REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of October 29, 2004, by and among NorthStar Realty Finance
Corp., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), NS Advisors Holdings LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company ("NA Holdings"), NorthStar Partnership, L.P.,
a Delaware limited partnership ("NPLP") and NorthStar Funding Managing Member
Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("NFMM Holdings" and together
with NA Holdings and NPLP, the "Investors").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, NA Holdings will contribute 100% of its assets and related
liabilities to NorthStar Realty Finance Limited Partnership, a subsidiary and
the operating partnership of the Company (the "Operating Partnership") in
exchange for cash and a certain number of OP Units (as defined below) (the "NA
Holdings OP Units") pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, dated as of October
29, 2004, by and among NA Holdings LLC, Presidio Capital Investment Company, LLC
and the Operating Partnership (the "NA Holdings Contribution Agreement");
WHEREAS, NFMM Holdings will contribute 100% of its assets and the
related liabilities to the Operating Partnership in exchange for cash and a
certain number of OP Units (the "NFMM Holdings OP Units") pursuant to the
Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2004, by and among NFMM Holdings
LLC, NPLP and the Operating Partnership (the "NFMM Holdings and NPLP
Contribution Agreement" and together with the NA Holdings Contribution
Agreement, the "Contribution Agreements");
WHEREAS, NPLP will contribute certain of its assets and the related
liabilities to the Operating Partnership in exchange for cash and a certain
number of OP Units (the "NPLP OP Units" and together with the NA Holdings OP
Units and the NFMM Holdings OP Units, the "Contribution OP Units") pursuant to
the NFMM Holdings and NPLP Contribution Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights
provided for in this Agreement to the Investors and their respective direct and
indirect transferees in order to induce the Investors to enter into the
Contribution Agreements.
WITNESSETH
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Affiliate: When used with reference to a specified person, (i) any
person that directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with the
specified person, (ii) any person that is an officer of, partner in or trustee
of, or serves in a similar capacity with respect to, the specified person or of
which the specified person is an officer, partner or trustee, or with respect to
which the specified person serves in a similar capacity, and (iii) any person
that, directly or indirectly, is the beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class
of equity securities of the specified person or of which the specified person is
directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of equity
securities.
Agreement: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Company: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Company Common Stock: Shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per
share, of the Company.
Contribution Agreements: As defined in the recitals hereto.
Contribution OP Units: As defined in the recitals hereto.
Electing Holder: A Holder who has included Registrable Shares in the
Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof.
Eligibility Date: The date that the Company first becomes eligible to
use a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act pursuant to
the rules and regulations of the SEC.
End of Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 5(e) hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC pursuant thereto.
Holder: A holder of any Registrable Shares.
Initiating Holders: As defined in Section 3(c) hereof.
Investors: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Majority of Holders: The Holders of a majority of (1) the then
outstanding Registrable Shares, plus (2) the then outstanding Contribution OP
Units.
NA Holdings: As defined in the recitals hereto.
NA Holdings Contribution Agreement: As defined in the recitals hereto.
NA Holdings OP Units: As defined in the recitals hereto.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
NFMM Holdings: As defined in the recitals hereto.
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NFMM Holdings and NPLP Contribution Agreement: As defined in the
recitals hereto.
NFMM Holdings OP Units: As defined in the recitals hereto.
NPLP: As defined in the recitals hereto.
NPLP OP Units: As defined in the recitals hereto.
OP Units: Common units of partnership interest in the Operating
Partnership.
Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof, or any
other legal entity.
Piggyback Registration: As defined in Section 3(a) hereto.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in the Shelf Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and all other amendments and
supplements to any such prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all
material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference, if
any, in such prospectus.
Qualified Public Offering: The sale of any common equity securities of
the Company in an underwritten offering registered under the Securities Act in
which the gross proceeds to the Company equal, or exceed, $50 million.
Qualified Secondary Underwritten Offering: As defined in Section 2(d)
hereto.
Register, Registered, Registration: Such terms shall refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing the Shelf Registration Statement
in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations
thereunder, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement.
