INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
10.39
AGREEMENT
dated as of February 9, 2007, between NEW BRUNSWICK SCIENTIFIC CO., INC., a
New
Jersey corporation (the "Corporation") and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx (the "Director").
WHEREAS,
the Director is a member of the board of directors of the Corporation;
and
WHEREAS,
proceedings based upon the Director's performance of his duties may be brought
from time to time against or involving him; and
WHEREAS,
the Corporation recognizes that the threat of such proceedings might inhibit
the
Director in his performance of his duties and/or cause the Director to cease
serving as a director of the Corporation; and
WHEREAS,
to reduce any such inhibition, the Corporation wishes to indemnify the Director
against liabilities he may incur as a result of certain proceedings, as well
as
expenses he may incur in his defense in
such proceedings; and
WHEREAS,
in certain proceedings involving claims relating to the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, Federal law may apply to limit the
permissible scope of indemnification; and
NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties hereto, for valuable consideration, incident to the
Director's service to, and to induce the continued service of the Director
to
the Corporation, agree as follows:
1
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Proceeding.
"Proceeding" shall mean any pending, threatened or completed civil, criminal,
administrative or arbitrative action, suit or proceeding, any appeal from any
such action, suit or proceeding, and any inquiry or investigation which could
lead to any such action, suit or proceeding.
1.2 Expenses. "Expenses"
shall mean reasonable costs, disbursements and counsel fees.
1.3 Liabilities.
"Liabilities" shall mean amounts paid or incurred in satisfaction or
settlements, judgments, fines and penalties.
1.4 Derivative
Suit.
"Derivative Suit" shall mean a Proceeding against the Director brought by or
in
the right of the Corporation, which involves the Director by reason of his
being
or having been a director, officer or agent of the Corporation or a subsidiary
thereof.
1.5 Breach
Of The Director's Duty of Loyalty.
"Breach
Of The Director's Duty Of Loyalty" shall mean an act or omission which that
person knows or believes to be contrary to the best interests of the Corporation
or its Shareholders in connection with a matter in which he has a material
conflict of interest.
1.6 ERISA
Suit.
"ERISA
Suit" shall mean a proceeding against the Director brought by or on behalf
of a
participant(s) or beneficiary of any employee welfare or pension benefit plan
by
reason of his being or having been a Trustee or fiduciary of such plan, or
by
reason of his actions with respect to the plan which he has taken in his
capacity as a Director.
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ARTICLE
II
INDEMNIFICATION
2.1 Personal
Liability.
The
Director shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders
for damages for breach of any duty owed to the Corporation or its stockholders
unless such breach of duty is based upon an act or omission (a) in Breach Of
The
Director's Duty Of Loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (b) not
in
good faith or involving a knowing violation of law; or (c) resulting in receipt
by the Director of an improper personal benefit.
2.2 Expenses.
Unless
otherwise expressly prohibited by law, the Corporation shall indemnify the
Director against his Expenses and all Liabilities in connection with any
Proceeding involving the Director, including a proceeding by or in the right
of
the Corporation, unless such breach of duty is based upon an act or omission
(a)
in Breach Of The Director's Duty Of Loyalty to the Corporation or its
stockholders; (b) not in good faith or involving a knowing violation of law;
or
(c) resulting in receipt by the Director of an improper personal
benefit.
2.3 Advancement
of Expenses.
The
Corporation shall advance or pay those Expenses incurred by the Director in
a
Proceeding as and when incurred, provided,
however,
that
the Director shall, as a condition to receipt of such advances, undertake to
repay all amounts advanced if it shall finally be adjudicated that the breach
of
duty by the Director was based on an act or omission (a) in Breach Of The
Director's Duty Of Loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (b) not
in
good faith or involving a knowing violation of the law; or (c) resulting in
receipt of an improper personal benefit.
3
ARTICLE
III
INDEMNIFICATION
FOR ERISA SUITS
3.1 Indemnification.
The
Corporation shall, to the extent indemnification is not available to the
Director under Article II of this Agreement, indemnify the Director against
any
and all Liabilities and Expenses which he may incur in connection with any
ERISA
Suit, if:
(a) he
acted
in good faith, and
(b) in
a
manner which did not constitute a breach of fiduciary obligations as defined
by
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. §1101-1114.
3.2 No
Presumption.
The
termination of any proceeding in connection with any ERISA Suit by judgment,
order or settlement should not of itself create a presumption that the Director
did not meet the applicable standards of conduct set forth in subparagraphs
(a)
and (b) above.
3.3 Determination.
Any
determination concerning whether the Director met the standards of conduct
set
forth in subparagraphs 3.1(a) and (b) above shall be made:
(a) by
the
Board of Directors of the Corporation or a committee thereof acting by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to or
otherwise involved in the proceeding; or
(b) by
the
Shareholders, if provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, the by-laws
of
the Corporation, or a resolution of either the Board of Directors or the
Shareholders of the Corporation; or
(c) by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, if a quorum of the Board of
Directors cannot be obtained, or if a quorum of the Board of Directors or a
committee thereof by a majority vote of the disinterested directors so directs.
Such counsel shall be designated by the Board of Directors.
4
ARTICLE
IV
MISCELLANEOUS
4.1 Agreement
Effective Despite Service Prior to Effective Date and After Termination of
Director.
This
Agreement shall be effective without regard to the service of the Director
as a
Director of the Corporation prior to the date hereof and this Agreement shall
remain effective notwithstanding the removal, resignation, death or other
termination of the Director from any position with the Corporation.
4.2 Binding
Effect Upon Successors of Corporation.
This
Agreement shall bind the Corporation, its successors and assigns.
4.3 Insurance.
The
Corporation, at its sole discretion, may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of the Director.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first
written above.
ATTEST:
|
NEW
BRUNSWICK SCIENTIFIC CO., INC.
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
By:
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
Secretary
|
Chairman
|
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
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