FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Exhibit
2.2
FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
This First Amendment, dated August 31,
2009, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 30, 2009 (the “Original Agreement”), by and
among FPIC Insurance Group, Inc., a Florida corporation ("FIG"), First Professionals
Insurance Company, Inc., a Florida stock insurance company and a direct wholly
owned subsidiary of FIG (“FPIC” and, collectively with FIG, “Buyer”), FPIC
Merger Corp., a Nevada corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of FPIC
(“Merger Co”),
Advocate, MD Financial Group Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Company"), the individuals
named therein as the Stockholders Representative, and the stockholders and
warrant holders of the Company that execute and deliver to Company a joinder
agreement (“Joinder
Agreement”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each
sometimes referred to herein as a “Seller” and collectively as
the “Sellers”). Capitalized
terms used in this First Amendment without definition that are defined in the
Original Agreement have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Original
Agreement.
In consideration of the agreements of
each of the Parties contained herein, the Parties agree as follows.
A.
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The
definition of “Adverse
Consequences” contained in Section 1 of the Original Agreement is
hereby amended to read in full as follows: "Adverse Consequences"
means all actions, suits, proceedings, hearings, investigations, charges,
complaints, claims, demands, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees,
rulings, damages, dues, penalties, fines, costs, commercially reasonable
amounts paid in settlement, liabilities, obligations, Taxes, Liens,
losses, expenses, and fees, including court costs and reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, except that, with respect to Dissenting
Shares, “Adverse
Consequences” means and are limited to any amount paid to the
holders in respect of Dissenting Shares comprising in excess of 5% of the
aggregate number of Company Shares outstanding or subject to issuance on
exercise of outstanding Company Warrants immediately before the Stock
Purchase Closing or Merger Closing, whichever first occurs, as a result of
any negotiation or proceeding regarding such Dissenting Shares but only to
the extent such payments exceed with respect to such excess Dissenting
Shares the sum of the Closing Consideration Per Company Share plus the
Additional Consideration Per Company Share and only to the extent the
aggregate of all such payments do not exceed $425,000. For
purposes of this definition, the Dissenting Shares in excess of such 5%
threshold shall be deemed to be the Dissenting Shares in respect of which
the highest prices per Dissenting Share is ultimately
paid.
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B.
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The
definition of “Closing
Consideration Per Company Share” contained in Section 1 of the
Original Agreement is hereby amended to read in full as follows: "Closing Consideration Per
Company Share" means an amount equal to the result obtained by
dividing (a) the sum of the Closing Consideration plus the aggregate
exercise price of all Company Warrants exercised prior to or in connection
with the Stock Purchase Closing or the Merger Closing, by (b) the
aggregate number of Company Shares outstanding or subject to issuance on
exercise of outstanding Company Warrants immediately before the
Closing.
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C.
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The
first sentence of Section 8(b)(i) of the Original Agreement is hereby
amended to read in full as follows: If the Closing occurs, in the event
that any of Company’s representations or warranties contained in Section 4
above or elsewhere in this Agreement or in any document or certificate
delivered to Buyer by Company in connection with this Agreement were
breached at
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any
time at or before the Closing, or were inaccurate as of the Closing, or
any of its covenants contained herein that were to be performed before the
Closing are breached and not cured at or before the Effective Time, and,
provided that Buyer makes a written claim for indemnification with respect
to such inaccuracy or breach, or with respect to any Third-Party Claim
relating to such inaccuracy or breach, to Stockholders Representative
after the Closing and within the survival period specified in Section 8(a)
above, or if there are any Dissenting Shares, then Sellers will be
obligated to indemnify Buyer from and against all Adverse Consequences by
reason of all such inaccuracies and breaches, and Dissenting Shares, but
solely to the extent such Adverse Consequences are equal to or less than
an aggregate ceiling equal to the Additional Consideration, if any,
payable by Buyer to Sellers under the Earnout Agreement (the "Indemnification
Ceiling"); provided, however, Buyer will have no right to
indemnification hereunder for breaches of or inaccuracies in Company’s
representations and warranties, or in respect of Dissenting Shares, except
to the extent Buyer has suffered Adverse Consequences by reason of all
such breaches and inaccuracies, and Dissenting Shares, in excess of One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the
aggregate.
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D.
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Buyer
hereby waives its right contained in Section 9(a)(ii) of the Original
Agreement to terminate the Agreement by giving notice to Stockholders
Representative at any time prior to September 1, 2009, if Buyer is not
reasonably satisfied that the matters disclosed in Section 4(n) of the
Disclosure Schedule will be resolved in a manner not materially
adverse.
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E.
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Section
9(a)(iv) of the Original Agreement is hereby amended to read in full as
follows: Either Buyer or Stockholders Representative may terminate this
Agreement by giving notice to the other such Party if the Closing has not
occurred by March 31, 2010, or such later date as Buyer and Company may
agree upon, unless the Party seeking termination is in breach of any of
its obligations set forth in Section 5(a) above or is otherwise in
material breach of this Agreement.
