ROCHDALE STRUCTURED CLAIMS FIXED INCOME FUND, LLC AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT
ROCHDALE
STRUCTURED CLAIMS FIXED INCOME FUND, LLC
AMENDED
AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT of Rochdale Structured Claims Fixed
Income Fund, LLC (the “Fund”) is made effective as of November 24, 2009 by and
between the Board of Managers of the Fund and such other Persons who are
admitted as Members from time to time in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
W
I T N E S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund has been
formed as a limited liability company under the Delaware Act, pursuant to the
Certificate executed and dated November 5, 2009, and filed by Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
as the Initial Manager with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
November 5, 2009;
WHEREAS, on November 24, 2009,
the Board of Managers executed a Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate to
change the name of the Fund from “Rochdale Structured Claims Income Fund, LLC”
to “Rochdale Structured Claims Fixed Income Fund, LLC;” and
WHEREAS, the Fund has been
formed to engage in certain investment activities as more fully described in its
private offering memorandum, as may be amended from time to time;
NOW THEREFORE, in
consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Members hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 DEFINED
TERMS. Unless the context of their use requires a different
interpretation or unless expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement,
capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to
such terms in this Section 1.1., or the meanings assigned to such terms by
parenthetic reference throughout this Agreement. Any capitalized term
used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the
Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. When used in this Agreement,
the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“ADVISERS ACT” means the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the rules, regulations, and orders
thereunder, as amended from time to time, or any successor law.
“AFFILIATE” means affiliated
person as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, as hereinafter
defined.
“AGREEMENT” means this Limited
Liability Company Operating Agreement, as amended and/or restated from time to
time.
“BOARD” means the Board of
Managers of the Fund as established pursuant to Section 2.6, and each Manager on
the Board shall be deemed a “Manager” of the Fund within the meaning of the
Delaware Act.
“CAPITAL ACCOUNT” means, with
respect to any Member, the Capital Account maintained for such Member in
accordance with the following provisions:
(a)
To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be credited such Member’s Capital
Contributions, such Member’s distributive share of Profits and any items in the
nature of income or gain which are specially allocated to such Member pursuant
to Section 6.2 or Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any the Fund’s
liabilities assumed by such Member or which are secured by any property
distributed to such Member.
(b)
To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be debited the amount of cash and
the Gross Asset Value of any property distributed to such Member pursuant to any
provision of this Agreement, such Member’s distributive share of Losses and any
items in the nature of expenses or losses which are specially allocated to such
Member pursuant to Section 6.2 or Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any
liabilities of such Member assumed by the Fund or which are secured by any
property contributed by such Member to the Fund.
(c)
In the event all or a portion of an Interest in the Fund is transferred in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to the
Capital Account of the transferor to the extent it relates to the transferred
Interest.
(d)
In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of sub-paragraph (a) and
(b) above, there shall be taken into account Code §752(c) and any other
applicable provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations.
The
foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the
maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulation
§1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with
such Treasury Regulation.
“CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS” means
the initial Gross Asset Value of property plus money contributed by the Members
to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement and, in the case of all the Members, the
aggregate of all such Capital Contributions.
“CERTIFICATE” means the
Certificate of Formation of the Fund and any amendments thereto as filed with
the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
“CLASS” means any class of
limited liability company interests established by the Board from time to
time.
“CLOSING” means the closing of
a subscription to purchase a Share.
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“CODE” means the United States
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and as hereafter amended from time to
time, or any successor law.
“COMPANY MINIMUM GAIN” has the
meaning set forth in §1.704-2(b)(2) and §1.704-2(d) of the Treasury
Regulations.
“CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION”
shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 9.12(a).
“DEFICIT CAPITAL ACCOUNT”
shall mean with respect to any Member, the deficit balance, if any, in such
Member’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Year, after giving
effect to the following adjustments:
(a)
Credit to such Capital Account any amount which such Member is obligated to
restore under Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b) (2) (ii) (c), as well as any
addition thereto pursuant to the next to last sentence of Treasury Regulations
§§1.704-2(g)(1) and (i)(5); and
(b)
Debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulations
§§1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6).
This
definition of Deficit Capital Account is intended to comply with the provision
of Treasury Regulations §§1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and 1.704-2, and will be
interpreted consistently with those provisions.
“DELAWARE ACT” means the
Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 DEL. Sections 18-101, et seq.) as in
effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time, or any successor
law.
“DEPRECIATION” means, for each
Fiscal Year or other Fiscal Period, an amount equal to the depreciation,
amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an
asset for such year or other period, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an
asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the
beginning of such year or other period, Depreciation shall be an amount which
bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income
tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such year
or other period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, however,
that if the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost
recovery deduction for such year is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with
reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method
selected by the Managers.
“FISCAL PERIOD” means the
period commencing on the initial Closing, and thereafter each period commencing
on the day immediately following the last day of the preceding Fiscal Period,
and ending at the close of business on the first to occur of the following
dates:
(a)
the last day of a Fiscal Year;
(b)
the day preceding any day as of which a contribution to the Fund is made
pursuant to this Agreement;
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(c)
the day as of which the Fund repurchases all or a portion of the Units of any
Member pursuant to this Agreement;
(d)
any day as of which there is any distribution to a Member pursuant to this
Agreement other than pro rata distributions to all Members;
(e)
the day on which a substitute Member is admitted;
(f)
any day on which any amount is credited to, or debited against, the Capital
Account of a Member, other than an amount to be credited to, or debited against,
the Capital Account of all Members pro rata in proportion to Units
held;
(g)
the date as of which the Fund terminates; or
(h)
any other date as established by the Board.
“FISCAL YEAR” means, for
accounting purposes, the period commencing on the initial Closing and ending on
December 31 and thereafter each period commencing on January 1 of each year and
ending on December 31 of each year (or on the date of a final distribution
pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof), unless the Board shall designate another fiscal
year for the Fund that is a permissible taxable year under the
Code.
“FORM N-2” means the Fund’s
Registration Statement on Form N-2 or any successor form filed with the U. S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as amended from time to
time.
“GROSS ASSET VALUE” means,
with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for federal income tax
purposes, except as follows:
(a)
The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Fund
shall be the gross fair market value of such asset, as determined pursuant to
procedures adopted by the Board.
(b)
The Gross Asset Value of all the Fund assets shall be adjusted to equal their
respective gross fair market values, as determined pursuant to procedures
adopted by the Board, as of the following times: (i) the acquisition of an
additional Interest in the Fund by any new or existing Member in exchange for
more than a de minimis
capital contribution; (ii) the distribution by the Fund to a Member of more than
a de minimis amount of
property as consideration for an Interest in the Fund; and (iii) the liquidation
of the Fund within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g);
provided, however, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (i), and (ii) above
shall be made only if the Board reasonably determines that such adjustments are
necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative Interests of the Members in the
Fund.
(c)
The Gross Asset Value of any asset distributed to any Member shall be adjusted
to equal the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of distribution
as determined pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board.
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(d)
The Gross Asset Values of the Fund’s assets shall be increased (or decreased) to
reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code
§734(b) or Code §743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken
into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulation
§1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and sub-paragraph (f) of the definition of Profits and
Losses; provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted
pursuant to this sub-paragraph (d) to the extent the Board determines that an
adjustment pursuant to sub-paragraph (b), hereof is necessary or appropriate in
connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment
pursuant to this sub-paragraph (d).
(e)
If the Gross Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted
pursuant to sub-paragraph (a), (b), or (d) hereof, such Gross Asset Value shall
thereafter be adjusted by Depreciation under Treasury Regulation
§1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes
of computing Profits and Losses.
“INDEPENDENT MANAGERS” mean
those Managers who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as such term is
defined in the 1940 Act.
“INITIAL MANAGER” means Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, the Person who directed the formation of the Fund and served as the
initial Manager.
“INTEREST” means the entire
limited liability company interest (as defined in the Delaware Act) in the Fund
at any particular time of a Member or other person to whom an Interest or
portion thereof has been transferred pursuant to this Agreement, including the
rights and obligations of such Member or other person under this Agreement and
the Delaware Act.
“MANAGER” means an individual
designated as a manager of the Fund pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.6,
and who shall be deemed a “Manager” of the Fund within the meaning of the
Delaware Act. A Manager shall be vested with the same powers,
authority, and responsibilities on behalf of the Fund as are customarily vested
in each director of a closed-end management investment company registered under
the 1940 Act that is organized as a Delaware corporation.
“MEMBER” means any Person who
shall have been admitted to the Fund as a Member, or a substitute Member who is
admitted to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement, in such person’s capacity as a
Member until the Fund repurchases the entire Interest of such person as a Member
pursuant to Section 4.4 hereof or a substituted Member or Members are admitted
with respect to any such person’s entire Interest as a Member pursuant to
Section 4.3 hereof.
“MEMBER NONRECOURSE DEBT” has
the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(b)(4).
“MEMBER NONRECOURSE DEBT MINIMUM
GAIN” means an amount, with respect to each Member Nonrecourse Debt,
equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result if such Member Nonrecourse
Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with
Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(i)(3).
“MEMBER NONRECOURSE
DEDUCTIONS” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations
§1.704-2(i)(1) and §1.704-2(i)(2).
5
“NET ASSET VALUE” means the
total value of all assets of the Fund as valued pursuant to Section 8.3, less an
amount equal to all accrued debts, liabilities, and obligations of the Fund,
calculated before giving effect to any repurchase of Units.
“1940 ACT” means the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules, regulations, and orders
thereunder, as amended from time to time, or any successor law.
“NONRECOURSE DEDUCTIONS” has
the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations §1.704-2(b)(1) and
§1.704-2(c).
“NONRECOURSE LIABILITY” has
the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(b)(3).
“OFFERING PERIOD” means the
period beginning when the Fund commences the sale of Units.
“PERSON” means any individual,
entity, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company,
joint-stock company, trust, estate, joint venture, organization, or
unincorporated organization.
