FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF FOURSQUARE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
Exhibit 10.3
FORM OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
FOURSQUARE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
Article 1 DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
1.1 Definitions |
1 | |||
1.2 Terms Generally |
7 | |||
Article 2 THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS |
7 | |||
2.1 Formation of the Company |
8 | |||
2.2 Company Name |
8 | |||
2.3 Members |
8 | |||
2.4 Term |
8 | |||
2.5 Filing of Certificate and Amendments |
8 | |||
2.6 Business; Scope of Members’ Authority |
8 | |||
2.7 Principal Office; Registered Agent |
9 | |||
2.8 Names and Addresses of the Members |
9 | |||
2.9 Authorized Persons |
9 | |||
2.10 Representations by the Members |
9 | |||
2.11 Additional Representations by the Managing Member |
10 | |||
Article 3 MANAGEMENT OF COMPANY BUSINESS |
10 | |||
3.1 Managing Member |
10 | |||
3.2 Assignment |
11 | |||
3.3 Matters Requiring Unanimous Member Approval |
11 | |||
3.4 Managing Member’s Duty to Company |
14 | |||
3.5 Issuance of Additional Interests |
14 | |||
3.6 Cancellation of Interests |
14 | |||
3.7 Tax Classification |
14 | |||
3.8 Members’ Meetings |
15 | |||
Article 4 RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS |
16 | |||
4.1 Activities of the Members |
16 | |||
4.2 Indemnification |
16 | |||
4.3 Use of Company Assets |
17 | |||
4.4 Designation of Tax Matters Member |
17 | |||
Article 5 BOOKS AND RECORDS; ANNUAL REPORTS |
17 | |||
5.1 Books of Account |
17 | |||
5.2 Availability of Books of Account |
17 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
5.3 Annual/Quarterly Reports and Statements |
17 | |||
5.4 Pre-Formation Expenses and the REIT |
18 | |||
5.5 Accounting Expenses |
18 | |||
5.6 Company Bank Accounts |
18 | |||
Article 6 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LIABILITIES |
18 | |||
6.1 Capital Contributions and Percentage Interests of the Members |
18 | |||
6.2 Capital of the Company |
19 | |||
6.3 Limited Liability of the Members |
19 | |||
Article 7 CAPITAL ACCOUNTS AND TAX ALLOCATIONS |
19 | |||
7.1 Capital Accounts |
19 | |||
7.2 Net Income and Net Loss |
20 | |||
Article 8 APPLICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS OF AVAILABLE CASH |
20 | |||
8.1 Distributions |
20 | |||
8.2 Limitations on Distributions |
20 | |||
Article 9 TRANSFER OF COMPANY INTERESTS |
21 | |||
9.1 Limitations on Transfer of Interests by Members; Permitted Transfers |
21 | |||
9.2 Certain Transfers of Interests of Managing Member, and Other Members |
21 | |||
9.3 Transfers with Consent of the Other Members |
22 | |||
9.4 Transfer to Affiliates |
22 | |||
9.5 Transfer of Flexpoint’s Interests |
22 | |||
9.6 Remedy for Impermissible Transfer |
24 | |||
9.7 Substituted Members |
24 | |||
Article 10 DISSOLUTION OF THE COMPANY; WINDING UP AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS |
25 | |||
10.1 Dissolution |
25 | |||
10.2 Winding Up |
25 | |||
10.3 Distribution of Assets |
26 | |||
10.4 Bankruptcy Non-Petition |
26 | |||
Article 11 AMENDMENTS |
26 | |||
11.1 Amendments |
26 | |||
Article 12 MISCELLANEOUS |
26 | |||
12.1 Further Assurances |
26 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
12.2 Notices |
26 | |||
12.3 Headings and Captions |
27 | |||
12.4 Variance of Pronouns |
27 | |||
12.5 Counterparts |
27 | |||
12.6 Governing Law |
27 | |||
12.7 Partition |
27 | |||
12.8 Invalidity |
27 | |||
12.9 Successors and Assigns |
27 | |||
12.10 Entire Agreement |
27 | |||
12.11 Waivers |
27 | |||
12.12 Confidentiality |
27 | |||
12.13 Waiver of Jury Trial |
29 | |||
12.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries |
29 | |||
12.15 Construction of Documents |
29 |
Schedules
Schedule 2.8
|
Member Names and Addresses | |
Schedule 5.4(a)
|
Pre-Formation Expenses |
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This AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of Foursquare Capital
Management, LLC (the “Company”), dated as of [ ] [___], 2009 (the “Effective
Date”) (together with the Schedules and Annex attached hereto, this “Agreement”), by
and among AllianceBernstein L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“AllianceBernstein”),
Greenfield Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Greenfield”), Rialto
Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Rialto”), and Flexpoint
Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Flexpoint”).
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, on July 2, 2009, AllianceBernstein, as sole member, formed the Company by causing the
filing of the Certificate (as defined herein) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
and entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement on such date (the “Original
Agreement”);
WHEREAS, AllianceBernstein now desires to amend and restate the Original Agreement in order to
add Greenfield, Rialto and Flexpoint as Members (as defined herein) and to set forth the respective
rights and obligations of the Members with respect to the Company and its affairs and related
matters;
NOW, THEREFORE, in order to carry out their intent as expressed above and in consideration of
the mutual agreements hereinafter contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set
forth below:
“Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq.),
as amended from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
“Administrative Services Agreement” means the Administrative Services Agreement, dated
as of the date hereof, between the Advisor and the Company, as amended from time to time.
“Advising Agreements” means, collectively, the Advisory Agreement, the Consulting
Agreement and the Sub-Advisor Agreements.
“Advisor” means AllianceBernstein in its capacity as advisor under the Advisory
Agreement.
“Advisory Agreement” means the Advisory Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date,
between the Company and the Advisor.
“Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls or is Controlled by or is under common
Control with such Person.
“Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, as it
may be amended or modified from time to time.
“AllianceBernstein” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Available Cash” generated during any Fiscal Year, quarter or other period means (a)
the sum of cash received by the Company from all sources (excluding Capital Contributions but
including any acquisition fees, asset management fees, incentive fees, disposition fees and expense
reimbursements) during such period less (b) the sum of (i) all cash amounts paid in such period on
account of operating expenses, capital expenditures incurred in connection with the Company’s
business, Purchase Payments and any amounts with respect to indemnities and (ii) all amounts
required to be paid to the Advisor pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with regard to the period.
“Bankruptcy” has, with respect to a Person as a debtor, the meaning set forth in
Section 18-101(1) and 18-304 of the Act.
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any
corresponding provision(s) of succeeding law.
“Business Day” means any Monday through Friday on which commercial banks in New York
City are authorized to do business and are not required by law or executive order to close.
“Call Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(b).
“Capital Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).
“Capital Contribution” means the amount of capital contributed (or deemed contributed)
to the Company by a Member in accordance with Article 6.
“Cash Percentage” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(d).
“Cause” has (i) with respect to the Advisory Agreement, the meaning specified therein,
(ii) with respect to a Sub-Advisory Agreement, the meaning specified therein, and (iii) with
respect to the Consulting Agreement, the meaning specified therein.
“Certificate” means the Certificate of Formation of the Company filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 2, 2009, as the same may be amended and/or
restated from time to time.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any corresponding
provision(s) of succeeding law.
“Company” means Foursquare Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company, as said Company may from time to time be hereafter constituted.
“Company Assets” means all right, title and interest of the Company in any assets or
property (real, personal, tangible or intangible).
“Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.12(a).
“Consultant” means Flexpoint or, subject to the terms of this Agreement, any successor
in interest thereto.
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“Consultant Fee” has the meaning set forth in the Consulting Agreement.
“Consulting Agreement” means the consulting agreement, dated as of the Effective Date,
between the Advisor and Flexpoint.
“Control” means, with regard to any Person, the power to direct the management and
policies of that Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise, even if that right is subject to the rights of other Persons
with respect to major decisions, and the terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” have
meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Depreciation” means, with regard to an asset, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal
to the depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable for federal income
tax purposes with respect to such asset for such Fiscal Year, except that if the Gross Asset Value
of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of
such Fiscal Year, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning
Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery
deduction for such Fiscal Year bears to such beginning adjusted basis; provided, however, that if
the adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of a Fiscal Year is
zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any
reasonable method selected by the Managing Member.
“Disclosure Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.12(a)
“Economic Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.7(b).
“Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Embargoed Person” means any Person subject to trade restrictions under U.S. law,
including but not limited to, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. §1701 et
seq., The Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq., and any Executive Orders or
regulations promulgated thereunder with the result that investment in such person, entity or
government by a United States Person is prohibited by law or would cause such person, entity or
government to be in violation of law.
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset, the gross fair market value of
such asset, unreduced by any liability secured by such asset.
“Fair Value Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).
“Fee Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in the Management Agreement.
“Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company, which shall be the calendar year;
provided that upon termination of the Company “Fiscal Year” will mean the period from the end of
the last preceding Fiscal Year to the date of such termination.
“Flexpoint” means Flexpoint Fund L.P., including its permitted successors and assigns.
“Forfeited Managing Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(b).
“Forfeited Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(a).
“Greenfield” means Greenfield Advisors, LLC including its permitted successors and
assigns.
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“Greenfield Sub-Advisory Agreement” means the sub-advisory agreement, dated as of the
date hereof, among the Company, the Advisor and Greenfield, as amended from time to time.
