EXHIBIT 10.28
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is effective on the 1st day of January
2003, by and between XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX, an individual resident of the State
of New Jersey ("Executive"), and FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED, a
corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada,
(together with its successors and assigns, "Fairfax") and Fairfax's indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries, XXXX & XXXXXXX HOLDING INC., a corporation organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware, (together with its successors and
assigns, "C&F") and XXXX & XXXXXXX HOLDINGS CORP., a corporation organized under
the laws of the State of Delaware (together with its successors and assigns,
"Holdings").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Fairfax, C&F and Holdings are desirous of employing Executive
in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and
Executive is desirous of being so employed;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements
contained in this Agreement, Fairfax, C&F and Holdings Executive (together the
"Parties" and individually a "Party"), intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:
SECTION 1. SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT
1.1 Title. Executive shall be President of C&F and President and Chief
Operations Officer of Holdings and President of their wholly owned insurance
subsidiaries (collectively, the "Companies"), excluding Seneca Insurance
Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
1.2 Duties. As President and Chief Operations Officer, Executive shall
be responsible both for managing the day-to-day operations of the Companies,
reporting to the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of C&F, and
for performing any additional services that are delegated to Executive by C&F's
or Holdings' Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Boards of
Directors (the "Board"). Executive shall devote substantially all of Executive's
business time and efforts to the performance of the responsibilities of the
office of President of C&F and President and Chief Operations Officer of
Holdings diligently and to the best of Executive's abilities and shall not,
without the prior written consent of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board,
accept other employment or render or perform other duties, nor shall Executive
have any direct or indirect ownership interest in any other business which is in
competition with the business of Fairfax, C&F, or Holdings and their affiliated
companies, other than up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding securities of a
corporation (determined by vote or value) or limited partnership interests
constituting up to five percent (5%) of the value of any such partnership. The
foregoing shall not preclude Executive from engaging in charitable and
personal investment activities, provided that, in the judgment of the Board,
such activities do not materially interfere with Executive's performance.
1.3 Place of Performance. Executive shall be based in Morristown, New
Jersey, at the principal offices of C&F or such other place as may be agreed to
in writing by the Parties.
SECTION 2. TERM
2.1 Term. C&F hereby employs the Executive on a rolling, two-year basis,
with the period of the Executive's employment under this Agreement commencing on
January 1, 2003 and continuing for a minimum period of two years thereafter,
with a provisional ending date of January 1, 2005 ("Term"), such ending date
subject to automatic extension as provided below. The period of the Executive's
employment hereunder within the Term and any automatically extended terms is
herein referred to as the "Employment Period".
2.2 Automatic Extension. On January 1, 2003, and on each day thereafter,
the Employment Period shall be extended automatically by one day unless at any
time after January 1, 2003, C&F delivers to the Executive, or the Executive
delivers to C&F, written notice that the Employment Period will not thereinafter
be further extended and will therefore end at the expiration of the then
existing Employment Period, including any previous extensions. Following such
notice, the Employment Period will not be further extended except by mutual
agreement of C&F and the Executive. Thus, after January 1, 2003, until written
notice is received by either party, the unexpired Employment Period at any point
in time shall be two years. The Employment Period shall continue until the
expiration of all automatic extensions effected as described herein, unless and
until it ceases or is terminated sooner as provided for in Section 5.
SECTION 3. CASH COMPENSATION; EXPENSES
3.1 Base Salary. Executive shall be paid a base salary (the "Base
Salary") during the Employment Period at an annual rate of five hundred thousand
United States dollars (US$500,000). The Base Salary shall be (a) payable in
equal installments on the schedule that C&F or the Companies may implement from
time to time for general payroll purposes (but not less frequently than
monthly), and (b) subject to any withholdings and deductions required by
applicable law or requested by Executive. The then current Base Salary shall be
reviewed in good faith by both the Chairman of the Board of Fairfax and the
Chief Executive Officer of C&F within a ninety (90) day period following January
1st of each year that this Agreement is in effect and any recommendation for a
salary increase shall be presented to the Board of Directors of Fairfax or any
designated committee thereof as deemed appropriate after such review; provided,
however, that in no event shall the Base Salary of the Executive be reduced
below five hundred thousand United States dollars (US$500,000) annually without
the Executive's prior written consent.
