EXHIBIT 10(a)
ESCROW AGREEMENT
ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC #16-2007(A) L.P.
ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC #16-2007(A) L.P.
ESCROW AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made to be effective as of ________________, 2007, by and
among Atlas Resources, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company (the
"Managing General Partner"), Anthem Securities, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation
("Anthem"), the "Dealer-Manager," Atlas America Public #16-2007(A) L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership (the "Partnership") and National City Bank of
Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Managing General Partner intends to offer publicly for sale to
qualified investors (the "Investors") up to 19,900 investor general partner
interests and up to 100 limited partner interests in the Partnership (the
"Units").
WHEREAS, each Investor will be required to pay his subscription in full on
subscribing by check or wire (the "Subscription Proceeds").
WHEREAS, the cost per Unit will be $10,000 subject to certain discounts of
up to 10.5% ($1,050 per Unit) for sales to the Managing General Partner, its
officers, directors and affiliates, registered investment advisors and their
clients, Selling Agents and their registered representatives and principals, and
investors who buy Units through the officers and directors of the Managing
General Partner. Also, the Managing General Partner, in its discretion, may
accept one-half Unit ($5,000) subscriptions, with larger subscriptions permitted
in $1,000 increments.
WHEREAS, the Managing General Partner and Anthem have executed an agreement
("Anthem Dealer-Manager Agreement") under which Anthem will solicit
subscriptions for Units in all states on a "best efforts" "all or none" basis
for Subscription Proceeds of $2,000,000 and on a "best efforts" basis for the
remaining Units on behalf of the Managing General Partner and the Partnership
and under which Anthem has been authorized to select certain members in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") to
participate in the offering of the Units ("Selling Agents").
WHEREAS, the Anthem Dealer-Manager Agreement, the "Dealer-Manager
Agreement," provides for compensation to the Dealer-Manager to participate in
the offering of the Units, subject to the discounts set forth above for certain
Investors, which compensation includes, but is not limited to, for each Unit
sold:
o a 2.5% Dealer-Manager fee;
o a 7% sales commission; and
o an up to .5% reimbursement of the Selling Agents' bona fide due
diligence expenses;
all or a portion of which will be reallowed to the Selling Agents and
wholesalers.
WHEREAS, under the terms of the Dealer-Manager Agreement the Subscription
Proceeds are required to be held in escrow subject to the receipt and acceptance
by the Managing General Partner of the minimum Subscription Proceeds of
$2,000,000, excluding any optional subscription by the Managing General Partner,
its officers, directors, and Affiliates.
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WHEREAS, the Units may also be offered and sold by the officers and
directors of the Managing General Partner without receiving a sales commission
or other compensation on their sales.
WHEREAS, no subscriptions to the Partnership will be accepted after the
"Offering Termination Date," which is the first to occur of either:
o receipt of the maximum Subscription Proceeds of $200,000,000; or
o December 31, 2007.
WHEREAS, to facilitate compliance with the terms of the Dealer-Manager
Agreement and Rule 15c2-4 adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Managing General Partner and the Dealer-Manager desire to have the Subscription
Proceeds deposited with the Escrow Agent and the Escrow Agent agrees to hold the
Subscription Proceeds under the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions
contained in this Agreement, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be
legally bound, agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF ESCROW AGENT. The Managing General Partner, the Partnership,
and the Dealer-Manager appoint the Escrow Agent as the escrow agent to
receive and to hold the Subscription Proceeds deposited with the Escrow
Agent by the Dealer-Manager and the Managing General Partner under this
Agreement, and the Escrow Agent agrees to serve in this capacity during the
term and based on the provisions of this Agreement.
2. DEPOSIT OF SUBSCRIPTION PROCEEDS. Pending receipt of the minimum
Subscription Proceeds of $2,000,000, the Dealer-Manager and the Managing
General Partner shall deposit the Subscription Proceeds of each Investor to
whom they sell Units with the Escrow Agent and shall deliver to the Escrow
Agent a copy of the "Subscription Agreement," which is the execution and
subscription instrument signed by the Investor to evidence his agreement to
purchase Units in the Partnership. Payment for each subscription for Units
shall be in the form of a check or wire made payable to "Atlas America
Public #16-2007(A) L.P., Escrow Agent, National City Bank of Pennsylvania."
