EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ADDENDUM
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ADDENDUM
This Executive Employment Agreement Addendum (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of January 22, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) by and between NextGen Healthcare, Inc., a California corporation (“Company”), and Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, an individual (“Executive”), (individually, a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
|
A. |
The Company and Executive entered into an Executive Employment Agreement effective as of July 1, 2015. |
|
B. |
The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to provide Executive with certain severance benefits upon Executive’s termination of employment under certain circumstances. |
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the Parties agree as follows:
|
1. |
Severance Benefits. |
|
i. |
Accrued Compensation. The Company will pay Executive all accrued but unpaid vacation, expense reimbursements, wages, any earned (as determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee) but unpaid cash bonus for any completed performance period, and other benefits due to Executive under any Company-provided plans, policies, and arrangements. |
|
immediately prior to the Termination Date paid in a single lump sum payment on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of termination. |
|
iii. |
Pro-rated Bonus Payment. Executive will receive a lump-sum payment within thirty (30) days after the date on which Executive’s bonus would otherwise be payable had Executive remained an active employee in an amount equal to the product of (a) the annual bonus, if any, that Executive would have earned for the entire fiscal year in which Executive separates from service with the Company, based on the level of achievement of the applicable performance goals for such year, as determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee, (or, in the discretion of the Company, Executive’s target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which Executive separates from service with the Company), multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days the Executive was employed by the Company during the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year. Any payment pursuant to this Section 1(a)(iii) shall be in lieu of any annual bonus payment that Executive would otherwise receive for the year of termination. |
|
iv. |
Equity Vesting. Notwithstanding any language to the contrary set forth in any award agreements issued to Executive under Company’s Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Option Plan, Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Option and Incentive Plan or Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan or any subsequent Company stock plan, upon the thirtieth (30th) day following the Termination Date, for awards not subject to the satisfaction of a performance condition, the unvested portion of any such unvested stock option, restricted stock unit or other equity award granted to Executive shall vest, which portion shall be the number of shares that would have vested per the applicable award as of the eighteen-month anniversary of the Termination Date had Executive remained continuously employed by Company through such date. For awards that are subject to the satisfaction of a performance condition, there shall be no accelerated vesting and Executive shall not be entitled to a pro-rata portion of any such award if the Termination Date is prior to the completion of the applicable performance measurement period. |
2
|
b. |
Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause; Termination in Connection with a Change of Control; Disability; Death. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates (i) voluntarily by Executive (other than for Good Reason), (ii) for Cause by the Company, (iii) in connection with a Change of Control or (iv) as a result of Executive’s Disability or death, then Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits except for those (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s then existing severance and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other written agreements between Executive and the Company. |
3
|
to Executive thereunder. The Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to reduce Executive’s benefits under Section 1 of this Agreement, in whole or in part, by any other termination benefits, pay in lieu of notice, or other similar benefits payable to Executive by the Company pursuant to any applicable legal requirement, including, without limitation, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or comparable state law. |
|
2. |
Conditions to Receipt of Severance. |
|
b. |
Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreements. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section 1 (other than the accrued benefits set forth in Section 1(a)(i)) will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with the terms of the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, between the Company and Executive, as such agreement may be amended from time to time. |
|
c. |
Section 409A. |
4
|
payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. |
|
ii. |
It is intended that none of the severance payments under this Agreement will constitute Deferred Payments but rather will be exempt from Section 409A as a payment that would fall within the “short-term deferral period” as described in Section 2(c)(iv) below or resulting from an involuntary separation from service as described in Section 2(c)(iv) below. However, any severance payments or benefits under this Agreement that would be considered Deferred Payments will be paid on, or, in the case of installments, will not commence until, the Release Deadline, or, if later, such time as required by Section 2(c)(iii). Except as required by Section 2(c)(iii), any installment payments that would have been made to Executive during the period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence will be paid to Executive on the Release Deadline following Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments will be made as provided in this Agreement. In any case where Executive’s separation from service and the Release Deadline fall in two separate calendar years, any amount required to be paid to Executive that is conditioned on the effectiveness of the Release and is treated as a Deferred Payment shall be paid in the later calendar year. |
|
iii. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s termination (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executive’s separation from service, but before the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment under Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. |
5
|
v. |
The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition before actual payment to Executive under Section 409A. |
|
3. |
Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this Section 3, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Executive’s benefit under Section 1 and under any such other agreement (including any employment agreement or equity award agreement under the Company’s Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Option Plan, Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Option and Incentive Plan or the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan) will be either: |
|
a. |
delivered in full, or |
|
b. |
delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code as determined by the Firm |
whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in severance and other benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments; (ii) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards; (iii) reduction of employee benefits. In the event that acceleration of vesting of
6
equity award compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Executive’s equity awards.
Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 3 will be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants immediately prior to the Termination Date or such other person or entity to which the Parties mutually agree (the “Firm”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 3, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs the Firm may incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 3.
|
4. |
Definition of Terms. The following terms referred to in this Agreement will have the following meanings: |
|
a. |
Cause. “Cause” means: |
|
i. |
Executive’s failure to substantially perform his duties with the Company; |
|
ii. |
Executive’s failure to substantially follow and comply with the specific and lawful directives of the Board; |
|
iii. |
Executive’s commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty resulting in actual economic, financial or reputational injury to the Company; |
|
iv. |
Executive’s engagement in illegal conduct, gross misconduct or an act of moral turpitude involving economic, financial or reputational injury to the Company; |
|
v. |
Executive’s material violation of any material written policy, guideline, code, handbook or similar document governing the conduct of directors, officers or employees of the Company resulting in actual economic, financial or reputational injury to the Company or an Affiliate; |
|
vi. |
Executive’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Executive and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; or |
|
vii. |
Executive’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets. |
The determination as to whether Executive is being terminated for Cause will be made in good faith by a majority vote of the Board and will be final and binding on Executive. The foregoing definition does not in any way limit the Company’s ability to terminate Executive’s employment relationship at any time, and the term
7
“Company” will be interpreted to include any subsidiary, parent, affiliate or successor thereto, if applicable.
|
b. |
Change of Control.“Change of Control” and “Change of Control Period” shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Change of Control Severance Agreement between Company and Executive effective as of December 30, 2016. |
|
c. |
COBRA. “COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended. |
|
d. |
Disability. “Disability” means, with respect to Executive, the inability of such Executive to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by a majority vote of the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances. In the event of a dispute between the Board and Executive as to whether Executive is disabled, the Company may refer Executive to a licensed practicing physician who is mutually acceptable to Executive and the Company, and Executive agrees to submit to such tests and examination as such physician shall deem appropriate to determine Executive’s capacity to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months. In such event, Executive and the Company hereby agree that the decision of such physician as to his disability shall be final and binding on both parties. |
|
e. |
Good Reason. “Good Reason” means termination of employment following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s express written consent: |
|
i. |
a material reduction in Executive’s annual base salary (which Executive agrees is a reduction of at least 20% of base salary); provided, however that a reduction pursuant to a salary reduction program applicable generally to the Company’s similarly situated employees that does not adversely affect Executive to a greater extent than other similarly situated employees shall not constitute Good Reason; |
|
ii. |
a material reduction in Executive’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities; |
|
iii. |
any material breach or material violation of a material provision of this Agreement by the Company; |
8
|
iv. |
any material breach or material violation by the Company of a material provision of Executive’s written offer letter or employment agreement with the Company. |
In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must provide the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within forty-five (45) days following the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason”, must provide the Company with a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the end of such notice and must resign within forty-five (45) days following the expiration of the Company’s cure period. For purposes of the “Good Reason” definition, the term “Company” will be interpreted to include any subsidiary, parent, affiliate or successor thereto, if applicable.
