REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit
4
This
Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is made
and entered into as of July 27, 2006, among WCA Waste Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”),
and
Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund II, L.P. (the “Purchaser”).
WHEREAS,
the parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement in connection with, and
as
a condition to the Closing under, the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
as of June 12, 2006, between the Company and the Purchaser (the “Purchase
Agreement”)
and the
related documents entered into in connection therewith (the “Transaction
Documents”);
and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement, the Purchaser is acquiring from the Company shares of the Company’s
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(“Preferred
Stock”),
that
are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per
share (“Common
Stock”).
NOW,
THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement,
and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which
are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Purchaser agree as
follows:
1. Definitions.
In
addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, (a) capitalized
terms
that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms
in
the Purchase Agreement, and (b) the following terms have the meanings
indicated:
“Demand
Registration Statement”
means
a
Registration Statement filed or to be filed pursuant to a written Purchaser
Request pursuant to either Section 2 or Section 3.
“Holder”
means
a
holder of Registrable Securities acquired in accordance with the Stockholder’s
Agreement; provided
that with
respect to the inclusion of Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement,
“Holders” shall only include those holders of Registrable Securities designated
by the Purchaser.
“Piggy-Back
Registration Statement”
means
a
Registration Statement filed or to be filed pursuant to which the Company has
received one or more written requests to participate pursuant to Section
4.
“Purchaser
Request”
means
a
request from the Purchaser, either on its behalf or on behalf of Holders that
in
the aggregate possess a majority of the Registrable Securities outstanding
as of
the date of such request.
“Prospectus”
means
the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without
limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from
a
prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance
upon
Rules 430A, 430B or 430C promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Securities Act”)), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus
supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the
Registrable
Securities
covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements
to
the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
Prospectus.
“Registrable
Securities”
means
any Common Stock into which the Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the
Transaction Documents has been converted, together with any securities issued
or
issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization
or similar event with respect to the foregoing; provided
that such
shares will cease to be “Registrable Securities” (i) when they have been sold to
or through a broker or dealer or underwriter in a distribution to the public
or
otherwise on or through the facilities of the national securities exchange,
national securities association or automated quotation system on which the
Company’s capital stock is listed, (ii) when a registration statement with
respect to the sale of such shares has become effective under the Securities
Act
, and such shares have been disposed of in accordance with such registration
statement, or (iii) at such time as the Holder of Registrable Securities is
entitled to sell all of its Registrable Securities within three (3) months
under
Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act without restriction.
“Registration
Statement”
shall
mean any registration statement to be filed under the Exchange Act, which covers
any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement,
including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements to
such Registration Statement, including pre- and post-effective amendments,
all
exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated
by reference in such Registration Statement.
“Rule
144,”
“Rule
415,”
“Rule
424”
and
“Rule
461”
means
Rule 144, Rule 415, Rule 424 and Rule 461, respectively, promulgated by the
Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from
time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the
Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.
“Shelf
Registration Statement”
means
a
Registration Statement filed or to be filed pursuant to a written Purchaser
Request pursuant to Section 2.
“Stockholder’s
Agreement”
means
the Stockholder’s Agreement of even date herewith by and between the Company and
the Purchaser.
2. Shelf
Registration.
If the
Preferred Stock shall have previously been converted into Registrable
Securities, then the Company shall, within ten (10) days of the receipt thereof,
give written notice of such request to all Holders and, subject to the
limitations of Section 2(b) below, shall prepare and file (as expeditiously
as
practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days of the receipt of any
other such request) with the Commission a “Shelf” Registration Statement
covering the resale of all Registrable Securities for an offering to be made
on
a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415. Such Registration Statement shall
be on
Form S-3 (except if the Company is not then eligible to register for resale
the
Registrable Securities on Form S-3, in which case such registration shall be
on
another appropriate form in accordance herewith as the Designated Holders may
consent) and shall contain (except if otherwise directed
2
by
the
Designated Holders) the “Plan of Distribution” attached hereto as Annex
A.
The
Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration
Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as
possible after the filing thereof, and in any event within sixty (60) days
of
the Purchaser Request (or one hundred twenty (120) days in the event the SEC
has
determined to review the applicable Registration Statement) and shall, subject
to notice from the Company under Section 9(f), use its commercially reasonable
efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective under the
Securities Act for the period that such Registration Statement may be kept
effective under applicable SEC regulations until the earlier of (i) the
date on which all Registrable Securities are eligible for sale under paragraph
(k) of Rule 144 without any volume, manner of sale or other restrictions and
(ii) when all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement
have been sold (the “Effectiveness
Period”).
