Exhibit 1.1
[_______________] SHARES
American Finance Group, Inc.
Common Stock
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
dated [________], 1998
Table of Contents
Section 1. Representations And Warranties....................................... 2
A. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND SELLING SHAREHOLDER 2
Compliance With Registration Requirements............................ 2
Offering Materials Furnished To Underwriters......................... 3
Distribution Of Offering Material By The Company..................... 3
The Underwriting Agreement........................................... 3
Authorization Of The Common Shares................................... 3
No Applicable Registration Or Other Similar Rights................... 3
No Material Adverse Change........................................... 3
Independent Accountants.............................................. 4
Preparation Of The Financial Statements.............................. 4
Incorporation And Good Standing Of The Company....................... 4
Capitalization And Other Capital Stock Matters....................... 4
Stock Exchange Listing............................................... 5
Non-Contravention Of Existing Instruments; No Further
Authorizations Or Approvals Required.................................. 5
No Material Actions Or Proceedings................................... 5
Intellectual Property Rights......................................... 5
All Necessary Permits, Etc........................................... 6
Title To Properties.................................................. 6
Tax Law Compliance................................................... 6
Company Not An Investment Company.................................... 6
Insurance............................................................ 6
No Price Stabilization Or Manipulation............................... 6
Related Party Transactions........................................... 7
No Unlawful Contributions Or Other Payments.......................... 7
Company's Accounting System.......................................... 7
Compliance With Environmental Laws................................... 7
Periodic Review Of Costs Of Environmental Compliance................. 8
ERISA Compliance..................................................... 8
B. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER............ 8
The Underwriting Agreement........................................... 8
The Custody Agreement And Power Of Attorney.......................... 9
Title To Common Shares To Be Sold; All Authorizations Obtained....... 9
Delivery Of The Common Shares To Be Sold............................. 9
Non-Contravention; No Further Authorizations Or
Approvals Required................................................... 9
No Registration Or Other Similar Rights.............................. 9
No Further Consents, Etc............................................. 10
Disclosure Made By The Selling Shareholder In The Prospectus......... 10
No Price Stabilization Or Manipulation............................... 10
Confirmation Of Company Representations And Warranties............... 10
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SECTION 2. PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF COMMON SHARES...................................... 10
The Firm Common Shares............................................................ 10
The First Closing Date............................................................ 11
The Optional Common Shares; The Second Closing Date............................... 11
Public Offering Of The Common Shares.............................................. 12
Payment For The Common Shares..................................................... 12
Delivery Of The Common Shares..................................................... 12
Delivery Of Prospectus To The Underwriters........................................ 13
SECTION 3. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS.............................................................. 13
A. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.......................................................... 13
Representatives' Review Of Proposed Amendments And
Supplements....................................................................... 13
Securities Act Compliance......................................................... 13
Amendments And Supplements To The Prospectus And Other
Securities Act Matters............................................................ 13
Copies Of Any Amendments And Supplements To The Prospectus........................ 14
Blue Sky Compliance............................................................... 14
Use Of Proceeds................................................................... 14
Transfer Agent.................................................................... 14
Earnings Statement................................................................ 14
Periodic Reporting Obligations.................................................... 14
Agreement Not To Offer Or Sell Additional Securities.............................. 15
Future Reports To The Representatives............................................. 15
B. COVENANTS OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER.............................................. 15
Agreement Not To Offer Or Sell Additional Securities.............................. 15
Delivery Of Forms W-8 And W-9..................................................... 15
SECTION 4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES............................................................... 16
Section 5. CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS................................. 16
Accountants' Comfort Letter....................................................... 17
Compliance With Registration Requirements; No Stop Order,
No Objection From NASD............................................................ 17
No Material Adverse Change Or Ratings Agency Change............................... 18
Opinion Of Counsel For The Company................................................ 18
Opinion Of Counsel For The Underwriters........................................... 18
Officers' Certificate............................................................. 18
Bring-Down Comfort Letter......................................................... 18
Opinion Of Counsel For The Selling Shareholder.................................... 18
Selling Shareholder's Certificate................................................. 19
Selling Shareholder's Documents................................................... 19
Lock-Up Agreement From Certain Shareholders Of The Company........................ 19
Additional Documents.............................................................. 19
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SECTION 6. REIMBURSEMENT OF UNDERWRITERS' EXPENSES............................................ 19
Section 7. EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT.................................................... 20
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION.................................................................... 20
Indemnification Of The Underwriters................................................ 20
Indemnification Of The Company, Its Directors And Officers......................... 21
Notifications And Other Indemnification Procedures................................. 22
Settlements........................................................................ 22
SECTION 9. CONTRIBUTION....................................................................... 23
SECTION 10. DEFAULT OF ONE OR MORE OF THE SEVERAL UNDERWRITERS................................. 24
SECTION 11. TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT...................................................... 25
SECTION 12. REPRESENTATIONS AND INDEMNITIES TO SURVIVE DELIVERY................................ 25
SECTION 13. NOTICES............................................................................ 25
SECTION 14. SUCCESSORS......................................................................... 26
SECTION 15. PARTIAL UNENFORCEABILITY........................................................... 26
SECTION 16. GOVERNING LAW PROVISIONS........................................................... 26
SECTION 17. FAILURE OF ONE OR MORE OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER TO SELL AND DELIVER COMMON SHARES 27
Section 18. GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................................. 28
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Underwriting Agreement
[______], 1998
XXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXXX, INCORPORATED
XXXXXX XXXX LLC
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/x XXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXXX, INCORPORATED
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
INTRODUCTORY. American Finance Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in
Schedule A attached hereto (the "Underwriters") an aggregate of [___] shares of
----------
its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"); and PLM
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Selling Shareholder") proposes
to sell to the Underwriters an aggregate of [___] shares of Common Stock. The
[___] shares of Common Stock to be sold by the Company and the [___] shares of
Common Stock to be sold by the Selling Shareholder are collectively called the
"Firm Common Shares". In addition, the Company has granted to the Underwriters
an option to purchase up to an additional [___] shares (the "Optional Common
Shares") of Common Stock, as provided in Section 2. The Firm Common Shares and,
if and to the extent such option is exercised, the Optional Common Shares are
collectively called the "Common Shares". Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated
and Xxxxxx Xxxx LLC have agreed to act as representatives of the several
Underwriters (in such capacity, the "Representatives") in connection with the
offering and sale of the Common Shares.
The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No.
333-[___]), which contains a form of prospectus to be used in connection with
the public offering and sale of the Common Shares. Such registration statement,
as amended, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto,
in the form in which it was declared effective by the Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
(collectively, the "Securities Act"), including any information deemed to be a
part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 434
under the Securities Act, is called the "Registration Statement". Any
registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act is called the "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement", and from and
after the date and time of filing of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement the
term "Registration Statement" shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement. Such prospectus, in the
form first used by the Underwriters to confirm sales of the Common Shares, is
called the "Prospectus"; provided, however, if the Company has, with the consent
of Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated, elected to rely upon Rule 434 under the
Securities Act, the term "Prospectus" shall mean the Company's prospectus
subject to completion (each, a "preliminary prospectus") dated [___________],
1998 (such preliminary prospectus is called the "Rule 434 preliminary
prospectus"), together with the applicable term sheet (the "Term Sheet")
prepared and filed by the Company with the Commission under Rules 434 and 424(b)
under the Securities Act and all references in this Agreement to the date of the
Prospectus shall mean the date of the Term Sheet. All references in this
Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,
a preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the Term Sheet, or any amendments or
supplements to any of the foregoing, shall include any copy thereof filed with
the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval
System ("XXXXX").
The Company and the Selling Shareholder hereby confirm their respective
agreements with the Underwriters as follows:
SECTION 1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
A. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING
SHAREHOLDER. The Company and the Selling Shareholder, jointly and severally,
hereby represent, warrant and covenant to each Underwriter as follows:
(a) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Registration
Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement have been declared
effective by the Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has
complied to the Commission's satisfaction with all requests of the Commission
for additional or supplemental information. No stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been
instituted or are pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, are
contemplated or threatened by the Commission.
Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus when filed complied in all
material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed by electronic
transmission pursuant to XXXXX (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T
under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy thereof delivered to the
Underwriters for use in connection with the offer and sale of the Common
Shares. Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became
effective and at all subsequent times, complied and will comply in all
material respects with the Securities Act and did not and will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading. The Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date and at
all subsequent times, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the
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circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations
and warranties set forth in the two immediately preceding sentences do not
apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, any Rule
462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the
Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to
the Company in writing by the Representatives expressly for use therein. There
are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Prospectus
or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been
described or filed as required.
(b) Offering Materials Furnished to Underwriters. The Company has
delivered to each Representative one complete manually signed copy of the
Registration Statement and of each consent and certificate of experts filed as
a part thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without
exhibits) and preliminary prospectuses and the Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, in such quantities and at such places as each Representative has
reasonably requested for each of the Underwriters.
(c) Distribution of Offering Material By the Company and Selling
Shareholder. Neither the Company nor the Selling Shareholder has distributed
and neither will distribute, prior to the later of the Second Closing Date (as
defined below) and the completion of the Underwriters' distribution of the
Common Shares, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale
of the Common Shares other than a preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or
the Registration Statement.
(d) The Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement
of, the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as rights to
indemnification hereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as the
enforcement hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.
(e) Authorization of the Common Shares. The Common Shares to be
purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for
issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
(f) No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Rights. There are no
persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt
securities registered for sale under the Registration Statement or included in
the offering contemplated by this Agreement, except for such rights as have
been duly waived.
(g) No Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in the
Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is
given in the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material adverse change, or
any development that
3
could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the
condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business, operations or
prospects, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of
business, of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity (any
such change is called a "Material Adverse Change"); (ii) neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any material liability or obligation,
indirect, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business nor
entered into any material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course
of business; and (iii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind
declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock or
repurchase or redemption by the Company of any class of capital stock.
(h) Independent Accountants. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, who have expressed
their opinion with respect to the financial statements (which term as used in
this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) and supporting schedules
filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included
in the Prospectus, are independent public or certified public accountants as
required by the Securities Act
(i) Preparation of the Financial Statements. The financial statements
filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included
in the Prospectus present fairly the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its subsidiaries as of and at the dates indicated and the results
of its operations and cash flows for the periods specified. The supporting
schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the
information required to be stated therein. Such financial statements and
supporting schedules have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles as applied in the United States applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods involved, except as may be expressly stated in
the related notes thereto. No other financial statements or supporting
schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement. The
financial data set forth in the Prospectus under the captions "Prospectus
Summary--Summary Consolidated Financial and Operating Data", "Selected
Consolidated Financial and Operating Data" and "Description of Capital Stock"
fairly present the information set forth therein on a basis consistent with
that of the audited financial statements contained in the Registration
Statement.
(j) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company. The Company does
not own, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity
other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration
Statement. The Company owns all of the outstanding capital stock of its
subsidiaries free and clear of all claims, liens, charges and encumbrances.
The Company and each of its subsidiaries have been duly incorporated and are
validly existing as corporations in good standing under the laws of their
respective jurisdictions of incorporation and have corporate power and
authority to own, lease and operate their respective properties and to conduct
their respective businesses as described in the Prospectus and to enter into
and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Company and each of its
subsidiaries are duly qualified as foreign corporations to transact business
and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is
required, whether by
4
reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business,
except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify or to be in good
standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material
Adverse Change.
(k) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters. The authorized,
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock" (other than for
subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans described in
the Prospectus or upon exercise of outstanding options or warrants described
in the Prospectus). The Common Stock (including the Common Shares) conforms
in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the
Prospectus. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock
(including the shares of Common Stock owned by the Selling Shareholder) have
been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and
have been issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws. None
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock were issued in violation of any
preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to
subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company. There are no authorized
or outstanding options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal
or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company other than
those accurately described in the Prospectus. The description of the
Company's stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and
the options or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus
accurately and fairly presents the information required to be shown with
respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.
(l) Stock Exchange Listing. The Common Shares have been approved for
listing on the Nasdaq National Market, subject only to official notice of
issuance.
(m) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further Authorizations
or Approvals Required. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries are in
violation of their respective charter or by-laws or are in default (or, with
the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in default) (a "Default")
under any indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, contract,
franchise, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries are a party or by which any of them may be bound (including,
without limitation, the Company's warehouse credit facility with
), or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is subject (each, an "Existing Instrument"), except for such
Defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material
Adverse Change. The Company's execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Prospectus (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and
will not result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws
of the Company, (ii) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or
Default or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or
result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon
any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to,
or require the consent of any other party to, any Existing Instrument, except
for such conflicts, breaches, Defaults, liens, charges or encumbrances as
would not,
5
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change and
(iii) will not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation
or administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or
registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or regulatory
authority or agency, is required for the Company's execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and by the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained
or made by the Company and are in full force and effect under the Securities
Act, applicable state securities or blue sky laws and from the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"). As used herein, a "Debt
Repayment Triggering Event" means any event or condition which gives, or with
the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of any note,
debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such
holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment
of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
(n) No Material Actions or Proceedings. There are no legal or
governmental actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best of the
knowledge of the Company or the Selling Shareholder (as the case may be),
threatened (i) against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
(ii) which has as the subject thereof any officer or director of, or property
owned or leased by, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) relating
to environmental or discrimination matters, where in any such case (A) there
is a reasonable possibility that such action, suit or proceeding might be
determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (B) any
such action, suit or proceeding, if so determined adversely, would reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or adversely affect the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No material
labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
exists or, to the best of the knowledge of the Company or the Selling
Shareholder (as the case may be), is threatened or imminent.
(o) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and each of its
subsidiaries own or possess sufficient trademarks, trade names, patent rights,
copyrights, licenses, approvals, trade secrets and other similar rights
(collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights") reasonably necessary to conduct
their respective businesses as now conducted; and the expected expiration of
any of such Intellectual Property Rights would not result in a Material
Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have received
any notice of infringement or conflict with asserted Intellectual Property
Rights of others, which infringement or conflict, if the subject of an
unfavorable decision, would result in a Material Adverse Change.
(p) All Necessary Permits, etc. The Company and each of its
subsidiaries possess such valid and current certificates, authorizations or
permits issued by the appropriate state, federal or foreign regulatory
agencies or bodies necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have received any notice of
proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or non-compliance
with, any such certificate, authorization or permit
6
which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision,
ruling or finding, could result in a Material Adverse Change.
(q) Title to Properties. The Company has good and marketable title to
all the properties and assets reflected as owned in the financial statements
referred to in Section 1(A) (i) above (or elsewhere in the Prospectus), in
each case free and clear of any security interests, mortgages, liens,
encumbrances, equities, claims and other defects, except such as do not
materially and adversely affect the value of such property and do not
materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property
by the Company or its subsidiaries. The real property, improvements, equipment
and personal property held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are
held under valid and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not
material and do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be
made of such real property, improvements, equipment or personal property by
the Company or its subsidiaries.
(r) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all
necessary federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns and have
paid all taxes required to be paid by each of them and, if due and payable,
any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them.
The Company and its subsidiaries have made adequate charges, accruals and
reserves in the applicable financial statements referred to in Section 1 (A)
(i) above in respect of all federal, state and foreign income and franchise
taxes for all periods as to which the tax liability of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries has not been finally determined.
(s) Company Not an "Investment Company". The Company has been advised
of the rules and requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "Investment Company Act"). The Company is not, and after receipt
of payment for the Common Shares will not be, an "investment company" within
the meaning of Investment Company Act and will conduct its business in a
manner so that it will not become subject to the Investment Company Act.
(t) Insurance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by
recognized, financially sound and reputable institutions with policies in such
amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are generally
deemed adequate and customary for their respective businesses including, but
not limited to, policies covering real and personal property owned or leased
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries against theft, damage, destruction,
acts of vandalism and earthquakes. The Company has no reason to believe that
it will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when
such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar
institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now
conducted and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Change.
The Company has not been denied any insurance coverage which it has sought or
for which it has applied.
(u) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. Neither the Company nor the
Selling Shareholder have taken and neither will take, directly or indirectly,
any action
7
designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in
stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to
facilitate the sale or resale of the Common Shares.
