date of the
Merger.
3.14 Bank
Accounts. Exhibit
E
contains
an accurate and complete list showing the name and address of each bank in
which
the Company has an account or safe deposit box, the number of any such account
or safe deposit box and the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon
or
have access thereto
3.15 Conduct
of Business of the Company.
During
the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier
of
the termination of this Agreement or the Closing Date, the Company agrees
(except to the extent that Buyer or Xxxxxxx shall otherwise consent in writing),
to carry on its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course in
substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted, to pay debts and Taxes
when due, to pay or perform other obligations when due, and, to the extent
consistent with such business, use all reasonable efforts consistent with past
practice and policies to preserve intact the Company’s present business
organization, keep available the services of present officers and key employees
and preserve relationships with clients, suppliers, and others having business
dealings with it, all with the goal of preserving unimpaired the Company’s
goodwill and ongoing businesses at the Closing Date. Xxxxxxx agrees to take
no
action to cause the Company to fail to comply with this Section 3.15.
The
Company shall promptly notify Buyer of any event or occurrence or emergency
not
in the ordinary course of business of the Company and any material event
involving the Company.
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3.16 Client
and Employee Non-Solicitation.
(a) In
consideration of the Purchase Price and the Assumed Liabilities, for a period
of
three (3) years from the Closing Date, Seller and its Affiliates shall
not:
(i) in
any
capacity whatsoever (including as a stockholder, proprietor, partner, joint
venturer, member, consultant, agent, lender, or otherwise), directly or
indirectly, solicit, sell, service, divert, or accept any financial or
investment advisory services from, or to any persons who were clients of the
Company (as determined by receipt by Company of fees) at any time between the
date of the Merger and the Closing Date;
(ii) directly
or indirectly through another entity solicit, induce or conspire with or attempt
to solicit, induce, or conspire with any employee of the Company to leave the
employ of Company or any of its Affiliates, or to compete against the Company
or
any of its Affiliates, or in any way interfere with the relationship between
Company or any of its Affiliates and any employee thereof; or
(b) The
covenants in this Section 3.16
are
severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant in
this Section
3.16
is not
intended by any party hereto to, and shall not, affect the provisions of any
other covenant in this Section
3.16.
If any
court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the scope, time, or
territorial restrictions set forth in this Section
3.16
are
unreasonable as applied to Seller, the parties hereto acknowledge their mutual
intention and agreement that those restrictions be enforced to the fullest
extent the court deems reasonable, and thereby shall be reformed to that extent
as applied to Seller.
(c) Buyer
and
Seller hereby agree that this Section
3.16
is a
material and substantial part of this Agreement, and absent Seller agreeing
to
be bound by this Section
3.16,
Buyer
would not have consummated the Acquisition.
(d) The
parties hereto agree that money damages would not necessarily be an adequate
remedy for any breach of this Section
3.16.
Because
of the difficulty in measuring the economic losses that may be incurred by
Buyer
as a result of any breach by Seller of the covenants in this Section
3.16
and
because of the immediate and irreparable damage that could be caused to Buyer
for which it would have no other adequate remedy, Seller agrees that Buyer
may
enforce the provisions of this Section 3.16
by any
equitable or legal means, including seeking an appropriate injunction or
restraining order against Seller if a breach of any of those provisions occurs.
Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Section
3.16,
Buyer
or its successors or assigns may, in addition to other rights and remedies
existing in their favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for
specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief (temporary and/or
permanent), in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions
hereof.
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(e) In
the
event of any breach or threatened breach by Seller or any of its Affiliates
of
the terms of this Section 3.16,
Seller
shall reimburse Buyer for its reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and other
expenses it incurs in enforcing the provisions of this Section
3.16.
3.17 Accounts
Payable.
Accounts
payable shall be handled as set forth in Exhibit
B.
ARTICLE
IV.
FURTHER
REPRESENTATIONS
AND
WARRANTIESOF
SELLER
AND
STOCKHOLDER
Seller
and Stockholder jointly and severally represent and warrant to Buyer as set
forth in this Article
IV.
4.1 Organization;
Qualification.
Each of
Seller and Stockholder (referred to as the “Seller
Parties”
or a
“Seller
Party”
where
appropriate in the context) is a corporation and limited liability company,
respectively, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Each Seller Party has the corporate
or
limited liability company power and authority to operate, own and lease its
properties, perform its obligations and otherwise carry on its business as
now
conducted.
4.2 Authorization;
Enforceability.
This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Seller Party and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Party, enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms. Each Seller Party has duly and validly
authorized this Agreement and all of the Contemplated Transactions to be taken
by it.
4.3 No
Violation; Legal Approvals; Consents.
The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Seller Parties and the
consummation and compliance with the transactions, terms and conditions of
this
Agreement by them will not, directly or indirectly (with or without notice
or
the lapse of time or both): (i)
contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of their
Governing Documents or the resolutions adopted by their Boards or Directors
or
Managers; or (ii) violate,
or give any person the right to obtain any relief, or exercise any remedy under,
any Legal Requirement to which any of them are subject, or by which any of
their
assets may be bound or affected, or give any person the right to challenge
any
of the Contemplated Transactions. Except as set forth in Exhibit
C,
neither
Seller nor Stockholder is required to make, give or obtain any Legal Approvals
or Consents in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by Seller
or Stockholder of this Agreement or the consummation by Seller or Stockholder
of
the Contemplated Transactions.
4.4 Finders’
Fees; No Existing Discussions.
Neither
any Seller Party nor any of their respective officers, directors or employees
has employed any broker or finder or incurred any Liability for any brokerage
fee, commission or finders’ fee in connection with any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
4.5 Inter-company
Obligations.
As of
the Closing Date neither the Company nor Xxxxxxx will have any
inter-company or personal payment obligations to either Seller or Stockholder
for transactions or matters arising prior to the Closing Date, subject only
to
ordinary course accounting adjustments and entries, if any, to be completed
by Seller within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date.
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ARTICLE
V.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND
WARRANTIES
OF
BUYER
AND
XXXXXXX
Buyer
and
Xxxxxxx jointly and severally represent and warrant to Seller and Stockholder
as
follows:
5.1 Organization.
Buyer
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Buyer has the corporate power and
authority to own or lease its properties, carry on its business, enter into
this
Agreement and perform its obligations under this Agreement.
5.2 Authorization;
Enforceability.
This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and by Xxxxxxx, and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of Buyer and Xxxxxxx,
enforceable against them in accordance with its terms. All Contemplated
Transactions to which Buyer is or is to become a Party have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings by Buyer.
5.3 Title
to MCF Shares.
All of
the MCF Shares are owned of record, legally, beneficially and exclusively by
Xxxxxxx, subject to any conditions applicable to the MCF Escrow Shares. Xxxxxxx
holds the exclusive right and power to vote the MCF Shares. The MCF Shares
are
free and clear of any and all Encumbrances, specifically including, without
limitation, any claims of any former spouse of Xxxxxxx based on community
property law or any other legal theory. No legend or other reference to any
purported Encumbrance appears upon any certificate representing the MCF Shares
other than as required under the Merger Agreement or the Employment Agreement.
Upon delivery of the MCF Shares under this Agreement, Seller will acquire good
and valid legal and exclusive title to the MCF Shares, free and clear of any
Encumbrances.
5.4 No
Violation; Legal Approvals; Consents.
The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation and compliance
with the transactions, terms and conditions of this Agreement by Buyer and
Xxxxxxx will not, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or the lapse
of
time or both): (i)
contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of Buyer’s
Governing Documents or the resolutions adopted by its Board or Directors; or
(ii) violate,
or give any person the right to obtain any relief, or exercise any remedy under,
any Legal Requirement to which Buyer or Xxxxxxx is subject, or by which any
of
Buyer or Xxxxxxx’x assets may be bound or affected, or give any person the right
to challenge any of the Contemplated Transactions. Neither Buyer nor Xxxxxxx
is
required to make, give or obtain any Legal Approvals or Consents in connection
with the execution, delivery or performance by Buyer and Xxxxxxx of this
Agreement or the consummation by Buyer and Xxxxxxx of the Contemplated
Transactions. In the conduct of the portion of the day to day business
operations of the Company for which Xxxxxxx has been responsible, Xxxxxxx has
not violated or caused the Company to violate any applicable securities
laws.
5.5 Finders’
Fees.
Neither
Buyer nor any of its officers, directors or employees nor Xxxxxxx has employed
any broker or finder or incurred any Liability for any brokerage fee, commission
or finders’ fee in connection with any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
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5.6 Labor
Code 2802.
Xxxxxxx
is unaware of having any claims under California Labor Code Section
2802.
ARTICLE
VI.
TERMINATION,
AMENDMENT
AND
WAIVER
6.1 Termination.
Except
as provided in Section
6.7
below,
this Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing
Date:
(a) by
mutual
consent of the Seller and Buyer;
(b) by
Buyer
or the Seller if the Closing has not occurred by January 8, 2007 (provided,
a
later date may be agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto, and provided
further that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 6.2
shall
not be available to any party whose action or failure to act has been the cause
of or resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or before such date
and
such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of this Agreement);
(c) by
Buyer
if it is not in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement and
there has been a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
or
agreement contained in this Agreement on the part of the Seller or the
stockholder and such breach has not been cured within ten (10) calendar days
after written notice to the Seller (provided that, no cure period shall be
required for a breach which by its nature cannot be cured);
(d) by
the
Seller if neither it nor the Stockholder are in material breach of their
respective obligations under this Agreement and there has been a material breach
of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this
Agreement on the part of Buyer and such breach has not been cured within ten
(10) calendar days after written notice to Buyer (provided that, no cure period
shall be required for a breach which by its nature cannot be cured);
or
(e) by
Buyer,
Seller or Stockholder if an event having a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company shall have occurred after the date of this Agreement.