“PROFITS” and “LOSSES” mean, for each Fiscal
Year, an amount equal to the Fund’s taxable income or loss for such Fiscal Year,
determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (for this purpose, all
items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately
pursuant to Section 703(a)(1) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or
loss) with the following adjustments:
(a)
Any income of the Fund that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise
taken into account in computing Profits or Losses pursuant to this definition of
Profits and Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss;
(b)
Any expenditures of the Fund described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code or
treated as Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulation
§1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits
or Losses pursuant to this definition of Profits and Losses shall be subtracted
from such taxable income or loss;
(c)
In the event the Gross Asset Value of any the Fund asset is adjusted pursuant to
sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of Gross Asset Value hereof, the
amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the
disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Profits or
Losses;
(d)
Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of property with respect to which
gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by
reference to the Gross Asset Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding
that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Gross Asset
Value;
(e)
In lieu of the Depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions
taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be
taken into account Depreciation for such Fiscal Year, computed in accordance
with the definition of Depreciation hereof;
6
(f)
To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Fund asset pursuant
to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required pursuant to Treasury
Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining
Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in complete
liquidation of a Member’s Interest, the amount of such adjustment shall be
treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset)
or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) from the
disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of
computing Profits or Losses; and
(g)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Definition of Profits and Losses,
any items which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.2 (other than
Section 6.2(a)) or Section 6.3 hereof, shall not be taken into account in
computing Profits or Losses. The amounts of the items of Fund income,
gain, loss, or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to
Sections 6.2 and 6.3 hereof shall be determined by applying rules analogous to
those set forth in sub-paragraphs (a) through (f) above.
“REPURCHASE VALUATION DATE”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.
“SECURITIES” means securities
(including, without limitation, equities, debt obligations, securities of other
investment companies, options, and other “securities” as that term is defined in
Section 2(a) (36) of the 0000 Xxx) and any contracts for forward or future
delivery of any security, debt obligation, currency, or commodity, all manner of
derivative instruments and any contracts based on any index or group of
securities, debt obligations, currencies, or commodities, and any options
thereon. The term “securities” shall also include investments in
receivables (i) that are direct obligations of settlement counterparties or
funded or secured by certain annuity contracts, each arising in connection with
structured settlements of tort claims and subject to a transfer order, or (ii)
due under annuities purchased by a broker directly from the owners
thereof.
“SERIES” means any series of
limited liability company interests established by the Board relating to a
distinct portfolio and having separate rights and powers with respect to the
assets of the Fund allocated to such Series.
“TAX MATTERS MEMBER” means the
Member designated as “Tax Matters Member” of the Fund pursuant to Section 8.5
hereof.
“TRANSFER” means the
assignment, transfer, sale, or other disposition of all or any portion of an
Interest, including any right to receive any allocations and distributions
attributable to an Interest.
“TREASURY REGULATIONS” shall
include proposed, temporary, and final regulations promulgated under the Code in
effect as of the date of filing the Certificate and the corresponding sections
of any regulations subsequently issued that amend or supersede those
regulations.
7
“UNIT” or “UNITS” means an Interest of a
Member in the Fund represented by a Contribution, with a Net Asset Value
determined from time to time thereafter as provided in Section 8.3.
“VALUATION DATE” means any
date in which the Net Asset Value of the Fund is computed, as determined by the
Board.
ARTICLE
II
ORGANIZATION;
ADMISSION OF MEMBERS; BOARD
2.1 FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY. The Initial Manager and any person designated by the
Board hereby are designated as authorized persons, within the meaning of the
Delaware Act, to execute, deliver, and file all certificates (and any amendments
and/or restatements thereof) required or permitted by the Delaware Act to be
filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware. The Board shall cause to be executed and filed with
applicable governmental authorities any other instruments, documents, and
certificates which, in the opinion of the Fund’s legal counsel, may from time to
time be required by the laws of the United States of America, the State of
Delaware, or any other jurisdiction in which the Fund shall determine to do
business, or any political subdivision or agency thereof, or which such legal
counsel may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate, implement, and continue
the valid existence and business of the Fund.
2.2 NAME. The initial
name of the Fund shall be “Rochdale Structured Claims Fixed Income Fund, LLC” or
such other name as the Board hereafter may adopt upon: (i) causing an
appropriate amendment to the Certificate to be filed in accordance with the
Delaware Act; and (ii) sending notice thereof to each Member.
2.3 PRINCIPAL AND REGISTERED
OFFICE. The Fund shall have its principal office at 000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000, or at such other place
designated from time to time by the Board. The Fund shall have its
registered office in the State of Delaware at 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000,
in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19808 and its registered agent
for service of process at such address is Corporation Service Company, unless a
different registered office or agent is designated from time to time by the
Board in accordance with the Delaware Act.
2.4 DURATION. The term
of the Fund commenced on the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware and shall continue perpetually unless and until
the Fund is dissolved pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof.
2.5 BUSINESS OF THE
FUND. The business of the Fund is, without limitation, to
purchase, sell, invest, and trade in Securities and to engage in any financial
or derivative transactions relating thereto or otherwise and to engage in such
other activities and to exercise such rights and powers as permitted by limited
liability companies under the Delaware Act. On behalf of the Fund,
the officers of the Fund may execute, deliver, and perform all contracts,
agreements, and other undertakings and engage in all activities and transactions
as may in the opinion of the Board be necessary or advisable to carry out the
Fund’s business and any amendments to any such contracts, agreements, and other
undertakings, all without any further act, vote, or approval of any other
person, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement.
8
2.6 THE
BOARD.
(a) The
Initial Manager shall serve as a Manager on the Board as of November 5, 2009,
until the proper designation of those persons first listed on Schedule I who
shall agree to be bound by all of the terms of this Agreement to serve as
Managers on the initial Board, which agreement to be bound shall be effective as
of the date of their acceptance of their appointment as Manager. The
Board may, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section
2.6 with respect to the number of and vacancies in the position of Manager and
the provisions of Section 3.3 hereof with respect to the election of Managers by
Members, designate any person who shall agree to be bound by all of the terms of
this Agreement as a Manager. The names and mailing addresses of the
Managers shall be set forth in the books and records of the Fund. The
number of Managers shall be fixed from time to time by a written instrument
signed by, or by resolution approved at a duly constituted meeting by vote of, a
majority of the Board, provided however that the number of Managers shall at all
times be at least one and no more than ten as determined, from time to time, by
the Managers pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) Each
Manager shall serve as a Manager for the duration of the term of the Fund,
unless his or her status as a Manager shall be sooner terminated pursuant to
Section 4.1 hereof. If any vacancy in the position of a Manager
occurs, the remaining Managers may appoint a person to serve in such capacity,
provided such appointment is in accordance with the 1940 Act. The
Managers may call a meeting of Members to fill any vacancy in the position of
Manager, and shall do so when required by the 1940 Act.
(c) In
the event that no Manager remains to continue the business of the Fund, the
Members shall promptly call a meeting of the Members, to be held within 60 days
after the date on which the last Manager ceased to act in that capacity, for the
purpose of determining whether to continue the business of the Fund and, if the
business shall be continued, of electing the required number of Managers to the
Board. If the Members shall determine at such meeting not to continue
the business of the Fund or if the required number of Managers is not elected
within 60 days after the date on which the last Manager ceased to act in that
capacity, then the Fund shall be dissolved pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof and
the assets of the Fund shall be liquidated and distributed pursuant to Section
7.2 hereof.
2.7 MEMBERS.
(a) The
Fund may admit one or more Members at such times as the Board may
determine. Members may be admitted to the Fund subject to the
condition that each such Member execute an appropriate signature page of this
Agreement, application, subscription agreement, or without such execution, if
such Member orally, in writing, or by other action, including, but not limited
to payment for Units, complies with the conditions for becoming a Member and
pursuant to which such Member agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions
hereof. This Agreement shall not be unenforceable by reason of it not
having been signed by a person being admitted as a Member. The Board,
in its sole and absolute discretion, may reject applications or subscription
agreements for Units in the Fund. The admission of any person as a
Member shall be effective upon the revision of the books and records of the Fund
to reflect the name and the contribution to the capital of the Fund of such
additional Member. Such record of Members shall also set forth the
number of Units that each Member holds.
9
(b) If
a Member is admitted to the Fund prior to the initial Closing, the Capital
Account of such Member shall be adjusted by any Profit or Loss allocable to such
Member for the period through the initial Closing.
2.8 BOTH MANAGERS AND
MEMBERS. A Member may at the same time be a Manager, in which
event such Member’s rights and obligations in each capacity shall be determined
separately in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof and as provided in
the Delaware Act and the 1940 Act. Except for the Manager who serves
as the Tax Matters Member, a Manager need not be a Member.
2.9 ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBER AND THE INITIAL
MANAGER. Rochdale Investment Management LLC shall be the Organizational
Member of the Fund and Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx shall be the Initial Manager of the
Fund.
2.10 LIMITED LIABILITY. To the
fullest extent permitted under applicable law, a Member shall not be liable for
the Fund’s debts, obligations, or liabilities in any amount in excess of the
Capital Account balance of such Member. To the fullest extent
permitted under applicable law, the Initial Manager of the Fund and the Managers
shall not be liable for the Fund’s debts, obligations, and
liabilities.
2.11 SERIES. The Fund
may create one or more Series and/or classes from time to time. With
respect to any Series established by the Fund, the following provisions shall
apply:
(a) separate
and distinct records shall be maintained for each Series, and the assets
associated with any such Series shall be held and accounted for separately from
the other assets of the Fund or any other Series;
(b) the
debts, liabilities, and obligations incurred, contracted for, or otherwise
existing with respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable against the
assets of such Series only, and not against the assets of the Fund generally or
any other Series;
(c) the
Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall have authority to restrict
allocations or transfers of Member Capital Accounts to or from any Series;
and
(d) notwithstanding
Section 18-215 of the Delaware Act, the failure of a Series to have any Member
associated with it shall not be the basis for the dissolution of the Series and
the winding up of its affairs unless in accordance with the provisions of
Article VI.
