INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT is made this 1st day of March, 2019, by and among Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”), Cliffwater LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investment Manager”), and Crescent Capital Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Sub-Adviser”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end, management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
WHEREAS, the Investment Manager is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and has entered into an investment management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) dated March 1, 2019 with the Fund;
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”, and each Board member individually a “Trustee”, and together, the “Trustees”) and the Investment Manager desire to retain the Sub-Adviser to render investment advisory and other services to a portion of the assets of the Fund allocated to the Sub-Adviser, in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, the Investment Manager has the authority under the Investment Management Agreement to retain sub-advisers; and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services to the Investment Manager and the Fund;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Fund, the Investment Manager, and the Sub-Adviser agree as follows:
1. | APPOINTMENT OF THE SUB-ADVISER. |
The Investment Manager hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser to act as an investment adviser for the Fund with respect to the portion of the assets of the Fund allocated to, and invested and managed by, the Sub-Adviser (the “Allocated Portion”), subject to the supervision and oversight of the Investment Manager and the Board, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Fund or the Investment Manager in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund or the Investment Manager except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Fund, the Investment Manager and the Sub-Adviser.
2. | ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT. |
The Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided. The assets of the Fund will be maintained in the custody of a custodian in accordance with the 1940 Act (who shall be identified by the Investment Manager in writing) (the “Custodian”). The Sub-Adviser will not have custody of any securities, cash or other assets of the Fund and will not be liable for any loss resulting from any act or omission of the Custodian other than acts or omissions arising in reliance on instructions of the Sub-Adviser that violate the Sub-Adviser’s standard of care in this Agreement.
3. | DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. |
a. | The Fund has furnished or will furnish to the Sub-Adviser copies of each of the following documents: |
i. | the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Fund as in effect on the date hereof; |
ii. | the By-Laws of the Fund in effect on the date hereof; |
iii. | the resolutions of the Board approving the engagement of the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser for the Allocated Portion and approving the form of this Agreement; |
iv. | the Code of Ethics (as defined below) of the Fund as currently in effect; and |
v. | current copies of the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. |
The Fund shall furnish the Sub-Adviser with copies of all material amendments of or material supplements to the foregoing, if any, as soon as reasonably practicable.
b. | The Sub-Adviser has furnished or will furnish the Fund and the Investment Manager with copies of each of the following documents: |
i. | the Sub-Adviser’s most recent Form ADV; |
ii. | the Sub-Adviser’s most recent unaudited balance sheet; |
iii. | separate lists of persons whom the Sub-Adviser wishes to have authorized to give written and/or oral instructions to the Custodian and accounting agent of the Fund’s assets; |
iv. | the Code of Ethics (defined below) of the Sub-Adviser as currently in effect; |
v. | the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies as currently in effect; |
vi. | the Sub-Adviser’s pricing and valuation procedures as currently in effect; |
vii. | any exemptive order granted to the Sub-Adviser by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other regulatory body that will be relied upon by the Sub-Adviser in connection with its services to the Fund; and |
viii. | complete and accurate copies of any compliance manuals, trading, commission and other reports, insurance policies, and such other management or operational documents as the Investment Manager may reasonably request in writing (on behalf of itself or the Board) in assessing the Sub-Adviser. |
The Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Fund and the Investment Manager from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the Sub-Adviser’s pricing and valuation procedures within thirty (30) days of such amendments or supplements becoming effective. With respect to the other documents requested above, the Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Fund and the Investment Manager from time to time with copies of all material amendments of or material supplements to the foregoing, if any, within thirty (30) days of the time such materials became available to the Sub-Adviser.
Additionally, the Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Fund and the Investment Manager such other documents relating to its services under this Agreement as the Fund or the Investment Manager may reasonably request from time to time.
4. | SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY THE SUB-ADVISER TO THE FUND. |
As an investment adviser to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Board and the Investment Manager, manage the investment and reinvestment of the Allocated Portion.