Where
action is taken to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
6.2,
it
shall be sufficient for such action to be authorized by the Board of Directors
(as applicable) of the party taking such action.
6.2 Effect
of Termination.
In the
event of termination of this Agreement as provided in Section
6.1,
this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and there shall be no liability or
obligation on the part of Buyer, Seller or Stockholder, or their respective
officers, directors or shareholders, provided that each party shall remain
liable for any breaches of this Agreement prior to its termination; and provided
further that, the provisions of Sections
2.6, 2.7,
6, 10, and
11
of
this
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and survive any termination
of
this Agreement.
6.3 Extension;
Waiver.
At any
time prior to the Closing Date, Buyer, on the one hand, and Seller or
Stockholder, on the other, may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend the
time for the performance of any of the obligations of the other party hereto,
(ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to such
party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, and (iii)
waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of
such party contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to
any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument
in
writing signed on behalf of such party.
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ARTICLE
VII.
INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Indemnification
by Seller and Stockholder.
Seller
and Stockholder jointly and severally shall indemnify, defend, save and hold
harmless Buyer and its officers, directors, employees, agents and Affiliates
(including, after the Closing, Company; each, a “Buyer
Indemnitee”)
from
and against, and shall reimburse Buyer Indemnitees for, all Damages
(collectively, “Buyer
Damages”)
directly or indirectly asserted against, imposed upon, resulting to, or incurred
or required to be paid by any Buyer Indemnitee from or in connection with:
(i)
the breach of any representation or warranty made by a Seller Party pursuant
to
this Agreement; (ii) a breach or non-performance, partial or total, of any
covenant or agreement made by a Seller or Stockholder pursuant to this
Agreement; (iii) any financial or tax consequences arising from the handling
of
the filing with state authorities of the merger documentation pertaining to
the
Merger; (iv) any acts or omissions of Xxxxxxx in connection with her
capacity as a member of Stockholder’s Board of Directors; (v) any and all Taxes
of the Company applicable to all or any part of the period commencing on the
date of the Merger and concluding on the Closing Date; (vi) performance of
the administrative aspects of the Human Resources function including compliance
with payroll and withholding requirements; (vii) any ERISA-related matters;
(viii) compliance with federal and state securities laws applicable to the
administration of Company’s business other than aspects of the Company’s
business for which Buyer and Xxxxxxx provide indemnification under Section
7.2;
or
(ix) any failure to keep the accounting or tax books and records of the
Company in accordance with proper practices of affiliates of public companies,
except to the extent with respect to any of the foregoing (A) they arise from
or
are related to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Xxxxxxx or (B)
Xxxxxxx had prior knowledge of and materially contributed to any such breach
or
failure.
7.2 Indemnification
by Buyer.
Buyer
shall indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless Seller, Stockholder, and their
officers, directors, employees, Affiliates and agents (each, a “Seller
Indemnitee”)
from
and against any and all Damages (collectively, “Seller
Damages”)
directly or indirectly asserted against, imposed upon, resulting to, or incurred
or required to be paid by any Seller Indemnitee from or in connection with,
(i) any
breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by Buyer or Xxxxxxx
in this Agreement; (ii) a
breach or nonperformance, partial or total, of any covenant or agreement made
by
Buyer or Xxxxxxx pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) any financial or
investment advice or other service given or provided to any customer of Company
or its predecessor corporation; (iv) any failure to comply with applicable
securities laws with respect to the provision of services to customers or to
properly book, record, account for, handle, or effect any transactions for
customers of Company or its predecessor, or, with respect to any such
transactions between the effective date of the Merger and the date of the
Closing, properly report those transactions to the Company’s compliance officer;
(v) the day to day operation of the business of Company as it relates to
marketing or advertising or to provision of customer services;
or
(vi) the operation of the Company’s predecessor corporation.
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7.3 Limitations
on Indemnification.
Neither
Party shall have the right to assert any claim for indemnification under this
Agreement more than two years after the Closing provided that any claim related
to any violation of the securities or tax laws by any Party hereto shall survive
until the expiration of any applicable statutes of limitation. No
indemnification shall be made under Sections
7.1
and
7.2
to the
extent that the Indemnitees’ Damages exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, in no event shall any Party
be
liable to any other Party for any incidental, special, punitive, consequential
or indirect damages, whether for indemnification or otherwise.
7.4 Notice
of Claims.
If any
Buyer Indemnitee or any Seller Indemnitee (an “Indemnified
Party”)
believes that it has suffered or incurred, or will suffer or incur, any Damage
for which it is entitled to indemnification under this Article VII,
the
Indemnified Party shall notify the Party or Parties from whom indemnification
is
being claimed (the “Indemnifying
Party”).
This
notice shall specify the factual basis of the claim in reasonable detail in
light of the circumstances then existing. If any Legal Proceeding is instituted
by or against a third Party with respect to which any Indemnified Party intends
to claim any Damages, such Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying
Party
of such action or suit.
7.5 Third-Party
Claims.
7.5.1 Notice.
Promptly after receipt by a person entitled to indemnity under Article
VI (an
“Indemnified
Person”)
of
notice of the assertion of a third-Party claim against it, such Indemnified
Person shall give notice to the person obligated to indemnify under the
applicable section thereof (an “Indemnifying
Person”)
of the
assertion of such third-Party claim. If Indemnified Person fails to notify
the
Indemnifying Person of the claim, it will not relieve the Indemnifying Person
of
any liability that it may have to any Indemnified Person, except to the extent
that the Indemnifying Person demonstrates that the defense of such third-Party
claim is prejudiced by the Indemnified Person’s failure to give such
notice.
7.5.2 Assumption
of Defense.
If an
Indemnified Person gives notice to the Indemnifying Person pursuant to
Section
7.5.1 of
the
assertion of a third-Party claim, the Indemnifying Person shall be entitled
to
participate in the defense of such third-Party claim and, to the extent that
it
wishes (unless (i) the Indemnifying Person is also a person against whom the
third-Party claim is made and the Indemnified Person determines in good faith
that joint representation would be inappropriate or (ii) the Indemnifying Person
fails to provide reasonable assurance to the Indemnified Person of its financial
capacity to defend such third-Party claim and provide indemnification with
respect to such third-Party claim), to assume the defense of such third-Party
claim with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Person. After notice from
the
Indemnifying Person to the Indemnified Person of its election to assume the
defense of such third-Party claim, the Indemnifying Person shall not, so long
as
it diligently conducts such defense, be liable to the Indemnified Person under
this Article
VII for
any
fees of other counsel or any other expenses with respect to the defense of
such
third-Party claim, in each case subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Person
in connection with the defense of such third-Party claim, other than reasonable
costs of investigation. If the Indemnifying Person assumes the defense of a
third-Party claim, no compromise or settlement of such third-Party claims may
be
effected by the Indemnifying Person without the Indemnified Person’s consent,
unless (x) there is no finding or admission of any violation of Legal
Requirement or any violation of the rights of any person; (y) the sole relief
provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the Indemnifying Person;
and (z) the Indemnified Person shall have no liability with respect to any
compromise or settlement of such third-Party claims effected without its
consent. If notice is given to an Indemnifying Person of the assertion of any
third-Party claim and the Indemnifying Person does not, within ten (10) days
after the Indemnified Person’s notice is given, give notice to the Indemnified
Person of its election to assume the defense of such third-Party claim, the
Indemnifying Person will be bound by any determination made in such third-Party
claim or any compromise or settlement effected by the Indemnified
Person.
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7.5.3 Exceptions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Indemnified Person determines in good
faith
that there is a reasonable probability that a third-Party claim may adversely
affect it or its Related Parties (including claims for environmental liability
that could adversely affect the operations of the Business and claims that
could
adversely affect the customer base of the Business), the Indemnified Person
may,
by notice to the Indemnifying Person, assume the exclusive right to defend,
compromise or settle such third-Party claim, but the Indemnifying Person will
not be bound by any determination of any third-Party claim so defended for
the
purposes of this Agreement or any compromise or settlement effected without
its
Consent (which may not be unreasonably withheld).
7.5.4 Cooperation.
With
respect to any third-Party claim subject to indemnification under this
Article
VII,
(i)
both the Indemnified Person and the Indemnifying Person, as the case may be,
shall keep the other person fully informed of the status of such third-Party
claim and any related proceedings at all stages thereof where such person is
not
represented by its own counsel, and (ii) the Parties agree (each at its own
expense) to render to each other such assistance as they may reasonably require
of each other and to cooperate in good faith with each other in order to ensure
the proper and adequate defense of any third-Party claim.
7.5.5 Confidential
Information; Privilege.
With
respect to any third-Party claim subject to indemnification under this
Article
VII,
the
Parties agree to cooperate in such a manner as to preserve in full (to the
extent possible) the confidentiality of all Confidential Information and the
attorney-client and work-product privileges. In connection therewith, each
Party
agrees that: (i) it will use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts, in respect
of
any third-Party claim in which it has assumed or participated in the defense,
to
avoid production of Confidential Information (consistent with applicable law
and
rules of procedure), and (ii) all communications between any Party hereto and
counsel responsible for or participating in the defense of any third-Party
claim
shall, to the extent possible, be made so as to preserve any applicable
attorney-client or work-product privilege.
