Exhibit 10.23
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of May 17, 2004 is
made and entered into by and between SM&A, a California corporation (the
"Company"), and Xxxxx Enterprises (the "Consultant").
RECITALS:
The Company and the Consultant desire to enter into this Agreement to
establish the terms and conditions of the Consultant's engagement by the Company
during the effectiveness hereof.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, and of the
mutual covenants, conditions, representations and warranties herein contained,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby mutually acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Consulting Services.
The Company hereby engages the Consultant to perform its consulting
services, and the Consultant accepts such engagement from the Company, on the
terms and conditions set forth herein:
1.1 Scope of Consulting Services. During the Term (as defined in Section
2), the Consultant shall devote such time as may be necessary to discharge its
duties hereunder, and shall to the best of its ability perform such duties in a
manner which will faithfully and diligently further the business and interests
of the Company.
1.2 Method of Performance. The Consultant shall perform its duties in a
manner, which implements and furthers the Company's general business philosophy
and procedures. The Consultant agrees to perform this Agreement in an efficient
and workmanlike manner. The Consultant shall at all times maintain the Company's
established standards of quality and control.
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1.3 Services and Location. The Consultant's services pursuant to this
Agreement shall be performed primarily at the premises of one or more clients of
the Company, or at such other facilities as the Company and the Consultant may
agree upon from time to time. The Consultant acknowledges and agrees that job
responsibilities may require extensive travel, and the Consultant agrees to
cause the Consultant's employees to travel as reasonably necessary to discharge
the Consultant's duties under this Agreement.
1.4 Fees. The Consultant shall be entitled to a consulting fee of
$201.00 AN HOUR while consulting on an Assignment (as defined in Section 2 (b)).
Payment to the Consultant of the Consulting Fee shall be contingent upon (a) the
Consultant's submission to the Company of such invoices or statements as may
from time to time be required by the Company, which sets forth a description of
the work performed pursuant to the Agreement and the amount charged therefore,
and (b) the approval and acceptance by the Company and any applicable audit
agency of the respective invoices and/or statements.
1.5 Expenses. The Company will pay, or reimburse the Consultant, for all
expenses reasonably incurred during the Term by the Consultant in the
performance of its duties for the Company or, as requested, for any of its
clients or affiliates; provided, however, that the Consultant may only incur
expenses in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policies (set
forth on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference),
as may be amended from time to time, and no expenses will be reimbursed unless
such expenses are substantiated by documentary evidence in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to the Company.
2. Term of Agreement and Assignments.
(a) Term. The Company hereby engages the Consultant for the term of
twelve (12) months as follows:
Commencing on: May 17, 2004
Continuing until: May 17, 2005
or such other date as shall mutually be agreed upon in writing (the "Term").
Upon the expiration of the Term, the relationship between the Company and the
Consultant shall cease and the Company shall have no obligation to engage the
Consultant for any further or future Term or at all.
(b) Assignments. During the Term hereof, the Company may assign the
Consultant to perform its consulting services for one or more clients of the
Company (the "Assignment"). Such Assignment shall be based upon the Company's
agreements with
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its clients and the needs of the Company's clients. Nothing contained herein
shall be construed as providing an entitlement to the Consultant to be placed in
an Assignment, and the Company retains the absolute and unconditional right to
determine when, if ever, to place the Consultant in an Assignment. An Assignment
may be modified, amended, or terminated at any time by the Company based upon
the termination of a particular client project, a change in the security
classification level of a particular client project, a change in the
Consultant's clearance, a change in funding of a particular client project,
changes in client staffing needs, the availability of other consultants, the
status and needs of other clients' projects, the Consultant's performance or
other matters of similar nature. The Company is not required to provide notice
in advance of any such modification, amendment or termination.
