EXHIBIT 10.9A
SEVERANCE COMPENSATION
AGREEMENT
---------------------
THIS SEVERANCE COMPENSATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of the 5th day of August, 1998 by and between SOUTHWEST WATER
--- ------ -
COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
----------------
("Executive"), with respect to the following:
RECITALS
--------
A. The Company, through its subsidiaries Suburban Water Systems
("Suburban"), ECO Resources, Inc. ("ECO") and New Mexico Utilities, Inc.
("NMU"), is engaged in the business of producing and delivering water and
providing water and wastewater services. Executive is employed by Southwest
---------
Water Company as its
------------- -----------------------.
B. The Company's Board of Directors has determined that it is appropriate
to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of
the Company's management, including Executive, to their assigned duties without
distraction in potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility
of a change in control of the Company and/or the subsidiary of the Company which
employs Executive.
C. This Agreement sets forth the severance compensation which the Company
agrees it will pay to Executive if Executive's employment with the Company or,
if applicable, the subsidiary which employs Executive, terminates under one of
the circumstances described herein following a Change in Control, as defined
herein, of the Company or the subsidiary of the Company which employs Executive.
AGREEMENT
---------
IN CONSIDERATION OF the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises and
covenants contained herein, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
1. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence upon the last
----
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and shall continue until
the first to occur of:
(a) The second anniversary of any Change in Control, as defined
in paragraph 2 below, of the Company or the subsidiary which employs Executive.
For the purposes of this provision, the two year period provided for herein,
whether commenced by a Change in Control of the Company or a change in control
of a subsidiary, shall not be extended by a subsequent Change in Control of
either the Company or, if applicable, the Subsidiary which employs Executive.
(b) The Retirement, as defined in paragraph 2 below, of
Executive.
(c) The death of Executive.
(d) Termination by the Company (or the subsidiary which employs
Executive, if applicable) of Executive's employment for Cause, as defined in
paragraph 2 below.
(e) Termination by Executive of Executive's employment with
, whether or not for Good Reason, as defined in paragraph 2
--------------------
below.
Provided, however, that upon any termination by Executive for Good Reason, or
any termination of Executive by the Company (or the subsidiary which employs
Executive, if applicable) other than for Cause, the obligations of the Company
pursuant to paragraph 4 below shall survive such termination. Provided further,
that the rights of Executive pursuant to paragraph 7 below shall survive any
termination of this Agreement, including termination by Executive of Executive's
employment other than for Good Reason and a termination by the Company (or the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) of Executive's employment for
Cause.
2. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
-----------
shall have the meanings given to them in this paragraph 2:
(a) Cause. The term "Cause" shall mean, and the Company (or the
-----
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) shall be entitled to
terminate the employment of Executive for (i) fraud, misappropriation or
embezzlement of money or property by Executive, (ii willful and continued
failure of Executive to substantially perform Executive's duties with the
Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) (other than
any such failure resulting from incapacity of Executive due to physical or
mental illness), after a demand for substantial performance is delivered to
Executive by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or the Compensation
Committee of the Board, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which
Executive has not substantially performed Executive's duties and (ii willful
engagement by Executive in misconduct which is materially injurious to the
Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable), monetarily
or otherwise. For purposes of this subparagraph, no act, or failure to act, on
Executive's part shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be
done, by Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that
Executive's action or omission was in the best interest of the Company (or the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause
unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters
of the entire membership of the Company's Board of Directors at a meeting of the
Board called and held for the purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and
an opportunity for Executive, together with Executive's counsel, to be heard
before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board Executive
was guilty of conduct set forth in this subparagraph and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail.
2
(b) Change in Control. The term "Change in Control" shall mean,
-----------------
with respect to the Company or the subsidiary which employs Executive, as
applicable, each of the following:
(i) A change in control of the Company or the subsidiary
which employs Executive, as applicable, of a nature that would be required to be
reported in response to Item 6(e)of Schedule 14A, Regulation 240.14a-101,
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in effect
on the date of this Agreement, or, if Item 6(e) is no longer in effect, any
regulation issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which serves similar purposes (i.e., a change in
the person or persons owning, directly or indirectly, sufficient voting stock to
elect the Board of Directors or to take other significant shareholder actions
for the Company or the subsidiary which employs Executive, as applicable).
