TRANSACTION AGREEMENT
by and among
PULTENEY STREET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC,
CONGRESSIONAL EFFECT MANAGEMENT, LLC
And
The other parties signatory hereto.
Dated: February 18, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I Definitions and Rules of Construction
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1
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1.1
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Definitions.
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1
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1.2
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Rules of Construction
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7
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ARTICLE II Purchase and Sale of the Assets
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8
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2.1
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Closing
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8
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2.2
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Sale and Purchase of the Assets
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8
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2.3
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Excluded Assets
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8
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2.4
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Assumption of Liabilities
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8
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2.5
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Retained Liabilities
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9
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2.6
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Consideration
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9
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2.7
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Statements
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10
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2.8
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Clawback.
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11
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2.9
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Allocation of the Purchase Price
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11
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ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties of Seller and Singer
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12
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3.1
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Organization and Power
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12
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3.2
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Authorization and Enforceability.
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12
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3.3
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No Violation
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12
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3.4
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Governmental Authorizations and Consents.
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13
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3.5
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Financial Statements.
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13
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3.6
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Absence of Certain Changes
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13
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3.7
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Assets.
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14
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3.8
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Intellectual Property.
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14
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3.9
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Contracts.
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15
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3.10
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Compliance with Laws.
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16
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3.11
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Litigation
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16
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3.12
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Fund Investors; AUM.
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16
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3.13
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Accounts Receivable
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18
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3.14
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No Brokers
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18
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3.15
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Disclosure
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18
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ARTICLE IV Representations and Warranties of Buyer
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18
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4.1
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Organization and Power
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18
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4.2
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Authorization
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18
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4.3
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Enforceability
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18
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4.4
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No Violation
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18
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4.5
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Governmental Authorizations and Consents
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19
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4.6
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Financial Capacity
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19
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4.7
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Compliance with Laws
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19
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4.8
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No Brokers
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19
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ARTICLE V Covenants
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19
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5.1
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Conduct of Seller Prior to Closing.
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19
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5.2
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Access to Information Prior to the Closing
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20
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5.3
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Regulatory Filings; Other Agreements.
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20
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5.4
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Certain Tax Matters
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21
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ii
5.5
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Non-Competition and Non-Solicit.
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21
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5.6
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Payments.
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22
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5.7
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Public Announcements
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22
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5.8
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Commercially Reasonable Efforts
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22
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ARTICLE VI Conditions to Closing
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23
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6.1
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Conditions to All Parties’ Obligations
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23
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6.2
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Conditions to Seller’s Obligations
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23
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6.3
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Conditions to Buyer’s Obligations
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23
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ARTICLE VII Deliveries at Closing
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25
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7.1
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Seller’s Deliveries
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25
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7.2
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Buyer’s Deliveries
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25
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ARTICLE VIII Termination
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25
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8.1
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Termination
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25
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8.2
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Procedure and Effect of Termination
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26
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ARTICLE IX Indemnification; Survival
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26
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9.1
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Survival
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26
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9.2
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Indemnification By Seller and Singer.
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26
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9.3
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Indemnification By Buyer
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27
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9.4
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Indemnification Procedures
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27
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9.5
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Set-Off
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27
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9.6
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Tax Treatment of Indemnification Payments
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28
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9.7
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Effect of Investigation
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28
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9.8
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Cumulative Remedies
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28
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ARTICLE X Miscellaneous
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28
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10.1
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Expenses
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28
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10.2
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Notices
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28
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10.3
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Governing Law
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29
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10.4
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Entire Agreement
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29
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10.5
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Severability
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29
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10.6
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Amendment
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29
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10.7
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Effect of Waiver or Consent
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29
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10.8
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Bulk Transfer Laws
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30
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10.9
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Parties in Interest; Limitation on Rights of Others
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30
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10.10
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Assignability
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30
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10.11
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Jurisdiction; Court Proceedings; Waiver of Jury Trial
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30
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10.12
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Reliance on Counsel and Other Advisors
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30
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10.13
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Remedies
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31
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10.14
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Specific Performance
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31
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10.15
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Counterparts
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31
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10.16
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Further Assurance
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31
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iii
SCHEDULES
Schedule I –
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Assets
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Schedule II –
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Assumed Liabilities
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iv
This TRANSACTION AGREEMENT, dated as of February 18, 2014, by and among PULTENEY STREET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on the one hand (“Buyer”), and CONGRESSIONAL EFFECT MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CEM” or “Seller”), and Xxxx Xxxxxx (“Singer”), on the other hand.