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ARTICLE
III
MANAGEMENT
3.1 MANAGEMENT
AND CONTROL.
(a) Management
and control of the business of the Fund shall be vested in the Board, which
shall have the right, power, and authority, on behalf of the Fund and in its
name, to exercise all rights, powers, and authority of “managers” under the
Delaware Act and to do all things necessary and proper to carry out the
objective and business of the Fund and its duties hereunder. No
Manager shall have the authority individually to act on behalf of or to bind the
Fund except within the scope of such Manager’s authority as delegated by the
Board. The parties hereto intend that, except to the extent otherwise
expressly provided herein: (i) each Manager shall be vested with the same
powers, authority, and responsibilities on behalf of the Fund as are customarily
vested in each director of a Delaware corporation; and (ii) each Independent
Manager shall be vested with the same powers, authority, and responsibilities on
behalf of the Fund as are customarily vested in each director of a closed-end
management investment company registered under the 1940 Act that is organized as
a Delaware corporation and who is not an “interested person” of such company as
such term is defined in the 1940 Act. During any period in which the
Fund shall have no Managers, the Organizational Member shall have the authority
to manage the business and affairs of the Fund. The Managers may make
contributions and own Units in the Fund, but are not required to do so; except
that, the Manager who serves as the Tax Matters Member is required to be a
Member and own Units in the Fund.
(b) Each
Member agrees not to treat, on his personal income tax return or in any claim
for a tax refund, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit in a
manner inconsistent with the treatment of such item by the Fund. The
Board and the Tax Matters Member shall have the exclusive authority and
discretion to make any elections required or permitted to be made by the Fund
under any provisions of the Code or any other revenue laws.
(c) Members
shall have no right to participate in and shall take no part in the management
or control of the Fund’s business, except to the extent specifically provided
herein, and shall have no right, power, or authority to act for or bind the
Fund. Members shall have the right to vote on any matters only as
provided in this Agreement or on any matters that require the approval of the
holders of voting securities under the 1940 Act or as otherwise required in the
Delaware Act.
(d) The
Board may delegate to any person, including officers of the Fund, any rights,
power, and authority vested by this Agreement in the Board to the extent
permissible under applicable law.
3.2 ACTIONS
BY THE BOARD.
(a) Unless
provided otherwise in this Agreement, the Board shall act only: (i) by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Managers (which majority shall include any
requisite number of Independent Managers required by the 0000 Xxx) present at a
meeting duly called at which a quorum of the Managers shall be present (in
person, which may include any means of communication that allows all Managers
participating to hear each other simultaneously during the meeting, as permitted
by the SEC and/or the 1940 Act, or, if in person attendance is not required by
the 1940 Act, in person or by telephone); or (ii) without a meeting, if
permissible under the 1940 Act, by the written consent of the Managers having
not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize
or take such action at a meeting at which all Managers entitled to vote thereon
were present and voted.
11
(b) The
Board may designate from time to time a Chairperson who shall preside at all
meetings. Meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairperson or
any two Managers, and may be held on such date and at such time and place, as
the Board shall determine. Each Manager shall be entitled to receive
written notice of the date, time, and place of such meeting within a reasonable
time in advance of the meeting. Notice need not be given to any
Manager who shall attend a meeting without objecting to the lack of notice or
who shall execute a written waiver of notice with respect to the
meeting. Managers may attend and participate in any meeting by
telephone, except where in person attendance at a meeting is required by the
1940 Act. A majority of the Managers then in office shall constitute
a quorum at any meeting.
(c) The
Board may designate from time to time agents and employees of the Fund, who
shall have the same powers and duties on behalf of the Fund (including the power
to bind the Fund ) as are customarily vested in officers of a Delaware
corporation, and designate them as officers of the Fund.
3.3 MEETINGS
OF MEMBERS.
(a) Actions
requiring the vote of the Members may be taken at any duly constituted meeting
of the Members at which a quorum is present. Meetings of the Members
may be called by the Board or by Members holding a majority of the total number
of votes eligible to be cast by all Members, and may be held at such time, date,
and place as the Board shall determine. The Board shall arrange to
provide written notice of the meeting, stating the date, time, and place of the
meeting and the record date therefore, to each Member entitled to vote at the
meeting within a reasonable time prior thereto. Failure to receive
notice of a meeting on the part of any Member shall not affect the validity of
any act or proceeding of the meeting, so long as a quorum shall be present at
the meeting. Only matters set forth in the notice of a meeting may be
voted on by the Members at a meeting. The presence in person or by
proxy of Members holding a majority of the total number of votes eligible to be
cast by all Members as of the record date shall constitute a quorum at any
meeting. In the absence of a quorum, a meeting of the Members may be
adjourned by action of a majority of the Members present in person or by proxy
without additional notice to the Members. Except as otherwise
required by any provision of this Agreement or of the 1940 Act: (i) those
candidates receiving a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of Members
shall be elected as Managers; and (ii) all other actions of the Members taken at
a meeting shall require the lesser of (1) at least 67% of the votes present,
provided that the holders of more than 50% of the eligible votes are present or
represented by proxy at such meeting, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding
votes.
(b) Each
Member shall be entitled to cast at any meeting of Members a number of votes
equivalent to such Member’s Units as of the record date for such
meeting. The Board shall establish a record date not less than 10 nor
more than 60 days prior to the date of any meeting of Members to determine
eligibility to vote at such meeting and the number of votes which each Member
will be entitled to cast thereat, and shall maintain for each such record date a
list setting forth the name of each Member and the number of votes that each
Member will be entitled to cast at the meeting.
12
(c) A
Member may vote at any meeting of Members by a proxy properly executed in
writing by the Member and filed with the Fund before or at the time of the
meeting. A proxy may be suspended or revoked, as the case may be, by
the Member executing the proxy by a later writing delivered to the Fund at any
time prior to exercise of the proxy or if the Member executing the proxy shall
be present at the meeting and decide to vote in person. Any action of
the Members that is permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Members may be
taken without a meeting if consents in writing, setting forth the action taken,
are signed by Members holding a majority of the total number of votes eligible
to be cast or such greater percentage as may be required in order to approve
such action.
3.4 CUSTODY OF ASSETS OF THE
FUND. The physical possession of all funds, Securities, or
other property of the Fund shall at all times, be held, controlled, and
administered by one or more custodians retained by the Fund in accordance with
the requirements of the 1940 Act.
3.5 OTHER
ACTIVITIES OF MEMBERS AND MANAGERS.
(a) The
Managers shall not be required to devote full time to the affairs of the Fund,
but shall devote such time as may reasonably be required to perform their
obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Any
Member, Manager, or Affiliate of the foregoing may engage in or possess an
interest in other business ventures or commercial dealings of every kind and
description, independently or with others, including, but not limited to,
acquisition and disposition of Securities, provision of investment advisory or
brokerage services, serving as directors, officers, employees, advisers, or
agents of other companies, partners of any partnership, Members of any limited
liability company, or trustees of any trust, or entering into any other
commercial arrangements. No Member shall have any rights in or to
such activities of any other Member or Manager, or any profits derived
therefrom.
3.6 DUTY
OF CARE.
(a) A
Manager shall not be liable to the Fund or to any of its Members for any loss or
damage occasioned by any act or omission in the performance of the Manager’s
services under this Agreement, unless it shall be determined by final judicial
decision in a court of competent jurisdiction on the merits from which there is
no further right to appeal that such loss is due to an act or omission of such
person constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Manager’s
office or as otherwise required by law.
(b) A
Member not in breach of any obligation hereunder or under any agreement pursuant
to which the Member subscribed for Units shall be liable to the Fund, any other
Member, or third parties only as required by the Delaware Act or otherwise
provided in this Agreement.
13
3.7 INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) To
the fullest extent permitted by law, the Fund shall, subject to Section 3.7(b)
hereof, indemnify the Initial Manager, each Manager and the Tax Matters Member
and the executors, heirs, assigns, successors, or other legal representatives of
each of the foregoing, and of any person who controls or is under common
control, or otherwise affiliated, with the Initial Manager, Manager, or the Tax
Matters Member (and their executors, heirs, assigns, successors, or other legal
representatives) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and
expenses, including, but not limited to, amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments, in compromise, or as fines or penalties, and reasonable counsel fees,
incurred in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit,
investigation, or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any
judicial, arbitral, administrative, or legislative body, in which such
indemnitee may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise, or with
which such indemnitee may be or may have been threatened, while in office or
thereafter, by reason of being or having been the Initial Manager, a Manager, or
the Tax Matters Member, as the case may be, of the Fund or the past or present
performance of services to the Fund by such indemnitee, except to the extent
such loss, claim, damage, liability, cost, or expense shall have been finally
determined in a decision on the merits in any such action, suit, investigation,
or other proceeding to have been incurred or suffered by such indemnitee by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such indemnitee’s
office. The rights of indemnification provided under this Section 3.7
shall not be construed so as to provide for indemnification of an indemnitee for
any liability (including liability under federal securities laws which, under
certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith)
to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification would be in
violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the
applicable provisions of this Section 3.7 to the fullest extent permitted by
law.
(b) Expenses,
including reasonable counsel fees, so incurred by any such indemnitee (but
excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, or as fines
or penalties), may be paid from time to time by the Fund in advance of the final
disposition of any such action, suit, investigation, or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such indemnitee to repay to the Fund
amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that indemnification of
such expenses is not authorized under Section 3.7(a) hereof; provided, however,
that: (i) such indemnitee shall provide security for such undertaking, (ii) the
Fund shall be insured by or on behalf of such indemnitee against losses arising
by reason of such indemnitee’s failure to fulfill his or its undertaking; or
(iii) a majority of the Managers (excluding any Manager who is seeking
advancement of expenses hereunder or is or has been a party to any action, suit,
investigation, or proceeding involving claims similar to those involved in the
action, suit, investigation, or proceeding giving rise to a claim for
advancement of expenses hereunder) or independent legal counsel in a written
opinion shall determine based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed
to a full trial-type inquiry) that there is reason to believe such indemnitee
ultimately will be entitled to indemnification.