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Exhibit A to
the Original Agreement is hereby amended to read in full as Exhibit A to
this First Amendment.
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F.
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All
references in the Original Agreement to “this Agreement” shall be deemed
to be references to the Original Agreement as amended by this First
Amendment.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.
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[SIGNATURE
PAGES TO FOLLOW]
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FPIC INSURANCE GROUP, INC. | |||
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By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, III | ||
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, III | |||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | |||
FIRST PROFESSIONAL
INSURANCE
COMPANY,
INC.
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By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, III | ||
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, III | |||
Title: Vice President | |||
FPIC MERGER CORP. | |||
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By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, III | ||
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, III | |||
Title: Vice President | |||
ADVOCATE, MD
FINANCIAL GROUP
INC.
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By:
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/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Title: Chairman, President and CEO | |||
STOCKHOLDERS REPRESENTATIVE | |||
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By:
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/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Title: ________________________________ | |||
STOCKHOLDERS REPRESENTATIVE | |||
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: ____________________________ | |||
EXHIBIT A TO FIRST
AMENDMENT
FORM
OF
JOINDER
AGREEMENT
THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into
as of the date shown of the signature page hereof by the undersigned beneficial
and record owner (the “Signing
Holder”) of the issued and outstanding common stock, preferred stock and
warrants of the Company (collectively, “Company Securities”) of
Advocate, MD Financial Group Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), set forth opposite
the Signing Holder's name on Exhibit A to this
Agreement, which sets forth such holdings as of such date.
Recitals
A. The Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of July 30, 2009 (the “Original Agreement”) and as amended pursuant to that certain First
Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 31, 2009 (the “First Amendment”) (such
Original Agreement, as modified or amended by the First Amendment, together with
any subsequent amendments or supplements thereto is referred to herein as the
“Merger
Agreement”) with FPIC Insurance Group,
Inc., a Florida corporation (“FIG”), First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc., a
Florida stock insurance company and a wholly owned subsidiary of FIG
(“FPIC” and, collectively with FIG, “Buyer”), FPIC Merger Corp., a Nevada corporation and wholly
owned subsidiary of FPIC (“Merger Co”), and the Stockholders Representative (as defined in
the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which Merger Co will merge with and into the
Company, and the Company will become a subsidiary of FPIC (the “Merger”), on and subject to the terms and conditions of the
Merger Agreement.
B. Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the holders of Company
Securities who become parties to the Merger Agreement will sell their Company
Securities to Buyer in the Stock Purchase for the consideration set forth in the
Merger Agreement, consisting of a cash payment at such closing and the
additional consideration, if any, payable pursuant to the Earnout Agreement to
be entered into between Buyer and the Stockholders Representative pursuant to
the Merger Agreement. Closing consideration payable to holders of
warrants to acquire shares of Company stock will be reduced by the aggregate
amount of the exercise price per share payable upon exercise of such
warrants. A summary of the Closing Consideration estimated to be
payable to the Signing Holder is attached at Exhibit A to this
Agreement.
C. The
Merger Agreement also provides that Company Securities that Buyer does not
purchase in the Stock Purchase will be converted in the Merger to the right to
receive the consideration that the holders of such Company Securities would have
received had they become parties to the Merger Agreement and sold such Company
Securities to Buyer in the Stock Purchase.
D. In
connection with the Merger, Xxxx X. Xxxxx, the Company’s Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer, is entering into a Non-Competition Agreement and an
amended
and restated Executive Employment Agreement with Buyer and the Company on the
terms set forth therein.
E. The Board of Directors of the Company has (a)
approved the Merger Agreement and the merger transactions contemplated thereby
involving the Company, (b) determined the Merger Agreement to be in the best
interest of the Company and the holders of capital stock and warrants for
capital stock of the Company based upon industry trends and conditions, the
current market for strategic transactions in such industry, input from the
Company's investment bankers, requests made by Company Holders for liquidity and
other considerations and circumstances as deemed by the Board of Directors to be
relevant to such determination, and (c) resolved and agreed, subject to the
terms and conditions contained herein, to recommend that holders of capital
stock and warrants for capital stock of Company sell their interests as part of
the Stock Purchase and to vote their Company Shares in favor of the Merger.
F. Certain
of the Company Holders have entered into a Stockholders’ Agreement with the
Company (“Stockholders
Agreement”) which provides for various transfer restrictions, rights of
first refusal, drag along rights and other matters with respect to their Company
Common Shares. Company Holders holding more than 66 2/3% of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Shares (the “Two-Thirds Common Holders”)
have become Parties to the Merger Agreement by executing and delivering
joinder agreements on the terms hereof effective as of the date of the Merger
Agreement.