“Gross Asset Value” means, with respect to any Company Asset, the asset’s adjusted
basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:
(i) the initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company
shall be its Fair Market Value on the date of the contribution as agreed upon by the
Members;
(ii) the Gross Asset Value of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their
respective Fair Market Values, as reasonably determined by the Managing Member, as of the
date of (A) the acquisition of an interest or additional interest in the Company by any new
or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution, (B) the
distribution by the Company of more than a de minimis amount of property as consideration
for any Members’ Interests in the Company, and (C) the liquidation of the Company, within
the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); provided, however, that
adjustments pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) above shall be made only if the Managing Member
reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the
relative economic interests of the Members in the Company;
(iii) the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset distributed (including, without
limitation, in any liquidation under Article 10 hereof) to any Member shall be adjusted to
equal its Fair Market Value as of the date of distribution, as agreed upon by the Members in
accordance with Section 3.3(B)(i);
(iv) the Gross Asset Value of Company assets will be increased or decreased to reflect
any adjustment to the adjusted basis of such assets under Code Sections 734(b) or 743(b),
but only to the extent that the adjustment is taken into account in determining Capital
Accounts under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and paragraph (iii) of the
definition of Net Income or Net Losses or Section 7.2(d)(v); provided, however, that Gross
Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this paragraph (iv) to the extent that the
Managing Member determines that an adjustment pursuant to paragraph (ii) above is necessary
or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment
pursuant to this paragraph (iv); and
(v) if the Gross Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to
paragraphs (i), (ii) or (iv) above, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by
the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Net
Income and Net Loss.
“Independent Appraisers” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).
“Initial Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(d).
“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service and any successor agency or entity thereto.
“Interests” means the entire limited liability company interests owned by a Member in
the Company, including the right of such Member to any and all benefits to which a Member may be
entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of such Member to comply with
all the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
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“Investment Committee” means the Investment Committee appointed under the Management
Agreement.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“List” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(f).
“Management Agreement” means the Management Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2009,
between the Company and the REIT, as may be amended.
“Manager Sucessorship Proposal” has the meaning set forth in the Management Agreement.
“Managing Member” means AllianceBernstein or any replacement Managing Member appointed
by all of the Members pursuant to Section 3.1.
“Member” means each of AllianceBernstein, Greenfield, Rialto and Flexpoint, any
transferees of the foregoing permitted under Article 9 who are admitted as members of the Company
(but only so long as any such transferee continues as a Member) and any other Person to whom
Interests may be issued pursuant to Section 3.5.
“Member Impasse” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(D).
“Net Income or Net Loss” means for each Fiscal Year or other period, an amount equal
to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such year or period determined in accordance with Code
Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be
stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss),
with the following adjustments:
(i) Any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise
included in computing Net Income or Net Loss pursuant to this definition shall be added to
such Net Income or Net Loss;
(ii) Any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated
as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net
Loss pursuant to this definition, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;
(iii) If the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection
(ii) or (iii) set forth within the definition of Gross Asset Value, the amount of such
adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset
for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss;
(iv) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken
into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account
Depreciation for such Fiscal Year or other period;
(v) Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Company assets with respect to which
gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed with reference
to the Gross Asset Value of the asset disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax
basis of such asset differs from its Gross Asset Value; and
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(vi) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, any items which are specially
allocated pursuant to Section 7.2(d) hereof shall not be taken into account in computing Net
Income or Net Loss.
“OFAC” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(f).
“Organizational Document” means with respect to any Person (i) in the case of a
corporation, such Person’s certificate or articles of incorporation and by-laws and any shareholder
agreement, voting trust or similar arrangement to which such Person is a party that is (in each
case) applicable to any of such Person’s authorized shares of capital stock, (ii) in the case of a
limited partnership, such Person’s certificate or articles of limited partnership and limited
partnership agreement, and any voting trusts or other instruments or agreements to which such
Person is a party affecting the rights applicable to any of its partners, (iii) in the case of a
limited liability company, such Person’s certificate of formation or organization, limited
liability company agreement and any voting trusts or other instruments or agreements to which such
Person is a party affecting the rights of holders of limited liability company interests in such
Person or (iv) in the case of any other legal entity, such Person’s organizational documents and
any voting trusts and other instruments or agreements to which such Person is a party affecting the
rights of holders of equity interests in such Person.
“Original Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Member at any time, the percentage
specified on the Effective Date opposite such Member’s name in the table contained in Section 6.1,
as may be amended by the Managing Member from time to time to reflect changes to the ownership of
Interests in accordance with this Agreement.
“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company,
trust, unincorporated association, government or other entity.
“Pre-Formation Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.
“Purchase Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).
“Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).
“Put Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(a).
“REIT” means Foursquare Capital Corp., a Maryland real estate investment trust;
provided that for purposes of this Agreement references to the REIT shall include its subsidiaries
where the context so requires, including in Section 3.3(B)(c).
“Rialto” means Rialto Capital Management, LLC, including its permitted successors and
assigns.
“Rialto Sub-Advisory Agreement” means the sub-advisory agreement, dated as of the date
hereof, among the Company, the Advisor and Rialto Capital Partners, LLC, as amended from time to
time.
“Sale Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Stock Percentage” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(d).
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“Sub-Advisors” means Greenfield and Rialto Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Rialto, and “Sub-Advisor” means any one of them
and any successor in interest to, or permitted assigns of, any of them; provided, however, that no
successor in interest to, or permitted assigns of, any Sub-Advisor (other than an Affiliate thereof
to which the relevant Sub-Advisory Agreement has been assigned pursuant to its terms) shall be a
Sub-Advisor unless such assignment is permitted pursuant to the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement
and the terms of this Agreement (including in accordance with Section 3.3(A)(h)). Sub-Advisors
shall also include any replacement or additional entity that, at the election of the Advisor acting
(in each case) with the consent of the Company in accordance with Section 3.3(A)(h), becomes a
Sub-Advisor to the Advisor pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Advisor in form and
substance substantially similar to the other Sub-Advisory Agreements and not materially more
favorable to such Sub-Advisor than such other Sub-Advisory Agreements are to the other
Sub-Advisors.
“Sub-Advisory Agreements” means the Greenfield Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Rialto
Sub-Advisory Agreement and any other sub-advisory agreement entered into by the Advisor with the
consent of the Company provided in accordance with this Agreement, as each such agreement may be
amended from time to time.
“Substituted Member” means any Person admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to
the provisions of Section 9.7.
“Tax Matters Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.
“Transfer” means any transfer, sale, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or
other disposition of any portion of the Interests of a Member (whether voluntarily, involuntarily,
by operation of law or otherwise).
“Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code, as such
regulations are in effect on the date hereof.
1.2 Terms Generally. For all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of
similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or
other subdivision;
(b) the words “including” and “include” and other words of similar import
shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”;
(c) any reference herein to a “Schedule” is to one of the Schedules attached to this
Agreement and any reference to a Recital, Article or a Section is to one of the Recitals, Articles
or Sections of this Agreement. Each of the Recitals hereto and each Schedule and Annex attached
hereto and referred to herein is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and
(d) any time there is a reference herein to the giving of “consent” or
“approval” and other words of similar import on the part of a Member, the Member shall have
sole and absolute discretion whether to give or not to give the consent or approval.
ARTICLE 2
THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS
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2.1 Formation of the Company. The Company was formed as described in the Recitals
hereto. Upon the execution of this Agreement by AllianceBernstein, Greenfield, Rialto and
Flexpoint, (i) this Agreement shall become the limited liability company agreement of the Company,
(ii) AllianceBernstein, Greenfield, Rialto and Flexpoint shall be, and hereby are, admitted as
Members; and (iii) the Members’ Percentage Interests and Capital Contributions shall be as set
forth in the table contained in Section 6.1, subject to such adjustments as may be made by the
Managing Member from time to time to reflect any changes in the ownership of Interests in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
2.2 Company Name. The business of the Company shall be conducted under the name of
“Foursquare Capital Management, LLC” in the State of Delaware and under such name or such assumed
names as may be determined by the Managing Member to be necessary or appropriate to comply with the
requirements of any other jurisdiction in which the Company may be required to qualify.
2.3 Members.
(a) The Members of the Company shall be AllianceBernstein, Greenfield, Rialto and Flexpoint
and such additional or substitute members as may hereafter be admitted in accordance with the terms
hereof.
(b) The Interests issued to the Members pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized
and are validly issued limited liability company interests in the Company.
(c) Except as set forth in this Agreement, including Section 3.4, each Member confirms its
understanding and agreement that no Member shall have any fiduciary duty whatsoever to the Company
or any other Member (it being agreed among the Members that no Member shall be construed as having
any duty to the Company or any other Member other than such obligations as are provided in this
Agreement and such other obligations, if any, as are required by applicable law, after taking into
account the effect of this Section 2.3(c)). This Section 2.3(c) shall not in any way reduce or
otherwise limit the specific obligations of any Member expressly provided in this Agreement or in
any other agreement.
2.4 Term. The term of the Company shall continue in full force and effect perpetually
unless the Company is earlier dissolved as hereinafter provided.
2.5 Filing of Certificate and Amendments. The Certificate was filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 2, 2009. The Members hereby agree to execute
and file any amendments to the Certificate as and when required by applicable law and to do all
other acts requisite for the constitution of the Company as a limited liability company pursuant to
the laws of the State of Delaware or any other applicable law.
2.6 Business; Scope of Members’ Authority.
(a) The purpose of the Company is to act as the manager of the REIT. However, the Company is
authorized to engage in any activity in which a company formed under the Act may lawfully engage
and the Company will have all the powers that a limited liability company is permitted by the Act
to have. The Company may not change its purpose or otherwise engage in any business other than
related to acting as the manager of the REIT, except as may be determined by all of the Members
pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof.
(b) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, only the Managing Member
shall have the authority to bind, to act for, to execute any document or instrument on behalf of or
to
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assume any obligation or responsibility on behalf of, the Company. Subject to Section 3.2,
the Managing Member may delegate such authority, in whole or in part, to any one or more of its
Affiliates. The Managing Member may also delegate its authority, in whole or in part, to any other
Person or Persons if such delegation is approved pursuant to Section 3.3(B)(d). For the avoidance
of doubt, any such delegated authority must be exercised in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
(c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Member shall, by virtue of executing
this Agreement, acquiring Interests or being a Member, be personally responsible or liable for any
indebtedness or obligation of the Company or any other Member incurred or arising either before or
after the Effective Date.