(v) Related Party Transactions. There are no business relationships or
related-party transactions involving the Company or any other person required
to be described in the Prospectus which have not been described as required.
(w) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the best of the knowledge of the Company
or the Selling Shareholder (as the case may be), any employee or agent of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, has made any contribution or other payment
to any official of, or candidate for, any federal, state or foreign office in
violation of any law or of the character required to be disclosed in the
Prospectus.
(x) Company's Accounting System. The Company and each of its
subsidiaries maintain systems of accounting controls sufficient to provide
reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with
management's general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the
United States and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared
with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken
with respect to any differences.
(y) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change (i)
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries are not in violation of any
federal, state, local or foreign law or regulation relating to pollution or
protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation,
ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or
wildlife, including without limitation, laws and regulations relating to
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals,
pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances,
petroleum and petroleum products (collectively, "Materials of Environmental
Concern"), or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of
Environment Concern (collectively, "Environmental Laws"), which violation
includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with any permits or other
governmental authorizations required for the operation of the respective
businesses of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under applicable
Environmental Laws, or noncompliance with the terms and conditions thereof,
nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries received any written
communication, whether from a governmental authority, citizens group, employee
or otherwise, that alleges that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is in
violation of any Environmental Law; (ii) there is no claim, action or cause of
action filed with a court or governmental authority, no investigation with
respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has received written
notice, and no written
8
notice by any person or entity alleging potential liability for investigatory
costs, cleanup costs, governmental responses costs, natural resources damages,
property damages, personal injuries, attorneys' fees or penalties arising out
of, based on or resulting from the presence, or release into the environment,
of any Material of Environmental Concern at any location owned, leased or
operated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, now or in the past
(collectively, "Environmental Claims"), pending or, to the best of the
knowledge of the Company or the Selling Shareholder (as the case may be),
threatened against the Company or any person or entity whose liability for any
Environmental Claim the Company or any of its subsidiaries have retained or
assumed either contractually or by operation of law; and (iii) to the best of
the knowledge of the Company or the Selling Shareholder (as the case may be),
there are no past or present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions,
events or incidents, including, without limitation, the release, emission,
discharge, presence or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern, that
reasonably could result in a violation of any Environmental Law or form the
basis of a potential Environmental Claim against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or against any person or entity whose liability for any
Environmental Claim the Company or any of its subsidiaries has retained or
assumed either contractually or by operation of law.
(z) Periodic Review of Costs of Environmental Compliance. In the
ordinary course of its business, the Company conducts a periodic review of the
effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the
Company and its subsidiaries, in the course of which it identifies and
evaluates associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any
capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties
or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any
related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to
third parties). On the basis of such review and the amount of its established
reserves, the Company has reasonably concluded that such associated costs and
liabilities would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material
Adverse Change.
(aa) ERISA Compliance. The Company and its subsidiaries and any
"employee benefit plan" (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder (collectively, "ERISA")) established or maintained
by the Company or its subsidiaries, or their respective "ERISA Affiliates" (as
defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. "ERISA
Affiliate" means, with respect to the Company, any member of any group of
organizations described in Sections 414(b),(c),(m) or (o) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder (the "Code") of which the Company or such
subsidiary is a member. No "reportable event" (as defined under ERISA) has
occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any "employee
benefit plan" established or maintained by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates. No "employee
benefit plan" established or maintained by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, if such "employee
benefit plan" were terminated, would have any "amount of unfunded benefit
liabilities" (as defined under ERISA). Neither
9
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates have incurred or reasonably expect to incur any liability under (i)
Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any
"employee benefit plan" or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code.
Each "employee benefit plan" established or maintained by the Company or any
of its subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates that is
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and
nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause
the loss of such qualification.
(bb) Year 2000 Compliance. All computer hardware and software and
related materials currently used by the Company or its subsidiaries, whether
owned by the Company, the Selling Shareholder or others, are Year 2000
compliant. Neither the failure by the Company, its subsidiaries or the
vendors of the Company or its subsidiaries to address the Year 2000 issue, nor
the impact of any such failure, nor any costs required to address the Year
2000 issue, will result in a Material Adverse Change.
Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to
the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters
set forth therein.
B. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER. The Selling
Shareholder represents, warrants and covenants to each Underwriter as follows:
(a) The Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Selling Shareholder
and is a valid and binding agreement of the Selling Shareholder, enforceable
in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnification hereunder
may be limited by applicable law and except as the enforcement hereof may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by
general equitable principles.
(b) The Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney. Each of the (i)
Custody Agreement signed by the Selling Shareholder and ________, as custodian
(the "Custodian"), relating to the deposit of the Common Shares to be sold by
the Selling Shareholder (the "Custody "Agreement") and (ii) Power of Attorney
appointing certain individuals named therein as the Selling Shareholder's
attorneys-in-fact (each, an "Attorney-in-Fact") to the extent set forth
therein relating to the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Prospectus
(the "Power of Attorney"), of the Selling Shareholder has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Selling Shareholder and is a valid
and binding agreement of the Selling Shareholder, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, except as rights to indemnification thereunder may be limited
by applicable law and except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general
equitable principles.
10
(c) Title to Common Shares to be Sold; All Authorizations Obtained. The
Selling Shareholder has, and on the First Closing Date and the Second Closing
Date (as defined below) will have, good and valid title to all of the Common
Shares which may be sold by the Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement
on such date and the legal right and power, and all authorizations and
approvals required by law and under its charter or by-laws, partnership
agreement, trust agreement or other organizational documents to enter into
this Agreement and its Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney, to sell,
transfer and deliver all of the Common Shares which may be sold by the Selling
Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement and to comply with its other
obligations hereunder and thereunder.
(d) Delivery of the Common Shares to be Sold. Delivery of the Common
Shares which are sold by the Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement
will pass good and valid title to such Common Shares, free and clear of any
security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or other claim.
(e) Non-Contravention; No Further Authorizations or Approvals Required.
The execution and delivery by the Selling Shareholder of, and the performance
by the Selling Shareholder of its obligations under, this Agreement, the
Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney will not contravene or conflict
with, result in a breach of, or constitute a Default under, or require the
consent of any other party to, the charter or by-laws, partnership agreement,
trust agreement or other organizational documents of the Selling Shareholder
or any other agreement or instrument to which the Selling Shareholder is a
party or by which it is bound or under which it is entitled to any right or
benefit, any provision of applicable law or any judgment, order, decree or
regulation applicable to the Selling Shareholder of any court, regulatory
body, administrative agency, governmental body or arbitrator having
jurisdiction over the Selling Shareholder. No consent, approval,
authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or
other governmental authority or agency, is required for the consummation by
the Selling Shareholder of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement,
except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect
under the Securities Act, applicable state securities or blue sky laws and
from the NASD.
(f) No Registration or Other Similar Rights. The Selling Shareholder
does not have any registration or other similar rights to have any equity or
debt securities registered for sale by the Company under the Registration
Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement, except
for such rights as are described in the Prospectus under "Shares Eligible for
Future Sale".
(g) No Further Consents, etc. No consent, approval or waiver is
required under any instrument or agreement to which the Selling Shareholder is
a party or by which it is bound or under which it is entitled to any right or
benefit, in connection with the offering, sale or purchase by the Underwriters
of any of the Common Shares which may be sold by the Selling Shareholder under
this Agreement or the consummation by the Selling Shareholder of any of the
other transactions contemplated hereby.
11
(h) Disclosure Made by Selling Shareholder in the Prospectus. All
information furnished by or on behalf of the Selling Shareholder in writing
expressly for use in the Registration Statement and Prospectus is, and on the
First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date will be, true, correct, and
complete in all material respects, and does not, and on the First Closing Date
and the Second Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make such
information not misleading. The Selling Shareholder confirms as accurate the
number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite the Selling Shareholder's
name in the Prospectus under the caption "Principal and Selling Shareholder"
(both prior to and after giving effect to the sale of the Common Shares).
(i) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. The Selling Shareholder has
not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or
that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or
manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the
sale or resale of the Common Shares.
Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Selling Shareholder and
delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be
deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Selling Shareholder to each
Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.
SECTION 2. PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE COMMON SHARES.
