FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
FORM
OF AMENDED AND RESTATED
Taubman
Centers, Inc., a Michigan corporation (together
with its successors, “Taubman”), The Taubman Realty
Group Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (together with its
successors, “TRG”) and
[_________] (“Executive”) previously entered
into a Change of Control Employment Agreement on on [ ] [ ], 200[ ] (the “Original
Agreement”). Taubman, TRG and the Executive now amend and
restate the Original Agreement in this document, effective December [___], 2008,
to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (“Code Section
409A”). The amendment and restatement of the Original
Agreement as set forth in this document is the “Agreement.” This
Agreement replaces and supersedes any prior change of control agreement between
Taubman and the Executive.
WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of Taubman (“Board”), has determined that
it is in the best interests of Taubman and its stockholders to assure that the
Company (as defined below) will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined herein). The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the
inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties
and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage
the Executive’s full attention and dedication to the current Company in the
event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the
Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control
that ensure that the Executive’s compensation and benefits expectations will be
satisfied and such compensation and benefits are competitive with those of other
corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the
Board has caused Taubman to enter into this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
Section
1. Certain
Definitions.
(a)
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“Affiliated Company”
means any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with
Taubman.
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(b)
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“Change of Control” means
the first to occur of any of the following
events:
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(1)
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The
acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (“Exchange
Act”)) other than an Existing Shareholder (“Person”) of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act) of 33% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of common
stock of Taubman (“Outstanding Taubman Common
Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding
voting securities of Taubman entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (“Outstanding
Taubman Voting Securities”); provided, however, that, for purposes
of this Section 1(b), the following acquisitions will not constitute a
Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from
Taubman; (ii) any acquisition by Taubman; (iii) any acquisition
by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by
Taubman or any Affiliated Company or (iv) any acquisition by any
corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with
Sections 1(b)(3)(A), 1(b)(3)(B) and 1(b)(3)(C) of this
Agreement.
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(2)
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Any
time at which individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
(“Incumbent
Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of
the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election
by Taubman’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority
of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board will be considered as
though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption
of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest
with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person
other than the Board.
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(3)
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Consummation
of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or
similar corporate transaction involving Taubman or any of its
subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the assets of Taubman, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another
entity by Taubman or any of its subsidiaries (each, “Business Combination”),
in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial
owners of the Outstanding Taubman Common Stock and the Outstanding Taubman
Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of
the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a
corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns Taubman or all or
substantially all of Taubman’s assets either directly or through one or
more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the
Outstanding Taubman Common Stock and the Outstanding Taubman Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) of Taubman or such corporation resulting from such Business
Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 33% or more of,
respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined
voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such
corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the
Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing
for such Business Combination.
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(4)
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Approval
by the stockholders of Taubman of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of
Taubman.
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(5)
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Termination,
non-renewal, material amendment or material modification of the Master
Services Agreement between TRG and The Taubman Company LLC dated as of
November 30, 1992, as amended through the date hereof or the
Corporate Services Agreement between the Taubman and the Taubman Company
LLC dated as of November 30, 1992, as amended through the date
hereof, other than any such termination, non-renewal, amendment or
modification which has been previously approved by a majority of the
Independent Directors (as defined in Taubman’s Restated Articles of
Incorporation) serving on the Incumbent
Board.
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(c)
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“Company” means Taubman
and the Affiliated Companies.
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(d)
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“Coverage Period” means
the period commencing on the date this Agreement is executed and ending on
the third anniversary of that date; provided, however, that, commencing on
the date one year after the date this Agreement is executed, and on each
annual anniversary of that date (such date and each annual anniversary
thereof, “Renewal
Date”), unless previously terminated, the Coverage Period will be
automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal
Date, unless, at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date, Taubman gives
notice to the Executive that the Coverage Period will not be so
extended.
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(e)
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“Existing Shareholder”
means A. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx or any of his issue or any of his or their
respective descendants, heirs, beneficiaries or donees or any trust,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity if
substantially all of the economic interests in such entity are held by or
for the benefit of such persons.