2.7 Principal Office; Registered Agent. The principal office of the Company shall be
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000. The Company may change its place of business to
such location or locations as may at any time or from time to time be determined by the Managing
Member. The mailing address of the Company shall be 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX
00000, or such other address as may be selected from time to time by the Managing Member. The
Company shall maintain a registered office at Corporation Service Company, 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx,
Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000. The name and address of the Company’s registered agent is
Corporation Service Company, 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
2.8 Names and Addresses of the Members. The names and addresses of the Members are as
set forth in Schedule 2.8 hereto, as may be updated by the Managing Member from time to
time to reflect changes in the Members in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or changes
in the names or addresses of the Members.
2.9 Authorized Persons. The Managing Member is hereby designated as an “authorized
person” within the meaning of the Act and the Managing Member may appoint additional “authorized
persons” in its sole discretion. Any one of such authorized Persons is hereby authorized to, and
shall, execute, deliver and file any certificates or documents on behalf of the Company necessary
for the qualification of the Company to do business in any jurisdiction to the extent required by
law. Any actions taken by any of the foregoing persons in connection with the execution, delivery
or filing of any certificates or other documents or the qualification of the Company to do business
in any required jurisdiction or any other action relating thereto is hereby ratified, confirmed and
approved by the Managing Member as having been authorized by the Company.
2.10 Representations by the Members. Each Member represents, warrants, agrees and
acknowledges that:
(a) it is either a limited liability company or a limited partnership, as the case may be,
duly organized or formed and validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability company
or limited partnership, as the case may be (or other form of entity, if applicable), under the laws
of the state of its organization or formation; it has all requisite limited liability company or
partnership (or other form of entity) power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to acquire
and hold its Interests and to perform its obligations hereunder; and the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company
or partnership (or other entity) action on its behalf;
(b) its execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations under
this Agreement will not conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default (or an event
that, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) or result in the
acceleration of any obligation under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any other
agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its
property or assets are subject, conflict with or violate
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any of the provisions of its Organizational Documents, or violate any statute or any order,
rule or regulation of any court or governmental or regulatory agency, body or official, in each
case that would materially and adversely affect the performance of its duties hereunder; such
Member has obtained any consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental
agency or body required for the execution, delivery and performance by such Member of its
obligations hereunder;
(c) there is no action, suit or proceeding pending against such Member or, to its knowledge,
threatened, in any court or by or before any other governmental agency or instrumentality which
would prohibit its entering into, or performing its obligations, under this Agreement;
(d) this Agreement is a binding agreement on the part of such Member enforceable against such
Member in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i)
bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and
(ii) general equitable principles;
(e) it is acquiring its Interests for its own account for investment purposes only and not
with a view to the distribution or resale thereof, in whole or in part, and agrees that it will not
Transfer all or any part of its Interests, or solicit offers to buy all or any part of its
Interests in a manner that would violate the terms of this Agreement or violate or cause the
Company or any Member to violate applicable federal or state securities laws or any other
applicable laws or regulations of any governmental authority having jurisdiction; and
(f) to its knowledge, (i) it and each Person or entity owning an interest in it is (A) not
currently identified on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by
the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) and/or on any
other similar list maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, executive order or
regulation (collectively, the “List”), and (B) not a person or entity with whom a citizen
of the United States is prohibited to engage in transactions by any trade embargo, economic
sanction, or other prohibition of United States law, regulation or Executive Order of the President
of the United States, (ii) none of the funds or other assets of it constitute property of, or is
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any Embargoed Person, (iii) no Embargoed Person has
any interest of any nature whatsoever in it (whether directly or indirectly), (iv) none of its
funds has been derived from any unlawful activity with the result that the investment in it is
prohibited by law or that this Agreement would be in violation of law, and (v) it has implemented
procedures, and will consistently apply those procedures, to ensure the representations and
warranties in this Section 2.10(f) remain true and correct at all times.
2.11 Additional Representations by the Managing Member. The Managing Member
represents, warrants, agrees and acknowledges that, from the time of formation of the Company
through the date hereof, the Company has not conducted any activities or incurred any liabilities
or obligations, except in each case in connection with the REIT and as disclosed in writing to the
other Members.
ARTICLE 3
MANAGEMENT OF COMPANY BUSINESS
3.1 Managing Member.
(a) On the date of this Agreement, AllianceBernstein shall be appointed as the managing member
of the Company (the “Managing Member”), and as such shall be authorized and shall have the
authority to take any action in connection with the management of the Company, subject to Sections
3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 below and the other provisions of this Agreement. Subject to Section 3.3, 3.4,
3.5 and the
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other provisions of this Agreement, the Managing Member shall have the power and authority,
without the consent of any other Member, to bind the Company with respect to all affairs of the
Company within the scope of purpose set forth in Section 2.6(a). The Managing Member may, by not
less than 180 days’ prior written notice, resign as Managing Member, which resignation shall not
affect its status as a Member of the Company so long as the Advisory Agreement remains in effect
with the resigning Managing Member or its Affiliate continuing to serve as the Advisor thereunder
at the time of such resignation and thereafter; provided that the Managing Member may only give
such notice to resign on or after the third anniversary of the date hereof (unless agreed to by the
other Members). If on any date, AllianceBernstein or its Affiliate has ceased to be the Advisor
under the Advisory Agreement, the Managing Member (if it is AllianceBernstein or an Affiliate
thereof at such time) shall cease to act as the Managing Member and will thereafter forfeit its
Interests pursuant to Section 9.2(b). The Managing Member shall not be permitted to vote on the
appointment of the replacement Managing Member in accordance with Section 3.3(A)(c). If any time
the Advisory Agreement is no longer in effect with AllianceBernstein or its Affiliate serving as
the Advisor thereunder, AllianceBernstein (or any Affiliate thereof that is a Member hereunder)
shall forfeit its Interests as provided in Section 9.2(b). If, at any time, the Managing Member
has resigned or has tendered its notice to resign as the Managing Member or is no longer a Member
of the Company, the other Members (excluding the Managing Member) may take such actions to and
shall appoint a replacement Managing Member in accordance with Section 3.3(A)(c) below. The
resigning Managing Member shall cooperate with and take such actions as reasonably requested by the
other Members in order to assist the Company with the replacement and transition of the replacement
Managing Member.
(b) Upon the occurrence of any event or circumstance that permits or will permit the Company
to submit a Manager Successorship Proposal pursuant to Section 14(d) of the Management Agreement,
the Managing Member shall deliver notice of such circumstance to each Member and deliver a
responsive Manager Successorship Proposal from the Members to the REIT and shall otherwise assist
the other Members in their communications with the REIT in connection with such other Members’
Manager Successorship Proposal as reasonably requested by them.
3.2 Assignment. Except as permitted pursuant to Section 3.3(B)(d), the management
rights and obligations of the Managing Member may not be assigned or delegated by the Managing
Member to any other party, other than an Affiliate of the Managing Member, in which case, the
Managing Member will remain responsible for the performance by its Affiliate of all the Managing
Member’s responsibilities and obligations hereunder.
