EXHIBIT 10.18
[OVERLAND LOGO]
Overland Data, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000-0000
(000) 000-0000
(000) 000-0000 fax
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement ("Agreement"), which shall become effective on
April 2, 2001 (the "Effective Date"), finalizes the terms and conditions of
employment agreed upon by and between Overland Data, Inc. ("Employer" or the
"Company") and Xxxxxxx Xxxxx ("Executive").
The parties agree as follows:
1. POSITIONS AND DUTIES. Executive will be employed by the Company in
the position of Vice President of Sales, reporting to the Company's President
and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), and shall do and perform all services,
acts or things necessary or advisable to manage and conduct the business of
the Company and which are normally associated with the position of Vice
President of Sales consistent with the bylaws of the Company and as required
by the Company's President & CEO and by the Company's Board of Directors (the
"Board").
1.1 BEST EFFORTS/FULL-TIME. During the Employment Term (as defined
in paragraph 1.2 herein), Executive will act in the best interests of
Employer and devote his full business time and best efforts to the
performance of his duties under this Agreement. Executive agrees to be
available to render such services at all reasonable times and places and in
accordance with Employer's directives.
Executive shall be assigned to work in the Company's corporate offices in San
Diego, California, but may be required to travel in connection with his
duties. Executive will abide by all policies, procedures, and decisions made
by Employer, as well as all federal, state and local laws, regulations or
ordinances applicable to his employment.
During his employment, Executive must not engage in any work, paid or unpaid,
that creates an actual or potential conflict of interest with Employer's
business interests and if, in the opinion of the Board, an actual or
potential conflict exists, the Board may in its sole discretion require
Executive to choose to either (i) discontinue the other work or (ii) resign
from his employment with Employer. The foregoing restriction shall not
preclude Executive from engaging in civic, charitable or religious
activities, or from serving on boards of directors of companies or
organizations so long as he notifies the Board of
1
such services in writing, and such services do not pose a conflict or
interfere with his responsibilities to Employer. It is anticipated that
Executive shall generally devote no less than 40 hours per week to his duties
for Employer.
1.2 TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. This Agreement shall commence on April 2,
2001, and, unless terminated by either party in accordance with paragraph 5
herein, shall continue until October 8, 2002 (the period of employment
hereunder shall be referred to herein as the "Employment Term"). Except as
provided in paragraph 6, this Agreement shall continue during the Employment
Term to govern the terms and conditions of Executive's employment, unless
modified by the parties hereto in writing.
2. COMPENSATION.
2.1 BASE SALARY. As compensation for the proper and satisfactory
performance of all duties under this Agreement, Executive shall earn a gross
annual base salary of $250,000.00 ($9,615.38 gross per bi-weekly payroll
period), less all legally required payroll deductions, payable in accordance
with Employer's normal payroll practices ("Base Salary").
2.2 BONUS/COMMISSION. Executive will be eligible to receive
potential annual bonus earnings of up to $75,000 or such other amount as
determined by the Board, based on reasonable and obtainable performance
criteria to be mutually determined by the Board and the President & CEO. This
bonus will be based on the Company's June 30 fiscal year. Also, Executive
will be eligible to receive potential commission compensation of up to
$12,500 per quarter, or such other amount as determined by the Board and the
President & CEO, based upon 100% achievement of the Company's quarterly sales
goals.
2.3 STOCK OPTIONS. Subject to the approval of the Board, Executive
will be granted an option to purchase 150,000 shares of Employer's Common
Stock under Employer's 2000 Stock Option Plan (the "2000 Plan"). The option
exercise price will be equal to the closing market price of the Company's
Common Stock on April 2, 2001. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, shares subject to this option will be governed by the terms and
conditions of the 2000 Plan and the standard form of Stock Option Agreement
that Executive will be required to sign as a condition of receiving this
option. This option will be an incentive stock option to the maximum amount
allowable by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; the remainder of
this option will be a non-qualified stock option. A total of 50,000 shares of
Common Stock underlying this option shall vest on April 2, 2002, and an
additional 4,166 shares shall vest on the 2nd of each subsequent month until
March 2004, and 4,182 shares shall vest on the 2nd of April 2004.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all outstanding shares underlying this option
shall vest in full and be fully exercisable upon a "Change of Control" as
defined in Section 1.2 of the Retention Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2001,
(the "Retention Agreement"), by and between the Company and Executive.