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(f)
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“Qualification Date”
means the first date during the Coverage Period on which a Change of
Control occurs. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive’s
employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the
Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the
Executive that such termination of employment (1) was at the request of a
third party that has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change
of Control, or (2) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation
of a Change of Control, then “Qualification Date” means the date
immediately prior to the date of such termination of
employment.
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(g)
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“Termination of
employment”, and similar terms used in this Agreement that denote a
termination of employment, means a “separation from service” as defined
under Treasury Regulations Section
1.409A-1(h).
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Section
2. Employment
Period. Taubman hereby
agrees to continue, or cause one of the Affiliated Companies to continue, the
Executive in its employ, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
for the period commencing on the Qualification Date and ending on the third
anniversary of the Qualification Date (“Employment
Period”). The Employment Period will terminate upon the
Executive’s termination of employment for any reason.
Section
3. Terms of
Employment.
(a)
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Position
and Duties
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(1)
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During
the Employment Period, (A) the Executive’s position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and
responsibilities will be at least commensurate in all material respects
with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Qualification
Date and (B) the Executive’s services will be performed at the office
where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Qualification
Date or at any other location less than 35 miles from such
office.
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(2)
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During
the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick
leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote
reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business
and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the
responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the
Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently
such responsibilities. During the Employment Period, it will
not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve
on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver
lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational
institutions or (C) manage personal investments, so long as such
activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance
with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed
that, to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the
Executive prior to the Qualification Date, the continued conduct of such
activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope
thereto) subsequent to the Qualification Date will not thereafter be
deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive’s
responsibilities to the Company.
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(b)
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Compensation
and Benefits
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(1)
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Base Salary.
During the
Employment Period, the Executive will receive an annual base salary
(“Annual Base
Salary”) at an annual rate at least equal to 12 times the highest
monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary that has
been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company in respect of
the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in which the
Qualification Date occurs. The Annual Base Salary will be paid
at such intervals as the Company pays executive salaries
generally. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary
will be reviewed for increase, but not decrease, at least annually,
beginning no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to
the Executive prior to the Qualification Date. Any increase in
the Annual Base Salary will not serve to limit or reduce any other
obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. The Annual
Base Salary will not be reduced after any such increase and the term
“Annual Base Salary” will refer to the Annual Base Salary as so
increased.
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(2)
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Annual
Bonus. In addition
to the Annual Base Salary, the Executive will be awarded, for each fiscal
year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (“Annual Bonus”) in cash
at least equal to the Executive’s highest bonus earned under the Company’s
Annual Incentive Plans, or any comparable bonus under any predecessor or
successor plan, for the last three full fiscal years prior to the
Qualification Date (or for such lesser number of full fiscal years prior
to the Qualification Date for which the Executive was eligible to earn
such a bonus, and annualized in the case of any bonus earned for a partial
fiscal year) (“Recent
Annual Bonus”). (If the Executive has not been eligible
to earn such a bonus for any period prior to the Qualification Date,
“Recent Annual Bonus” means the Executive’s target annual bonus for the
year in which the Qualification Date occurs.) Each such Annual
Bonus will be paid in a lump sum in cash between the first day of the
first month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which
the Annual Bonus is awarded and the last day of the third month of the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive elects to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus pursuant to the terms of an applicable nonqualified deferred
compensation plan in which the Executive is currently a participant or in
which the Executive in future becomes a
participant.
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(3)
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Incentive,
Savings and Retirement Plans. During the
Employment Period, the Executive will be entitled to participate in all
cash incentive, equity incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices,
policies, and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of
the Company, but in no event will such plans, practices, policies and
programs provide the Executive with incentive (but not savings or
retirement) opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and
special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such
distinction is applicable), less favorable, in the aggregate, than the
most favorable of those provided by the Company for the Executive under
such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Qualification
Date. Notwithstanding any provision in any plan or award
agreement to the contrary, effective as of the Qualification Date, each
and every stock option, restricted stock award, restricted stock unit
award and other equity-based award held by the Executive that is
outstanding as of the Change of Control, and that is not considered to be
a deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A, will
immediately vest and, if applicable, become exercisable; any stock option,
restricted stock award, restricted stock unit award and other equity-based
award held by the Executive that is outstanding as of the Change of
Control, and that is considered to be a deferral of compensation subject
to Code Section 409A, will vest and, if applicable, become
exercisable or payable only as provided in its governing plan document or
award and shall not be subject to the terms of this
Plan.