WHEREAS, Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, and Seller desires to sell and assign to Buyer, that certain Investment Management Agreement and Expense Limitation Agreement by and between Seller and the CONGRESSIONAL EFFECT FAMILY OF FUNDS, a Delaware Statutory Business Trust (the “Trust” ) on behalf of its sole series of shares, the Congressional Effect Fund (CEFFX, CEFRX (if applicable) and CEFIX) (the “Fund”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth (the “Asset Purchase”); and
ARTICLE I
“Accounts Receivable” means (a) all accounts receivable and other rights to payment from customers of Seller with respect to the Fund and (b) any claim, remedy or other right related to the foregoing.
“Advisers Act” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
“Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
“Agreement” means this Transaction Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.
“Ancillary Documents” means the documents being executed and delivered in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, but not limited to (1) that certain resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust approving the engagement of the Buyer as investment adviser to the Fund and the accompanying assignment of the Investment Advisory Agreement to Buyer as contemplated under this Agreement; (2) a consent to assignment of the Investment Advisory Agreement to Buyer as contemplated under this Agreement executed by holders of not less than a majority of the shares of the Fund; and (3) the License Agreement.
“Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Asset Purchase” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Assumed Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
“AUM” shall mean the assets under management of the Fund as of a given date as determined by the Fund Administrator, as supported by custodial statements for the Fund..
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks are closed in New York, New York. If any period expires on a day which is not a Business Day or any event or condition is required by the terms of this Agreement to occur or be fulfilled on a day which is not a Business Day, such period shall expire or such event or condition shall occur or be fulfilled, as the case may be, on the next succeeding Business Day.
“Buyer” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Cash Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).
“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
“Closing Cash Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).
“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
“Closing Date Fund Investor” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.13(a).
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or corresponding provisions of subsequent superseding federal revenue Laws.
“Contemplated Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents.
“Contingent Cash Consideration” means that certain additional consideration to be paid by Buyer to Seller upon the achievement of Platform Approvals as provided and further defined in Section 2.6(b).
2
“Contract” means any agreement, contract, license, arrangement, understanding, obligation or commitment to which a party is bound or to which its assets or properties are subject, whether oral or written, and any amendments and supplements thereto.
“Copyrights” means all registered and unregistered United States and non-United States copyrights, including copyrights in Software.
“Earnout Calculation Date” means each of the first three (3) anniversaries of the Closing Date.
“Earnout Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c).
“Earnout Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.
“End Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(e).
“Excluded Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
“Expense Limitation Agreement” means that certain Expense Limitation Agreement by and between the Seller and the Trust with respect to the Fund dated February 1, 2014, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A.
“Event” means any event, change, development, effect, condition, circumstance, matter, occurrence or state of facts.
“Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a).
“Fund Investor” means each equity investor in the Fund.
“Fund” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Fund Administrator” means the Fund’s administrator at the time that AUM is being calculated.
“Fund Business” means the business of the Fund.
“Fund Intellectual Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(a).
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other Person as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States.
“Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any foreign or domestic federal, state, county, municipal or other political instrumentality or subdivision thereof and any foreign or domestic entity or body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or taxing functions of or pertaining to government, including any court.
3
“Governmental Consents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.
“Indebtedness” means all obligations and indebtedness (a) for borrowed money (other than trade debt and other similar liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument, (c) created or arising under any capital lease, conditional sale, earn out or other arrangement for the deferral of purchase price of any property, (d) under letters of credit, banker’s acceptances or similar credit transactions, (e) for any other Person’s obligation or indebtedness of the same type as any of the foregoing, whether as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, (f) for interest on any of the foregoing and/or (g) for any premiums, prepayment or termination fees, expenses or breakage costs due upon prepayment of any of the foregoing.
“Indemnitee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(a).
“Indemnitor” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(c)(i).
“Intellectual Property” means Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade Secrets, Software and Technology, and all rights therein arising under any Law.
“Investment Advisory Agreement” means that certain Investment Advisory Agreement by and between Seller and the Trust with respect to the Fund dated May 5, 2008, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit B.
“Knowledge of Seller” means, as to a particular matter, the actual knowledge or awareness of Singer, after due inquiry into such matter.
“Laws” means all laws, Orders, statutes, codes, regulations, ordinances, decrees, rules, or other requirements with similar effect of any Governmental Authority.
“Letter of Intent” means that certain letter agreement from Buyer to Seller dated as of December 23, 2013, setting forth the basis for the Contemplated Transactions.