3. Termination of Consulting Services.
3.1 Optional Termination on Occurrence of Stated Events. The Company may
terminate its relationship with the Consultant under this Agreement upon the
occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any material breach of the
Consultant's obligations under this Agreement, as amended from time to time by
the Company and the Consultant; (ii) the Consultant's or any of the Consultant's
employees' or agents' willful misconduct in the performance of duties under this
Agreement; (iii) the Consultant's or any of the Consultant's employees' or
agents' material breach of any fiduciary duty to the Company; (iv) the
Consultant's or any of the Consultant's employees' or agents' gross neglect in
the performance of duties under this Agreement; (v) the Consultant's or any of
the Consultant's employees' or agents' commission of any criminal act against
the Company or its clients, vendors, employees, agents or customers; (vi) the
Consultant's or any of the Consultant's employees' or agents' conviction of a
crime which involves the Consultant's or its employees' or agents', as the case
may be, moral turpitude (including, without limitation, theft, embezzlement and
fraud); (vii) the Consultant's or any of the Consultant's employees' or agents'
conviction of any felony; (viii) the Consultant's or any of the Consultant's
employees' or agents' entry of a plea of nolo contendere for a felony or a crime
involving the Consultant's or the employees' or agents' moral turpitude; (ix)
the Consultant's bankruptcy or insolvency; (x) the sale of more than fifty
percent (50%) of the Consultant's assets or a change in control of more that
fifty percent (50%) of the Consultant's stock; or (xi) the merger,
reorganization, termination, dissolution or liquidation of the Consultant.
Termination pursuant to this paragraph may be made without advance notice.
3.2 Termination Upon Notice. In addition to termination for the reasons
set forth in paragraphs 2(b) and 3.1 above, either the Consultant or the Company
may terminate the Consultant's engagement effective thirty (30) days following
written notice.
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Upon such termination, the Consultant shall only be entitled to payment of any
Consulting Fee earned through the date of termination.
4. Representations and Warranties.
4.1 Representations and Warranties of the Consultant. The Consultant
hereby represents and warrants that, as of the date hereof and throughout the
Term:
(a) The Consultant is not and will not in any way whatsoever be
restricted or prohibited, contractually or otherwise, from entering into this
Agreement and performing the services and obligations herein contained.
(b) The Consultant's execution of this Agreement, and performance
of the services and obligations herein contained, does not and will not
constitute: (i) a default or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of
time or both, would be a default, breach or violation of any agreement,
contract, instrument or arrangement to which the Consultant is a party or by
which is bound (ii) a violation of any law, judgment, rule, regulation, order or
decree applicable to the Consultant.
(c) The Consultant has full legal right, power, authority and
capacity to enter into, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all
attendant instruments and documents contemplated hereby. The Consultant's
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation of the Consultant enforceable in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or
other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and except as rights to
specific performance may be limited by the application of equitable principles
(whether such equitable principles are applied in a proceeding at law or in
equity).
4.2 Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company has full
legal right, power, capacity, and authority, to enter into, execute, deliver and
perform this Agreement and all attendant instruments and documents contemplated
hereby. The Company hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has been
duly authorized and validly executed and delivered and constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or
other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and except as rights to
specific performance may be limited by the application of equitable principles
(whether such equitable principles are applied in a proceeding at law or in
equity).
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5. Covenants of the Consultant.
5.1 Records and Accounts. The Consultant shall keep all financial
records and accounts regarding the consulting services as may from time to time
be directed by the Company, the Company's clients, the Defense Contract Audit
Agency, and all other task funding sources, specifically including, without
limitation, all records relating to hours worked on client projects, travel and
expense records relating to client projects, and all tax records concerning the
consulting services. These records shall be made available for audit purpose to
the Company, the Company's clients or to the Controller General of the United
States, or to any authorized representative thereof, and shall be retained for
seven (7) years after the expiration of this Agreement unless permission to
destroy such records is granted in writing by both the Company and by the
Company's client.
5.2 Independent Contractor. The Consultant shall act in the capacity of
an independent contractor with respect to the Company. The Consultant shall not
represent itself as being authorized to bind the Company. The Consultant shall
hold itself out to the public as an independent contractor. As an independent
contractor, the Consultant shall accept any reasonable directions issued by the
Company, through the Chairman of the Board or other executive officer,
pertaining to the goals to be attained and the results to be achieved by it. The
Consultant shall at all times be in possession of whatever tools and equipment
may be necessary or required to perform the contractual services. As an
independent contractor, the Consultant shall not have the status of an employee
of the Company. The Consultant shall not be eligible to participate in any
employee benefit, group insurance, or executive compensation plans or programs
maintained by the Company. The Company shall not provide Social Security,
unemployment compensation, disability insurance, or any other statutory benefits
to the Consultant.
