Exhibit 10.34
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 20th day of March, 1996 by
and among Brandywine Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
(the "Trust"), Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx ("RMO") and the Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx Trust
("RMO Trust") (RMO and the RMO Trust are collectively referred to herein as
the "Holders").
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Holders beneficially own
an aggregate of 538,800 common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01
per share ("Common Shares"), of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to obtain from the Holders, and
the Holders desire to obtain from the Trust, certain agreements, as set forth
herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Nomination of RMO to the Board. During the term hereof,
but only for so long as the Holders are the beneficial owners of at least ten
percent (10%) of the outstanding Common Shares), the Trust agrees to nominate
either RMO or, in the discretion of RMO, any person designated by RMO who is
reasonably acceptable to a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust for
election to the Board of Trustees at each annual meeting of shareholders of
the Trust at which elections to the Board of Trustees are to be held, provided
that such agreement of the Trust shall terminate in the event (i) of the
occurrence of any matter relating to RMO or such designee that would require
disclosure by the Trust in any filing to be made by it with the Securities and
Exchange Commission of any of the events enumerated in Item 401(f) of
Regulation S-K, as now in effect or as amended from time to time (an "Item
401(f) Occurrence") or (ii) RMO or such designee takes any action which could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Trust.
2. Waiver of Redemption Right. The Trust hereby waives its
right arising under Subtitle 7 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation
Law to redeem any Common Shares currently owned by the Holders and any
additional Common Shares or Convertible Securities (as hereinafter defined)
acquired after the date hereof by the Holder up to the limits set forth in
Section 3 hereof.
3. Share Ownership Limitation. During the term hereof,
Holders agree that they will not, directly or indirectly, purchase, acquire or
own (of record or beneficially) any Common Shares or any securities
(collectively, "Convertible Securities") which are or may become directly or
indirectly convertible into or exercisable for Common Shares if the effect of
the purchase, acquisition or ownership of such Common Shares or Convertible
Securities would be to increase the aggregate percentage of Common Shares
beneficially owned by the Holders to one-third or more of the outstanding
Common Shares plus the Common Shares that would be outstanding if the
Convertible Securities held by the Holders were converted or exercised. For
purposes of this Agreement, beneficial ownership shall be determined in the
manner prescribed by Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), but, for purposes of computing the
percentage of outstanding Common Shares beneficially owned by the Holders, the
Holders shall be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the total number of
Common Shares into which the Convertible Securities may be converted or for
which they may be exercised, whether or not such Convertible Securities are,
at the time in question, then convertible or exercisable. In the event that
the percentage of outstanding Common Shares beneficially owned by Holders
falls below 9.8% during the term hereof, Holders will not thereafter increase
their beneficial ownership of Common Shares above 9.8% during the term hereof
without the prior consent of a majority of the Board of Trustees.
4. Proxy Solicitations. During the term hereof,
Holders agree that they will not: (i) other than, in the case of RMO or his
designee, solely in his capacity as a Trustee, consistent with the position of
a majority of the Board of Trustees, make or participate in, directly or
indirectly, any "solicitation" of "proxies" (as such terms are defined or used
in Regulation 14A promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act) or become a
"participant" in any "election contest" (as such terms are used in Regulation
14A) with respect to the Trust, (ii) seek to encourage any third person to
vote Common Shares in opposition to the recommendation of a majority of the
Board of Trustees, (iii) propose any change in the Declaration of Trust of the
Trust or (iv) assist any attempt by any other person or entity to do any of
the foregoing. During the term hereof, if the Holders learn of any efforts by
any third party to (i) make or participate in, directly or indirectly, any
solicitation of proxies or become a participant in any election contest with
respect to the Trust, (ii) encourage any third person to vote Common Shares in
opposition to the recommendation of a majority of the Board of Trustees, (iii)
propose any change in the Declaration of Trust or (iv) assist any person or
entity to do any of the foregoing, the Holders will promptly inform the Board
of Trustees.