Provided that, without limitation, a Change of Control shall be deemed to have
occurred if and when:
(A) Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) who is not at
the date hereof a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities
of the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable)
representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of
the Company's (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable)
then outstanding securities becomes such a beneficial owner, or
(B) During any period of two (2) consecutive years,
individuals who were members of the Board of Directors of the Company at
the beginning of such period cease for any reason (other than death or
disability) to constitute at least a majority thereof unless the election,
or the nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, of each new
director, was approved by vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then
still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period. The
provisions of this clause (B) shall apply only at the Company level and not
at the subsidiary level.
(ii) Consummation of (A) any reorganization, consolidation
or merger of the Company (or of the subsidiary which employs Executive, if
applicable) in which the Company (or of the subsidiary which employs Executive,
if applicable) is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to
which shares of the Company's (or of the subsidiary which employs Executive, if
applicable) Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other
property, other than a merger of the Company (or of the subsidiary which employs
Executive, if applicable) in which the holders of the Company's (or of the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) common stock immediately
prior to such transaction, immediately following such transaction, own more than
fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company's
then outstanding, voting securities or (B) any sale, lease, exchange or other
transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of
3
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (or of the subsidiary
which employs Executive, if applicable).
For the purpose of applying the foregoing definition, (x) if Executive is an
employee of the Company, then the term Change in Control shall mean, as to
Executive, only a change in control of the Company and (y) if Executive is an
employee of a subsidiary of the Company, then the term Change in Control shall
mean, as to Executive, either a change in control of the Company or a change in
------ --
control of the subsidiary which employs Executive.
(c) Date of Termination. The term "Date of Termination" shall
-------------------
mean:
(i) If this Agreement is terminated by the death of
Executive, the date of death of Executive; or
(ii) If Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
(or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) for any reason, the
date on which a Notice of Termination is given; provided that if within thirty
(30) days after any Notice of Termination is given to Executive by the Company
(or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) Executive notifies
the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) that a
dispute exists concerning the termination, the Date of Termination shall be the
date the dispute is finally determined, whether by mutual agreement by the
parties or upon final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction (the time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having
been perfected).
(d) Good Reason. The term "Good Reason" shall mean, with respect
-----------
to any termination by Executive of Executive's employment with the Company (or
the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable), each of the following
which occurs subsequent to a Change in Control without the express written
consent of Executive:
(i) The assignment to Executive by the Company (or the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) of duties inconsistent with
Executive's position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company (or
the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) immediately prior to a
Change in Control of the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if
applicable), or a change in Executive's title or offices as in effect
immediately prior to a Change in Control of the Company (or the subsidiary which
employs Executive, if applicable), or any removal of Executive from or any
failure to reelect Executive to any of such positions, except in connection with
the termination of Executive's employment for Retirement or Cause or as a result
of Executive's death or by Executive other than for Good Reason;
(ii) A reduction by the Company (or the subsidiary which
employs Executive, if applicable) in Executive's base salary as in effect on the
date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time during the term of
this Agreement or the
4
Company's (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) failure to
increase (within twelve (12) months after Executive's last increase in base
salary) Executive's base salary after a Change in Control of the Company (or the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) in an amount which at least
equals, on a percentage basis, the average percentage increase in base salary
for all officers of the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if
applicable) effected in the preceding twelve (12) months;
(iii) Any failure by the Company (or the subsidiary which
employs Executive, if applicable) to continue in effect any benefit plan or
arrangement in which Executive is participating at the time of a Change in
Control of the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if
applicable) (or any other plans providing Executive with substantially similar
benefits) (hereinafter referred to as "Benefit Plans"), or the taking of any
action by the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable)
which would adversely affect Executive's participation in or reduce Executive's
benefits under any such Benefit Plan, expressed as a percentage of his base
salary, by more than ten (10) percentage points in any fiscal year as compared
to the prior fiscal year or deprive Executive of any material fringe benefit