“Liability” means, with respect to any Person, any liability or obligation of such Person of any kind, character or description, whether known or unknown, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, joint or several, due or to become due, vested or unvested, executory, determined, determinable or otherwise and whether or not the same is required to be accrued on the financial statements of such Person.
“License Agreement” means that certain License Agreement to be entered into on the Closing Date by and between Buyer and Seller whereby Seller will provide a limited, non-transferable license to Buyer of the right to use the “Congressional Effect” strategy for the Fund, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit C.
“Lien” means any lien, statutory or otherwise, security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, option, priority, pledge, charge, right of first refusal, easement, right-of-way, encroachment, license to a third party, lease to a third parties or other encumbrance or similar right of others, or any agreement to give any of the foregoing.
4
“Litigation” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.11.
“Loss” or “Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(a).
“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities, results of operation or prospects of the Fund Business and the Assets taken as a whole; or (b) any Event that results in a material impairment on the ability of Buyer to continue operating the Fund Business after the Closing in substantially the same manner as operated immediately prior to the date of this Agreement; provided, that any effect resulting from any of the following shall not be considered when determining whether a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred: (i) changes in general economic conditions or (ii) acts of terrorism, armed hostilities or war, except with respect to clauses (i) and (ii), to the extent (and only to the extent) that the Fund Business is materially disproportionately impacted by such events in comparison to others in the industry in which they operate.
“Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a).
“Most Recent Unaudited Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a).
“Orders” means all judgments, orders, writs, injunctions, decisions, rulings, decrees and awards of any Governmental Authority.
“New Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(i).
“Patents” means all United States and non-United States patents and applications therefore, including provisionals, divisions, reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part, reexaminations, renewals and extensions of the foregoing, and statutory invention registrations, utility models and utility model applications.
“Permits” means any permits, licenses, orders, certificates, authorizations and approvals of any Governmental Authority.
“Permitted Lien” shall mean any (i) Lien in respect of Taxes, if due, the validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings during which collection or enforcement is stayed, or Liens in respect of Taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) with respect to leasehold interests, mortgages and other Liens incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord or owner of the leased real property.
“Person” means any individual, person, entity, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust, business trust, cooperative, association, foreign trust or foreign business organization and the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the “Person” when the context so permits.
5
“Platform” means a company that offers shares of the Fund for sale as one of the investments offered to its clients.
“Platform Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).
“Platform Approval Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.
“Prohibited Business” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a).
“Remedial Effects” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.
“Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(c).
“Retained Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
“Securities Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.15(a).
“Seller” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Seller Disclosure Schedule” means the disclosure schedule of even date herewith delivered by Seller in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
“Seller Contracts” means the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Expense Limitation Agreement.
“Software” means the manifestation, in tangible or physical (including digital) form, including in magnetic media, firmware, and documentation, of computer programs and databases, including data therein, such computer programs and databases to include, but not limited to, management information systems and personal computer programs, websites and content therein. The tangible manifestation of such programs may be in the form of, among other things, source code, flow diagrams, listings, object code and microcode. Software does not include any Technology.
“Subsequent Platform Rejection” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, (a) of which such Person or any other Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner (excluding partnerships, the general partnership interests of which held by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person do not have a majority of the voting interests in such partnership), or (b) at least a majority of the securities or other interests of which having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.
“Surviving Representations” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
6
“Tax” or “Taxes” means all federal, state, local and foreign income, profits, franchise, gross receipts, environmental, customs duty, capital stock, severances, stamp, payroll, sales, employment, unemployment, disability, use, property, withholding, excise production, value added, occupancy, Transfer Taxes, and other taxes, duties or assessments of any nature whatsoever, together with all interest, penalties or additions to tax attributable to such taxes and any Liability arising under any tax sharing agreement or any Liability for Taxes of another Person by Contract, as a transferee or successor, under Treasury Regulation §1.1502-6 or analogous state, local or foreign Law, whether disputed or not.
“Tax Return” means any report, return, statement or other written information (including elections, declarations, disclosures, schedules, estimates and information returns) required to be filed by Seller with or supplied by Seller to a Taxing Authority in connection with any Taxes and any amendment thereto.
“Taxing Authority” shall mean any government or any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental or private body, having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or other imposition of Taxes.
“Technology” shall mean all types of technology, technical information, know-how, and data, whether or not reduced to tangible or physical form, whether a Trade Secret or not, including: product definitions and designs; inventions; research and development; engineering, manufacturing, process, test, quality control, procurement, and service specifications, procedures, processes, standards, and reports; blueprints; drawings; materials specifications, procedures, standards, and lists; catalogs; technical information and data relating to marketing and sales activity; and formulae. Technology does not include any Software.