3.3 Matters Requiring Unanimous Member Approval. (A) The approval of all Members
(other than the Managing Member (or any Affiliate thereof) in the case of Section 3.3(A)(c) and the
Member (or an Affiliate of such Member) that is the Person as to which a determination of Cause is
being made pursuant to Sections 3.3(A)(h) or 3.3(A)(i) hereunder) shall be required for each of the
following actions:
(a) | Corporate Changes. The approval of any material change to the purpose of the Company, or any conversion of the corporate form of the Company into a different form, or the Company engaging in any business other than acting as the manager of the REIT, or any merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination of the Company with another entity or any sale or other transfer by the Company of all or any substantial part of its assets (except as contemplated hereby), or, subject to Article 10, any dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company; |
(b) | Management Agreement. (i) Any assignment or other transfer (including any pledge or hypothecation) of the Management Agreement by the Company (whether or not to an |
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Affiliate of the Advisor), including any assignment or other transfer of any amounts payable to the Company thereunder, (ii) the giving of any consent to any such assignment or other transfer (including any pledge or hypothecation) of the Management Agreement by the REIT pursuant to the Management Agreement or otherwise, (iii) any consent by the Company to any amendment to or waiver of any provision of the Management Agreement that adversely affects amounts payable by the REIT to the Company or payable, directly or indirectly, to the Advisor, any Sub-Advisor or the Consultant thereunder, or (iv) any termination of the Management Agreement by the Company or any election of non-extension of the term thereof by the Company; |
(c) | Replacement Managing Member. The appointment of a replacement Managing Member following any withdrawal or resignation of the Managing Member; |
(d) | Additional Sub-Advisors. Any consent by the Company to the appointment by the Advisor of any Sub-Advisor in addition to Greenfield and Rialto Capital Partners, LLC or of any Consultant in addition to Flexpoint; |
(e) | Capital Contributions. The making of any Capital Contributions, loans or other advances by any Member other than the initial Capital Contributions described in Section 6.1 or as required by Section 6.3; |
(f) | Additional Interests and Transfer of Interests. Any creation or issuance of additional Interests or the admission of any new Member except for permitted successors to and assignees of all of a Member’s Interests in accordance with Section 9, or the consent to any Transfer by any Member of its Interests to a transferee that is not an Affiliate of such Member; |
(g) | Bankruptcy. To the extent permitted by law, the Company taking any action that would constitute a Bankruptcy of the Company; |
(h) | Sub-Advisory and Consulting Agreements. The consent by the Company to (i) any termination by the Advisor of any Sub-Advisory Agreement for or without Cause, (ii) any assignment (other than to its Affiliate) or other transfer (including any pledge or hypothecation) of any Sub-Advisory Agreement by a Sub-Advisor, (iii) any termination of the Consulting Agreement for or without Cause, (iv) any assignment (other than to its Affiliate) or other transfer (including any pledge or hypothecation) of the Consulting Agreement, or (v) any appointment by the Advisor of any replacement Sub-Advisor or replacement Consultant; |
(i) | Advisory Agreement. Any (i) termination by the Company of the Advisor for or without Cause, (ii) the non-extension of the term of the Advisory Agreement, (iii) appointment by the Company of any replacement Advisor after any resignation or other termination of the then serving Advisor, or (iv) any assignment or other transfer (including any pledge or hypothecation) of the Advisory Agreement by the Company to a non-Affiliate of the Advisor, including any assignment or other transfer (including any pledge or hypothecation) of any amounts payable to the Advisor thereunder; |
(j) | Tax Matters. Any election or any action by the Tax Matters Member under the Code which would have a material adverse effect on the other Members (subject in all cases to the provisions of the Code); |
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(k) | Administrative Services Agreement. (i) Any assignment or other transfer (including any pledge or hypothecation) of the Administrative Services Agreement by the Company or by the Advisor to a non-Affiliate of the Advisor, (ii) any consent by the Company to any material amendment to or waiver of any provision of the Administrative Services Agreement, or (iii) any termination of the Administrative Services Agreement by the Company or any election of non-extension of the term thereof by the Company; and |
(l) | Indebtedness. Incurrence by the Company of any indebtedness, financing or refinancing, or pledging or mortgaging of Company assets by the Company or the making of any loans or any guarantees by the Company, |
(B) Subject to Sections 3.3(C) and 3.3(D), the approval of all Members, excluding Flexpoint,
shall be required for each of the following actions:
(a) | Investment Committee Changes. Any amendment to or other modification of any provision of the Management Agreement concerning the Investment Committee (including any change in the composition or in the number of Members thereof); |
(b) | Distributions. Any distributions of Available Cash by the Company pursuant to Article 8 and the approval of any policy of the Company in connection with such distributions; |
(c) | Certain REIT Matters. The approval by the Company of (i) any modifications to the Guidelines (as defined in the Management Agreement), whether or not for submission to the REIT’s Board of Directors, (ii) each annual business plan for the REIT, whether or not for submission to the REIT’s Board of Directors, or any material variation therefrom, each annual budget and any expense guidelines for the REIT, whether or not for submission to the REIT’s Board of Directors, or any material variation from an existing budget, (iii) any hedging or financing strategies or financings (debt or equity), whether or not for submission to the REIT’s Board of Directors, or (iv) any termination, replacement or the appointment of any key Person of the REIT’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. |
(d) | Company Matters. The approval of an initial expense budget and an annual business plan and budget for each subsequent year of the Company and any change to any existing business plan or budget of the Company, any assignment or delegation by the Managing Member of its management rights and obligations hereunder to any party other than by an assignment or delegation to an Affiliate in accordance with Section 3.2, and the appointment, termination or replacement of each member of the Company’s management team, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, if any; |
(e) | Management Agreement. (i) Any agreement or consent by the Company to any amendment of the Management Agreement, or (ii) the granting by the Company of any material waiver of rights under the Management Agreement that does not adversely affect amounts payable by the REIT to the Company pursuant to the Management Agreement or payable, directly or indirectly, to the Advisor, any Sub-Advisor or the Consultant; |
(f) | Advising Agreements. Any consent by the Company to any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Advisory Agreement, any Sub-Advisory Agreement or the Consulting Agreement, or any consent by the Company to any assignment or other |
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transfer (including any pledge or hypothecation) of the Advisory Agreement to an Affiliate of the Advisor; |
(g) | Related Transactions. Any transaction or any agreement entered into by the Company or the REIT with any Member or with any Affiliate of any Member (other than transactions or agreements explicitly permitted without the approval of the Members in accordance with this Agreement and the Management Agreement, respectively) and the issuance of a Call Notice by the Company pursuant to Section 9.5(b); |
(h) | New Expenses or Material Variation to Budget. Any incurrence by the Company of any material unbudgeted expenses or any material variation (in any line item or in the aggregate) from a previously-approved expense budget; and |
(i) | Gross Asset Valuation. Any valuation by the Company of any asset to be distributed in-kind to any Member. |
(C) Additional Flexpoint Approval Rights. Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary contained in Section 3.3(B), but subject, however, to Section 3.3(D), the approval of
Flexpoint shall also be required in addition to the other approvals required pursuant to Section
3.3(B) in the case of any matter described in Section 3.3(B) if approval of such matter (and
implementation thereof by the Company) would have a material adverse effect on Flexpoint’s rights
as a Member or the Consultant.
(D) Member Impasses. If on any matter on which an approval by the Members is required
pursuant to Sections 3.3(A) or 3.3(B) the required approval is not achieved due to a withholding of
approval by one or more Members (a “Member Impasse”), then no further action will be taken
by the Company (unless such required approvals are thereafter achieved); provided, however, that
solely with respect to any matter on which an approval by the Members is required pursuant to
Section 3.3(B)(c), the Managing Member on behalf of the Company shall refer such matter to the REIT
with a recommendation that it be considered and resolved by the REIT’s Independent Directors.
3.4 Managing Member’s Duty to Company. The Managing Member shall be required to
manage the Company in the Company’s best interests.
3.5 Issuance of Additional Interests. Subject to Section 2.1(a), if the Advisor at
any time, acting with the consent of the Company given in accordance with Sections 3.3(A)(d) and
3.3(A)(f), enters into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with a new Sub-Advisor and the Company, acting in
accordance with Section 3.3(A)(f), has approved such Sub-Advisor becoming a Member, the Managing
Member shall cause the Company to issue Interests to such new Sub-Advisor in an amount approved
unanimously by all Members in accordance with Section 3.3(A)(f).
3.6 Cancellation of Interests. If any Member’s Interests are forfeited pursuant to
the terms of Article 9, (i) the Managing Member shall cause the Company to cancel such Interests
and such Interests shall no longer be outstanding unless reissued with the approval specified in
Sections 3.3(A)(f) and/or 3.5 (as applicable) and (ii) such Member shall no longer be permitted to
vote on any matter, including pursuant to Section 3.3.
3.7 Tax Classification. It is the intention of the Members that the Company be
treated as a partnership for federal, state and local income tax purposes. The Company shall not
elect to be treated as other than a partnership under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3(c)
(or any corresponding applicable provisions of state or local law) unless such election is approved
by all Members.
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3.8 Members’ Meetings.
(a) The Members shall conduct meetings as often as shall be necessary or appropriate to enable
the Company to conduct its business and perform its contractual obligations, including when and as
necessary to obtain the necessary approvals or consents under this Agreement, including under
Section 3.3. Such meetings of Members shall occur no less frequently than once every year. At any
such meeting, Flexpoint shall have the right to vote solely upon such matters as to which the
approval or consent of Flexpoint as a Member is required pursuant to Section 3.3 and upon no other
matters. Any meeting of Members may be conducted, subject to 3 business days’ prior notice (which
may be waived with the agreement of each of the Members eligible to attend in such meeting), in
person or by means of a telephone or video conference.
(b) Subject to Section 3.8(a), a meeting may be called by any Member in connection with the
required voting under Section 3.3(A)(c) and any Member may take any necessary action in order to
effect the appointment of the replacement Managing Member chosen thereby. Subject to Section
3.8(a) and while the Managing Member is the Advisor or an Affiliate of the Advisor, any Member may
call a meeting to effect the voting required under Section 3.3(A)(i) to approve the termination by
the Company of the Advisor for or without Cause and any Member may take any necessary action in
order to effect the removal and replacement of such Advisor pursuant to the approval thereunder,
including executing and delivering any required notices under the Advisory Agreement on the
Company’s behalf.
(c) In the event of a resignation of the Advisor while the Managing Member is the Advisor (or
an Affiliate of the Advisor), during the up to 180-day period prior to the effective date of such
resignation, the Managing Member shall forfeit any and all rights with respect to the approval of a
Person to replace the Advisor and shall cooperate with and take such actions as reasonably
requested by the other Members in order to assist the Company with the replacement and transition
of the Advisor.
(d) In connection with the approval in Section 3.3(B)(c), the Managing Member shall prepare an
initial business plan and budget for the REIT (including any and all of its subsidiaries), whether
or not for submission to the REIT’s Board of Directors, and update such business plan and budget at
least on an annual basis. Each such initial and updated budget and business plan shall require the
consent specified in Section 3.3(B)(c). The business plan for the REIT shall set forth, among
other matters, the types and amounts of assets of the REIT anticipated to be purchased and sold,
financing (debt and equity), hedging strategies and other capital and out-of-the ordinary course
material transactions and/or events of the REIT and the professionals to be retained for the REIT.
The budget for the REIT (including any and all of its subsidiaries) will set forth in detail each
category of expected revenue and expense (including fees and expenses to be reimbursed to the
Manager, the Advisor, the Sub-Advisors and the Consultant by the REIT directly or indirectly
pursuant to the Management Agreement or otherwise). The taking of any action or the making of any
decision by the Managing Member, the Advisor, any Sub-Advisor or the Consultant or any other Person
materially inconsistent with a matter relating to the REIT covered by the then current business
plan or required to be authorized thereunder or in material variance or deviation (more than 10% as
to any line item or 5% as to the total) of the then current budget shall first be required to be
approved under Section 3.3(B)(c).
(e) The Managing Member shall prepare the relevant expense budgets and business plans for the
Company required in connection with the approval in Section 3.3(B)(d) and present such plans to the
other Members required to vote under Section 3.3(B)(d), for approval.