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(4)
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Welfare
Benefit Plans. During the
Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the
case may be, will be eligible for participation in and will receive all
benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs
provided by the Company (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental
death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent
applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company.
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(5)
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Expenses. During the
Employment Period, the Executive will be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in
accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of
the Company in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Qualification Date or, if more favorable
to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company; provided, however, that
any expense reimbursement under this Section 3(b)(5) will be made no later
than before the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in
which an expense was incurred, will not affect the expenses eligible for
reimbursement in any other calendar year, and cannot be liquidated or
exchanged for any other benefit.
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(6)
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Fringe
Benefits. During the
Employment Period, the Executive will be entitled to fringe benefits,
including, without limitation, tax and financial planning services,
payment of club dues, and, if applicable, use of an automobile and payment
of related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans,
practices, programs and policies of the Company in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Qualification Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of
the Company; provided, however, that any payment or other reimbursement
under this Section 3(b)(6) will be made no later than before the end of
the calendar year following the calendar year in which an expense was
incurred, will not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any
other calendar year, and cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other
benefit.
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(7)
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Office
and Support Staff. During the
Employment Period, the Executive will be entitled to an office or offices
of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive
personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most
favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Qualification
Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any
time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company.
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(8)
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Vacation. During the
Employment Period, the Executive will be entitled to paid vacation in
accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices
of the Company as in effect for the Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Qualification Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter
with respect to other peer executives of the
Company.
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Section
4. Termination of
Employment.
(a)
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Death or
Disability. The Executive’s employment will terminate
automatically if the Executive dies during the Employment
Period. If Taubman determines in good faith that a Disability
(as defined herein) of the Executive has occurred during the Employment
Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability), it may give to the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 11(b) of its intention
to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the
Executive’s employment with the Company will terminate effective on the
30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (“Disability Effective
Date”), provided that, within the
30 days after such receipt, the Executive has not returned to full-time
performance of the Executive’s duties. “Disability” means the
absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties with the Company on a
full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of
incapacity due to mental or physical illness that is determined to be
total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers
and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal
representative.
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(b)
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Cause. The
Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Employment
Period with or without Cause. “Cause”
means:
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(1)
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the
willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially
the Executive’s duties (as contemplated by Section 3(a)(1)(A)) with
the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to
physical or mental illness or following the Executive’s delivery of a
Notice of Termination for Good Reason), after a written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the
Chief Executive Officer of Taubman that specifically identifies the manner
in which the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of Taubman believes that
the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties;
or
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(2)
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the
willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct, or gross misconduct,
that is materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Company.
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For
purposes of this Section 4(b), no act, or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive will be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done,
by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive’s
action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act,
or failure to act, based on authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or on the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of
Taubman or a senior officer of Taubman or based on the advice of counsel for the
Company will be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The
cessation of employment of the Executive will not be deemed to be for Cause
unless and until there have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters
of the entire membership of the Board (excluding the Executive, if the Executive
is a member of the Board) at a meeting of the Board called and held for such
purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive
is given an opportunity, together with counsel for the Executive, to be heard
before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the
Executive is guilty of the conduct described in Section 4(b)(1) or 4(b)(2), and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c)
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Good
Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated by
the Executive for Good Reason or by the Executive voluntarily without Good
Reason. “Good
Reason” means:
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(1)
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the
assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with
the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by
Section 3(a), or any other diminution in such position, authority,
duties or responsibilities (whether or not occurring solely as a result of
Taubman’s ceasing to be a publicly-traded entity), excluding for this
purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad
faith and that is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice
thereof given by the Executive;
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(2)
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any
failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section
3(b), other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not
occurring in bad faith and that is remedied by the Company promptly after
receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
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(3)
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the
Company’s requiring the Executive (A) to be based at any office or
location other than as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(B), (B) to be
based at a location other than the principal executive offices of the
Company if the Executive was employed at such location immediately
preceding the Qualification Date, or (C) to travel on Company
business to a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior
to the Qualification Date; or
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(4)
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any
failure by Taubman to comply with and satisfy Section
10(c).