2.4 MOVING EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. It is agreed that within twelve
months of the Effective Date, Executive will relocate his primary residence
to the
2
San Diego, California area. Employer agrees to either pay or reimburse
Executive for the expenses listed below which are associated with such
relocation. The aggregate amount of such payments and reimbursements, which
shall be taxable to Executive, shall not exceed $75,000.
o Temporary living accomodations in California for Executive and his
family for up to 180 days;
o Realtor fees and closing costs directly associated with the sale of
Executive's current residence and the purchase of a new residence.
o Travel, meals and lodging en route to California for Executive and
his family; and
o Shipment of household goods and personal belongings to California,
plus storage of such items while Executive is in temporary living
accommodations.
Should Executive's employment with the Company during the Employment Term be
terminated for Cause as defined in Section 5.1 below, or should Executive
resign during the Employment Term without Good Reason as defined in Section
5.4 below, then an aggregate amount equal to the sum of all amounts in
respect of relocation paid to or on behalf of Executive pursuant to this
Section, and reduced by 1/18 per full month starting from the Effective Date
until the termination or resignation date, shall be repaid by the Executive
to the Company within thirty days of such termination or resignation date.
2.5 UNILATERAL MODIFICATION OF COMPENSATION. Employer reserves the
right to modify Executive's compensation, at any time, at its sole and
absolute discretion.
3. CUSTOMARY FRINGE BENEFITS. Executive shall be eligible for all
customary and usual benefits generally available to all executive level
employees of Employer, as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of
Employer and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable
benefit plan or policy. Employer reserves the right to change or eliminate
any of the fringe benefits provided to executive level employees on a
prospective basis at any time, at Employer's sole and absolute discretion.
Executive understands that all benefits provided in this paragraph may be
reduced by, or subject to, all legally required taxes.
4. BUSINESS EXPENSES. Executive will be reimbursed for all reasonable,
out-of-pocket business expenses incurred in the performance of his duties on
behalf of Employer subject to Executive's compliance with the Company's
established expense reimbursement policy.
5. TERMINATION.
5.1 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE BY EMPLOYER. Employer may terminate
Executive's employment under this Agreement immediately at any time for
"Cause", which shall include, but is not limited to: (a) acts or omissions
constituting gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part
of Executive with respect to his obligations or otherwise relating to the
business of Employer; (b) Executive's material breach of this Agreement; (c)
Executive's conviction or entry of a plea of nolo
3
contendere for fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement, or any felony or
crime of moral turpitude; (d) Executive's dishonesty or involvement in any
conduct that adversely affects Employer's name or public image or is
otherwise detrimental to Employer's business interests; (e) Executive's
willful neglect of duties as determined in the sole and exclusive discretion
of Employer; or (f) Executive's death.
5.1.1. ENTITLEMENTS UPON TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. In the
event that Executive's employment is terminated for Cause in accordance with
paragraph 5.1, Executive shall be entitled to receive: (a) the Base Salary
then in effect, prorated to the date of termination; (b) any performance
bonuses or commissions earned prior to the date of termination; and (c) any
expense reimbursements to which Executive is entitled by virtue of his prior
employment with Employer (collectively, (a), (b) and (c) above are referred
to herein as the "Standard Entitlements"). In the event of such termination
for Cause, Executive shall not be entitled to receive (i) the Severance
Payment (as defined in paragraph 5.2 below), or any part thereof, or (ii) any
further vesting of stock options; and all other obligations of Employer to
Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall automatically terminate and be
completely extinguished.
5.2 TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE BY EMPLOYER. Employer may terminate
Executive's employment without Cause at any time. If Employer terminates
Executive's employment without Cause, Executive shall be entitled to receive
the Standard Entitlements. In addition to the above, in the event that (i)
Employer terminates Executive's employment without Cause during the
Employment Term, and (ii) Executive complies with all of the conditions in
paragraph 5.2.1 below, Executive will be entitled to an aggregate severance
payment equal to Executive's then Base Salary, payable on a pro-rated basis
in accordance with Employer's regular payroll practices for the twelve (12)
months immediately following such termination date (the "Severance Payment").
