EX-10.3 5 dex103.htm SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF DECEMBER 16, 2008 SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 10.3
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) by and between Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx (the “Company”), and Xxxx X. Xxxx (the “Executive”) dated as of December 16, 2008 amends and restates the original employment agreement entered into by and between the Company and the Executive on June 30, 2005 and amended as of September 20, 2005, December 13, 2005 and February 13, 2006.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to employ the Executive as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and to have the Executive become Chairman and a member of the Board;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to enter into an agreement embodying the terms of such employment and service; and
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and to accept such employment and service, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Executive (individually a “Party” and together the “Parties”) agree as follows:
1. Effective Date. The “Effective Date” shall mean June 30, 2005.
2. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the fifth anniversary thereof (the “Employment Period”).
3. Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive shall serve as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with such authority, duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with such positions, reporting directly to the Board, and (B) the Executive’s principal location of employment shall be at the principal headquarters of the Company; provided, that the Executive may be required under reasonable business circumstances to travel outside of such location in connection with performing his duties under this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall cause the Executive to be appointed as a member of the Board as of the Effective Date, and following such date, the Executive shall remain on the Board, subject to Section 4(g), and shall perform his duties as a director of the Company conscientiously and faithfully.
(ii) The Executive agrees that during the Employment Period, he shall devote substantially all of his business time, energies and talents to serving as the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, perform his duties conscientiously and faithfully subject to the reasonable and lawful directions of the Board, and in accordance with each of the Company’s corporate governance and ethics guidelines, conflict of interests policies and code of conduct (collectively, the “Company Policies”) applicable to all Company employees or senior executives generally. During the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive, subject to the requirements of Section 8, to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer or as Chairman or a director of the Board in accordance with this Agreement.
(b) Compensation. (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annualized base salary (“Annual Base Salary”) of not less than the individual who served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company immediately prior to the Executive (the “Prior CEO”), payable pursuant to the Company’s normal payroll practices. During the Employment Period, the current Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed for increase only (and once increased shall never be decreased) at such time as the salaries of senior executives of the Company are reviewed generally, provided that, the Executive’s first such review shall occur no earlier than fiscal year 2006.
(ii) Annual Bonus. For each fiscal year completed during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus (“Annual Bonus”) on terms and conditions and based upon performance targets that are established by the Compensation, Management Development and Succession Committee of the Board or its successor (the “Committee”), provided that in no event shall such terms and conditions or performance targets be less favorable to the Executive than to senior executives of the Company generally.
(iii) Long-Term Incentive Compensation. For each fiscal year completed during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to receive long-term incentive compensation (“Long-Term Incentive Compensation”, and together with Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus, “Total Compensation”) on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Executive than (x) members of the Operating Committee of the Company (the “ Operating Committee”) generally and (y) the terms and conditions of the Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, 2004 Discretionary Retention Awards Award Certificate (the “2004 EICP”); provided that for purposes of the Long-Term Incentive Compensation (other than the Special RSU Grant (as
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defined below)), the Executive shall be treated as if the Executive had been continuously employed by the Company and had not terminated employment with the Company in January 2001; provided, further, that the Executive shall not be so treated in the event that prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date the Executive is terminated for Cause (as defined below). The proportion of Total Compensation provided to the Executive as Annual Base Salary, Annual Bonus and Long-Term Incentive Compensation, respectively, for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006 shall be substantially similar to the proportion of Total Compensation provided as Annual Base Salary, Annual Bonus and Long-Term Incentive Compensation, respectively, to members of the Operating Committee generally.
(iv) Special RSU Grant. As soon as practicable following the Effective Date, the Executive shall be granted a special one-time grant of 500,000 restricted stock units based on shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Special RSU Grant”). Twenty percent of the Special RSU Grant shall vest, and the underlying shares shall be delivered, on the first anniversary of the Effective Date, 20 percent of the Special RSU Grant shall vest, and the underlying shares shall be delivered, on each of the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the Effective Date. Except as specifically set forth herein, the Special RSU Grant shall have the same terms and conditions as grants of restricted stock units under the 2004 EICP. In no event shall the Special RSU Grant be considered part of the Executive’s Total Compensation.
(v) Retirement Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in any qualified or nonqualified deferred compensation, pension, and retirement plans maintained by the Company applicable to senior executives of the Company generally, in each case, as amended from time to time, provided that for all purposes of such plans, the Executive shall be treated as if the Executive had been continuously employed by the Company and had not terminated employment with the Company in January 2001, provided, further, that the Executive shall not be so treated in the event that prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date the Executive is terminated for Cause.