G. By
executing this Agreement, the undersigned Signing Holder intends to become a
Party to the Merger Agreement as a Seller with respect to such Signing Holder's
Company Securities, on and subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the
mutual promises contained herein and in the Merger Agreement, and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. All
capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition that are defined in
the Merger Agreement shall have the same meanings herein as therein, unless the
context otherwise requires.
Section 2. Joinder of Merger
Agreement. Effective as of the date of this Agreement, the
Signing Holder hereby becomes, and agrees that such Signing Holder shall be
deemed for all purposes to be, a Party to the Merger Agreement as a “Seller” as if the Signing
Holder were an original signatory thereto without further action of the Parties
to the Merger Agreement, so as to be bound by the obligations and entitled to
the rights of a Seller thereunder and under any other agreements executed by
Stockholders Representative pursuant thereto.
Section 3. Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of the Signing Holder. In addition to
such Signing Holder's representations, warranties and other agreements under the
Merger Agreement, the Signing Holder hereby represents and warrants to each of
the other Parties and acknowledges and agrees:
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(i) Documents and
Summary: that such Signing Holder has received or has been
permitted to review a true and correct copy of the executed Merger Agreement,
together with all schedules, annexes and exhibits thereto and has been provided
with a summary of the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Earnout Agreement, the
Non-Competition Agreement and the Executive Employment Agreement and the
payments to be made to the Company’s officers and directors pursuant to the
Incentive Bonus;
(ii) Familiarity with
Terms: that such Signing Holder has reviewed and is familiar
with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, and with all of the
representations, warranties, indemnities and other obligations of a Seller
thereunder;
(iii) Stock
Purchase: that by becoming a Seller such Signing Holder has
agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and this
Agreement, to sell such Signing Holder's Company Securities to Buyer
at the Closing for the consideration set forth in Section 2(b) of the Merger
Agreement and in the Earnout Agreement;
(iv) Appointment of Stockholders
Representative: that pursuant to Section 2(l) of the Merger
Agreement the Signing Holder has appointed the Stockholders Representative as
such Signing Holder's attorney-in-fact to perform all acts to be performed on
the Sellers’ behalf under the Merger Agreement and the Earnout Agreement, all as
described in such Section 2(l), including without limitation, (A) voting and
granting consents with respect to the Company Securities held by such Signing
Holder, (B) taking all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the Stock
Purchase and the Merger, (C) executing any amendment to the Merger Agreement or
the Earnout Agreement, (D) resolving and agreeing to any settlement of any claim
for indemnification by Buyer from the Signing Holder or by Sellers from Buyer,
(E) resolving and agreeing to all matters under the Earnout Agreement and all
other agreements, documents, certificates or instruments related
thereto;
(v) Other Provisions Relating to the
Stockholders Representative: that by entering into this
Agreement such Signing Holder has agreed to all other provisions of the Merger
Agreement with respect to the Stockholders Representative, including waiver of
claims and fiduciary duties with respect to, and indemnification of, the
Stockholders Representative;
(vi) Representations and Warranties;
Release; Indemnification: that by entering into this Agreement
the Signing Holder is (x) making the representations and warranties to Buyer
contained in Section 3(a) of the Merger Agreement concerning such Signing
Holder's ownership of Company Securities and the other matters set forth in such
Section, (y) providing pursuant to Section 6(e) of the Merger Agreement an
immediately effective full and general release of the Company, its Subsidiaries,
the officers, directors, stockholders, employees and other Persons from any and
all known and unknown claims of every kind and nature (except for claims arising
under the Merger Agreement and rights to indemnification, defense and
advancement of expense for directors, officers and employees as provided in
Section 6(d) of the Merger Agreement), and (z) agreeing to the indemnification
obligations to Buyer contained in Section 8 of the Merger Agreement;
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and
(vii) Amendment of Merger Agreement and
the Earnout Agreement: that by entering into this Agreement,
the Signing Holder is agreeing that the Merger Agreement and the Earnout
Agreement may be modified by Buyer and Stockholder Representative without any
consent required from the Signing Holder, although Signing Holder will be bound
by such modifications.
Section 4. Irrevocable
Proxy. (a) The Signing Holder hereby irrevocably appoints and
constitutes the Stockholders Representative, jointly and severally, as the agent
and proxy of the Signing Holder, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, to the full extent of the undersigned’s rights with respect to
the Company Securities held by the Signing Holder, to represent such Signing
Holder at all annual and special meetings of the shareholders of the Company and
in connection with actions in writing taken by the shareholders of the Company,
and the undersigned hereby authorizes and empowers Stockholders Representative
to vote, and to give written consents with respect to, any and all Company
Securities owned by the undersigned or standing in such Signing Holder's name,
and do all things which the undersigned might do if present and acting on his,
her or its own behalf, including without limitation to cause the exercise of any
warrants to acquire Company capital stock owned by the Signing
Holder.
(b) This
irrevocable proxy is given to
facilitate the transfer of all rights of the Signing Holder in the Company
Securities to Buyer under and subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement and
this Agreement.