3.2 Annual Cash Bonus. Executive shall be paid a cash bonus (the "Cash
Bonus"), the amount of which will not be less than two hundred fifty thousand
United States dollars
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(US$250,000) for services rendered during calendar years 2003 and 2004. The Cash
Bonus shall be determined by the Board of Directors of Fairfax or of C&F or such
other person or group as designated by the Chairman of the Board of Fairfax. The
Cash Bonus shall be paid in January following the subject year or at such other
time within sixty (60) days of January 1st as Executive and C&F may agree.
Executive will be eligible to participate in the senior executive bonus pool,
which will be thirty-five percent (35%) of the betterment expressed in dollars
of a pre-agreed moving, operating combined ratio on a GAAP basis, the details of
which will be developed with Fairfax as part of a C&F Executive Bonus Plan
("Plan) or such other plan as may be mutually agreed to between Fairfax and the
Executive.
3.3 Reimbursement of Expenses. C&F shall pay or reimburse the Executive
for all reasonable business expenses, including first class travel and
accommodation, actually incurred or paid by the Executive during the Employment
Period under this Agreement in performance of Executive's services hereunder in
accordance with the current practices of C&F applicable to the Executive. All
reimbursements are subject to modification from time to time hereafter, provided
that such modification does not adversely affect the Executive's payments or
reimbursements incurred prior thereto. Such payments or reimbursements shall be
made upon presentation of expense statements or vouchers or such other
supporting information as C&F or the Companies may require of its senior
executives.
SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE BENEFITS
4.1 Memberships. During the Employment Period, C&F or the Companies
shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable costs and expenses associated with
Executive's memberships in appropriate business and professional clubs and
organizations.
4.2 Automobile. During the Employment Period, C&F or the Companies shall
provide Executive with the unrestricted use of a luxury automobile and shall pay
for all expenses pertaining thereto, including, but not limited to, operating
expenses, taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses.
4.3 Professional Consultation. From Executive's date of employment
through the end of the Employment Period, C&F or the Companies shall reimburse
Executive for expenses incurred by Executive for reasonable personal financial
and tax consultation, including, but not limited to, fees charged by attorneys,
CPA's or financial planners.
4.4 Property Tax Equalization. From Executive's date of employment
through the end of the Employment Period, C&F or the Companies shall reimburse
Executive, on a net of income taxes basis, for Executive's property tax
differential between Executive's primary residence in New York and Executive's
primary residence in New Jersey. Executive's property tax differential for each
year shall be the excess, if any, of (a) over (b) or the pro rata portion of
such excess in respect of the year in which the New Jersey residence is
purchased and in respect of the last year of the Employment Period if the
Employment Period does not end on December 31: (a) the total annual property tax
applicable to the Executive's primary New Jersey residence in a single family
house for the first full year following the year in which such residence was
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purchased, and (b) the total annual property tax applicable to the Executive's
primary New York residence in a single family house for the last full year prior
to the year in which the New York primary residence was sold.
4.5 Indemnification. Pursuant to applicable law, Fairfax, C&F and
Holdings shall promptly indemnify and hold harmless Executive if Executive is
made a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative,
or investigative and whether formal or informal, including any action or suit by
or in the right of any of the affiliates of Holdings (collectively, a
"Proceeding") arising out of, or relating to, the fact that Executive is or was
a director, executive, employee, representative or agent of any of Fairfax, C&F
or Holdings any of their affiliates, against any and all judgments, settlements,
penalties, fines, liabilities, losses, costs or expenses (including, but not
limited to, court costs, disbursements, and reasonably incurred attorneys and
expert witness fees) incurred or suffered in connection with, or in anticipation
of, a Proceeding, to the extent that Executive acted in a manner Executive
believed in good faith to be in or not opposed to the interests of the Fairfax,
C&F or Holdings or any of their affiliates, and, in the case of any criminal
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Executive's conduct was unlawful.
Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or any of their affiliates may not indemnify Executive
in connection with any Proceeding to the extent that the Executive is finally
adjudged either (x) to be liable to Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or any of their
affiliates or (y) to be liable on the basis that Executive improperly received
personal benefit. Indemnification in connection with a Proceeding brought by or
in the right of Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or any of their affiliates shall be
limited to costs and expenses incurred in connection with, or in anticipation of
the Proceeding (including, without limitation, court costs, disbursements, and
reasonably incurred attorneys and expert witness fees). Pursuant to applicable
law, Executive shall be entitled to an advancement of any and all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with, or in anticipation of any threatened or
actual Proceeding, or in connection with seeking to enforce Executive's rights
under this Subsection 4.5, within fifteen (15) days after Executive gives
written notice requesting such an advancement. Such notice shall include, to the
extent required by applicable law, an undertaking by Executive to repay the
amount advanced if Executive is ultimately determined not to be entitled to
indemnification against such costs and expenses. Additionally, during the
Employment Period and for six (6) years thereafter, Fairfax shall cover
Executive under any directors and officers liability insurance policy that it
may then have in effect. Executive's rights under this Subsection 4.5 shall
continue even if Executive has ceased to be a director, officer, executive,
employee, representative, or agent of any of Fairfax, C&F, or Holdings or any of
their affiliates and shall inure to the benefit of Executive's heirs, executors
and administrators.
