SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.37
THIS SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 20th day of April, 2020, by and between Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx (the “Employee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Employee is a senior executive of the Company and has made and is expected to continue to make major contributions to the short-term and long-term profitability, growth and financial strength of the Company and its subsidiaries; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of the Employee’s continued employment with the Company and its subsidiaries, the Company desires to provide the Employee with certain compensation and benefits set forth in this Agreement in order to ameliorate the financial and career impact on the Employee if the Employee's employment with the Company and its subsidiaries is terminated under certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board) also recognizes that, as is the case with any company, the possibility of a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of key management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its subsidiaries; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of, and the continued rendering of services by, members of the Company's key management personnel, including the Employee, in connection with their assigned duties without distraction, and without the Company's loss of needed key management personnel, arising from the possibility of a Change in Control; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of the Employee's continued employment with the Company and its subsidiaries, the Company also desires to provide the Employee with certain additional compensation and benefits set forth in this Agreement if the Employee's employment with the Company and its subsidiaries is terminated for a reason related to a Change in Control.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms contained herein, including the compensation and benefits the Company agrees to pay to the Employee upon certain events, the Employee's continued employment with the Company and its subsidiaries, the Employees covenants contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Employee hereby agree as follows:
1.1For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
(a) | Annual Base Salary. Annual Base Salary shall mean the annualized base cash compensation payable by the Company and its subsidiaries to the Employee, excluding bonuses, commissions, severance payments, company contributions, qualified plan contributions or benefits, expense reimbursements, fringe benefits and all other payments; prior to reduction for any deferrals under any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and disregarding any reduction that would give the Employee “Good Reason” to terminate the Employee’s employment under Section 1.1(f)(iii); as of (i) the |
termination of the Employee’s employment if the Employee’s employment is not terminated during a Change in Control Period or (ii)(A) the termination of the Employee’s employment or (B) immediately before the Change in Control Period, whichever is higher, if the Employee’s employment is terminated during a Change in Control Period. |
(b) | Change in Control. Change in Control shall mean any of the following events: |
(i) | any person, including a “group” as defined below, acquires ownership of the Common Stock that, together with the Common Stock already held by such person or group, represents more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the then outstanding Common Stock; |
(ii) | a majority of the members of the Board is replaced during a twelve (12)-month period by directors who do not qualify as Incumbent Board Members; or |
(iii) | any person, including a “group” as defined below, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. |
The term “group” shall have the same meaning as in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, modified as may be necessary to comply with the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v). This definition of “Change of Control” is intended to satisfy the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5), the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
(c) | Change in Control Period. Change in Control Period shall mean (i) any period in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has initiated a transaction process or is engaged in discussions with a third party about a specific transaction that, if consummated, would result in a Change in Control and before the complete abandonment of such process or discussions without the transaction being consummated, (ii) any period during which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has become a party to a definitive agreement to consummate a transaction that would result in a Change in Control and before the termination of such agreement without the transaction being consummated, and (iii) any period commencing upon the effective date of the Change in Control and ending on the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the effective date of such Change in Control; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the Change in Control Period be deemed to have commenced earlier than six (6) months prior to the Change in Control. |
(d) | Cause. “Cause” shall mean any one of the following: (A) the Employee’s gross neglect of duty to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or gross negligence or intentional misconduct in the course of Employee’s employment; (B) the Employee’s having been indicted for, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime that constitutes a felony or the Employee’s commission of any other act or omission involving fraud with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their customers or suppliers; (C) the Employee’s breach of any fiduciary duty owed to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (D) the Employee being prohibited from serving as an officer of a reporting company subject to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Securities Exchange Act”) by applicable law, as the result of any order of a court or governmental agency or other judicial or administrative proceeding or as the result of any contractual arrangements to which the Employee is bound; (E) the Employee’s willful and intentional non-performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities with the |
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Company or any subsidiary or willful disregard of any legal directives of the Board or the Employee’s direct report and failure, in either case, to cure such breach, if capable of being cured, within ten (10) days of receipt of written notice from the Company; and/or (F) the breach by the Employee of any confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation or other restrictive covenants to which the Employee is bound as related to the Company or any of its subsidiaries that results in a material adverse effect on the business or reputation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the failure to cure such breach, if capable of being cured, within ten (10) days of receipt of written notice from the Company. |