“Territory” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a).
“Trade Secrets” means information, unpatented inventions, discoveries, data and any other intangible items in any form that are considered to be proprietary information by the owner, is maintained on a confidential or secret basis by the owner, and is not generally known to other parties.
“Trademarks” means all United States and non-United States trademarks, service marks, trade names, brand names, trade dress, domain names and other identifiers of source or goodwill, together with all registrations and applications for registration thereof, and all goodwill associated therewith.
“Transfer Taxes” means all transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the sale of the Assets (including any transfer or similar Tax imposed by any Governmental Authority). For the avoidance of doubt, Transfer Taxes do not include any taxes based upon or measured by income or gains, which shall be paid entirely by Seller.
“Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended from time to time (including any successor regulations).
“Trust” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
7
(a) A capitalized term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) An accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) References in the singular or to “him,” “her,” “it,” “itself,” or other like references, and references in the plural or the feminine or masculine reference, as the case may be, shall also, when the context so requires, be deemed to include the plural or singular, or the masculine or feminine reference, as the case may be;
(d) References to Articles, Sections and Schedules shall refer to articles, sections and schedules of this Agreement, unless otherwise specified;
(e) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience and identification only and are not intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision thereof;
(f) This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or other rule requiring construction against the party that drafted and caused this Agreement to be drafted;
(g) All monetary figures shall be in United States dollars unless otherwise specified;
(h) References to “including” in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” whether or not so specified; and
(i) The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other theory extends and such phrase shall not mean “if.”
ARTICLE II
8
(a) Effective as of the Closing, Seller shall not have any liability or obligation with respect to, and Buyer shall assume and thereafter pay, perform and discharge when due, only the Liabilities and obligations of Seller to the extent relating to or arising from, the Assets on or after the Closing Date only (collectively, the “Assumed Liabilities”) and as set forth on Schedule II hereto, with all Liabilities relating to periods before the Closing Date being retained by Seller.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Buyer shall not have any Liability or obligation with respect to, shall not assume or agree to pay, perform or discharge, and shall not be deemed by virtue of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any document delivered at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement, or as a result of the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, to have assumed, or to have agreed to pay, perform or discharge, any Liability, obligation or Indebtedness of Seller or any of its Affiliates, whether primary or secondary, direct or indirect, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, due or to become due, accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether arising prior to, on or after the Closing Date, other than the Assumed Liabilities.
9
(b) Platforms; Contingent Payment. Set forth below are names of the Platforms upon which the Fund is currently approved for sale, each of which has entered into, directly or through the Fund’s distributor, a selling agreement with the Fund, copies of which have been or will be provided to Buyer prior to Closing. Seller shall, prior to and after Closing, seek to secure the approval of each of the Platforms in Tier 1 and Tier 2 to continue offering the Fund after Buyer becomes investment adviser to the Fund (each such approval, a “Platform Approval”). Seller shall also cooperate with Buyer to notify each of the Platforms in Tier 3 of the Transaction and shall not take any step to prevent such Platforms from continuing to offer the Fund after Buyer becomes investment adviser to the Fund; provided, however, that Buyer will not pay Seller any Contingent Cash Consideration with respect to such Tier 3 Platforms and, as a result, such Platforms are not included in the Platform Approval definition.
(c) Buyer shall pay to Seller, in addition to the Closing Cash Consideration, the following amounts in cash based on the date that the Platform Approval, if any, is received in accordance with the following schedule (“Contingent Cash Consideration” and together with the Closing Cash Consideration, the “Cash Consideration”). Unless otherwise agreed to between Seller and Buyer, the Contingent Cash Consideration, if any, shall be payable by Buyer to Seller (or its designees) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to one or more accounts to be designated in writing by Seller within twenty (20) days following Seller’s receipt of the applicable Platform Approval Statement (as defined below).
Date Platform Approval is Received
|
|||
Tier 1:
|
Within 30 days
of Closing
|
31-60 Days
of Closing
|
61+ Days
of Closing
|
Fidelity/National Financial
|
$3,000
|
$2,000
|
$1,000
|
Pershing, LLC
|
$3,000
|
$2,000
|
$1,000
|
Schwab
|
$3,000
|
$2,000
|
$1,000
|
TD Ameritrade
|
$3,000
|
$2,000
|
$1,000
|
Date Platform Approval is Received
|
|||
Tier 2:
|
Within 30 days
of Closing
|
31-60 Days
of Closing
|
61+ Days
of Closing
|
Apex Clearing
|
$1,500
|
$1,000
|
$500
|
E*Trade
|
$1,500
|
$1,000
|
$500
|
First Clearing/Xxxxx Fargo
|
$1,500
|
$1,000
|
$500
|
Scottrade
|
$1,500
|
$1,000
|
$500
|
TradePMR
|
$1,500
|
$1,000
|
$500
|
UBS
|
$1,500
|
$1,000
|
$500
|
Vanguard
|
$1,500
|
$1,000
|
$500
|
Date Platform Approval is Received
|
|||
Tier 3:
|
Within 30 days
of Closing
|
31-60 Days
of Closing
|
61+ Days
of Closing
|
Matrix Capital Group
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
MG Trust
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Mid-Atlantic Capital Corp.