The
Company shall notify each Holder in writing promptly (and in any event within
one Trading Day) after receiving notification from the Commission that a
Registration Statement has been declared effective.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to file a Registration
Statement pursuant to this Section 2 (i) during the 90 day period commencing
on
the effective date of any other registration statement filed by the Company
relating to the public offering of its Common Stock or securities convertible
into Common Stock (other than on Forms S-4 or S-8 or any successor thereto)
or
(ii) if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by the
chief executive officer of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment
of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Board has determined to file
a
registration statement relating to the public offering of its Common Stock
or
securities convertible into Common Stock (other than on Forms S-4 or S-8 or
any
successor thereto) within 30 days of the Purchaser Request, during the period
commencing on the date of such notice and ending upon the earliest of (i)
effectiveness of such registration statement , (ii) a decision by the Company
not to pursue effectiveness of such registration statement or (iii) 90 days
after the filing of such registration statement; provided,
however,
that in
the case of clause (ii) the Company may not utilize this right more than once
in
any twelve (12) month period; provided,
further,
that,
for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (ii) shall be incremental to, and not
in
lieu of, the Company’s relief from its shelf registration obligation under
clause (i) above.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed
by the chief executive officer of the Company stating that, in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, maintaining a Registration
Statement’s effectiveness would be materially detrimental to the Company and its
stockholders for such Registration Statement to remain effective by reason
of a
material pending or imminently prospective transaction or development and it
is
therefore essential to suspend such Registration Statement’s effectiveness, the
Company shall have the right to suspend such effectiveness for a period of
not
more than sixty (60) days in aggregate after receipt of the Purchaser Request;
provided,
however,
that the
Company may not utilize this right more than twice in any twelve (12) month
period.
3. Demand
Registration.
(a) If
at any
time the Company shall receive a written Purchaser Request that the Company
file
a Registration Statement under the Securities Act, then the Company shall,
3
within
ten
(10) days of the receipt thereof, give written notice of such request to all
Holders and, subject to the limitations of Section 3(b) below, shall file (as
expeditiously as practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days of the
receipt of such request) and use its commercially reasonable commercially
reasonable efforts to have declared effective, a Registration Statement under
the Securities Act with respect to all Registrable Securities which the Holders
request to be registered within ten (10) days of the mailing of such notice
by
the Company in accordance with Section 8(g) below.
(b) If
the
Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request
by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of
their
request made pursuant to this Section 3 and the Company shall include such
information in the written notice referred to in Section 3(a). In such event,
the right of any Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such
registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such
underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the
underwriting (unless otherwise mutually agreed by a majority in interest of
the
Holders participating in the underwriting and such Holder) to the extent
provided herein. A majority in interest of the Holders of Registrable Securities
participating in the underwriting, in consultation with the Company, shall
select the managing underwriter or underwriters in such underwriting. All
Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting
shall
(together with the Company as provided in Section 5(l)) enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters
so
selected for such underwriting by a majority in interest of such Holders;
provided,
however,
that no
Holder (or any of their assignees) shall be required to make any
representations, warranties or indemnities except as they relate to such
Holder’s ownership of shares and authority to enter into the underwriting
agreement and to such Holder’s intended method of distribution, and the
liability of such Holder shall be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds
from the offering received by such Holder. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Section 3, if the underwriter advises a Holder that marketing factors
require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the Holder
shall so advise the Company and the Company shall so advise all Holders of
Registrable Securities which would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto,
and the number of shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in
the
underwriting shall be allocated as follows: (i) first, among holders of
Registrable Securities that have elected to participate in such underwritten
offering, in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the aggregate amount
of
Registrable Securities held by all such holders, until such holders have
included in the underwriting all shares requested by such holders to be
included, and (ii) thereafter, among all other holders of Common Stock, if
any, that have the right and have elected to participate in such underwritten
offering, in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the amount of shares
of
Common Stock owned by such holders. Without the consent of a majority in
interest of the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in a
registration referred to in Section 3(a), no securities other than Registrable
Securities shall be covered by such registration if the inclusion of such other
securities would result in a reduction of the number of Registrable Securities
covered by such registration or included in any underwriting or if, in the
opinion of the managing underwriter, the inclusion of such other securities
would adversely impact the marketing of such offering.