Upon Executive's termination without Cause, subject to the conditions
specified above, any shares of Common Stock underlying Executive's then
outstanding stock options that otherwise would vest during the twelve (12)
months following the date of such termination shall vest in full and shall be
immediately exercisable as of the date of such termination, and such stock
options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time within thirty (30)
days of the date of such termination without Cause. In the event of such
termination without Cause, all of Employer's other obligations pursuant to
this Agreement shall terminate automatically and extinguish completely
following the date of such termination without Cause.
5.2.1. CONDITIONS TO RECEIVE SEVERANCE PAYMENTS. The
Severance Payment will be paid provided that the following conditions are met:
(a) Executive complies with all surviving
provisions of this Agreement as specified in paragraph 11.8 below; and
(b) Executive executes a full general release in
the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, releasing all claims, known or
unknown, that Executive may have against Employer arising out of or in any
way related to Executive's employment or termination of employment with
Employer.
4
5.3 VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION BY EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON. Executive
may voluntarily resign his position with Employer at any time provided that
he delivers to the Board at least thirty (30) days' advance written notice of
his resignation. In the event that (i) his resignation is for Good Reason (as
defined below) and (ii) such resignation for Good Reason occurs on or before
the Final Severance Date, Executive will be entitled to receive the Severance
Payment, provided that Executive complies with all of the conditions in
paragraph 5.2.1 above. In the event of such resignation for Good Reason, all
of Employer's other obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate
automatically and extinguish completely following the date of such
resignation for Good Reason. Executive will be deemed to have resigned for
"Good Reason" in the following circumstances: (a) Employer reduces
Executive's Base Salary and potential annual bonus earnings by more than ten
percent (10%), unless the reduction is made as part of, and is generally
consistent with, a general reduction of other senior executive salaries and
incentive compensation; (b) Executive's position and/or duties are modified
so that his duties are no longer consistent with the position of Vice
President of Sales or (c) Employer relocates Executive's principal place of
work to a location more than fifty (50) miles from Employer's current
location without his prior written approval.
5.4 VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION BY EXECUTIVE WITHOUT GOOD REASON. In the
event that Executive's resignation is without Good Reason, Executive will be
entitled to receive the Standard Entitlements, but Executive shall not be
entitled to receive (i) the Severance Payment, or any part thereof, or (ii)
any further vesting of stock options; and all other obligations of Employer
to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall automatically terminate and be
completely extinguished.
5.5 TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR RESIGNATION FOR GOOD REASON AFTER
THE EMPLOYMENT TERM. If Executive is terminated without Cause after the
Employment Term, or if Executive resigns for Good Reason after the Employment
Term, then Executive shall not be entitled to the Severance Payment, or any
part thereof, as defined in this Agreement.
6. TERMINATION UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a "Change of
Control" (as defined in the Retention Agreement), Employer's obligations to
Executive pursuant to paragraph 5 above shall terminate automatically and
extinguish completely, and the consequences of any termination or resignation
of Executive following a Change of Control will be as governed by the
Retention Agreement.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY/INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENT AND XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
POLICY. Executive agrees that he has read, signed, and will abide by the
terms and conditions of Employer's Confidentiality/Intellectual Property
Agreement and Employer's Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Policy.
Executive recognizes that his employment with the Company will involve
contact with information of substantial value to the Company which gives the
Company an advantage over its competitors who do not know or use it,
including but not limited to, techniques, designs, drawings, processes,
inventions, developments, equipment, prototypes, sales and customer
information, and business and financial information
5
relating to the business, products, practices and techniques of the Company
(hereinafter referred to as "Confidential and Proprietary Information").
Executive will at all times regard and preserve as confidential such
Confidential and Proprietary Information obtained by Executive from whatever
source and will not, either during his employment with the Company or
thereafter, publish or disclose any part of such Confidential and Proprietary
Information in any manner at any time, or use the same except on behalf of
the Company, without the prior written consent of the Company.
8. NON-COMPETITION. During the Employment Term, Executive shall devote
Executive's full business energies, interest, abilities and productive time
to the proper and efficient performance of Executive's duties under this
Agreement. The foregoing requirement shall not preclude Executive from
engaging in civic, charitable or religious activities, or from serving on
boards of directors of companies or organizations which will not present any
direct conflict with the interest of Employer or affect the performance of
Executive's duties hereunder.
