AMERIVEST PROPERTIES INC. Common Stock (par value $.001 per share) UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 1
Common Stock
(par value $.001
per share)
May , 2002
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Company,
Inc.
J. J. B. Xxxxxxxx, X. X. Xxxxx, Inc.
c/o
Ferris, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Introductory. AmeriVest Properties Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell
to the several underwriters named in Schedule A (the “Underwriters”) an aggregate of shares (the “Firm Common Shares”) of its common
stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). In addition, the Company has granted to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional
shares (the “Optional Common Shares”) of Common Stock, as provided in Section 2. The Firm Common Shares and, if and to the extent such option
is exercised, the Optional Common Shares are collectively called the “Common Shares.” Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated (“FBW”) has agreed to act as representative of the several Underwriters (in such capacity, the
“Representative”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Common Shares.
The Company has prepared and
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-86676), which contains a form of prospectus to be used in connection with the public offering and sale of the Common
Shares. Such registration statement, as amended, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, in the form in which it was declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), including any information deemed to be a part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 434 under the Securities Act, is called the
“Registration Statement.” Any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act is called the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,” and from and after the date and time of filing of the
Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the term “Registration
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Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. Such prospectus, in the form first used by the Underwriters to confirm sales of the Common
Shares, is called the “Prospectus.” All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, a preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements to any of the
foregoing, shall include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“XXXXX”).
The Company hereby confirms its agreements with the Underwriters as follows:
The Company hereby
represents, warrants and covenants to each Underwriter as follows:
(a) Compliance with Registration
Requirements. The Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement have been declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has complied with all requests of the Commission for additional
or supplemental information. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best of
the Company’s knowledge, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission.
Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus
when filed complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed by electronic transmission pursuant to XXXXX (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy thereof delivered to
the Underwriters for use in connection with the offer and sale of the Common Shares. Each of the Registration Statement (including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement) and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective and
at all subsequent times, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading. Each preliminary prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Prospectus, as amended and supplemented, as of its date and at all subsequent times, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the three immediately preceding sentences do not apply
to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, any preliminary prospectus, or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by the Representative expressly for use therein.
(b) Offering Materials Furnished to Underwriters. The Company has delivered to the Representative a complete manually signed copy of the Registration Statement and of
each consent and certificate of experts filed as a part thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without exhibits) and preliminary prospectuses and the Prospectus, as
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amended or supplemented, in such quantities and at such places as the Representative has reasonably requested for each
of the Underwriters.
(c) Distribution of Offering Material by the
Company. The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of the Second Closing Date (as defined below) and the completion of the Underwriters’ distribution of the Common Shares, any written offering
material in connection with the offering and sale of the Common Shares other than a preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the Registration Statement.
(d) Exhibits; Material Contracts. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement which have not been described or filed as required. The contracts so described in the Prospectus to which the Company is a party have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, constitute valid and binding agreements of
the Company, and are enforceable against and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge by, the Company in accordance with their respective terms. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, no other party is in material breach of or material
default under any of such contracts.
(e) The Underwriting Agreement. This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(f) Authorization
of the Common Shares. The Common Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(g) No Applicable
Registration or Other Similar Rights. There are no persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt securities registered for sale under the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated
by this Agreement, except for such rights as have been duly satisfied or waived.
(h) No
Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material adverse change, or any development that
could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business, operations or prospects, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the
Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise (any such change or development is called a “Material Adverse Change”); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, have not incurred any material
liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business, nor entered into any material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course of business; (iii) there has been no material casualty loss or
condemnation or other material adverse event with respect to any of the real properties or interests in real properties owned by the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Properties”); and (iv) there has been no dividend or
distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company or, except for dividends or distributions paid to the Company or other subsidiaries, any of its subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or other
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equity interests or repurchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class of capital stock or
other equity interests.
(i) Independent Accountants. Both Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP and
Xxxxxxx Wasoff, P.C., who have expressed their opinions with respect to the financial statements (which term as used in this Agreement includes the related notes and schedules thereto) filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration
Statement and included in the Prospectus, are independent public or certified public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
(collectively, the “Exchange Act”).