14
(c) As
to the disposition of any action, suit, investigation, or proceeding (whether by
a compromise payment, pursuant to a consent decree, or otherwise) without an
adjudication or a decision on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction,
or by any other body before which the proceeding shall have been brought, that
an indemnitee is liable to the Fund or its Members by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of such indemnitee’s office, indemnification shall be
provided pursuant to Section 3.7(a) hereof if: (i) approved as in the best
interests of the Fund by vote of a majority of the Managers (excluding any
Manager who is seeking indemnification hereunder or is or has been a party to
any action, suit, investigation, or proceeding involving claims similar to those
involved in the action, suit, investigation, or proceeding giving rise to a
claim for advancement of expenses hereunder) upon a determination based upon a
review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that
such indemnitee acted in good faith and in the reasonable belief that such
actions were in the best interests of the Fund and that such indemnitee is not
liable to the Fund or its Members by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
such indemnitee’s office; or (ii) the Managers secure a written opinion of
independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as
opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) to the effect that such indemnitee acted
in good faith and in the reasonable belief that such actions were in the best
interests of the Fund and that such indemnitee is not liable to the Fund or its
Members by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such indemnitee’s
office.
(d) Any
indemnification or advancement of expenses made pursuant to this Section 3.7
shall not prevent the recovery from any indemnitee of any such amount if such
indemnitee subsequently shall be determined in a final decision on the merits in
a court of competent jurisdiction in any action, suit, investigation, or
proceeding involving the liability or expense that gave rise to such
indemnification or advancement of expenses to be liable to the Fund or its
Members by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such indemnitee’s
office. In any suit brought by an indemnitee to enforce a right to
indemnification under this Section 3.7 it shall be a defense that, and in any
suit in the name of the Fund to recover any indemnification or advancement of
expenses made pursuant to this Section 3.7, the Fund shall be entitled to
recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met
the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Section 3.7. In
any such suit brought to enforce a right to indemnification or to recover any
indemnification or advancement of expenses made pursuant to this Section 3.7,
the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or
to any indemnification or advancement of expenses, under this Section 3.7 shall
be on the Fund (or any Member acting derivatively or otherwise on behalf of the
Fund or its Members).
(e) An
indemnitee may not satisfy any right of indemnification or advancement of
expenses granted in this Section 3.7 as to which he, she, or it may otherwise be
entitled except out of the assets of the Fund, and no Member shall be personally
liable with respect to any such claim for indemnification or advancement of
expenses.
(f) The
rights of indemnification provided hereunder shall not be exclusive of or affect
any other rights to which any person may be entitled by contract or otherwise
under law. Nothing contained in this Section 3.7 shall affect the
power of the Fund to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any
Manager or other person.
15
3.8 FEES,
EXPENSES, AND REIMBURSEMENT.
(a) The
Board may cause the Fund to compensate each Independent Manager for his or her
services hereunder. In addition, the Fund shall reimburse the
Managers for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in performing
their duties under this Agreement.
(b) The
Fund shall bear all of its own operating expenses incurred in the business of
the Fund other than those specifically required to be borne by another party
pursuant to a separate written agreement with the Fund. Expenses to
be borne by the Fund include, but are not limited to, the
following:
(i) all
fees payable to any investment adviser or sub-adviser employed by the Fund to
supervise the assets of the Fund;
(ii) all
costs and expenses related to portfolio transactions and positions for the
Fund’s account, including, but not limited to, brokerage commissions, research
fees, interest and commitment fees on loans and debit balances, borrowing
charges on Securities sold short, dividends on Securities sold short but not yet
purchased, custodial fees, margin fees, transfer taxes and premiums, and taxes
withheld on foreign dividends;
(iii) all
costs and expenses associated with the organization, operation, and registration
of the Fund, offering costs, and the costs of compliance with any applicable
federal or state laws;
(iv) the
costs and expenses of holding meetings of the Board and any meetings of Members
that are regularly scheduled, permitted, or are required to be held by this
Agreement, the 1940 Act, or other applicable law;
(v) fees
and disbursements of any attorneys, accountants (including tax preparation
fees), auditors, and other consultants and professionals engaged on behalf of
the Fund to assist in connection with its operations;
(vi) the
costs of a fidelity bond and any liability insurance obtained on behalf of the
Fund or the Managers;
(vii) all
costs and expenses associated with the organization of any subsidiary vehicle
deemed necessary for the investment operations of the Fund, or with the
operation of the Fund as a master-feeder structure as contemplated by Section
9.10 hereof;
(viii) all
costs and expenses of preparing, printing, and distributing reports and other
communications to Members;
(ix)
the fees of custodians, transfer agents, and other persons providing
administrative services to the Fund;
(x) all
expenses in computing the Net Asset Value of the Fund and the Units, including
any equipment or services obtained for such purposes;
16
(xi) administrative
and Member service fees incurred by the Fund will be allocated among its various
classes based on the Net Asset Value of the Fund attributable to each such
class; and
(xii) such
other types of expenses as may be approved from time to time by the
Board.
ARTICLE
IV
TERMINATION
OF STATUS OF MANAGERS;
TRANSFERS,
REPURCHASES, AND REDEMPTIONS
4.1 TERMINATION OF STATUS OF A
MANAGER. The status of a Manager shall terminate if the
Manager: (a) shall die; (b) shall be adjudicated incompetent; (c) shall
voluntarily withdraw as a Manager (upon not less than 90 days’ prior written
notice to the other Managers, unless the other Managers waive such notice); (d)
shall be removed; (e) shall be certified by a physician to be mentally or
physically unable to perform his or her duties hereunder; (f) shall be declared
bankrupt by a court with appropriate jurisdiction, file a petition commencing a
voluntary case under any bankruptcy law, or make an assignment for the benefit
of creditors; or (g) shall have a receiver appointed to administer the property
or affairs of such Manager.
4.2 REMOVAL OF THE MANAGERS. Any
Manager may be removed by: (a) the vote or written consent of at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the Managers not subject to the removal or vote; or (b) the
vote or written consent of Members holding not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the
total number of votes eligible to be cast by all Members.
4.3 TRANSFER
OF UNITS OF MEMBER.
(a) Units
held by a Member may be transferred only: (i) by operation of law pursuant to
the death, divorce, bankruptcy, insolvency, or dissolution of such Member; or
(ii) under extremely limited circumstances, with the written consent of the
Board (which may be withheld for any reason in its sole and absolute
discretion). If any transferee does not meet such investor
eligibility requirements, the Fund reserves the right to redeem its
Units. If the Board does not consent to a transfer by operation of
law, the Fund shall redeem the Units from the Member’s successor. Any
transfer must comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The
Board generally will not consent to a transfer unless the transfer is: (i) one
in which the tax basis of the Units in the hands of the transferee is
determined, in whole or in part, by reference to its tax basis in the hands of
the transferring Member (e.g., certain gifts and contributions to family
entities); or (ii) to members of the transferring Member’s immediate family
(e.g., siblings, spouse, parents, and children). If any Unit is
transferred during any Fiscal Year in compliance with the provisions of this
Section 4.3, Profits, Losses, each item thereof, and all other items
attributable to the Units for such Fiscal Year shall be divided and allocated
between the transferor and the transferee during the Fiscal Year in accordance
with Code Section 706(d), using any conventions permitted by law and selected by
the Board. All distributions on or before the date of such transfer
shall be made to the transferor, and all distributions thereafter shall be made
to the transferee. The foregoing permitted transferees will not be
allowed to become substituted Members without the consent of the Board, which
may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion. Each
transferring Member and transferee agrees to pay all expenses, including, but
not limited, to attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred by the Fund in
connection with any transfer.
17
(b) By
subscribing for Units, each Member agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund, the Managers, or each other Member, and any Affiliate of the foregoing
against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including
legal or other expenses incurred in investigating or defending against any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses or any judgments,
fines, and amounts paid in settlement), joint or several, to which such persons
may become subject by reason of or arising from any transfer made by that Member
in violation of this Section 4.3 or any misrepresentation made by that Member in
connection with any such transfer.
(c) Each
transferring Member shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Managers, or
each other Member and any Affiliate of the foregoing against all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal or other expenses
incurred in investigating or defending against any such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, costs, and expenses or any judgments, fines, and amounts paid in
settlement), joint or several, to which such persons may become subject by
reason of or arising from: (i) any transfer made by such Member in violation of
this Section 4.3; and (ii) any misrepresentation by such Member in connection
with any such transfer.
4.4 REPURCHASE
OF UNITS.
(a) General. Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Member or other person holding Units
or portion thereof shall have the right to require the Fund to redeem its
Units. The Board of the Fund, from time to time, and in its sole and
absolute discretion, may determine to cause the Fund to offer to repurchase
Units from Members, on such terms and conditions as set forth in this
Agreement. However, (i) any repurchase shall not occur until at least
60 calendar days after the Member has notified the Fund, in writing of the
Member’s desire to have the Fund redeem its Units, (ii) the Fund shall not offer
to repurchase Units on more than four occasions during any Fiscal Year, and
(iii) the percentage interests in capital or profits repurchased (other than in
private transactions described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1(e)) in
any Fiscal Year shall not exceed 10% of the total interests in capital or
profits. In accordance with the terms and conditions as are set forth
in this Agreement, in determining whether to cause the Fund to repurchase Units
pursuant to written requests by Members, the Board shall consider the following
factors, among others, in making such determination:
(1) whether
any Members have requested that the Fund repurchase their Units;
(2) the
liquidity of the Fund’s assets;
(3) the
investment plans and working capital requirements of the Fund;
(4) the
relative economies of scale with respect to the size of the Fund;
18
(5) the
history of the Fund in repurchasing Units;
(6) the
economic condition of the securities markets; or
(7) the
anticipated tax consequences of any proposed repurchases of Units.