(f) Any action that may be taken by the Members at a duly convened meeting may be instead
taken by unanimous written consent of all Members whose approval is required pursuant to Section
3.3 or
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other provisions of this Agreement. Promptly after any such unanimous written consent, a copy
of such written consent shall be provided to all Members not party thereto.
3.9 Members’ Approval Discretion. Subject to Section 3.4, the approval or consent
required to be given by any Member under this Section 3 or any other provisions of this Agreement
shall be given in the sole discretion of such Member unless otherwise provided.
ARTICLE 4
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS
4.1 Activities of the Members. Each Member may engage or invest in any other activity
or venture or possess any interest therein independently or with others. None of the Members, the
Company or any other Person employed by, related to or in any way affiliated with any Member or the
Company shall have any duty or obligation to disclose or offer to the Company or the Members, or
obtain for the benefit of the Company or the Members, any other activity or venture or interest
therein, other than as set out in the Advising Agreements. None of the Company, the Members, the
creditors of the Company or any other Person having any interest in the Company shall, other than
as set out in the Advising Agreements, have (a) any claim, right or cause of action against any
Member or any other Person employed by, related to or in any way affiliated with, any Member by
reason of any direct or indirect investment or other participation, whether active or passive, in
any such activity or venture or interest therein, or (b) any right to any such activity or venture
or interest therein or the income or profits derived therefrom.
4.2 Indemnification.
(a) No Member (or any officer, director, partner, member, manager, employee, consultant,
Affiliate or agent of such Member; and reference in this Section to Member shall be deemed to
include each of the foregoing) shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise
to the Company or to any other Member for any act performed within the scope of the authority
conferred on such Member by this Agreement except for the gross negligence, fraud or willful
misconduct of such Member in carrying out its obligations hereunder.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, in any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, each Member (including in its capacity as Managing Member) shall be fully
protected and indemnified and held harmless by the Company against all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, proceedings, costs, expenses and
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs of
investigation, fines, judgments and amounts paid in settlement actually incurred by such Member in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding) by virtue of its status as Member or with respect
to any action or omission taken or suffered in good faith, other than liabilities and losses
resulting from the gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct of such Member. The
indemnification provided by this Section 4.2(b) shall be recoverable only out of the assets of the
Company, and no Member shall have any personal liability (or obligation to contribute capital to
the Company) on account thereof.
(c) To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Member shall defend and indemnify the Company
and the other Members against, and shall hold it and them harmless from, any damage, loss,
liability, or expense, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, as and when incurred by the Company or
the other Members in connection with or resulting from such indemnifying Member’s gross negligence,
fraud or willful misconduct relating to the business of the Company. Any obligation of any Member
to indemnify with regard to services rendered by such Member (or its Affiliate) under an Advising
- 16 -
Agreement will be governed solely by such Advising Agreement and will not be deemed to arise
under, or be affected by, this Agreement.
(d) The Company shall procure and maintain at all times hereunder Managing Member, directors’
and officers’ liability insurance with such coverage and in such amounts as is customary for
similar companies engaged in activities similar to those in which the Company is engaged and any
cost to the Company of such policies shall be approved by the Members in accordance with Section
3.3(B)(h) if such expenses were not in the initial expense budget approved in accordance with
Section 3.3(B)(d). The Company shall provide copies of such policies reasonably promptly to any
Member which so requests.
4.3 Use of Company Assets. No Member shall make use of the funds or property of the
Company, or assign its rights to specific Company Assets, other than for the business or benefit of
the Company.
4.4 Designation of Tax Matters Member. The Managing Member is hereby designated as
the “tax matters partner” of the Company as defined in Section 6231 of the Code (the “Tax
Matters Member”) and shall act as provided in Section 6231 of the Code and the Treasury
Regulations promulgated thereunder. Each Member hereby confirms and approves of the designation of
AllianceBernstein as the Tax Matters Member and agrees to execute, certify, acknowledge, deliver,
swear to, file and record at the appropriate public offices such documents as may be deemed
necessary or appropriate to evidence such approval. To the extent and in the manner provided by
applicable Code sections and Treasury Regulations thereunder, the Tax Matters Member (a) shall
furnish the name, address, profits interest and taxpayer identification number of each Member to
the IRS and (b) shall inform each Member of administrative or judicial proceedings for the
adjustment of Company items required to be taken into account by a Member for income tax purposes.
ARTICLE 5
BOOKS AND RECORDS; ANNUAL REPORTS
5.1 Books of Account. At all times during the continuance of the Company, the
Managing Member shall keep or cause to be kept true and complete books of account in which shall be
entered fully and accurately each transaction of the Company. Such books shall be kept on the
basis of the Fiscal Year in accordance with the accrual method of accounting, and shall reflect all
Company transactions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied.
5.2 Availability of Books of Account. All of the books of account referred to in
Section 5.1, together with an executed copy of this Agreement and the Certificate, and any
amendments thereto, shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the Company or such
other location as the Managing Member may select and shall be open to the inspection and
examination of any of the Members or their representatives during business hours. Each of the
Members shall have continuing access to the Company’s books and records following the termination
of its status as a Member to the extent necessary in connection with legal or governmental
proceedings or tax audits in any way relating to such Member’s Interest. Subject to the provisions
of Section 12.12 and upon reasonable advance notice, each Member shall have the right to inspect
the books of accounts and records of the REIT relating to the services provided by, and/or duties
and responsibilities of, the Company to the REIT pursuant to the Management Agreement (or by the
Advisor pursuant to the Advisory Agreement) at any time during normal business hours.
5.3 Annual/Quarterly Reports and Statements. For each Fiscal Year, the Managing
Member shall cause the Company to send to each Person who was a Member at any time during such
Fiscal Year,
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an annual report of the Company including a balance sheet as of the end of such Fiscal Year
and statements of profit and loss, changes in financial position, and distributions to the Members
for that Fiscal Year, all as prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied, such annual reports to be delivered within ninety (90) days after the end of
such Fiscal Year. Each Member shall have the right to require that such annual reports be audited
by a nationally recognized public accounting firm; provided, however, that such requesting Member
shall be obligated to pay all of the Company’s costs, fees and expenses of such audit. In
addition, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to use its reasonable best efforts to send
within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, to each Person who was a Member at any
time during such Fiscal Year, (i) a completed IRS Schedule K-1 and (ii) such other information
concerning the Company as may be reasonably requested by any Member, including such information as
is necessary for the preparation of each Member’s federal, state and local income or other tax
returns, all such other information to be delivered reasonably promptly, but in all events no later
than 30 days before the filing date of a Member’s applicable tax return. Promptly upon the request
of any Member, the Company shall furnish to such Member a copy of all federal, state and local
income tax returns or information returns, if any, that have been filed by or on behalf of the
Company. Within forty-five (45) days after the end of such fiscal quarter, the Managing Member
shall cause the Company to deliver to each Person who was a Member at any time during such quarter,
a quarterly income statement of the Company as of the end of such quarter, prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
5.4 Pre-Formation Expenses and the REIT. Attached hereto as Schedule 5.4(a) is a
schedule listing expenses incurred by the Members in connection with the formation of the Company
and the REIT (“Pre-Formation Expenses”), which amounts shall be reimbursed by the Company
(subject to the Company’s receipt of reimbursement from the REIT of such expenses other than those
expenses noted on Schedule 5.4 which will not be reimbursed by the REIT but shall still be
reimbursed by the Company) within thirty (30) days of submission to the Company for reimbursement
of all such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal expenses, incurred by any Member on
or after [•], 2009.
5.5 Accounting Expenses. All out-of-pocket expenses payable in connection with the
keeping of the books and records of the Company and the preparation of audited or unaudited
financial statements and federal, state and local tax and information returns required to implement
the provisions of this Agreement or required by any governmental authority with jurisdiction over
the Company shall be borne by the Company as an ordinary expense of its business.
5.6 Company Bank Accounts. The Company shall arrange to maintain the Company’s cash
deposits in one or more segregated accounts held for the Company’s business, which accounts, to the
extent reasonably practicable, shall be interest bearing.
ARTICLE 6
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LIABILITIES
6.1 Capital Contributions and Percentage Interests of the Members. The Percentage
Interest of each Member shall be as set forth on the table below, until such time as there is a
change in the Members’ Interests in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, at which time
that table will be amended. In addition, the Members confirm that each Member has contributed cash
to the Company on and as of the date hereof in the amount (or having a value) set forth opposite
such Member’s name below (such Member’s “Capital Contribution”):
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Member | Percentage Interest | Capital Contribution | |||||||
AllianceBernstein |
55 | % | $ | 550 | |||||
Flexpoint |
15 | % | $ | 000 | |||||
Xxxxxxxxxx |
15 | % | $ | 150 | |||||
Rialto |
15 | % | $ | 150 | |||||
Total |
100.00 | % | $ | 1,000 |
6.2 Capital of the Company. Except as specified in Sections 6.1 and 6.3, no Member
will be obligated to contribute cash or other assets to the Company. Except as otherwise expressly
provided for in this Agreement, no Member shall be entitled to withdraw or receive any interest or
other return on, or return of, all or any part of its Capital Contribution, or to receive any
Company Assets (other than cash) in return for its Capital Contribution.
6.3 Limited Liability of the Members. All debts and obligations of the Company shall
be paid or discharged solely with Company Assets and no Member shall be obligated to pay or
discharge such debts or obligations except to the extent required by applicable law. For the
avoidance of doubt, no Member shall be liable for the return of the Capital Contribution of any
other Member or for the Purchase Price of Flexpoint’s Interests pursuant to Section 9.5. No Member
shall be required or permitted to make any additional Capital Contribution other than with the
consent of all of the Members except in order to pay the non-reimbursable expenses of the Company
in accordance with an expense budget approved in accordance with Sections 3.3(B)(d), with such
additional Capital Contribution to be made by each Member in accordance each Member’s pro rata
share of the non-reimbursable expenses of the Company, based upon such Member’s Percentage
Interest.