(a) The Firm Common Shares. Upon the terms herein set forth, (i) the
Company agrees to issue and sell to the several Underwriters an aggregate of
[___] Firm Common Shares and (ii) the Selling Shareholder agrees to sell to
the several Underwriters an aggregate of [___] Firm Common Shares. On the
basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and
upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the
Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company
and the Selling Shareholder the respective number of Firm Common Shares set
forth opposite their names on Schedule A. The purchase price per Firm Common
----------
Share to be paid by the several Underwriters to the Company and the Selling
Shareholder shall be $[___] per share.
(b) The First Closing Date. Delivery of certificates for the Firm
Common Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and payment therefor shall
be made at the offices of Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated, 0000
Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000 (or such other place as may
be agreed to by the Company and the Representatives) at 9:00 a.m. Washington
D.C. time, on [_____], 1998, or such other time and date not later than 10:30
a.m. Washington D.C. time, on [_____], 1998, as the Representatives shall
designate by notice to the Company (the time and date of such closing are
called the "First Closing Date"). The Company and the Selling Shareholder
hereby acknowledge that circumstances under which the Representatives may
provide notice to postpone the First Closing Date as originally
12
scheduled include, but are in no way limited to, any determination by the
Company, the Selling Shareholder or the Representatives to recirculate to the
public copies of an amended or supplemented Prospectus or a delay as
contemplated by the provisions of Section 11.
(c) The Optional Common Shares; the Second Closing Date. In addition,
on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein
contained, and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth,
the Company hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase,
severally and not jointly, up to an aggregate of [___] Optional Common Shares
from the Company at the purchase price per share to be paid by the
Underwriters for the Firm Common Shares. The option granted hereunder is for
use by the Underwriters solely in covering any over-allotments in connection
with the sale and distribution of the Firm Common Shares. The option granted
hereunder may be exercised at any time (but not more than once) upon notice by
the Representatives to the Company, which notice may be given at any time
within 30 days from the date of this Agreement. Such notice shall set forth
(i) the aggregate number of Optional Common Shares as to which the
Underwriters are exercising the option, (ii) the names and denominations in
which the certificates for the Optional Common Shares are to be registered and
(iii) the time, date and place at which such certificates will be delivered
(which time and date may be simultaneous with, but not earlier than, the First
Closing Date; and in such case the term "First Closing Date" shall refer to
the time and date of delivery of certificates for the Firm Common Shares and
the Optional Common Shares). Such time and date of delivery, if subsequent to
the First Closing Date, is called the "Second Closing Date" and shall be
determined by the Representatives and shall not be earlier than three nor
later than five full business days after delivery of such notice of exercise.
If any Optional Common Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Optional Common Shares
(subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the
Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total
number of Optional Common Shares to be purchased as the number of Firm Common
Shares set forth on Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to
----------
the total number of Firm Common Shares. The Representatives may cancel the
option at any time prior to its expiration by giving written notice of such
cancellation to the Company.
(d) Public Offering of the Common Shares. The Representatives hereby
advise the Company and the Selling Shareholder that the Underwriters intend to
offer for sale to the public, as described in the Prospectus, their respective
portions of the Common Shares as soon after this Agreement has been executed
and the Registration Statement has been declared effective as the
Representatives, in their sole judgment, have determined is advisable and
practicable.
(e) Payment for the Common Shares. Payment for the Common Shares to be
sold by the Company shall be made at the First Closing Date (and, if
applicable, at the Second Closing Date) by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the order of the Company. Payment for the Common Shares to
be sold by the Selling Shareholder
13
shall be made at the First Closing Date (and, if applicable, at the Second
Closing Date) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order of
the Custodian.
It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for
their own accounts and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept
delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the
Firm Common Shares and any Optional Common Shares the Underwriters have agreed
to purchase. Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated, individually and not as
the Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to)
make payment for any Common Shares to be purchased by any Underwriter whose
funds shall not have been received by the Representative by the First Closing
Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, for the account of such
Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any
of its obligations under this Agreement.
The Selling Shareholder hereby agrees that (i) it will pay all stock
transfer taxes, stamp duties and other similar taxes, if any, payable upon the
sale or delivery of the Common Shares to be sold by the Selling Shareholder to
the several Underwriters, or otherwise in connection with the performance of
the Selling Shareholder's obligations hereunder and (ii) the Custodian is
authorized to deduct for such payment any such amounts from the proceeds to
the Selling Shareholder hereunder and to hold such amounts for the account of
the Selling Shareholder with the Custodian under the Custody Agreement.
(f) Delivery of the Common Shares. The Company and the Selling
Shareholder shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Representatives
for the accounts of the several Underwriters certificates for the Firm Common
Shares to be sold by them at the First Closing Date, against the irrevocable
release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of
the purchase price therefor. The Company shall also deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Representatives for the accounts of the several
Underwriters, certificates for the Optional Common Shares the Underwriters
have agreed to purchase at the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date,
as the case may be, against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of
immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor.
The certificates for the Common Shares shall be in definitive form and
registered in such names and denominations as the Representatives shall have
requested at least two full business days prior to the First Closing Date (or
the Second Closing Date, as the case may be) and shall be made available for
inspection on the business day preceding the First Closing Date (or the Second
Closing Date, as the case may be) at a location in New York City as the
Representative may designate. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at
the time and place specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the
obligations of the Underwriters.
(g) Delivery of Prospectus to the Underwriters. Not later than 12:00
p.m. on the second business day following the date the Common Shares are
released by the Underwriters for sale to the public, the Company shall deliver
or cause to be delivered copies of the Prospectus in such quantities and at
such places as the Representatives shall request.
14
SECTION 3. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS.
A. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company further covenants and
agrees with each Underwriter as follows:
(a) Representative's Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements.
During such period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of the
First Closing Date or such date, as in the opinion of counsel for the
Underwriters, the Prospectus is no longer required by law to be delivered in
connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer (the "Prospectus Delivery
Period"), prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement
(including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act) or the Prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the
Representatives for review a copy of each such proposed amendment or
supplement, and the Company shall not file any such proposed amendment or
supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object.
(b) Securities Act Compliance. After the date of this Agreement, the
Company shall promptly advise the Representatives in writing (i) of the
receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental
information from, the Commission, (ii) of the time and date of any filing of
any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or
supplement to any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, (iii) of the time
and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement
becomes effective and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-
effective amendment thereto or of any order preventing or suspending the use
of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to
remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the Common Stock from
any securities exchange upon which the it is listed for trading or included or
designated for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any
proceedings for any of such purposes. If the Commission shall enter any such
stop order at any time, the Company will use its best efforts to obtain the
lifting of such order at the earliest possible moment. Additionally, the
Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rules 424(b), 430A
and 434, as applicable, under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable
efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b)
were received in a timely manner by the Commission.
(c) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other Securities
Act Matters. If, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any event shall occur
or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement
the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading,
or if in the opinion of the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters it
is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with
law, the Company agrees to promptly prepare (subject to Section 3(A)(a)
hereof), file with the Commission and furnish at its own expense to the
Underwriters and to dealers, amendments or supplements to
15
the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or
supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus
is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, will comply with law.
(d) Copies of any Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus. The
Company agrees to furnish the Representatives, without charge, during the
Prospectus Delivery Period, as many copies of the Prospectus and any
amendments and supplements thereto as the Representatives may request.
(e) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company shall cooperate with the
Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters to qualify or register the
Common Shares for sale under (or obtain exemptions from the application of)
the or state securities or blue sky laws or Canadian provincial securities
laws of those jurisdictions designated by the Representatives, shall comply
with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and
exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Common
Shares. The Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation
or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in
any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be
subject to taxation as a foreign corporation. The Company will advise the
Representatives promptly of the suspension of the qualification or
registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Common Shares for
offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of
any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any
order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company
shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest
possible moment.
(f) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the
sale of the Common Shares sold by it in the manner described under the caption
"Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus.
(g) Transfer Agent. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its
expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock.
(h) Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable, but in any event not
later than 45 days after the end of the Company's first quarter ending after
one year following the "effective date of the Registration Statement" (as
defined in Rule 158(a) of the Rules and Regulations), the Company will make
generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives an
earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering a period of twelve
consecutive months beginning after the effective date of the Registration
Statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities
Act.