Except with the prior written consent of Employer, Executive will not, during
the Employment Term, or any period during which Executive is receiving
compensation or any other consideration from Employer, engage in competition
with Employer, either directly or indirectly, in any manner or capacity, as
adviser, principal, agent, partner, officer, director, employee, member of
any association or otherwise, in any phase of the business of developing,
manufacturing and marketing of products which are in the same field of use or
which otherwise compete with the product or products actively under
development by Employer.
Except as permitted herein, Executive agrees not to acquire, assume or
participate in, directly or indirectly, any position, investment or interest
known by Executive to be adverse or antagonistic to Employer, its business or
prospects, financial or otherwise. Ownership by Executive, as a passive
investment, of less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of any corporation with one or more classes of its capital
stock listed on a national securities exchange or publicly traded in the
over-the-counter market shall not constitute a breach of this paragraph 8.
9. NONSOLICITATION. During the Employment Term and for a period of one
year thereafter, irrespective of the manner of termination of employment,
Executive agrees not to, directly or indirectly, separately, or in
association with others: (a) interfere with, impair, disrupt, or damage
Employer's relationship with any of its customers or prospective customers by
soliciting, encouraging, or causing others to solicit or encourage any of
them, for the purpose of diverting or taking away the business such customers
have with Employer; or (b) interfere with, impair, disrupt, or damage
Employer's business by soliciting, encouraging, or causing others to solicit
or encourage, any of Employer's employees to discontinue their employment
with Employer.
10. AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE. Executive and Employer agree to arbitrate
any claim or dispute ("Dispute") arising out of or in any way related to this
Agreement, the employment relationship between Employer and Executive or the
termination of
6
Executive's employment, except as provided in paragraph 10.1 below, to the
fullest extent permitted by law. Except as provided above, this method of
resolving Disputes shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the parties.
Accordingly, the parties understand that, except as provided herein, they are
giving up their rights to have their disputes decided in a court of law and,
if applicable, by a jury, and instead agree that their disputes shall be
decided by an arbitrator.
10.1 SCOPE OF THE AGREEMENT. A Dispute shall include all disputes or
claims between Executive and Employer arising out of, concerning or relating
to Executive's employment by Employer, including, without limitation: claims
for breach of contract, tort, discrimination, harassment, wrongful
termination, demotion, discipline, failure to accommodate, compensation or
benefits claims, constitutional claims and claims for violation of any local,
state or federal law, or common law, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
A Dispute shall not include any dispute or claim, whether brought by either
Executive or Employer, for: (a) workers' compensation or unemployment
insurance benefits; or (b) the exclusions from arbitration specified in the
California Arbitration Act, California Code of Civil Procedure section
1281.8. For the purpose of this paragraph 10, references to "Employer"
include Employer and all related or affiliated entities and their employees,
supervisors, officers, directors, owners, stockholders, agents, pension or
benefit plans, pension or benefit plan sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators,
and the successors and assigns of any of them, and this paragraph 10 shall
apply to them to the extent that Executive's claims arise out of or relate to
their actions on behalf of Employer.
10.2 CONSIDERATION. The parties agree that their mutual promise to
arbitrate any and all disputes between them, except as provided in paragraph
10.1, rather than litigate them before the courts or other bodies, provides
adequate consideration for this paragraph 10.
10.3 INITIATION OF ARBITRATION. Either party may initiate an
arbitration proceeding by providing the other party with written notice of
any and all claims forming the basis of such proceeding in sufficient detail
to inform the other party of the substance of such claims. In no event shall
the request for arbitration be made after the date when institution or legal
or equitable proceedings based on such claims would be barred by the
applicable statute of limitations.