4.6 Tax Payments. The Companies agree to indemnify the Executive in
connection with any and all taxes which may become payable by the Executive
under Section 280 (G) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
SECTION 5. TERMINATION
5.1 Termination Due to Death or Disability. In the event Executive's
employment with the Companies is terminated (a) due to Executive's death, or (b)
by the Companies due to
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Executive's Disability, then, in any such case, Executive (or, in the case of
termination of employment due to death of Executive, the estate or other legal
representative of Executive) shall be entitled to the following:
(i) Salary. The total amount of Executive's then Base Salary for
a six (6) month period shall be paid in a lump sum, without discount, subject to
any withholdings and deductions required by applicable law or requested by
Executive as soon as reasonably possible following Executive's termination of
employment date as hereinafter defined.
(ii) Benefits. In the case of the Executive's Disability, life
insurance and other death benefits, health and medical benefits, disability
benefits and other welfare benefits, no less favorable to Executive than those
provided prior to the Termination Date under the C&F Benefit Plans, shall be
continued for the period of such Disability but, in no event, beyond what would
be provided under the C&F or any of the Companies' long-term disability benefit
plan in effect at the time.
(iii) Bonus. Upon termination of employment, Executive shall be
paid the pro-rata portion of the Annual Cash Bonus provided under Subsection 3.2
that would have been paid to Executive had the termination of Executive's
employment not occurred. Such bonus will be paid in accordance with C&F's or the
Companies' standard practices and timing for payment of annual bonuses.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "DISABILITY" shall mean "disability" as
defined in the then current United States Fire Insurance Company Long Term
Disability Plan.
5.2 Termination Without Cause or Termination by Executive for Good
Reason. In the event Executive's employment with Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or the
Companies is terminated (a) by Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or the Companies without
Cause, or (b) by Executive for Good Reason, then, in any such case, Executive
shall be entitled to the following:
(i) Salary Equivalent. Fairfax, C&F or the Companies shall pay
Executive an amount equal to Executive's Base Salary as of the Termination Date,
for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the Termination Date. Payments
pursuant to this Subsection 5.2(i) shall be at such times and in accordance with
such procedure as apply to payments governed by Subsection 3.1.
(ii) Annual Cash Bonus. Fairfax, C&F Holdings or the Companies
shall pay the Executive each January for a period of thirty-six (36) months from
the Termination Date, a cash amount equal to Executive's Base Salary as of the
Termination Date.
(iii) Acceleration of Vesting of Restricted Stock Awards. All
then unvested Fairfax restricted stock awards shall be fully vested as of the
Termination Date.
(iv) Vested Plan Benefits. C&F, Holdings or the Companies shall
pay or make available to Executive all vested benefits accrued or available
under any Benefit Plan in accordance with and subject to the terms of such
Benefit Plans.
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(v) Miscellaneous Health, Death and Disability Benefits. C&F,
Holdings or the Companies shall provide Executive with life insurance and other
death benefits, health and medical benefits and long term disability benefits
substantially similar to those benefits provided to Executive prior to the
Termination Date under the Benefit Plans, for a period of thirty-six (36) months
following the Termination Date, with contribution by the Executive in a manner
and percentage similar to that prior to the Executive's Termination Date. These
benefits shall cease, however, if and when the Executive becomes eligible to
participate in similar benefit plans provided by another employer.