7.6 Cumulative
Rights and Remedies.
The
rights to indemnification of the Parties under this Article
VII
shall be
the exclusive remedy that the Parties may have in law or equity.
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ARTICLE
VIII.
SETTLEMENT
AND
RELEASE
OF
CLAIMS
8.1 Potential
Claims.
Xxxxxxx
has asserted various potential claims against Seller and Stockholder. Expressly
denying any wrongdoing, fault or liability of any kind, and in order to avoid
the substantial expense and inconvenience of litigation, and except as
explicitly set forth in this Agreement, the Parties now hereby settle, except
for the indemnity provisions and other obligations or covenants set forth in
this Agreement, all claims arising in any way from (i) Xxxxxxx’x employment
by Company, (ii) Xxxxxxx’x service on the board of directors of Stockholder
and of Company, (iii) Seller’s acquisition of Company through the Merger,
(iv) Stockholder’s ownership of the Company, and/or (v) any
transactions between them to date, on the terms set forth in this Article
8.
8.2 Adequacy
of Payment.
8.2.1 Except
for the indemnity provisions and other obligations or covenants set forth in
this Agreement,
Xxxxxxx
and Buyer agree that the consideration set forth in this Agreement payable
to
Buyer constitutes all that is due Xxxxxxx or Buyer from Seller or Stockholder
or
any of their Affiliates other than Company, including but not limited to any
tort damages, any other claimed damages, and any claimed lost income, wages,
costs, penalties and/or attorneys’ fees in connection with the claims
encompassed and released by this Agreement. Xxxxxxx and Buyer agree that they
shall not seek any further compensation or consideration from Seller or
Stockholder or from any of their Affiliates, other than Company, or from any
or
their employees, officers or directors or other related or affiliated person
and/or entity for anything arising out of Xxxxxxx’x association with Seller,
Stockholder, or Company for any and all claims released herein.
8.2.2 Except
for the indemnity provisions and other obligations or covenants set forth in
this Agreement,
Seller
and Stockholder agree that the consideration set forth in this Agreement payable
to either of them constitutes all that is due them from Xxxxxxx or Buyer,
including but not limited to any tort damages, any other claimed damages, and
any claimed costs, penalties and/or attorneys’ fees in connection with the
claims encompassed and released by this Agreement. Seller and Stockholder agree
that neither they nor any of their Affiliates shall seek any further
compensation or consideration from Buyer or Xxxxxxx or from any of their
Affiliates or from any of their employees, officers or directors or other
related or affiliated person and/or entity for anything arising out of their
association with Xxxxxxx and Company for any and all claims released
herein.
8.3 Release
of All Claims.
8.3.1 Release
by Xxxxxxx.
Except
for the indemnity provisions and other obligations or covenants set forth in
this Agreement, effective as of the Closing, Buyer and Xxxxxxx unconditionally,
irrevocably and absolutely release and discharge Seller, Stockholder, or any
of
their Affiliates, as well as any present or former employees, officers, agents,
attorneys, successors and assigns of Seller, Stockholder, or any of their
Affiliates, from all claims related in any way to the transactions or
occurrences between them to date, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
provided, however, that nothing in this release shall affect, limit or waive
Xxxxxxx’x rights under California Labor Law Code Section 2802. This release is
intended to be interpreted broadly to apply to all transactions and occurrences
between Xxxxxxx and any of Seller, Stockholder, or Company and their assigns,
successors, employees (former or present), including but not limited to any
and
all claims related to Xxxxxxx’x employment and employment conditions with
Company or her service as an officer, director, or in any other capacity of
or
with Seller, Stockholder, Company, or any of their Affiliates, and all other
losses, liabilities, claims, charges, demands and causes of action, known or
unknown, suspected or unsuspected, arising directly or indirectly out of or
in
any way connected with the Action and/or these transactions or occurrences
(collectively referred to as “Xxxxxxx
Released Claims”).
Xxxxxxx Released Claims include, without limitation, any claim based in tort,
contract, common law, the state or federal Constitution, state or federal
statutes (including, without limitation, the California Fair Employment and
Housing Act, the California Civil Code, the California Government Code, the
ADEA
and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964), and all claims for attorneys’
fees, costs and expenses, as well as all workers’ compensation claims,
grievances, claims and/or appeals under local, state or federal administrative
procedures.
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8.3.2 Release
by Seller and Stockholder (“Seller Parties”).
Except
for the indemnity provisions and other obligations or covenants explicitly
set
forth in this Agreement, effective as of the Closing, Seller, Stockholder for
themselves and on behalf of their Affiliates except for Company unconditionally,
irrevocably and absolutely release and discharge Xxxxxxx and Buyer, and Company,
or any of their Affiliates, as well as any present or former employees,
officers, agents, attorneys, successors and assigns, from all claims related
in
any way to the transactions or occurrences between them to date, to the fullest
extent permitted by law. This release is intended to be interpreted broadly
to
apply to all transactions and occurrences between Seller Parties and Xxxxxxx
and
their assigns, successors, employees (former or present), including but not
limited to any and all claims related to Xxxxxxx’x employment with Company or
service as officer, director, or in any other capacity of or with any of Seller,
Stockholder, or Company, and all other losses, liabilities, claims, charges,
demands and causes of action, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected,
arising directly or indirectly out of or in any way connected with the Action
and/or these transactions or occurrences (collectively referred to as
“Seller
Released Claims”
and,
where in context appropriate, together with the Xxxxxxx Released Claims, the
“Released
Claims”).
Released Claims include, without limitation, any claim based in tort, contract,
common law, the state or federal Constitution, state or federal statutes, and
all claims for attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, as well as all workers’
compensation claims, grievances, claims and/or appeals under local, state or
federal administrative procedures.
8.4 Unknown
or Different Facts or Law.
The
Parties acknowledge that they may discover facts or law different from, or
in
addition to, the facts or law they know or believe to exist with respect to
the
Released Claims. They agree, nonetheless, that this Agreement and the releases
contained in it shall be and remain effective in all respects notwithstanding
such different or additional facts or law.
8.5 California
Civil Code Section 1542 Waiver.
The
Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that the releases contained in this
Agreement include a waiver of all rights under Section 1542 of the California
Civil Code. This statute reads as follows:
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A
GENERAL
RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT
TO
EXIST IN HIS/HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN
BY
HIM/HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS/HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE
DEBTOR.
The
Parties acknowledge that they have read all of this Agreement, including the
above Civil Code section, and that they fully understand both the Agreement
and
the Civil Code section. The Parties waive any benefits and rights granted to
them pursuant to Civil Code section 1542 and specifically confirm that fact
by
their signatures of this Agreement.
8.6 No
Prior Assignments or Liens.
The
Parties represent and warrant that they have not assigned to any other person
or
entity any Released Claims. The Parties further represent and warrant there
are
no liens or claims against any of the amounts or consideration being paid or
transferred by one to the other. They each agree to defend, indemnify, and
hold
the others harmless from any and all liens or claims against any of the amounts
being transferred and from any liability, losses, claims, damages, costs or
expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of a breach of the
representations and warranties contained in this paragraph.
8.7 Tax
Matters. Xxxxxxx
shall be solely responsible for the employee-related reporting and payment
of
any state, local and/or federal income tax, if any, on any of the amounts paid
to her in connection with the Released Claims. Neither Seller nor Stockholder
make any representations as to the taxability of the settlement sum or any
portion thereof.
8.8 No
Admissions.
By
entering into this Agreement, the Parties understand and agree that the released
Parties do not admit that they have engaged in, or are now engaging in, any
unlawful conduct or employment or other practice. It is understood and agreed
that this Agreement is not an admission of liability.
8.9 Promise
Not to Prosecute.
The
Parties agree
that
they shall not, at any time hereafter, commence, maintain or prosecute any
action, suit, proceeding, investigation, complaint, claim, grievance or charge
with any court, administrative agency, arbitrator or any other body or person,
whether Federal, State, contractual or otherwise, or participate, aid or assist
others in prosecuting any such action, suit, proceeding, investigation,
complaint, claim, grievance or charge on their behalf, except as compelled
by
legal process, against the Parties, their parents, predecessors, successors,
subsidiaries, affiliates, and assigns, based in whole or in part upon, or
arising out of or in an way connected with any of the Released Claims. The
Parties further agree
to
indemnify and hold each other harmless from and against any and all claims,
demands, causes of action, damages or liability of any kind, including the
cost
of defense and reasonable attorneys’ fees arising out of or in connection with,
any action, suit, proceeding, investigation, complaint, claim, grievance or
charge commenced, maintained, or prosecuted by such Party contrary to the terms
of this Agreement.
8.10 Attorneys’
Fees and Costs. The
Parties agree to bear their own attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the Actions, or any Released Claim, except as otherwise set
forth herein.
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8.11 Knowledge,
Capacity And Authority.
The
Parties represent and warrant that they had the opportunity to have counsel
explain the contents of this Agreement to them. The Parties represent that
they
understand the contents of this Agreement and that they executed
it knowingly and voluntarily and understand that after executing it they cannot
proceed against each other on the claims released herein. Each Party to this
Agreement represents and warrants that s/he/it has the authority and capacity
to
execute this Agreement.
8.12 Advice
of Counsel.