(b) Discretionary
Repurchases. Subject to Section 4.4(a) above, the Board, in its sole
discretion may cause the Fund to repurchase Units on terms fair to the Fund and
to all Members or one or more classes of Members (including persons holding
Units acquired from Members), as applicable, in the following
manner:
(i) The
Board will provide written notice to Members when it has determined, in its sole
and absolute discretion that the Fund will repurchase Units. Such
notice will describe the terms of the repurchase offer, including:
(1) the
commencement date of the repurchase offer;
(2) the
date on which repurchase requests must be received by the Fund (the “Repurchase
Request Deadline”); and
(3) other
information that Members should consider in deciding whether and how to
participate in such repurchase opportunity.
(ii) Members
must submit, in writing, requests for repurchase to the Fund or its designated
agent. The Repurchase Request Deadline will be a date set by the
Board occurring no sooner than 20 business days after the commencement date of
the repurchase offer and such Repurchase Request Deadline may be extended by the
Board in its sole and absolute discretion. The Fund will not accept
any repurchase request received by it or its designated agent after the
Repurchase Request Deadline.
(iii) Promptly
after the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will give to each Member whose
Units have been accepted for repurchase a payment consisting of: (1) cash or a
Promissory Note entitling the Member to be paid an amount equal to such
percentage of the estimated value of the repurchased Units as may be determined
by the Board as of the Repurchase Valuation Date (the “Initial Payment”); and,
if determined to be appropriate by the Board or if the Initial Payment is less
than 100% of the “estimated value of the repurchased Units,” (2) a Promissory
Note based upon the results of the annual audit of the Fund’s financial
statements, i.e., the “Post-Audit Payment,” as set forth below.
(iv) The
Initial Payment may be in cash and equal to an amount up to 100% of the
estimated value of the repurchased Units, and shall be determined as of the
effective date of the repurchase (the “Repurchase Valuation Date”) when the
“estimated value of the repurchased Units” is determined to equal the value of
the Member’s Capital Account or portion thereof based on the Net Asset Value of
the Fund’s assets after giving effect to all allocations to be made to the
Member’s Capital Account as of such date. The Repurchase Valuation
Date is the last business day of the quarter in which the Repurchase Request
Deadline occurs, which shall be approximately 65 days after the Repurchase
Request Deadline. Initial Payment amounts generally shall be
calculated within 10 business days after the Repurchase Valuation Date in
accordance with the Fund’s valuation procedures as adopted by the Fund’s
Board. The Initial Payment will be made as of a date approximately,
but no earlier than, 30 days after the Repurchase Valuation Date.
19
(v) In
the event that it is determined to be appropriate by the Board or if the Initial
Payment is less than 100% of the estimated value of the repurchased Units, the
second and final payment in respect of the Promissory Note (the “Post- Audit
Payment”) will be in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the value of
the repurchased Units, determined as of the Repurchase Valuation Date and based
upon the results of the annual audit of the Fund’s financial statements for the
year in which the Repurchase Valuation Date occurs, over (2) the Initial
Payment. The Board anticipates that the annual audit of the Fund’s
financial statements will be completed within 60 days after the end of each
Fiscal Year and that the Post-Audit Payment will be made promptly after the
completion of the audit.
(vi) The
Promissory Note shall be non-interest bearing and non-transferable.
(vii) Payment
for Units accepted by the Fund for repurchase will be made in whole or in part
in cash or securities of equivalent value.
(viii) The
Fund may suspend or postpone any repurchase offer, by vote of a majority of the
Board, including a majority of the Independent Managers, including but not
limited to:
(1) which
it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities it owns
or to determine the value of the Fund’s nets assets;
(2) for
any other periods that the SEC permits by order for the protection of Members;
or
(3) under
such other unusual circumstances as the Board deems advisable for the benefit of
the Fund and its Members.
(ix) The
Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine the amount of Units
to be repurchased, if any. If a greater number of Units is submitted
for repurchase by Members as of the Repurchase Request Deadline than the
repurchase offer amount, as determined by the Board in its sole and absolute
discretion, subsequent to the repurchase in Section 4.4(a) above, the Fund may
repurchase an additional amount of Units not to exceed 2% of the Units
outstanding on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Board
determines not to repurchase more than the repurchase offer amount or if Members
submit for repurchase Units in an amount exceeding the repurchase offer amount
plus 2% of the Units outstanding on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund
shall repurchase the Units submitted for repurchase on a pro rata basis,
disregarding fractions, according to the number of Units submitted for
repurchase by each Member as of the Repurchase Request Deadline; provided,
however, that this provision shall not prohibit the Fund from:
(1) accepting
all Units submitted for repurchase by Members who own, beneficially or of
record, an aggregate of not more than a specified percentage of such Units and
who submit for repurchase all their Units, before prorating Units submitted for
repurchase by other Members; or
20
(2) accepting
by lot Units submitted for repurchase by Members who offer all Units held by
them or who, when submitting for repurchase their Units, elect to have either
all or none or at least a minimum amount or none accepted, if the Fund first
accepts all Units submitted for repurchase by Members who do not so
elect.
(x) The
Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to impose charges on
Members or other persons who submit their Units for repurchase.
(xi) A
Member who submits for repurchase only a portion of such Member’s Units shall be
required to maintain a Capital Account balance at least equal to
$25,000.
(xii) A
Manager may submit for repurchase its Units as a Member under Section 4.4
hereof; except that, if the Manager is serving as the Tax Matters Partner, it
shall be required to own Units in the Fund.
(c) Mandatory
Redemptions. The Board may cause the Fund to redeem Units of a Member
or any person acquiring Units thereof from or through a Member in the event that
the Board determines or has reason to believe that, among other
things:
(i) such
Units have been transferred or such Units have vested in any person by operation
of law as a result of the death, dissolution, bankruptcy, or incompetence of a
Member;
(ii) ownership
of such Units by a Member or other person will cause the Fund to be in violation
of, or require registration of any Units, or subject the Fund to additional
registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities, or other laws of
the United States or any other relevant jurisdiction;
(iii) continued
ownership of such Units may be harmful or injurious to the business or
reputation of the Fund, or may subject the Fund or any of its Members to an
undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal consequences;
(iv) any
representation or warranty made by a Member in connection with the acquisition
of Units was not true when made or has ceased to be true; or
(v) it
would be in the best interests of the Fund, as determined by the Board in its
sole and absolute discretion, for the Fund to redeem such Units.
21
ARTICLE
V
CAPITAL
5.1 CONTRIBUTIONS
TO CAPITAL.
(a) The
minimum initial contribution of each Member to the capital of the Fund shall be
such amount as the Board, in its discretion, may determine from time to
time. The amount of the initial contribution of each Member shall be
recorded on the books and records of the Fund upon acceptance as a contribution
to the capital of the Fund. Except for the Tax Matters Member, the
Managers shall not be entitled to make contributions of capital to the Fund as
Managers of the Fund, but may make contributions to the capital of the Fund as
Members. The Manager who serves as the Tax Matters Member is required
to make a contribution and own Units in the Fund.
(b) Members
may make additional contributions to the capital of the Fund effective as of
such times as the Board, in its discretion, may permit, subject to Section 2.7
hereof, but no Member shall be obligated to make any additional contribution to
the capital of the Fund. The minimum initial capital contribution of
a Member to the capital of the Fund shall be such amount as the Board, in its
sole discretion, may determine from time to time.
(c) Initial
and any additional contributions to the capital of the Fund by any Member shall
be payable in cash, payable in readily available funds at the date of the
proposed acceptance of the contribution.
5.2 RIGHTS OF MEMBERS TO
CAPITAL. No Member shall be entitled to interest on any
contribution to the capital of the Fund, nor shall any Member be entitled to the
return of any capital of the Fund except as otherwise specifically provided
herein, for example: (a) upon the repurchase by the Fund of a part or all of
such Member’s Units pursuant to Section 4.4 hereof, (b) pursuant to the
provisions of Section 6.6 hereof, or (c) upon the liquidation of the Fund’s
assets pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof. No Member shall be liable for
the return of any such amounts. No Member shall have the right to
require partition of the Fund’s property or to compel any sale or appraisal of
the Fund’s assets.
5.3 CAPITAL
ACCOUNTS. The Fund shall maintain a separate Capital Account
for each Member.
ARTICLE
VI
ALLOCATION
OF PROFITS AND LOSSES
6.1 PROFITS. After
giving effect to the special allocation set forth in Sections 6.2 and
6.3, Profits and Losses for each Fiscal Year shall be allocated among
the Members pro rata in proportion to Units held.
6.2 SPECIAL
ALLOCATIONS. The following special allocations shall
apply:
22
(a) Limitation
on Losses. The Losses allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof shall
not exceed the maximum amount of Losses that can be so allocated without causing
any Member to have a Deficit Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal
Year. In the event some but not all of the Members would have Deficit
Capital Accounts as a consequence of an allocation of Losses pursuant to Section
6.1 hereof, the limitation set forth in this Section 6.2 shall be applied on a
Member by Member basis so as to allocate the maximum permissible Losses to each
Member under Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d).
(b) Minimum
Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation
§1.704-2(f), notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if there is
a net decrease in the Company Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each Member
shall be specially allocated items of the Fund income and gain for such Fiscal
Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to such
Member’s share of the net decrease in the Company Minimum Gain, determined in
accordance with Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant
to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts
required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items
to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations
§1.704-2(f)(6) and §1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.2(b) is intended to
comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in §1.704-2(f) of the
Treasury Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
(c) Member
Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Treasury
Regulation §1.704-2(i)(4), notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain
attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt during any Fiscal Year, each Member
who has a share of the Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such
Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation
§1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of the Fund income and gain
for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount
equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt
Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in
accordance with Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations
pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective
amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The
items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury
Regulations §1.704-2(i)(4) and §1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.2(c) is
intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury
Regulation §1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
(d) Qualified
Income Offset. In the event any Member unexpectedly receives any
adjustments, allocations or distributions described in §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),
§1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6) of the Treasury
Regulations, items of the Fund income and gain shall be specially allocated to
each such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent
required by the Treasury Regulations, the Deficit Capital Account of such Member
as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section
6.2(d) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a
Deficit Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Article
VI have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.2(d) were not in this
Agreement.