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For
purposes of this Section 4(c), any good faith determination of Good Reason made
by the Executive will be conclusive. The Executive’s mental or
physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event described above in
clauses (1) through (5) will not affect the Executive’s ability to terminate
employment for Good Reason.
(d)
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Notice of
Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive for Good Reason, will be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section
11(b). “Notice
of Termination” means a written notice that (1) indicates the
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (2) to the
extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the
Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (3) if the
Date of Termination (as defined herein) is other than the date of receipt
of such notice, specifies the Date of Termination (which Date of
Termination will be not more than 30 days after the giving of such
notice). The failure by Taubman or the Executive to set forth
in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to
a showing of Cause or Good Reason will not waive any right of Taubman or
the Executive, respectively, hereunder or preclude Taubman or the
Executive, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing Taubman’s or the Executive’s respective rights
hereunder.
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(e)
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Date of
Termination. “Date of Termination”
means: (1) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by
the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of
receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified in the
Notice of Termination (which date may not be more than 30 days after the
giving of such notice), as the case may be; (2) if the Executive’s
employment is terminated by Taubman other than for Cause or Disability,
the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination;
(3) if the Executive resigns without Good Reason, the date on which
the Executive notifies the Company of such termination; or (4) if the
Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the
date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the
case may be.
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Section
5. Obligations of the Company
Upon Termination.
(a)
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Good Reason or Other Than for
Cause, Death, or Disability. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment other than for
Cause, death or Disability or the Executive terminates employment for Good
Reason:
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(1)
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Taubman
will pay, or will cause one of the Affiliated Companies to pay, to the
Executive, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of
Termination, the aggregate of the following
amounts:
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A.
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The
sum of: (i) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the
Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid; (ii) the
Executive’s business expenses that are reimbursable pursuant to
Section 3(b)(5) but have not been reimbursed by the Company as of the
Date of Termination; (iii) the Executive’s Annual Bonus for the fiscal
year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Date of
Termination occurs if such bonus has not been paid as of the Date of
Termination; (iv) the product of (A) the higher of (I) the Recent Annual
Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or
portion thereof that has been earned but deferred (and annualized for any
fiscal year consisting of less than 12 full months or during which the
Executive was employed for less than 12 full months), for the most
recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such
higher amount, the “Highest Annual Bonus”)
and (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the
current fiscal year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of
which is 365; (v) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive
(together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and that is not
considered to be deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A; and
(vi) any accrued vacation pay, in each case, to the extent not theretofore
paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(v) and (vi), “Accrued
Obligations”); and
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B.
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The
amount equal to the product of (i) two and one-half (2.5) and (ii) the
sum of (A) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary and (B) the Highest Annual
Bonus.
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(2)
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For
30 months after the Executive’s Date of Termination, or such longer period
as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice
or policy, the Company will continue medical and other welfare benefits to
the Executive and/or the Executive’s family as in effect generally at any
time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
their families; provided, however, that, if the Executive becomes
reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive comparable
benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other
welfare benefits described herein will terminate. For purposes
of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits)
of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices,
programs and policies, the Executive will be considered to have remained
employed until three years after the Date of Termination and to have
retired on the last day of such period. Any Company cost for
any medical or other welfare benefits provided under the preceding
sentences of this Section 5(a)(2) will be paid on a monthly basis, and the
Executive will pay any employee or retire share of the cost of any such
benefits on a monthly basis. Any medical or other welfare
benefit provided for under the preceding sentences of this Section 5(a)(2)
that provides for a deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A
because it does not meet the exemption requirements under Treasury
Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B) or (D), will be made or
reimbursed on or before the end of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which an expense was incurred, will not affect the
expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, and cannot
be liquidated or exchanged for any other
benefit.