As part of the services it will provide hereunder, the Sub-Adviser will:
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a. | advise the Investment Manager and the Fund in connection with investment policy decisions to be made by it regarding the Fund and, upon request, furnish the Investment Manager and the Fund with research, economic and statistical data in connection with the Fund’s investments and investment policies; |
b. | formulate and implement a continuous investment program for the Allocated Portion as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information; |
c. | take whatever steps are necessary to implement the investment program for the Allocated Portion by arranging for the purchase and sale of securities and other investments, including issuing directives to the administrator of the Fund as necessary for the appropriate implementation of the investment program of the Allocated Portion; |
d. | keep the Trustees of the Fund and the Investment Manager fully informed in writing on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Investment Manager and the Sub-Adviser as to (i) all material facts concerning the investment and reinvestment of the Allocated Portion and (ii) the Sub-Adviser and its key investment personnel and operations; make regular and periodic special written reports of such additional information concerning the same as may reasonably be requested from time to time by the Investment Manager or the Trustees of the Fund; and attend meetings with the Investment Manager and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing; |
e. | subject to the Board’s ultimate authority and responsibility to determine the valuation of the Fund’s assets and in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Trustees of the Fund, which may be amended from time to time, provide the Sub-Adviser’s determination of the fair value of all securities and other investments/assets within the Allocated Portion in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s pricing and valuation procedures and provide all necessary assistance and information to the Investment Manager and the Board to allow the Investment Manager and the Board to oversee and review (i) the valuation methodologies used by the Sub-Adviser and its valuation agents and (ii) the historical accuracy of the valuations determined by the Sub-Adviser. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board and the Fund shall be fully responsible for determining the final valuation of the Fund’s assets and the Sub-Adviser shall not bear any responsibility for determining or approving the final valuation of any assets of the Fund; |
f. | to the extent reasonably requested by the Fund or the Investment Manager, use its best efforts to assist the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund in respect of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act including, without limitation, providing the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund or the Investment Manager with, upon request, (i) current copies of the compliance policies and procedures of the Sub-Adviser in effect from time to time (including prompt notice of any material changes thereto), (ii) reports of any violations of the Sub-Adviser’s compliance policies and procedures that occurred in connection with the provision of services to the Fund, (iii) a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s annual compliance report as required by Rule 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act, (iv) copies of any correspondence between the Sub-Adviser and a regulatory agency in connection with regulatory examinations or proceedings, and (v) a certificate of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Sub-Adviser to the effect that the policies and procedures of the Sub-Adviser are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the Federal Securities Laws (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1) with respect to the services the Sub-Adviser provides to the Fund; |
g. | comply with all procedures and policies adopted by the Board in compliance with applicable law, including without limitation, Rules 10f-3, 12d3-1, 17a-7, 17e-1, 17j-1, and 23c-3 under the 1940 Act (together, “Fund Procedures”), provided to the Sub-Adviser by the Investment Manager or the Fund and notify the Investment Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon (i) detection of any breach of such Fund Procedures or (ii) determination that a Fund Procedure conflicts with a procedure adopted by the Sub-Adviser; |
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h. | maintain a written code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, a copy of which will be provided to the Investment Manager and the Fund, including any amendments thereto, and institute and enforce procedures reasonably necessary to prevent “access persons,” as such term is defined in as such term is defined in Rule 17j-1, from violating its Code of Ethics; |
i. | promptly complete and return to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, Investment Manager or the Fund any compliance questionnaires or other inquiries submitted to the Sub-Adviser in writing; |
j. | furnish to the Trustees such information as may reasonably be requested in order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto for the purposes of approving this Agreement, the renewal thereof or any amendment hereto; |
k. | maintain all accounts, books and records with respect to the Allocated Portion as are required of an investment adviser of a registered investment company pursuant to the 1940 Act and Advisers Act and the rules thereunder and the Fund Procedures; |
l. | cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Investment Manager, the Fund’s administrator, the Custodian and foreign custodians, the Fund’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Fund and the Investment Manager; keep all such persons fully informed as to such matters as they may reasonably deem necessary to the performance of their obligations to the Fund and the Investment Manager; provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons; and maintain any appropriate interfaces with each such person so as to promote the efficient exchange of information; and |
m. | will review the Fund’s Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, periodic reports to shareholders, reports and schedules filed with the SEC (including any amendment, supplement or sticker to any of the foregoing (together, the “SEC Filings”)) and the Sub-Adviser Disclosure (as defined below) in advertising and sales material relating to the Fund (the “Marketing Documents” and, collectively with the SEC Filings, the “Disclosure Documents”) in order to ensure that, solely with respect to the disclosure about the Sub-Adviser, the manner in which the Sub-Adviser manages the Allocated Portion and information relating directly or indirectly to the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Adviser Disclosure”), such Disclosure Documents, solely with respect to the Sub-Adviser Disclosure, contain no untrue statements of material fact and do not omit any statement of material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, the statements therein not misleading. The Fund and the Investment Manager shall provide copies of all SEC Filings to the Sub-Adviser at least a reasonable period of time in advance of use. The Fund and the Investment Manager shall provide all Marketing Documents to the Sub-Adviser at least a reasonable period in advance of use for the Sub-Adviser’s review at least once per calendar quarter or more frequently if such Marketing Document contains any changes to the Sub-Adviser Disclosure from a version that the Sub-Adviser had previously reviewed and approved. The Fund and the Investment Manager agree to amend the Sub-Adviser Disclosure at other times upon the reasonable request of the Sub-Adviser. |
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser and when permitted by applicable law, allocation of the securities so purchased, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in a manner which the Sub-Adviser considers to be fair and equitable, consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to its other clients over time and consistent with applicable law. The Investment Manager agrees that the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates may give advice and take action in the performance of their duties with respect to any of their other clients that may differ from advice given, or the timing or nature of actions taken, with respect to the Fund. The Investment Manager also acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates are fiduciaries to other entities, some of which have the same or similar investment objectives (and will hold the same or similar investments) as the Fund, and that the Sub-Adviser will carry out its duties hereunder together with its duties under such relationships. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to confer upon the Sub-Adviser any obligation to purchase or to recommend for purchase for the Fund any investment that the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates, officers or employees may purchase or sell for its or their own account or for the account of any client, if in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sub-Adviser it is for any reason impractical or undesirable to take such action or make such recommendation for the Fund.