(j) Preparation of the Financial
Statements. The financial statements filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included in the Prospectus present fairly and accurately (i) the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
subsidiaries as of and at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flows for the periods specified, (ii) the revenue and certain expenses of Arrowhead Fountains Office Building for the periods specified and (iii) the revenue
and certain expenses of Xxxxxxx Office Building for the periods specified. Any supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly and accurately the information required to be stated therein. Such financial statements and
supporting schedules have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as may be expressly stated in the related notes thereto. The pro forma
consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and the related notes thereto and the statement of estimated taxable operating results and cash to be made available by operations based thereon included in the Prospectus and the
Registration Statement present fairly and accurately the information contained therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect thereto and have been properly presented on the bases described
therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. No other financial statements or supporting
schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement. The financial data set forth in the Prospectus under the captions “Prospectus Summary — Summary Financial Data,” “Capitalization” and “Selected
Financial Information” fairly and accurately present the information set forth therein on a basis consistent with that of the financial statements contained in the Registration Statement when read in conjunction with the textual information
included in those sections.
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may be, to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required,
whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse
Change. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company that is a corporation has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through
subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, claim, restriction or encumbrance, and all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of each subsidiary of the Company that is a limited liability company have
been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, claim, restriction or encumbrance. The Company does not own
or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement.
(l) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters. The authorized capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus under the
caption “Description of Securities.” The issued and outstanding Common Stock is as set forth in the Prospectus (other than for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans described in the Prospectus, upon exercise of
outstanding options or warrants described in the Prospectus or under the Company’s current dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”)). The Common Stock (including the Common Shares) conforms in all material respects to the description
thereof contained in the Prospectus. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and have been issued in compliance with applicable federal and state
securities laws. None of the outstanding shares of Common Stock was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company. There are no authorized or
outstanding options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
other than those described in the Prospectus. The description of the Company’s stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and of the options or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus fairly and
accurately presents the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.
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violation of its charter or by-laws or other organizational documents or in default (or, with the giving of notice or
lapse of time or both, would be in default) (“Default”) under any indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, contract, franchise, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it
or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (each, an “Existing Instrument”), except such Defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a
Material Adverse Change. The Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Prospectus (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will
not result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or a Default or Debt Repayment Triggering
Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, or require the consent of any other party to, any Existing
Instrument, and (iii) will not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or
registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency, is required for the Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by
the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained or made by the Company and are in full force and effect under the Securities Act and applicable state securities or blue sky laws and from the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the
“NASD”).
As used herein, a “Debt Repayment Triggering Event” means any event or condition which gives, or
with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would give, the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of
all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
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subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement or conflict with asserted Intellectual Property Rights of others,
which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Change.
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and deeds of trust are not cross-defaulted or cross-collateralized to any property not owned directly or indirectly by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(t) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and its
subsidiaries have filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns or have properly requested extensions thereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid by them and, if due and payable, any related or similar
assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them. The Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable financial statements referred to in Section 1(j) above in respect of all federal, state and foreign income and
franchise taxes for all periods as to which the tax liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has not been finally determined.
(u) Qualification as a REIT. Commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 1996 and through the date hereof, the Company has been and is organized in conformity with the requirements for
qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, the “Code”), and its actual and proposed
method of operation has enabled and will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. No transaction or other event has occurred which would cause the Company to not be able to qualify as a REIT for its
current taxable year or future taxable years.
(v) Company Not an “Investment
Company.” The Company has been advised of the rules and requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). The Company is not, and after receipt of payment for the Common
Shares will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act and will conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the Investment Company Act.
(w) Insurance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries is insured by recognized, and reputable institutions
with policies in such amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are generally deemed in the Company’s industry to be adequate and customary for their businesses, including, but not limited to, policies covering real and
personal property owned or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries against theft, damage, destruction and acts of vandalism and, with respect to the Properties, defects in title. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any of its
subsidiaries will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted
or as proposed to be conducted as described in the Prospectus and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been denied any insurance coverage which it has sought or for which
it has applied.
(x) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. Except for purchases or
issuances of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the DRIP, the Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the
price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Common Shares. None of such purchases and issuances pursuant to the DRIP was made by the administrator of the DRIP at the request of the Company
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with the purpose or intent of stabilizing or manipulating the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the
sale or resale of the Common Shares.