(vi) Placement Services. At no cost to Executive, C&F, Holdings
or the Companies shall provide Executive, if Executive desires such assistance,
with the assistance of a nationally recognized executive placement firm for a
period of twelve (12) months following the Termination Date; provided, however,
that C&F or the Companies shall not be required to continue to provide Executive
with such assistance in the event that Executive begins other full time
employment during such period.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
"Cause" shall mean:
(a) the willful and continued failure of Executive, after
written notice to Executive, to substantially perform
Executive's duties on behalf of Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or
their affiliates, other than any such failure resulting from
incapacity due to physical or mental illness or death;
(b) the willful engagement of Executive in gross misconduct
materially and demonstrably injurious to Fairfax, C&F, Holdings
or their affiliates;
(c) the Executive's conviction in a court of law of any criminal
felony offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust under the
laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction the laws of
which may apply;
(d) the Executive's willful failure to perform specific written
directives of the Board of Directors of C&F or the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer which directives are consistent with the
scope and nature of the Executive's existing duties;
(e) formal directive by any insurance regulatory authority
governing the Companies' ability to conduct business operations
to remove the Executive as an Officer of C&F, Holdings or any of
their subsidiaries.
An act or failure to act on the part of Executive shall be considered "willful"
if done, or failed to be done, by Executive in the absence of good faith and
without reasonable belief that such action or omission was in the best interest
of the Companies.
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"Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without
Executive's express prior written consent:
(a) the assignment to Executive by Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or
the Companies of any duties, responsibilities or status with
Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or the Companies that, when compared to
Executive's previous duties, responsibilities and status with
Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or the Companies, are degrading to
Executive or materially inconsistent with Executive's
qualifications; including ceasing to be and have functions and
responsibilities of Senior Executive Vice President, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer of C&F or Holdings;
(b) any diminution of Executive's duties or responsibilities or
loss of title resulting from a corporate restructuring or a
reorganization of operations within C&F, Holdings or the
Companies shall constitute "Good Reason" hereunder if, but only
if, following such restructuring or reorganization, the
responsibilities, authorities and status of the Executive,
viewed in the aggregate (and thus taking into account
enhancements as well as diminishments), are materially
diminished;
(c) a relocation of Executive's principal office beyond a thirty
(30) mile radius of Morristown, New Jersey, without Executive's
written consent;
(d) any material breach by Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the
Companies of a provision of any written agreement between
Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or the Companies and Executive,
including this Agreement, if not cured within twenty (20) days
of written notice of such breach delivered by Executive to
Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies; or
(e) any failure by Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies to
promptly obtain an assumption of any then remaining obligations
under this Agreement by any successor or assign of Fairfax, C&F,
Holdings or the Companies.
5.3 Termination for Cause or by Executive Without Good Reason. Without
limiting Subsection 5.4, in the event Executive's employment with Fairfax, C&F,
Holdings or the Companies is terminated (a) for Cause, or (b) by Executive
without Good Reason, Executive shall not be entitled to receive any compensation
from Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies for periods after the Termination
Date.
5.4 Mutual Termination. Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies and
Executive shall have the right at any time prior to expiration of the Employment
Period to terminate the
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employment of Executive hereunder for any reason or for no reason upon their
mutual agreement to do so, such mutual agreement to be set forth in a writing
signed by the Parties.
5.5 Miscellaneous:
(a) On any termination of Executive's employment with Fairfax,
C&F, Holdings or the Companies, Executive shall be entitled
to:
(i) base salary through the Termination Date;
(ii) the balance of any annual, long-term, or other
incentive award accrued as of the Termination Date
(but not yet paid);
(iii) a lump-sum payment in respect of accrued but unused
paid time off at Executive's Base Salary rate in
effect as of the Termination Date;
(iv) other or additional benefits accrued or payable as
of the Termination Date in accordance with
applicable plans, programs and arrangements of C&F
or Holdings (including, without limitation, Sections
3 and 4); and
(v) payment or provision, reasonably promptly when due,
of all amounts and benefits owed to Executive in
connection with the termination;
(b) in the event of any termination of Executive's employment
with Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies, no
contractual obligations to Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the
Companies shall restrict Executive's right to perform
services for any new employer. Executive shall be under no
obligation to seek other employment or otherwise mitigate
the obligations of Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies
under this Agreement; and there shall be no offset against
amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of
(i) any claim that Fairfax or C&F or the Companies may have
against Executive or (ii) any remuneration or other benefit
earned or received by Executive after such termination. Any
amounts due under this Section 5 are considered to be
reasonable by Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies and
are not in the nature of a penalty.
5.6 Termination Date and Notice of Termination
(a) Notice. Any termination of Executive's employment with
Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies (other than termination upon the death
of Executive, upon expiration of the Employment Period, or by mutual agreement
pursuant to Subsection 5.4) shall be
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communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other Parties. For purposes
of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice that indicates
the specific termination provisions in this Agreement relied upon and sets forth
in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of Executive's employment under the provisions so indicated.