(e) | Common Stock. Common Stock means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company. |
(f) | Good Reason. “Good Reason” shall mean the termination by the Employee of the Employee’s employment on account of the following events occurring without the Employee’s written consent: (i) the failure by the Company or any subsidiary to pay the Employee any material amounts of base salary, bonus or other amounts due the Employee or the failure to provide the Employee with any material amounts of any vested accrued benefits to which the Employee is entitled under the terms of any employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary; (ii) a material reduction in the Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities as previously in effect, which shall not include: (A) any change in the title of the Employee, in the persons or group of persons who report to the Employee, or in the scope of the Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities, as long as, if prior to any such event the Employee is an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 3b-7 of the Securities Exchange Act, then the Employee remains an “executive officer” in connection with such event, or (B) any change in the person or groups of person to whom the Employee reports unless the Employee reports directly to the Board, in which case any requirement that the Employee report to any person or group of persons other than the Board will constitutes such a material reduction and; (iii) a material reduction in the rate of the Employee’s annualized base salary previously in effect, or a material decrease in the Employee’s annual bonus opportunity previously in effect; or (iv) the Company requiring the Employee’s primary services to be rendered at a place other than (i) Toano, Virginia, (ii) Richmond, Virginia or (iii) within a seventy-five (75)-mile radius of either, except for reasonable travel. The Employee must give the Company written notice of any event or condition that would constitute Good Reason within thirty (30) days of the event or condition which would constitute Good Reason, and upon receipt of such notice the Company shall have thirty (30) days to remedy such event or condition. If such event or condition is not remedied within such thirty (30)-day period, any termination of the Employee’s employment by the Employee for Good Reason must occur within thirty (30) days after the period for the Company to remedy the event or condition has expired. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company’s failure to renew the Term of this Agreement as set forth in Section 1.2 shall not constitute “Good Reason” for purposes of this Agreement. |
(g) | Incumbent Board Member. Incumbent Board Member means any individual who either is (i) a member of the Board as of the effective date of this Agreement or (ii) a member who becomes a member of the Board after the effective date of this Agreement whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least sixty percent (60%) of the then Incumbent Board Members (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as nominee for director, without objection to such nomination), but excluding, for this purpose, any individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as the result of an actual |
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or threatened election contest (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of the Securities Exchange Act) with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board. |
(h) | Pre-Existing Agreement. Pre-Existing Agreement means any employment, termination, change in control or other agreement, plan, policy or arrangement or offer letter or similar writing, other than this Agreement, in effect as of the date hereof, under which the Employee is entitled to receive (i) severance, salary continuation or other compensation, (ii) continued coverage under any benefit plan, policy or arrangement, and/or (iii) accelerated vesting of equity or equity-based awards, if the employment of the Employee is terminated (x) by the Company other than for Cause or (y) by the Employee for Good Reason. |
Subject to Section 3.8 below and the receipt of the Confidential Waiver and Release Agreement as described in Section 1.8 below, upon termination of the Employee’s employment entitling the Employee to the payments set forth in this Section 1.3 above, the Company also shall maintain in full force and effect for twelve (12) months after the Employee terminates employment, for the continued benefit of the
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Employee, medical insurance (including coverage for the Employee’s dependents to the extent dependent coverage is provided by the Company for its employees generally) under such medical insurance plans and programs in which the Employee (and his dependents) participated immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment, and, during such period, the Company will pay each month the portion, if any, of such medical insurance premiums that the Company pays for its active Employees, and the Employee shall pay any remaining amounts.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, (a) in the event the Employee’s participation in any such medical insurance is not permitted for any reason at the time the Company is required to maintain such coverage, then the Company shall have the option to (i) arrange to provide the Employee with such benefits on the same relative basis for such period substantially similar to those which the Employee would otherwise have been entitled to receive under such plans and programs from which his continued participation is not permitted or (ii) pay to the Employee cash, in lieu of such continued coverage, in an amount equal to the same relative percentage of the medical insurance premiums for such continuing comparable coverage, with any such cash payments to be made in accordance with the ordinary payroll practice of the Company (not less frequently than monthly) as of the last day of each month for which such cash payments are to be made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee’s termination of employment shall constitute a “qualifying event” under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), so that the Employee shall be entitled to full rights to continued medical insurance coverage as provided under COBRA, if so eligible, immediately upon the termination of the Employee’s employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the coverage or reimbursements for coverage provided under this Section 1.3 shall cease if the Employee and/or the Employee’s dependents become covered under an employee welfare benefit plan of another employer of the Employee that provides the same or similar type of benefits for comparable cost or the Company terminates the medical insurance entirely for all similar participants.