5.3 Insurance. The Consultant hereby covenants and agrees that it shall
at all times during employment carry in effect automobile liability insurance in
the minimum amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) combined single
limit, or split limits of 100/300/50 evidenced by an endorsement from a licensed
insurance company which the Consultant agrees to furnish to the Company from
time to time as such endorsements become effective. The Consultant further
covenants and agrees to supply to the Company a photocopy of employee's driver's
license, as well as the year, make, model and vehicle identification number of
each vehicle used in the business.
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6. Assignment of Inventions.
6.1 Inventions. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that the Company is
the sole owner of all inventions, including, but not limited to, patents,
original works of authorship, developments, concepts, designs, discoveries,
ideas, trademarks, trade names, service marks, service names, copyrights, and
trade secrets that Consultant may develop, conceive, reduce to practice, create,
invent or improve upon during the course of his/her employment (collectively
referred to as "Inventions"), to the fullest extent permitted by law, which are
either: (i) developed by Consultant using Company time, materials, facilities,
machines or property (including, but not limited to, Company confidential and
proprietary information), or(ii) are within the scope of the duties and
responsibilities assigned to Consultant from time to time or result from any
work performed by Consultant for the Company or which relate, at the time of
conception or reduction to practice to the Company's business or actual or
demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company even if
Consultant solely uses his/her own time and does not use any Company time,
materials, facilities, machines or property (including, but not limited to,
Company confidential and proprietary information.
6.2 Notice of Assignment. Consultant agrees that Consultant will
promptly make full written disclosure to the Company, will hold in trust for the
sole right and benefit of the Company, and hereby assigns to the Company, or its
designee, all Consultant's right, title, and interest in and to any and all
Inventions, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar
laws, which Consultant may solely or jointly conceive, develop or reduce to
practice, or cause to be conceived, developed or reduced to practice, during the
period of time Consultant is in the employ of the Company, except as provided in
Section 2.5 below. Consultant further acknowledges that all original works of
authorship which are made by Consultant (solely or jointly with others) within
the scope of and during the period of Consultant's employment with the Company
are protectible by copyright as "works made for hire," as that term is defined
in the United States Copyright Act. Consultant further understands and agrees
that the decision whether or not to commercialize or market any Invention
developed by Consultant solely or jointly with others is within the Company's
sole discretion and for the Company's sole benefit and that no royalty will be
due to Consultant as a result of the Company's efforts to commercialize or
market any such Invention.
6.3 Patents and Copyright Registrations. Consultant agrees to assist the
Company, or its designee, at the Company's expense, in securing the Company's
rights in and to the Inventions and any copyrights, patents, moral work rights
or other intellectual property rights relating thereto in any and all countries.
Such assistance shall include the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent
information and data with respect thereto, the execution of all applications,
specifications, oaths, assignments and all other instruments which the Company
shall deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain such rights and in order
to assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns, and nominees the
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sole and exclusive rights, title and interest in and to such Inventions, and
copyrights, patents, moral work rights or other intellectual property rights
relating thereto. Consultant further agrees that Consultant's obligations to
execute or cause to be executed, when it is in Consultant's power to do so, any
such instrument or papers shall continue after the termination of this
Agreement. If the Company is unable because of Consultant's mental or physical
incapacity or for any other reason to secure Consultant's signature to apply for
or pursue any application in the United States or foreign patents or copyright
registrations covering the Inventions or original works of authorship assigned
to the Company above, the Consultant hereby irrevocably designates and appoints
the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Consultant's agent
and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in Consultant's behalf and stead to execute
and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to
further the prosecution and issuance of letter patent or copyright registrations
thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Consultant.
6.4 Inventions Assigned to the United States. Consultant agrees to
assign to the United States government all of Consultant's right, title, and
interest in and to any and all Inventions whenever such full title is required
to be vested in the United States or any of its agencies.
6.5 California Labor Code. Pursuant to Section 2870 et seq. of the
California Labor Code, nothing in this Acknowledgment shall operate to transfer,
convey or assign to the Company or its clients any right to any Invention which
the Consultant develops entirely on his own time without using the Company's or
any client's equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information, except
for those Inventions which: (a) relates at the time of conception or reduction
to practice of the Invention to the Company's or any of its clients' businesses,
or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or
any of its clients; or (b) results from any work performed by the Consultant for
the Company or any of its clients.