ARTICLE 7
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS AND TAX ALLOCATIONS
7.1 Capital Accounts.
(a) The Company shall maintain a capital account (each, a “Capital Account”) for each
Member in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles. Each Member’s Capital Account
as of the Effective Date shall equal its Capital Contribution as set forth under Section 6.1.
(b) The Capital Account of each Member shall be increased by (i) the amount of any cash and
the Gross Asset Value of any other asset (net of liabilities that the Company assumes or takes
subject to) contributed to the capital of the Company by that Member, (ii) the amount of any Net
Income allocated to that Member, and (iii) any items of income or gain specially allocated to that
Member under this Article 7. The Capital Account of each Member shall be decreased by (i) the
amount of any Net Loss allocated to that Member, (ii) the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value
of any property (net of liabilities that the Member assumes or takes subject to) distributed to
that Member, and (iii) any deductions or loss specially allocated to that Member under this Article
7. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing sentences, the Members’ Capital
Accounts shall be determined in accordance with the detailed capital accounting rules set forth in
Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and shall be adjusted upon the occurrence of certain
events as provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f).
(c) A transferee of all (or a portion) of the Interests of a Member shall succeed to the
Capital Account (or portion of the Capital Account) attributable to the transferred Interests.
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7.2 Net Income and Net Loss.
(a) Except as otherwise required by Section 704 of the Code or the detailed capital accounting
rules set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), Net Income and Net Loss and
items thereof in each Fiscal Year shall be allocated to the Members on a pro rata basis in
proportion to their Percentage Interests.
(b) Whenever a proportionate part of the Net Income or Net Loss is allocated to a Member,
every item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit entering into the computation of such Net
Income or Net Loss or arising from the transactions with respect to which such Net Income or Net
Loss were realized shall be credited or charged, as the case may be, to such Member in the same
proportion.
(c) If any Member Transfers all or any part of its Interests during any Fiscal Year or its
Interests are increased or decreased, Net Income and Net Loss attributable to the transferred
Interests for that Fiscal Year shall be apportioned between the transferor and transferee or
computed as to such Members, as the case may be, in accordance with the method selected by the Tax
Matters Member, as long as such apportionment is permissible under the Code and applicable Treasury
Regulations promulgated thereunder.
(d) In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder, income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the
capital of the Company shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take
account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal
income tax purposes and its Gross Asset Value at the time of the contribution, in a fashion as
agreed upon by the Members. If the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted as provided
in the definition thereof, subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect
to such asset shall, solely for federal income tax purposes and pursuant to Treasury Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b), take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for
federal income tax purposes and its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section
704(c) and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder as agreed upon by the Members pursuant
to the preceding sentence.
(e) For federal income tax purposes, except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2(d), each item
of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as its
corresponding item of Net Income and Net Loss is allocated pursuant to this Article 7.
(f) No Member shall be responsible to restore or repay to the Company or any other Member any
deficit in such Member’s Capital Account existing at any time.
ARTICLE 8
APPLICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS OF AVAILABLE CASH
8.1 Distributions. Subject to Sections 3.3(B)(b), 8.2 and 9.2, the Managing Member
may, on any date, instruct the Company to distribute all or any portion of the Available Cash and
any stock-based compensation received by the Company from the REIT under the REIT’s equity
incentive plan, at such time, to the Members on a pro rata basis in proportion to their Percentage
Interests.
8.2 Limitations on Distributions. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to make a distribution to a Member
on account of its interest in the Company if such distribution would violate Section 18-607 of the
Act or any other applicable law.
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ARTICLE 9
TRANSFER OF COMPANY INTERESTS
9.1 Limitations on Transfer of Interests by Members; Permitted Transfers.
(a) No Member shall make any Transfer of any of its Interests other than as permitted by, or
after compliance with, Sections 3.3(A)(f), 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5. Any purported Transfer in
violation of this Article 9 shall be void, and shall not bind the Company, and the Member making
such purported Transfer shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold the
Company and the other Members harmless from and against any federal, state or local income taxes,
or transfer taxes, and any other damages, arising as a result of, or caused directly or indirectly
by, such purported Transfer.
(b) Any transferee of Interests by any means shall have only the rights, powers and privileges
provided by law and shall not become a Member of the Company except as provided in this Article 9.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Transfer of Interests shall
be permitted if such Transfer (i) would require the registration of the Interests under the
Securities Act, or (ii) would require the registration of the Company or the REIT under the
Investment Company Act, (iii) would have an adverse effect upon the Company or the Members under
the Code, or (iv) would violate any material agreement or any law, rule or regulation binding on
the Company or the REIT or as to which the Company or the REIT is subject, and any Transfer in
violation of this Section 9.1(c) shall be void.
(d) No Transfer of any Interests upon initial issuance or at any time thereafter shall be
permitted unless the purchaser or the transferee, as the case may be, is a “qualified purchaser”
within the meaning of Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act.
9.2 Certain Transfers of Interests of Managing Member, and Other Members.
(a) If on any date any Sub-Advisory Agreement or the Consulting Agreement is terminated by the
Advisor for Cause (subject to approval by the Company in accordance with Section 3.3(A)(h)) or
terminated by mutual agreement of the parties thereto, or the Sub-Advisor or the Consultant resigns
pursuant to the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement or the Consulting Agreement, respectively, the
Member that (or the Member whose Affiliate) is a Sub-Advisor or the Consultant, as the case may be,
with respect to such Sub-Advisory Agreement or the Consulting Agreement as the case may be, shall
forfeit its entire Interest in the Company and shall cease to be a Member (each such Member, a
“Forfeited Member”). No consideration shall be paid to such Forfeited Member (including
the Forfeited Managing Member (as defined below)) for any forfeited Interest. Upon such
forfeiture, the Managing Member (i) shall cause the Company to cancel such Interests, or (ii)
within 30 Business Days of such forfeiture may sell such Interests (in whole or in part) on behalf
of the Company to any other Person (including the Advisor, any Sub-Advisor or the Consultant)
unanimously approved by the Members (excluding the Forfeited Member and in accordance with the
other applicable provisions of this Article 9) and, if such Person is not the Advisor, a
Sub-Advisor or the Consultant, subject to such Person entering into a sub-advisory agreement or
consulting agreement with the Advisor on substantially similar terms as the Sub-Advisory Agreements
or the Consulting Agreement, as applicable, such Person shall be admitted as a Substituted Member.
The proceeds of any such sale shall be distributed to the Members in proportion to their Percentage
Interests (excluding, for the purposes of this distribution, such Substituted Member).
(b) If on any date the Advisory Agreement is terminated for Cause by the Company or terminated
by mutual agreement of the parties thereto or the Advisor resigns thereunder, the Interests of the
Advisor (or any Member that is an Affiliate thereof) shall be forfeited and, if the Managing Member
is
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the Advisor (or an Affiliate of the Advisor), the Managing Member (either as the then Managing
Member or a Member, as the case may be) shall forfeit its entire Interest in the Company and shall
cease to be a Member (the “Forfeited Managing Member”). No consideration shall be paid to
the Forfeited Managing Member and/or the Advisor or its Affiliates, as applicable, for its
forfeited Interests. Upon such forfeiture, all of the other Members (i) shall cause the Company to
cancel the Interests of the Forfeited Managing Member and/or the Advisor or its Affiliates, as
applicable, or (ii) within 30 Business Days of such forfeiture may sell such Interests (in whole or
in part) on behalf of the Company to any other Person (including AllianceBernstein if it is not an
Affiliate of the Forfeited Managing Member or the terminated Advisor) unanimously approved by the
Members (excluding the Forfeited Managing Member and/or the Advisor or its Affiliates, as
applicable, and in accordance with the other applicable provisions of this Article 9) and, if such
Person is not the Advisor, subject to such Person entering into an advisory agreement with the
Manager on substantially similar terms as the Advisory Agreement, such Person shall be admitted as
a replacement Managing Member. The proceeds of any such sale shall be distributed to the Members
in proportion to their Percentage Interests (excluding, for the purposes of this distribution, such
replacement Managing Member and/or the Advisor or its Affiliates, as applicable).
(c) On the Initial Payment Date, the entire Interests of Flexpoint in the Company shall be
forfeited and Flexpoint shall cease to be a Member. Consideration shall be only paid to Flexpoint
for its forfeited Interests in accordance with Section 9.5(c). Upon such forfeiture, the Managing
Member (i) shall cause the Company to cancel the Interests of Flexpoint, or (ii) within 30 Business
Days of such forfeiture may sell such Interests (in whole or in part) on behalf of the Company to
any other Person (including the Advisor or the Sub-Advisors) unanimously approved by the Members
(excluding Flexpoint and in accordance with the other applicable provisions of this Article 9),
subject to such Person entering into a consulting agreement with the Advisor on substantially
similar terms as the Consulting Agreement, such Person shall be admitted as a Substituted Member.
The proceeds of any such sale shall be distributed to the Members in proportion to their Percentage
Interests (excluding, for the purposes of this distribution, such Substituted Member).
9.3 Transfers with Consent of the Other Members. On any date, any Member may, after
providing each Member with the full details of a proposed Transfer of all or a portion of its
Interests (including, without limitation, the proposed price and the proposed transferee), Transfer
its Interests, in whole or in part, if it has obtained the written consent in accordance with
Section 3.3(A)(f).
9.4 Transfer to Affiliates. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 9,
any Member may, with the consent of the Managing Member, transfer its Interests, in whole but not
in part, to any Affiliate of such Member, and the Managing Member shall not withhold its consent to
such transfer so long as such transfer does not have an adverse effect on any other Member or the
Company or its business. Upon the completion of such Transfer, such Affiliate shall be admitted as
a Member, provided that the Affiliate must agree in writing that, prior to any time at which it
ceases in the future to be an Affiliate of the transferor, it will transfer its Interests back to
the transferor or another Affiliate thereof unless the Company otherwise agrees in accordance with
Section 3.3(A)(f).