Registrable Shares: Each share of Company Common Stock that the Company
may issue upon redemption of the Contribution OP Units by the Investors or their
direct and indirect transferees, from the original issuance of such shares to
the earliest to occur of the date upon which such shares are: (i) registered
effectively pursuant to the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with
the Shelf Registration Statement or a Piggyback Registration, (ii) distributed
to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in effect) or
is saleable pursuant to paragraph (k) of Rule 144, (iii) saleable, without
restriction, pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the
Securities Act, or (iv) sold to the Company.
Registration Expenses: All out-of-pocket expenses (excluding Selling
Expenses) incurred by the Company in connection with a registration of any and
all Registrable Shares under the Securities Act, including, without limitation,
the following: (a) all registration, filing and listing fees; (b) fees and
expenses of the Company's compliance with federal and state securities or real
estate syndication laws; (c) printing (including,
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without limitation, expenses of printing or engraving certificates for the
Registrable Shares in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust
Company and otherwise meeting the requirements of any securities exchange on
which they are listed and of printing registration statements and prospectuses),
messenger, telephone, shipping and delivery expenses; (d) fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Company; (e) fees and disbursements of all independent
registered public accountant firms of the Company; (f) Securities Act liability
insurance if the Company so desires; (g) fees and expenses of other Persons
reasonably necessary in connection with the registration, including any experts,
retained by the Company; (h) fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
listing of the Registrable Shares on each securities exchange on which
securities of the same class are then listed; and (i) fees and expenses
associated with any NASD filing required to be made in connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement.
Required Effectiveness Period: As defined in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such rule.
Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such rule.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
Selling Expenses: All legal expenses, underwriting discounts, selling
commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to any and all sales of
Registrable Shares by the Holders thereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: A registration statement on Form S-3 or
any other appropriate form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act (or any similar
rule that may be adopted by the SEC from time to time), providing for the resale
of all Registrable Shares which by Electing Holders.
Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 5(e) hereof.
2. Required Shelf Registration.
(a) Following the Eligibility Date, the Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to:
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(i) prepare and file the Shelf Registration Statement with the
SEC as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than the date that
is 60 days after the Eligibility Date; and
(ii) maintain the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
Statement until the later to occur of: (A) the completion of the
distribution of the Registrable Shares covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the intended methods of
distribution by the Holders of the Registrable Shares as set forth in
the Shelf Registration Statement, and (B) the date upon which the
Registrable Shares covered by the Shelf Registration Statement become
eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (the
"Required Effectiveness Period").
(b) The Company shall (i) notify each Holder of the proposed filing the
Shelf Registration Statement with the SEC at least 30 days prior to the proposed
filing date of the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) afford each Holder with
the opportunity to include all or any part of the Registrable Shares then owned
by such Holder in the Shelf Registration Statement.
(c) In order to exercise a Holder's right to include all or any part of
the Registrable Shares then owned by them, such Holder shall (i) notify the
Company of the number of Registrable Shares such Holder wishes to include in the
Shelf Registration Statement and complete and sign the selling stockholder
questionnaire included in the notice described in Section 2(b) hereof within
twenty (20) days after the Company gives such notice in accordance with Section
10(a) hereof, and (ii) furnish to the Company such information as the Company
shall reasonably request, including, but not limited to such Holder's proposed
method of distribution of the Registrable Shares, or as may be required to
effect the registration of the Registrable Shares. No Holder shall be entitled
to be named as a selling stockholder in the Shelf Registration Statement or use
the Prospectus forming a part thereof unless such Holder complies with this
Section 2(c).
(d) If any Holders propose to distribute their Registrable Shares
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in an underwritten offering in
which the anticipated aggregate offering price of their Registrable Shares is at
least $10 million (a "Qualified Secondary Underwritten Offering"), the Company
agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the
sale of the Registrable Shares pursuant to one (1) Qualified Secondary
Underwritten Offering, and pursuant thereto the Company shall comply with the
registration procedures set forth in paragraphs (vi), (vii), (x) and (xii) of
Section 5(a).