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As used herein, “Hazardous Material” shall include, without limitation, any flammable
materials, explosives, radioactive materials, hazardous materials, hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, toxic substances or related materials, asbestos, petroleum, petroleum products and any hazardous material as defined by any federal, state or
local environmental law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § § 9601-9675 (“CERCLA”),
the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. § § 5101-5127, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § § 6901-6992k, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 0000, 00
X.X.X. § § 00000-00000, the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. § § 2601-2692, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. § § 136-136y, the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § § 7401-7642, the
Clean Water Act (Federal Water Pollution Control Act), 33 U.S.C. § § 1251-1387, the Safe Drinking Xxxxx Xxx, 00 X.X.X. § § 000x-000x-00, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § § 651-678, and any
analogous state laws, as any of the above may be amended from time to time and in the regulations promulgated pursuant to each of the foregoing (including environmental statutes and laws not specifically defined herein) (individually, an
“Environmental Law” and collectively, the “Environmental Laws”) or by any federal, state or local governmental authority having or claiming jurisdiction over the properties and assets of the Company and its subsidiaries (a
“Governmental Authority”).
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so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such
qualification.
Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or to counsel for the
Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters set forth therein.
(a) The Firm Common Shares. The Company agrees to issue and sell to the several Underwriters the Firm Common Shares upon the terms herein set forth. On the basis of the representations, warranties
and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective number of Firm Common Shares set forth opposite their
names on Schedule A. The purchase price per Firm Common Share to be paid by the several Underwriters to the Company shall be $ per share.
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by the Underwriters for the Firm Common Shares. The option granted hereunder is for use by the Underwriters solely in
covering any overallotments in connection with the sale and distribution of the Firm Common Shares. The option granted hereunder may be exercised at any time upon notice by the Representative to the Company, which notice may be given at any time
within 30 days from the date of this Agreement. Such notice shall set forth (i) the aggregate number of Optional Common Shares as to which the Underwriters are exercising the option, (ii) the names and denominations in which the certificates for the
Optional Common Shares are to be registered and (iii) the time, date and place at which such certificates will be delivered (which time and date may not be earlier than the First Closing Date; and in the case that such date is simultaneous with the
First Closing Date, the term “First Closing Date” shall refer to the time and date of delivery of certificates for the Firm Common Shares and the Optional Common Shares). Such time and date of delivery, if subsequent to the First Closing
Date, is called the “Second Closing Date” and shall be determined by the Representative and shall not be earlier than three nor later than ten full business days after delivery of such notice of exercise. If any Optional Common Shares are
to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Optional Common Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the Representative may determine) that bears the same proportion to
the total number of Optional Common Shares to be purchased as the number of Firm Common Shares set forth on Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Common Shares. The Representative may cancel the option at
any time prior to its expiration by giving written notice of such cancellation to the Company.
(e) Payment for the Common Shares. Payment for the Common Shares shall be made at the First Closing
Date (and, if applicable, at the Second Closing Date) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order of the Company.
It is understood that the Representative has been authorized, for its own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Firm Common Shares and
any Optional Common Shares the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. FBW, individually and not as Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment for any Common Shares to be purchased by any Underwriter whose
funds shall not have been received by the Representative by the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, for the account of such Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its
obligations under this Agreement.
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of the several Underwriters, certificates for the Optional Common Shares the Underwriters have agreed to purchase at the First Closing Date or the Second
Closing Date, as the case may be, against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor. The certificates for the Common Shares shall be in definitive form and registered in
such names and denominations as the Representative shall have requested at least two full business days prior to the First Closing Date (or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be) and shall be made available for inspection on the business day
preceding the First Closing Date (or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be) at a location the Representative may reasonably designate. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement is a further
condition to the obligations of the Underwriters.
Section
3. Additional Covenants. The Company further covenants and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:
(a) Representative’s Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements. During such period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of the First Closing Date or
such date, as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus is no longer required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer (the “Prospectus Delivery Period”), prior to amending or
supplementing the Registration Statement (including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act) or the Prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Representative and to counsel for the Underwriters for review a copy
of each such proposed amendment or supplement, and the Company shall not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representative reasonably objects.