(vi) Other Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all welfare, perquisites, fringe benefit, and other benefit plans, practices, policies and programs, as may be in effect from time to time, for senior executives of the Company generally, provided that, during the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive perquisites no less favorable than those provided to the Prior CEO, including, without limitation, use of the Company’s aircraft and use of a car and driver. In addition, following the Executive’s retirement or any termination of his employment, the Executive shall be entitled to retiree health benefits pursuant to the retiree health plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company (or under programs providing the same benefits), and for purposes of determining the amount of the Executive’s contributions and benefits under such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be treated as if the Executive had been continuously employed by the Company and had not terminated employment with the Company in January 2001 (the “Executive’s Retiree Health Benefits”), provided, that the Executive shall not be entitled to the Executive’s Retiree Health Benefits in the event that prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date the Executive is terminated for Cause.
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(vii) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for business expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the Company’s policies, as may be in effect from time to time, for its senior executives generally.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s policies, as may be in effect from time to time, for its senior executives generally, provided that for purposes of determining the Executive’s vacation benefits, the Executive shall be treated as if the Executive had been continuously employed by the Company and had not terminated employment with the Company in January 2001.
(ix) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and shall be provided with secretarial and administrative assistance, as is provided generally to other senior executives of the Company.
(c) Other Entities. The Executive agrees to serve, without additional compensation, as an officer and director for each of the Company’s subsidiaries, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and other affiliates, including entities in which the Company has a significant investment (collectively, the Company and such entities, the “Affiliated Group”), as determined by the Company, provided, that such service does not materially interfere with the Executive’s performance of his duties and responsibilities as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliates” shall include any entity controlled by, controlling, or under common control with the Company.
4. Termination of Employment. (a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. In the event a Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), the Company may provide the Executive with written notice in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30-day period after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the inability of the Executive to perform his duties with the Company on a full-time basis for six consecutive months as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a licensed
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physician mutually selected by (i) the Company or its insurers and (ii) the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative. If the Parties cannot agree on a licensed physician, each Party shall select a licensed physician and the two physicians shall select a third who shall be the approved licensed physician for this purpose.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Employment Period with or without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(i) the continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executive’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), for a period of 10 days after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal or fraudulent conduct or gross misconduct which, in each case, is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company, or either of their respective reputations or to any clients or customers of the Company, or
(iii) conviction of a felony or guilty or nolo contendere plea by the Executive with respect thereto, or
(iv) a violation in any material respect of any Company Policies applicable to the Executive which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company, if such breach is not cured within 30 business days following receipt of a notice of such breach, or
(v) a material breach by the Executive of Section 8 of this Agreement, if such breach is not cured within 30 business days following receipt of a notice of such breach.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act on the part of the Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company or was done or omitted to be done with reckless disregard to the consequences. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to
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the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct constituting Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean, in the absence of a written consent of the Executive:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially inconsistent with the Executive’s duties or responsibilities, or any other material action by the Company which is materially inconsistent with or materially reduces such duties or responsibilities; or
(ii) any diminution in Executive’s title or reporting relationship as contemplated by Section 3(a) of this Agreement; or
(iii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 3(b) of this Agreement; provided that Executive’s receipt of 100% of his Annual Bonus in respect of fiscal year 2005 in the form of equity compensation under the Equity Incentive Compensation Plan shall not constitute Good Reason; or
(iv) the Company’s requiring the Executive’s principal office to be based at any office or location other than that provided in Section 3(a) of this Agreement; or
(v) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(vi) any failure to elect or reelect the Executive to the Board; or
(vii) any failure by the Company to cause any successor to all or substantially all or a substantial portion of its business and/or assets to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in accordance with Section 9(b).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be considered to have Good Reason to terminate this Agreement unless and until he gives the Company written notice of the circumstances constituting the Good Reason within 90 days of the initial existence of such circumstances, and the Company fails to have cured such circumstances within 30 business days of receipt of such notice.
(d) Voluntary Termination. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment without Good Reason.