5. Voting of Common Shares. During the term hereof,
the Holders agree to vote all Common Shares beneficially owned by them in
accordance with the recommendations of a majority of the Board of Trustees on
any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders other than on any of the
following matters: (i) a merger, consolidation or liquidation of the Trust or
a sale by the Trust of all or substantially all of its assets and (ii) any
amendment to the Declaration of Trust of the Trust which, in the reasonable
judgment of a majority of the Board of Trustees, adversely affects the rights
of shareholders. In any event, during the term hereof, the Holders agree to
vote all Common Shares beneficially owned by them in favor of (i) any
financing for which shareholder approval is sought, including without
limitation, any financing having the terms referenced in clause (ii) of the
first sentence of Section 9(a), and (ii) the SSI/TNC Transaction, provided
that, in each case, the financing or transaction is recommended by a majority
of the Board of Trustees. As used herein, the term "SSI/TNC Transaction" means
the transaction contemplated by the letter of intent among the Trust,
Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. ("SSI") and The Xxxxxxx Company, which letter of
intent is being executed on the date hereof.
6. Restrictions on Dispositions. During the term hereof,
the Holders shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any Common Shares except: (i) in transactions under Rule
144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; (ii) in a
private transaction to any person who is not then a business competitor of the
Trust and who, immediately following the transaction, would own less than five
percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Shares; (iii) in response to a bona
fide tender or exchange offer by a third party for at least 80% of the
outstanding Common Shares and supported by a majority of the Board of
Trustees; (iv) in a merger or statutory share exchange pursuant to which
ownership of the Trust is acquired by a third party; or (v) pursuant to the
laws of descent and distribution, provided that any person acquiring Common
Shares pursuant to such laws of descent and distribution shall hold them for
the balance of the term hereof subject to the agreements of the Holders
contained in this Agreement. During the term hereof, the Holders agree to
enter into a customary "lock-up" letter upon the request of the underwriters
in connection with any public equity offering by the Trust, provided that all
other holders of in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Common Shares execute a
substantially similar letter.
7. REIT Status. During the term hereof, the Holders
agree not to pursue any action which may disqualify the Trust's status as a
real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
8. Legend. During the term hereof, the Trust may
cause any certificates evidencing Common Shares beneficially owned by the
Holders to bear a legend indicating the existence of this Agreement.
9. Term.
a. The term of this Agreement shall be for a
period ending on the earlier of the (i) third anniversary of the date of this
Agreement or (ii) completion by the Trust of a public or private equity
offering yielding (a) at least $35.0 million of net proceeds to the Trust at a
price per share at least equal to the per share book value of the Common
Shares as of the end of the most recently preceding quarter or (b) at least
$25.0 million of net proceeds, but less than $35.0 million of net proceeds, at
a price per share of at least $5.50.
b. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
this Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event that the Board of
Trustees does not recommend to shareholders of the Trust, in connection with
the first meeting of shareholders held after the date hereof, that they vote
to restore voting rights on all Common Shares now or hereafter owned by the
Holders so long as at no time shall the voting power on all Common Shares now
or hereafter beneficially owned by the Holders equal or exceed one-third of
the voting power of the capital stock of the Trust. In addition,
notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, RMO may terminate this
Agreement on or after November 1, 1996 in the event that, on or prior to
October 31, 1996, SSI has not executed an agreement containing (i) provisions
substantially similar to those contained herein (other than the limitation
contained in the first sentence of Section 3 hereof) and (ii) an agreement by
SSI to vote any Common Shares it acquires from the Trust, during the term of
this Agreement, either (a) for the election of RMO to the Board of Trustees so
long as there has been no Item 401(f) Occurrence with respect to RMO or (b)
for the election of a person designated by RMO and reasonably acceptable to a
majority of the Board of Trustees; provided that RMO may not terminate this
Agreement pursuant to the forgoing clause in the event that, prior to the
exercise of such termination right, the Trust has previously furnished to its
shareholders a proxy statement containing an unrevoked recommendation of the
Board of Trustees that shareholders vote to restore voting rights on all
Common Shares now or hereafter owned by the Holders so long as such ownership
does not equal or exceed one-third of the outstanding Common Shares. In
addition, in the event that negotiations of the SSI/TNC Transaction terminate
(as determined by a majority of the Board of Trustees) prior to October 31,
1996 and the Trust has not then furnished such a proxy statement to its
shareholders, containing such an unrevoked recommendation, RMO may, prior to
such time as such a proxy statement is so furnished to its shareholders,
terminate this Agreement.