(c) THE
PROXY GRANTED BY THE SIGNING HOLDER TO THE STOCKHOLDERS REPRESENTATIVE HEREBY IS
IRREVOCABLE AND COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST. THIS PROXY SHALL SURVIVE
THE INSOLVENCY, INCAPACITY, DEATH OR LIQUIDATION OF THE
UNDERSIGNED.
(d) Upon
the execution hereof, all prior proxies given by the undersigned with respect to
the Company Securities held by the Signing Holder and any and all other shares
or securities (i) issued or issuable in respect thereof on or after the date
hereof and prior to the date this proxy terminates and/or (ii) issued to the
undersigned shareholder on or after the date hereof and prior to the date this
proxy terminates, are hereby revoked and no subsequent proxies will be given by
the undersigned with respect to such Company Securities.
(e) Any
obligation of the Signing Holder hereunder shall be binding upon the successors
and assigns of the Signing Holder. The Signing Holder authorizes the
Stockholders Representative to file this proxy and any substitution or
revocation of substitution with the Secretary of the Company in connection with
any meeting or action of the shareholders of the Company.
(f) THIS
PROXY SHALL TERMINATE ON THE FIRST TO OCCUR OF THE CLOSING OR THE TERMINATION OF
THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
Section 5. Approval of Merger
Agreement; Waiver of Notice. By executing this
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Agreement,
the Signing Holder consents pursuant to Sections 78.320 of Nevada Law to the
approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Merger and waives any
requirements as to notice of the time, place and purpose of a meeting of
stockholders, or as to notice of stockholder action by written consent, under
Nevada Law or the Company's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.
Section 6. Waiver of Dissenters
Rights. The Signing Holder acknowledges that by executing this
Agreement and hereby consenting to the Merger, the Signing Holder has waived any
and all rights such Signing Holder may have had as a dissenter or to any
appraisal rights with respect to the Company Securities held by such Signing
Holder, including any rights pursuant to Sections 92A.300 through 92A.500 of
Nevada Law, a copy of which is included as Exhibit B to this
Agreement.
Section 7. Stockholders Agreement; No Transfer of Company
Securities. The Signing Holder (i) waives all rights under
Sections 3 and 4 of the Stockholder Agreement (dealing with rights of first
refusal and co-sale rights) arising as a result of the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) agrees to the termination of the
Stockholders Agreement as of the Closing, (iii) hereby proposes with the other
Company Holders who have signed Joinder Agreements to sell and transfer all of
their Company Common Shares in accordance with the Merger Agreement, and (iv)
agrees that the proposed sale and transfer described in the immediately
preceding clause constitutes an exercise of the “drag along” right under Section
5.1 of the Stockholders Agreement, written notice of which shall be delivered to
the other Stockholders at least 30 days prior to the Closing. The Signing Holder agrees that, from the date
of this Agreement until the earlier of (1) the Closing, or (2) the termination
of the Merger Agreement, such Signing Holder shall not, directly or indirectly
(a) sell, pledge, encumber, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all
of the Company Securities held by such Signing Holder or any interest in such
Company Securities, except pursuant to the Merger Agreement or as specifically
required by court order or by operation of law, (b) deposit any Company
Securities or any interest therein into a voting trust or enter into a voting
agreement or arrangement with respect to any Company Securities or grant any
proxy with respect thereto (other than as contemplated herein and in the Merger
Agreement), or (c) enter into any contract, commitment, option or other
arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect acquisition or
sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, transfer or other disposition of any
Company Securities held by the Signing Holder.
Section 8. Exclusivity. The
Signing Holder will not, and will not authorize or permit any Person acting on
such Signing Holder's behalf to, directly or indirectly, solicit, initiate, or
encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any Person relating to
the acquisition of capital stock or assets of Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(including any acquisition structured as a merger, consolidation, or share
exchange), including by way of furnishing information, cooperating or
taking any other action to facilitate any enquiries or the making of any
proposal that constitutes or may reasonably be expected to lead to an
acquisition proposal for capital stock or assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. In the event that the Signing Holder receives an
unsolicited offer for such a transaction or obtains information that such an
offer is likely to be made, the Signing Holder will notify Company, and Company
will provide Buyer with notice thereof as soon as practical, including the
identity of the prospective purchaser
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or
soliciting party.
Section 9. Notices. Notices
to the Parties other than the Signing Holder shall be given and addressed in the
manner set forth in the Merger Agreement. Notices to the Signing Holder shall be given in the manner set
forth in the Merger Agreement but be addressed as set forth on the signature
page to this Agreement.
Section 10. Headings;
Gender. The headings in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement. Throughout this Agreement, except where the context
requires otherwise, the neuter gender shall be deemed to include the feminine
and masculine, and the singular number shall be deemed to include the plural,
and vice
versa.
Section 11. Severability. If
any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement, or any part
thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or any Governmental Body
to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against public policy for any reason, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated.