6.6 Enforcement. It is understood and agreed by the Consultant that the
foregoing Sections 2.1 through 2.4 are of the utmost importance to the continued
success and effectiveness of the Company and its clients, and that any breach of
the terms of such Sections is a material breach of the Consultant's employment
relationship with the company and may result in the termination of the
Consultant's employment, the imposition of restraining orders against the
Consultant and liability for damages sustained by the Company or its clients as
a result of said breach, as well as liability for all costs related thereto.
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7. Consultant Not To Disclose Company's Confidential Information.
7.1 Confidential Information. Consultant agrees at all times during the
term of Consultant's employment and thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence,
and not to use, except for the benefit of the Company, to disclose to any
person, firm, or corporation, without written authorization from the Company any
confidential information. The Consultant understands that "Confidential
Information" means any Company proprietary information, technical data, trade
secrets or know-how, including, but not limited to, research, product plans,
products, business plans, marketing plans and strategies, pricing strategies,
services, customer lists and customers (including, but not limited to, customers
of the Company on whom Consultant called or with whom Consultant became
acquainted during the term of Consultant's employment), markets, software,
developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings,
engineering, hardware configuration information, marketing, finances or other
business information disclosed to Consultant by the Company either directly or
indirectly in writing, orally or by drawings or observation.
7.2 Non-Compete/Non-Interference. In conjunction with the provisions set
forth above in section 7.1, the Consultant agrees that while performing
consulting work for the Company, Consultant shall not use any confidential or
proprietary information obtained through Consultant's relationship with the
Company, directly or indirectly, to engage in any activity with the Company or
otherwise to be in interference with the contractual or prospective contractual
relations of the Company and any third party. Consultant shall not interfere
with or otherwise attempt to negotiate with any entity for the same or similar
services when the Company is in negotiations with, has been in negotiations
with, or has entered into a contract with that third party for the same or
similar services.
8. Drawings, Designs, Specifications.
All materials, including, but not limited to sound recordings, pictorial
representations, sketches, designs, drawings, or other graphical representations
and works of any similar nature in any form (for example, hard copy, computer,
electrical, etc.) as well as similar technical or scientific data generated in
the performance of any of the Consultant's work, duties or responsibilities or
copies of the foregoing relating to Consultant's work, duties or
responsibilities shall be open and subject to inspection by the Company at all
reasonable time, and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the
Company, or the Company's clients, as the case may be.
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9. Security.
If the Consultant or any person under his or her control has access to
classified information while working for the Company, the following provisions
shall apply:
(a) The Consultant agrees to comply with the requirements of the
Department of Defense (DOD 5220.22-M) "Industrial Security Manual for
Safeguarding Classified Information" and any amendments thereto, including any
instructions received from the Company or any of the Company's clients.
(b) While the Consultant is at the facility of any of the
Company's clients, with access to classified information, the Consultant shall
follow the specific procedures for handling classified information as directed
by such client's security officer. The Consultant will immediately report to
both the Company and the client's security officer any security violations of
which the Consultant becomes aware. If such client asks the Consultant to commit
a willful violation, the Consultant is to report it to the Company immediately.
(c) It is understood that disclosure of information relating to
the Company's work to any person not entitled to receive it, or failure to
safeguard all information classified "CONFIDENTIAL," including
"CONFIDENTIAL--Modified Handling Authorized" or higher, that may come to the
Consultant in connection with any of the Consultant's duties as set forth in
this Agreement may subject the Consultant to criminal liability under the laws
of the United States. (See the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, Public Law 703; 83rd
Congress. See also Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 793, 794, 795, 797 and 798;
Executive Order 10104 of February 1, 1950; and Executive Order 10501 dated
November 5, 1953.)
10. Classification.
In the performance of any of the Consultant's duties as set forth in this
Agreement, the Company and the Consultant shall assign an appropriate
classification to all documents, material and equipment originated or generated
by the Company and the Consultant, in accordance with classification guidance
when furnished to the Company and the Consultant by any of the Company's
clients, the Department of Defense, or other agencies as appropriate.
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11. Conflicts of Interest and Ethical Conduct.
11.1 No Conflicts of Interest. The Consultant shall not engage in any
personal or professional activities which would constitute, or reasonably could
be perceived as constituting, a conflict of interest between his/her personal
activities and his/her work for the company or on behalf of the company's
clients.