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In furnishing services hereunder, the Sub-Adviser shall be subject to, and shall perform in accordance with, the following: (a) the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and/or other governing instruments, as the same may be hereafter modified and/or amended from time to time (“Governing Documents”); (b) the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser; (c) the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations and/or self-regulatory organization regulations applicable to the Fund, including, but not limited to, the Commodity Exchange Act, the rules of the National Futures Association, and those requirements applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (d) the Fund’s compliance manual and other policies and procedures adopted from time to time by the Board and provided to the Sub-Adviser; and (e) written copies of other investment policies, guidelines and restrictions applicable to the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Allocated Portion provided to the Sub-Adviser by the Investment Manager or the Fund from time to time, which shall become effective at such time as agreed upon by both parties. Subject to the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall have full discretionary authority to manage the investment of the assets of the Allocated Portion. Without limiting the foregoing powers, the Sub-Adviser shall have all specific rights and power to do the following on behalf of the Allocated Portion:
a. | acquire, hold, manage, vote, own and dispose of loans, equity securities and any other assets held by the Allocated Portion; |
b. | review, select, analyze, structure, negotiate and close investment transactions and their related agreements, instruments and other documents, and in connection with such investment transactions, enter into, execute, assist in the preparation of, deliver and consummate all agreements, instruments and other documents, including credit agreements, collateral agreements, security agreements, and other similar agreements; |
c. | provide service on committees of, and in other capacities with, issuers of and obligors on investments and other assets of the Allocated Portion (including on creditors’ committees), vote with respect to investments and other assets of the Allocated Portion whether in person, by proxy, consent or otherwise, sell short investments and cover such sales; |
d. | monitor, supervise and direct the investments of the Allocated Portion and dispose of them in such manner and at such times as the Sub-Adviser determines; |
e. | initiate, participate in and settle judicial, arbitration, administrative or similar proceedings to protect the assets of the Allocated Portion, enforce the Fund’s rights or otherwise defend the interests of the Fund with respect to the Allocated Portion; |
f. | cooperate with persons or entities engaged by the Fund to render services to the Fund, including without limitation, attorneys, accountants, custodians, investment brokers or finders, investment bankers, appraisers, loan servicers, and business advisors; |
g. | employ techniques to hedge portfolio risk (but not for speculative purposes) including, without limitation, through the use of options, forward and futures contracts and other instruments (relating to securities, currencies or other assets); |
h. | take whatever steps are required by governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the Fund or its assets; and |
i. | take such other actions as may be necessary or advisable in connection with the foregoing. |
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Without limiting the foregoing powers, the Sub-Adviser, by delegation from the Investment Manager, shall also have specific rights and power to do the following on behalf of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Board to the extent required by the 1940 Act and/or the Fund’s policies and procedures:
j. | obtain financing, borrow money, incur indebtedness, issue guarantees, mortgage, pledge, loan, impose liens upon and grant security interests in all or any part of the Fund’s assets; execute promissory notes, loan, pledge or security agreements, or other agreements, documents and instruments in connection therewith. |
5. | PROXY VOTING. |
The Investment Manager hereby delegates to the Sub-Adviser the Investment Manager’s discretionary authority to exercise voting rights with respect to the securities and investments of the Allocated Portion of the Fund, provided however, that the Fund may request that the Sub-Adviser vote proxies for the Allocated Portion in accordance with the Fund’s proxy voting policies. Absent specific instructions to the contrary provided to it by the Investment Manager or the Fund, and subject to its receipt of all necessary voting materials, the Sub-Adviser shall vote all proxies with respect to investments of the Fund in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policy as most recently provided to the Investment Manager and the Fund.
The Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies shall comply with any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC.
The Sub-Adviser shall maintain and preserve a record, in an easily-accessible place for a period of not less than three (3) years (or longer, if required by law), of the Sub-Adviser’s voting procedures, of the Sub-Adviser’s actual votes, and such other information required for the Fund to comply with any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC. The Sub-Adviser shall supply updates of this record to the Investment Manager or any authorized representative of the Investment Manager, or to the Fund on a quarterly basis (or more frequently, upon the reasonable request of the Investment Manager). The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Investment Manager and the Fund with information regarding the policies and procedures that the Sub-Adviser uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to the Allocated Portion.
6. | NOTIFICATION. |
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the Investment Manager and the Fund about developments relating to its duties as Sub-Adviser of which the Sub-Adviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Fund or the ability of the Sub-Adviser to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser agrees to provide the Investment Manager and the Fund with prompt written notification of:
a. | The occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9 of the 1940 Act or otherwise; |
b. | Any proposed transaction or other event that could reasonably be expected to result in an assignment of this Agreement within the meaning of the 1940 Act; |
c. | Any anticipated or otherwise reasonably foreseeable material change in the ownership or any change of control of the Sub-Adviser within a reasonable time prior to such change being effected; |
d. | Any material changes in senior management, operations, or financial condition of the Sub-Adviser’s firm; |
e. | Any material changes in the employment status of key investment management personnel involved in the management of the Fund; |
f. | Any material changes in the investment process used to manage the Fund; |
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g. | Any modification or other amendment to the Sub-Adviser’s valuation procedures; |
h. | Any financial condition that is likely to impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Sub-Adviser; |
i. | Any material violation of applicable law (including a felony conviction or U.S. federal or state securities law indictment or conviction) by the Sub-Adviser, an affiliate of the Sub-Adviser, or any of their respective directors, principals, partners, members, managers, officers, or key investment management personnel; |
j. | Any breach of fiduciary duty to the Fund by the Sub-Adviser, an affiliate of the Sub-Adviser, or any of their respective directors, principals, partners, members, managers, officers, or employees; |
k. | Any breach of any material provisions of this Agreement by the Sub-Adviser, an affiliate of the Sub-Adviser, or any of their respective directors, principals, partners, members, managers, officers, or employees; |
l. | Any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, in which the Sub-Adviser, any affiliate of the Sub-Adviser, and/or any key personnel of the Sub-Adviser are named parties if such lawsuit or legal proceeding (i) involves the affairs of the Fund (provided, however, that routine regulatory examinations shall not be required to be reported by this provision) or (ii) is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on such person’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement; |
m. | The commencement of any formal investigation of the Sub-Adviser, any affiliate of the Sub-Adviser, and/or any key personnel of the Sub-Adviser by the SEC or any other regulatory authority or administrative body that involves an allegation of a material violation of law by any such person and the outcome, when resolved, of any such investigation; or |
n. | Any other event that is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Sub-Adviser’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement. |
The Sub-Adviser shall immediately forward, upon receipt, to the Investment Manager any correspondence (or portion of such correspondence) from the SEC or other regulatory authority that relates to the Fund.
The Investment Manager agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the Sub-Adviser about developments relating to the Fund of which Investment Manager has knowledge that would materially affect the Fund or the ability of the Investment Manager to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Investment Manager agrees to provide the Sub-Adviser with prompt written notification of: (i) any breach of any material provision of this Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement by the Investment Manager, an affiliate of the Investment Manager, or any of their respective directors, principals, partners, members, managers, officers, or employees; (ii) the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Investment Manager from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9 of the 1940 Act or otherwise; (iii) any action, suit, proceeding, or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body in which the Investment Manager, any affiliate of the Investment Manager, and/or any key personnel of the Investment Manager are named parties if such lawsuit or legal proceeding (A) involves the affairs of the Fund (provided, however, that routine regulatory examinations shall not be required to be reported by this provision) or (B) is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Investment Manager’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement; (iv) any imminent change in control (as such term is defined in the 0000 Xxx) of the Investment Manager; and (v) any imminent transaction or other event that could reasonably be expected to result in an assignment of this Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Investment Manager further agrees to notify the Sub-Adviser promptly if it becomes aware that any statement regarding the Investment Manager or the Fund contained in the Fund’s registration statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, becomes untrue or incomplete in any material respect.