Subject to Section 3.8 below and the receipt of the Confidential Waiver and Release Agreement as described in Section 1.8 below, upon termination of the Employee’s employment entitling the Employee to the payments set forth in Section 1.4 above, the Company also shall maintain in full force and effect for no less than the six (6) months beginning twelve (12) months after the date of termination of the Employee’s employment, for the continued benefit of the Employee, medical insurance (including coverage for the Employee’s dependents to the extent dependent coverage is provided by the Company for its employees generally) under such medical insurance plans and programs in which the Employee (and his dependents) participated immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment, and, during such period, the Company will pay each month the portion, if any, of such medical insurance premiums that the Company pays for its active Employees, and the Employee shall pay any remaining amounts.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, (a) in the event the Employee’s participation in any such medical insurance is not permitted for any reason at the time the Company is required to maintain such coverage, then the Company shall have the option to (i) arrange to provide the Employee with such benefits
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on the same relative basis for such period substantially similar to those which the Employee would otherwise have been entitled to receive under such plans and programs from which his continued participation is not permitted or (ii) pay to the Employee cash, in lieu of such continued coverage, in an amount equal to the same relative percentage of the medical insurance premiums for such continuing comparable coverage, with any such cash payments to be made in accordance with the ordinary payroll practice of the Company (not less frequently than monthly) as of the last day of each month for which such cash payments are to be made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee’s termination of employment shall constitute a “qualifying event” under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), so that the Employee shall be entitled to full rights to continued medical insurance coverage as provided under COBRA, if so eligible, immediately upon the termination of the Employee’s employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the coverage or reimbursements for coverage provided under this Section 1.4 shall cease if the Employee and/or the Employee’s dependents become covered under an employee welfare benefit plan of another employer of the Employee that provides the same or similar type of benefits for comparable cost or the Company terminates the medical insurance entirely for all similar participants.
Upon termination of the Employee’s employment entitling the Employee to the payments set forth in Section 1.4 above, the Employee will become vested in any and all unvested stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other equity awards previously granted to the Employee by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (at target to the extent vesting but for this provision would be based on the achievement of performance conditions other than continued employment or service), as of the later of (a) the date of the Change in Control or (b) the date the Confidential Waiver and Release Agreement as described in Section 1.8 below becomes effective and irrevocable. The Employee may exercise such equity awards only at the times and in the methods described in such equity awards, except that the Employee’s stock options and stock appreciation rights, if any, shall remain outstanding and may be exercised, to the extent vested, until the earlier of (i) the original expiration date of such options or stock appreciation rights (disregarding any earlier termination provided in the award agreement or otherwise based on the termination of the Employee’s employment) or (ii) the one-year anniversary of the later of (A) the date the Employee terminates employment or (B) the date the option or stock appreciation right becomes vested and exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this portion of Section 1.4 shall not apply to any of the Employee’s stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other equity awards if the terms of the particular plan or agreement under which such award is granted specifically provides that this provision shall not apply to such award.
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If the Company and the Employee cannot agree on the calculations necessary to execute the terms set forth in this Section 1.6, then such calculations will be made by an Accounting Firm (as defined below). In such event, the Accounting Firm will first determine the amount of any Parachute Payments (as defined below) that are payable to the Employee. The Accounting Firm also will determine the Net After Tax Amount attributable to the Employee’s total Parachute Payments. The Accounting Firm will next determine the largest amount of payments that may be made to the Employee without subjecting the Employee to the Excise Tax (the “Capped Payments”). Thereafter, the Accounting Firm will determine the Net After Tax Amount attributable to the Capped Payments. The Employee then will receive the total Parachute Payments or the total Capped Payments, whichever provides the Employee with the higher Net After Tax Amount; however, if the reductions imposed under this Section 1.6 are in excess of the amount of payments or benefits to be provided, then the total Parachute Payments will be adjusted by first reducing, on a pro rata basis, the amount of any noncash benefits under this Agreement, then any noncash benefits under any other plan, agreement or arrangement, then any cash payments under this Agreement and finally any cash payments under any other plan, agreement or arrangement. The Accounting Firm will notify the Employee and the Company if it determines that the Parachute Payments must be reduced and will send the Employee and the Company a copy of its detailed calculations supporting that determination.