3. INVESTMENT OF SUBSCRIPTION PROCEEDS. The Subscription Proceeds shall be
deposited in an interest bearing account maintained by the Escrow Agent as
directed by the Managing General Partner. This may be a savings account,
bank money market account, short-term certificates of deposit issued by a
bank, or short-term certificates of deposit issued or guaranteed by the
United States government. The interest earned shall be added to the
Subscription Proceeds and disbursed in accordance with the provisions of
Paragraph 4 or 5 of this Agreement, as the case may be.
4. DISTRIBUTION OF SUBSCRIPTION PROCEEDS. If the Escrow Agent:
(a) receives proper written notice from an authorized officer of the
Managing General Partner that at least the minimum Subscription
Proceeds of $2,000,000 have been received and accepted by the Managing
General Partner; and
(b) determines that Subscription Proceeds for at least $2,000,000 are
Distributable Subscription Proceeds;
then the Escrow Agent shall promptly release and distribute to the Managing
General Partner the Distributable Subscription Proceeds plus any interest
paid and investment income earned on the Subscription Proceeds while held
by the Escrow Agent in the escrow account. For purposes of the Agreement,
"Distributable Subscription Proceeds" are Subscription Proceeds which have
been deposited in the escrow account (1) by wire transfer; and (2) by
check, but in the case of checks only at
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the time that the Escrow Agent believes an amount of time has passed which
would usually be sufficient for Subscription Proceeds paid by check to have
returned unpaid by the bank on which the check was drawn and after a 10 day
period from the date of deposit.
After the occurrence of 4(a) and (b) above, Escrow Agent will provide a
letter to the Managing General Partner confirming receipt of checks and/or
wires representing Subscription Proceeds totaling at least $2,000,000 have
been received and the anticipated date the funds will be considered
Distributable Subscription Proceeds.
After the initial distribution, any remaining Subscription Proceeds, plus
any interest paid and investment income earned on the Subscription Proceeds
while held by the Escrow Agent in the escrow account, shall be promptly
released and distributed to the Managing General Partner by the Escrow
Agent as the Subscription Proceeds become Distributable Subscription
Proceeds after a 10 day period from the date of deposit.
The Managing General Partner shall immediately return to the Escrow Agent
any Subscription Proceeds distributed to the Managing General Partner or
refunded to an Investor to the extent that such Subscription Proceeds were
paid by a check which is returned or otherwise not collected for any reason
prior or subsequent to termination of this Agreement.
5. SEPARATE PARTNERSHIP ACCOUNT. During the continuation of the offering after
the Partnership is funded with cleared Subscription Proceeds of at least
$2,000,000 and the Escrow Agent receives the notice described in Paragraph
4 of this Agreement, and before the Offering Termination Date, any
additional Subscription Proceeds may be deposited by the Dealer-Manager and
the Managing General Partner directly in a separate Partnership account
which shall not be subject to the terms of this Agreement.
6. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SUBSCRIBERS.
(a) If the Partnership is not funded as contemplated because less than the
minimum Subscription Proceeds of $2,000,000 have been received and
accepted by the Managing General Partner by twelve (12:00) p.m.
(noon), local time, EASTERN STANDARD TIME on the Offering Termination
Date, or for any other reason, then the Managing General Partner shall
notify the Escrow Agent, and the Escrow Agent promptly shall
distribute to each Investor, for which Escrow Agent has a copy of the
subscription agreement, a refund check made payable to the Investor in
an amount equal to the Subscription Proceeds of the Investor, plus any
interest paid or investment income earned on the Investor's
Subscription Proceeds while held by the Escrow Agent in the escrow
account.