(b) Securities Act Compliance. After the date of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly advise the Representative in writing of (i) the
receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of the Second Closing Date or the date the Prospectus is no longer
required by law to be delivered in connection with sales of Common Shares by an Underwriter or dealer, (ii) the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, (iii) the time and date that any post- effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective and (iv) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the
Common Stock from any securities exchange upon which it is listed for trading or included or designated for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order
at any time, the Company will use its best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible moment. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of
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Rules 424(b), 430A and 434, as applicable, under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that
any filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b) were received in a timely manner by the Commission.
(c) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other Securities Act Matters. If, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the
Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a
purchaser, not misleading, or if in the opinion of the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, the Company agrees to promptly prepare (subject to Section 3(a)
hereof), file with the Commission and furnish at its own expense to the Underwriters, and, if requested by the Underwriters, to dealers, amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or
supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or so
that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law.
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(i) Periodic Reporting Obligations. During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company shall file, on a timely
basis, with the Commission and the AMEX all reports and documents required to be filed under the Exchange Act.
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Section 4. Payment of Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs,
fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the
Common Shares (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Common Stock, (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the
Common Shares to the Underwriters, (iv) all fees, disbursements and other expenses of the Company’s counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors, (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus, and all amendments
and supplements thereto, and the preparation and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, (vi) the filing fees incident to the NASD’s review and approval of the Underwriters’ participation in the offering and distribution of the
Common Shares, (vii) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Common Shares on the AMEX, and (viii) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 25 of Part II of the Registration Statement, but only to the extent actually
incurred. In addition, the Company agrees to pay on demand all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Representative in connection with the purchase and offering and sale of the Common Shares, the performance of its obligations hereunder
and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, but not limited to, fees and disbursements of counsel, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, and facsimile and telephone charges; provided that (A) in the event of consummation of the
transactions contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, or in the event the transactions contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof are not consummated as a result of the breach by the Company of its obligations hereunder, the amount of such expenses payable by
the Company shall not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate and (B) in the event that the transactions contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof are not consummated for any reason (other than as a result of the breach by the Company of its obligations
hereunder), the amount of such expenses payable by the Company shall not exceed $20,000 in the aggregate.
Section
5. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Common Shares as provided herein on the First Closing Date and, with respect to the
Optional Common Shares, the Second Closing Date, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof and as of the First Closing Date as though then
made and, with respect to the Optional Common Shares, as of the Second Closing Date as though then made, to the timely performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:
(a) Accountants’ Comfort Letters. On the date hereof, the Representative
shall have received from each of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP and Xxxxxxx Wasoff, P.C., independent public or certified public accountants for the Company, letters dated the date hereof addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representative,
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containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters”
to underwriters, delivered according to Statement of Auditing Standards No. 72 (or any successor bulletin), with respect to the audited and unaudited financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus.
i. the Company shall have filed the Prospectus with the Commission (including the information required by Rule 430A under the Securities
Act) in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act; or the Company shall have filed a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement containing the information required by such Rule 430A, and such
post-effective amendment shall have become effective;
ii. no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement (including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement) or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted or
threatened by the Commission; and
iii. the NASD shall have raised no objection to the
fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.
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i. for the period from and after the date of this
Agreement and prior to such Closing Date, there has not occurred any Material Adverse Change;
ii. the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company set forth in this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made on and as of such Closing Date; and
iii. the Company has complied with all the agreements hereunder and satisfied all the
conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Closing Date.
If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by notice to the Company
at any time on or prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Common Shares, at any time prior to the Second Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that
Section 4, Section 7 and Section 8 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
Section
6. Effectiveness of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not become effective until the later of (i) the execution of this Agreement by the parties hereto and (ii) notification by the Commission to the Company
and the Representative of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act.
Prior to such
effectiveness, this Agreement may be terminated by any party by notice to each of the other parties hereto, and any such termination shall be without liability on the part of (a) the Company to any Underwriter, except that the Company shall be
obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Representative and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 4 hereof, (b) any
18
Underwriter to the Company, or (c) any party hereto to any other party, except that the provisions of Section 7 and Section 8 shall at all times be effective
and shall survive such termination.
19
20
against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company, or any such director, officer
or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected
with the written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement,
any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Representative expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the
Company, or any such director, officer or controlling person for any legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company, or any such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising
or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The Company hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Underwriters have furnished to the Company expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth in the sentence following the table on the cover page, the table following the first paragraph, the second paragraph and the eighth through tenth
paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting” in the Prospectus. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 7(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Underwriter may otherwise have.