|
X/X
|
X/X
|
X/X
|
Xxxxxx
|
X/X
|
X/X
|
N/A
|
10
11
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties of Seller and Singer
Seller, as to itself, and Singer, as to himself, represents and warrants severally, and not jointly, as to any representation or warranty applicable to each below, as of the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date as follows:
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which Seller is a party and the performance by Seller of the Contemplated Transactions that are required to be performed by Seller have been duly authorized by Seller in accordance with applicable Law and the organizational documents of Seller, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Seller (including, without limitation, any shareholder vote or approval) are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which Seller is a party or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions that are required to be performed by Seller, except as set forth in Section 3.2 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule. This Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to be executed and delivered at the Closing by Seller will be, at the Closing, duly authorized, executed and delivered by Seller and constitute, or as of the Closing Date will constitute, valid and legally binding agreements of Seller enforceable against Seller in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
12
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which Singer is a party and the performance by Singer of the Contemplated Transactions that are required to be performed by Singer have been duly authorized by Singer in accordance with applicable Law. This Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to be executed and delivered at the Closing by Singer will be, at the Closing, duly authorized, executed and delivered by Singer and constitute, or as of the Closing Date will constitute, valid and legally binding agreements of Singer enforceable against Singer in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
(a) No consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or registrations, declarations or filings with, any Governmental Authority (“Governmental Consents”) are required to be obtained or made by Seller or Singer in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents to which Seller or Singer is, or is to be, a party or the consummation by Seller or Singer of the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) No third party or investor consents are required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, including the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, except as specified on Section 3.4(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule.
13
(a) amended or modified the Seller Contracts;
(b) incurred any Indebtedness with respect to the Seller Contracts;
(c) invested any of the Fund’s assets;
(d) created or permitted to exist any Lien upon any Assets or asset of the Fund other than Permitted Liens;
(e) amended, canceled, compromised, knowingly waived or released any right or claim (or series of related rights and claims) under the Seller Contracts;
(f) suffered any material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance;
(g) entered into or adopted a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization, or other material reorganization; or
(h) authorized, agreed, resolved or committed to any of the foregoing.
14
(a) The Assets constitute all the assets, rights and properties used or held for use by Seller in the conduct of the Fund Business as conducted as of December 31, 2013, subject to such changes as have occurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or otherwise permitted by this Agreement since such date. All of the Assets are (i) in normal operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, (ii) not in need of maintenance or repair, except for ordinary routine maintenance or repairs that are not material in nature or cost, and (iii) adequate and sufficient for the conduct of the Fund Business as presently conducted.
(b) Seller has good, valid and marketable title to, or valid leasehold or license interests in, as the case may be, all of the Assets free and clear of any Lien, except for Permitted Liens.
(a) Excluding third-party software and market data generally commercially available, Seller owns or otherwise has the right to use all Intellectual Property that is used in, and is material to, the operation and conduct of the Fund Business as currently conducted (such Intellectual Property, the “Fund Intellectual Property”).
(b) Seller has taken all reasonable steps that it believes are reasonably necessary to maintain and protect Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the Fund Intellectual Property.
(c) Seller has not received any written notice from any Person or given any written notice to any Person alleging that any other Person is infringing upon or otherwise violating the rights of Seller or the Fund in and to the Fund Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of Seller, no Person is infringing upon or otherwise violating the rights of Seller or the Fund in and to the Fund Intellectual Property.
(d) Seller has not received any written notice from any Person alleging that the conduct of the Fund Business as currently conducted by Seller infringes upon or otherwise violates the proprietary rights of such Person or any other Person. To the Knowledge of Seller, the conduct of the Fund Business does not infringe upon or otherwise violate the proprietary rights of any other Person.