Section 12. Assignment. This
Agreement shall not be assignable by the Signing Holder, but shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of any permitted successors and assigns under the
Merger Agreement of the rights of Buyer, Merger Co, the Company or the
Stockholders Representative under the Merger Agreement.
Section 13. Amendments;
Waivers. This Agreement shall be modified only in writing,
executed by the Signing Holder, Buyer, the Company and the Stockholders
Representative. Any right or remedy hereunder may be waived only in a
writing signed by the person or entity against whom such waiver is
asserted.
Section 14. Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement together
constitute and contain the entire agreement of the Signing Holder with the other
Parties to the said agreements relating to the subject matter hereof, and
supersedes any and all prior agreements, negotiations, correspondence and
understandings between the Signing Holder and any other Parties to said
agreements, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter
hereof. The Signing Holder acknowledges that Buyer, Merger Co, the
Company and the Stockholders Representative are intended third-Party
beneficiaries with respect to this Agreement.
Section 15. Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without giving effect to any
choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Nevada or
any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of Nevada.
Section 16. Dispute Resolution;
Consent to Jurisdiction. (a) The Signing Holder Agrees to be
bound to the terms of Section 11(p) of the Merger Agreement as though it were
set forth herein.
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[Signature
page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Signing Holder
has executed this Joinder Agreement as of the date first written
above.
Wire
Transfer Instructions for payments to Signing Holder:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
If
wire transfer instructions are not provided above or subsequently by notice to
Buyer in accordance with the Purchase Agreement, any payments will be mailed to
Signing Holder at his, her or its address below:
If
the Signing Holder is an Individual or
Are
Joint Owners:
(Please
print)
Name:
__________________________________
Address:_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Email
address: ___________________________
Signature: ______________________________
Date:
_______________, 2009
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Signature
of Joint Owner, if any:
(Please
print)
Name
of
Joint
Owner _____________________________
Address:_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Email
address: ___________________________
Signature: ______________________________
Date:
_______________, 2009
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If
the Signing Holder is an Entity:
(Please
Print )
Name
of Entity: __________________________
Address: _____________________________
______________________________
_____________________________
Email
address: ___________________________
By:
______________________________
(Signature)
Name
(Please Print): _____________________
Title
(Please Print): _____________________
Date:
_______________, 2009
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If
the Signing Holder Is Signing as Trustee or
in
another Representative Capacity:
__________________________________
(Signature)
(Please
print)
Name:
__________________________
Capacity ________________________
Address: _____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
Email
address: __________________________
Date:
_______________, 2009
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8
Exhibit
A
9
Exhibit B - Sections
92A.300 through 92A.500 of Nevada Revised Statutes
RIGHTS
OF DISSENTING OWNERS
NRS 92A.300 Definitions.
As used in NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, unless the context
otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 92A.305 to 92A.335,
inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those
sections. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2086)
NRS 92A.305 “Beneficial
stockholder” defined. “Beneficial stockholder” means a person
who is a beneficial owner of shares held in a voting trust or by a nominee as
the stockholder of record. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.310 “Corporate
action” defined. “Corporate action” means the action of a
domestic corporation. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.315 “Dissenter”
defined. “Dissenter” means a stockholder who is entitled to
dissent from a domestic corporation’s action under NRS 92A.380 and who exercises
that right when and in the manner required by NRS 92A.400 to 92A.480,
inclusive. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087; A 1999, 1631)
NRS 92A.320 “Fair value”
defined. “Fair value,” with respect to a dissenter’s shares,
means the value of the shares immediately before the effectuation of the
corporate action to which he objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation
in anticipation of the corporate action unless exclusion would be
inequitable. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.325 “Stockholder”
defined. “Stockholder” means a stockholder of record or a
beneficial stockholder of a domestic corporation. (Added to NRS by
1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.330 “Stockholder
of record” defined. “Stockholder of record” means the person in whose
name shares are registered in the records of a domestic corporation or the
beneficial owner of shares to the extent of the rights granted by a nominee’s
certificate on file with the domestic corporation. (Added to NRS by
1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.335 “Subject
corporation” defined. “Subject corporation” means the domestic
corporation which is the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before the
corporate action creating the dissenter’s rights becomes effective or the
surviving or acquiring entity of that issuer after the corporate action becomes
effective. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.340 Computation of
interest. Interest payable pursuant to NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500,
inclusive, must be computed from the effective date of the action until the date
of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the entity on its principal
bank loans or, if it has no bank loans, at a rate that is fair and equitable
under all of the circumstances. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2087)
NRS 92A.350 Rights of
dissenting partner of domestic limited partnership. A partnership
agreement of a domestic limited partnership or, unless otherwise provided in the
partnership agreement, an agreement of merger or exchange, may provide that
contractual rights with respect to the partnership interest of a dissenting
general or limited partner of a domestic limited partnership are available for
any class or group of partnership interests in connection with any merger or
exchange in which the domestic limited partnership is a constituent
entity. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2088)
NRS 92A.360 Rights of
dissenting member of domestic limited-liability company. The
articles of organization or operating agreement of a domestic limited-liability
company or, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or
operating agreement, an agreement of merger or exchange, may provide that
contractual rights with respect to the interest of a dissenting member are
available in connection with any merger or exchange in which the domestic
limited-liability company is a constituent entity. (Added to NRS by
1995, 2088)
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NRS
92A.370 Rights of dissenting member of domestic nonprofit
corporation.