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(e) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other Party hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
(f) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein within 30 days of such notice, as the case may be (but in the case of a termination by the Executive for Good Reason, the Date of Termination shall not be earlier than the last day of the Company’s cure period provided for in Section 4(c)), (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, or if the Executive voluntarily resigns without Good Reason, the date on which the terminating Party notifies the other Party of such termination, (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death of the Executive or (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company due to Disability, the Disability Effective Date.
(g) Resignation from All Positions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, upon the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, unless otherwise requested by the Board, the Executive shall immediately resign from all positions that he holds or has ever held with the Company and any other member of the Affiliated Group (and with any other entities with respect to which the Company has requested the Executive to perform services), including, without limitation, the Board and all boards of directors of any member of the Affiliated Group. The Executive hereby agrees to execute any and all documentation to effectuate such resignations upon request by the Company, but he shall be treated for all purposes as having so resigned upon termination of his employment, regardless of when or whether he executes any such documentation.
(h) Definitions. Notwithstanding the terms of any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement under which the Executive is a participant, the definitions of “Cause”, “Good Reason” and “Disability” set forth in this Section 4 shall apply to the Executive’s termination of employment under such plans, programs or arrangements.
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5. Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump-sum cash payment as soon as practicable, and in no event later than the first regularly scheduled payroll date, after the Date of Termination the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid.
(ii) notwithstanding the terms of any incentive plan, program or arrangement, any and all unvested stock options, restricted stock units (including the Special RSU Grant and the Long-Term Incentive Compensation) and other equity or equity-based awards shall immediately vest as of the Date of Termination, provided that such awards shall continue to be governed by any applicable forfeiture provisions in accordance with the terms thereof.
(iii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement (other than any severance plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement) of the Company and its affiliates in accordance with the terms and normal procedures of each such plan, program, policy or practice, as modified by this Agreement, based on accrued benefits through the Date of Termination (such amounts and benefits, the “Other Benefits”).
(iv) until the later of (x) the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date or (y) the first anniversary of the Date of Termination, in addition to the Retiree Medical Benefits, the Company shall continue to provide medical and dental benefits to Executive and his eligible dependents as if the Executive remained an active employee of the Company. The applicable period of health benefit continuation under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) shall begin on the Date of Termination. Any benefits provided to the Executive during any taxable year of the Executive pursuant to this Section 5(a)(iv) shall not affect the benefits to be provided in any other taxable year.
Except with respect to payments and benefits under Sections 5(a)(i) and 5(a)(iii), all payments and benefits to be provided under Section 5(a)(ii) shall be subject to the Executive’s execution and non-revocation of a mutual release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, and the Company shall have no obligation to continue to pay or provide the benefits specified in Section 5(a)(iv) unless the Executive shall have executed such a mutual release and such release shall have become irrevocable within 60 days following the Date of Termination; provided, however, that the Executive’s obligation to execute such release shall be subject to the
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Company’s execution and delivery to the Executive of such release in favor of the Executive. For purposes of this Section 5, if the Date of Termination occurs prior to the date that the Committee determines the amount of the Executive’s Annual Bonus or Long-Term Incentive Compensation in respect of fiscal year 2005, the amount of the Executive’s Total Compensation (on an annualized basis) shall be determined in the discretion of the Committee, such that such Annual Bonus and Long-Term Incentive Compensation shall be consistent with the annual bonus and long-term incentive compensation in respect of fiscal year 2005 for other members of the Operating Committee generally.
(b) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause or the Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay or provide to the Executive the Executive’s Retiree Health Benefits (subject to the provisions of Section 3(b)(vi)), an amount equal to the amount set forth in Section 5(a)(i), and the timely payment or provision of the Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid.
(c) Death. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than the obligation to pay or provide to the Executive’s beneficiaries the Executive’s Retiree Health Benefits (if applicable), the timely payment or provision of the Other Benefits, including any applicable life insurance benefits, and (i) the amount specified in Section 5(a)(i) plus (ii) the excess of (1) the product of (x) the Executive’s annualized Total Compensation for the most recently completed fiscal year and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, over (2) the Annual Base Salary to the extent paid for the year that includes the Date of Termination (the amounts in Sections 5(c)(i) and (ii), the “Accrued Obligations”). The Company shall make the payment specified in Section 5(c)(ii) as soon as practicable, and in any event within 60 days, after the Executive’s death.
For purposes of determining the Executive’s annualized Total Compensation in respect of any fiscal year for which Long-Term Incentive Compensation was awarded in a form other than restricted stock units, restricted stock or cash, the value of such award shall be determined by the Committee in its good faith discretion.