21
party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of
counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party
shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local
counsel) representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time
after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.
Section
8. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 7 is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the
one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be
in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total underwriting discount and commissions received by the
Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the front cover page of the Prospectus bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Common Shares as set forth on such cover. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the
Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or
22
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation
or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Underwriters, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred
to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7(c), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set
forth in Section 7(c) with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 8; provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for
which notice has been given under Section 7(c) for purposes of indemnification.
The Company and the Underwriters agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account
of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 8.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Underwriter
shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discount and commissions received by such Underwriter in connection with the Common Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to
this Section 8 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments as set forth opposite their names in Schedule A. For purposes of this Section 8, each officer and employee of an Underwriter and each person, if
any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration
Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.
Section 9. Default of One or More of the Several Underwriters. If, on the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any
one or more of the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Common Shares that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Common Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed
but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the Common Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in the proportions that the number of Firm Common Shares set forth
opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate number of Firm Common Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Representative with the
consent of the non-defaulting Underwriters, to purchase the Common Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date.
23
If, on the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more
of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Common Shares and the aggregate number of Common Shares with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Common Shares to be purchased on such date, and
arrangements satisfactory to the Representative and the Company for the purchase of such Common Shares are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter,
except that the provisions of Section 4, Section 7 and Section 8 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination. In any such case, either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the First Closing Date
or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes, if any, to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.
As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” shall be deemed to include any person substituted for a defaulting
Underwriter under this Section 9. Any action taken under this Section 9 shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
Section 10. Termination of this Agreement. Prior to the First Closing Date, this Agreement may be terminated by
the Representative by notice given to the Company if at any time (i) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the AMEX, or trading in securities generally on any of the
Nasdaq Stock Market, the AMEX or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the NASD; (ii) a general
banking moratorium shall have been declared by any federal, Colorado, Maryland or New York authorities; (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity, or any change in
the United States or international financial markets, or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States’ or international political, financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the
Representative is material and adverse and makes it impracticable to market the Common Shares in the manner and on the terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities; (iv) in the judgment of the Representative
there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (v) the Company shall have sustained a loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity of such character as in the judgment of the Representative may interfere materially
with the conduct of the business and operations of the Company regardless of whether or not such loss shall have been insured. Any termination pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of (a) the Company to any Underwriter,
except that the Company shall be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Representative and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 4 hereof, (b) any Underwriter to the Company, or (c) of any party hereto to any other party, except that the
provisions of Section 7 and Section 8 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
Section
11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, of its officers and of the several Underwriters set forth in
or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any
24
Underwriter or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of
and payment for the Common Shares sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.
Section
12. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:
If to the Representative:
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
with a copy to:
Hunton & Xxxxxxxx
Riverfront Plaza, East Tower
000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
If to the Company:
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
with a copy to:
Mayer, Brown, Xxxx & Maw
000 Xxxxx XxXxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.
Section 13. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties
hereto, including any substitute Underwriters pursuant to Section 9 hereof, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 and Section 8, and in each case their respective successors, and
no other person will
25
have any right or obligation hereunder. The term “successors” shall not include any purchaser of the Common Shares as such from any of the
Underwriters merely by reason of such purchase.
Section 14. Partial
Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Section,
paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
(a) Governing Law Provisions. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Maryland
applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state.
(b) Consent to
Jurisdiction. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Related Proceedings”) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of
America located in the State of Maryland or the courts of the State of Maryland (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the
enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a “Related Judgment”), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such
party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action
or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient
forum.
Section 16. General Provisions. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be
executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the
parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party
26
whom the condition is meant to benefit. The Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.
Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated business person who was
adequately represented by counsel during negotiations regarding the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the indemnification provisions of Section 7 and the contribution provisions of Section 8, and is fully informed regarding said
provisions. Each of the parties hereto further acknowledges that the provisions of Section 7 and 8 hereto fairly allocate the risks in light of the ability of the parties to investigate the Company, its affairs and its business in order to assure
that adequate disclosure has been made in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus (and any amendments and supplements thereto), as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
27
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and
return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours, | ||
AMERIVEST PROPERTIES INC. | ||
By: |
/s/
| |
Name: Title: |
The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Underwriters as of the date
first above written.