3. Piggyback Registrations.
(a) Right to Piggyback For a period of one (1) year from the date that
the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, if the
Company proposes to register any of its common equity securities under the
Securities Act (other than a
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registration statement on Form S-8 or on Form S-4 or any similar successor forms
thereto), whether for its own account or for the account of one or more
stockholders of the Company, and the registration form to be used may be used
for any registration of Registrable Shares (a "Piggyback Registration"), the
Company shall give prompt written notice (in any event within 10 days after its
receipt of notice of any exercise of other demand registration rights) to all
Holders of its intention to effect such a registration and, subject to Sections
3(b) and 3(c), shall include in such registration all Registrable Shares with
respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein
within 20 days after the receipt of the Company's notice. The Company may
postpone or withdraw the filing or the effectiveness of a Piggyback Registration
at any time in its sole discretion.
(b) Priority on Primary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is
an underwritten primary offering by the Company, and the managing underwriters
advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities
requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be
sold in such offering and/or that the number of Registrable Shares proposed to
be included in any such registration would adversely affect the price per share
of the Company's equity securities to be sold in such offering, the Company
shall include in such registration (i) first, the securities the Company
proposes to register and the Registrable Shares requested to be included therein
by the Holders, pro rata between the Company and the Holders on the basis of the
number of shares proposed to be registered by the Company and the number of
Registrable Shares requested to be included therein by the Holders, and (ii)
second, any other securities requested to be included in such registration pro
rata among the holders of such securities on the basis of the number of
securities requested to be included therein by such holders or as such holders
may otherwise agree.
(c) Priority on Secondary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is
an underwritten secondary offering by a holder or holders of the Company's
securities other than Registrable Shares (the "Initiating Holders"), and the
managing underwriters advise the Company and the Initiating Holders in writing
that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such
registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering and/or that
the number of Registrable Shares requested to be included in any such
registration would adversely affect the price per share of the Company's equity
securities to be sold in such offering, the Company shall include in such
registration (i) first, the securities the Initiating Holders propose to
register and the Registrable Shares requested to be included therein by the
Holders, pro rata among the Initiating Holders and the Holders on the basis of
the number of securities proposed to be registered by such Initiating Holders
and the number of Registrable Shares requested to be included by such Holders,
and (ii) second, other securities requested to be included therein pro rata
among the holders of such securities on the basis of the number of securities
requested to be registered by such holders or as such holders may otherwise
agree.
(d) Selection of Underwriters. If any Piggyback Registration is an
underwritten primary offering, the Company shall have the right to select the
managing underwriter or underwriters to administer any such offering.
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4. Holdback Agreement.
In connection with a Qualified Public Offering, each Holder agrees not
to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Registrable Shares (or other
securities) of the Company for a period equal to the lesser of one hundred
eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of
the Company filed under the Securities Act or such shorter period as the
managing underwriter of the Qualified Public Offering shall agree to, provided
that (a) holders of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Common Stock of
the Company and (b) all executive officers and directors of the Company also
enter into similar agreements at the time of the Qualified Public Offering. Such
agreement shall be in writing in form satisfactory to the Company and the
managing underwriter. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with
respect to the Registrable Shares (or other securities) subject to the foregoing
restriction until the end of said period. The foregoing shall not apply to (i)
the exercise of any warrants or stock options to purchase shares of capital
stock of the Company (provided that such limitation does not affect limitations
on any actions specified in the first sentence of this Section 4 with respect to
the shares issuable upon such exercise), or (ii) transfers to Affiliates where
the transferee agrees to be bound by the terms hereof .