(i) Periodic Reporting Obligations. During the Prospectus Delivery
Period the Company shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission and the
Nasdaq National Market all reports and documents required to be filed under
the Exchange
16
Act. Additionally, the Company shall file with the Commission all reports on
Form SR as may be required under Rule 463 under the Securities Act.
(j) Agreement Not To Offer or Sell Additional Securities. During the
period of 180 days following the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not,
without the prior written consent of Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated
(which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Incorporated), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract or grant
any option to sell, pledge, transfer or establish an open "put equivalent
position" within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, or
otherwise dispose of or transfer, or announce the offering of, or file any
registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any shares of
Common Stock, options or warrants to acquire shares of the Common Stock or
securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of
Common Stock (other than as contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the
Common Shares); provided, however, that the Company may issue shares of its
Common Stock or options to purchase its Common Stock, or Common Stock upon
exercise of options, pursuant to any stock option, stock bonus or other stock
plan or arrangement described in the Prospectus, but only if the holders of
such shares, options, or shares issued upon exercise of such options, agree in
writing not to sell, offer, dispose of or otherwise transfer any such shares
or options during such 180 day period without the prior written consent of
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated (which consent may be withheld at the
sole discretion of Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated).
(k) Future Reports to the Representatives. During the period of five
years hereafter the Company will furnish to the Representatives at Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated, 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X.
00000 Attention: [ ] and Xxxxxx Xxxx LLC, 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 Attention: [ ]: (i) as soon as
practicable after the end of each fiscal year, copies of the Annual Report of
the Company containing the balance sheet of the Company as of the close of
such fiscal year and statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows
for the year then ended and the opinion thereon of the Company's independent
public or certified public accountants; (ii) as soon as practicable after the
filing thereof, copies of each proxy statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other report
filed by the Company with the Commission, the NASD or any securities exchange;
and (iii) as soon as available, copies of any report or communication of the
Company mailed generally to holders of its capital stock.
B. COVENANTS OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER. The Selling Shareholder
further covenants and agrees with each Underwriter:
(a) To comply with the terms and provisions of the "lock-up
agreement" delivered by the Selling Shareholder pursuant to Section 5(k).
(b) Delivery of Forms W-8 and W-9. To deliver to the Representatives
prior to the First Closing Date a properly completed and executed United
States
17
Treasury Department Form W-8 (if the Selling Shareholder is a non-United
States person) or Form W-9 (if the Selling Shareholder is a United States
person).
(c) To cause the Company to comply with the covenants contained in
Section 3.A. above.
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated, on behalf of the several
Underwriters, may, in its sole discretion, waive in writing the performance by
the Company or the Selling Shareholder of any one or more of the foregoing
covenants or extend the time for their performance.
SECTION 4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. Whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereunder are consummated or this Agreement becomes effective or is
terminated, the Company and the Selling Shareholder, jointly and severally,
agree to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
performance of their obligations hereunder and in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all expenses
incident to the issuance and delivery of the Common Shares (including all
printing and engraving costs), (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and
transfer agent of the Common Stock, (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and
other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Common Shares
to the Underwriters, (iv) all fees and expenses of the Company's counsel,
independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors, (v) all
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing,
filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including
financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of
experts), each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus, and all amendments and
supplements thereto, and this Agreement, (vi) all filing fees, attorneys' fees
and expenses incurred by the Company or the Underwriters in connection with
qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or
registration of) all or any part of the Common Shares for offer and sale under
the state securities or blue sky laws or the provincial securities laws of
Canada, and, if requested by the Representatives, preparing and printing a "Blue
Sky Survey" or memorandum, and any supplements thereto, advising the
Underwriters of such qualifications, registrations and exemptions, (vii) the
filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the
Underwriters in connection with, the NASD's review and approval of the
Underwriters' participation in the offering and distribution of the Common
Shares, (viii) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Common Stock on
the Nasdaq National Market, and (ix) all other fees, costs and expenses referred
to in Item 13 of Part II of the Registration Statement. Except as provided in
this Section 4, Section 6, Section 8 and Section 9 hereof, the Underwriters
shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their
counsel (excluding those relating to qualification, registration or exemption
under the Blue Sky laws and the Blue Sky memorandum referred to above).
The Selling Shareholder and Company further agree, jointly and
severally, with each Underwriter to pay (directly or by reimbursement) all fees
and expenses incident to the performance of the Selling Shareholder's
obligations under this Agreement which are not otherwise specifically provided
for herein, including but not limited to (i) fees and expenses of counsel and
other advisors for the Selling Shareholder,
18
(ii) fees and expenses of the Custodian and (iii) expenses and taxes incident to
the sale and delivery of the Common Shares to be sold by the Selling Shareholder
to the Underwriters hereunder (which taxes, if any, may be deducted by the
Custodian under the provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement).
This Section 4 shall not affect or modify any separate, valid
agreement relating to the allocation of payment of expenses between the Company,
on the one hand, and the Selling Shareholder, on the other hand.
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS. The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Common
Shares as provided herein on the First Closing Date and, with respect to the
Optional Common Shares, the Second Closing Date, shall be subject to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company and
the Selling Shareholder set forth in Sections 1(A) and 1(B) hereof as of the
date hereof and as of the First Closing Date as though then made and, with
respect to the Optional Common Shares, as of the Second Closing Date as though
then made, to the timely performance by the Company and the Selling Shareholder
of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of
the following additional conditions:
(a) Accountants' Comfort Letter. On the date hereof, the Representatives
shall have received from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent public or
certified public accountants for the Company, a letter dated the date hereof
addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representative, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily
included in accountant's "comfort letters" to underwriters, delivered
according to Statement of Auditing Standards No. 72 (or any successor
bulletin), with respect to the audited and unaudited financial statements and
certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus (and the Representatives shall have received an additional [___]
conformed copies of such accountants' letter for each of the several
Underwriters).
(b) Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No
Objection from NASD. For the period from and after effectiveness of this
Agreement and prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to the
Optional Common Shares, the Second Closing Date:
(i) the Company shall have filed the Prospectus with the Commission
(including the information required by Rule 430A under the Securities Act)
in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act; or the Company shall have filed a post-effective amendment
to the Registration Statement containing the information required by such
Rule 430A, and such post-effective amendment shall have become effective;
or, if the Company elected to rely upon Rule 434 under the Securities Act
and obtained the Representative's consent thereto, the Company shall have
filed a Term Sheet with the Commission in the manner and within the time
period required by such Rule 424(b);
19
(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement, shall be in effect and no
proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by
the Commission; and
(iii) the NASD shall have raised no objection to the fairness and
reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.
(c) No Material Adverse Change or Ratings Agency Change. For the period
from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the First Closing Date
and, with respect to the Optional Common Shares, the Second Closing Date:
(i) in the judgment of the Representatives there shall not have
occurred any Material Adverse Change; and
(ii) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any
notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any
review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the
possible change, in the rating accorded any securities of the Company by
any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" as such term is
defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act.
(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. On each of the First Closing
Date and the Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received the
favorable opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP, counsel for the
Company, dated as of such Closing Date, the form of which is attached as
Exhibit A (and the Representatives shall have received an additional [___]
---------
conformed copies of such counsel's legal opinion for each of the several
Underwriters).
(e) Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters. On each of the First
Closing Date and the Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have
received the favorable opinion of Mintz, Levin, Xxxx Xxxxxx, Glovsky and
Popeo, P.C., counsel for the Underwriters, dated as of such Closing Date, with
respect to the matters set forth in paragraphs (i), (v) (with respect to
subparagraph (i) only), (vi), (vii), (viii) (ix) and (xi) (with respect to the
captions "Description of Capital Stock" and "Underwriting" under subparagraph
(i) only), and the next-to-last paragraph of Exhibit A (and the
---------
Representatives shall have received an additional [___] conformed copies of
such counsel's legal opinion for each of the several Underwriters).
(f) Officers' Certificate. On each of the First Closing Date and the
Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received a written
certificate executed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or
President of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting
Officer of the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, to the effect set forth
in subsections (b)(ii) and (c)(ii) of this Section 5, and further to the
effect that:
20
(i) for the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior
to such Closing Date, there has not occurred any Material Adverse Change;
(ii) the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company set
forth in Section 1(A) of this Agreement are true and correct with the same
force and effect as though expressly made on and as of such Closing Date;
and
(iii) the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied
all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to
such Closing Date.