1. Except
as otherwise provided in subsection 2, and unless otherwise provided in the
articles or bylaws, any member of any constituent domestic nonprofit corporation
who voted against the merger may, without prior notice, but within 30 days after
the effective date of the merger, resign from membership and is thereby excused
from all contractual obligations to the constituent or surviving corporations
which did not occur before his resignation and is thereby entitled to those
rights, if any, which would have existed if there had been no merger and the
membership had been terminated or the member had been expelled.
2. Unless
otherwise provided in its articles of incorporation or bylaws, no member of a
domestic nonprofit corporation, including, but not limited to, a cooperative
corporation, which supplies services described in chapter 704 of NRS to its
members only, and no person who is a member of a domestic nonprofit corporation
as a condition of or by reason of the ownership of an interest in real property,
may resign and dissent pursuant to subsection
1. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2088)
NRS
92A.380 Right of stockholder to dissent from certain corporate
actions and to obtain payment for shares.
1. Except
as otherwise provided in NRS 92A.370 and 92A.390, any stockholder is entitled to
dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in the event of
any of the following corporate actions:
(a)
Consummation of a conversion or plan of merger to which the domestic corporation
is a constituent entity:
(1)
If approval by the stockholders is required for the conversion or merger by NRS
92A.120 to 92A.160, inclusive, or the articles of incorporation, regardless of
whether the stockholder is entitled to vote on the conversion or plan of merger;
or
(2)
If the domestic corporation is a subsidiary and is merged with its parent
pursuant to NRS 92A.180.
(b)
Consummation of a plan of exchange to which the domestic corporation is a
constituent entity as the corporation whose subject owner’s interests will be
acquired, if his shares are to be acquired in the plan of exchange.
(c)
Any corporate action taken pursuant to a vote of the stockholders to the extent
that the articles of incorporation, bylaws or a resolution of the board of
directors provides that voting or nonvoting stockholders are entitled to dissent
and obtain payment for their shares.
(d)
Any corporate action not described in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) that will result
in the stockholder receiving money or scrip instead of fractional shares except
where the stockholder would not be entitled to receive such payment pursuant to
NRS 78.205, 78.2055 or 78.207.
2. A
stockholder who is entitled to dissent and obtain payment pursuant to NRS
92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, may not challenge the corporate action creating
his entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to him
or the domestic corporation.
3. From
and after the effective date of any corporate action described in subsection 1,
no stockholder who has exercised his right to dissent pursuant to NRS 92A.300 to
92A.500, inclusive, is entitled to vote his shares for any purpose or to receive
payment of dividends or any other distributions on shares. This subsection does
not apply to dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders on a date
before the effective date of any corporate action from which the stockholder has
dissented. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087; A 2001, 1414, 3199; 2003, 3189; 2005,
2204; 2007, 2438)
NRS
92A.390 Limitations on right of dissent: Stockholders of certain
classes or series; action of stockholders not required for plan of
merger.
1. There
is no right of dissent with respect to a plan of merger or exchange in favor of
stockholders of any class or series which, at the record date fixed to determine
the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
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meeting at which the plan of merger or exchange is to be acted on, were
either listed on a national securities exchange, included in the national market
system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or held by at
least 2,000 stockholders of record, unless:
(a)
The articles of incorporation of the corporation issuing the shares provide
otherwise; or
(b)
The holders of the class or series are required under the plan of merger or
exchange to accept for the shares anything except:
(1)
Cash, owner’s interests or owner’s interests and cash in lieu of fractional
owner’s interests of:
(I)
The surviving or acquiring entity; or
(II)
Any other entity which, at the effective date of the plan of merger or exchange,
were either listed on a national securities exchange, included in the national
market system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or held
of record by a least 2,000 holders of owner’s interests of record;
or
(2)
A combination of cash and owner’s interests of the kind described in
sub-subparagraphs (I) and (II) of subparagraph (1) of paragraph
(b).
2. There
is no right of dissent for any holders of stock of the surviving domestic
corporation if the plan of merger does not require action of the stockholders of
the surviving domestic corporation under NRS
92A.130. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2088)
NRS
92A.400 Limitations on right of dissent: Assertion as to portions
only to shares registered to stockholder; assertion by beneficial
stockholder.