(c) The
Company shall be obligated to effect only two (2) registrations (and only if
such registration would include Registrable Securities with an aggregate value
of at least ten million dollars ($10,000,000), calculated using the closing
price of the Company’s Common
4
Shares
on
the Trading Market on the date preceding the date of the Purchaser Request)
pursuant to Purchaser Requests under this Section 3 (an offering which is not
consummated shall not be counted for this purpose).
(d) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to file a Registration
Statement pursuant to this Section 3 (i) during the 90 day period commencing
on
the effective date of any other registration statement filed by the Company
relating to the public offering of its Common Stock or securities convertible
into Common Stock (other than on Forms S-4 or S-8 or any successor thereto)
or
(ii) if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by the
chief executive officer of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment
of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Board has determined to file
a
registration statement relating to the public offering of its Common Stock
or
securities convertible into Common Stock (other than on Forms S-4 or S-8 or
any
successor thereto) within 30 days of the Purchaser Request, during the period
commencing on the date of such notice and ending upon the earliest of (i)
effectiveness of such registration statement , (ii) a decision by the Company
not to pursue effectiveness of such registration statement or (iii) 90 days
after the filing of such registration statement; provided,
however,
that in
the case of clause (ii) the Company may not utilize this right more than once
in
any twelve (12) month period; provided,
further,
that,
for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (ii) shall be incremental to, and not
in
lieu of, the Company’s relief from its demand registration obligation under
clause (i) above.
(e) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed
by the chief executive officer of the Company stating that, in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, maintaining a Registration
Statement’s effectiveness would be materially detrimental to the Company and its
stockholders for such Registration Statement to remain effective by reason
of a
material pending or imminently prospective transaction or development and it
is
therefore essential to suspend such Registration Statement’s effectiveness, the
Company shall have the right to suspend such effectiveness for a period of
not
more than sixty (60) days in aggregate after receipt of the Purchaser Request;
provided,
however,
that the
Company may not utilize this right more than twice in any twelve (12) month
period.
4. Piggy-Back
Registrations.
(a) If
(but
without any obligation to do so) the Company proposes to register (including
for
this purpose a registration effected by the Company for stockholders other
than
the Purchaser and its affiliates) any of its Common Shares under the Securities
Act in connection with the public offering of such securities solely for cash
(other than a registration on Form S-8 (or similar or successor form) relating
solely to the sale of securities to participants in a Company stock plan or
to
other compensatory arrangements to the extent includable on Form S-8 (or similar
or successor form), or a registration on Form S-4 (or similar or successor
form)), the Company shall, at such time, promptly give each Holder written
notice of such registration. Upon the written request of each Holder received
by
the Company within ten (10) Trading Days after mailing of such notice by the
Company in accordance with Section 9(f), the Company shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause to be registered under the Securities Act all of
the
Registrable Securities that each such Holder (the “Electing
Holders”)
has
requested to be registered ; provided
that (i)
if such registration involves an underwritten offering to the public,
5
all
holders of Registrable Securities requesting to be included in the Company's
registration must sell their Registrable Securities to the underwriters selected
by the Company on the same terms and conditions as apply to the Company or
other
selling stockholders; and (ii) if, at any time after giving notice of the
Company's intention to register any securities pursuant to this Section 4 and
prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection
with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to
register such securities, the Company shall give written notice to all holders
of Registrable Securities and, thereupon, shall be relieved of its obligation
to
register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but
not from any obligation of the Company to pay the Registration Expenses in
connection therewith), without prejudice, however, to the rights of holders
under Section 3. The Company shall have no obligation under this Section 4
to
make any offering of its securities, or to complete an offering of its
securities that it proposes to make.
(b) If
such
registration involves an underwritten offering to the public, if the managing
underwriter of the underwritten offering shall inform the Company by letter
of
the underwriter's opinion that the number of Registrable Securities requested
to
be included in such registration would, in its opinion, materially adversely
affect such offering, including the price at which such securities can be sold,
and the Company has so advised the requesting Holders in writing, then the
Company shall include in such registration, to the extent of the number that
the
Company is so advised can be sold in (or during the time of) such offering,
(i)
first, all securities proposed by the Company to be sold for its own account,
then (ii) to the extent that the number of shares of Common Stock proposed
to be
sold by the Company or the other holders pursuant to Section 4(a) is less than
the number of shares of Common Stock that the Company has been advised can
be
sold in such offering without having the material adverse effect referred to
above, such Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration
pursuant to this Section 4 and such other securities covered by registration
rights, allocated pro rata among such requesting Holders and the holders of
such
other rights in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective amounts
of such securities requested to be included in such registration. All other
stockholders of the Company shall be excluded from the proposed offering before
any requesting Holder or holder of other registration rights is required to
reduce his, hers or its shares being offered under the registration
statement.