The
Parties declare and represent that they are executing this Agreement with full
advice from their chosen legal counsel, and that they intend that this Agreement
shall be complete and shall not be subject to any claim of mistake, and that
the
releases herein express a full and complete release and, regardless of the
adequacy or inadequacy of the consideration, each intends the releases herein
to
be final and complete. Each Party executes this release with the full knowledge
that this release covers all possible claims to the fullest extent permitted
by
law.
ARTICLE
IX.
POST-CLOSING
COVENANTS
9.1 Taxes
and Tax Filings.
The
following provisions shall govern the allocation of responsibility as between
the Buyer and Seller and the Stockholder for certain Tax matters before and
following the Closing Date:
(a) Tax
Periods Ending on or Before the Closing Date.
The
Seller and the Stockholder are and shall be responsible for all Taxes payable
for all taxable periods of the Company ending on or prior to the Closing Date.
The Seller shall not be entitled to settle, either administratively or after
the
commencement of litigation, any claim for Taxes which would adversely affect
the
liability for Taxes of the Buyer or the Company for any period after the Closing
Date to any extent (including, but not limited to, the imposition of income
tax
deficiencies, the reduction of asset basis or cost adjustments, the lengthening
of any amortization or depreciation periods, the denial of amortization or
depreciation deductions) without the prior consent of Buyer or Xxxxxxx, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(b) Cooperation
on Tax Matters.
(i) Buyer,
Seller, the Company and the Stockholder shall cooperate fully, as and to the
extent reasonably requested by one another, in connection with the filing of
Tax
Returns pursuant to this Section and any audit, litigation or other proceeding
with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon
the other party's request) the provision of records and information which are
reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation or other proceeding. The
Company, Buyer, Seller and the Stockholder agree (A) to retain all books and
records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Company relating to any
taxable period beginning before the Closing Date until the expiration of the
statute of limitations (and, to the extent notified by Buyer, any extensions
thereof) of the respective taxable periods, and to abide by all record retention
agreements entered into with any taxing authority, and (B) to give the other
party reasonable written notice prior to transferring, destroying or discarding
any such books and records and, if the other party so requests, the Company,
Seller and the Stockholder, as the case may be, shall allow the other party
to
take possession of such books and records.
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(ii) Buyer,
Seller and the Stockholder further agree, upon request, to use their best
efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any governmental
authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or
eliminate any Tax that could be imposed (including, but not limited to, with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby).
(d) Audits.
(i) Buyer
shall notify Seller and Stockholder promptly of any examinations, audits,
litigation or other proceedings respecting the Company with respect to any
taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date. Buyer shall have the
right to control the conduct of any such examination, audit, litigation or
other
proceeding. Seller and/or the Stockholder at their own cost and expense, shall
have the right to participate in such audit proceedings including the right
to
have their representative be present at the audit. To the extent that, as a
result of such audit, there is an assessment of any Tax, interest or penalties
thereon which, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the liability for which
will be borne by the Seller and/or the Stockholder, then neither the Company
nor
the Buyer may enter into any settlement agreement incident to such assessment
without the written approval of the Seller and/or the Stockholder, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event that the Seller and/or
the Stockholder, in good faith, desire to dispute the assessment, then the
Seller and/or the Stockholder, at their own cost and expense, shall have the
right to seek all reasonably available appeal rights incident to such
Assessment.
(ii) Buyer
shall have the sole right to represent the Company in any Tax audit,
administrative or court proceeding for all taxable periods ending after the
Closing Date, and to employ counsel of choice at its own expense, provided
that
it shall fully inform Stockholder and Seller of any potential impact on their
tax liability with respect to any period prior to the Closing and provide them
with the opportunity to participate, at their own expense, in the proceeding
with respect thereto.
(iii) Buyer,
Seller and the Stockholder shall provide timely notice to the other party in
writing of any pending or threatened tax audit with respect to the Company
for a
taxable period for which the other party may have a liability under this
Section. Buyer, Seller and Stockholder shall furnish each other with copies
of
all correspondence received from any Taxing Governmental Authority in connection
with any tax audit or information request with respect to such a taxable
period
9.2 Disclosure
of Information.
Seller
and Stockholder recognize and acknowledge that each is possessed of certain
Confidential Information related to the Business. Further, Seller recognizes
and
acknowledges that such information is valuable, special and essential to the
successful and effective conduct of the Business by Buyer after Closing.
Therefore, Seller and Stockholder shall not at any time use for Seller or
Stockholder’s benefit, or disclose, communicate or divulge to or use for the
direct or indirect benefit of any person or entity, any Confidential
Information
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ARTICLE
X.
DEFINITIONS;
CONSTRUCTION
10.1 Definitions.
The
following terms have the meanings specified below or are defined in the sections
referred to below.
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any person, any other person that, directly or indirectly,
through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with such person. “Control” for this purpose means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of more than twenty-five percent of the
voting power of a person.
“Agreement”
means
this Stock Purchase Agreement, as it may be amended from time to
time.
“Bank
Accounts”
means
the bank accounts set forth on Exhibit
E,
which
constitute all of the Company’s bank accounts.
“Best
Efforts/Commercially Reasonable Efforts”
The
efforts that a prudent person desirous of achieving a result would use in
similar circumstances to achieve that result as expeditiously as
possible.
“Business”
means
the financial and investment advisory services business of the
Company.
“Business
Day” means
any
day other than (i) Saturday or Sunday or (ii) any other day on which banks
in
San Francisco are permitted or required to be closed.
“Buyer”
means
Xxxxxxx Acquisition Corp., a California corporation.
“Buyer
Damages”
is
defined in Section 7.1.
“Buyer
Indemnitee”
is
defined in Section 7.1.
“Closing
Date”
means
January 2, 2007.
“Company”
means
Catalyst Financial Planning and Investment Management Corporation, a Delaware
corporation,
“Confidential
Information” means
of
the following disclosed or exchanged in connection with the Contemplated
Transactions and all of the following owned or possessed by Company: (i) all
information that is a trade secret under applicable trade secret or other law;
(ii) all information concerning product specifications, data, know-how,
formulae, compositions, processes, designs, sketches, photographs, graphs,
drawings, samples, inventions and ideas, past, current and planned research
and
development, current and planned manufacturing or distribution methods and
processes, customer lists, current and anticipated customer requirements, price
lists, market studies, business plans, computer hardware, Software and computer
software and database technologies, systems, structures and architectures;
(iii)
all information concerning the business and affairs of the disclosing Party
(which includes historical and current financial statements, financial
projections and budgets, tax returns and accountants’ materials, historical,
current and projected sales, capital spending budgets and plans, business plans,
strategic plans, marketing and advertising plans, publications, client and
customer lists and files, contracts, the names and backgrounds of key personnel
and personnel training techniques and materials, however documented), and all
information obtained from review of the disclosing Party’s documents or property
or discussions with the disclosing Party regardless of the form of the
communication; (iv) all proprietary information of Company; and (v) all notes,
analyses, compilations, studies, summaries and other material prepared by the
receiving Party to the extent containing or based, in whole or in part, upon
any
information included in the foregoing. “Confidential
Information”
shall
not include any information that is already known to a Party or to others not
bound by a duty of confidentiality or information that is publicly available
through no fault of such Party.
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“Consent”
means
any registration, filing, declaration, application, rights of first refusal
or
notice to or with any person and any consent, approval, permit, qualification,
waiver, waiting period, authorization, or action of or by any person other
than
a Governmental Body. “Consent”
shall
include any consent, approval, waiver, authorization or other action required
under any Contract or to prevent any assets or Liabilities of Seller, Company
from being in default, terminating, accelerating, revoking, suspending,
canceling, losing or diminishing in value, changing in any respect or creating
any Liability or giving any person any rights or remedies as a result of the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
“Contemplated
Transactions”
means
the sale and purchase of the Shares and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
“Contract”
means
any agreement, contract, lease (relating to real or personal property), license,
indenture, mortgage, instrument, commitment, purchase or sale orders, consensual
obligation, promise or obligation or other arrangement or understanding, oral
or
written, formal or informal, express or implied, whether or not legally binding,
to which Seller is a Party or by which it or its assets may be
affected.
“Damage”
means
any loss, demand, claim, allegation, assertion, action or cause of action,
assessment, damage (including incidental and consequential damages), deficiency,
Liability, cost, expense, diminution of value, fine, penalty, judgment, award
or
settlement, whether or not involving a third-Party claim, including reasonable
legal fees, interest, and any reasonable amount paid in investigation, defense
or settlement of any of the foregoing.
“Encumbrance”
means
any debt, mortgage, deed of trust, lien, community or marital property interest,
equitable interest, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, option, right of
first option or refusal, agreement of sale, adverse claim, easement, lien,
lease, assessment, restrictive covenant, Liability, encroachment, right-of-way,
servitude, restriction on use or any other burden, charge or restriction of
any
kind or nature whatsoever, legal or equitable, or any item similar or related
to
the foregoing.
“Governing
Documents”
means,
with respect to any person who is not a natural person, the certificate or
articles of incorporation, bylaws, deed of trust, formation or governing
agreement and other charter, organic, organization or governing documents or
instruments of such person relating to the creation, formation, organization,
management or operation of such person or relating to the rights, duties and
obligations of the equity holders of such person.
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“Governmental
Authorization”
means
any permit, certificate, license, consent, waiver, franchise, privilege,
approval, exception, variance, exemption, registration, filing or authorization
required, or otherwise made available by or under the authority of, any
applicable Legal Requirements or otherwise advisable in connection with the
formation and operation of the Alliance and the Alliance Entities.