5. Registration Procedures.
(a) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
effect the registration and sale of the Registrable Shares pursuant to
Section 2 hereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall:
(i) prepare and file with the SEC the Shelf Registration
Statement and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such
Shelf Registration Statement to become effective within 60
days of the filing thereof;
(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement and the
Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to
keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective for the
Required Effectiveness Period;
(iii) furnish to each Electing Holder of Registrable Shares
such number of copies of the Shelf Registration Statement,
each amendment and supplement thereto, the Prospectus included
in such Shelf Registration Statement (including each
preliminary Prospectus) and such other documents as such
Electing Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate
the disposition of the Registrable Shares owned by such
Electing Holder;
(iv) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify
such Registrable Shares under such other securities or blue
sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Electing Holder
reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things
which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such
Electing Holder to consummate the disposition in such
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jurisdictions of the Registrable Shares owned by such Electing
Holder (provided, that the Company will not be required to (1)
qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it
would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this
subparagraph (iv), (2) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction or (3) consent to general service of process in
any such jurisdiction);
(v) notify each Electing Holder, at any time when a Prospectus
relating thereto is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act, of the occurrence of any event as a result of
which the Prospectus included in the Shelf Registration
Statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or
omits any fact required to be stated therein necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, and, at the request of
the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Shares included
in the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall prepare
a supplement or amendment to such Prospectus so that, as
thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable
Shares, such Prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(vi) in the case of a Qualified Secondary Underwritten
Offering, enter into such customary agreements (including
underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such
other actions as the Holders of a majority of the Registrable
Shares being sold or the underwriters reasonably request in
order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such
Registrable Shares (including, without limitation, effecting a
stock split or a combination of shares and making members of
senior management of the Company available to participate in,
and cause them to cooperate with the underwriters in
connection with, "road-show" and other customary marketing
activities (including one-on-one meetings with prospective
purchasers of the Registrable Shares)) and cause to be
delivered to the underwriters and such selling Holders
opinions of counsel to the Company in customary form, covering
such matters as are customarily covered by opinions for an
underwritten public offering as the underwriters may request
and addressed to the underwriters and such selling Holders;
(vii) make available, for inspection by any Electing Holder,
any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such
Electing Holder, and, in the case of a Qualified Secondary
Underwritten Offering, any underwriter participating in any
disposition pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or
any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such
underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent
corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause
the Company's officers, directors, employees and independent
accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by
any such Holder,
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underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with
the Shelf Registration Statement;
(viii) use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such
Registrable Shares to be listed on each securities exchange on
which securities of the same class issued by the Company are
then listed or, if no such similar securities are then listed,
on Nasdaq or a national securities exchange selected by the
Company;
(ix) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such
Registrable Shares not later than the effective date of the
Shelf Registration Statement;
(x) in the case of a Qualified Secondary Underwritten
Offering, if requested, cause to be delivered, immediately
prior to the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement
and, at the time of delivery of any Registrable Shares sold
pursuant thereto, letters from the Company's independent
certified registered public accounting firm addressed to each
selling Holder (unless such selling Holder does not provide to
such accountants the appropriate representation letter
required by rules governing the accounting profession) and
each underwriter, if any, stating that such firm is an
independent registered public accounting firm within the
meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and
regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, and otherwise in
customary form and covering such financial and accounting
matters as are customarily covered by letters of the
independent certified public accountants delivered in
connection with primary or secondary underwritten public
offerings, as the case may be;
(xi) make generally available to its stockholders a
consolidated earnings statement (which need not be audited)
for the 12 months beginning after the effective date of the
Shelf Registration Statement as soon as reasonably practicable
after the end of such period, which earnings statement shall
satisfy the requirements of an earning statement under Section
11(a) of the Securities Act; and
(xii) promptly notify each Electing Holder and, in the case of
a Qualified Secondary Underwritten Offering, the underwriter
or underwriters, if any:
(1) when the Shelf Registration Statement, any pre-effective
amendment, the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement
or post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration
Statement has been filed and, with respect to the Shelf
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment,
when the same has become effective;
(2) of any written request by the SEC for amendments or
supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus;
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(3) of the notification to the Company by the SEC of its
initiation of any proceeding with respect to the
issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement; and
(4) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification of any
Registrable Shares for sale under the applicable
securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction.
(b) No Shelf Registration Statement (including any amendments or
supplements thereto and Prospectuses contained therein) shall 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 therein not misleading
(except, with respect to any Holder, for an untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact made in
reliance on and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company
by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for use therein).
(c) The Company shall make available to each Electing Holder (i)
promptly after the same is prepared and publicly distributed or filed with the
SEC, one copy of each Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto,
each preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus and each amendment or supplement
thereto (other than any portion thereof which contains information for which the
Company has sought confidential treatment), and (ii) such number of copies of a
Prospectus, including a preliminary Prospectus, and all amendments and
supplements thereto, and such other documents as such Holder may reasonably
request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Shares owned
by such Electing Holder. The Company shall promptly notify each Electing Holder
by facsimile of the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment.