(e) Gross
Income Allocation. In the event any Member has a Deficit Capital
Account at the end of any Fiscal Year, each such Member shall be specially
allocated items of the Fund income and gain in the amount of such deficit as
quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.2(e)
shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a Deficit
Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Agreement have
been made as if Section 6.2(d) hereof and this Section 6.2(e) were not in this
Agreement.
23
(f) Nonrecourse
Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be
specially allocated to the Members in accordance with the general allocation of
Losses set forth in Section 6.1(a) above.
(g) Member
Nonrecourse Deductions. Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any
Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears the economic
risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member
Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation
§1.704-2(i)(1).
(h) Code
§754 Adjustment. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax
basis of any the Fund asset pursuant to Code §734(b) or Code §743(b) is
required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or
§1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital
Accounts as the result of a distribution to a Member in complete liquidation of
its interest in the Fund, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts
shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of
the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or
loss shall be specially allocated to the Members in accordance with their Units
in the Fund in the event Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies,
or to the Members to whom such distribution was made in the event Treasury
Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.
6.3 CURATIVE
ALLOCATIONS. The allocations set forth in Sections 6.2(b),
6.2(c), 6.2(d), 6.2(e), 6.2(f), 6.2(g) and 6.2(h) hereof (the “Regulatory
Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Treasury
Regulations. It is the intent of the Members that, to the extent
possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall be offset either with other
Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items of income,
gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this Section 6.3.
6.4 OTHER ALLOCATION
RULES.
(a) Profits,
Losses and any other items of income, gain, loss or deduction shall be allocated
to the Members pursuant to this Article VI as of the last day of each Fiscal
Year, provided that Profits, Losses, and such other items shall also be
allocated at such times as the Gross Asset Values of property are adjusted
pursuant to sub-paragraph (b) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value” in
Article I.
(b) For
purposes of determining the Profits, Losses, or any other items allocable to any
Fiscal Period within a Fiscal Year, Profits, Losses, and any such other items
shall be determined on a daily, monthly, or other basis, as determined by the
Board using any permissible method under Code §706 and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder, which takes into account the varying interests of the Members during
each Fiscal Year.
(c) The
Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this
Agreement and hereby agree to be bound by the provisions hereof in reporting
their shares of income and loss for income tax purposes.
24
(d) “Excess
Nonrecourse Liabilities” of the Partnership, within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation §1.752-3(a)(3) shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to
Units held.
(e) To
the extent permitted by Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(h)(3), the Board shall
endeavor not to treat distributions of cash as having been made from the
proceeds of a Nonrecourse Liability or a Member Nonrecourse Debt, but only to
the extent that such distributions would cause or increase a Deficit Capital
Account for any Member.
(f) In
the event the Fund has taxable income that is characterized as ordinary income
under the recapture provisions of the Code, each Member’s distributive share of
taxable gain or loss from the sale of depreciable assets (to the extent
possible) shall include a proportionate share of the recapture income equal to
the Member’s share of prior cumulative depreciation deductions with respect to
the assets that gave rise to the recapture income.
6.5 TAX ALLOCATIONS; CODE SECTION
704(c). Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.5, each
item of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Fund for federal income tax
purposes shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as such items
are allocated for book purposes under this Article VI. In accordance
with Code Section 704(c), and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, income, gain,
loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of
the Fund shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to
take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the
Fund for federal income tax purposes and its Initial Gross Asset Value (computed
in accordance with the definition of Gross Asset Value in Article I) using the
traditional method, pursuant to the Treasury Regulations under Code
§704(c). In the event the Gross Asset Value of any asset is adjusted
pursuant to sub-paragraph (b) of the definition of Gross Asset Value in Article
I, subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss and depreciation with respect to
such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of
such asset for federal income tax purposes and its Gross Asset Value in the same
manner as under Code §704(c) and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder. Any elections or other decisions relating to such
allocations shall be made by the Board in any manner that reasonably reflects
the purposes and intention of this Agreement; provided that, any item of loss or
deduction attributable to property contributed by a Member shall, to the extent
of an amount equal to the excess of (a) the federal income tax basis of such
property at the time of its contribution over (b) the Gross Asset Value of such
property at such time, be allocated in its entirety to such contributing Member
and the tax basis of such property for the purposes of computing the amounts of
all items allocated to any other Members (including a transferee of the
contributing Member) shall be equal to its Gross Asset Value upon its
contribution to the Fund. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.5
are solely for the purposes of federal, state and local taxes and shall not
effect, or in any way be taken into account in computing any Member’s Capital
Account or share of profits, losses or other items or distributions pursuant to
any provisions of this Agreement.
6.6 DISTRIBUTIONS. The
Board, in its sole discretion, may authorize the Fund to make distributions in
cash or in kind at any time to all of the Members pro rata in proportion to
Units held.
25
6.7 AMOUNT
WITHHELD. All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any
provision of any state, local, or foreign tax law with respect to any payment,
distribution, or allocation to the Fund or the Members shall be treated as
amounts paid or distributed, as the case may be, to the Members for all purposes
under this Agreement. The Fund is authorized to withhold from
payments and distributions, or with respect to allocations, to the Members, and
to pay over to any federal, state, and local government, or any foreign
government, any amounts required to be so withheld pursuant to the Code or any
provision of any other federal, state, or local law, or any foreign law, and
shall so allocate any such amounts to the Members with respect to which such
amount was withheld.
ARTICLE
VII
DISSOLUTION
AND LIQUIDATION
7.1 DISSOLUTION.
(a) The
Fund shall be dissolved at any time there are no Members, unless the Fund is
continued in accordance with the Delaware Act, or upon the occurrence of any of
the following events:
(i) upon
the affirmative vote to dissolve the Fund by: (1) the Board; or (2) Members
holding at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of votes eligible to be
cast by all Members;
(ii) upon
the failure of Members to elect a successor Board at a meeting called by the
Members in accordance with this Agreement, when no Board member remains to
continue the business of the Fund;
(iii) the
entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under § 18-802 of the Delaware
Act; or
(iv) as
required by operation of law.
Dissolution
of the Fund shall be effective on the day on which the event giving rise to the
dissolution shall occur or the conclusion of any applicable 60 day period during
which the Board and Members may elect to continue the business of the Fund as
provided herein, but the Fund shall not terminate until the assets of the Fund
have been liquidated in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof and the Certificate
has been canceled.
7.2 LIQUIDATION
OF ASSETS.
(a) Upon
the dissolution of the Fund as provided in Section 7.1 hereof, the Board, acting
directly or through a liquidator it selects, shall promptly liquidate the
business and administrative affairs of the Fund, except that if the Board is
unable to perform this function, a liquidator elected by Members holding a
majority of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by all Members shall
promptly liquidate the business and administrative affairs of the
Fund. The proceeds from liquidation (after establishment of
appropriate reserves for contingencies in such amount as the Board or liquidator
shall deem appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion as applicable) shall,
subject to the Delaware Act, be distributed in the following
manner:
26
(i) in
satisfaction (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for
payment thereof) of the debts and liabilities of the Fund, including the
expenses of liquidation (including legal and accounting expenses incurred in
connection therewith), but not including debt and liabilities to Members, up to
and including the date that distribution of the Fund’s assets to the Members has
been completed, shall first be paid on a pro rata basis;
(ii) such
debts, liabilities, or obligations as are owing to the Members shall be paid
next in their order of seniority and on a pro rata basis; and
(iii) the
Members shall be paid next on a pro rata basis the positive balances of their
respective Capital Accounts after giving effect to all allocations to be made to
such Members’ Capital Accounts for the Fiscal Period ending on the date of the
distributions under this Section 7.2(a)(iii).
(b) Anything
in this Section 7.2 to the contrary notwithstanding, but subject to the
priorities set forth in Section 7.2(a) above, upon dissolution of the Fund, the
Board or other liquidator may distribute ratably in kind any assets of the Fund;
provided, however, that if any in-kind distribution is to be made: (i) the
assets distributed in kind shall be valued pursuant to Section 8.3 as of the
actual date of their distribution and charged as so valued and distributed
against amounts to be paid under Section 7.2(a) above; and (ii) any Profit or
Loss attributable to property distributed in-kind shall be included in the
Profits or Losses for the Fiscal Year ending on the date of such
distribution.
ARTICLE
VIII
ACCOUNTING,
VALUATIONS, AND BOOKS AND RECORDS
8.1 ACCOUNTING,
REPORTS AND PRINCIPLES.
(a) The
Fund shall adopt for tax accounting purposes any accounting method permitted by
the Code that the Board shall decide in its sole and absolute discretion is in
the best interests of the Fund. The Fund’s accounts shall be
maintained in U. S. currency.
(b) After
the end of each taxable year, the Fund shall furnish to each Member such
information regarding the operation of the Fund and such Member’s Units as is
necessary for Members to complete federal and state income tax or information
returns and any other tax information required by federal, state, or local
law.
(c) Except
as otherwise required by the 1940 Act or as may otherwise be permitted by rule,
regulation, or order, within 60 days after the close of the period for which a
report required under this Section 8.1(c) is being made, the Fund shall furnish
to each Member a semi-annual report containing the information required by the
1940 Act and an annual report containing the information required by the 1940
Act. The Fund shall cause financial statements contained in each
annual report furnished hereunder to be accompanied by a certificate of
independent registered public accountants based upon an audit performed in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Fund
may also furnish to each Member such other periodic reports, as it deems
necessary or appropriate in its discretion.
27
(d) The
Fund is a closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act
and it intends to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes
under the Code. Therefore, the Board shall be guided: (i) by the
applicable recommendations and standards for financial statements, accounting
and reporting relating to such a company contained in the current audit and
accounting guide that is incorporated herein by reference and entitled “Audits
of Investment Companies,” as changed and published from time to time, by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; and (ii) by the Fund’s
independent registered public accountants.