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7. | CONSULTATION WITH OTHER SUB-ADVISERS. |
In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Fund or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Fund concerning transactions for the Fund, except as permitted by the Fund Procedures. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Fund other than the Allocated Portion.
8. | REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER. |
The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that:
a. | The Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect. |
b. | The Sub-Adviser (i) has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not, and will not, conflict with, or result in any violation or default under, any agreement to which Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates are a party. |
c. | Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any “affiliated person” of it, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, is subject to any disqualification that would make it unable to serve as an investment adviser to a registered investment company under Section 9 of the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser (i) is not otherwise prohibited by the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act or other law, regulation or order from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) has met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any applicable federal or state requirements or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency (including any licensing or registration requirements), necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement. |
d. | The Sub-Adviser is currently in material compliance and shall at all times continue to materially comply with the requirements imposed upon the Sub-Adviser by applicable law and regulations. |
e. | The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain errors and omissions insurance coverage in an amount not less than its current level of coverage and shall provide written notice to the Fund (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or insurance coverage or (ii) of any material claims made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Sub-Adviser shall, upon reasonable request, provide the Fund with any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance. |
f. | Except as otherwise specified herein, the Sub-Adviser will not delegate any obligation assumed pursuant to this Agreement to any third party without first obtaining the written consent of the Fund and the Investment Manager. |
9. | REPRESENTATIONS OF THE INVESTMENT MANAGER. |
The Investment Manager represents, warrants and agrees that:
a. | The Investment Manager is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect. |
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b. | The Investment Manager (i) has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not, and will not, conflict with, or result in any violation or default under, any agreement to which Investment Manager or any of its affiliates are a party. |
c. | The Investment Manager has been duly authorized by the Board to delegate to the Sub-Adviser the provision of investment services to the Fund as contemplated hereby. |
10. | REPRESENTATIONS OF THE FUND. |
The Fund represents, warrants and agrees that it (a) has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and (b) has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not, and will not, conflict with, or result in any violation or default under, any agreement to which the Fund or any of its affiliates are a party. The Fund represents that the Disclosure Documents (other than the Sub-Adviser Disclosure) when viewed in their entirety contain no untrue statements of material fact and do not omit any statement of material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, the statements therein not misleading.
11. | EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION OF THE SUB-ADVISER. |
The Sub-Adviser, at its expense, shall furnish: (a) all necessary facilities (including office space, furnishings, and equipment) and personnel, including salaries, expenses and fees of any personnel (including employees that monitor and value the Allocated Portion) required for the Sub-Adviser to faithfully perform its duties under this Agreement; and (b) administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement. In addition, with respect to the operation of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for (i) the reasonable costs of any special Board meeting or shareholder meeting specifically requested by, and convened for the primary benefit of, the Sub-Adviser or, if such special Board meeting or shareholder meeting includes one or more agenda or discussion items that are not for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser, then the Sub-Adviser will be responsible for only its pro-rata share of such costs as determined in good faith by the Sub-Adviser and the Fund; (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s costs for the Sub-Adviser’s in-person attendance at one Fund Board meeting each year, the date of such Board meeting to be agreed to by the Investment Manager, the Sub-Adviser and the Fund; and (iii) subject to Section 13 (including the exculpation provisions therein), reasonable expenses incurred by the Fund in responding to a legal, administrative, judicial or regulatory action, claim, or suit unrelated to the Fund but resulting from the actions or omissions of the Sub-Adviser to which neither the Fund nor the Investment Manager is a party.
Except to the extent contemplated by this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for any costs, expenses, liabilities or losses of the Fund, including the fees paid to the Sub-Adviser as set forth below or to any other sub-adviser of the Fund and all fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with its organization and the offering of the Fund’s shares, including fees and expenses in connection with seeking the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of any exemptive relief contemplated in connection with the establishment or operations of the Fund.