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(3)
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Taubman
will provide, or cause one of the Affiliated Companies to provide, the
Executive with outplacement benefits through the services of an
independent outplacement consulting firm selected by Taubman, at
prevailing rates, during the 12-month period following the Date of
Termination.
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(4)
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To
the extent not theretofore paid or provided, Taubman will timely pay or
provide, or cause one of the Affiliated Companies to timely pay or
provide, to the Executive any Other Benefits (as defined in Section
6).
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(b)
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Death. If the
Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death
during the Employment Period, Taubman will provide, or cause one of the
Affiliated Companies to provide, to the Executive’s beneficiary provided
to Taubman in writing (“Beneficiary”) or, in the
event the Executive has no living Beneficiary or has not identified a
Beneficiary, the Executive’s estate, the Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits, and will have no other
severance obligations under this Agreement. The Accrued
Obligations will be paid to the Executive’s Beneficiary or estate, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination. With respect to the provision of the Other
Benefits, the term “Other
Benefits” as utilized in this Section 5(b) includes, without
limitation, and the Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries will be
entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable
benefits provided by the Company to the estates and beneficiaries of peer
executives of the Company under such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to
other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Qualification Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive’s estate and/or the Executive’s beneficiaries,
as in effect on the date of the Executive’s death with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and their beneficiaries; provided, however,
that the additional Other Benefits specified in the preceding clauses of
this sentence will not include any benefits that are considered to be
deferred compensation subject to Code Section
409A.
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(c)
|
Disability. If
the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company by reason of the
Executive’s Disability during the Employment Period, Taubman will provide,
or cause one of the Affiliated Companies to provide, the Executive with
the Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or delivery of the Other
Benefits, and will have no other severance obligations under this
Agreement. The Accrued Obligations will be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination. With respect to the provision of the Other
Benefits, the term “Other
Benefits” as utilized in this Section 5(c) includes, and the
Executive will be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive,
disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of
those generally provided by the Company to disabled executives and/or
their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with
respect to other peer executives and their families at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Qualification Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as in effect at
any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and their families; provided, however, that the additional Other
Benefits specified in the preceding clauses of this sentence will not
include any benefits that are considered to be deferred compensation
subject to Code Section 409A.
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(d)
|
Cause or Other Than For Good
Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by
the Company for Cause during the Employment Period, Taubman will provide
to the Executive, or cause one of the Affiliated Companies to provide to
Executive, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination: (1) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary
through the Date of Termination; (2) the amount of any compensation
previously deferred by the Executive and that is not considered to be
deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A; (3) any
accrued vacation pay; (4) the Executive’s business expenses that are
reimbursable pursuant to Section 3(b)(5) but have not been reimbursed
by the Company as of the Date of Termination; and (5) the Other
Benefits, in each case, to the extent theretofore unpaid, and will have no
other severance obligations under this Agreement. If the
Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment Period,
excluding a termination for Good Reason, Taubman will provide to the
Executive, or cause one of the Affiliated Companies to provide to the
Executive, the Accrued Obligations, and the timely payment or delivery of
Other Benefits, and will have no other severance obligations under this
Agreement. In such case, all the Accrued Obligations will be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination.
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(e)
|
Six-Month Payment
Delay. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, for any payment under this Agreement that is
considered to be deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A and
that is made on account of the Executive’s termination of employment, and
the Executive is a ‘specified employee’ as determined under the default
rules under Code Section 409A on the date of her termination of
employment, the payment will be made on the day next following the date
that is the six-month anniversary of the date of the Executive’s
termination of employment, or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s
death; any payments that would have been paid prior to the six-month
anniversary will be accrued and paid on the six-month anniversary plus one
day payment date specified above.