|
f. |
Section 409A Limit. “Section 409A Limit” means two (2) times the lesser of: (i) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during the Executive’s taxable year preceding the Executive’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under, and with such adjustments as are set forth in, Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated. |
|
5. |
Term; Amendment. This Agreement will remain in effect while Executive remains employed by, and is actively performing his duties on behalf of, the Company and its successor entities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive becomes entitled to benefits under Section 1, the Agreement will not terminate until all of the obligations of the Parties with respect to this Agreement have been satisfied. No waiver, alteration, or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless made in writing approved by the Committee and executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company other than the Executive. |
|
6. |
Successors. |
9
|
the assumption agreement described in this Section 6(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law. |
|
b. |
Executive’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. |
|
7. |
Resignation. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive will be deemed to have resigned from all officer and/or director positions held at the Company and its affiliates voluntarily, without any further required action by Executive, as of the end of Executive’s employment and Executive, at the Company’s request, will execute any documents reasonably necessary to reflect Executive’s resignation. |
|
8. |
Arbitration. |
|
a. |
Agreement to Arbitrate. The Company and Executive hereby agree to resolve by final and binding arbitration any and all claims or controversies in any way arising out of, relating to or associated with Executive’s employment with the Company or any of its parents, affiliates, or subsidiaries, or the termination of such employment or any breach of this Agreement. This mutual agreement to arbitrate includes any claims that the Company may have against Executive, or that Executive may have against the Company or against any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, or parent, subsidiary, or affiliated entities so long as such claim is related to Executive’s employment with the Company. The Company and Executive agree that arbitration, as provided for in this Agreement, shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any covered dispute between the Parties. The Company and Executive agree that their mutual agreement to arbitrate shall constitute sufficient consideration by each Party for the promises made in this Section 8. |
10
|
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) (collectively, “Arbitrable Disputes”). |
|
c. |
Procedure. Executive’s request to arbitrate must be directed to the Board at the Company’s principal place of business. A request submitted by the Company shall be sent to the Executive at the Executive’s address as reflected on the Company’s personnel records. Any arbitration shall be conducted before a single arbitrator of JAMS under the Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures (the “Rules”) of JAMS then in effect. You can obtain a copy of the Rules on the website of JAMS, which is xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx. JAMS has previously maintained the Rules at this URL: xxxx://xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxx-xxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx. The arbitration will be conducted in Orange County, California, and Executive and the Company consent to jurisdiction in California and venue in Orange County, California. If Executive is making a claim, the Company will pay any arbitration filing fee in excess of the amount Executive would have been required to pay (if any) to file the claim in court, and the Company will pay all of the arbitrator’s fees and other arbitration expenses. If the Company is making a claim, the Company will pay all filing fees and all expenses of the arbitration, including the arbitrator’s fees. Each Party shall bear its, his, or her own costs of legal representation; provided, however, if any Party prevails on a claim entitling the prevailing Party to attorneys’ fees and/or costs, the arbitrator may award reasonable fees and/or costs to the prevailing Party in accordance with such claim. The arbitrator shall have the authority to order such discovery by way of deposition, interrogatory, document production, or otherwise, as the arbitrator considers necessary to a full and fair exploration of the issues in dispute, consistent with the expedited nature of arbitration. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision that reveals the essential findings and conclusions on which the decision is based, and the arbitrator’s decision shall be subject to such judicial review as is provided by law. The mutual agreement to arbitrate claims as set forth in this Section 8 is enforceable under and governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. (the “FAA”), but if the FAA is held not to apply to this Agreement for any reason, this mutual agreement to arbitrate claims shall be enforced under the laws of the State of California. |
11
|
dispute resolution procedure, in which case the provisions of such plan shall apply. |
|
e. |
Voluntary Nature of Agreement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive is executing this Agreement voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence by the Company or anyone else. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive has carefully read this Agreement and that Executive has asked any questions needed for Executive to understand the terms, consequences and binding effect of Section 8 of this Agreement and fully understands it, including that EXECUTIVE EXPLICITLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. Finally, Executive agrees that Executive has been provided an opportunity to seek the advice of an attorney of Executive’s choice before signing this Agreement. |
|
9. |
Miscellaneous Provisions. |
|
a. |
Waiver. No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). No waiver by either Party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other Party will be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time. |
|
b. |
Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions). Any claims or legal actions by one Party against the other arising out of the relationship between the Parties contemplated herein (whether or not arising under this Agreement) will be commenced or maintained in any state or federal court located in the jurisdiction where Executive resides, and Executive and the Company hereby submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any such court. |
|
c. |
Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which will remain in full force and effect. |
|
d. |
Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable income, employment and other taxes. |
12
|
Parties. To the maximum extent permitted by law or by any applicable governmental authority, any document may be signed and transmitted by facsimile, .pdf or other electronic format with the same validity as if it were an ink-signed document. Each signatory below represents and warrants by his or her signature that he or she is duly authorized to execute and deliver this instrument and any other document related to this transaction, thereby fully binding each such Party. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above.