“Governmental
Body”
means
any nation, state, county, city, town, borough, village, district or other
jurisdiction, court, tribunal, government, quasi-governmental authority of
any
nature, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other
regulatory, administrative or governmental authority or instrumentality
(foreign, federal, state, local or other political subdivision) or any body
similar or related to the foregoing.
“Indemnified
Party”
is
defined in Section 7.5.
“Indemnifying
Party”
is
defined in Section
7.5.
“IRS”
means
the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and, to the extent applicable, the United
States Department of the Treasury.
“Legal
Approval”
means
any registration, filing, declaration, application, rights of first refusal
or
notice to or with any person and any consent, approval, permit, qualification,
waiver, waiting period, authorization, Order or action of or by any Governmental
Body. “Legal
Approval”
shall
include any consent, approval, waiver, authorization or other action required
under any Contract or Governmental Authorization (including those required
under
the HSR Act) or to prevent any assets or Liabilities of Seller, Company, or
Buyer from being in default, terminating, accelerating, revoking, suspending,
canceling, losing or diminishing in value, changing in any respect or creating
any Liability or giving any person any rights or remedies as a result of the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
“Legal
Proceeding” means
any
action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation, suit (whether
civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or informal, public or private)
or Order commenced, brought, conducted, or heard by or before, or otherwise
involving, any Governmental Body or arbitrator.
“Legal
Requirement”
means
any applicable international, multinational, national, foreign, federal, state,
municipal, local (or other political subdivision) or
administrative law, constitution, statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation,
requirement, standard, policy, guidance, treaty, judgment or Order of any kind
or nature whatsoever including any public policy, judgment or principle of
common law.
“Liability”
with
respect to any person or any property of such person, means any and all debt,
liability or obligation of such person of any nature, kind, character or
description whatsoever, whether or not due or to become due, known or unknown,
accrued, unaccrued, fixed, absolute, matured, liquidated, asserted, conditional,
secondary, potential, determined, determinable or contingent, executory,
liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, joint or several, vested
or
unvested and whether or not incurred directly by such person or by any
Predecessor of such person, whether or not required to be accrued on the
financial statements of such person and whether or not arising out of any act,
omission, transaction, circumstance, sale of goods or service, setoff,
recoupment, counterclaim or otherwise.
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“Xxxxxxx”
means
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx.
“Xxxxxxx
Trust”
is
defined in Recital
A.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
means an
event or condition that currently or in the future is likely to (i) materially
adversely affect the financial or other condition, results of operations, assets
(considered in the aggregate), liabilities, equity, business or prospects of
the
Company, (ii) materially impede the ongoing operations of the Company, (iii)
significantly adversely affect a material asset of the Company, or (iv)
materially adversely affect the value of, or rights accompanying, the Shares,
except, in each case, for any changes resulting from general economic, financial
or market conditions or from conditions generally affecting the investment
advisory industry.
“Merger”
is
defined in Recital
A.
“Options”
is
defined in Recital
C.
“Order”
means
any order, award, decision, injunction, judgment, ruling, writ, assessment,
decree, determination, subpoena, stipulation or verdict entered, issued, made,
or rendered by any court, administrative agency, or other Governmental Body
or
by any arbitrator.
“Party”
or “Parties”
mean a
Party or the Parties to this Agreement.
“Permitted
Disclosures”
is
defined in Section
2.4.
“Permitted
Encumbrance”
means
any encumbrance for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that
are not yet delinquent and in the case of the Real Property, non-monetary
charges and encumbrances of record that do not (either individually or in the
aggregate) interfere with or detract from the use, marketability or value of
the
Real Property.
“Person”
means
and includes a natural person, a corporation, an association, a partnership,
a
limited liability company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated
organization, a business, and a Governmental Body or any other legal
entity.
“Predecessor”
means
any person that may be a predecessor entity or entities to Company by any legal
means, including, without limitation, (i) pursuant to any Legal Requirement,
whether by statutory merger, de facto merger, consolidation, combination,
division, dissolution, reorganization or otherwise or (ii) based on any theory
or doctrine of successor liability, whether by statute or at common
law.
“Purchase
Price”
is
defined in Section 1.2.
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“Related
Party”
means
(i) Seller, Stockholder, Company, or Buyer, as the case may be,
(ii) any Affiliate of any of them, (iii) any officer, director,
partner, executor or trustee (or similar capacity) of any person identified
in
clauses (i) or (ii) preceding, (iv) any spouse, sibling, ancestor,
lineal descendant of or person who resides with any natural person identified
in
any one of the preceding clauses and any Affiliate of any such person, and
(v)
any person with respect to whom any natural person identified in any one of
the
preceding clauses is an officer, director, partner, executor or trustee (or
similar capacity) and any Affiliate of any such person.
“Returns”
means
all required federal, state, local and foreign tax returns, estimates,
information statements and reports.
“Seller”
means
MCF Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
“Seller
Damages”
is
defined in Section 7.2.
“Seller
Indemnitees”
is
defined in Section 7.2.
“Shares”
is
defined in Recital
B.
“Software”
means
all computer software programs and applications and subsequent versions thereof,
including source code, object, executable or binary code, objects, comments,
screens, user interfaces, report formats, templates, menus, buttons and icons
and all files, data, materials, manuals, design notes and other items and
documentation related thereto or associated therewith.
“Stockholder”
means
MCF Wealth Management LLC.
“Subsidiary”
means
any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other
person in which Seller owns, directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the
outstanding voting securities or equity interests or in which Seller, directly
or indirectly, has the power to direct the business and policies of that person
(including upon the happening of a contingency that has not yet occurred).
For
this purpose, “indirectly” includes ownership, control or direction through
multi-tiered ownership structure (including foreign ownership and venture
arrangements), through special purpose entities, by contract or
otherwise.
“Tax”
means
any
income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium, property, environmental, windfall profit, customs, vehicle,
airplane, boat, vessel or other title or registration, capital stock, franchise,
employees’ income withholding, foreign or domestic withholding, social security,
unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use,
transfer, value added, alternative, add-on minimum and other tax, fee,
assessment, levy, tariff, charge or duty of any kind whatsoever and any
interest, penalty, addition or additional amount thereon imposed, assessed
or
collected by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or payable under
any tax-sharing agreement or any other Contract, except those amounts resulting
from any conversion under Section
3.16
hereof.
“Tax
Return” means
any
return (including any information return), report, statement, schedule, notice,
form, declaration, claim for refund or other document or information filed
with
or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental
Body in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment
of
any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement
of or compliance with any Legal Requirement relating to any Tax.
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“Transition
Plan” is
defined in Section
2.5.
“USGAAP”
means
United States generally accepted accounting principles.
10.2 Construction.
As used
in this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention applies:
(i) references to “Article”
or
“Section”
are
to
an article or section of this Agreement, and references to “hereunder,”
“hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import are references to this Agreement
as a whole and not to any particular Article, section or other provision hereof;
(ii) references to the singular number includes the plural number, and vice
versa, and reference to any gender includes each other gender; (iii) all
“Exhibits”
referred to in this Agreement are to Exhibits attached to this Agreement and
are
incorporated into this Agreement by reference and made a part of this Agreement;
(iv) “include”, “includes” and “including” are deemed to be followed by “without
limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by such words or words of
like import; (v) with respect to the determination of any period of time, “from”
means “from and including” and “to” means “to but excluding”; (vi) the headings
of the various articles, sections and other subdivisions of this Agreement
are
for convenience of reference only and shall not modify, define or limit any
of
the terms or provisions of this Agreement; (vii) “knowledge” of a person means
the actual knowledge of such person and the knowledge that a prudent individual
could be expected to discover or otherwise become aware of in the course of
conducting a reasonably comprehensive investigation concerning the existence
of
the matters addressed; (viii) reference to any agreement, document or instrument
means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in
effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and shall include
all addenda, exhibits and schedules thereto; (ix) reference to any Legal
Requirement means such Legal Requirement as amended, modified, codified,
replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time,
including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference to any
section or other provision of any Legal Requirement means that provision of
such
Legal Requirement from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive
amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of such
section or other provision, and (x) a “breach” of a representation, warranty,
covenant or obligation of this Agreement or any instrument delivered in
connection with this Agreement will include (A) a breach or inaccuracy of such
representation or warranty, or a breach of, or noncompliance with, such covenant
or obligation, or (B) any claim by any person or other occurrence or
circumstance that is or was inconsistent with such representation, warranty,
covenant or obligation, and the term “breach” means any such breach, inaccuracy,
noncompliance, claim, occurrence or circumstance.
ARTICLE
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Costs
and Expenses.
Except
as may be explicitly otherwise set forth in this Agreement, each of Buyer and
Seller shall pay its respective expenses, brokers’ fees and
commissions.
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11.2 Further
Assurances.
The
Parties shall cooperate and take such reasonable actions and steps as necessary
and appropriate to carry out the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
11.3 Notices.
All
notices given or made in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing.
Delivery of written notices shall be effective: (i) on the second Business
Day after the date of mailing, if delivered by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, (ii) upon delivery, if sent by hand delivery,
(iii) upon delivery, if sent by prepaid courier, with a record of receipt,
or (iv) on the next day after the date of dispatch, if sent by facsimile.