1. A
stockholder of record may assert dissenter’s rights as to fewer than all of the
shares registered in his name only if he dissents with respect to all shares
beneficially owned by any one person and notifies the subject corporation in
writing of the name and address of each person on whose behalf he asserts
dissenter’s rights. The rights of a partial dissenter under this subsection are
determined as if the shares as to which he dissents and his other shares were
registered in the names of different stockholders.
2. A
beneficial stockholder may assert dissenter’s rights as to shares held on his
behalf only if:
(a)
He submits to the subject corporation the written consent of the stockholder of
record to the dissent not later than the time the beneficial stockholder asserts
dissenter’s rights; and
(b)
He does so with respect to all shares of which he is the beneficial stockholder
or over which he has power to direct the vote. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2089)
NRS
92A.410 Notification of stockholders regarding right of
dissent.
1. If
a proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights is submitted to a vote
at a stockholders’ meeting, the notice of the meeting must state that
stockholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters’ rights under NRS
92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, and be accompanied by a copy of those
sections.
2. If
the corporate action creating dissenters’ rights is taken by written consent of
the stockholders or without a vote of the stockholders, the domestic corporation
shall notify in writing all stockholders entitled to assert dissenters’ rights
that the action was taken and send them the dissenter’s notice described in NRS
92A.430. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2089; A 1997, 730)
NRS
92A.420 Prerequisites to demand for payment for shares.
1. If
a proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights is submitted to a vote
at a stockholders’ meeting, a stockholder who wishes to assert dissenter’s
rights:
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(a)
Must deliver to the subject corporation, before the vote is taken, written
notice of his intent to demand payment for his shares if the proposed action is
effectuated; and
(b)
Must not vote his shares in favor of the proposed action.
2. If
a proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights is taken by written
consent of the stockholders, a stockholder who wishes to assert dissenters’
rights must not consent to or approve the proposed corporate
action.
3. A
stockholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection 1 or 2 and NRS
92A.400 is not entitled to payment for his shares under this
chapter. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2089; A 1999, 1631; 2005,
2204)
NRS
92A.430 Dissenter’s notice: Delivery to stockholders entitled to
assert rights; contents.
1. The
subject corporation shall deliver a written dissenter’s notice to all
stockholders entitled to assert dissenters’ rights.
2. The
dissenter’s notice must be sent no later than 10 days after the effectuation of
the corporate action, and must:
(a)
State where the demand for payment must be sent and where and when certificates,
if any, for shares must be deposited;
(b)
Inform the holders of shares not represented by certificates to what extent the
transfer of the shares will be restricted after the demand for payment is
received;
(c)
Supply a form for demanding payment that includes the date of the first
announcement to the news media or to the stockholders of the terms of the
proposed action and requires that the person asserting dissenter’s rights
certify whether or not he acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before
that date;
(d)
Set a date by which the subject corporation must receive the demand for payment,
which may not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days after the date the notice is
delivered; and
(e)
Be accompanied by a copy of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive. (Added
to NRS by 1995, 2089; A 2005, 2205)
NRS
92A.440 Demand for payment and deposit of certificates; retention of
rights of stockholder.
1. A
stockholder to whom a dissenter’s notice is sent must:
(a)
Demand payment;
(b)
Certify whether he or the beneficial owner on whose behalf he is dissenting, as
the case may be, acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the date
required to be set forth in the dissenter’s notice for this certification;
and
(c)
Deposit his certificates, if any, in accordance with the terms of the
notice.
2. The
stockholder who demands payment and deposits his certificates, if any, before
the proposed corporate action is taken retains all other rights of a stockholder
until those rights are cancelled or modified by the taking of the proposed
corporate action.
3. The
stockholder who does not demand payment or deposit his certificates where
required, each by the date set forth in the dissenter’s notice, is not entitled
to payment for his shares under this chapter. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2090; A 1997, 730; 2003, 3189)
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NRS
92A.450 Uncertificated shares: Authority to restrict transfer after
demand for payment; retention of rights of stockholder.
1. The
subject corporation may restrict the transfer of shares not represented by a
certificate from the date the demand for their payment is received.
2. The
person for whom dissenter’s rights are asserted as to shares not represented by
a certificate retains all other rights of a stockholder until those rights are
cancelled or modified by the taking of the proposed corporate
action. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2090)
NRS
92A.460 Payment for shares: General requirements.
1. Except
as otherwise provided in NRS 92A.470, within 30 days after receipt of a demand
for payment, the subject corporation shall pay each dissenter who complied with
NRS 92A.440 the amount the subject corporation estimates to be the fair value of
his shares, plus accrued interest. The obligation of the subject corporation
under this subsection may be enforced by the district court:
(a)
Of the county where the corporation’s principal office is located;
(b)
If the corporation’s principal office is not located in this State, in Xxxxxx
City; or
(c)
At the election of any dissenter residing or having its principal office in this
State, of the county where the dissenter resides or has its principal
office.
The
court shall dispose of the complaint promptly.