8.2 DETERMINATIONS
BY THE BOARD.
(a) All
matters concerning the determination and allocation among the Members of the
amounts to be determined and allocated pursuant to this Agreement, including any
taxes thereon and accounting procedures applicable thereto, shall be determined
by the Board unless specifically and expressly otherwise provided for by the
provisions of this Agreement or as required by law, and such determinations and
allocations shall be final and binding on all the Members.
(b) The
Board may make such adjustments to the computation of Profits or Losses or any
components (withholding any items of income, gain, loss, or deduction)
comprising any of the foregoing as it considers appropriate to reflect fairly
and accurately the financial results of the Fund and the intended allocation
thereof among the Members.
(c) Appropriate
reserves may be created for contingent liabilities, if any, as of the date any
such contingent liability becomes known to the Board, such reserves to be in the
amounts that the Board, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or
appropriate. The Board may increase or reduce any such reserves from
time to time by such amounts as the Board, in its sole discretion, deems
necessary or appropriate.
8.3 VALUATION
OF ASSETS.
(a) Valuation
of Securities and other assets shall be made by the Board in accordance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act and the valuation procedures adopted by the
Board.
(b) The
Net Asset Value of each Unit as of any date shall equal the Net Asset Value of
the Fund, determined as provided in Section 8.3(a), divided by the number of
Units outstanding.
(c) The
value of Securities and other assets of the Fund and the net worth of the Fund
as a whole and the Units determined pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall be
conclusive and binding on all of the Members and all parties claiming through or
under them.
28
8.4 FILING OF TAX
RETURNS. The Tax Matters Member or its designated agent shall
prepare and file, or cause the accountants of the Fund to prepare and file, a U.
S. federal information tax return in compliance with Section 6031 of the Code
and any required state and local income tax and information returns for each
Fiscal Year of the Fund.
8.5 TAX
MATTERS MEMBER.
(a) A
Manager who is a Member shall be designated on the Fund’s annual federal income
tax return, and have full powers and responsibilities, as the “Tax Matters
Member” of the Fund for purposes of Section 6231(a)(7) of the
Code. Any Member designated as the Tax Matters Member for the Fund
under Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code shall be indemnified and held harmless by
the Fund from any and all liabilities and obligations that arise from or by
reason of such designation.
(b) Each
person (for purposes of this Section 8.5(b), called a “Pass-Thru Partner”) that
holds or controls an interest as a Member on behalf of, or for the benefit of,
another person or persons, or which Pass-Thru Partner is beneficially owned
(directly or indirectly) by another person or persons, shall, within 30 days
following receipt from the Tax Matters Member of any notice, demand, request for
information or similar document, convey such notice or other document in writing
to all holders of beneficial interests in the Fund holding such interests
through such Pass-Thru Partner. In the event the Fund shall be the
subject of an income tax audit by any federal, state or local authority, to the
extent the Fund is treated as an entity for purposes of such audit, including
administrative settlement and judicial review, the Tax Matters Member shall be
authorized to act for, and its decision shall be final and binding upon, the
Fund and each Member thereof. All expenses incurred by the Fund or
the Tax Matters Member in connection with any such audit, investigation,
settlement or review shall be borne by the Fund.
8.6 SECTION
754 ELECTION; BASIS ADJUSTMENTS.
(a) In
the event of a distribution of the Fund property to a Member or an assignment or
other Transfer of all or part of the Units of a Member in the Fund, at the
request of a Member, the Tax Matter Member, in its sole discretion, may cause
the Fund to elect, pursuant to Section 754 of the Code, or the corresponding
provision of subsequent law, to adjust the basis of the Fund property as
provided by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.
(b) In
connection with a repurchase of a Member’s Units or a distribution to a Member,
such Member shall, at the request of the Tax Matters Member, provide the Fund
with any information necessary to enable the Fund to determine the adjusted U.
S. federal income tax basis of such Member’s Units immediately prior to such
repurchase or distribution.
(c) In
connection with any Transfer of a Unit, the transferee shall provide the Fund,
within 30 days after such Transfer, with the written notice described in
Treasury Regulation §1.743-1(k)(2).
29
ARTICLE
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
9.1 AMENDMENT
OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT.
(a) Except
as otherwise provided in this Section 9.1, this Agreement may be amended, in
whole or in part, with the approval of: (i) the Board (including the vote of a
majority of the Independent Managers, if required by the 0000 Xxx); or (ii) a
majority (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund.
(b) Any
amendment that would: (i) increase the obligation of a Member to make any
contribution to the capital of the Fund; (ii) reduce the Capital Account of a
Member; or (iii) modify the events causing the dissolution of the Fund may be
made only if:
(1) the
written consent of each Member adversely affected thereby is obtained prior to
the effectiveness thereof; or
(2) such
amendment does not become effective until: (A) each Member has received written
notice of such amendment; and (B) any Member objecting to such amendment has
been afforded a reasonable opportunity (pursuant to such procedures as may be
prescribed by the Board) to offer his or her entire Interest for repurchase by
the Fund.
(c) The
power of the Board to amend this Agreement at any time without the consent of
the Members may include, but is not limited to:
(i) restate
this Agreement together with any amendments hereto that have been duly adopted
in accordance with this Agreement to incorporate such amendments in a single,
integrated document;
(ii) amend
this Agreement (other than with respect to the matters set forth in Section
9.1(b) hereof) to effect compliance with any applicable law or regulation or to
cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision hereof that may be
inconsistent with any other provision hereof, provided that such action does not
adversely affect the rights of any Member in any material respect;
and
(iii) amend
this Agreement to make such changes as may be necessary or desirable, based on
advice of legal counsel to the Fund, to assure the Fund’s continuing eligibility
to be classified for U. S. federal income tax purposes as a
partnership.
(d) The
Board shall give written notice of any proposed amendment to this Agreement
(other than any amendment of the type contemplated by clause (ii) of Section
9.1(a) hereof) to each Member, which notice shall set forth: (i) the text of the
proposed amendment; or (ii) a summary thereof and a statement that the text
thereof will be furnished to any Member upon request.
30
9.2 SPECIAL
POWER OF ATTORNEY.
(a) Each
Member hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes, and appoints each Manager, acting
severally, and any liquidator of the Fund’s assets appointed pursuant to Section
7.2 with full power of substitution, the true and lawful representatives and
attorneys-in-fact of, and in the name, place, and stead of, such Member, with
the power from time to time to make, execute, sign, acknowledge, swear to,
verify, deliver, record, file, and/or publish:
(i) any
amendment to this Agreement that complies with the provisions of this Agreement
(including the provisions of Section 9.1 hereof);
(ii) any
amendment to the Certificate required because this Agreement is amended or as
otherwise required by the Delaware Act; and
(iii) all
other such instruments, documents, and certificates that, in the opinion of
legal counsel to the Fund, from time to time may be required by the laws of the
United States of America, the State of Delaware, or any other jurisdiction in
which the Fund shall determine to do business, or any political subdivision or
agency thereof, or that such legal counsel may deem necessary or appropriate to
effectuate, implement, and continue the valid existence and business of the Fund
as a limited liability company under the Delaware Act.
(b) Each
Member is aware that the terms of this Agreement permit certain amendments to
this Agreement to be effected and certain other actions to be taken or omitted
by or with respect to the Fund without such Member’s consent. If an
amendment to the Certificate or this Agreement or any action by or with respect
to the Fund is taken in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, each Member
agrees that, notwithstanding any objection that such Member may assert with
respect to such action, the attorneys-in-fact appointed hereby are authorized
and empowered, with full power of substitution, to exercise the authority
granted above in any manner which may be necessary or appropriate to permit such
amendment to be made or action lawfully taken or omitted. Each Member
is fully aware that each Member will rely on the effectiveness of this special
power-of-attorney with a view to the orderly administration of the affairs of
the Fund.
(c) This
power-of-attorney is a special power-of-attorney and is coupled with an interest
in favor of each Manager, acting severally, and any liquidator of the Fund’s
assets, appointed pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof, and as such:
(i) shall
be irrevocable and continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the
subsequent death or incapacity of any party granting this power-of-attorney,
regardless of whether the Fund, the Board, or any liquidator shall have had
notice thereof; and
(ii) shall
survive the delivery of a Transfer by a Member of the whole or any portion of
such Member’s Interest, except that where the transferee thereof has been
approved by the Board for admission to the Fund as a substituted Member, this
power-of-attorney given by the transferor shall survive the delivery of such
assignment for the sole purpose of enabling the Board or any liquidator to
execute, acknowledge, and file any instrument necessary to effect such
substitution.
31
9.3 NOTICES. Notices
that may be or are required to be provided under this Agreement shall be made,
if to a Member, by regular postal mail, hand delivery, registered or certified
mail return receipt requested, commercial courier service, telex, or telecopy,
electronic mail, the internet, computer interface, or any other electronic
method or device of document transfer or telegraphic or other written
communication, or, if to the Fund, by regular postal mail, hand delivery,
registered or certified mail return receipt requested, commercial courier
service, telex, or telecopy, electronic mail, the internet, computer interface,
or any other electronic method or device of document transfer or telegraphic or
other written communication, and shall be addressed to the respective parties
hereto at their addresses as set forth on the books and records of the Fund (or
to such other addresses as may be designated by any party hereto by notice
addressed to the Fund in the case of notice given to any Member, and to each of
the Members in the case of notice given to the Fund ). Notices shall
be deemed to have been provided when delivered by hand, on the date indicated as
the date of receipt on a return receipt or when received if sent by regular
mail, commercial courier service, telex, telecopy, telegraphic, electronic, or
other means of written communication. A document that is not a notice
and that is required to be provided under this Agreement by any party to another
party may be delivered by any reasonable means.
If any
notice addressed to a Member at the address of that Member appearing on the
books and records of the Fund is returned to the Fund marked to indicate that
such notice is unable to be delivered to the Member at that address, all future
notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further
mailing if such future notices or reports shall be kept available to the Member,
upon written demand of the Member, at the principal executive office of the Fund
for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice.