10.4 ARBITRATION PROCEDURE. The arbitration will be conducted by the
American Arbitration Association pursuant to its Commercial Arbitration Rules
in San Diego, California by a single, neutral arbitrator. The parties are
entitled to representation by an attorney or other representative of their
choosing. The arbitrator shall have the power to enter any award that could
be entered by a judge of the Superior Court of the State of California, as
applicable to the cause of action, and only such power. The parties agree to
abide by and perform any award rendered by the arbitrator. Judgment on the
award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
10.5 COSTS OF ARBITRATION. Each of the parties hereto shall
initially pay fifty percent (50%) of the arbitration filing, hearing fees and
costs of the arbitrator. The
7
arbitrator, as part of its final award, shall have the power to reallocate
such fees and costs in favor of the prevailing party in the arbitration. In
addition, each party will bear its own attorneys' fees, unless otherwise
required or allowed by law and awarded by the arbitrator.
10.6 GOVERNING LAW. All Disputes between the parties shall be
governed, determined and resolved by the internal laws of the State of
California, including the California Arbitration Act, California Code of
Civil Procedure 1280 et seq.
11. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
11.1 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The rights and obligations of Employer
under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon
the successors and assigns of Employer. Executive shall not be entitled to
assign any of Executive's rights or obligations under this Agreement.
11.2 INDEMNIFICATION. The indemnification provisions for Officers
and Directors under Employer's Bylaws will (to the maximum extent permitted
by law) be extended to Executive.
11.3 WAIVER. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by
an instrument in writing, signed by Executive and by a duly authorized
representative of Employer other than Executive. Either party's failure to
enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not in any way be construed as
an amendment or waiver of any such provision, or prevent that party
thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement.
11.4 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held by an
arbitrator or a court of law to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, then:
(a) that provision shall be deemed amended to achieve as nearly as possible
the same economic effect as the original provision; and (b) the legality,
validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement
shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
11.5 INTERPRETATION; CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement has been drafted
by Employer, but Executive has participated in the negotiation of its terms.
Furthermore, Executive acknowledges that he has had an opportunity to review
and revise the Agreement and have it reviewed by legal counsel, if desired.
Therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities
are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the
interpretation of this Agreement.
11.6 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
11.7 NOTICES. All notices or demands of any kind required or
permitted to be given by the Company or Executive under this Agreement shall
be given in writing and shall be personally delivered (and receipted for) or
mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
8
IF TO THE COMPANY: IF TO EXECUTIVE:
Overland Data, Inc. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx 00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000-0000 Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: President & CEO
Any such written notice shall be deemed received when personally delivered or
three (3) days after its deposit in the United States mail as specified
above. Either party may change its address for notices by giving notice to
the other party in the manner specified in this paragraph 11.7.
11.8 SURVIVAL. The rights and obligations contained in paragraph 9
("Nonsolicitation") shall survive any termination or expiration of this
Agreement for a period of one year, and paragraphs 7
("Confidentiality/Intellectual Property Agreement and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Policy"), 10 ("Agreement to Arbitrate") and 11 ("General Provisions") shall
survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
11.9 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter herein and
supersedes all prior or simultaneous representations, discussions,
negotiations, and agreements, whether written or oral.
11.10 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT IN ITS
ENTIRETY AND FULLY UNDERSTAND EACH AND EVERY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN,
WHEREFORE, THE PARTIES HAVE FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY EXECUTED THIS AGREEMENT AS
OF THE DATE FIRST ABOVE WRITTEN.
EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
COMPANY:
OVERLAND DATA, INC.
/s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
9
EXHIBIT A
GENERAL RELEASE
This GENERAL RELEASE ("RELEASE") is entered into effective as of ______________,
____, (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") by and between Overland Data, Inc., a California
corporation, having its principal offices at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000 (the "COMPANY") and Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, an individual residing
at [_____________] ("EMPLOYEE") with reference to the following facts:
RECITALS
A. The parties entered into an Employment Agreement (the
"AGREEMENT") dated as of April 2, 2001, by which the parties agreed that upon
the occurrence of certain conditions, Employee would become eligible for the
Severance Payment as defined in the Agreement in exchange for Employee's
release of the Company from all claims which Employee may have against the
Company as of the date of the termination of Employee's employment.
B. The parties desire to dispose of, fully and completely, all
claims which Employee may have against the Company in the manner set forth in
this Release.