2. The
payment must be accompanied by:
(a)
The subject corporation’s balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal year ending
not more than 16 months before the date of payment, a statement of income for
that year, a statement of changes in the stockholders’ equity for that year and
the latest available interim financial statements, if any;
(b)
A statement of the subject corporation’s estimate of the fair value of the
shares;
(c)
An explanation of how the interest was calculated;
(d)
A statement of the dissenter’s rights to demand payment under NRS 92A.480;
and
(e)
A copy of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2090; A 2007, 2704)
NRS
92A.470 Payment for shares: Shares acquired on or after date of
dissenter’s notice.
1. A
subject corporation may elect to withhold payment from a dissenter unless he was
the beneficial owner of the shares before the date set forth in the dissenter’s
notice as the date of the first announcement to the news media or to the
stockholders of the terms of the proposed action.
2. To
the extent the subject corporation elects to withhold payment, after taking the
proposed action, it shall estimate the fair value of the shares, plus accrued
interest, and shall offer to pay this amount to each dissenter who agrees to
accept it in full satisfaction of his demand. The subject corporation shall send
with its offer a statement of its estimate of the fair value of the shares, an
explanation of how the interest was calculated, and a statement of the
dissenters’ right to demand payment pursuant to NRS 92A.480. (Added
to NRS by 1995, 2091)
NRS
92A.480 Dissenter’s estimate of fair value: Notification of subject
corporation; demand for payment of estimate.
1. A
dissenter may notify the subject corporation in writing of his own estimate of
the fair value of his shares
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and the amount of interest due, and demand payment of his estimate, less
any payment pursuant to NRS 92A.460, or reject the offer pursuant to NRS 92A.470
and demand payment of the fair value of his shares and interest due, if he
believes that the amount paid pursuant to NRS 92A.460 or offered pursuant to NRS
92A.470 is less than the fair value of his shares or that the interest due is
incorrectly calculated.
2. A
dissenter waives his right to demand payment pursuant to this section unless he
notifies the subject corporation of his demand in writing within 30 days after
the subject corporation made or offered payment for his
shares. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2091)
NRS
92A.490 Legal proceeding to determine fair value: Duties of subject
corporation; powers of court; rights of dissenter.
1. If
a demand for payment remains unsettled, the subject corporation shall commence a
proceeding within 60 days after receiving the demand and petition the court to
determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If the subject
corporation does not commence the proceeding within the 60-day period, it shall
pay each dissenter whose demand remains unsettled the amount
demanded.
2. A
subject corporation shall commence the proceeding in the district court of the
county where its principal office is located. If the principal office of the
subject corporation is not located in the State, it shall commence the
proceeding in the county where the principal office of the domestic corporation
merged with or whose shares were acquired by the foreign entity was located. If
the principal office of the subject corporation and the domestic corporation
merged with or whose shares were acquired is not located in this State, the
subject corporation shall commence the proceeding in the district court in
Xxxxxx City.
3. The
subject corporation shall make all dissenters, whether or not residents of
Nevada, whose demands remain unsettled, parties to the proceeding as in an
action against their shares. All parties must be served with a copy of the
petition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or by
publication as provided by law.
4. The
jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under subsection
2 is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as
appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the question of fair
value. The appraisers have the powers described in the order appointing them, or
any amendment thereto. The dissenters are entitled to the same discovery rights
as parties in other civil proceedings.
5. Each
dissenter who is made a party to the proceeding is entitled to a
judgment:
(a)
For the amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of his shares,
plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the subject corporation;
or
(b)
For the fair value, plus accrued interest, of his after-acquired shares for
which the subject corporation elected to withhold payment pursuant to NRS
92A.470. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2091; A 2007, 2705)
NRS
92A.500 Legal proceeding to determine fair value: Assessment of costs
and fees.
1. The
court in a proceeding to determine fair value shall determine all of the costs
of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of any
appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the costs against the
subject corporation, except that the court may assess costs against all or some
of the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court
finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith in
demanding payment.
2. The
court may also assess the fees and expenses of the counsel and experts for the
respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a)
Against the subject corporation and in favor of all dissenters if the court
finds the subject corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements
of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive; or
(b)
Against either the subject corporation or a dissenter in favor of any other
party, if the court finds that the
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party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive.
3. If
the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were of
substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees
for those services should not be assessed against the subject corporation, the
court may award to those counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts
awarded to the dissenters who were benefited.
4. In
a proceeding commenced pursuant to NRS 92A.460, the court may assess the costs
against the subject corporation, except that the court may assess costs against
all or some of the dissenters who are parties to the proceeding, in amounts the
court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds that such parties did not
act in good faith in instituting the proceeding.
5. This
section does not preclude any party in a proceeding commenced pursuant to NRS
92A.460 or 92A.490 from applying the provisions of N.R.C.P. 68 or NRS
17.115. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2092)
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