(b) If a subscription for Units submitted by an Investor is rejected by
the Managing General Partner for any reason after the Subscription
Proceeds relating to the subscription have been deposited with the
Escrow Agent, then the Managing General Partner promptly shall notify
in writing, the Escrow Agent of the rejection, and the Escrow Agent
shall promptly distribute to the Investor for which Escrow Agent has a
copy of a Subscription Agreement, a refund check made payable to the
Investor in an amount equal to the Subscription Proceeds of the
Investor, plus any interest paid or investment income earned on the
Investor's Subscription Proceeds while held by the Escrow Agent in the
escrow account.
7. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF ESCROW AGENT. The Managing General Partner
shall be solely responsible for and shall pay the compensation of the
Escrow Agent for its services under this Agreement, as provided in Appendix
1 to this Agreement and made a part of this Agreement, and the charges,
expenses (including any reasonable attorneys' fees), and other
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with the
administration of the provisions of this Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall
have no lien on the Subscription Proceeds deposited in the escrow account
unless
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and until the Partnership is funded with cleared Subscription Proceeds of
at least $2,000,000 and the Escrow Agent receives the proper written notice
described in Paragraph 4 of this Agreement, at which time the Escrow Agent
shall have, and is granted, a prior lien on any property, cash, or assets
held under this Agreement, with respect to its unpaid compensation and
nonreimbursed expenses, superior to the interests of any other persons or
entities.
8. DUTIES OF ESCROW AGENT. The Escrow Agent shall not be obligated to accept
any notice, make any delivery, or take any other action under this
Agreement unless the notice or request or demand for delivery or other
action is in writing and given or made by the Managing General Partner or
an authorized officer of the Managing General Partner. In no event shall
the Escrow Agent be obligated to accept any notice, request, or demand from
anyone other than the Managing General Partner.
9. LIABILITY OF ESCROW AGENT. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any
damages, or have any obligations other than the duties prescribed in this
Agreement in carrying out or executing the purposes and intent of this
Agreement. However, nothing in this Agreement shall relieve the Escrow
Agent from liability arising out of its own willful misconduct or gross
negligence. The Escrow Agent's duties and obligations under this Agreement
shall be entirely administrative and not discretionary. The Escrow Agent
shall not be liable to any party to this Agreement or to any third-party as
a result of any action or omission taken or made by the Escrow Agent in
good faith. The parties to this Agreement will jointly and severally
indemnify the Escrow Agent, hold the Escrow Agent harmless, and reimburse
the Escrow Agent from, against and for, any and all liabilities, costs,
fees and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) the Escrow Agent
may suffer or incur by reason of its execution and performance of this
Agreement. If any legal questions arise concerning the Escrow Agent's
duties and obligations under this Agreement, then the Escrow Agent may
consult with its counsel and rely without liability on written opinions
given to it by its counsel.
The Escrow Agent shall be protected in acting on any written notice,
request, waiver, consent, authorization, or other paper or document which
the Escrow Agent, in good faith, believes to be genuine and what it
purports to be.
If there is any disagreement between any of the parties to this Agreement,
or between them or any other person, resulting in adverse claims or demands
being made in connection with this Agreement, or if the Escrow Agent, in
good faith, is in doubt as to what action it should take under this
Agreement, then the Escrow Agent may, at its option, refuse to comply with
any claims or demands on it or refuse to take any other action under this
Agreement, so long as the disagreement continues or the doubt exists. In
any such event, the Escrow Agent shall not be or become liable in any way
or to any person for its failure or refusal to act and the Escrow Agent
shall be entitled to continue to so refrain from acting until the dispute
is resolved by the parties involved.
National City Bank of Pennsylvania is acting solely as the Escrow Agent and
is not a party to, nor has it reviewed or approved any agreement or matter
of background related to this Agreement, other than this Agreement itself,
and has assumed, without investigation, the authority of the individuals
executing this Agreement to be so authorized on behalf of the party or
parties involved.
10. RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF ESCROW AGENT. The Escrow Agent may resign as such
after giving thirty days' prior written notice to the other parties to this
Agreement. Similarly, the Escrow Agent may be removed and replaced after
receiving thirty days' prior written notice from the other parties to this
Agreement. In either event, the duties of the Escrow Agent shall terminate
thirty days after the date of the notice (or as of an earlier date as may
be mutually agreeable); and the Escrow Agent shall then deliver the balance
of the Subscription Proceeds (and any interest paid or investment income
earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent in the escrow account) in its
possession to a successor escrow agent appointed by the other parties to
this Agreement as evidenced by a written notice filed with the Escrow
Agent.
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If the other parties to this Agreement are unable to agree on a successor
escrow agent or fail to appoint a successor escrow agent before the
expiration of thirty days following the date of the notice of the Escrow
Agent's resignation or removal, then the Escrow Agent may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor escrow
agent or other appropriate relief. Any resulting appointment shall be
binding on all of the parties to this Agreement.
On acknowledgment by any successor escrow agent of the receipt of the then
remaining balance of the Subscription Proceeds (and any interest paid or
investment income earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent in the
escrow account), the Escrow Agent shall be fully released and relieved of
all duties, responsibilities, and obligations under this Agreement.
11. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall terminate and the Escrow Agent shall have
no further obligation with respect to this Agreement after the distribution
of all Subscription Proceeds (and any interest paid or investment income
earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent in the escrow account) as
contemplated by this Agreement or on the written consent of all the parties
to this Agreement.
12. NOTICE. Any notices or instructions, or both, to be given under this
Agreement shall be validly given if set forth in writing and mailed by
certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile with confirmation
of receipt (originals to be followed in the mail), or by a nationally
recognized overnight courier, as follows:
If to the Escrow Agent:
National City Bank
c/o Allegiant Institutional Services
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx XxXxxxx LOC 00-00XX-00
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to the Managing General Partner:
Atlas Resources, LLC
000 Xxxxxx Xxxx
X.X. Xxx 000
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Black
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
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If to Anthem:
Anthem Securities, Inc.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxx
X.X. Xxx 000
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Any party may designate any other address to which notices and instructions
shall be sent by notice duly given in accordance with this Agreement.
13. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(b) This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of
the undersigned and their respective successors and assigns.
(c) This Agreement may be executed in multiple copies, each executed copy
to serve as an original.
14. The parties hereto and subscribers acknowledge Escrow Agent has not
reviewed and is not making any recommendations with respect to the
securities offered.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be
effective as of the day and year first above written.
NATIONAL CITY BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA
As Escrow Agent
By:
------------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Vice President
ATLAS RESOURCES, LLC
A Pennsylvania limited liability company
By:
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Xxxxx X. Black, Vice President -
Partnership Administration
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ANTHEM SECURITIES, INC.
A Pennsylvania corporation
By:
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Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, President
ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC #16-2007(A) L.P.
By: ATLAS RESOURCES, LLC
Managing General Partner
By:
------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Black, Vice President -
Partnership Administration
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APPENDIX I TO ESCROW AGREEMENT
COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES OF ESCROW AGENT
REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE FEE: $ WAIVED
For providing initial review of the Escrow Agreement and all supporting
documents and for initial services associated with establishing the Escrow
Account. This is a one (1) time fee payable upon the opening of the account.
I. Annual Administrative Fee Payable in Advance $3000.00
(or any portion thereof)
II. Remittance of checks returned to subscribers (set out in 20.00
section 6 of the governing agreement)
III. Wire transfers n/a
IV. Purchase or Sale of Securities 100.00
V. Investments (document limits investment to a checking or savings
account, or certificates of deposit) such products offered by
any National City Bank retail branch)- fees are subject to the
type of account the Managing General Partner directs the Escrow
Agent to open and to be governed by the Escrow Agreement.
EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES:
For any services other than those covered by the aforementioned, a special per
hour charge will be made commensurate with the character of the service, time
required and responsibility involved. Such services include but are not limited
to excessive administrative time, attendance at closings, specialized reports,
and record keeping, unusual certifications, etc.
Managing General Partner agrees to report all funds in accordance with
appropriate tax treatment.
FEE SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO ANNUAL REVIEW AND/OR ADJUSTMENT UPON AMENDMENT
THERETO.
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