(e) Seller has taken reasonable precautions to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of its Trade Secrets used in relation to the Fund. To the Knowledge of Seller, such Trade Secrets are not part of the public knowledge or literature, and have not been used, divulged or appropriated either for the benefit of any Person (other than Seller) or to the detriment of Seller.
(f) The consummation of the Contemplated Transactions shall not impair or diminish the rights of Buyer in and to the Fund Intellectual Property in any material respect.
15
(a) Seller and, to the Knowledge of Seller, the Fund, is not, nor during the past five (5) years has been, in violation of in any material respect, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) would constitute or result in a violation in any material respect by Seller or the Fund of, or failure on the part of Seller or any Fund to comply with in any material respect, any Law that is or was applicable to the conduct or operation of Seller or such Fund or the ownership or use of any of the Assets by Seller.
(b) Seller or the Fund, as applicable, has all Permits that are material and necessary to the conduct of its business as currently conducted. All such Permits are in full force and effect, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, no violations or notices of failure to comply have been issued or recorded in respect of any such Permits and no proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened seeking revocation or limitation of any such Permits, except for any such violation or proceeding that would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All applications, reports, notices and other documents required to be filed by Seller or any Fund with any Governmental Authority have been timely filed and are complete and correct in all material respects as filed or as amended prior to the date hereof, except where the failure to so file would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Seller is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an “investment adviser” pursuant to the Advisers Act and such registration is effective and in good standing.
16
(a) Immediately following the Closing, Seller shall coordinate with the Fund to provide a document that sets forth a true, correct and complete list as of the Closing Date of each Fund Investor in each Fund (each a “Closing Date Fund Investor”) together with: (i) the effective date that the Fund Investor was admitted as an investor in such Fund; (ii) the value of the Fund Investor’s account, and (iii) the mailing address, taxpayer identification number and contact information for each Fund Investor, inclusive of email address and telephone number, if available. Seller is not a party to any revenue-sharing or sub-advisory agreements in respect of the Fund. Except as set forth on Section 3.12(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, no Fund Investor has withdrawn, provided notice of its intention to withdraw or, to the Knowledge of Seller and Singer, indicated to Seller or Singer that the Fund Investor is considering whether to maintain (in whole or in part) its investment in the Fund prior to or as a result of this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) Each Fund is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Each Fund has the requisite corporate, trust, company or partnership power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Each Fund is duly qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where it is required to be so qualified under applicable Law except where the failure to be so qualified has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The Fund is and at all times has been in compliance in all material respects with (i) applicable Law and (ii) its respective investment objectives, policies and restrictions, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and Investment Management Agreement.
(d) Within the last five (5) years, copies of all current prospectuses or other offering documents for the Fund have been provided to each Fund Investor in accordance with applicable Laws (including, without limitation, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and to the Knowledge of Seller and Singer’s knowledge, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case at all times as such prospectuses were provided to the Fund Investors or potential investors in such Fund.
(e) To the Knowledge of Seller and Singer, no intermediary, delegate or appointee has unlawfully marketed any of the services of Seller or unlawfully marketed or sold any interest in any Fund.
17
(f) To the Knowledge of Seller, Section 3.12(f) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth for the Fund, any Persons (other than Seller) entitled to receive management fees, 12b-1 fees, or other similar payment or payments, whether or not such payments are paid or payable, in connection with an employment or consulting agreement or arrangement or otherwise pursuant to a Contract with Seller or any Fund.
Buyer represents and warrants to Seller as of the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date as follows:
18
(a) To the knowledge of Buyer, neither Buyer nor any of its Affiliates, during the past five (5) years has been, in violation of in any material respect, and, to the knowledge of Buyer, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) would constitute or result in a violation in any material respect by Buyer or any of its Affiliates, or failure on the part of Buyer or any of its Affiliates to comply with, in any material respect, any Law that is or was applicable to the conduct or operation of Buyer or any such Affiliate that has, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer or such Affiliate to conduct business operations.
(b) Buyer and its Affiliates have all Permits that are material or necessary to the conduct of its business as currently conducted and as proposed after the Closing. All such Permits are in full force and effect, and, to the knowledge of Buyer, no violations or notices of failure to comply have been issued or recorded in respect of any such Permits and no proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened seeking revocation or limitation of any such Permits, except for any such violation or proceeding that would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer or such Affiliate to conduct business operations. All applications, reports, notices and other documents required to be filed by Buyer or any of its Affiliates with any Governmental Authority have been timely filed and are complete and correct in all material respects as filed or as amended prior to the date hereof, except where the failure to so file would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer or such Affiliate to conduct business operations.
(c) Buyer is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an “investment adviser” pursuant to the Advisers Act and such registration is effective and in good standing.
