Exhibit 10.16
The Xxxxxxxx Company
April 12, 1999
HealthCor Holdings, Inc.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X-0000
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Gentlemen:
This letter outlines the understanding between The Xxxxxxxx Company, a
California corporation ("TPCO") and HealthCor Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") for the engagement of TPCO to provide consulting
services to the Company. This agreement supercedes that certain consulting
agreement entered into between the parties on February 23, 1999.
Services
--------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx shall, on request of the Company,
provide consultation with and assistance to management as required with
particular emphasis on accomplishing one or more transactions involving the sale
of the Company, its lines of business or other assets prior to June 30, 1999.
Compensation
------------
As compensation for the services to be rendered by Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx
hereunder, TPCO shall be paid on the basis of the following daily rates:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx- $5,000/day
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx- $3,000/day
plus expenses at 17.5%.
Relationship of the Parties
---------------------------
The parties intend that an independent contractor relationship will be created
by this agreement. TPCO is not to be considered an employee or agent of the
Company and the employees of TPCO are not entitled to any of the benefits that
the Company provides for the Company's employees.
The Company also agrees not to solicit, recruit or hire any employees or agents
of TPCO for a period of two years subsequent to the completion and/or
termination of this agreement.
Confidentiality
---------------
TPCO agrees to keep confidential all information obtained from the Company.
TPCO agrees that neither it nor its directors, officers, principals, employees,
agents or attorneys will disclose to
any other person or entity, or use for any purpose other than specified herein,
any information pertaining to the Company or any affiliate thereof which is
either non-public, confidential or proprietary in nature ("Information") which
it obtains or is given access to during the performance of the services provided
hereunder. TPCO may make reasonable disclosures of Information to third parties
in connection with their performance of their obligations and assignments
hereunder. In addition, TPCO will have the right to disclose to others in the
normal course of business its involvement with the Company.
Information includes data, plans, reports, schedules, drawings, accounts,
records, calculations, specifications, flow sheets, computer programs, source or
object codes, results, models, or any work product relating to the business of
the Company, its subsidiaries, distributors, affiliates, vendors, customers,
employees, contractors and consultants.
The Company acknowledges that all advice (written or oral) given by TPCO to the
Company in connection with TPCO's engagement is intended solely for the benefit
and use of the Company (limited to its management) in considering the
transactions to which it relates. The Company agrees that no such advice shall
be used for any other purpose or reproduced, disseminated, quoted or referred to
any time in any manner or for any purpose other than accomplishing the tasks and
programs referred herein or in discussions with the Company's lenders or debt
holders, without TPCO's prior approval (which shall not be unreasonably
withheld) except as required by a court of competent jurisdiction. This
agreement will survive the termination of the engagement.
Indemnification of TPCO
-----------------------
The Company agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend TPCO, Xxxxxxxx and
Xxxxxx, from and against all claims, liabilities, loss or damage and reasonable
expenses as incurred, including reasonable legal fees and disbursements of
counsel, relating to or arising out of the engagement, including any legal
proceeding in which TPCO, Xxxxxxxx or Xxxxxx may be required or agree to
participate but are otherwise not a named party. TPCO, Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx may,
but are not required to, engage a firm of separate counsel of their choice in
connection with any of the matters to which this indemnification agreement
relates. This indemnification agreement does not apply to actions taken or
omitted to be taken by us in bad faith.
Indemnification of Officers
---------------------------
In addition to the foregoing indemnification, Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx shall, along
with any other personnel who may serve as officers of the Company, be
individually covered by the same indemnification and directors' and officers'
liability insurance as is applicable to such other officers of the Company.
Termination and Survival
------------------------
The agreement may be terminated at any time by written notice by either party
effective to the last day of the succeeding month; provided, however, that
notwithstanding such termination TPCO will be entitled to any fees and expenses
under the provisions of the agreement. Such payment obligation shall inure to
the benefit of any successor or assignee of TPCO. Provided further, this
agreement will immediately terminate at such time as the Company is unable to
meet payroll as evidenced by written notice from TPCO.
The obligations of the parties under the Indemnification of TPCO,
Indemnification of Officers, and Confidentiality sections of this agreement
shall survive the termination of the agreement as well as the other sections of
this agreement which expressly provide that they shall survive termination of
this agreement.
Governing Law
-------------
This letter agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York with respect to contracts made and to be performed
entirely therein and without regard to choice of law or principals thereof.
Conflicts
---------
We know of no fact or situation which would represent a conflict of interest for
us with regard to the Company.
Severability
------------
If any portion of the letter agreement shall be determined to be invalid or
unenforceable, we each agree that the remainder shall be valid and enforceable
to the maximum extent possible.
Entire Agreement
----------------
All of the above contains the entire understanding of the parties relating to
the services to be rendered by TPCO and may not be amended or modified in any
respect except in writing signed by the parties.
Notices
-------
All notices required or permitted to be delivered under this letter agreement
shall be sent, if to us, to the address set forth at the head of this letter, to
the attention of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, and if to you, to the address for you set
forth above, to the attention of your General Counsel, or to such other name or
address as may be given in writing to the other party. All notices under the
agreement shall be sufficient if delivered by facsimile or overnight mail. Any
notice shall be deemed to be given only upon actual receipt.
If these terms meet with your approval, please sign and return the enclosed copy
of this proposal.
We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely yours,
THE XXXXXXXX COMPANY
_______________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Acknowledged and Agreed to:
HEALTHCOR HOLDINGS, INC.
__________________________________
By: ______________________________
Its: _____________________________
Dated: ___________________________