5. Demand
Registration Procedures.
In
connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder with respect to
a Demand Registration Statement, the Company shall:
(a) Not
less
than three Trading Days prior to the filing of each Demand Registration
Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto,
the
Company shall (i) furnish to the Holders and to one counsel to the Holders
(“Purchaser Counsel”) copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which
documents will be subject to the review of such Holders and Purchaser Counsel,
and (ii) cause its officers and directors, counsel and independent certified
public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall be necessary, in the
reasonable opinion of respective counsel, to conduct a reasonable investigation
within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company shall not file such Demand
Registration Statement or any related Prospectus, amendments or supplements
thereto to which the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities and
Purchaser Counsel shall reasonably object.
6
(b) (i)
Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective
amendments, to each Demand Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in
connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Demand Registration
Statement continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable Securities
for
the Effectiveness Period in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, and
until the end of the related offering in the case of any other Demand
Registration Statement, and prepare and file with the Commission such additional
Registration Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities
Act
all of the Registrable Securities; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be
amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so
supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (iii) respond as
promptly as reasonably possible, and in any event within ten (10) Trading Days,
to any comments received from the Commission with respect to any Registration
Statement or any amendment thereto and as promptly as reasonably possible
provide the Holders and Purchaser Counsel true and complete copies of all
correspondence from and to the Commission relating to a Registration Statement;
and (iv) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities
Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable
Securities covered by a Demand Registration Statement during the applicable
period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders
thereof set forth in the applicable Demand Registration Statement as so amended
or in such Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) Notify
the
Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to a Demand Registration
Statement and Purchaser Counsel as promptly as reasonably possible, and (if
requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing no later than
one
Trading Day thereafter, of any of the following events: (i) the Commission
notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of any Demand Registration
Statement; (ii) the Commission comments in writing on any Demand Registration
Statement (in which case the Company shall deliver to each Holder a copy of
such
comments and of all written responses thereto); (iii) any Demand Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto is declared effective; (iv)
the Commission or any other Federal or state governmental authority requests
any
amendment or supplement to a Demand Registration Statement or Prospectus or
requests additional information related thereto; (v) the Commission issues
any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Demand Registration Statement
or
initiates any Proceedings for that purpose; (vi) the Company receives notice
of
any suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threat
of any Proceeding for such purpose; or (vii) the financial statements included
in any Demand Registration Statement become ineligible for inclusion therein
or
any statement made in any Demand Registration Statement or related Prospectus
or
any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
is
untrue in any material respect or any revision to a Demand Registration
Statement, related Prospectus or other document is required so that it will
not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(d) Use
its
commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of or, if issued, obtain
the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of any Demand
Registration Statement or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption
from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
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(e) Furnish
to
each Holder and Purchaser Counsel, without charge, at least one conformed copy
of each Demand Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, and all exhibits to the extent requested
by
such Person (excluding those previously furnished or incorporated by reference)
promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission.
(f) Promptly
deliver to each Holder and Purchaser Counsel, without charge, as many copies
of
the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) related
to a
Demand Registration Statement and each amendment or supplement thereto as such
Persons may reasonably request. The Company hereby consents to the use of such
Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling
Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities
covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(g) In
the
time and manner required by each Trading Market, if at all, prepare and file
with such Trading Market an additional shares listing application covering
all
of the Registrable Securities; (ii) take all steps necessary to cause such
Registrable Securities to be approved for listing on each Trading Market as
soon
as reasonably practicable thereafter; (iii) to the extent available to the
Company, provide to the Purchaser evidence of such listing; and (iv) maintain
the listing of such Registrable Securities on each such Trading
Market.
(h) Prior
to
any public offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration
Statement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or
cooperate with the selling Holders and Purchaser Counsel in connection with
the
registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or
qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States
as
any Holder requests in writing, to keep each such registration or qualification
(or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period in the case
of a Shelf Registration Statement, and until the offering is completed in the
case of any other Demand Registration Statement, and to do any and all other
acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by a Demand Registration
Statement.