(g) Bring-down Comfort Letter. On each of the First Closing Date and the
Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received from KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP, independent public or certified public accountants for
the Company, a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory
to the Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements
made in the letter furnished by them pursuant to subsection (a) of this
Section 5, except that the specified date referred to therein for the
carrying out of procedures shall be no more than three business days
prior to the First Closing Date or Second Closing Date, as the case may
be (and the Representatives shall have received an additional [___]
conformed copies of such accountants' letter for each of the several
Underwriters).
(h) Opinion of Counsel for the Selling Shareholder. On the First
Closing Date the Representatives shall have received the favorable
opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP, counsel for the
Selling Shareholder, dated as of such Closing Date, the form of which is
attached as Exhibit B (and the Representatives shall have received an
---------
additional [___] conformed copies of such counsel's legal opinion for
each of the several Underwriters).
(i) Selling Shareholder's Certificate. On the First Closing Date the
Representative shall received a written certificate executed by the
Attorney-in-Fact of the Selling Shareholder, dated as of such Closing
Date, to the effect that:
(i) the representations, warranties and covenants of the Selling
Shareholder set forth in Section 1(B) of this Agreement are true and
correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made by the
Selling Shareholder on and as of such Closing Date; and
(ii) the Selling Shareholder has complied with all the agreements and
satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or
prior to such Closing Date.
(j) Selling Shareholder's Documents. On the date hereof, the Company and
the Selling Shareholder shall have furnished for review by the
Representatives copies of the Powers of Attorney and Custody Agreements
executed by the Selling Shareholder and such further information,
certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably
request.
21
(k) Lock-Up Agreements. On the date hereof, the Company shall have
furnished to the Representatives an agreement in the form of Exhibit C
---------
attached hereto from each director, officer and each beneficial owner of
Common Stock (as defined and determined according to Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), and such agreement shall be in full force and effect on each of
the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date. Additionally, on the date
hereof, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives an agreement
in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto from the Selling Shareholder, and
---------
such agreement shall be in full force and effect on each of the First Closing
Date and the Second Closing Date.
(l) Additional Documents. On or before each of the First Closing Date
and the Second Closing Date, the Representatives and counsel for the
Underwriters shall have received such information, documents and opinions as
they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the
issuance and sale of the Common Shares as contemplated herein, or in order to
evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the
satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.
If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and as
required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the
Representatives by notice to the Company and the Selling Shareholder at any time
on or prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Common
Shares, at any time prior to the Second Closing Date, which termination shall be
without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that
Section 4, Section 6, Section 8 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective
and shall survive such termination.
SECTION 6. REIMBURSEMENT OF UNDERWRITERS' EXPENSES. If this
Agreement is terminated by the Representative pursuant to Section 5, Section 7,
Section 10 or Section 11 or Section 17, or if the sale to the Underwriters of
the Common Shares on the First Closing Date is not consummated because of any
refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company or the Selling
Shareholder to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision
hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Representatives and the other
Underwriters (or such Underwriters as have terminated this Agreement with
respect to themselves), severally, upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses
that shall have been reasonably incurred by the Representatives and the
Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale
of the Common Shares, including but not limited to fees and disbursements of
counsel, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone
charges.
SECTION 7. EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall not
become effective until the later of (i) the execution of this Agreement by the
parties hereto and (ii) notification by the Commission to the Company and the
Representatives of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the
Securities Act.
22
Prior to such effectiveness, this Agreement may be terminated by any
party by notice to each of the other parties hereto, and any such termination
shall be without liability on the part of (a) the Company or the Selling
Shareholder to any Underwriter, except that the Company and the Selling
Shareholder shall be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Representatives
and the Underwriters pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 hereof, (b) of any Underwriter
to the Company or the Selling Shareholder, or (c) of any party hereto to any
other party except that the provisions of Section 8 and Section 9 shall at all
times be effective and shall survive such termination.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company and the Selling
Shareholder, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each
Underwriter, its officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls
any Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which
such Underwriter or such controlling person may become subject, under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or
regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any
litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the
Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or
actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based
(i) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including
any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 434
under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; or (ii) upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the
omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading; or (iii) in whole or in part upon any
inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Company or the Selling
Shareholder contained herein; or (iv) in whole or in part upon any failure of
the Company or the Selling Shareholder to perform their respective obligations
hereunder or under law; or (v) any act or failure to act or any alleged act or
failure to act by any Underwriter in connection with, or relating in any
manner to, the Common Stock or the offering contemplated hereby, and which is
included as part of or referred to in any loss, claim, damage, liability or
action arising out of or based upon any matter covered by clause (i) or (ii)
above, provided that the Company shall not be liable under this clause (v) to
the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall have determined by a
final judgment that such loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted
directly from any such acts or failures to act undertaken or omitted to be
taken by such Underwriter through its bad faith or willful misconduct; and to
reimburse each Underwriter and each such controlling person for any and all
expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such
Underwriter
23
or such controlling person in connection with investigating, defending,
settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability,
expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement
shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the
extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company and the Selling Shareholder by the Representatives expressly for use
in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus
(or any amendment or supplement thereto). The indemnity agreement set forth in
this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company and
the Selling Shareholder may otherwise have.
(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and Officers. Each
Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the
Registration Statement, the Selling Shareholder and each person, if any, who
controls the Company or any Selling Shareholder within the meaning of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability
or expense, as incurred, to which the Company, or any such director, officer,
Selling Shareholder or controlling person may become subject, under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or
regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including
in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the
written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as such loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below)
arises out of or is based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or
arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company and the Selling Shareholder by the Representative expressly for use
therein; and to reimburse the Company, or any such director, officer , Selling
Shareholder or controlling person for any legal and other expense reasonably
incurred by the Company, or any such director, officer, Selling Shareholder or
controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling,
compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or
action. The Company and the Selling Shareholder, hereby acknowledges that the
only information that the Underwriters have furnished to the Company and the
Selling Shareholder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) are the statements set forth (A) as the last paragraph on the inside
front cover page of the Prospectus concerning stabilization by the
Underwriters and (B) in the table in the first paragraph and as the second and
seventh paragraphs under the caption "Underwriting" in the Prospectus; and the
Underwriters confirm that such
24
statements are correct. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b)
shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Underwriter may otherwise
have.
(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after
receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the
commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8,
notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the
omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any
liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or
otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 or to
the extent it is not prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In
case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such
indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying
party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the
extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties
similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party
promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to
assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action
include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise
between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in
conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses
available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or
additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party
or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such
legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on
behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the
indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party's
election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the
indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to
such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel
in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being
understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the
expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel),
approved by the indemnifying party (Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated in
the case of Section 8(b) and Section 9), representing the indemnified parties
who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have
employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the
indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the
action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at
the expense of the indemnifying party.
(d) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall not
be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for
the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party
against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such
settlement or judgment.
25
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party
shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party
for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 8(c) hereof, the
indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the
aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed
the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of
the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the
entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in
respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and
indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party,
unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release
of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject
matter of such action, suit or proceeding.
SECTION 9. CONTRIBUTION. If the indemnification provided for in
Section 8 is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient
to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as
incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Shareholder, on the
one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the
Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Shareholder, on
the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the
statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties
herein which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses,
as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits
received by the Company and the Selling Shareholder, on the one hand, and the
Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Common
Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective
proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Common Shares
pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company
and the Selling Shareholder, and the total underwriting discount received by the
Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the front cover page of the
Prospectus (or, if Rule 434 under the Securities Act is used, the corresponding
location on the Term Sheet) bear to the aggregate initial public offering price
of the Common Shares as set forth on such cover. The relative fault of the
Company and the Selling Shareholder, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on
the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged
inaccurate representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the
Company or the Selling Shareholder, on the one hand, or the Underwriters, on the
other hand, and the parties'
26
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to
include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c), any legal or
other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in
Section 8(c) with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if
a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 9; provided, however,
that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which
notice has been given under Section 8(c) for purposes of indemnification.