AGREEMENT
1. RELEASE. Employee, for himself and his heirs, successors and
assigns, fully releases and discharges the Company, its officers, directors,
employees, shareholders, attorneys, accountants, other professionals,
insurers and agents (collectively, "Agents"), and all entities related to
each party, including, but not limited to, heirs, executors, administrators,
personal representatives, assigns, parent, subsidiary and sister
corporations, affiliates, partners and co-venturers (collectively, "Related
Entities"), from all rights, claims, demands, actions, causes of action,
liabilities and obligations of every kind, nature and description whatsoever,
Employee now has, owns or holds or has at anytime had, owned or held or may
have against the Company, Agents or Related Entities from any source
whatsoever, whether or not arising from or related to the facts recited in
this Release. Employee specifically releases and waives any and all claims
arising under any express or implied contract, rule, regulation or ordinance,
including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the California
Fair Employment and Housing Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act, as amended ("ADEA").
2. SECTION 1542 WAIVER. This Release is intended as a full and
complete release and discharge of any and all claims that Employee may have
against the Company, Agents or Related Entities. In making this release,
Employee intends to release each of the Company, Agents and Related Entities
from liability of any nature whatsoever for any claim of damages or injury or
for equitable or declaratory relief of any kind, whether the claim, or any
facts on which such claim might be based, is known
1
or unknown to him. Employee expressly waives all rights under Section 1542 of
the California Civil Code, which Employee understands provides as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR
DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF
EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE
MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
Employee acknowledges that he may discover facts different from or in
addition to those that he now believes to be true with respect to this
Release. Employee agrees that this Release shall remain effective
notwithstanding the discovery of any different or additional facts.
3. WAIVER OF CERTAIN CLAIMS. Employee acknowledges that he has been
advised in writing of his right to consult with an attorney prior to
executing the waivers set out in this Release, and that he has been given a
21-day period in which to consider entering into the release of ADEA claims,
if any. In addition, Employee acknowledges that he has been informed that he
may revoke a signed waiver of the ADEA claims for up to seven (7) days after
executing this Release.
4. NO UNDUE INFLUENCE. This Release is executed voluntarily and
without any duress or undue influence. Employee acknowledges that he has read
this Release and executed it with his full and free consent. No provision of
this Release shall be construed against any party by virtue of the fact that
such party or its counsel drafted such provision or the entirety of this
Release.
5. GOVERNING LAW. This Release is made and entered into in the State
of California and accordingly the rights and obligations of the parties
hereunder shall in all respects be construed, interpreted, enforced and
governed in accordance with the laws of the State of California as applied to
contracts entered into by and between residents of California to be wholly
performed within California.
6. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Release is held to be
invalid, void or unenforceable, the balance of the provisions of this Release
shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated.
7. COUNTERPARTS. This Release may be executed simultaneously in one
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Release may
be executed by facsimile, with originals to follow by overnight courier.
8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. Any dispute or claim arising out
of this Release shall be subject to final and binding arbitration. The
arbitration will be conducted by one arbitrator who is a member of the
American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or of the Judicial Arbitration and
Mediation Services ("JAMS") and will be
2
governed by the Model Employment Arbitration rules of AAA. The arbitration
shall be held in San Diego, California. The arbitrator shall have all
authority to determine the arbitrability of any claim and enter a final and
binding judgment at the conclusion of any proceedings in respect of the
arbitration. Any final judgment only may be appealed on the grounds of
improper bias or improper conduct of the arbitrator. Notwithstanding any rule
of AAA to the contrary, the parties will be entitled to conduct discovery
(i.e. investigation of facts through depositions and other means) which shall
be governed by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1283.05 (the
"CCP"). The arbitrator shall have all power and authority to enter orders
relating to such discovery as are allowed under the CCP. The arbitrator will
apply California substantive law in all respects. The party prevailing in the
resolution of any such claim will be entitled, in addition to such other
relief as may be granted, to an award of all actual attorneys fees and costs
incurred in pursuit of the claim, without regard to any statute, schedule, or
rule of court purported to restrict such award.
9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and
supersedes all prior and contemporaneous negotiations, agreements and
understandings between the parties, oral or written.
10. MODIFICATION; WAIVERS. No modification, termination or attempted
waiver of this Agreement will be valid unless in writing, signed by the party
against whom such modification, termination or waiver is sought to be
enforced.
11. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended or supplemented only by
a writing signed by Employee and the Company.
Dated:
-------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
3