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Company, Inc.
J.J.B. Xxxxxxxx, X.X. Xxxxx,
Inc.
By: |
/s/ XXXXXX, XXXXX XXXXX, INCORPORATED | |
Name: Title: |
28
SCHEDULE A
Underwriters |
Number of Firm Common Shares to be Purchased | |
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated |
||
| ||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Company, Inc. |
||
| ||
J. J. B. Xxxxxxxx, X. X. Xxxxx, Inc. |
||
| ||
Total |
||
|
29
SCHEDULE B
LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
D. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
Xxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. XxXxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Investments, LLC
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Trust for the Benefit of Xxxxxxxxx X.Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Trust
Sheridan Realty Partners, X.X.
Xxxxxxxx Realty Corp.
Sheridan Realty Advisors, LLC
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Revocable Trust
Shoenberg Farms, Inc.
CF Group Ltd.
EPT Investment Co.
30
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF OPINION OF MAYER, BROWN, XXXX & MAW
[The final opinion in draft form will be attached as Exhibit A at
the time this Agreement is executed.]
Opinion of counsel for the Company to be delivered pursuant to Section 5(d) of the
Underwriting Agreement. References to the Prospectus in this Exhibit A include any supplements thereto at the First Closing Date, or Second Closing Date, as the case may be.
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland.
(ii) The Company has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement.
(iii) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation or limited liability company, as the case
may be, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has corporate or limited liability company power, as the case may be, and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
business as described in the Prospectus.
(iv) All of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company that is a corporation has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security
interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, claim, restriction or encumbrance, and all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of each subsidiary of the Company that is a limited liability company have been duly authorized and validly issued and
are fully paid and are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, claim, restriction or encumbrance.
(v) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, to
transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so
qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change.
(vi) The authorized capital stock of the Company (including the Common Stock) conforms to the descriptions thereof set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “Description of Securities.” The Company has
the authorized capital stock as set forth under the caption “Capitalization” in the Prospectus. The form of certificate used to evidence the Common Stock is in due and proper form and complies with all applicable requirements of the
articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and the General
A-1
Corporation Law of the State of Maryland. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus and
except for the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan and the Agreement to Remodel Office Building in Exchange for Stock, dated November 6, 2000, among the Arlington Building Partnership, AmeriVest Properties Texas Inc., Woodhaven Management
Corporation, Xxxxxxx 2000, LLC and the Company, to the best knowledge of such counsel, the Company has not granted any rights, warrants or options to acquire, instruments convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or entered into any
commitments, plans or arrangements to issue, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock of the Company.
(vii) No stockholder of the Company or any other person has any preemptive right, right of first refusal or other similar right to subscribe for
or purchase securities of the Company arising (a) by operation of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland or (b) to the best knowledge of such counsel, otherwise.
(viii) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(ix) The Common Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been
duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth therein, will be validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.
(x) Each of the Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, if any, has been declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act. To the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of either the Registration Statement or the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, if any, has been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or are contemplated or threatened by the Commission. Any required filing of the Prospectus and any
supplement thereto pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act has been made in the manner and within the time period required by such Rule 424(b).
(xi) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of their respective effective or issue dates (other than the financial statements and any supporting schedules included therein or omitted therefrom, as to which no opinion need be rendered) comply as to
form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act.
(xii) The statements (a) in the Prospectus under the captions “Risk Factors — We may incur tax liabilities if we fail to qualify as a REIT,” “— We may have to borrow money to make required
distributions to our stockholders,” “— Some of our buildings are subject to special income tax considerations which could result in substantial tax liability upon their sale,” “— Non-compliance with the Americans with
A-2
Disabilities Act could result in compliance costs and fines” and “— The ability
of our stockholders to control our policies or affect a change in control of our company is limited, which may not be in our stockholders’ best interests,” “Business and Properties — Legal Proceedings,” “Transactions
Between AmeriVest and Related Parties,” “Description of Securities,” “Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Securities and Exchange Commission Position on Certain Indemnification” and (b) in Item 24 and Item 26
of the Registration Statement, insofar as such statements constitute matters of law, summaries of legal matters, the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaw provisions, documents or legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, have been
reviewed by such counsel and fairly and accurately present and summarize, in all material respects, the matters referred to therein.