/s/ Xxxx X. Frantz____________________
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Barbarosh___________
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice Chairman
13
FORM OF RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This release of claims (this “Agreement”) is made by and between NextGen Healthcare, Inc. (the “Company”), and [●] (“Executive”). The Company and Executive are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Parties” and individually referred to as a “Party.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Executive signed a Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement (the “Confidentiality Agreement”) with the Company on [●], 201_;
WHEREAS, Executive signed a Severance Agreement with the Company on [●], 201_ (the “Severance Agreement”), which, among other things, provides for certain severance benefits to be paid to Executive by the Company upon the termination of Executive’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Severance Agreement) or if Executive resigns from such employment for Good Reason (as defined in the Severance Agreement);
WHEREAS, Executive was employed by the Company until [●], 20__, when Executive’s employment was terminated (“Termination Date”);
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 2 of the Severance Agreement, Executive has agreed to enter into and not revoke a standard release of claims in favor of the Company as a condition to receiving the severance benefits described in the Severance Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances, charges, actions, petitions and demands that Executive may have against the Company and any of the Releasees (as defined below), including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or in any way related to Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship.
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, including the mutual promises and covenants made herein, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
COVENANTS
1. Termination. Executive’s employment with the Company terminated on the Termination Date.
2. Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits. Executive acknowledges and represents that, other than the consideration to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Severance Agreement, the Company has paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation/paid time off, premiums, leaves, housing allowances, relocation costs, interest, severance, outplacement costs, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, draws, stock, stock options or other equity awards (including restricted stock unit awards), vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Executive and that no other reimbursements or compensation are owed to Executive.
3. Release of Claims. Executive agrees that the consideration to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Severance Agreement represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Executive by the Company and its current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, stockholders, administrators, affiliates, benefit plans, plan administrators, insurers, trustees, divisions, and subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”). Executive, on Executive’s own behalf and on behalf of Executive’s respective heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases the Releasees from, and agrees not to xxx concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Executive may possess against any of the Releasees arising from any omissions, acts, facts, or damages that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, without limitation the following:
14
(a) any and all claims relating to or arising from Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;
(b) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Executive’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
(c) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;
(d) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002; the [California Family Rights Act]; [the California Labor Code]; [the California Workers’ Compensation Act]; and [the California Fair Employment and Housing Act];
(e) any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state, constitution;
(f) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;
(g) any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the non-withholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Executive as a result of this Agreement; and
(h) any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.