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Section
6. Non-Exclusivity
of Rights. Nothing in this
Agreement will prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future
participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company
and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 11(f), will
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have
under any other contract or agreement with the Company. Amounts that
are vested benefits or that the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under
any plan, policy, practice or program of or any other contract or agreement with
Taubman or any of the Affiliated Companies at or subsequent to the Date of
Termination (“Other
Benefits”) will be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice
or program or contract or agreement, except as explicitly modified by this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive receives
payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5(a) of this Agreement, the Executive
will not be entitled to any severance pay or benefits under any severance plan,
program or policy of the Company (“Other Severance Obligations”),
unless otherwise specifically provided therein in a specific reference to this
Agreement; provided, however, that the preceding clause will not apply to the
extent that any loss of entitlement to any Other Severance Obligations that are
subject to Code Section 409A would constitute a substitution of any amount of
such Other Severance Obligations by an amount payable under this Agreement, as
determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(f).
Section
7 Full
Settlement; Legal Proceedings.
(a)
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Full
Settlement. Taubman’s obligation to make or cause one of
the Affiliated Companies to make the payments provided for in this
Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder will not be
affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or other
claim, right or action that the Company may have against the Executive or
others. In no event will the Executive be obligated to seek
other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this
Agreement, and such amounts will not be reduced whether or not the
Executive obtains other employment, except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement.
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(b)
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Legal
Proceedings. Any dispute or controversy arising under or
in connection with this Agreement must be settled by arbitration,
conducted at a location in Michigan or at such other location as the
parties may mutually agree, in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect. The decision of the
arbitrator(s) in that proceeding will be binding on all
parties. Taubman will pay, or cause one of the Affiliated
Companies to pay, as incurred (within 15 days following Taubman’s receipt
of an invoice from the Executive), to the full extent permitted by law,
all legal fees and expenses that the Executive may reasonably incur as a
result of any dispute or controversy (regardless of the outcome thereof)
by Taubman, any of the Affiliated Companies, the Executive or others of
the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of
this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a
result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment
pursuant to this Agreement), plus, in each case, interest on any delayed
payment at the applicable federal rate provided for in Code Section
7872(f)(2)(A); provided, however, that any reimbursements provided for
under this sentence will not affect the fees or expenses eligible for
reimbursement in any other calendar year, and cannot be liquidated or
exchanged for any other benefit.
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Section
8 Possible Reduction;
Gross-Up.
(a)
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Definitions Relating to this
Section. For purposes of this Section
8: (1) “Payment” means any
payment or distribution in the nature of compensation to or for the
benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise that would be considered payments contingent on a
change in the ownership or effective control or in the ownership of a
substantial portion of the assets of Taubman, as described in
Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code; (2) “Separation Payment”
means a Payment paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement (disregarding
this Section); (3) “Present Value” means
such value determined in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii)
and 280G(d)(4) of the Code; and (4) “Reduced Amount” means an
amount expressed in Present Value that maximizes the aggregate Present
Value of Separation Payments without causing any Payment to be
nondeductible because of Section 280G of the
Code.
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(b)
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Accounting
Firm. Taubman will select, prior to any Change of
Control, in its discretion, a nationally recognized accounting firm
(“Accounting
Firm”) to make the determinations contemplated by this
Section 8. All determinations made by the Accounting Firm
under this Section 8 will be binding on Taubman and the Affiliated
Companies and the Executive and will be made within 60 days of a
termination of employment of the Executive, except as set forth in
Section 8(e). All determinations by the Accounting Firm
under this Section 8 are made solely for calculating amounts payable
under this Agreement and not for calculating the Executive’s tax liability
for amounts paid under this Agreement or for advising the Executive as to
such liability.
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(c)
|
Reduction or
Gross-Up. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, in the event that the Accounting Firm determines that
Payments to the Executive would equal or exceed 100%, but would not exceed
110%, of three times the Executive’s base amount, as defined in
Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code (“Base Amount”), the
aggregate Separation Payments will be reduced (but not below zero) to the
Reduced Amount. If, however, the Accounting Firm determines
that Payments to the Executive would exceed 110% of three times the
Executive’s Base Amount, Separation Payments will not be reduced and
Taubman will pay the Executive an additional amount sufficient to pay the
excise tax on the Payments imposed under Section 4999 of the Code
(“Excise Tax”),
plus the amount necessary to pay all of the Executive’s federal, state and
local taxes arising from Taubman’s payments to the Executive pursuant to
this sentence. This is intended to be a full gross-up of the
taxes owed by the Executive on account of the Excise
Tax. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8(c),
the taxes gross-up will be paid by the Company to the Executive in cash in
a single lump sum no later than the last day of the calendar year next
following the calendar year in which the Executive remits the
taxes.