(d) Disability. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than the obligation to pay or provide to the Executive the Executive’s Retiree Health Benefits, the Accrued Obligations, and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits, including any applicable disability benefits. The Company shall make payment of the portion of the Accrued Obligations specified in Section 5(c)(ii) as soon as practicable, and in any event within 60 days, after the Disability Effective Date.
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(e) Relationship with Restrictive Covenant Agreement. (i) Should there be any inconsistency between the provisions in this Agreement (including any provisions incorporated by reference) and the provisions in the agreement dated November 22, 2005 relating to the notice period and restrictive covenants applicable to the Executive (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”)1 as such provisions relate to the time period for the provision of advance written notice of termination by either the Company or by the Executive or the duration of any non-solicitation covenant, the provisions of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement shall prevail and, notwithstanding any provision of Section 3(b)(iii), said provisions of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement may be incorporated into equity-based awards under the Company’s equity compensation plans in respect of fiscal year 2005 or granted at any time in the future; provided, however, that if the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason under this Agreement, then the Executive will not be required for any purpose to provide 180 days advance written notice (provided that the Executive otherwise complies with the provisions of Sections 4(c), 4(e) and 4(f)).
(ii) Should there be any inconsistency between the provisions in this Agreement and the provisions in the Restrictive Covenant Agreement as such provisions relate to the definition of “Cause” and the consequences of the termination of the Executive’s employment without “Cause”, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
6. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Except as specifically provided otherwise, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company, or any of its subsidiaries for which the Executive is otherwise eligible, nor, subject to Section 11(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive receives payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5(a) of this Agreement, the Executive shall not be entitled to any severance pay or benefits under any severance plan, program or policy of the Company and the Affiliated Companies, unless otherwise specifically provided therein in a specific reference to this Agreement. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or its subsidiaries at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
| 1 | For ease of reference only, the form of Restrictive Covenant Agreement which Xx. Xxxx executed is attached hereto as Appendix 1. |
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7. Full Settlement. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or other claim, right or action that the Company may have against the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced as a result of a mitigation duty whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.
8. Covenants.
(a) Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for benefit of the Affiliated Group, all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Affiliated Group and its businesses (including, without limitation, any proprietary and not publicly available information concerning any processes, methods, trade secrets, research or secret data, costs, names of users or purchasers of their respective products or services, business methods, operating procedures or programs or methods of promotion and sale) that the Executive has obtained or obtains during the Executive’s employment by the Affiliated Group that is not public knowledge (other than as a result of the Executive’s violation of this Section 8(a)) (“Confidential Information”). For the purposes of this Section 8(a), information shall not be deemed to be publicly available merely because it is embraced by general disclosures or because individual features or combinations thereof are publicly available. The Executive shall not communicate, divulge or disseminate Confidential Information at any time during or after the Executive’s employment with the Affiliated Group, except with prior written consent of the Company, or as otherwise required by law or legal process or as such disclosure or use may be required in the course of the Executive performing his duties and responsibilities as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if the Executive is required to disclose any such confidential or proprietary information pursuant to applicable law or a subpoena or court order, the Executive shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any such requirement so that the Company or the appropriate member of the Affiliated Group may seek an appropriate protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the provisions hereof. The Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Affiliated Group to obtain such a protective order or other remedy. If such order or other remedy is not obtained prior to the time the Executive is required to make the disclosure, or the Company waives compliance with the provisions hereof, the Executive shall disclose only that portion of the confidential or proprietary information which he is advised by counsel that he is legally required to so disclose. All records, files, memoranda, reports, customer lists, drawings, plans, documents and the like that the Executive uses, prepares or comes into contact with during the course of the Executive’s employment shall remain the sole property of the Company and/or the Affiliated Group, as applicable, and shall be turned over to the Company upon termination of the Executive’s employment.