enjoyed by Executive at the time of a Change in Control of the Company (or the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable);
(iv) Any failure by the Company (or the subsidiary which
employs Executive, if applicable) to continue in effect any bonus or incentive
plan or arrangement in which Executive is participating at the time of a Change
in Control of the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if
applicable) (or any other plans or arrangements providing him with substantially
similar benefits) (hereinafter referred to as "Incentive Plans") or the taking
of any action by the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if
applicable) which would adversely affect Executive's participation in any such
Incentive Plan or reduce Executive's benefits under any such Incentive Plan,
expressed as a percentage of his base salary, by more than ten (10) percentage
points in any fiscal year as compared to the immediately preceding fiscal year;
(v) Any failure by the Company (or the subsidiary which
employs Executive, if applicable) to continue in effect any plan or arrangement
to receive securities of the Company in which Executive is participating at the
time of a Change in Control of the Company (or the subsidiary which employs
Executive, if applicable) (or plans or arrangements providing him with
substantially similar benefits) (hereinafter referred to as "Securities Plans")
or the taking of any action by the Company (or the subsidiary which employs
Executive, if applicable) which would adversely affect Executive's participation
in or materially reduce Executive's benefits under any such Securities Plan;
(vi) Any requirement by the Company (or the subsidiary which
employs Executive, if applicable) that Executive be based anywhere other than
within fifty (50) miles of Executive's office location as of the date of a
Change in Control, except for required travel by Executive on the Company's (or
the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) business to an extent
substantially consistent with Executive's business travel
5
obligations at the time of a Change in Control of the Company (or the subsidiary
which employs Executive, if applicable);
(vii) Any failure by the Company (or the subsidiary which
employs Executive, if applicable) to provide Executive with the number of paid
vacation days to which Executive is entitled at the time of a Change in Control
of the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable);
(viii) Any material breach by the Company of any provision
of this Agreement;
(ix) Any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption of
this Agreement by any successor or assign of the Company; or
(x) Any purported termination by the Company (or the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) of Executive's employment
which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination satisfying the
requirements of subparagraph (e) below, and for purposes of this Agreement, no
such purported termination shall be effective.
(e) Notice of Termination. Any termination of Executive's employment
---------------------
by the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) for
Retirement or Cause shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written
notice which shall indicate the specific ground for such termination relied upon
and which sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment. For purposes of this
Agreement, no such purported termination by the Company (or the subsidiary which
employs Executive, if applicable) shall be effective without such Notice of
Termination.
(f) Retirement. The term "Retirement" as used in this Agreement shall
----------
mean termination by the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if
applicable) or Executive of Executive's employment based on Executive's having
reached age sixty-five (65) or such other age as shall have been fixed in any
written agreement between Executive and Executive's employer entity.
(g) Termination of Employment. The term "Termination of Employment"
-------------------------
shall mean any termination of Executive's employment with the Company (or the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable), however effected or caused.
(h) Involuntary Termination of Employment. The term "Involuntary
-------------------------------------
Termination of Employment" shall mean (i) any termination by the Company (or the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) of Executive's employment
with the Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable)
effected after a Change in Control other than a termination for Retirement,
death or Cause and (ii) any termination of
6
Executive's employment with the Company (or the subsidiary which employs
Executive, if applicable) by Executive after a Change in Control for Good
Reason.
3. Services by Executive. In consideration for the Company's
---------------------
execution and delivery of this Agreement, Executive agrees that Executive will
render services to the Company (or to any subsidiary thereof or successor
thereto, as applicable) during the period of Executive's employment to the best
of Executive's ability and in a prudent and businesslike manner and that
Executive shall devote substantially the same time, efforts and dedication to
Executive's duties as heretofore devoted.
4. Severance Obligations Upon any Involuntary Termination. Upon any
------------------------------------------------------
Involuntary Termination of Executive's employment with the Company (or the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) subsequent to a Change in
Control and during the term of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to
the benefits provided in this paragraph (subject to any applicable payroll taxes
or other taxes required to be withheld and employee benefit premiums):
(a) The Company shall pay (or shall cause the employer subsidiary
to pay) to Executive Executive's full base salary through the Date of
Termination at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given
plus credit for any vacation earned but not taken and the amount, if any, of any
bonus for a past fiscal year which has been awarded to Executive but not yet
paid to Executive pursuant to any bonus plan of the Company (or the subsidiary
which employs Executive, if applicable). Such payment shall be made within five
(5) days after the Date of Termination.