Executive agrees that the release set forth in this Section 3 (the “Release”) will be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. The Release does not extend to any severance obligations due Executive under the Severance Agreement. The Release does not release claims that cannot be released as a matter of law. Executive represents that Executive has made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, cause of action, or other matter waived or released by this Section 3. Nothing in this Agreement waives (1) Executive’s rights to indemnification or any payments under any fiduciary insurance policy, if any, provided by any act or agreement of the Company, state or federal law or policy of insurance, or any other indemnification rights to which Executive may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or under any power that the Company may have to indemnify Executive or hold Executive harmless;(2) any vested rights Executive may have under the employee benefit plans, programs, or policies of the Company and its affiliates; or (3) Executive’s right to enforce the terms of this Agreement.
4. [Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Executive acknowledges that Executive is waiving and releasing any rights Executive may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Executive agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which Executive was already entitled. Executive further acknowledges that Executive has been advised by this writing that (a) Executive should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b)
15
Executive has at least 21 days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) Executive has 7 days following the execution of this Agreement by the parties to revoke the Agreement; (d) this Agreement will not be effective until the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Executive signs this Agreement and delivers it to the Company in less than the 21-day period identified above, Executive hereby acknowledges that Executive has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for considering this Agreement. Executive acknowledges and understands that revocation must be accomplished by a written notification to the Chief Legal Officer of the Company that is received prior to the Effective Date.]
5. [California Civil Code Section 1542. Executive acknowledges that Executive has been advised to consult with legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, a statute that otherwise prohibits the release of unknown claims, which provides as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
Executive, being aware of California Civil Code Section 1542, agrees to expressly waive any rights Executive may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar effect.
OR
Unknown Claims. Executive acknowledges that Executive has been advised to consult with legal counsel and that Executive is familiar with the principle that a general release does not extend to claims that the releaser does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which, if known by him or her, must have materially affected his or her settlement with the releasee. Executive, being aware of this principle, agrees to expressly waive any rights Executive may have to that effect, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar effect.]
6. No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Executive represents that Executive has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in Executive’s name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Executive also represents that Executive does not intend to bring any claims on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Executive confirms that Executive has no knowledge of any wrongdoing involving improper or false claims against a federal or state governmental agency, or any other wrongdoing that involves Executive or any other present or former Company employees, including violations of the federal and state securities laws.
7. Sufficiency of Consideration. Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that Executive has received good and sufficient consideration for every promise, duty, release, obligation, agreement and right contained in this Release.
8. Confidential Information. Executive reaffirms and agrees to observe and abide by the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, specifically including the provisions therein regarding nondisclosure of the Company’s trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information, which agreement will continue in force; provided, however, that as to any provisions regarding solicitation of employees contained in the Confidentiality Agreement that conflict with the provisions regarding solicitation of employees contained in this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement will control.
9. Return of Company Property; Passwords and Password-protected Documents. Executive confirms that Executive has returned to the Company in good working order all keys, files, records (and copies thereof), equipment (including, but not limited to, computer hardware, software and printers, wireless handheld devices, cellular phones and pagers), access or credit cards, Company identification, and any other Company-owned property in Executive’s possession or control, provided that Executive may retain his personal copies of (i) his compensation records, (ii) materials distributed to shareholders generally and (iii) any written agreement to which
16
Executive is a party. Executive further confirms that Executive has cancelled all accounts for Executive’s benefit, if any, in the Company’s name, including, but not limited to, credit cards, telephone charge cards, cellular phone and/or pager accounts and computer accounts. Executive also confirms that Executive has delivered all passwords in use by Executive at the time of Executive’s termination, a list of any documents that Executive created or of which Executive is otherwise aware that are password-protected, along with the password(s) necessary to access such password-protected documents.
10. No Cooperation. Subject to Section 12 of this Agreement, Executive agrees that Executive will not knowingly encourage, counsel, or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against any of the Releasees, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so or as related directly to the ADEA waiver in this Agreement. Executive agrees both to immediately notify the Company upon receipt of any such subpoena or court order, and to furnish, within three (3) business days of its receipt, a copy of such subpoena or other court order. If approached by anyone for counsel or assistance in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints against any of the Releasees, Executive will state no more than that Executive cannot provide any such counsel or assistance.