In addition, the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for any costs or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses directly arising out of the following investment related operations of the Fund with respect to the Allocated Portion: (x) reasonable research and due diligence expenses relating to the selection of investments (including expenses of news and quotation subscriptions, market or industry research, consultants or experts directly related to the Allocated Portion); (xi) reasonable legal, third party consultant, and investment-related software and databases expenses incurred in relation to entering into, the reviewing, monitoring and or administration of the investments (including expenses of engaging third party valuation consultants and agents and expenses of loan administration with non-affiliates) including ; (xii) out-of-pocket costs directly relating to investment transactions that are not consummated; (xiii) other investment-related expenses, such as, brokerage commissions, custody fees, interest, administrative, servicing and other similar fees and expenses, and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments or any expenses relating to leverage or indebtedness of the Allocated Portion (including any interest thereon) including investment-related software and databases relating thereto; (xiv) reasonable litigation costs and expenses, judgments and settlements directly related to the preservation of the value of the investment; (xv) all taxes, fees or other governmental charges required to be paid or withheld with respect to assets of the Allocated Portion; (xvi) reasonable expenses incurred by the Sub-Adviser in responding to a legal, administrative, judicial or regulatory action, claim, or suit relating to the Fund; (xvii) ad hoc expenses directly related to the Allocated Portion incurred at the specific request of the Investment Manager or Board of Trustees; and (xviii) any fees and expenses in connection with seeking the SEC’s approval of any exemptive relief (or amending existing exemptive relief) contemplated in connection with the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Allocated Portion.
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Subject to Section 13 (including the exculpation provisions therein), the Fund shall pay reasonable expenses incurred by the Sub-Adviser in responding to a legal, administrative, judicial or regulatory action, claim, or suit unrelated to the Sub-Adviser but resulting from the actions or omissions of the Fund or the Investment Manager, to which the Sub-Adviser is not a party.
The Fund shall pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund in connection with the termination of this Agreement, including any related legal and accounting fees and expenses.
For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund shall pay to the Sub-Adviser compensation at an annual rate of one percent (1.00%), accrued daily and payable monthly in arrears by the 10th business day of the succeeding month based upon the value of the Allocated Portion’s average daily assets. In the case of a partial month, compensation will be based on the number of days during the month in which the Sub-Adviser provided services to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion and from time to time, reduce any portion of the compensation or reimbursement of expenses due to it pursuant to this Agreement. Any such reduction or payment shall be applicable only to such specific reduction or payment and shall not constitute an agreement to reduce any future compensation or reimbursement due to the Sub-Adviser hereunder or to continue future payments. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the fact that the Agreement has not been terminated, no fee will be accrued under this Agreement with respect to any day that the value of the assets of the Allocated Portion equals zero.
All rights of compensation under this Agreement for services performed as of the termination date shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
12. | STATUS OF SUB-ADVISER. |
The Sub-Adviser shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.
13. | LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; STANDARD OF CARE; AND INDEMNIFICATION OF SUB-ADVISER. |
The Sub-Adviser shall have responsibility for the accuracy and completeness (and liability for the lack thereof) only of Disclosure Documents furnished to and approved by the Sub-Adviser by the Investment Manager or the Fund, and only with respect to the Sub-Adviser Disclosure approved by the Sub-Adviser in such Disclosure Documents.
In the absence of willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser and any partner, member, manager, director, officer or employee of the Sub-Adviser, or any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, shall not be subject to liability to the Fund, the Investment Manager or otherwise under this Agreement for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any claim, loss, damage, liability, reasonable cost, or reasonable expense (including reasonable attorney’s fees, judgments, and other related expenses in connection therewith and amounts paid in defense and settlement thereof) (individually, the “Liability,” and collectively, the “Liabilities”) that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security, investment or other assets by the Fund, including, without limitation, for any error of judgment, for any mistake of law, for any act or omission by the Sub-Adviser or any affiliate of the Sub-Adviser or by the Investment Manager or any other sub-adviser of the Fund, except as may otherwise be provided under provisions of applicable state law or Federal securities law which cannot be waived or modified hereby.
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The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Fund, the Investment Manager, and all controlling persons of the Fund (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), against any Liabilities to which the person may be liable that (i) arises out of or based upon any untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Disclosure Document or the omission from a Disclosure Document of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case solely with respect to the Sub-Adviser Disclosure; or (ii) results from the Sub-Adviser’s willful misfeasance or gross negligence in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement, or from the Sub-Adviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. The rights of indemnification provided under this Section 13 shall not be construed so as to provide for indemnification of any aforementioned persons for any losses (including any liability under Federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith) to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of this Section 13 to the fullest extent permitted by law. This indemnification obligation shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
In the absence of its own willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the obligations hereunder on the part of the Investment Manager or the Fund, as applicable, the Investment Manager, the Fund, and their respective partners, members, managers, directors, officers and employees, and their respective affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors and other legal representatives shall not be subject to liability to the Sub-Adviser for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security by the Fund, including, without limitation, for any error of judgment, for any mistake of law, for any act or omission by the Investment Manager, the Fund, the Sub-Adviser or any affiliate of the Sub-Adviser, or any other sub-adviser of the Fund, except as may otherwise be provided under provisions of applicable state law or Federal securities law which cannot be waived or modified hereby.