As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999 at the time that determinations under this Section 1.6 are made, it is possible that the Employee will have received Parachute Payments or Capped Payments in excess of the amount that should have been paid or provided (“Overpayments”), or that additional Parachute Payments or Capped Payments should be paid or provided to the Employee (“Underpayments”). If the parties agree on an Overpayment or, in the absence of such agreement, the Accounting Firm determines, based on either the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against the Company or the Employee, which assertion the parties or the Accounting Firm, as the case may be, believes has a high probability of success, or controlling precedent or substantial authority, that an Overpayment has been made, that Overpayment will be treated for all purposes as a loan ab initio that the Employee must repay to the Company immediately together with interest at the applicable Federal rate under Code Section 7872; provided, however, that no loan will be deemed to have been made and no amount will be payable by the Employee to the Company unless, and then only to the extent that, the deemed loan and payment would either reduce the amount on which the Employee is subject to tax under Code Section 4999 or generate a refund of tax imposed under Code Section 4999 and the Employee will receive a greater Net After Tax Amount than such Employee would otherwise receive. If the parties agree on an Underpayment or, in the absence of such agreement, the Accounting Firm determines, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, that an Underpayment has occurred, upon which event the Accounting Firm will notify the Employee and the Company of that determination, the amount of that Underpayment will be paid to the Employee by the Company promptly after such determination.
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For purposes of this Section 1.6, the following terms shall have their respective meanings:
(a) | “Accounting Firm” means the independent accounting firm currently engaged by the Company, or a mutually agreed upon independent accounting firm if requested by the Employee; and |
(b) | “Net After Tax Amount” means the amount of any Parachute Payments or Capped Payments, as applicable, net of taxes imposed under Code Sections 1, 3101(b) and 4999 and any State or local income taxes applicable to the Employee on the date of payment. The determination of the Net After Tax Amount shall be made using the highest combined effective rate imposed by the foregoing taxes on income of the same character as the Parachute Payments or Capped Payments, as applicable, in effect on the date of payment. |
(c) | “Parachute Payment” means a payment that is described in Code Section 280G(b)(2), determined in accordance with Code Section 280G and the regulations promulgated or proposed thereunder. |
The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm for its services in connection with the determinations and calculations contemplated by the preceding subsections shall be borne by the Company. The Company and the Employee shall each provide the Accounting Firm access to and copies of any books, records and documents in the possession of the Company or the Employee, as the case may be, reasonably requested by the Accounting Firm, and otherwise cooperate with the Accounting Firm in connection with the preparation and issuance of the determinations and calculations contemplated by the preceding subsections. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Employee.
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If to the Company:
Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Chief Legal Officer
Telephone: 000-000-0000
If to Employee:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Telephone:
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[SIGNATURES CONTINUED NEXT PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto effective as of the day and year first above stated.
LUMBER LIQUIDATORS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Chairman of the Compensation Committee
EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Appendix A
Confidential Waiver and Release Agreement
CONFIDENTIAL WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
RELEASE AGREEMENT (this “Release Agreement”), dated as of ________________, between Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx (the “Employee”).
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Employee have executed this Release Agreement, on the date and year set forth below.
LUMBER LIQUIDATORS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:____________________________
Its:____________________________
EMPLOYEE:
EMPLOYEE – DO NOT SIGN AT THIS TIME
Date: _____________________________
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Appendix B
CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-SOLICITIATION AND
NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
This Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered in this 20th day of April, 2020 by and between Lumber Liquidators, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliated entities (collectively, and where applicable, individually, the “Company”) and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx (the “Employee).
WHEREAS, the parties hereto acknowledge that the Company is engaged in a highly competitive business; that the Company has expended substantial time and effort to develop, maintain, expand and protect the Company’s business, its workforce, its relationships and goodwill with its suppliers and customers, and its Confidential Information; that the Company has a legitimate business interest in protecting the same; and that the Company would be materially harmed if during Employee’s employment or after the Employee’s employment relationship with the Company terminates, the Employee enters into competition with the Company or attempts to solicit the Company’s suppliers, customers or employees prior to the lapse of a reasonable period of time
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Employee’s employment or continued employment with the Company beyond the date of this Agreement, the mutual promises and obligations of the parties contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the adequacy and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties do hereby agree as follows:
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(a)Employee covenants and agrees that throughout any period during which Employee is employee of the Company, and for a period lasting until the later of (a) twelve (12) months from and after the Employment Cessation Date, (b) twelve (12) months from the date of entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of a final judgement enforcing this covenant in the event of a breach by Employee, or (c) the expiration of such other period as the Company and Employee may agree in writing after the date hereof, Employee will not, for himself/herself or for the benefit of a third party, work in a Competing Positon with
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a Competing Business in the Restricted Territory. However, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Employee from working in a position in a subdivision of a Competing Business that does not provide any of the products or services provided by the Company as of the Employment Cessation Date.
(b) For purposes of the Agreement, “Competing Position” shall mean a position that involves duties that are the same as or substantially similar to, and competitive with, the duties that Employee performed for the Company within the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the Employment Cessation Date.