11.2 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest. The Consultant shall
immediately report to the Company any personal or professional conflict of
interest involving any of the Company's clients, and any other activities the
Consultant or its employees or agents may be engaged in. The Consultant and its
employees and agents shall at no time compromise the proprietary rights of any
of the Company's clients. The Consultant will immediately inform the Company if
the Consultant becomes aware of such a compromise. The Consultant represents
that neither it nor any of its employees or agents is an official employee of
the U.S. Government or an active member of the armed forces.
11.3 U.S. Government Information. The Consultant, in its performance
under this Agreement, shall not solicit or receive any information, classified
or unclassified, directly or indirectly, from the U.S. Government except in
strict accordance with all laws and regulations pertaining to the protection,
possession, acquisition, and use of: (i) U.S. Government information or
documents, or (ii) proprietary, competitive information of any competitor.
11.4 Political Payments. The Consultant shall not, in its performance
under this Agreement, make any payments for political purposes.
11.5 Compliance with Law. The Consultant, in its performance under this
Agreement, shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations.
11.6 Nondeductible Payments. The Consultant shall not, in its performance
under this Agreement, make any payments to third parties if such payments would
not be deductible by the Company under Sections 162 and 274 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and implementing IRS regulations.
12. Conditions Imposed by the Company's Clients.
Restrictions or conditions may from time to time be imposed upon the
Company by the Company's clients. In performing its duties and obligations under
this Agreement, the Consultant agrees that such terms and conditions form an
integral part of this Agreement, and the Consultant agrees to accept and comply
with such additional terms and conditions and to take whatever action is
necessary to ensure that the Consultant's employees and agents comply with such
terms and conditions.
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13. Indemnity.
The Consultant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company
and its officers, directors, stockholders and employees, with respect to any and
all losses, liabilities, claims, obligations, damages or deficiencies, together
with all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, any interest,
penalties, legal fees and expenses and accountants' fees and expenses)
(collectively "Losses") incurred in connection with and in defending against any
such Losses based on, arising out of, resulting from, or otherwise relating to:
(i) any inaccuracy, misrepresentation or breach of any representation, warranty
or covenant or agreement, or nonfulfillment or failure to perform any covenant
or agreement, made by the Consultant in this Agreement or in any exhibit,
certificate or other document delivered by the Consultant in connection
herewith; (ii) any claims by the Consultant's employees or agents of any kind or
nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, claims for unemployment
compensation or workers' compensation benefits; (iii) the failure of the
Consultant to maintain adequate levels of insurance to protect against business
risks in light of the nature and scope of the Consultant's business; or (iv) the
claims of any party for the acts or omissions of the Consultant, its employees,
and its agents in the performance of services required under this Agreement.
14. Miscellaneous.
14.1 Notices. Any notice, demand, report, statement, request or other
communication required or permitted to be given hereunder ("Notice") by a party
to the other party shall be in writing and shall be either: (i) hand-delivered
(including delivery by courier); (ii) mailed by first-class registered or
certified mail (airmail of international), return receipt requested, postage
prepaid; or (iii) transmitted by telecopy or telegram (confirmed by a letter
sent by either first-class mail (air mail, if international) or courier service,
addressed as follows:
(a) If to the Company:
SM&A
0000 XxxXxxxxx Xxxxx 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
(b) If to the Consultant:
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
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Each party may designate by notice in writing a new address or telecopy number
to which any Notice may thereafter be so given, served or sent. Any Notice sent
by (a) registered or certified (air) mail shall be deemed to have been given at
the time of the receipt thereof by the other party or three (3) calendar days
after the time of mailing, whichever is earlier; (b) facsimile or telegram,
confirmed by a letter sent by first-class (air) mail or courier service not
later than three (3) business days thereafter, shall be deemed to have been
given the next business day after the time of sending the facsimile or telegram;
and (c) hand-delivery (including delivery by courier) shall be deemed to have
been given at time of receipt of same.
14.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Exhibits hereto
and the documents referenced herein sets forth the entire understanding between
the parties regarding the subject matter set forth herein, and supersedes any
and all other agreements, whether oral or written, between the parties hereto
with respect to the engagement of the Consultant by the Company. Any
modification or amendment of this Agreement will be effective only if contained
in an instrument in writing (a) signed by all of the parties hereto, and (b)
stating a specific purpose of amending or modifying this Agreement. Any prior
contract or agreement between the Company and the Consultant is hereby canceled
and shall be of no further force or effect.