19
ARTICLE V
(a) Except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement, during the period from the date hereof through the Closing Date, Seller shall conduct the Fund Business in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice, and to the extent consistent therewith (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the Fund and the Assets and to preserve its current relationships with Fund Investors, customers, employees, suppliers and others having business dealings with it with respect to the Fund Business, (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to perform and comply with its Material Contracts and to comply with applicable Laws, (iii) maintain its books and records in the usual, regular and ordinary manner, on a basis consistent with past practice, and (iv) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the goodwill and ongoing operations of the Fund Business.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement, during the period from the date hereof through the Closing Date, Seller shall not:
(i) divest, sell, transfer, lease, license, abandon, allow to lapse, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of, or encumber, or agree to divest, sell, transfer, lease, license, abandon, allow to lapse, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of, or encumber, any Assets, other than Permitted Liens;
(ii) maintain the Assets in a condition other than in the same condition as on the date of this Agreement (ordinary wear and tear excepted);
(iii) amend, renew, terminate or waive any Permit or any Material Contract or any provision thereof;
(iv) enter into any new Contract with respect to the Fund or the Assets that would have been a Material Contract if it had existed on the date hereof;
(v) change accounting policies or procedures of the Fund except to the extent required to conform with GAAP;
(vi) settle or compromise any pending or threatened Litigation relating to the Fund or the Assets;
(vii) take any action or omit to take any action which would cause any representation or warranty made by Seller or any Principal in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document to be or become untrue in any material respect (disregarding for these purposes any material adverse effect or materiality (or any correlative term) contained therein); or
(viii) authorize, agree, resolve or consent to any of the foregoing.
20
(a) For a period of one (1) year from and after the Closing Date (the “Restricted Period”), Singer nor any of his Affiliates shall, directly or indirectly, solicit any Fund Investor for a mutual fund that, as determined at any time during the Restricted Period, has an investment objective and strategy similar to and reasonably competitive with the Fund (the “Prohibited Business”) anywhere in North America (the “Territory”).
(b) During the Restricted Period, Singer shall not, and Singer shall cause his Affiliates, and each of its and their officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, representatives, successors and assigns not to, for its or their own account or for the account of any other Person, knowingly (i) encourage any Person not to enter into a business relationship with the Fund or Buyer, or any of Buyer’s Affiliates; or (ii) impair or attempt to impair any business relationships between the Fund or Buyer, or any of Buyer’s Affiliates and any of their service providers, suppliers or other Persons with whom they have business relationships.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 5.5(a) above, the beneficial ownership within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of less than 2% of the outstanding common stock of a publicly held corporation that is engaged in a Prohibited Business within the Territory shall be permitted.
21
(d) The nature and scope of the foregoing protection has been carefully considered by the parties hereto. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that the duration, scope and geographic areas applicable to such provisions are fair, reasonable and necessary and that adequate compensation has been received by Seller and Singer for such obligations. If, however, for any reason any court determines that any such restrictions are not reasonable or that consideration is inadequate, such restrictions shall be interpreted, modified or rewritten to include as much of the duration, scope and geographic area identified in this Section 5.5 as will render such restrictions valid and enforceable.
(e) In the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Section 5.5, Buyer shall be entitled, without the posting of a bond, to an injunction restraining such breach. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting any party from pursuing any other remedy available to it for such breach or threatened breach.
(a) Seller shall promptly pay or deliver to Buyer any monies or checks relating to the Fund or the Assets which have been mistakenly sent after the Closing Date to Seller and which should have been sent to Buyer.
(b) Seller agrees that Buyer has the right and authority to endorse, without recourse, any check or other evidence of Indebtedness received by Buyer in respect of any note or account receivable transferred to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement and Seller shall furnish Buyer such evidence of this authority as Buyer may request.
22
ARTICLE VI
(b) All Permits and Orders of, declarations and filings with, and notices to any Governmental Authority required to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained or made and shall be in full force and effect.
23
24
ARTICLE VII
(e) Xxxx of Sale. A duly executed xxxx of sale for all other Assets, other than the Excluded Assets.