The Investment Manager shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Sub-Adviser, or any partner, member, manager, officer or employee of the Sub-Adviser, and any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, against any Liability to which the person may be liable that arises or results from this Agreement or the performance of any services under this Agreement, so long as such Liabilities did not arise primarily from such person’s willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. The rights of indemnification provided under this Section 13 shall not be construed so as to provide for indemnification of any aforementioned persons for any losses (including any liability under Federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith) to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of this Section 13 to the fullest extent permitted by law. This indemnification obligation shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Subject to its fiduciary duties to the Fund, the Investment Manager shall use its best efforts to pursue any indemnity claims against the Fund that the Investment Manager has (and any applicable insurance provided by the Fund and Investment Manager) in connection with the payment of the foregoing indemnification.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed by virtue of this Agreement to have made any representation or warranty that any level of investment performance or level of investment results will be achieved or that Sub-Adviser’s management of the Allocated Portion will be successful. The Fund and Investment Manager understand that investment decisions made for the Allocated Portion by the Sub-Adviser are subject to various market, currency, economic, political and business risks, and that those investment decisions will not always be profitable.
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14. | PERMISSIBLE INTERESTS. |
Trustees, agents, and interest holders of the Fund are or may be interested in the Sub-Adviser (or any successor thereof) as members, managers, officers, or interest holders, or otherwise; members, managers, officers, agents, and interest holders of the Sub-Adviser are or may be interested in the Fund as Trustees, interest holders or otherwise; and the Sub-Adviser (or any successor) is or may be interested in the Fund as an interest holder or otherwise.
15. | BOOKS AND RECORDS. |
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund copies of any of such records in the event of termination of this Agreement or upon the Fund’s or the Investment Manager’s request, provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain copies of any records to the extent required for it to comply with applicable laws. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records relating to its activities hereunder required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act and to preserve the records relating to its activities hereunder required by Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act for the period specified in said Rule. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sub-Adviser has no responsibility for the maintenance of the records of the Fund, except as otherwise provided herein, required by applicable law or regulation or as may be necessary for the Sub-Adviser to supply to the Investment Manager, the Fund, or its Board the information required to be supplied under this Agreement.
16. | CERTIFICATIONS; DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that, in compliance with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 (the “Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act”), and the implementing regulations promulgated thereunder, the Fund is required to make certain certifications and have adopted disclosure controls and procedures. To the extent reasonably requested by the Fund, the Sub-Adviser agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Fund in complying with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act and implementing the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures. The Sub-Adviser agrees to inform the Fund of any material development related to the Fund that the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes is relevant to the Fund’s certification obligations under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act.
17. | COOPERATION WITH REGULATORY AUTHORITIES OR OTHER ACTIONS. |
The parties to this Agreement each agree to cooperate in a reasonable manner with each other in the event that any of them should become involved in a legal, administrative, judicial or regulatory action, claim, or suit as a result of performing its obligations under this Agreement.
18. | NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY. |
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser hereto agrees on behalf of itself and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, partners, members, and employees (a) to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund (i) all records and other information relative to the Fund’s prior, present, or potential shareholders (and clients of said shareholders) and (ii) any “Non-public Personal Information,” as defined under Section 248.3(t) of Regulation S-P (“Regulation S-P”), promulgated under the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act (the “G-L-B Act”), and (b) except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the G-L-B Act, and if in compliance therewith, the privacy policies adopted by the Fund and communicated in writing to the Sub-Adviser.
Each party to this Agreement shall keep confidential all Confidential Information (defined below) concerning the other parties and will not use or disclose such information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, unless the non-disclosing parties have authorized such disclosure or if such disclosure is compelled by subpoena or is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state laws, regulations, or regulatory authorities. A receiving party may disclose or disseminate the disclosing party’s Confidential Information to its officers, directors, partners, members, employees and agents that have a legitimate need to know such Confidential Information in order to assist the receiving party in performing its obligations under this Agreement. The receiving party shall advise all such foregoing persons of the receiving party’s obligations of confidentiality and non-use under this Agreement, and the receiving party shall be responsible for ensuring compliance by such persons with such obligations.