The Company, the Selling Shareholder and the Underwriters agree that
it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9
were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as
one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 9.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting commissions
received by such Underwriter in connection with the Common Shares underwritten
by it and distributed to the public. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 9 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their
respective underwriting commitments as set forth opposite their names
in Schedule A. For purposes of this Section 9, each officer and employee of an
----------
Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer
of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any,
who controls the Company with the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.
SECTION 10. DEFAULT OF ONE OR MORE OF THE SEVERAL UNDERWRITERS. If,
on the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any
one or more of the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Common
Shares that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the
aggregate number of Common Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the
aggregate number of the Common Shares to be purchased on such date, the other
Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in the proportions that the number
of Firm Common Shares set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A
----------
bears to the aggregate number of Firm Common Shares set forth opposite the names
of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as may be
specified by the Representative with the consent of the non-defaulting
Underwriters, to purchase the Common Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or
27
Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If, on the
First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or
more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Common Shares and the
aggregate number of Common Shares with respect to which such default occurs
exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Common Shares to be purchased on such
date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for
the purchase of such Common Shares are not made within 48 hours after such
default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to any
other party except that the provisions of Section 4, Section 6, Section 8 and
Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
In any such case either the Representatives or the Company shall have the right
to postpone the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may
be, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required
changes, if any, to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other
documents or arrangements may be effected.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" shall be deemed to
include any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section
10. Any action taken under this Section 10 shall not relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under
this Agreement.
SECTION 11. TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. Prior to the First Closing
Date this Agreement maybe terminated by the Representatives by notice given to
the Company and the Selling Shareholder if at any time (i) trading or quotation
in any of the Company's securities shall have been suspended or limited by the
Commission or by the Nasdaq Stock Market, or trading in securities generally on
either the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been
suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally
established on any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the NASD; (ii) a
general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal, New York,
Delaware or California authorities; (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak
or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or
calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets,
or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial
change in United States' or international political, financial or economic
conditions, as in the judgment of the Representatives is material and adverse
and makes it impracticable to market the Common Shares in the manner and on the
terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of
securities; (iv) in the judgment of the Representatives there shall have
occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (v) the Company shall have sustained a
loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity of such
character as in the judgment of the Representatives may interfere materially
with the conduct of the business and operations of the Company regardless of
whether or not such loss shall have been insured. Any termination pursuant to
this Section 11 shall be without liability on the part of (a) the Company or the
Selling Shareholder to any Underwriter, except that the Company and the Selling
Shareholder shall be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Representatives
and the Underwriters pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 hereof, (b) any Underwriter to
the Company or the Selling
28
Shareholder, or (c) of any party hereto to any other party except that the
provisions of Section 8 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall
survive such termination.
SECTION 12. REPRESENTATIONS AND INDEMNITIES TO SURVIVE DELIVERY. The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Company, of its officers, of the Selling Shareholder and of
the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will
remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of its or their partners,
officers or directors or any controlling person, or the Selling Shareholder, as
the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Common Shares
sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.
SECTION. 13 NOTICES. All communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties
hereto as follows:
If to the Representative:
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: [ ]
with a copy to:
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
If to the Company:
American Finance Group, Inc.
00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx., President
If to the Selling Shareholder:
PLM International, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
00
Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Chairman, President and CEO
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by
giving written notice to the others.
SECTION 14. SUCCESSORS. This Agreement will inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Underwriters
pursuant to Section 10 hereof, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and
directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 and Section 9, and in
each case their respective successors, and personal representatives, and no
other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term "successors"
shall not include any purchaser of the Common Shares as such from any of the
Underwriters merely by reason of such purchase.
SECTION 15. PARTIAL UNENFORCEABILITY. The invalidity or
unenforceability of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or
provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is
for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed
to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to
make it valid and enforceable.
SECTION 16. (A) GOVERNING LAW PROVISIONS. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE.
(b) Consent to Jurisdiction. Any legal suit, action or proceeding
arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby ("Related Proceedings") may be instituted in the federal courts of the
United States of America located in the City and County of New York or the
courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City and County of
New York (collectively, the "Specified Courts"), and each party irrevocably
submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in
regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a "Related
Judgment"), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in
any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or
document by mail to such party's address set forth above shall be effective
service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such
court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the
laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts
and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any
such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such
court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each party not
30
located in the United States irrevocably appoints CT Corporation System, which
currently maintains a New York office at [ ], United States of
America, as its agent to receive service of process or other legal summons for
purposes of any such suit, action or proceeding that may be instituted in any
state or federal court in the City and County of New York.
(c) Waiver of Immunity. With respect to any Related Proceeding, each
party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all
immunity (whether on the basis of sovereignty or otherwise) from jurisdiction,
service of process, attachment (both before and after judgment) and execution to
which it might otherwise be entitled in the Specified Courts, and with respect
to any Related Judgment, each party waives any such immunity in the Specified
Courts or any other court of competent jurisdiction, and will not raise or claim
or cause to be pleaded any such immunity at or in respect of any such Related
Proceeding or Related Judgment, including, without limitation, any immunity
pursuant to the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as
amended.
SECTION 17. FAILURE OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER TO SELL AND DELIVER
COMMON SHARES. If the Selling Shareholder shall fail to sell and deliver to the
Underwriters the Common Shares to be sold and delivered by such Selling
Shareholder at the First Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement, then the
Underwriters may at their option, by written notice from the Representative to
the Company and the Selling Shareholder, either (i) terminate this Agreement
without any liability on the part of any Underwriter or, except as provided in
Sections 4, 6, 8 and 9 hereof, the Company or the Selling Shareholder, or (ii)
purchase the shares which the Company has agreed to sell and deliver in
accordance with the terms hereof. If the Selling Shareholder shall fail to sell
and deliver to the Underwriters the Common Shares to be sold and delivered by
the Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement at the First Closing Date,
then the Underwriters shall have the right, by written notice from the
Representatives to the Company and the Selling Shareholder, to postpone the
First Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the
required changes, if any, to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or
any other documents or arrangements may be effected.
SECTION 18. GENERAL PROVISIONS. This Agreement constitutes the
entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior
written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and
negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be
executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original,
with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same
instrument. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by
all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be
waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to
benefit. The Table of Contents and the Section headings herein are for the
31
convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.
Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated
business person who was adequately represented by counsel during negotiations
regarding the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the
indemnification provisions of Section 8 and the contribution provisions of
Section 9, and is fully informed regarding said provisions. Each of the parties
hereto further acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereto
fairly allocate the risks in light of the ability of the parties to investigate
the Company, its affairs and its business in order to assure that adequate
disclosure has been made in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus and the Prospectus (and any amendments and supplements thereto), as
required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
32
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement,
kindly sign and return to the Company and the Custodian the enclosed copies
hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall
become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours,
AMERICAN FINANCE GROUP, INC.
By:__________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx.
President
PLM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:__________________________
(Attorney-in-fact)
The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by
the Representatives in Washington, D.C. as of the date first above written.
XXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXXX, INCORPORATED
XXXXXX XXXX LLC
Acting as Representatives of the
several Underwriters named in
the attached Schedule A.
----------
By: XXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXXX, INCORPORATED
By: -----------------------------------
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Authorized Signatory
33
SCHEDULE A
----------
NUMBER OF
FIRM COMMON SHARES
UNDERWRITERS TO BE PURCHASED
------------------------------------------------ ------------------
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Incorporated............ [___]
Xxxxxx Xxxx LLC................................. [___]
[___]........................................... [___]
[___]........................................... [___]
[___]........................................... [___]
Total......................................... [___]
34
EXHIBIT A
---------
Opinion of counsel for the Company to be delivered pursuant to Section 5(d)
of the Underwriting Agreement.
References to the Prospectus in this Exhibit A include any supplements
---------
thereto at the Closing Date.
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of The State of Delaware
(ii) The Company has corporate power and authority to own, lease and
operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the
Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under the
Underwriting Agreement.
(iii) The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to
transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or
leasing of property or the conduct of business, except for such
jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing
would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse
Change.