All deliveries shall be made to the following addresses:
(i)
|
if
to Seller or Stockholder, to:
|
|
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, General Counsel
|
||
Xxxxxxxx
Curhan Ford & Co.
|
||
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
|
||
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
|
||
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
|
||
with
a required copy to:
|
||
Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxx
& Xxxx LLP
|
||
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
|
||
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
|
||
Fax: (000)
000-0000
|
||
(ii)
|
if
to Buyer or to Company, to:
|
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
||
000
Xxx Xxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
|
||
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
|
||
with
a required copy to:
|
||
Xxx
Xxxxx, Esq.
|
||
MBV
Law LLP
|
||
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
||
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
|
||
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
|
Any
Party
may change the address to which notice (or copies) to it shall be addressed
by
giving notice of that change to the other Parties in accordance with this
section.
11.4 Currency.
All
currency references in this Agreement are to United States dollars.
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11.5 Jurisdiction;
Service of Process.
Any
action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any right
arising out of, this Agreement, or any Contemplated Transaction may be brought
against any Party in the courts of the State of California, County of San
Francisco, or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California. Each Party consents
to
the jurisdiction of these courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts)
in
any such action or proceeding and waives any objection to convenience of forum
or venue laid in such courts. Process in any action or proceeding referred
to in
the preceding sentence may be served on any Party anywhere in the world. Each
Party agrees that all claims in respect of any proceeding arising out of this
Agreement, or any Contemplated Transaction shall be heard and determined only
in
any such court and agrees not to bring any such proceeding in any other court.
The Parties agree that either or both of them may file a copy of this paragraph
with any court as written evidence of the knowing, voluntary and bargained
agreement between the Parties irrevocably to waive any objections to venue
or to
convenience of forum. Process in any such proceeding referred to in the first
sentence of this section may be served on any Party anywhere in the
world.
11.6 Enforcement.
The
Parties acknowledge and agree that that they would be irreparably damaged if
any
of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their
specific terms and that any breach of this Agreement by any of the Parties
could
not be adequately compensated in all cases by monetary damages alone.
Accordingly, in addition to any other right or remedy to which the Parties
may
be entitled, at law or in equity, each party shall be entitled to enforce any
provision of this Agreement by a decree of specific performance and to
temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent breaches
or
threatened breaches of any of the provisions of this Agreement, without posting
any bond or other undertaking.
11.7 Assignment.
This
Agreement and all the rights and powers granted by this Agreement shall bind
and
inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and
permitted assigns. This Agreement and the rights, interests and obligations
under this Agreement may not be assigned by any Party without the prior written
consent of the other Parties.
11.8 Consideration;
Recitals; Governing Law.
The
Parties acknowledge the mutual receipt and sufficiency of valuable consideration
for the formation of the legally binding contract represented by this Agreement.
That consideration includes all of the representations, warranties, covenants
and obligations contained in this Agreement. The recitals set forth on page
one
of this Agreement are incorporated into this Agreement and made a part of this
Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with
the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflict of laws
doctrines.
11.9 Time
is of the Essence.
With
regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement,
time is of the essence.
11.10 Amendment
and Waiver; Cumulative Effect.
To be
effective, any amendment or waiver under this Agreement must be in writing
and
signed by the Party against whom enforcement of the same is sought. Neither
the
failure of any Party to exercise any right, power or remedy provided under
this
Agreement or to insist upon compliance by any other Party with its obligations
under this Agreement, nor any custom or practice of the Parties at variance
with
the terms of this Agreement, shall constitute a waiver by such Party of its
right to exercise any such right, power or remedy or to demand such compliance.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (i) no claim or right arising
out of this Agreement or any of the documents referred to in this Agreement
can
be discharged by one Party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation
of
the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other Party; (ii) no waiver
that may be given by a Party will be applicable except in the specific instance
for which it is given; and (iii) no notice to or demand on one Party will be
deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of that Party or of the right of the
Party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or
demand as provided in this Agreement or the documents referred to in this
Agreement. The rights and remedies of the Parties are cumulative and not
exclusive of the rights and remedies that they otherwise might have now or
hereafter at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
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11.11 Entire
Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
This
Agreement and the Exhibits set forth a complete and exclusive statement of
all
of the promises, covenants, agreements, conditions and undertakings between
the
Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement
supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings,
negotiations, inducements or conditions, express or implied, oral or written,
among the Parties. Except for the provisions of Section 6
relating
to Buyer Indemnitees and Seller Indemnitees, this Agreement is not intended
to
confer upon any person other than the Parties any rights or remedies under
this
Agreement.
11.12 Severability.
If any
term or other provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced under any
applicable Legal Requirement in any particular respect or under any particular
circumstances, then, so long as the economic or legal substance of the
Contemplated Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse
to
any Party, (i) such term or provision shall nevertheless remain in full force
and effect in all other respects and under all other circumstances, and (ii)
all
other terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision
is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate
in
good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of
the
Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner so that the Contemplated
Transactions are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.
11.13 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in more than one counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed to be an original but all of which together shall be deemed to be one
and
the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature
pages by facsimile transmission or by .pdf shall constitute effective execution
and delivery of this Agreement as to the Parties and may be used in lieu of
the
original Agreement for all purposes. Signatures of the Parties transmitted
by
facsimile shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all
purposes.
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11.14 Dispute
Resolution.
Any
controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or any breach
hereof shall be decided and settled by binding arbitration in accordance with
Title 9 of the U.S. Code (United States Arbitration Act) and the Arbitration
Rules of JAMS/Endispute or any successor entity then in effect, subject to
the
limitations and restrictions set forth below. Notice of a demand for arbitration
shall be filed in writing with the other parties to this Agreement and with
the
JAMS/Endispute. Notice of such demand shall be made promptly after such claim
or
dispute arises and in no event may the demand for arbitration be made if
institution of legal or equitable proceedings arising out of such claims or
dispute would be barred by the applicable statue of limitations. The place
of
arbitration shall be San Francisco, California. The arbitrator(s) shall have
expertise in the investment advisory industry. The arbitrator(s) shall have
the
discretion to order a pre-hearing exchange of information by the parties,
including, without limitation, production of requested documents, exchange
of
summaries of testimony of proposed witnesses, and examination by depositions
of
parties. In the event that the arbitrator(s) find that any provision of this
Agreement is vague or ambiguous, the parties agree that the arbitrator(s) shall
construe such provision in accordance with the intent of the parties as
determined by the arbitrator(s); and the arbitrator(s) shall not disregard
or
eliminate any such provision. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained
herein, Buyer, Seller, or Stockholder may in its sole discretion file an action
with a court seeking equitable or injunctive relief to maintain the status
quo
until such time as the arbitration award is rendered or the controversy is
otherwise resolved. The parties agree and acknowledge that this Agreement has
been made and entered into the State of California and is governed by the law
of
the State of California, and consent to and waive any objection to the
jurisdiction of and venue in any state or federal court located in San Francisco
County, California. The award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered
and
enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
11.15 Interest
Accrual.
Any
past-due sums owing under this Agreement shall accrue interest at the maximum
legal rate under applicable law.
11.16 Attorney
Fees; Enforcement.
In any
action to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to its costs of enforcement, including reasonable attorneys
fees.
[The
remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]
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The
Parties, each intending to be legally bound by this Agreement, have executed
this Agreement as of the first date identified in the first sentence of this
Agreement.
COMPANY: |
BUYER:
|
||
Catalyst Financial Planning & Wealth Management | Xxxxxxx Acquisition Corp., | ||
Corporation, a Delaware corporation | a California corporation | ||
By: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
By: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
||
Its:
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Its:
President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
SELLER: |
STOCKHOLDER:
|
||
MCF Corporation, |
MCF
Wealth Management, LLC,
|
||
a Delaware corporation | a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
By: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
||
Its:
Executive Vice President
|
Its:
Chief Executive Officer
|
XXXXXXX
|
|||
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A |
Permitted
Disclosures
|
Exhibit B |
Transition
Plan
|
Exhibit C |
Consents and Legal
Approvals
|
Exhibit D |
Employee Plans and
Agreements
|
Exhibit E | Bank Accounts |
SCHEDULES
2.2.1 | Purchase Price Allocation |
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EXHIBIT
A
Permitted
Disclosures
Xxxxxxx
or Buyer may make statements substantially equivalent to only the
following:
“As
a
condition of my agreement with MCF Corporation whereby I repurchased the
Catalyst business from MCF in 2007, I am not at liberty to discuss the details
of our relationship or the transaction. It was an amicable parting of the ways
and the economic details of the transaction are publicly available. You should
call Xxxx Xxxxx, President of MCF Wealth Management with any further
questions.”
Seller
or
Stockholder will make a similar statement to the foregoing in discussions other
than with companies with whom Seller, Stockholder or affiliates may explore
or
enter into business arrangements or transactions where the other parties to
the
deal reasonably may wish to inquire, whether for due diligence or other
purposes, about this Agreement or where Seller, Stockholder or an affiliate
may
need to provide disclosure to discharge their obligations under the state or
federal securities laws. In any such circumstance, Seller or Stockholder may
discuss and disclose the substance of this Agreement, provided that they do
so
pursuant to standard Nondisclosure Agreements.