(b) Termination Date. "Termination Date" shall mean (i) if
Executive's employment is terminated by Executive's death, the date of
Executive's death, (ii) if Executive's employment is terminated for Disability,
thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given provided that Executive
shall not have returned to the performance of duties on a full-time basis during
such thirty (30) day period), (iii) if Executive's employment is terminated for
Cause, ten (10) days after Notice of Termination is given, (iv) if Executive's
employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, thirty (30) days after
Notice of Termination is given by Executive, (v) if Executive's employment is
terminated by mutual agreement of the parties pursuant to Subsection 5.4, then
the date agreed upon by the parties, (vi) if Executive's employment is
terminated by expiration of the Employment Period, the last day of the
Employment Period, and (vii) if Executive's employment is terminated for any
other reason, the date on which Executive ceases to perform Services unless some
other date is agreed to in writing.
SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PARTIES
Fairfax, C&F and Holdings represent and warrant to Executive that (a) this
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Fairfax, C&F and Holdings, (b)
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by and Fairfax, C&F
and Holdings has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of each of Fairfax, C&F and Holdings, (c) this Agreement constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Fairfax, C&F and Holdings,
enforceable against each of Fairfax, C&F and Holdings in accordance with its
terms, and (d) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
Fairfax, C&F and Holdings does not, and will not, conflict with, violate, or
constitute a breach of or a default under, (i) the Articles or Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Fairfax, C&F or Holdings, (ii) any provision of law
or regulation applicable to any of the Fairfax, C&F or Holdings, (iii) any
provision of any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which any of
Fairfax, C&F or Holdings is a party or by which Fairfax, C&F or Holdings is
bound or affected, with respect to which any such conflict, violation, breach or
default would render this Agreement unenforceable or would have a material
adverse effect on the financial condition of the Fairfax, C&F or Holdings, and
(e) neither Fairfax, C&F nor Holdings has received any legal advice contrary to
their representations and warranties set forth in this Section 6. Executive
represents and warrants to Fairfax, C&F and Holdings that (a) Executive's
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not, and will not,
conflict with, violate, or constitute a breach of or a default under, any
provision of law or regulation applicable to Executive or any provision of any
agreement, contract or other instrument to which Executive is a party or by
which Executive is otherwise bound, (b) this Agreement constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable against Executive in
accordance with its terms, and (c) Executive has not received any legal advice
contrary to Executive's representations and warranties set forth in this Section
6.
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SECTION 7. CERTAIN COVENANTS.
7.1 Confidential Data. Executive covenants that Executive shall not,
without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of either Fairfax,
C&F or Holdings or its affiliates or a person authorized by such Board of
Directors, disclose to any person, other than (x) employees, agents or
representatives of Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or its affiliates, (y) in connection
with performing the Services or (z) in confidence to an attorney for the purpose
of obtaining legal advice, any confidential proprietary information about
Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or their affiliates or their businesses, unless and
until such information has become known to the public generally (other than as a
result of unauthorized disclosure by Executive) or unless Executive is required
to disclose such information by a court, arbitrator, governmental body, or other
person with apparent authority to require such disclosure. The foregoing
covenant by Executive shall be without limitation as to time and geographic
application.
7.2 Property of Fairfax, C&F, Holdings and Their Affiliates. Executive
acknowledges that from time to time in the course of providing services pursuant
to this Agreement, Executive shall have the opportunity to inspect and use
certain property, both tangible and intangible, of Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or
their affiliates and Executive hereby agrees that said property shall remain the
exclusive property of Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or their affiliates, and Executive
shall have no right or proprietary interest in such property, whether tangible
or intangible, including, without limitation, Executive's customer and supplier
lists, contact forms, books of account, computer programs and similar property.
7.3 Equitable Relief. Executive acknowledges that the services to be
rendered by Executive are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary, and
intellectual character, which gives them a peculiar value, and the loss of which
cannot reasonably or adequately be compensated in damages in an action at law;
and that a breach by Executive of any of the provisions contained in this
Agreement may cause Fairfax, C&F or Holdings or their affiliates irreparable
injury and damage. Executive further acknowledges that Executive possesses
unique skills, knowledge and ability and that competition by Executive in
violation of this Agreement or any other breach of the provisions of this
Agreement could be extremely detrimental to Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or their
affiliates. By reason thereof Executive agrees that Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or
their affiliates may be entitled, in addition to any other remedies it may have
under this Agreement or otherwise, to injunctive and other equitable relief to
prevent or curtail any breach of this Agreement by Executive.