(xiii) To the best knowledge of such counsel, there are no legal or governmental actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened which are required to be disclosed in the Registration
Statement, other than those disclosed therein.
(xiv) To the best knowledge of such
counsel, there is no material indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, contract, franchise, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any
of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject of a character required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement other than
those described or referred to therein or filed as exhibits thereto; and the descriptions of those filed or described therein and references thereto are correct in all material respects.
(xv) No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or regulatory
authority or agency, is required for the Company’s execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and by the Prospectus, except as required under the Securities Act
and applicable state securities or blue sky laws and from the NASD.
(xvi) The
execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder (other than the performance by the Company of its obligations under the indemnification section of the Underwriting
Agreement, as to which no opinion need be rendered) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and by the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Common Shares and the use of proceeds of the Common Shares as described
in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) (a) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, (b) will not result in any violation of the provisions of the articles of incorporation or
bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (c) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or a Default or Debt Repayment Triggering Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, or require the consent of any other party to, any Existing Instrument known to such counsel, that could individually or in the aggregate affect
the Company’s ability to perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and by the Prospectus.
A-3
or (d) to the best knowledge of such counsel, will not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation or
administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(xvii) The Company is not, and after receipt of payment for the Common Shares will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.
(xviii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, to the best knowledge of such counsel, there are no persons with
registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt securities registered for sale under the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, except for such rights as have been duly
satisfied or waived.
(xix) Beginning with the Company’s taxable year ending
December 31, 1996, the Company has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and the Company’s actual and proposed method of operation, as described in the Registration Statement and as
represented by the Company, has enabled it and will continue to enable it to satisfy the requirements for qualification as a REIT.
In addition, such counsel shall state that they have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public or certified public accountants for the Company and with
representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any supplements or amendments thereto, and related matters were discussed and, although such counsel is not passing upon and does not
assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than as specified above), and any supplements or amendments thereto, on the basis of the
foregoing, nothing has come to their attention which would lead them to believe that either the Registration Statement or any amendments thereto, at the time the Registration Statement or such amendments became effective, contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus, as of its date or at the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date,
as the case may be, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being
understood that such counsel need express no belief as to the financial statements or schedules or other financial or statistical data derived therefrom, included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
thereto).
A-4
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem
proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.
A-5
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF OPINION OF XXXXXX XXXXX, LLP
[The final opinion in draft form will be attached as Exhibit A at the time
this Agreement is executed.]
Opinion of counsel for the Company to be delivered pursuant to Section 5(d) of the Underwriting
Agreement:
All of the outstanding shares of the Company’s capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and
are fully paid and nonassessable.
B-1
EXHIBIT C
LOCK UP AGREEMENT
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated
As Representative of the Several Underwriters
c/o Ferris,
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000
Re: AmeriVest Properties Inc. (the “Company”)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned is an owner of record or beneficially of certain shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) or securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for Common Stock. The Company proposes to carry out a public offering of Common Stock (the “Offering”) for which you will act as the representative of the underwriters. The undersigned recognizes that the Offering will be of
benefit to the undersigned and will benefit the Company by, among other things, raising additional capital for its operations. The undersigned acknowledges that you and the other underwriters are relying on the representations and agreements of the
undersigned contained in this letter in carrying out the Offering and in entering into underwriting arrangements with the Company with respect to the Offering.
In consideration of the foregoing, the undersigned hereby agrees that the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated (which consent may be withheld in its sole
discretion), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell (including, without limitation, any short sale), pledge, transfer, establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock, options or warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock
currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by the undersigned (other than as a bona fide gift, provided that the donee thereof agrees in writing to
be bound by this Agreement), or publicly announce the undersigned’s intention to do any of the foregoing, for a period commencing on the date of the Prospectus of the Company related to the Offering (the “Prospectus”) and continuing
to and including the date that is 90 days after the date of the Prospectus. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of shares of
Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock held by the undersigned, except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.
This agreement is irrevocable and will be binding on the undersigned and the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the undersigned.
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Dated:
, 2002
Printed Name of Holder: | ||
Signature | ||
Printed Name of Person Signing | ||
Capacity of Person Signing if Signing as Custodian, Trustee, or on Behalf of an Entity |
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