(b) The Company shall pay (or shall cause the employer subsidiary
to pay) to Executive, as severance pay, an amount equal to two and ninety-nine
one hundredths (2.99) times Executive's annual base compensation, as defined
herein (the "Severance Payment"). As used herein, annual base compensation shall
mean the average aggregate annual amount paid by the Company (or any subsidiary
of or successor to the Company) to Executive for the five (5) full calendar
years preceding the date of Change of Control for salaries, bonuses and
automobile allowances (or the amount reported by Executive as taxable income for
personal use of a car provided by the Company (or the subsidiary which employs
Executive, if applicable) in lieu of an automobile allowance) together with the
amounts, if any, of insurance premiums paid by the Company (or the subsidiary
which employs Executive, if applicable) with respect to Executive and reported
as taxable income by Executive and any other amounts paid or provided by the
Company (or any successor to or subsidiary of the Company and reported as
taxable income by Executive. If Executive has not been employed by the Company
(or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) for five (5) full
calendar years preceding the date of Change of Control, the Severance Payment
shall be computed based on the average aggregate annual amount paid by the
Company (or the subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) to Executive
for the full term of Executive's employment with the Company (or the subsidiary
which employs Executive, if
7
applicable). The Severance Payment shall be paid in cash in a single lump sum
within five (5) days after the Date of Termination.
(c) The Company shall cause Executive to continue to be covered,
without any cost to Executive in excess of the cost borne by Executive prior to
the Change of Control, under health, medical and dental benefits ("Benefits")
comparable to those in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control,
including, but not limited to, medical, dental, life insurance, accidental death
and dismemberment, and long term disability benefits. Such continuation shall
(i) also apply to Executive's dependents (including Executive's spouse) who were
covered under such Benefits immediately prior to the Change of Control and (ii
apply for twenty-four (24) months after the Date of Termination; provided,
however, that such coverage shall terminate if and to the extent Executive
becomes eligible for Benefits coverage from a subsequent employer; provided
further, however, that if Executive (and/or Executive's spouse) would have been
entitled to retiree Benefits under the Company's benefit plans (or those of the
subsidiary which employs Executive, if applicable) had Executive voluntarily
retired on the Date of Termination, then such coverage shall be continued as
provided under such plans.
(d) Provide a full service outplacement service for Executive as
selected by Executive for a period not exceeding three (3) months and at a cost
not exceeding $15,000 in the aggregate.
Any payment due by the Company pursuant to this paragraph 4 which is
not made as and when due shall bear interest from the date due until date of
payment at the maximum rate which Executive may charge for the loan or
forbearance of money under the then applicable usury law of the State of
California.
5. No Obligation to Mitigate Damages. Executive shall not be
---------------------------------
required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment provided for under
paragraph 4 of this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor
shall the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement be reduced by
any compensation earned by Executive as the result of employment by another
employer after the Date of Termination, or otherwise. Any indebtedness of
Executive to the Company (or to any subsidiary of or successor to the Company)
as of the Date of Termination may be offset against the Company's payment
obligations pursuant to paragraph 4 above.
6. Parachute Payment Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the
----------------------------
contrary in this Agreement, the payments and benefits otherwise provided in
paragraphs 4(b), (c) and (d) of this Agreement shall be reduced if and to the
extent that such payments and benefits, when added to any payments and benefits
provided by the Company (and the subsidiary which employs Executive, if
applicable) other than under this Agreement, would result in any such payments
being nondeductible to the Company or would subject Employee to an excise tax
pursuant to the golden parachute payment provisions of Section 280G or Section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reduction of
payments
8
and benefits under this Agreement resulting from the foregoing limitations shall
be applied to the payments and benefits due to be otherwise provided to
Executive latest in time.
7. Other Benefits. The provisions of this Agreement, and any
--------------
payment provided for in paragraph 4 hereof, shall not reduce any amounts
otherwise payable, or in any way diminish Executive's existing rights, or rights
which would accrue solely as a result of the passage of time, under any Benefit
Plan, Incentive Plan or Securities Plan, employment agreement or other contract,
plan or arrangement. The provisions of this paragraph 7 shall apply to any
Termination of Employment with the Company (or the subsidiary which employs
Executive if applicable), whether or not such Termination of Employment results
in payments due to Executive pursuant to paragraph 4 above.
8. Not a Contract of Employment. This Agreement shall not be deemed
----------------------------
to constitute a contract of employment. Further, no portion of this Agreement
shall affect (a) the right of the Company (or any subsidiary of or successor to
the Company) to discharge Executive at will or (b) the terms and conditions of
any other agreement between the Company (or the subsidiary which employs
Executive, if applicable) and Executive, except as expressly provided herein.