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(d)
|
Reduction
Calculations. If the Accounting Firm determines that
aggregate Separation Payments should be reduced to the Reduced Amount,
Taubman will promptly give the Executive notice to that effect and a copy
of the detailed calculation thereof, and the Executive may then elect, in
his or her sole discretion, which and how much of the Separation Payments
will be eliminated or reduced (as long as after such election the Present
Value of the aggregate Separation Payments equals the Reduced Amount), and
will advise Taubman in writing of his or her election within ten days of
his or her receipt of notice. If no such election is made by
the Executive within such ten-day period, Taubman may elect which of such
Separation Payments will be eliminated or reduced (as long as after such
election the Present Value of the aggregate Separation Payments equals the
Reduced Amount) and will notify the Executive promptly of such
election. As promptly as practicable following such
determination, Taubman will pay or distribute, or cause one of the
Affiliated Companies to pay or distribute, to or for the benefit of the
Executive such Separation Payments as are then due to the Executive under
this Agreement, and will promptly pay or distribute, or cause to be paid
or distributed, to or for the benefit of the Executive in the future such
Separation Payments as become due to the Executive under this Agreement,
taking into account, in each case, the possible reduction or elimination
of Separation Payments pursuant to the preceding provisions of this
Section 8.
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(e)
|
Overpayment or
Underpayment. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial
determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
amounts will have been paid or distributed to or for the benefit of the
Executive pursuant to this Agreement that should not have been so paid or
distributed (“Overpayment”) or that
additional amounts which will have not been paid or distributed to or for
the benefit of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement could have been so
paid or distributed (“Underpayment”), in each
case, consistent with the calculation of the Payments, Base Amount and
Reduced Amount hereunder. In the event that the Accounting
Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue
Service against Taubman or any of the Affiliated Companies or the
Executive that the Accounting Firm believes has a high probability of
success, determines that an Overpayment has been made, any such
Overpayment paid or distributed to or for the benefit of the Executive
will be repaid by the Executive, together with interest at the applicable
federal rate provided in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code; provided,
however, that no such payment will be made by the Executive if and to the
extent such payment would neither reduce the amount on which the Executive
is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of the Code
nor generate a refund of such taxes. In the event that the
Accounting Firm, based on controlling precedent or substantial authority,
determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment will
be promptly paid to or for the benefit of the Executive together with
interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)
of the Code.
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(f)
|
Fees and
Expenses. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm
in implementing the provisions of this Section 8 will be borne by the
Company.
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(g)
|
Tax
Controversies. In the event of any controversy with the
Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority with regard to the
Excise Tax, the Executive will permit Taubman to control issues related to
the Excise Tax, at its expense, provided that such issues do not
materially adversely affect the Executive. In the event issues
are interrelated, the Executive and Taubman will cooperate in good faith
so as to avoid jeopardizing resolution of either issue. In the
event of any conference with any taxing authority as to the Excise Tax or
associated taxes, the Executive will permit a representative of Taubman to
accompany the Executive, and the Executive and the Executive’s
representative will cooperate with Taubman and its
representative.
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Section
9 Protection of Company
Interests.
(a)
|
Confidentiality. The
Executive will hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company
all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to
Taubman or any of the Affiliated Companies, and their respective
businesses, which information, knowledge or data was obtained by the
Executive during the Executive’s employment by the Company and which
information, knowledge or data will not be or become public knowledge
(other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive
in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the
Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive will not, without
the prior written consent of Taubman or as may otherwise be required by
law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information,
knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those persons
designated by the Company. In no event will an asserted
violation of the provisions of this Section 9 constitute a basis for
deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive
under this Agreement.