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Each party shall take commercially reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to each other party’s Confidential Information. In addition, each party shall promptly notify the other parties in writing upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of another party’s Confidential Information by such party or its agents.
The term “Confidential Information,” as used herein, means any of a party’s proprietary or confidential information including, without limitation, any Non-public Personal Information of such party, its affiliates, their respective clients or suppliers, or other persons with whom they do business, that is disclosed, directly or indirectly, to the other party by or on behalf of the disclosing party, whether in writing, orally or by other means and whether or not such information is marked as confidential. Confidential Information shall not include information that was (a) rightfully acquired by such receiving party from third parties whom such receiving party reasonably believes are not under an obligation of confidentiality to the other party to which the Confidential Information relates; (b) placed in public domain prior to or after the date of this Agreement without a violation of this Agreement by such receiving party or its affiliates; or (c) independently developed by such receiving party without reference or reliance upon the nonpublic information. In addition, with respect to the Sub-Adviser and the Investment Manager only, “Confidential Information” shall not include any information that had been or will be provided by the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates to the Investment Manager that is not specifically related to the purpose of this Agreement or the Fund, including without limitation, any information provided in connection with the Sub-Adviser’s or its affiliates’ other funds, accounts or products.
Each party acknowledges and agrees that due to the unique nature of Confidential Information there can be no adequate remedy at law for any breach of its obligations under this Section 18, that any such breach or threatened breach may allow a party or third parties to unfairly compete with the other party resulting in irreparable harm to such party, and therefore, that upon any such breach or any threat thereof, each party will be entitled to appropriate temporary (until the matter may be resolved) equitable and injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction without the necessity of proving actual loss.
The provisions of this Section 18 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
19. | DURATION OF AGREEMENT. |
This Agreement shall become effective upon the date first above written, provided that this Agreement shall not take effect unless it has first been approved: (a) by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Fund who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of any party to this Agreement (“Independent Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date of its execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board provided that in such event such continuance shall also be approved by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The foregoing requirement that continuance of this Agreement be "specifically approved at least annually" shall be construed in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
20. | TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. |
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Investment Manager and the Sub-Adviser, or by the Investment Manager or the Sub-Adviser on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Fund and the other party. This Agreement will automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, (a) in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act), or (b) in the event the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the Fund is assigned (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) or terminates for any other reason. This Agreement will also terminate upon written notice to the other party that the other party is in material breach of this Agreement, unless the party in material breach of this Agreement cures such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the party alleging the breach within thirty (30) days after written notice. In the event of a termination, the Sub-Adviser shall cooperate in the orderly transfer of the Fund’s affairs.
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21. | ASSIGNMENT. |
Any assignment (as that term is defined in the 0000 Xxx) of this Agreement made by the Sub-Adviser shall result in the automatic termination of this Agreement, as provided in Section 20 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assignment shall be deemed to result from any changes in the directors, officers or employees of such Sub-Adviser except as may be provided to the contrary in the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder.
22. | NOTICE. |
Any notice required or permitted to be given by any party to another shall be deemed sufficient if given in person or sent by delivery service or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party to the party giving notice:
If to the Investment Manager:
Cliffwater LLC
Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx xxx Xxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
If to the Sub-Adviser:
Crescent Capital Group LP
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx., Xxx. 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
With a copy to:
Crescent Capital Group LP
Attn: General Counsel
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx., Xxx. 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
If to the Fund:
Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc.
Attn: Regulatory Administration
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
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23. | SEVERABILITY AND ENTIRE AGREEMENT. |
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter.
24. | GOVERNING LAW. |
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to conflict of law or choice of law doctrines, and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
25. | AMENDMENT. |
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by all parties and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
26. | COUNTERPARTS. |
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures on this Agreement may be communicated by electronic transmission (which shall include facsimile or email) and shall be binding upon the parties so transmitting their signatures.
27. | HEADINGS. |
The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
28. | INTERPRETATION. |
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
29. | NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. |
The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is intended solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and any natural person or entity obtaining rights hereunder as an indemnitee and that there shall be no third party beneficiaries to this Agreement, either express or implied.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have
caused this Agreement to be executed and effective as of the day and year first written above.
CLIFFWATER LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |
Title: | CEO | |
CRESCENT CAPITAL GROUP LP | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Title: | General Counsel | |
CLIFFWATER CORPORATE LENDING FUND | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |
Title: | Treasurer |
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