(i) Cooperate
with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee
pursuant to a Demand Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free,
to the extent permitted by the Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive legends,
and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and
registered in such names as any such Holders may request.
(j) Upon
the
occurrence of any event described in Section
5(c)(vii),
as
promptly as reasonably possible, prepare a supplement or amendment, including
a
post-effective amendment, to such a Demand Registration Statement or a
supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed
to
be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document
so
that, as thereafter delivered, neither such Demand Registration Statement nor
its related Prospectus will contain an 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, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
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(k) Cooperate
with any due diligence investigation undertaken by the Holders in connection
with the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration
Statement, including without limitation by making available any documents and
information.
(l) If
Holders
of a majority of the Registrable Securities being offered pursuant to a Demand
Registration Statement select underwriters for the offering, the Company shall
enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in
usual
and customary form, including, without limitation, by providing customary legal
opinions, comfort letters and indemnification and contribution
obligations.
(m) In
the
event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its
obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with
the managing underwriter of such offering.
(n) Comply
with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission.
(o) The
Company shall not be required to deliver any document pursuant to any provision
of this Section 5 to any Holder that is not selling Registrable Securities
under
the applicable Demand Registration Statement. The Company shall also not be
required to deliver any document pursuant to any provision of this Section
5,
other than Section 5(f), to any Holder that proposes to sell Registrable
Securities with less than $500,000 in aggregate offering price to the public
under the Demand Registration Statement (based on the last sale price per Common
Share on the Trading Market on the Trading Day preceding the date of the
Purchaser Request).
6. Piggy-Back
Registration Procedures.
In
connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder with respect to
a Piggy-Back Registration Statement, the Company shall:
(a) Not
less
than three Trading Days prior to the filing of each Piggy-Back Registration
Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto
(i)
furnish to the Electing Holders and Purchaser Counsel copies of all such
documents proposed to be filed, and (ii) cause its officers and directors,
counsel and independent certified public accountants to respond to such
inquiries as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of respective
counsel, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
(b) (i)
Cause
the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus
supplement, and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule
424;
(ii) as promptly as reasonably possible provide the Electing Holders and
Purchaser Counsel true and complete copies of all correspondence from and to
the
Commission relating to a Piggy-Back Registration Statement; and (iii) comply
in
all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by
a
Piggy-Back Registration Statement during the offering.
(c) Notify
the
Electing Holders and Purchaser Counsel as promptly as reasonably possible,
and
(if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing no later than
one Trading Day thereafter, of any of the following events: (i) the Commission
notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of any Piggy-Back
Registration Statement; (ii) the
9
Commission
comments in writing on any Piggy-Back Registration Statement (in which case
the
Company shall deliver to each Electing Holder a copy of such comments and of
all
written responses thereto); (iii) any Piggy-Back Registration Statement or
any
post-effective amendment is declared effective; (iv) the Commission or any
other
Federal or state governmental authority requests any amendment or supplement
to
a Piggy-Back Registration Statement or related Prospectus or requests additional
information related thereto; (v) the Commission issues any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of any Piggy-Back Registration Statement or initiates any
Proceedings for that purpose; (vi) the Company receives notice of any suspension
of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threat of any
Proceeding for such purpose; or (vii) the financial statements included in
any
Piggy-Back Registration Statement become ineligible for inclusion therein or
any
statement made in any Piggy-Back Registration Statement or related Prospectus
or
any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
is
untrue in any material respect or any revision to a Piggy-Back Registration
Statement, related Prospectus or other document is required so that it will
not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(d) Furnish
to
each Electing Holder and Purchaser Counsel, without charge, at least one
conformed copy of each Piggy-Back Registration Statement and each amendment
thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and all exhibits to
the
extent requested by such Person (excluding those previously furnished or
incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such documents with
the
Commission.
(e) Promptly
deliver to each Electing Holder and Purchaser Counsel, without charge, as many
copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus)
and
each amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably request.
The
Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or
supplement thereto by each of the selling Electing Holders in connection with
the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus
and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(f) Cooperate
with the Electing Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery
of
certificates representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee
pursuant to a Piggy-Back Registration Statement, which certificates shall be
free, to the extent permitted by the Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive
legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations
and registered in such names as any such Electing Holders may
request.
(g) Comply
with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission.