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(b)
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Release. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any payment to be made to the
Executive under Section 5(a) of this Agreement is conditioned on the
Executive signing a release agreement, on behalf of himself, his heirs,
administrators, executors, agents, and assigns, that will forever release
and discharge the Company and its agents from any and all charges, claims,
demands, judgments, actions, causes of action, damages, expenses, costs,
attorneys’ fees, and liabilities of any kind whatsoever related in any way
to the Company’s employment of the Executive, whether known or unknown,
vested or contingent, in law, equity or otherwise, that the Executive has
ever had, now has, or may hereafter have against the Company or its agents
for or on account of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever that has
occurred prior to the date of the signing this Agreement. The
release will include, but not be not limited to: all federal
and state statutory and common law claims, claims related to employment or
the termination of employment or related to breach of contract, tort,
wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, defamation, fraud,
wages, or benefits, or claims for any form of equity or
compensation. This release will not include, however, release
of any right of indemnification, or director or officer insurance
protection, the Executive may have under this Agreement or for any
liabilities and costs of defense arising from the Executive’s actions
within the course and scope of employment with the
Company.
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Section
10 Successors.
(a)
|
This
Agreement is personal to the Executive, and, without the prior written
consent of Taubman, will not be assignable by the Executive other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s (or, in
the event of the Executive’s death, the Executive’s Beneficiary’s) legal
representatives.
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(b)
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This
Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Taubman and its
successors and assigns. Except as provided in Section 10(c),
without the prior written consent of the Executive this Agreement will not
be assignable by Taubman.
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(c)
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Each
of Taubman and TRG will require any successor (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially
all of its business and/or assets to assume expressly and agree to perform
this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that it would be
required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place. Any such successor is included in the definition of
“Taubman” or “TRG.”
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Section
11 Miscellaneous.
(a)
|
This
Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Michigan, without reference to principles of conflict of
laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the
provisions hereof and will have no force or effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified other than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.
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(b)
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All
notices and other communications hereunder will be in writing and will be
given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
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If to the
Executive:
At the
most recent address on file at the Company.
If to
Taubman:
Taubman
Centers, Inc.
000 Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General
Counsel
If to
TRG:
The
Taubman Realty Group Limited Partnership
000 Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General
Counsel
or to
such other address as either party will have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith. Notice and communications will be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c)
|
The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement will not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement.
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(d)
|
Taubman
may withhold or cause to be withheld from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such United States federal, state, local, employment or foreign
taxes as required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.
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(e)
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The
Executive’s or Taubman’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the
Executive or Taubman may have hereunder, including, without limitation,
the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Sections 4(c)(1) through 4(c)(5), will not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
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(f)
|
The
Executive, Taubman and TRG acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be
provided under any other written agreement between the Executive and
Taubman or any of the Affiliated Companies, the employment of the
Executive by the Company is “at will” and, subject to Section 1(f), prior
to the Qualification Date, the Executive’s employment may be terminated by
either the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Qualification
Date, in which case the Executive will have no further rights under this
Agreement. From and after the Qualification Date, except as
specifically provided herein, this Agreement will supersede any other
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof.
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(g)
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The
Executive acknowledges that the Company has not provided any advice to the
Executive regarding the Executive’s potential or actual tax liabilities in
connection with this Agreement and that the Company has advised the
Executive to retain qualified tax
counsel.
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Section
12 Guarantee. TRG hereby
irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally guarantees the payment of all
compensation and benefits (“Benefits”) that Taubman or the
Company is obligated to provide or cause to be provided to the Executive under
this Agreement. This is a guarantee of payment and not a collection,
and is the primary obligation of TRG, and the Executive may enforce this
guarantee against TRG without any prior enforcement of the obligation to make
the Benefits against Taubman.
2133226.5│120408
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and,
pursuant to the authorization from the Board, Taubman and TRG have each caused
this Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and
year first above written.
[Executive]
TAUBMAN CENTERS,
INC.,
a
Michigan corporation
By:
Its:
As
guarantor of Taubman Centers, Inc.:
THE TAUBMAN REALTY GROUP LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP,
a
Delaware limited partnership
By:
Its
Authorized Signatory
DETROIT.2133226.5
2133226.5│120408