(iv) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company (including the Common Stock) conform to the descriptions thereof
set forth in the Prospectus. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(including the shares of Common Stock owned by Selling Shareholder) have
been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable
and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge (without independent
investigation), have been issued in compliance with the registration and
qualification requirements of federal and state securities laws. The form
of certificate used to evidence the Common Stock is in due and proper form
and complies with all applicable requirements of the charter and by-laws
of the Company and the Delaware General Corporation Law. The description
of the Company's stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or
arrangements, and the options or other rights granted and exercised
thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus accurately and fairly presents the
information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements,
options and rights.
(v) No stockholder of the Company or any other person has any
preemptive right, right of first refusal or other similar right to
subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company arising (i) by
operation of the charter or by-laws of the Company or the Delaware General
Corporation Law or (ii) to the best knowledge of such counsel, otherwise.
(vi) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of, the Company,
enforceable
35
in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnification
thereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as the enforcement
thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally or by general equitable principles.
(vii) The Common Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters from the
Company have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company
pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement against payment of the consideration
set forth therein, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(viii) The Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement, if any, has been declared effective by the Commission under the
Securities Act. To the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of either of the Registration Statement or the
Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been issued under the
Securities Act and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or
are pending or are contemplated or threatened by the Commission. Any
required filing of the Prospectus and any supplement thereto pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act has been made in the manner and within
the time period required by such Rule 424(b).
(ix) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of their respective
effective or issue dates (other than the financial statements and
supporting schedules included therein or in exhibits to or excluded from
the Registration Statement, as to which no opinion need be rendered) comply
as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act.
(x) The Common Shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq
National Market.
(xi) The statements (i) in the Prospectus under the captions
"Capitalization", "Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of
Operations--Liquidity", "Business--Litigation", "Business--Proprietary
Rights", "Certain Transactions", "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and
"Underwriting" and (ii) in Item 14 and Item 15 of the Registration
Statement, insofar as such statements constitute matters of law, summaries
of legal matters, the Company's charter or by-law provisions, documents or
legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, has been reviewed by such counsel
and fairly present and summarize, in all material respects, the matters
referred to therein.
(xii) To the best knowledge of such counsel, there are no legal or
governmental actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened which are
36
required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, other than those
disclosed therein.
(xiii) To the best knowledge of such counsel, there are no Existing
Instruments required to be described or referred to in the Registration
Statement or to be filed as exhibits thereto other than those described or
referred to therein or filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits
thereto; and the descriptions thereof and references thereto are correct in
all material respects.
(xiv) No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or
registration or filing with, any court or other governmental authority or
agency, is required for the Company's execution, delivery and performance
of the Underwriting Agreement and consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby and by the Prospectus, except as required under the
Securities Act, applicable state securities or blue sky laws and from the
NASD.
(xv) The execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by the
Company and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder
(other than performance by the Company of its obligations under the
indemnification section of the Underwriting Agreement, as to which no
opinion need be rendered) (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company; (ii) will not result in any
violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company; (iii)
will not constitute a breach of, or Default under, or result in the
creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property
or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, (A) the
Company's working capital line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank, as
lender, or (B) to the best knowledge of such counsel, any other material
Existing Instrument; or (iv) to the best knowledge of such counsel, will
not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation or
administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or any subsidiary.
(xvi) The Company is not, and after receipt of payment for the
Common Shares will not be, an "investment company" within the meaning of
Investment Company Act.
(xvii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus under the caption
"Shares Eligible for Future Sale", to the best knowledge of such counsel,
there are no persons with registration or other similar rights to have any
equity or debt securities registered for sale under the Registration
Statement or included in the offering contemplated by the Underwriting
Agreement, other than the Selling Shareholder, except for such rights as
have been duly waived.
(xviii) To the best knowledge of such counsel, the Company is not in
violation of its charter or by-laws or any law, administrative regulation
or administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or is in
Default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement,
covenant or condition contained in any material Existing Instrument, except
in each such case for such
37
violations or Defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Change.
In addition, such counsel shall state that they have participated in
conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company,
representatives of the independent public or certified public accountants for
the Company and with representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents
of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any supplements or
amendments thereto, and related matters were discussed and, although such
counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than as specified above), and
any supplements or amendments thereto, on the basis of the foregoing, nothing
has come to their attention which would lead them to believe that either the
Registration Statement or any amendments thereto, at the time the Registration
Statement or such amendments became effective, contained an untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the
Prospectus, as of its date or at the First Closing Date or the Second Closing
Date, as the case may be, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading (it being understood that such counsel need express no belief as to
the financial statements or schedules or other financial or statistical data
derived therefrom, included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or
any amendments or supplements thereto).
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters
involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the States of
California and New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
or the federal law of the United States, to the extent they deem proper and
specified in such opinion, upon the opinion (which shall be dated the First
Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriters, shall expressly state
that the Underwriters may rely on such opinion as if it were addressed to them
and shall be furnished to the Representatives) of other counsel of good standing
whom they believe to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the
Underwriters; provided, however, that such counsel shall further state that they
believe that they and the Underwriters are justified in relying upon such
opinion of other counsel, and (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem
proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public
officials.
In addition, such counsel shall permit Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky
and Popeo, P.C. to rely upon such opinion for purposes of delivering its opinion
pursuant to Section 5(e) of the Underwriting Agreement.
38
EXHIBIT B
---------
The opinion of such counsel pursuant to Section 5(h) shall be rendered to
the Representatives at the request of the Company and shall so state therein.
References to the Prospectus in this Exhibit B include any supplements thereto
---------
at the Closing Date.
(i) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by or on behalf of, and is a valid and binding agreement of, the
Selling Shareholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as
rights to indemnification thereunder may be limited by applicable law and
except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles.
(ii) The execution and delivery by the Selling Shareholder of, and the
performance by the Selling Shareholder of its obligations under, the
Underwriting Agreement and its Custody Agreement and its Power of Attorney
will not contravene or conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute
a default under, the charter or by-laws, partnership agreement, trust
agreement or other organizational documents, as the case may be, of the
Selling Shareholder, or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, violate
or contravene any provision of applicable law or regulation, or violate,
result in a breach of or constitute a default under the terms of any other
agreement or instrument to which the Selling Shareholder is a party or by
which it is bound, or any judgment, order or decree applicable to the
Selling Shareholder of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency,
governmental body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Selling
Shareholder.
(iii) The Selling Shareholder has good and valid title to all of the
Common Shares which may be sold by the Selling Shareholder under the
Underwriting Agreement and has the legal right and power, and all
authorizations and approvals required under its charter and by-laws,
partnership agreement, trust agreement or other organizational documents,
as the case may be, to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and its
Custody Agreement and its Power of Attorney, to sell, transfer and deliver
all of the Common Shares which may sold by the Selling Shareholder under
the Underwriting Agreement and to comply with its other obligations under
the Underwriting Agreement, its Custody Agreement and its Power of
Attorney.
(iv) Each of the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney of the
Selling Shareholder has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Selling Shareholder and is a valid and binding agreement of the Selling
Shareholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as rights to
indemnification thereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as
the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles.
39
(v) Assuming that the Underwriters purchase the Common Shares which
are sold by the Selling Shareholder pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement
for value, in good faith and without notice of any adverse claim, the
delivery of such Common Shares pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement will
pass good and valid title to such Common Shares, free and clear of any
security interest, mortgage, pledge, lieu encumbrance or other claim.
(vi) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, no consent, approval,
authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court
or governmental authority or agency, is required for the consummation by
the Selling Shareholder of the transactions contemplated in the
Underwriting Agreement, except as required under the Securities Act,
applicable state securities or blue sky laws, and from the NASD.
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters
involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the States of
California and New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
or the federal law of the United States, to the extent they deem proper and
specified in such opinion, upon the opinion (which shall be dated the First
Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriters, shall expressly state
that the Underwriters may rely on such opinion as if it were addressed to them
and shall be furnished to the Representatives) of other counsel of good standing
whom they believe to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the
Underwriters; provided, however, that such counsel shall further state that they
believe that they and the Underwriters are justified in relying upon such
opinion of other counsel, and (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem
proper, on certificates of the Selling Shareholder and public officials.
40
EXHIBIT C
---------
[form of lock-up letter]
41