(h) The
Company shall not be required to deliver any document pursuant to any provision
of this Section 6, other than Section 6(e), to any Electing Holder that proposes
to sell Registrable Securities with less than $500,000 in aggregate offering
price to the public under the Piggy-Back Registration Statement (based on the
last sale price per Common Share on the Trading Market on the Trading Day
preceding the date of the written request sent by such Electing Holder under
Section 4).
10
(i) Upon
the
occurrence of any event described in Section
6(c)(vii),
as
promptly as reasonably possible, prepare a supplement or amendment, including
a
post-effective amendment, to such a Piggy-Back Registration Statement or a
supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed
to
be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document
so
that, as thereafter delivered, neither such Piggy-Back Registration Statement
nor its related Prospectus will contain an 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, in light of the circumstances under which they
were
made, not misleading.
7. Registration
Expenses.
All fees
and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement
by
the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable
Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses
referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include (a) all registration and
filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (i) with respect
to filings required to be made with any Trading Market, and (ii) in compliance
with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection
with
Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities and
determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment
under the laws of such jurisdictions as requested by the Holders )), (b)
printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing
certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses requested
by the Holders), (c) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses incurred by
the
Company, (d) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, and (e) fees
and
expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The fees and
expenses referred to in the first sentence shall exclude (x) all underwriting
discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer or documentary stamp taxes,
if
any, applicable to any Registrable Securities registered and sold by such
holder, (y) all fees and disbursements of any counsel for such holder, including
Purchaser Counsel and (z) all expenses incurred by the Purchaser or Holders
without first receiving the consent of the Company.
8. Indemnification
(a) Indemnification
by the Company.
The
Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify
and
hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, partners, members, agents,
brokers (including brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as
principal as a result of a pledge or any failure to perform under a margin
call
of Common Stock), investment advisors and employees of each of them, each Person
who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, partners,
members, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all Losses, as
incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any Prospectus or
any
form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any
preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged
omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus
or
supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made)
not misleading, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such
untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding
such
Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such
11
Holder
expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to
such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable
Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder
expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form
of
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (ii) in the case of
an
occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section
5(c)(v)-(vii),
the use
by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has
notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective
and
prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section
9(f).
The
Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or
assertion of any Proceeding of which the Company is aware in connection with
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Indemnification
by Holders.
Each
Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls
the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section
20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of
such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
from and against all Losses (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
in a final judgment not subject to appeal or review) arising solely out of
any
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement,
any
Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement
thereto, or arising solely out of any omission of a material fact required
to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to
the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is
contained in any information so furnished in writing by such Holder to the
Company specifically for inclusion in such Registration Statement or such
Prospectus. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder
be
greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such
Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such
indemnification obligation.
(c) Conduct
of Indemnification Proceedings.
If any
Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity
hereunder (an “Indemnified
Party”),
such
Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought
(the “Indemnifying
Party”)
in
writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party
and
the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense
thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice
shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities
pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be
finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination
is
not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have
proximately and materially adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying
Party.
An
Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such
Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties
unless: (i) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and
expenses; or (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume
the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory
to
such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (iii) the named parties to
any
such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified
Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been
advised by counsel that a
12
conflict
of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such
Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified
Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ
separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying
Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel
shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The Indemnifying Party
shall
not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its
written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No
Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified
Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which
any
Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional
release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such Proceeding.
All
fees
and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses
to
the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend
such
Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to
the
Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten Trading Days of written notice
thereof to the Indemnifying Party (regardless of whether it is ultimately
determined that an Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification
hereunder; provided, that the Indemnifying Party may require such Indemnified
Party to undertake to reimburse all such fees and expenses to the extent it
is
finally judicially determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to
indemnification hereunder).
(d) Contribution.
If a
claim for indemnification under Section
7(a)
or
7(b)
is
unavailable to an Indemnified Party (by reason of public policy or otherwise),
then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party,
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as
a
result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection
with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such
Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission
of a
material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied
by,
such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result
of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
in Section
8(c),
any
reasonable attorneys’ or other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such
party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have
been
indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in
this Section was available to such party in accordance with its
terms.
The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section
8(d)
were
determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section
8(d),
no
Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess
of the amount by which the proceeds actually received by such Holder from the
sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount
of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason
of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
13
omission.
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.
(e) Other.
To the
extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in
the
underwriting agreement entered into in connection with an underwritten public
offering are in conflict with the indemnification provisions of this Agreement,
the provisions of the underwriting agreement will control.