(d) At all times after the Company has filed the Shelf Registration
Statement with the SEC pursuant to the requirements of either the Securities Act
or the Exchange Act, the Company shall file all reports required to be filed by
it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
adopted by the SEC thereunder, and take such further action as any Holders may
reasonably request, all to the extent required to enable such Holders to be
eligible to sell Registrable Shares pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar rule
then in effect).
(e) Each Holder of Registrable Shares agrees by having its stock
treated as Registrable Shares hereunder that, upon notice by the Company of the
happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in the Shelf
Registration Statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading (a "Suspension Notice"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue
disposition of Registrable Shares for a reasonable length of time not to exceed
30 days until notice by the Company is given that the use of the Prospectus
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may be resumed (an "End of Suspension Notice") and is furnished with a
supplemented or amended Prospectus as contemplated by Section 5(c) hereof, and,
if so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company (at the
Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such
Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Shares current
at the time of receipt of such notice; provided, however, that such postponement
of sales of Registrable Shares by the Holders shall not exceed ninety (90) days
in the aggregate in any one year. If the Company shall give any notice to
suspend the disposition of Registrable Shares pursuant to a Prospectus, the
Company shall extend the period of time during which the Company is required to
maintain effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section
2(a) hereof by the number of days during the period from and including the date
of the giving of such notice to and including the date such Holder either is
advised by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed or receives
the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section
5(c). In any event, the Company shall not be entitled to deliver more than three
(3) Suspension Notices in any one year.
6. Expenses.
As between the Company and the Holders, the Company shall pay all
Registration Expenses in connection with the registration and sale of the
Registrable Shares pursuant to this Agreement. Each of the Holders shall pay the
Selling Expenses and any other expense not specifically allocated to the Company
pursuant to this Agreement in connection with the sale or disposition of such
Holder's Registrable Shares pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.
7. Indemnification.
(a) The Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, each Holder, its officers, directors and Affiliates and each
Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses
arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of
material fact contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus
or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading or
any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act or applicable "blue sky" laws, except insofar as
the same are made in reliance and in conformity with information
relating to such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such
Holder expressly for use therein or caused by such Holder's failure to
deliver to such Holder's immediate purchaser a copy of the Shelf
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
thereto (if the same was required by applicable law to be so
delivered).
(b) In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement in which a
Holder of Registrable Common Stock is participating, each such Holder
shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits
as the Company reasonably
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requests for use in connection with such Shelf Registration Statement
or Prospectus and shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, the Company, its officers, directors and Affiliates and each
Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses
arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of
material fact contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus
or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, but
only to the extent that the same are made in reliance and in conformity
with information relating to such Holder furnished in writing to the
Company by such Holder expressly for use therein or caused by such
Holder's failure to deliver to such Holder's immediate purchaser a copy
of the Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto (if the same was required by applicable law to be
so delivered) after the Company has furnished such Holder with a
sufficient number of copies of the same; provided, however, that the
obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among
such Holders and the liability of each such Holder shall be in
proportion to and limited to the net amount received by such Holder
from the sale of Registrable Shares pursuant to such Shelf Registration
Statement.
(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give
prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with
respect to which it seeks indemnification and (ii) unless in such
indemnified party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between
such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to
such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of
such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified
party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be
subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified
party without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably
withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not
to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the
fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified
by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the
reasonable judgment of any indemnified party there may be one or more
legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified party which
are in addition to or may conflict with those available to another
indemnified party with respect to such claim. Failure to give prompt
written notice shall not release the indemnifying party from its
obligations hereunder.
(d) The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain
in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director, Affiliate or
controlling Person of such indemnified party and shall survive the
transfer of securities.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in or pursuant to this Section
7 is due in accordance with the terms hereof, but is held by a court to
be unavailable or
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unenforceable in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses referred to herein, then each applicable indemnifying party,
in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified Person as a result of such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party
on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions which result in such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party
on the one hand and of the indemnified Person on the other shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by
the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party, and by such party's
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission. In no event shall the
liability of any selling Holder be greater in amount than the amount of
net proceeds received by such Holder upon such sale or the amount for
which such indemnifying party would have been obligated to pay by way
of indemnification if the indemnification provided for under Section
7(a) or 7(b) hereof had been available under the circumstances.