c. In the event that shareholders of the Trust do
not vote to restore voting rights on all Common Shares now or hereafter owned
by the Holders up to the one-third limit referenced in subparagraph b above at
the next meeting of shareholders, the Board of Trustees shall recommend to
shareholders that such voting rights be restored at the succeeding meeting of
shareholders. In connection with the next such meeting, and, if necessary, the
succeeding meeting, the Board shall use its best efforts to obtain a favorable
shareholder vote.
d. Nothing contained in this Section 9 shall affect
the waiver contained in Section 2 hereof, which waiver is unconditional. Upon
expiration or termination of the term, all rights and obligations of the
parties hereto shall terminate, except for any rights arising out of the
breach by a party hereto of his or its obligations hereunder.
10. Specific Performance and Remedies. The parties to this
Agreement acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur to the
aggrieved party in the event that any provision of this Agreement is not
performed in accordance with its specific terms or is otherwise breached, and
acknowledge and agree that termination of this Agreement and monetary damages
would not provide adequate remedies. It is accordingly agreed that each of the
parties shall be entitled to injunctive relief to prevent breaches of the
provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions hereof in any court of the United States in addition to any other
remedy to which it may be entitled at law or in equity, including, without
limitation, monetary damages.
11. Expenses. All fees and expenses incurred by any
party hereto shall be borne by the party incurring them; provided that if any
party incurs expenses in an effort to enforce compliance by another party of
its obligations hereunder and prevails in such effort, the prevailing party
shall be entitled to recover such expenses from such other party.
12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes
the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings,
whether oral or written, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof. This Agreement may not be amended orally, but may be amended
only by an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.
13. Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties,
any number of counterparts of this Agreement may be executed by the parties
hereto. Each such executed counterpart shall be, and shall be deemed, an
original instrument, and all such executed counterparts shall be deemed to be
one and the same instrument.
14. Notices. All notices given hereunder shall be
in writing and delivered personally, or sent by telex, telecopier or
registered mail, postage prepaid, or by overnight delivery service, if to:
The Trust
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telecopier No. (000) 000-0000
The Holders
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Telecopier No. (000) 000-0000
or to such other address, or such telex or telecopier number, as any party
may, from time to time, designate in a written notice given in like manner.
Notice given by overnight delivery service shall be deemed delivered on the
day following the date the same is accepted for next day delivery by said
service. Notice delivery by telecopier shall be deemed to be delivered when
transmitted. Notice delivered personally shall be deemed to be delivered when
delivered to the addressee.
15. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by,
and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of
Maryland, without reference to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
16. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the
construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
17. No Waiver. Any waiver by any party of a breach
of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be
a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other
provision of this Agreement. The failure of a party to insist upon strict
adherence to any term of this Agreement shall not be considered a waiver or
deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to
that term or any other term of this Agreement.
18. Severability. If any clause, provision or section of
this Agreement is held illegal or invalid by any court, the illegality or
invalidity of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of the
remaining clauses, provisions or sections of this Agreement, and this
Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid
clause, provision or section had not been contained herein. In case any
agreement or obligation contained in this Agreement is held to be in violation
of law, then such agreement or obligation shall be deemed to be the agreement
or obligation of the applicable party hereto to the full extent permitted by
law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.
BRANDYWINE REALTY TRUST
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------
President
XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX TRUST
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------
Trustee
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