The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition
to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified
Parties.
9. Miscellaneous
(a) Remedies.
In the
event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder of any of their obligations
under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under
this
Agreement, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific
performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company and each Holder
agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any
losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this
Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for
specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense
that
a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) Amendments
and Waivers.
The
provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may
not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures
from
the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing
and
signed by the Company and the Holders of at least two-thirds of the then
outstanding Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver
or
consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that
relates exclusively to the rights of Holders and that does not directly or
indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of at
least a majority of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent
relates; provided,
however,
that the
provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except
in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding
sentence.
(c) No
Inconsistent Agreements.
Neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof,
nor
shall the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on or after the date of this
Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that would
have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement
or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Except as and to the extent
specified in the applicable schedule to the Purchase Agreement, neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has previously entered into any agreement granting
any registration rights with respect to any of its securities to any Person
that
have not been satisfied in full.
(d) No
Piggyback on Registrations.
Neither
the Company nor any of its security holders (other than the Holders in such
capacity pursuant hereto) may include securities of the Company in a Demand
Registration Statement other than the Registrable Securities unless
14
required
to do so by currently existing agreements, and the Company shall not after
the
date hereof enter into any agreement providing any such right to any of its
security holders.
(e) Compliance.
Each
Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it in connection with sales
of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
(f) Discontinued
Disposition.
Each
Holder agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Securities that, upon
receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the
kind
described in Sections
5(c)(v),
5(c)(vi),
or
5(c)(vii),
or
Sections
6(c)(v),
6(c)(vi),
or
6(c)(vii),
as
applicable, which notice may be given by the Company regardless of whether
a
registration has been effected pursuant to Section 2, 3, or 4, such Holder
will
forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a
Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of any
supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement (if required
pursuant to Section
5(j) or 6(i)),
or until
it is advised in writing (the “Advice”)
by the
Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either
case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or
Registration Statement. The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to
enforce the provisions of this paragraph.
(g) Notices.
Any and
all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to
be
provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective
on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication
is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile telephone number specified in this
Section prior to 4:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next
Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication
is
delivered via facsimile at the facsimile telephone number specified in this
Agreement on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 4:30 p.m. (New York
City time) and earlier than 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading
Day,
(c) the Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally
recognized overnight courier service, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party
to
whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and
communications shall be as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
(h) Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors
and
permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of
each
Holder. The Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder without
the prior written consent of each Holder. A Holder that is a Stockholder (as
defined in the Stockholder’s Agreement) may assign its rights and obligations
hereunder to a Related Transferee (as defined in the Stockholder’s Agreement) in
the manner and to the extent permitted under the Transaction
Documents.
(i) Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when
so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and, all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature
is
delivered by facsimile transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding
obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is
executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such facsimile signature
were the original thereof.
15
(J) GOVERNING
LAW; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
ALL
QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, ENFORCEMENT AND INTERPRETATION
OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS
OF
LAWS PRINCIPLES. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS CONCERNING THE
INTERPRETATIONS, ENFORCEMENT AND DEFENSE OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY
THIS AGREEMENT (WHETHER BROUGHT AGAINST A PARTY HERETO OR ITS RESPECTIVE
AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, STOCKHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS) SHALL BE
COMMENCED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE STATE AND U.S. FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE
OF DELAWARE. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND U.S. FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE OF
DELAWARE FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH
OR WITH ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR DISCUSSED HEREIN (INCLUDING
WITH
RESPECT TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY OF THIS AGREEMENT), AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, ANY CLAIM
THAT IT IS NOT PERSONALLY SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT, THAT
SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS IMPROPER. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO PROCESS BEING
SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF VIA
REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY (WITH EVIDENCE OF DELIVERY)
TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS IN EFFECT FOR NOTICES TO IT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT
AND AGREES THAT SUCH SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE GOOD AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE OF
PROCESS AND NOTICE THEREOF. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED TO LIMIT
IN
ANY WAY ANY RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW. EACH PARTY
HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT
OF
OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. IF EITHER
PARTY SHALL COMMENCE AN ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE ANY PROVISIONS OF THIS
AGREEMENT , THEN THE PREVAILING PARTY IN SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE
REIMBURSED BY THE OTHER PARTY FOR ITS REASONABLE ATTORNEYS FEES AND OTHER
REASONABLE COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED WITH THE INVESTIGATION, PREPARATION
AND
PROSECUTION OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING.