9.5 Transfer of Flexpoint’s Interests.
(a) On the fifth year anniversary of this Agreement, or on any date thereafter, Flexpoint
shall have the right, to require the Company to purchase all of Flexpoint’s Interests by delivering
to the Managing Member and the Company a notice in writing not more than 120 days or less than 90
days prior to the proposed date of transfer (a “Put Notice”).
(b) On the fifth year anniversary of this Agreement, or on any date thereafter, the Members
(excluding Flexpoint) shall have the right, in accordance with Section 3.3(B)(g), to cause the
Company,
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by not more than 120 days’ or less than 90 days’ prior written notice to Flexpoint (a
“Call Notice”), to require Flexpoint to sell all of Flexpoint’s Interests to the Company.
(c) In connection with the sale of its Interests as a result of a Put Notice or a Call Notice
(the date indicated in the Put Notice or the Call Notice, the “Sale Date”), Flexpoint shall
be entitled to receive consideration for the sale of its Interests, payable solely out of future
amounts and any available stock received by the Company as Management Fees, Incentive Fees and any
Termination Fee pursuant to and as defined in the Management Agreement in an amount equal to the
Fair Value of such Interests (the “Purchase Price”). The “Fair Value” shall be equal to
the product of (i) Flexpoint’s Percentage Interest multiplied by (ii) the fair market value
of 100% of all of the Members’ Interests on the Sale Date taking into account all relevant factors
determinative of value. The Fair Value of the Interests shall be determined by two independent
appraisers who have experience in valuing equity interests similar to the Interests (the
“Independent Appraisers”), one of which is selected by the Company (by the unanimous
approval of the Members (other than Flexpoint)), and the second of which is selected by Flexpoint.
The Independent Appraisers shall be instructed to as promptly as possible prepare and deliver to
Flexpoint and the Company a detailed written appraisal of the Fair Value which appraisal shall
include a description of the methodologies and calculations employed to arrive at such Fair Value
(the “Fair Value Report”). In the event the two Independent Appraisers are unable to agree
upon the Fair Value of Flexpoint’s Interests within 45 days of the Sale Date, then the Independent
Appraisers shall jointly select a third independent appraiser of recognized standing (who shall not
have any material relationship with or have provided any material services to the Company, any of
the Members or any of their respective Affiliates) and such third independent appraiser alone shall
determine the Fair Value of the Interests and prepare and deliver to Flexpoint and the Company the
Fair Value Report as promptly as possible. The cost of each of the independent appraisers shall be
borne by the Company and the final determination of such independent appraiser(s) shall be final
and binding upon all parties.
(d) Each Member acknowledges and agrees that the Purchase Price payable to Flexpoint pursuant
to Sections 9.5(a) or (b) shall be paid by the Company in installments (excluding any interest
thereon) on each date, on or after the Sale Date and the determination of the Fair Value pursuant
to Section 9.5(c) above, that the Company makes quarterly payments to the Advisor pursuant to the
Advisory Agreement or to any of the Sub-Advisors under the Sub-Advisory Agreements (each such
installment, a “Purchase Payment” and the date of the first Purchase Payment, the
“Initial Payment Date”). Each Purchase Payment shall be in an amount equal to 50% (or such
lesser amount as may be required for the last installment in order for the Purchase Price to be
paid in full) of the sum of all Management Fees, Incentive Fees and Termination Fees received by
the Company for such period pursuant to and as defined in the Management Agreement, after payment
of all Company expenses (other than the Advisor Fee, the Advisor Termination Fee, the Sub-Advisory
Fee or the Sub-Advisory Termination Fee) that the Managing Member determines are necessary to be paid in the
ordinary course of the Company’s business (or making reserves therefor in the ordinary course of
the Company’s business as determined by the Managing Member). Such Purchase Payments shall continue
each quarter until the Purchase Price has been paid in full. The Stock Percentage of each Purchase
Payment shall be paid by the Company to Flexpoint in the REIT’s common stock and the Cash
Percentage of each Purchase Payment shall be paid by the Company to Flexpoint in cash. For
purposes hereof, “Stock Percentage” means, for each Fee Payment Date, the quotient
(expressed as a percentage) obtained by dividing (i) the amount representing the aggregate value of
the REIT’s common stock (based upon the valuation used for the REIT delivering shares to the
Company for such Fee Payment Date) delivered to the Company in relation to such Fee Payment Date,
by (ii) the aggregate amount of all Management Fees, Incentive Fees and Termination Fees paid to
the Company in relation to such Fee Payment Date, and “Cash Percentage” means, for each Fee
Payment Date, (i) 1.00 minus (ii) the Stock Percentage for such Fee Payment Date.
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(e) On the Initial Payment Date, Flexpoint shall cease to be a Member with effect immediately
and shall forfeit all of its Interests in accordance with Section 9.2(c). Upon such forfeiture,
Flexpoint shall no longer have any voting or approval rights under Section 3.3, except solely with
respect to any matters therein which would materially and adversely affect (i) the obligation of
the Company to pay the Purchase Price pursuant to this Section 9.5, (ii) the Company’s ability to
make each required Purchase Payment or (iii) the amount of cash and/or shares of the REIT’s common
stock the Company is entitled to receive pursuant to the Management Agreement that would reduce the
amount of cash and/or shares of REIT’s common stock that would otherwise be available to make the
required Purchase Payments. From and including the Initial Payment Date and until the Purchase
Price is paid in full, upon Flexpoint’s written request, the Company will issue a non-negotiable
instrument naming Flexpoint as payee and evidencing the payment obligation of the Company under
this Section 9.5. Any transfer by the Company to Flexpoint of any of REIT’s common stock as part
of the Purchase Price shall be subject to the following: (1) the ownership of such shares by
Flexpoint does not violate the limit on ownership of the REIT’s common stock set forth in the
REIT’s Governing Instruments, after giving effect to any waiver from such limit that the Board of
Directors may grant to Flexpoint in the future, (2) the transfer of such shares to Flexpoint
complies with all applicable restrictions under U.S. federal securities laws and the rules of the
NYSE, and (3) Flexpoint shall have the same registration rights and obligations with respect to such shares as
the Manager or any of its Members have (whether directly or indirectly) pursuant to the agreement referred to
in Section 9(b)(i)(3) of the Management Agreement.
9.6 Remedy for Impermissible Transfer. In the event that a Member or a holder of a
direct or indirect interest in such Member shall purport to Transfer an Interest or part thereof in
a manner not permitted hereunder, then, without limiting any other remedies available hereunder or
at law, any other Member may, at its option, declare such purported Transfer void.
9.7 Substituted Members.
(a) Any Member that transfers all of its Interests pursuant to this Agreement shall cease to
be a Member of the Company except that unless and until a Substituted Member is admitted in its
stead, the assigning Member shall not cease to be a Member of the Company under the Act and shall
retain the rights and powers of a Member under the Act and hereunder. Any transferee of any
portion of any Interest of a Member shall become a Substituted Member only when (i) the Managing
Member has entered such assignee as a Member on the books and records of the Company, which the
Managing Member is hereby directed to do upon the satisfaction of the relevant requirements, (ii)
such transferee has paid all the Company’s reasonable legal fees and all filing costs and any
transfer taxes arising as a result of or in connection with its becoming a Substituted Member; and
(iii) such transferee has in the reasonable judgment of the Managing Member, complied with all
requirements under this Agreement necessary for the admission of a Substituted Member. If a Member
transfers less than all its Interests, when the transferee becomes a Substituted Member, both the
transferor and the transferee will be Members.
(b) To the extent that the right to receive distributions from the Company (an “Economic
Interest”) that was initially held by a Member has been lawfully transferred to a Person that
has not been admitted as a Substituted Member, the Company shall not make any distributions
pursuant to Article 8 (but will make any corresponding allocations of Net Income, Net Loss or other
items pursuant to Article 7) that relate to such Economic Interest to either the transferor or the
transferee of the Economic Interest until such transferee is admitted as a Substituted Member, at
which time the withheld distributions will be made to the transferee (or, if the transfer is
rescinded, to the transferor).
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ARTICLE 10
DISSOLUTION OF THE COMPANY;
WINDING UP AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS
10.1 Dissolution.
(a) The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon (and only upon) the
first to occur of the following:
(1) the unanimous direction of the Members;
(2) if the REIT has been wound up or dissolved, the determination of the Managing Member;
(3) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Act; or
(4) the termination of the legal existence of the last remaining Member of the Company or the
occurrence of any other event which terminates the continued membership in the Company of the last
remaining Member of the Company, unless the business of the Company is continued in a manner
permitted by this Agreement or the Act. Upon the occurrence of any event that causes the last
remaining Member of the Company to cease to be a Member of the Company, and if the business of the
Company is to continue, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the personal representative of such
Member is hereby authorized and directed to, and shall, within ninety (90) days after the
occurrence of the event that terminated the continued membership of such Member in the Company,
agree in writing (i) to continue the Company and (ii) to the admission of the personal
representative or its nominee or designee, as the case may be, as a substituted member of the
Company, effective as of the occurrence of the event that terminated the continued membership of
the last remaining Member in the Company.
(b) Except with the prior consent of the other Members or as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, no Member shall have the right to (i) withdraw or resign as a Member of the Company,
(ii) redeem, or otherwise require redemption of, its Interest or any part thereof or (iii) to the
fullest extent permitted by law, dissolve itself voluntarily.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of the Act, the
Bankruptcy of a Member shall not cause that Member to cease to be a Member of the Company and upon
the occurrence of such an event, the business of the Company shall continue without dissolution.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, except as described in Section 10.1(a)(4), the Company
shall not be dissolved or terminated solely by reason of the Bankruptcy, death, removal,
withdrawal, dissolution or admission of any Member.