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EXHIBIT
B
Transition
Plan
Area
to Address
|
Seller's
Role
|
Buyer's
Role
|
|||
|
|||||
Trial
Balance
|
Seller
will provide a preliminary trial balance (including balance sheet
and
income statement) at the closing date and a final trial balance within
30
days after the closing date. The trial balance will be based on the
accrual method in accordance with GAAP. Within 30 days following
the
closing date, Seller will also deliver schedules supporting the final
balance sheet account balances.
|
Buyer
will be responsible for accounting prospectively from the closing
date.
|
|||
Seller
will also provide copies of monthly balance sheets and income statements
from March 1, 2005 through the closing date within 30 days following
the
closing date.
|
|||||
|
|||||
Payroll
|
Seller
will process payroll up to and including December 31, 2006. All required
payroll tax withholdings will be submitted by Seller to the appropriate
taxing authority up to and including the closing date. A copy of
payroll
records for the period of March 1, 2005 through the closing date
will be
provided by Seller.
|
Buyer
will be responsible for administering payroll and related payroll
taxes
prospectively from the closing date.
|
|||
|
|||||
Accounts
Payable
|
Seller
will process accounts payable up to and including the closing date
to
Catalyst. Seller will provide a list of open accounts payable balances
by
vendor on the closing date. Seller will also provide all unused check
stock on the closing date.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible for administering accounts payable and all vendor
management issues prospectively from the closing date.
|
||
Further,
Seller will provide copies of all paid vendor invoices from March
1, 2005
through the closing date and all unpaid vendor
invoices.
|
|||||
|
|||||
Accounts
Receivable
|
Seller
will provide a preliminary list of accounts receivable balances by
customer on the closing date and a final list within 30 days following
the
closing date.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible for administering accounts receivable and all
client
billing issues prospectively from the closing date.
|
||
|
|||||
Fixed
Assets
|
Seller
will provide a preliminary list of all fixed assets owned by Catalyst
on
the closing date and a final list within 30 days following the closing
date.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible for administering fixed asset issues prospectively
from the closing date.
|
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Revenue
and Expense Recognition
|
Seller
will recognize revenue and expenses up to and including the closing
date
on an accrual basis. Seller will provide a reconciliation of revenue
and
expenses recognized from March 1, 2005 through the closing date within
30
days following the closing date.
|
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Buyer
will be responsible for all revenue and expense recognition issues
prospectively from the closing date.
|
||
|
|||||
Bank
Accounts
|
Seller
will reconcile each of the bank accounts up to and including the
closing
date. Seller will provide copies of all bank reconciliation from
March 1,
2005 through the closing date.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible for all bank account issues prospectively from
the
closing date.
|
||
Seller
will remove Seller officers as signers on the bank accounts as well
as
terminate all Seller access to on-line bank systems on the closing
date.
|
|||||
|
|||||
Stock
Options
|
Equity
grants to employees of Catalyst, including stock options and restricted
stock grants, will be treated as described in the applicable stock
option
and incentive plan for terminated employees.
|
||||
|
|||||
Servers
|
On
the closing date, Seller will give back to Buyer the old Catalyst
Dell
server. Seller will take back server OAK2K3-DC01, which is the name
of
Catalyst's current server installed inside its server closet at its
00
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx office space in Oakland.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible to spec out, purchase, set up and install any
new
servers required to run its business, and address all vendor management
issues prospectively from the closing date.
|
||
|
|||||
Internet
Connections
|
Seller
will allow Buyer to keep the data switch equipment that was installed
in
the Oakland office data closet.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible to order and get its own DSL installed, and to
manage
all vendor management issues prospectively from the closing date.
In
Seller's experience, this process can take anywhere from 3-5 weeks
and
requires persistent management of the vendor throughout the ordering
and
installation.
|
||
|
|||||
Email
|
Seller
will export a current snapshot of every Catalyst employees' email
data as
of the closing date in the form of a PST file and send these files
to
Buyer on DVD media two weeks after the closing date.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible to buy its email server and load this email data
onto
its own server.
|
B-2
Execution
Copy
Computers
|
Buyer
will keep all its current desktop PCs. Seller will remove Buyer from
the
RTX domain and the Seller network on the closing date.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible to reconfigure its computers and set up a Buyer
domain
if they wish to have its computers networked under a Buyer domain.
|
||
|
|||||
Phones
|
Seller
will remove the current Catalyst phone sets and reclaim them for
Seller as
soon as possible after the closing date, but not later than January
31,
2007, when Buyer’s phone installation must be complete. In the interim,
Seller shall allow Catalyst to continue to utilize the Seller phone
system
as currently used, and without addition of new employees or lines,
and
shall provide uninterrupted phone service to Buyer at no charge during
this period (subject only to unavoidable technical difficulties or
force
majeure events) at the same service level that was provided to Catalyst
prior to Closing.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible to buy its own phone system and have its phone
vendor
configure it to the Buyer IP network and to be fully operational
as soon
as possible after the Closing Date but in any event by no later than
January 31, 2007. Buyer also shall manage all vendor management issues
prospectively from the closing date.
|
||
|
|||||
Blackberry
Service
|
Seller
will terminate Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx'x blackberry connection to Seller's
Blackberry Enterprise Service on the closing date.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible to solicit and purchase its own blackberry network
service and blackberry handheld units, and to manage all vendor management
issues prospectively from the closing date. Ownership of Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx'x
current blackberry handheld unit will transfer to Buyer.
|
||
|
|||||
Database
Management
|
Seller
will no longer host or provide service for Catalyst's database
applications: PortfolioCenter and Junxure. Seller will export a snapshot
copy of these Catalyst databases, as of the closing date, from Seller's
data center in San Francisco. Seller will provide this snapshot on
DVD
media two weeks after the closing date.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible to purchase its own database server and import
the
data onto its own server. Buyer will be responsible to manage all
database
issues prospectively from the closing date.
|
||
|
|||||
Data
Archives
|
Seller
will provide Buyer with all historical data that has been captured
by
Seller and stored with eVault between March 1, 2005 and the closing
date,
subject to eVault's ability to deliver.
|
Buyer
will be responsible to provide or contract for its own data storage
and
retrieval service, and to manage all vendor management issues
prospectively from the closing date.
|
|||
|
|||||
Passwords
|
Seller
will change passwords on all administrative accounts of Catalyst
systems
as of the closing date and provide Buyer with new password settings
on the
closing date.
|
Buyer
will be responsible for securing its administrative passwords. Buyer
will
also be responsible for securing its end-user passwords and new password
policy.
|
|||
|
|||||
Door
Keys
|
Seller
will give back to Buyer the keys to the Oakland office data closet
on the
closing date.
|
Buyer
will give back to Seller security badges issued to Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
and
Xxxxx Xxxxx.
|
B-3
Execution
Copy
Oakland
Lease
|
Buyer
will have to comply with Section 7.4(i) of the Oakland lease and
deliver a
lease guaranty and provide audited financial statements. Buyer will
be
responsible for all lease management issues prospectively from the
closing
date.
|
||||
|
|||||
Form
ADV
|
Buyer
will be responsible to amend its Form ADV in order to remove the
disclosure of Catalyst's former relationship to the Xxxxxxxx Curhan
Ford
& Co. broker-dealer.
|
||||
|
|||||
Catalyst
Client Contracts
|
Buyer
will not have to reissue a new contract as Catalyst Financial Planning
& Investment Management Corporation, the Delaware corporation, will
survive and continue in business operations uninterrupted.
|
||||
|
|||||
Insurances
|
Seller
entities will remove Catalyst as an additional insured and will cooperate
with Buyer to arrange for coverages to avoid gaps
|
|
Catalyst's
policy does not name any Seller entities as additional insureds .
Catalyst
and Buyer will coordinate with Seller to make appropriate arrangements
for
tail liability coverage.
|
||
|
|||||
Health
Benefits
|
Seller's
Health Plan will continue to provide medical, dental, & vision through
December 31, 2006. Thereafter, Buyer employees are eligible to elect
cobra
coverage at their own expense.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible for all health benefits issues prospectively
from
January 1, 2007.
|
||
|
|||||
401(k)
Plan
|
401(k)
contributions will cease with the last pay check for Catalyst employees.
Buyer employees can leave the funds in the Seller plan, or roll them
over
to another qualified plan or XXX. If they wish to roll the funds
over,
they must contact Seller's head of Human Resources.
|
Buyer
will be responsible for all new 401(k) Plan issues prospectively
from
January 1, 2007.
|
|||
|
|||||
Income
Protection
|
Seller's
Income Protection Plan will continue to provide Basic Life, Accidental
Death and Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability Insurance through
December 31, 2006 at which point the coverage is terminated for Catalyst
employees.
|
|
Buyer
will be responsible for all Income Protection Plan issues prospectively
from January 1, 2007.
|
||
|
|||||
ESPP
Plan
|
Catalyst
employees who are participants in Seller's ESPP Plan will be terminated
from Seller's ESPP Plan and all contributions in the current purchase
period will be refunded to the Catalyst employees.
|
B-4
Execution
Copy
EXHIBIT
C
Consents
and Legal Approvals
1.
|
Form
ADV - Buyer, with Seller’s cooperation, to make appropriate revisions and
filings.
|
2.
|
Catalyst
Lease. Buyer to make arrangements to satisfy any landlord requirements
on
space lease.
|
3.
|
Customer
Agreements. Buyer to provide any notices or seek any consents, if
any,
that may be required under the Catalyst customer
agreements.
|
C-1
Execution
Copy
EXHIBIT
D
Employee
Plans and Agreements
Benefit
Overview - Catalyst
Medical
- Blue Shield of California PPO
|
A
combination of in- and out-of-network providers. In-network doctors
and
facilities have agreed to offer services at reduced, contracted
fees.