8. Rule 144.
The Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be
filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, and it will take such further action
as any Holder may reasonably request to make available adequate current public
information with respect to the Company meeting the current public information
requirements of Rule 144(c) under the Securities Act, to the extent required to
enable such Holder to sell Registrable Shares without registration under the
Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144
under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (ii)
any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of
any Holder, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to
whether it has complied with such information and requirements.
9. Participation in Underwritten Registrations.
No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is
underwritten unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person's securities on
the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or
Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and
executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) Notices.
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All notices, requests, consents and other communications
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be hand
delivered or mailed postage prepaid by registered or certified mail or
by facsimile transmission (with immediate telephone confirmation
thereafter):
(i) if to the Company:
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
(ii) if to a Holder who is an Investor, to:
c/o NorthStar Capital Investment Corp.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
or, if to a Holder who is a direct or indirect transferee
of an Investor, to the address of such Holder set forth
in the transfer documentation provided to the Company,
in each case with copies to (which shall not constitute
notice):
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
or at such other address as such party each may specify by written
notice to the others, and each such notice, request, consent and other
communication shall for all purposes of the Agreement be treated as
being effective or having been given when delivered personally, upon
receipt of facsimile confirmation if transmitted by facsimile, or, if
sent by mail, at the earlier of its receipt or 72 hours after the same
has been deposited in a regularly maintained receptacle for the deposit
of United States mail, addressed and postage prepaid as aforesaid.
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(b) No Waivers
No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right,
power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor
shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative
and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. (c)
Successors and Assigns
The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, it being understood that subsequent Holders of
the Registrable Shares are intended third party beneficiaries hereof.
(d) Governing Law
The internal laws, and not the laws of conflicts (other than
Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New
York), of New York shall govern the enforceability and validity of this
Agreement, the construction of its terms and the interpretation of the
rights and duties of the parties.
(e) Jurisdiction
Any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any
provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection
with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be
brought in any federal or state court located in the County and State
of New York, and each of the parties hereby consents to the
jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts
therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably
waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it
may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit,
action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or
proceeding which is brought in any such court has been brought in an
inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may
be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without
the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing,
each party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in
Section 10(a) hereof shall be deemed effective service of process on
such party.
(f) Waiver of Jury Trial
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND
ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
(g) Counterparts; Effectiveness
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This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts
(including by facsimile) and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, with the same effect as if all parties had signed the
same document. All such counterparts shall be deemed an original, shall
be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.
This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have
received counterparts hereof signed by all of the other parties hereto.
(h) Entire Agreement
This Agreement contains the entire agreement among the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and
replaces all other prior agreements, written or oral, among the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(i) Captions
The headings and other captions in this Agreement are for
convenience and reference only and shall not be used in interpreting,
construing or enforcing any provision of this Agreement.
(j) Severability
If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this
Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, 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 so long as the economic or legal substance of
the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the parties
shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect
the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an
acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be
consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
(k) Amendments
The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of
this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and
waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be
given without the prior written consent of a Majority of Holders;
provided, however, that without a Holder's written consent no such
amendment, modification, supplement or waiver shall affect adversely
such Holder's rights hereunder in a discriminatory manner inconsistent
with its adverse effects on rights of other Holders hereunder (other
than as reflected by the different number of shares held by such
Holder); provided, further, that the consent or agreement of the
Company shall be required with regard to any termination, amendment,
modification or supplement of, or
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waivers or consents to departures from, the terms hereof, which affect
the Company's obligations hereunder.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the date first written above.
NORTHSTAR REALTY FINANCE CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
NORTHSTAR PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
By: NORTHSTAR CAPITAL
INVESTMENT CORP.,
its General Partner
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
Title: Chief Operating Officer
and Secretary
NS ADVISORS HOLDINGS LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
Title: Vice President and Secretary
NORTHSTAR FUNDING MANAGING MEMBER
HOLDINGS LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
Title: Vice President and Secretary
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