9.4 AGREEMENT BINDING UPON SUCCESSORS AND
ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, assigns,
executors, trustees, or other legal representatives, but the rights and
obligations of the parties hereunder may not be Transferred or delegated except
as provided in this Agreement and any attempted Transfer or delegation thereof
that is not made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be
void.
9.5 APPLICABILITY OF 1940 ACT AND FORM
N-2. The parties hereto acknowledge that this Agreement is not
intended to, and does not set forth the substantive provisions contained in the
1940 Act and the Form N-2 which affect numerous aspects of the conduct of the
Fund’s business and of the rights, privileges, and obligations of the
Members. Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to and
interpreted in a manner consistent with the applicable provisions of the 1940
Act and the Form N-2 subject to any exemptive relief obtained thereunder
relating to the Fund.
9.6 CHOICE
OF LAW; ARBITRATION.
(a) Notwithstanding
the place where this Agreement may be executed by any of the parties hereto, the
parties expressly agree that all the terms and provisions hereof shall be
construed under the laws of the State of Delaware, including the Delaware Act,
without regard to the conflict of law principles of the State of
Delaware.
32
(b) Unless
otherwise agreed in writing, each Member agrees to submit all controversies
arising between or among Members or one or more Members and the Fund in
connection with the Fund or its businesses or concerning any transaction,
dispute, or the construction, performance, or breach of this or any other
agreement, whether entered into prior to, on, or subsequent to the date hereof,
to arbitration in accordance with the provisions set forth
below. Each Member understands that:
(i) arbitration
is final and binding on the parties;
(ii) the
parties are waiving their rights to seek remedies in court, including the right
to jury trial;
(iii) pre-arbitration
discovery is generally more limited than and different from court
proceedings;
(iv) the
arbitrator’s award is not required to include factual findings or legal
reasoning and a party’s right to appeal or to seek modification of rulings by
arbitrators is strictly limited; and
(v) a
panel of arbitrators will typically include a minority of arbitrators who were
or are affiliated with the securities industry.
(c) All
controversies that may arise among Members and one or more Members and the Fund
concerning this Agreement shall be determined by arbitration in New York City in
accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act, to the fullest extent permitted by
law. Any arbitration under this Agreement shall be determined before
and in accordance with the rules then obtaining of the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) as the Member or entity instituting the
arbitration may elect. If FINRA does not accept the arbitration for
consideration, the arbitration shall be submitted to, and determined in
accordance with the rules then obtaining of, the Center for Public Resources,
Inc. in New York City. Judgment on any award of any such arbitration
may be entered in the Supreme Court of the State of New York or in any other
court having jurisdiction of the person or persons against whom such award is
rendered. Any notice of such arbitration or for the confirmation of
any award in any arbitration shall be sufficient if given in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement. Each Member agrees that the
determination of the arbitrators shall be binding and conclusive upon the
Member.
(d) No
Member shall bring a putative or certified class action to arbitration, nor seek
to enforce any pre-dispute arbitration agreement against any person who has
initiated in court a putative class action or who is a Member of a putative
class who has not opted out of the class with respect to any claims encompassed
by the putative class action unless and until: (i) the class certification is
denied; (ii) the class is decertified; or (iii) the Member is excluded from the
class by the court. The forbearance to enforce an agreement to
arbitrate shall not constitute a waiver of any rights under this Agreement
except to the extent stated herein.
9.7 NOT FOR BENEFIT OF
CREDITORS. The provisions of this Agreement are intended only
for the regulation of relations among past, present, and future Members,
Managers, and the Fund. This Agreement is not intended for the
benefit of non-Member creditors and no rights are granted to non-Member
creditors under this Agreement.
33
9.8 CONSENTS. Any and
all consents, agreements, or approvals provided for or permitted by this
Agreement shall be in writing and a signed copy thereof shall be filed and kept
with the books of the Fund.
9.9 MERGER
AND CONSOLIDATION.
(a) The
Fund may merge or consolidate with or into one or more limited liability
companies formed under the Delaware Act or other business entities (as defined
in Section 18-209(a) of the Delaware Act) pursuant to an agreement of merger or
consolidation which has been approved in the manner contemplated by Section
18-209(b) of the Delaware Act.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement, an agreement of
merger or consolidation approved in accordance with Section 18-209(b) of the
Delaware Act may, to the extent permitted by Section 18-209(b) of the Delaware
Act: (i) effect any amendment to this Agreement; (ii) effect the adoption of a
new limited liability company operating agreement for the Fund if it is the
surviving or resulting limited liability company in the merger or consolidation;
or (iii) provide that the limited liability company operating agreement of any
other constituent limited liability company to the merger or consolidation
(including a limited liability company formed for the purpose of consummating
the merger or consolidation) shall be the limited liability company operating
agreement of the surviving or resulting limited liability company.
9.10 MASTER-FEEDER
STRUCTURE. The Fund may, at the discretion of the Board, as
may be permitted by the 1940 Act, and upon the resolution of a majority of the
then Managers, operate as a master-feeder structure or change an existing
master-feeder structure, in which the feeder fund invests all of its assets into
a master fund, rather than making investments in securities
directly. Existing or created Series of the Fund may either become
feeders into a master fund, or themselves become master funds into which other
funds may be feeders.
9.11 PRONOUNS. All
pronouns shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular,
or plural, as the identity of the person or persons, firm, or corporation may
require in the context thereof.
9.12 CONFIDENTIALITY.
(a) A
Member may obtain from the Fund, for any purpose reasonably related to the
Member’s Interest, certain confidential information regarding the business
affairs or assets of the Fund as is just and reasonable under the Delaware Act,
subject to reasonable standards (including standards governing what information
and documents are to be furnished, at what time and location, and at whose
expense) established by the Board (the “Confidential Information”).
(b) Each
Member covenants that, except as required by applicable law or any regulatory
body, it will not divulge, furnish, or make accessible to any other person the
name or address (whether business, residence, or mailing) of any Member or any
other Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Board,
which consent may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion.
34
(c) Each
Member recognizes that in the event that this Section 9.12 is breached by any
Member or any of its principals, partners, Members, trustees, officers,
directors, employees, or agents or any of its affiliates, including any of such
affiliates’ principals, partners, members, trustees, officers, directors,
employees, or agents, irreparable injury may result to the non-breaching Members
and the Fund. Accordingly, in addition to any and all other remedies
at law or in equity to which the non-breaching Members and the Fund may be
entitled, such Members also shall have the right to obtain equitable relief,
including, without limitation, injunctive relief, to prevent any disclosure of
Confidential Information, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees and other litigation
expenses incurred in connection therewith. In the event that any
non-breaching Member or the Fund determines that any of the other Members or any
of its principals, partners, Members, trustees, officers, directors, employees,
or agents or any of its affiliates, including any of such affiliates’
principals, partners, Members, directors, officers, employees, or agents should
be enjoined from or required to take any action to prevent the disclosure of
Confidential Information, each of the other non-breaching Members agrees to
pursue in a court of appropriate jurisdiction such injunctive
relief.
(d) The
Fund shall have the right to keep confidential from the Members for such period
of time as it deems reasonable any information that the Board reasonably
believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information the
disclosure of which the Board in good faith believes is not in the best interest
of the Fund or could damage the Fund or its business or that the Fund is
required by law or by agreement with a third party to keep
confidential.
9.13 CERTIFICATION OF NON-FOREIGN
STATUS. Each Member or transferee of an Interest from a Member
that is admitted to the Fund in accordance with this Agreement shall certify,
upon admission to the Fund and at such other time thereafter as the Board may
request, whether he or she is a “United States Person” within the meaning of
Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code on forms to be provided by the Fund, and shall
notify the Fund within 30 days of any change in such Member’s
status. Any Member who shall fail to provide such certification when
requested to do so by the Board may be treated as a non-United States Person for
purposes of U. S. federal tax withholding.
9.14 SEVERABILITY. If any provision
of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction not to be
enforceable in the manner set forth in this Agreement, each Member agrees that
it is the intention of the Members that such provision should be enforceable to
the maximum extent possible under applicable law. If any provisions
of this Agreement are held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidation or
unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof).
9.15 ENTIRE
AGREEMENT. This Agreement (including the Schedule attached
hereto which is incorporated herein) constitutes the entire agreement among the
parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.
9.16 DISCRETION. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, whenever in this Agreement, a person is permitted or
required to make a decision: (i) in its “sole discretion” or “discretion” or
under a grant of similar authority or latitude, such person shall be entitled to
consider only such interests and factors as it desires, including its own
interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any
interest of or factors affecting the Fund or the Members; or (ii) in its “good
faith” or under another express standard, then such person shall act under such
express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standards
imposed by this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein or by
relevant provisions of law or in equity or otherwise.
35
9.17 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement
may be executed in several counterparts, all of which together shall constitute
one agreement binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all the
parties have not signed the same counterpart.
THE
UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ THIS AGREEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE
SIGNING, INCLUDING THE PRE-DISPUTE ARBITRATION CLAUSES SET FORTH IN SECTION 9.6
AND THE CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSES SET FORTH IN SECTION 9.12.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the day and year
first above written.
ROCHDALE
STRUCTURED CLAIMS FIXED INCOME FUND, LLC
__________________________________
Name: Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Title: Manager
|
ADDITIONAL
MEMBERS:
Each
person who has signed or has had signed on its behalf a Member Signature Page,
which shall constitute a counterpart hereof.
36
SCHEDULE
I
The
undersigned understand and agree to the provisions of this Agreement pertaining
to the obligations of Managers.
Signed:
____________________________
|
||
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
|
Date:
November 24, 2009
|
|
Signed:
____________________________
|
||
Maxime
C. Baretge
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
|
Date:
November 24, 2009
|
|
Signed:
____________________________
|
||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
|
Date:
November 24, 2009
|
|
Signed:
____________________________
|
||
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
|
Date:
November 24, 2009
|
37