10.2 Winding Up.
(a) In the event of the dissolution of the Company pursuant to Section 10.1(a), the Members
acting together shall wind up the Company’s affairs.
(b) Upon dissolution of the Company and until the filing of a certificate of cancellation as
provided in the Act, the Members acting together or a liquidating trustee, as the case may be, may,
in the name of, and for and on behalf of, the Company, prosecute and defend litigation, whether
civil, criminal or administrative, gradually settle and close the Company’s business, dispose of
and convey the Company
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Assets separately or in bulk, discharge or make reasonable provision for the Company’s
liabilities, and distribute to the Members in accordance with Section 10.3 any remaining Company
Assets, all without affecting the liability of Members and without imposing liability on any
liquidating trustee.
(c) Upon the completion of winding up of the Company, the Members acting together or
liquidating trustee, as the case may be, shall cause the filing of a certificate of cancellation in
the Office of the Secretary of State as provided in the Act. The existence of the Company as a
separate legal entity shall continue until cancellation of the Certificate as provided in the Act.
10.3 Distribution of Assets.
(a) Upon the winding up of the Company, the Company Assets shall be distributed as follows:
(1) to the satisfaction of debts and liabilities of the Company (whether by payment or the
making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), in order of priority as provided by law,
including to the payment of expenses of the liquidation and to the setting up of any reserves that
the Members acting together or the liquidating trustee, as the case may be, shall determine are
reasonably necessary for any contingent, conditional or unmatured liabilities or obligations of the
Company; and
(2) the remainder to the Members in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.1 hereof.
10.4 Bankruptcy Non-Petition. Each Member is deemed to have agreed, by becoming a
Member, that, for a year plus one day after payment in full of all Company liabilities, such Member
shall not act to petition or join in any petition for the Company to be adjudicated a bankrupt in
any Bankruptcy or similar court.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS
11.1 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only by a writing signed by all of the
Members.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 Further Assurances. Each Member agrees to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file
and record such further certificates, amendments, instruments and documents and to do all such
other acts and things as the Managing Member reasonably determines to be necessary or advisable to
carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.
12.2 Notices. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all notices, demands,
requests or other communications that any party to this Agreement may desire or be required to give
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand, by depositing the same in the United
States mail, first class postage prepaid, certified mail, return receipt requested, or by a
recognized overnight courier service providing confirmation of delivery, to the Company at the
address of its principal office and to any Member at the address for that Member set forth on
Schedule 2.8, or at such other address as may be designated by the addressee thereof upon
written notice to all of the Members. All notices given pursuant
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to this Section 12.2 shall be deemed to have been given (i) if delivered by hand on the date
of delivery or on the date delivery was refused by the addressee or (ii) if delivered by United
States mail or by overnight courier, on the date of delivery as established by the return receipt
or courier service confirmation (or the date on which the return receipt or courier service
confirms that acceptance of delivery was refused by the addressee).
12.3 Headings and Captions. All headings and captions contained in this Agreement and
the tables of contents hereto are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed a part of
this Agreement.
12.4 Variance of Pronouns. All pronouns and all variations thereof shall be deemed to
refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or
entity may require.
12.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall constitute an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one
agreement. Delivery of this Agreement or signature pages hereof may be effected by facsimile or
pdf email transmission.
12.6 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF THAT
WOULD APPLY THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
12.7 Partition. The Members hereby agree that no Member nor any successor-in-interest
to any Member shall have the right to have any Company Asset partitioned, or to file a complaint or
institute any proceeding at law or in equity to have any Company Asset partitioned, and each
Member, on behalf of himself, his successors, representatives, heirs and assigns, hereby waives any
such right.
12.8 Invalidity. Every provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. The
invalidity and unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction
shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects
as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted.
12.9 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto
and their respective successors, executors, administrators, legal representatives, heirs and
permitted assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and, except as otherwise
provided herein, their respective successors, executors, administrators, legal representatives,
heirs and legal assigns. No Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors,
executors, administrators, permitted representatives, heirs and permitted assigns shall have any
rights or claims under this Agreement, except that any Person who is indemnified under Section 4.2
may enforce that indemnification.
12.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements among the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and contains the entire Agreement among the
parties with respect to such subject matter.
12.11 Waivers. No waiver of any provision hereof on any occasion by any party hereto
shall be deemed a waiver by any other party nor shall any such waiver by any party be deemed a
waiver of that provision on any other occasion or a waiver of any other provision of this
Agreement.
12.12 Confidentiality.
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(a) Each Member agrees not to disclose or permit the disclosure of any of the terms of this
Agreement or of any other confidential, non-public or proprietary information relating to the
Company Assets or business or any Member or its Affiliates or relating to the REIT as made
available under Section 5.2 or otherwise obtained (collectively, “Confidential
Information”), provided that such disclosure may be made (i) with the prior written consent of
all of the Members (or, if the Confidential Information relates to a Member or its Affiliates but
not the Company, such Member); (ii) to any legal counsel, accountants and other professional
advisors retained in connection with the Member’s or the Company’s business (including any such
Persons retained in connection with the Member’s relationship with the Company, with other Members
or with anybody acting on behalf of the Company); (iii) to appraisers, financing sources, partners,
shareholders, employees, officers, directors and members of the Advisor, the Sub-Advisors, the
Consultant and their respective Affiliates and others in the ordinary course of the Member’s or the
Company’s business; ((i), (ii) and (iii) collectively, the “Disclosure Parties”); (iv) to
governmental agencies or officials having jurisdiction over the Member or the Company; (v) in
connection with any governmental filings or disclosures by the Member, any Affiliate of the Member
or the Company required by law or by any governmental agency or any securities exchange or
securities quotation system on which securities of the Member, its Affiliate or the Company are
listed or quoted, (vi) to potential investors in the REIT or any other fund or entity advised by
the Member (except that, with regard to prospective investors in a fund or entity that is advised
or sponsored by the Member but has no relationship to the Company or the REIT, the disclosure must
be limited to the fact that the Member is a member of the Company and the Member’s Percentage
Interest in the Company, and with respect to Greenfield and Rialto, the disclosure must be limited
to the fact that Greenfield and an Affliate of Rialto are acting as Sub-Advisors to the Advisor);
(vii) as required by law or legal process, or (viii) to the extent such information is publicly
available other than because of a breach of this Section 12.12 by the Member. The provisions of
this Section 12.12 shall survive any expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
(b) In the event that a Member shall receive a request to disclose any Confidential
Information under a subpoena or order, such Member shall (i) promptly notify the other Members
thereof, (ii) consult with the other Members on the advisability of taking steps to resist or
narrow such request; and (iii) if disclosure is required or deemed advisable, reasonably cooperate
with any of the other Members in any attempt it may make to obtain an order or other assurance that
confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information that is disclosed.
(c) No Member shall issue any press release or other public communication about the formation
or existence of the Company without the express written consent of the other Members; provided that
a Member may make a press release (i) to the extent required to comply with the disclosure and
other requirements of law or any governmental authority having jurisdiction over it or any of its
Affiliates or any securities exchange or securities quotation system on which securities of the
Member or its Affiliate are listed or quoted or (ii) relating solely to the fact that a Sub-Advisor
or the Consultant is a Member of the Company and/or acting as sub-advisor or consultant, as
applicable, to the Advisor.
(d) The provisions of this Section 12.12 were negotiated in good faith by the parties hereto,
and the parties hereto agree that such provisions are reasonable and are not more restrictive than
necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the parties hereto. It is the intention of the
parties hereto that if any restriction or covenant contained herein is held to be for a length of
time that is not permitted by applicable law, or is any way construed to be too broad or to any
extent invalid, such provision shall not be construed to be null, void and of no effect, but to the
extent such provision would be valid or enforceable under applicable law, a court of competent
jurisdiction shall construe and interpret or reform such provision to provide for a restriction or
covenant having the maximum time period and other provisions (not greater than those contained
herein) as shall be valid and enforceable under applicable law.
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12.13 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH MEMBER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
12.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended and shall not be
construed as granting any rights, benefits or privileges to any Person not a party to this
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no creditor of the Company or of any
Member shall have any right whatsoever to enforce any provision of this Agreement against any
Member, except that any Person who is indemnified under Section 4.2 may enforce that
indemnification.
12.15 Construction of Documents. The parties hereto acknowledge that they were
represented by separate and independent counsel in connection with the review, negotiation and
drafting of this Agreement and that this Agreement shall not be subject to the principle of
construing its meaning against the party that drafted same.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amended and Restated Limited
Liability Company Agreement as of the date first above written.
MANAGING MEMBER: ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P. |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
MEMBER: GREENFIELD ADVISORS, LLC |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
MEMBER: RIALTO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
MEMBER: FLEXPOINT FUND L.P. |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
SCHEDULE 2.8
Member Names and Addresses
AllianceBernstein L.P.
|
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
with a copy to:
|
Xxxxxxxx Chance US LLP | |
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. | ||
Greenfield Advisors, LLC
|
Greenfield Advisors, LLC
00 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxx |
|
with a copy to:
|
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 Attention: Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx |
|
Rialto Capital Management, LLC
|
000 X.X. 000xx Xxxxxx, | |
Xxxxx 000 | ||
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||
with a copy to:
|
Bilzin Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Price & Xxxxxxx LLP | |
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | ||
Xxxxx 0000 | ||
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000-0000 | ||
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||
Flexpoint Fund L.P.
|
c/o Flexpoint Ford, LLC | |
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 | ||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||
with a copy to:
|
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx LLP | |
000 Xxxxx XxXxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Perl, P.C. | ||
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||
and:
|
Xxxxxxxx Chance US LLP | |
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. |
Sch. 2.8
SCHEDULE 5.4(a)
Pre-Formation Expenses
Sch. 5.4(a)-1