9. Successors to the Company.
-------------------------
(a) The Company shall require any successor or assign (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by agreement in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Executive, expressly, absolutely
and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it
if no such succession or assignment had taken place. Any failure of the Company
to obtain such agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession or
assignment shall be a material breach of this Agreement and shall entitle
Executive to terminate Executive's employment for Good Reason. As used in this
Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor or assign to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which executes
and delivers the agreement provided for in this paragraph 9 or which otherwise
becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of
law. If at any time during the term of this Agreement Executive is employed by
any corporation a majority of the voting securities of which is then owned by
the Company, "Company" as used herein shall include such employer. In such
event, the Company agrees that it shall pay or shall cause such employer to pay
any amounts owed to Executive pursuant to paragraph 4 hereof.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by Executive's personal and legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If
Executive should die while any amounts are still payable to Executive hereunder,
all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in
9
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive's devisee, legatee, or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, to Executive's estate.
10. Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in
-------
writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by first class mail,
registered or certified with return receipt requested to the parties at their
respective addresses set forth after their signatures to this Agreement. Any
notice which is personally served shall be effective upon delivery; any notice
sent by first class mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested and properly addressed shall be effective upon the date of
delivery or refusal indicated on the return receipt. Either party may change
his, her or its address for notices hereunder by written notice to the other
given in the manner specified in this paragraph.
11. General Provisions.
------------------
(a) The Company's obligation to pay (or to cause one of its
subsidiaries to pay) Executive the amounts and to make the arrangements provided
for in paragraph 4 hereof, shall be absolute and unconditional and, except as
provided in paragraphs 5 and 6 hereof, shall not be affected by any
circumstances, including without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other right which the Company (or any subsidiary of or
successor to the Company) may have against Executive. All amounts payable by
the Company (or any subsidiary of or successor to the Company) shall be paid
without notice or demand.
(b) No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, amended,
waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to
in a writing signed by Executive and the Company. No waiver by either party
hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance
with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other
party shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
(c) This Agreement contains each and every agreement of every
kind and nature whatsoever between the parties hereto concerning the subject
matter hereof, and all preliminary negotiations and agreements of whatsoever
kind with respect to the subject matter hereof are superseded and of no further
force or effect. If Executive is entitled to and receives the benefits provided
in paragraphs 4 and 7 hereof, performance of the obligations of the Company
thereunder shall constitute full settlement of all claims which Executive might
otherwise assert against the Company on account of termination of Executive's
employment.
(d) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California.
(e) This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
10
(f) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement as to any jurisdiction, fact or circumstance shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement or of such
provision as to any other jurisdiction, fact or circumstance, and each provision
of this Agreement shall be enforced and complied with to the maximum extent
possible.
(g) Executive shall not have any right to pledge, hypothecate,
anticipate or assign this Agreement or the rights hereunder, except by last will
and testament.
(h) The obligation to pay amounts under this Agreement is an
unfunded obligation of the Company, and no such obligation shall create a trust
or be deemed to be secured by any pledge or encumbrance on any property of the
Company (or any subsidiary of or successor to the Company).
(i) In the event of any legal action between the Company and
Executive to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, to prevent the breach or
continued breach of this Agreement, to recover damages on account of the breach
or alleged breach of this Agreement, to seek a judicial determination of the
obligations and rights of the parties hereunder or in which this Agreement is
asserted as a defense, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from
the other party its attorneys' fees incurred in such amount as the court shall
determine to be reasonable, in addition to its costs and all other relief which
the court determines such prevailing party is entitled to receive. For the
purposes of this provision, the term "legal action" shall exclude an action by
Executive as the result of any termination of Executive's employment. Except as
provided in the immediately preceding sentence, all legal expenses which are
reasonable and necessary and which are associated with any such termination
shall be paid by the Company.
(j) In the event Executive is employed by a subsidiary of the
Company rather than the Company itself, all references herein to the Company
shall, as and when required by the context of this Agreement, be deemed to refer
to such subsidiary employer. The provisions of this subparagraph shall not,
however, be deemed or construed to relieve the Company of any of the Company's
obligations or to deprive the Company of any of its rights pursuant to this
Agreement.
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and the Company have executed and
delivered this Severance Compensation Agreement as of the day and year first
above written.
SOUTHWEST WATER COMPANY, a Delaware
-------------------------------- corporation
"Executive"
Address for Notices: By /s/ XXXXXX XXXXXX
----------------------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Southwest Water Company Title:
---------------------------------- --------------------------------
000 X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx - Xxxxx 000 Chairman Compensation Committee
---------------------------------- "Company"
Xxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
---------------------------------- Address for Notices:
Southwest Water Company
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Corporate Secretary
12