11. Nondisparagement. Subject to Section 12 of this Agreement, Executive agrees that Executive will not in any way, directly or indirectly, do or say anything at any time which disparages the Company, its business interests or reputation, or that of any of the other Releasees, except as required by law.
12. Protected Activities. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement shall (a) prohibit Executive from filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other comparable federal agency, state agency or securities regulatory body (the “Government Agencies”); (b) prohibit Executive from reporting possible violations of law to an appropriate Government Agency in a confidential manner without notice to the Company as authorized in any whistleblower protection provisions of any federal or state law or regulation; or (c) limit Executive’s lawful opportunity to cooperate with or participate in any administrative proceeding or investigation that may be conducted by a Government Agency. With respect to any information disclosed pursuant to this protected activity exception that may constitute confidential or proprietary information, Executive agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure to any parties other than the relevant agency or authority. Except as prohibited by applicable law, rule, or regulation, the payments paid to pursuant to the Severance Agreement will be the sole monetary relief available to Executive, and Executive will not be entitled to recover, and agrees to waive, any additional personal monetary relief that may be sought from or awarded against the Company in the future without regard to who filed or brought such claim. However, this Agreement does not waive Executive’s right to receive an award for original information from any Government Agency, including but not limited to any such award pursuant to Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
13. No Admission of Liability. Executive understands and acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of any and all actual or potential disputed claims by Executive. No action taken by the Company hereto, either previously or in connection with this Agreement, will be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any actual or potential claims or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to Executive or to any third party.
14. Solicitation of Employees. Executive agrees that for a period of 12 months immediately following the Effective Date of this Agreement, Executive will not directly or indirectly (a) solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Company’s employees to leave their employment at the Company or (b) attempt to solicit, induce, recruit or encourage either for Executive or for any other person or entity, any of the Company’s employees to leave their employment.
15. Costs. The Parties will each bear their own costs, attorneys’ fees and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.
16. Arbitration. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ANY AND ALL DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, THEIR INTERPRETATION, AND ANY OF THE MATTERS HEREIN
17
RELEASED, WILL BE SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 8 OF THE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT.
17. Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Executive represents and warrants that Executive has the capacity to act on Executive’s own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through Executive to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.
18. No Representations. Executive represents that Executive has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Executive has relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.
19. Severability. In the event that any provision or any portion of any provision hereof or any surviving agreement made a part hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision or portion of provision.
20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Executive’s employment with and separation from the Company and the events leading thereto and associated therewith, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Executive’s relationship with the Company, with the exception of the Severance Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement and any of Executive’s written equity compensation agreements with the Company that are not superseded by the Severance Agreement.
21. No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in writing signed by Executive and the Chairman of the Committee.
22. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard for choice-of-law provisions. Executive consents to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the State of California.
23. Effective Date. [Executive understands that this Agreement will be null and void if not executed by Executive no later the end of the [21s] calendar day after the Agreement is provided to Executive for consideration. Executive has seven days after that Party signs this Agreement to revoke it. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th ) day after Executive signed this Agreement, so long as it has been signed by the Parties and has not been revoked by Executive before that date (the “Effective Date”).] OR [This Agreement will be effective after it has been signed by both Parties (the “Effective Date”)].
24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile, and each counterpart and facsimile will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
25. Voluntary Execution of Agreement. Executive understands and agrees that Executive executed this Agreement voluntarily, without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of Executive’s claims against the Company and any of the other Releasees. Executive expressly acknowledges that:
(a) Executive has read this Agreement;
(b) Executive has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of Executive’s own choice or has elected not to retain legal counsel;
18
(c) Executive understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and
(d) Executive is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.
* * * * *
[Signature page to follow]
19
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set forth below.
COMPANY |
|||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
By: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dated: |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
EXECUTIVE |
[●], an individual |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
(Signature) |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Dated: |
|
20