(k) Cumulative
Remedies.
The
remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies
provided by law.
(l) Severability.
If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court
of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their reasonable efforts to
find and employ an alternative means to
16
achieve
the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term,
provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to
be
the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may
be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(m) Market
Standoff.
Each of
the Purchaser and each other holder of Registrable Securities shall, if
requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in an underwritten
offering, agree not to effect any public sale or distribution of securities
of
the Company of the same class as the securities included in a Registration
Statement relating to such offering, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144
under
the Securities Act, except as part of such underwritten registration, during
the
15-day period prior to, and during a period ("Lock-Up Period") ending on the
earlier of (a) such time as the Company and the managing underwriter shall
agree
and (b) 90 days after the effective date of, each underwritten offering made
pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(n) Headings.
The
headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall
not
limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
SIGNATURE
PAGES TO FOLLOW]
17
IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of
the
date first written above.
WCA
WASTE
CORPORATION
By:
_______________________________________________
Name:
Title:
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
SIGNATURE
PAGES OF PURCHASERS TO FOLLOW]
18
ARES
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES FUND II, L.P.
By: ACOF
MANAGEMENT II, L.P.,
Its
General Partner
By: ACOF
OPERATING MANAGER II, L.P.,
Its
General Partner
By: ARES
MANAGEMENT, INC.,
Its
General Partner
By:
______________________________
Name:
Title:
Address
for Notice:
Ares
Corporate Opportunities Fund II, L.P.
C/O
Ares
Management, Inc.
1999
Avenue of the Xxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Phone:
(000) 000.0000
Fax:
(000)
000.0000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
With
a
copy to:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx llp
00
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn:
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq. and Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
19
Annex
A
Plan
of Distribution
The
selling stockholders may, from time to time, sell any or all of their shares
of
common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the
shares are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or
negotiated prices. The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the
following methods when selling shares:
· |
ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer
solicits purchasers;
|
· |
block
trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as
agent
but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction;
|
· |
purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for
its
account;
|
· |
an
exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
|
· |
privately
negotiated transactions;
|
· |
short
sales;
|
· |
broker-dealers
may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number
of such
shares at a stipulated price per share;
|
· |
a
combination of any such methods of sale;
and
|
· |
any
other method permitted pursuant to applicable
law.
|
The
selling stockholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.
The
selling stockholders may also engage in short sales against the box, puts and
calls and other transactions in our securities or derivatives of our securities
and may sell or deliver shares in connection with these trades.
Broker-dealers
engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to
participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from
the selling stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the
purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated. The
selling stockholders do not expect these commissions and discounts to exceed
what is customary in the types of transactions involved. Any profits on the
resale of shares of common stock by a broker-dealer acting as principal might
be
deemed
to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. Discounts,
concessions, commissions and similar selling expenses, if any, attributable
to
the sale of shares will be borne by a selling stockholder. The selling
stockholders may agree to indemnify any agent, dealer or broker-dealer that
participates in transactions involving sales of the shares if liabilities are
imposed on that person under the Securities Act.
The
selling stockholders may from time to time pledge or grant a security interest
in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default
in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties
may offer and sell the shares of common stock from time to time under this
prospectus after we have filed an amendment to this prospectus under Rule
424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933 amending
the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other
successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus.
The
selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other
circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors
in
interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus
and may sell the shares of common stock from time to time under this prospectus
after we have filed an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or
other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933 amending the list
of
selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors
in
interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus.
The
selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in
selling the shares of common stock may be deemed to be "underwriters" within
the
meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event,
any
commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the
resale of the shares of common stock purchased by them may be deemed to be
underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
We
are
required to pay all fees and expenses incident to the registration of the shares
of common stock, including the fees and disbursements of counsel to the selling
stockholders. We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against
certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under
the
Securities Act.
The
selling stockholders have advised us that they have not entered into any
agreements, understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or
broker-dealers regarding the sale of their shares of common stock, nor is there
an underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with a proposed
sale
of shares of common stock by any selling stockholder. If we are notified by
any
selling stockholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with
a
broker-dealer for the sale of shares of common stock, if required, we will
file
a supplement to this prospectus. If the selling stockholders use this prospectus
for any sale of the shares of common stock, they will be subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
The
anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 may apply to sales of our common stock and activities of the selling
stockholders.