7.4 Limitations on Remedies. Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or its affiliates
shall not be entitled to suspend payments otherwise due Executive by reason of
Executive's violation of Section 7 hereof (whether before or after a judgment is
obtained by C&F against Executive). Fairfax, C&F or Holdings shall not be
entitled to set off against the amounts payable to Executive under this
Agreement any amounts owed to Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or their affiliates by
Executive. Nothing in this Subsection 7.4 shall limit Fairfax's, C&F's,
Holdings' or their affiliates' remedies in the case of Executive's violation of
this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Subsection
7.4.
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7.5 Covenant Not to Solicit. Executive agrees that, for a period of
twelve (12) months after the Termination Date, Executive will not actively
solicit to hire either directly or indirectly any non-clerical employee of
Fairfax, C&F, Holdings and their affiliates.
SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS.
8.1 Assignability; Binding Nature. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, heirs
and assigns. No rights or obligations of Executive under this Agreement may be
assigned or transferred by Executive other than Executive's rights to
compensation and benefits hereunder, which may be transferred by will, by
operation of law, or pursuant to the following sentence, in each case subject to
the limitations set forth in this Agreement. Executive shall be entitled, to the
extent permitted under applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or
beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit hereunder following
Executive's death by giving Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies written
notice thereof. In the event of Executive's death or a judicial determination of
Executive's incompetence, references in this Agreement to Executive shall be
deemed, where appropriate, to refer to Executive's beneficiary, estate or other
legal representative. No rights or obligations of Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the
Companies under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by Fairfax, C&F,
Holdings or the Companies except that such rights or obligations may be assigned
or transferred pursuant to a merger, consolidation or similar transaction in
which Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies is not the continuing entity, or
the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the business and assets
of Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies, provided that the assignee or
transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the business and
assets of Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies and such assignee or
transferee promptly assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of Fairfax,
C&F, Holdings or the Companies, as contained in this Agreement, either
contractually or as a matter of law.
8.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in
all respects be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with
the laws of the State of New Jersey.
8.3 Arbitration of all Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of
or relating to this Agreement (or the breach thereof) shall be settled by final,
binding and non-appealable arbitration in New Jersey. The arbitration shall be
conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect, and judgment upon the award may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. All costs associated with any
arbitration, including all legal expenses for all Parties, shall be borne by
Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies subject to Fairfax's, C&F's, Holdings'
or the Companies right to repayment by Executive of costs incurred by Executive
to the extent that Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or the Companies finally prevail in
such arbitration.
8.4 Headings. The section and subsection headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
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8.5 Notices. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto, all communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to be given when delivered if delivered in person, the next day or
designated delivery date if delivered by overnight service or courier, upon
confirmation of receipt if delivered by facsimile, or five (5) business days
after being sent by first-class mail, registered or certified, return receipt
requested, with proper postage prepaid, and
(a) If to Executive, addressed to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
(b) If to C&F, addressed to:
Chairman of the Board
Xxxx & Xxxxxxx Holding Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
with a copy to:
Vice President - Human Resources
United States Fire Insurance Company
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
(c) If to Fairfax or Holdings, addressed to:
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xx. Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X0X 0XX
or to such other person or address as shall be furnished in writing by any party
to the other prior to the giving of the applicable notice or communication.
8.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
8.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties hereto
to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the subject matter
hereof and is the complete and exclusive statement of the terms thereof,
notwithstanding any representations, statements or
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agreements to the contrary heretofore made. This Agreement may be modified only
by a written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.
8.8 Waiver. The waiver by either Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or Executive to
this Agreement of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate
or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach of the same
provision by the other party or a waiver of a breach of another provision of
this Agreement by the other party. No waiver or modification of any provision of
this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and duly executed by the party
to be charged with the waiver or modification.
8.9 Survivorship. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the
respective rights and obligations of the parties shall survive any termination
of Executive's employment hereunder.
8.9 Withholding Taxes. Fairfax, C&F, Holdings or their affiliates may
withhold from any amounts or benefits payable under this Agreement any taxes
that are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.
FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXX
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------
Title: Vice President
-------------------------------
Attest:
----------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------
XXXX & XXXXXXX HOLDING INC.
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------
Title: Secretary
-------------------------------
Attest: /s/ XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXX
----------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President
and Treasurer
-----------------------------
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XXXX & XXXXXXX HOLDINGS CORP.
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------
Title: Corporate Secretary
-------------------------------
Attest: /s/ XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXX
----------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Title: Senior Executive Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer
-----------------------------
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX
/s/ XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX
--------------------------------------
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