14.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving
effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
14.4 Waiver of Breach. Neither the waiver by any of the parties hereto of
a breach or a default under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor the
failure of any of the parties, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the
provisions of this Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder
shall thereafter be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of
a similar nature, or as a waiver of any such provision, right or privilege
hereunder, unless in writing executed by the party making such waiver.
14.5 Severability; Reformation. If any term, clause, word, condition,
provision or agreement in the Agreement or the application thereof or any
portion thereof to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the term, clause, word, condition, provision or
agreement and the application thereof shall remain in full force and effect, and
the invalid, void or unenforceable term, clause, word, condition, provision or
agreement shall be reformed to the extent possible in order to give its intended
effect and/or meaning.
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14.6 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only, and
shall not affect the interpretation or meaning of this Agreement.
14.7 Survival. To the extent consistent with the intent of this
Agreement, all representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall
survive the termination hereof.
14.8 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the Company and to any person or firm who may succeed to
substantially all the assets of the Company. This Agreement shall not be
assignable by the Consultant, but shall be binding upon and, to the extent
provided for in this Agreement, inure to the benefit of the Consultant's heirs,
executors, administrators and legal representatives.
14.9 Attorneys' Fees. Should any legal action, arbitration or other
proceeding be commenced between the parties hereto concerning this Agreement or
the rights and obligations relating thereto, the party prevailing in such legal
action, arbitration or other proceeding shall, in addition to such other relief
as may be awarded, be entitled to recover costs and attorneys' fees that are
reasonable under the circumstances. A party shall not be entitled to recover
attorneys' fees relating only to claims or defenses on which that party did not
prevail.
14.10 Method of Dispute Resolution. Except where provisional relief is
requested the parties agree that any controversy or dispute arising from or in
connection with this Agreement, its interpretation, performance or termination,
shall, upon demand of a party, be submitted to and resolved by binding
arbitration. The arbitration shall be conducted pursuant to Part 3, Title 9 of
the California Code of Civil Procedure (Sections 1280-1288.8). Discovery,
including depositions for the purpose of discovery, shall be broadly permitted,
and the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure Section 1283.05 shall apply. Any
demand to arbitrate shall be made within one year of the accrual of the claim on
which arbitration is sought. The arbitration shall occur in Orange County,
California, before a single retired or former judge of the Superior Court of the
State of California or the Court of Appeal of the State of California. The
parties shall agree upon an arbitrator within twenty-one (21) days after the
demand is made, and if the parties fail to so agree, then any of them may apply
to the court for an order appointing an arbitrator meeting the requirements of
this section. The decision of the arbitrator shall be in writing, shall set
forth the facts and reasons supporting it, and shall be final and binding on the
parties. The arbitrator shall not have the power to commit errors of law or
legal reasoning, or grant relief which would not be legally available if the
dispute were litigated. The arbitrator's award shall be subject to confirmation,
correction or vacation in accordance with the provisions of Code of Civil
Procedure Sections 1284, 1285, 1286.2, 1286.6 and 1287.4. Any application,
petition or other proceeding (i) to enforce the award or the provisions of this
Agreement, or (ii) to the extent that the arbitrator does not have the
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power or authority to resolve or grant the relief sought, and/or (iii) for
provisional or equitable relief pending appointment of the arbitrator, shall be
commenced in the appropriate state or federal courts having jurisdiction in
Orange County, California, and the parties hereby consent to jurisdiction and
venue in such courts.
14.11 Injunctive Relief. Each party recognizes and agrees that a breach of
any of the provisions contained in Sections 4 through 12 hereof, inclusive, may
subject the nonbreaching party to severe and irreparable harm to an extent that
damages may not fully compensate that party for such breach. The parties hereby
agree that in the event of its breach of any of the provisions contained in
Sections 4 through 12 hereof, inclusive, the nonbreaching party shall, in
addition to such other remedies as may be available to it at law or in equity,
be entitled to enforce its rights hereunder by actions for injunctive relief and
specific performance to the fullest extent permitted by law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has executed or caused this
Incorporated Consultant's Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly
authorized representative effective as of the date set forth above.
"COMPANY" SM&A
a California corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: HR Director
"CONSULTANT"
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
--------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
SS#/FEIN#: 00-0000000
Category 5 Page 14
(Rev. 2/03)