|
|
|
1
enrolled
|
|
||
Medical
- Blue Shield of California HMO
|
|
|
A
restricted group of doctors and facilities that have contracted with
the
HMO to offer services at a discounted rate.
|
|
|
1
enrolled
|
|
Kaiser
HMO
|
|
|
A
restricted group of doctors and facilities that have contracted with
the
HMO to offer services at a discounted rate.
|
|
|
3
enrolled
|
|
Assurant
Dental
|
|
|
Reimbursement
for dental services is based on choice of network or non-network
provider
and reasonable and customary charges in area.
|
|
|
5
enrolled
|
|
Vision
Service Plan
|
|
|
Vision
care coverage--VSP provider or non-network providers
|
|
|
5
enrolled
|
|
Flexible
Spending
Account
- Dependent Care
$5000
pretax maximum
|
|
|
Tax
benefit by allowing eligible health and dependent care expenses with
pre-tax dollars. An amount elected is deducted from the paycheck
on a
pre-tax basis.
|
|
|
No
enrollees for 2007
|
|
Flexible
Spending
Account
- Medical
$3000
pretax maximum
|
|
|
Submit
a claim to the plan administrator and are reimbursed up to your
total
annual election for health care expenses or your year-to-date
contributions for dependent care expenses.
|
|
|
1
enrolled for 2006
No
enrollees for 2007
|
|
Unum
Life/ADD
|
|
|
Life
and accidental injury protection. 1x annual salary to maximum of
$250k
($50k minimum benefit)
|
|
5
enrolled
|
|
|
Unum
Long-term Disability
|
|
|
Income
replacement for disabilities after 90 days of total disability. 60%
of pay
to max of $20k/mo.
|
|
|
5
enrolled
|
|
Commuter
Benefit
|
|
|
Pre-tax
Commuter vouchers
|
|
|
1
enrolled
|
|
401(k)
American Funds
|
|
|
Save
tax-deferred dollars toward retirement. Contributions are automatically
deducted from paycheck on a pre-tax basis, saving money in two ways:
money
for your future, and less in current taxes.
|
|
|
1
active
1
inactive
|
D-1
Execution
Copy
EXHIBIT
E
Bank
Accounts
1. |
Bank
of the West - account
756011714
|
2. |
Fidelity
- account 279-065714
|
3. |
Fidelity
- account 379-725560
|
4 |
Schwab
- account 2168-3046
|
E-1
Execution
Copy
SCHEDULE
2.2.1
Purchase
Price Allocation
(for
338(h)(10) Election - Form 8883)
Asset
Class
|
Description
|
|||
Class
I Assets
|
the
amount of cash & equivalents as of the Closing Date
|
|||
Class
V Assets
|
computer
equipment, furniture and equipment, and leasehold improvements at
Closing
Date
|
|||
Class
VII Assets
|
residual
value of the purchase after deduction of the amounts allocated to
Class I
and Class V
|
SCHEDULE
2.2.1-1
Execution
Copy
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
|
||||||
ARTICLE
I.
|
THE
SALE AND PURCHASE TRANSACTION
|
2
|
||||
1.1
|
Sale
and Purchase of Shares
|
2
|
||||
1.2
|
Purchase
Price
|
2
|
||||
1.3
|
Closing
of Transaction; Payment of the Purchase Price and
Deliveries.
|
2
|
||||
1.4
|
“As
Is” Purchase of Company
|
5
|
||||
|
||||||
ARTICLE
II.
|
CERTAIN
AGREEMENTS
|
5
|
||||
2.1
|
Continuing
Employment and Termination of Employment Agreements
|
5
|
||||
2.2
|
Certain
Tax Matters
|
6
|
||||
2.3
|
Termination
of Options
|
7
|
||||
2.4
|
Mutual
Covenant of Nondisparagement; Disclosure
|
7
|
||||
2.5
|
Transition
Plan
|
7
|
||||
2.6
|
Publicity
|
7
|
||||
2.7
|
Confidentiality;
Privilege
|
8
|
||||
2.8
|
Retention
of Records
|
8
|
||||
2.9
|
Cooperation
and Third Party Consents
|
8
|
||||
|
||||||
ARTICLE
III.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND STOCKHOLDER REGARDING COMPANY
|
9
|
||||
3.1
|
Organization;
Qualification
|
9
|
||||
3.2
|
Authorization;
Enforceability
|
9
|
||||
3.3
|
Shares;
Capitalization
|
9
|
||||
3.4
|
Title
to Assets
|
9
|
||||
3.5
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
9
|
||||
3.6
|
Consents
|
9
|
||||
3.7
|
Company
Financial Statements
|
10
|
||||
3.8
|
No
Undisclosed Liabilities
|
10
|
||||
3.9
|
Tax
Matters
|
10
|
||||
3.10
|
Restrictions
on Business Activities
|
11
|
||||
3.11
|
Minute
Books
|
11
|
||||
3.12
|
Employee
Matters and Benefit Plans
|
12
|
||||
3.13
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
15
|
||||
3.14
|
Bank
Accounts
|
15
|
||||
3.15
|
Conduct
of Business of the Company
|
15
|
||||
3.16
|
Client
and Employee Non-Solicitation
|
16
|
||||
3.17
|
Accounts
Payable
|
17
|
||||
|
||||||
ARTICLE
IV.
|
FURTHER
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND STOCKHOLDER
|
17
|
||||
4.1
|
Organization;
Qualification
|
17
|
||||
4.2
|
Authorization;
Enforceability
|
17
|
||||
4.3
|
No
Violation; Legal Approvals; Consents
|
17
|
-i-
Execution
Copy
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
4.4
|
Finders’
Fees; No Existing Discussions
|
17
|
||||
4.5
|
Inter-company
Obligations
|
17
|
||||
|
||||||
ARTICLE
V.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER AND XXXXXXX
|
18
|
||||
5.1
|
Organization
|
18
|
||||
5.2
|
Authorization;
Enforceability
|
18
|
||||
5.3
|
Title
to MCF Shares
|
18
|
||||
5.4
|
No
Violation; Legal Approvals; Consents
|
18
|
||||
5.5
|
Finders’
Fees
|
18
|
||||
5.6
|
Labor
Code 2802
|
19
|
||||
|
||||||
ARTICLE
VI.
|
TERMINATION,
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
|
19
|
||||
6.1
|
Termination
|
19
|
||||
6.2
|
Effect
of Termination
|
19
|
||||
6.3
|
Extension;
Waiver
|
19
|
||||
|
||||||
ARTICLE
VII.
|
INDEMNIFICATION
|
20
|
||||
7.1
|
Indemnification
by Seller and Stockholder
|
20
|
||||
7.2
|
Indemnification
by Buyer
|
20
|
||||
7.3
|
Limitations
on Indemnification
|
21
|
||||
7.4
|
Notice
of Claims
|
21
|
||||
7.5
|
Third-Party
Claims
|
21
|
||||
7.6
|
Cumulative
Rights and Remedies
|
22
|
||||
|
||||||
ARTICLE
VIII.
|
SETTLEMENT
AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS
|
23
|
||||
8.1
|
Potential
Claims
|
23
|
||||
8.2
|
Adequacy
of Payment
|
23
|
||||
8.3
|
Release
of All Claims
|
23
|
||||
8.4
|
Unknown
or Different Facts or Law
|
24
|
||||
8.5
|
California
Civil Code Section 1542 Waiver
|
24
|
||||
8.6
|
No
Prior Assignments or Liens
|
25
|
||||
8.7
|
Tax
Matters
|
25
|
||||
8.8
|
No
Admissions
|
25
|
||||
8.9
|
Promise
Not to Prosecute
|
25
|
||||
8.10
|
Attorneys’
Fees and Costs
|
25
|
||||
8.11
|
Knowledge,
Capacity And Authority
|
26
|
||||
8.12
|
Advice
of Counsel
|
26
|
||||
|
||||||
ARTICLE
IX.
|
POST-CLOSING
COVENANTS
|
26
|
||||
9.1
|
Taxes
and Tax Filings
|
26
|
||||
9.2
|
Disclosure
of Information
|
27
|
||||
|
||||||
ARTICLE
X.
|
DEFINITIONS;
CONSTRUCTION
|
28
|
||||
10.1
|
Definitions
|
28
|
-ii-
Execution
Copy
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
|
||||||
10.2
|
Construction
|
33
|
||||
ARTICLE
XI.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
33
|
||||
11.1
|
Costs
and Expenses
|
33
|
||||
11.2
|
Further
Assurances
|
34
|
||||
11.3
|
Notices
|
34
|
||||
11.4
|
Currency
|
34
|
||||
11.5
|
Jurisdiction;
Service of Process
|
35
|
||||
11.6
|
Enforcement
|
35
|
||||
11.7
|
Assignment
|
35
|
||||
11.8
|
Consideration;
Recitals; Governing Law
|
35
|
||||
11.9
|
Time
is of the Essence
|
35
|
||||
11.10
|
Amendment
and Waiver; Cumulative Effect
|
35
|
||||
11.11
|
Entire
Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries
|
36
|
||||
11.12
|
Severability
|
36
|
||||
11.13
|
Counterparts
|
36
|
||||
11.14
|
Dispute
Resolution
|
37
|
||||
11.15
|
Interest
Accrual
|
37
|
||||
11.16
|
Attorney
Fees; Enforcement
|
37
|
-iii-