(c) For purpose of this Agreement, “Competing Business” shall mean any entity that provides products or services that are similar to and competitive with any of the products or services provided by the Company as of the Employment Cessation Date, and shall specifically include (but not be limited to) The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Amazon, and Floor & Décor to the extent that they provide products or services that are similar to and competitive with any of the products or services provided by the Company as of the Employment Cessation Date.
(d)For purposes of the Agreement, “Restricted Territory” shall mean the continental Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, xxx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, and any other Canadian province or territory where the Company has a store as of the Employment Cessation Date.
6.Proprietary Rights. All rights, including without limitation any writing, discoveries, inventions, innovations, and computer programs and related documentation and all intellectual property rights therein, including without limitation copyright (collectively ‘Intellectual Property”) created, designed or constructed by Employee during the Employee’s term of employment with the Company, that are related in any way to Employee’s work with the Company or to any of the services provided by the Company, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Employee agrees to deliver and assign to the Company all such Intellectual Property and all rights which Employee may have therein and Employee agrees to executive all documents, including without limitation patent applications, and make all arrangements necessary to further document such ownership and/or assignment and to take whatever other steps may be needed to give the Company the full benefit thereof. Employee further agrees that if the Company is unable after reasonable effort to secure the signature of Employee on any such documents, the President of the Company shall be entitled to execute any such papers as the agent and attorney-in-fact of Employee and Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints each such officer of the Company as Employee’s agent and attorney-in-fact to execute any such papers on Employee’s behalf and to take any and all actions required or authorized by the Company pursuant to this subsection. Without limitation to the foregoing, Employee specifically agrees that all copyrightable materials generated during the term of Employee’s employment with the Company, including but not limited to, computer programs and related documentation, that are related in any way to Employee’s work with the Company or to any of the services provided by the Company, shall be considered works made for hire under the copyright laws of the United States and shall upon creation be owned exclusively by the Company. To the extent that any such materials, under applicable law, may not be considered works made for hire, Employee hereby assigns to the Company the ownership of all copyrights in such materials, without the necessity of any further consideration, and the Company shall be entitled to register and hold in its own name all copyrights in respect of such materials. The provisions of this section shall apply regardless of whether any activities related to the creation of any Intellectual Property took place inside or outside of the Company’s working hours.
7.Remedies. The parties hereto agree that given the nature of the position held by Employee with the Company, the covenants set forth above are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the significant investment of the Company in developing, maintaining and expanding its business. Accordingly, the parties to this Agreement further agree that in the event of any breach by the Employee of any of the provisions above, that monetary damages alone will not adequately compensate the Company for its losses
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and, therefore, that it may seek any and all legal or equitable relief available to it, specifically including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, and may not hold the Employee liable for all damages, including actual and consequential damages, costs and expenses, including legal costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the Company as a result of such breach. The parties further acknowledge their intention that this Agreement shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
8. Notifications to and about Future Employers. During the twelve (12) month period following the Employment Cessation Date and within two (2) business days after accepting an offer of employment with any subsequent employer or entering into a contract to provide services to any other entity, the Employee agrees to (a) provide the Company with the name of the subsequent employer of the Employee or any other person or entity to which Employee may provide services’ and (b) provide notice of the Employee’s obligation under this Agreement and a copy of this Agreement to the subsequent employer or the entity to which the Employee may provide services.
9.Exclusions. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to:
(a)Alter the Employee’s or the Company’s right to terminate the Employee’s employment with the Company at any time, with or without notice or cause; or
(b)Create any employment relationship between the Employee and the Company other than employment at will.
10. Binding Effect/Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and Employee and their respective heirs, legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. Neither party shall be permitted to assign any portion of this Agreement, with the sole exception that the Company shall be permitted to assign this Agreement to any person or entity acquiring substantially all of the assets of the Company.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and any prior understandings and agreements between the parties shall not be binding upon either party.
12.Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement shall be binding only if evidenced in writing and signed by both parties.
13.Effect of Partial Invalidity. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provisions. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.
14. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be subject to any construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The parties to this Agreement hereby expresses consent to be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Virginia to determine any disputes regarding this Agreement.
00.Xxxxxxxxxxxx of Agreement. The parties to this Agreement represent and agree that the Agreement is reasonable and mutually binding. Moreover, the parties represent that this Agreement has been reviewed by their respective counsel and agree that it shall not be construed in favor of one party over the other party.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed and sealed in the Commonwealth of Virginia as of the date first appearing above.
EMPLOYEE:LUMBER LIQUIDATORS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx By:/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx ArganoName: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Chairman of the Compensation Committee
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