7.2 Buyer’s Deliveries. On the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Seller:
25
ARTICLE VIII
(a) at any time, by mutual written agreement of Seller and Buyer; or
(b) by Buyer, at any time prior to the Closing, if (i) Seller is in breach, in any material respect, of the representations, warranties or covenants made by it in this Agreement, (ii) such breach is not cured within ten (10) days of written notice of such breach from Buyer (to the extent such breach is curable) and (iii) such breach, if not cured, would render the conditions set forth in Section 6.3 incapable of being satisfied; or
(c) by Seller, at any time prior to the Closing, if (i) Buyer is in breach, in any material respect, of the representations, warranties or covenants made by Buyer in this Agreement, (ii) such breach is not cured within ten (10) days of written notice of such breach from Seller (to the extent such breach is curable) and (iii) such breach, if not cured, would render the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 incapable of being satisfied;
(d) by Buyer or Seller if a Governmental Authority shall have issued an Order or taken any other action having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which Order or other action is final and non-appealable; or
(e) by written notice by either Seller or Buyer to the other party, at any time after March 15, 2014 or, in Buyer’s sole discretion, April 1, 2014 (the “End Date”) if the Closing shall not have occurred on or prior to such date; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(e) shall not be available to such party if the action or inaction of such party (or in the case of Seller) or any of the Principals, or their Affiliates has been a principal cause of or resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or before such date and such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of this Agreement.
26
ARTICLE IX
(a) Seller shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, its affiliates and their respective members, managers, directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all claims, judgments, damages, liabilities, settlements, losses, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, arising from or relating to: (i) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement or any document to be delivered hereunder; (ii) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by Seller pursuant to this Agreement or any document to be delivered hereunder; or (iii) any Liabilities of Seller.
(b) Singer shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, its affiliates and their respective members, managers, directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all claims, judgments, damages, liabilities, settlements, losses, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, arising from or relating to any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by Singer pursuant to this Agreement or any document to be delivered hereunder.
27
ARTICLE X
(a) All fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Contemplated Transactions are consummated.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall assume and be responsible for all legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with the drafting and distribution of the Information Statement; provided, however, if such costs exceed $15,000, Buyer and Seller shall share equally any reasonable amount related thereto in excess of $15,000.
28
If to Seller or Singer:
|
Congressional Effect Management, LLC
|
||
[REDACTED]
|
|||
Attn: |
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
||
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
|
|||
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx, LLP
|
|||
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|||
Xxxxxxx-Xxxxx, XX 00000
|
|||
Attn: |
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
||
Fax: |
000.000.0000
|
||
If to Buyer:
|
Pulteney Street Capital Management, LLC
|
||
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
|
|||
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
|
|||
Attn: |
Xxxx X. XxXxxxx
|
||
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
|
|||
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, LLC
|
|||
000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
|
|||
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
|
|||
Attn: |
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
||
Fax: |
000.000.0000
|
29
30
31
BUYER:
|
|||
PULTENEY STREET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
Xxxx X. XxXxxxx
|
||
Title:
|
Managing Member
|
[signature page to the Transaction Agreement]
SELLER:
|
|||
CONGRESSIONAL EFFECT MANAGEMENT, LLC and its affiliates
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
||
Title:
|
Managing Member
|
||
SINGER:
|
|||
XXXX X. XXXXXX
|
SCHEDULE I
ASSETS
1.
|
Investment Advisory Agreement
|
2.
|
Expense Limitation Agreement
|
SCHEDULE II
ASSUMED LIABILITIES
None
EXHIBIT A
Expense Limitation Agreement
EXHIBIT B
Investment Advisory Agreement
EXHIBIT C
License Agreement
EXHIBIT 2.7(a)
Form of Platform Approval Statement
PLATFORM APPROVAL STATEMENT
PULTENEY STREET FAMILY OF FUNDS
Name of Platform
|
Date of Approval
|
Fees for Platform
|
EXHIBIT 2.7(b)
Form of Earnout Statement
EARNOUT STATEMENT
PULTENEY STREET FAMILY OF FUNDS
FOR [INSERT EARNOUT CALCULATION DATE]
Name of Fund Investor
|
AUM
|
SECTION 3.4(b)
Consent of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts and Consent of the Shareholders as required under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
SECTION 3.5(b)
Investment Advisory Agreement – None
Expense Limitation Agreement: None
Note:
|
Seller is responsible for certain charges assessed by Schwab and Vanguard which Seller will settle.
|
SECTION 3.6
Seller requested, and the Fund and Trust approved, an increase in the expense cap under the Expense Limitation Agreement to 3.00%, subject to such exemptions as are set forth therein. Accordingly, Seller and the Trust entered into an Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement effective February 1, 2014 (as noticed to shareholders on January 21, 2014.
SECTION 3.9(b)
None
SECTION 3.11
None
SECTION 3.12(a)
[REDACTED]
SECTION 3.12(f)
None
SECTION 3.13
None