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(b) Remedies. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the terms of Section 8: (i) are reasonable in light of all of the circumstances, (ii) are sufficiently limited to protect the legitimate interests of the Company and its subsidiaries, (iii) impose no undue hardship on the Executive and (iv) are not injurious to the public. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that (x) the Executive’s breach of the provisions of Section 8 will cause the Company irreparable harm, which cannot be adequately compensated by money damages, and (y) if the Company elects to prevent the Executive from breaching such provisions by obtaining an injunction against the Executive, there is a reasonable probability of the Company’s eventual success on the merits. The Executive consents and agrees that if the Executive commits any such breach or threatens to commit any breach, the Company shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction, without posting any bond or other security and without the necessity of proof of actual damage, in addition to, and not in lieu of, such other remedies as may be available to the Company for such breach, including the recovery of money damages. The Parties further acknowledge and agree that the provisions of Section 11(a) below are accurate and necessary because (A) this Agreement is entered into in the State of New York, (B) as of the Effective Date, New York will have a substantial relationship to the Parties and to this transaction, (C) as of the Effective Date, New York will be the headquarters state of the Company, which has operations nationwide and has a compelling interest in having its employees treated uniformly within the United States, (D) the use of New York law provides certainty to the Parties in any covenant litigation in the United States, and (E) enforcement of the provision of this Section 8 would not violate any fundamental public policy of New York or any other jurisdiction. If any of the provisions of Section 8 are determined to be wholly or partially unenforceable, the Executive hereby agrees that this Agreement or any provision hereof may be reformed so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law. If any of the provisions of this Section 8 are determined to be wholly or partially unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such determination shall not be a bar to or in any way diminish the Company’s right to enforce any such covenant in any other jurisdiction.
9. Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(b) No rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Company except that such rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity, or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company; provided, however, that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or substantially all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company, as contained in this
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Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law. The Company shall cause any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all or a substantial portion of its business and/or assets to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
10. Additional Payment. (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any Payment would be subject to the Excise Tax, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (the “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that, after payment by the Executive of all taxes (and any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. The Company’s obligation to make Gross-Up Payments under this Section 10 shall not be conditioned upon the Executive’s termination of employment.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 10(c), all determinations required to be made under this Section 10, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be agreed to by the Company and the Executive (the “Accounting Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive may appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 10, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within 5 days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments that will not have been made by the Company should have been made (the “Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 10(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
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Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive. The Executive shall notify the Company no later than 10 days after having made such payment of Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall provide its calculation of such Underpayment within 15 business days of the receipt of such notice from the Executive, and the Company shall pay the Underpayment within 5 days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing no later than 10 days after making any payment to the United States Treasury that would entitle the Executive to a Gross-Up Payment. In addition, the Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim. Notice given by the Executive pursuant to this Section 10(c) shall constitute notice for purposes of Section 10(b) that there has been a Payment. The Executive shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that the Company desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 10(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest, and, at its sole
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discretion, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the applicable taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole discretion, either pay the tax claimed to the appropriate taxing authority on behalf of the Executive and direct the Executive to xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that, if the Company pays such claim and directs the Executive to xxx for a refund, the Company shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties) imposed with respect to such payment or with respect to any imputed income in connection with such payment; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which the Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of a Gross-Up Payment or payment by the Company of an amount on the Executive’s behalf pursuant to Section 10(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to the Excise Tax to which such Gross-Up Payment relates or with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 10(c), if applicable) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after payment by the Company of an amount on the Executive’s behalf pursuant to Section 10(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then the amount of such payment shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 10, the Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the Executive, all or any portion of any Gross-Up Payment, and the Executive hereby consents to such withholding.
(f) Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Section 10.
(i) “Excise Tax” shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such excise tax.
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(ii) A “Payment” shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.
11. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The Parties hereto irrevocably agree to submit to the jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of New York, in any action or proceeding brought with respect to or in connection with this Agreement. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the Parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other Party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
At the most recent address on file for the Executive at the Company.
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
If to the Company:
0000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
or to such other address as either Party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
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(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company may withhold from any amounts payable or benefits provided under this Agreement any Federal, state, and local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at the time of the Executive’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code or any regulations or Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder (together with Section 409A of the Code, the “409A Regulations”)) he is a “specified employee” (as defined in the 409A Regulations), then to the extent that any payments or benefits owed to the Executive under this Agreement upon his separation from service constitute an amount of deferred compensation for purposes of the 409A Regulations, the Executive will not be entitled to such payments or benefits until the earlier of (i) the first business day following the date that is six months after the date of the Executive’s separation from service for any reason, other than as a result of the Executive’s death or (ii) the date of the Executive’s death or (iii) any earlier date that does not result in any additional tax or interest to the Executive under the 409A Regulations. In addition, if any provision of this Agreement would subject the Executive to any additional tax or interest under the 409A Regulations, then the Company shall reform such provision; provided that the Company shall (x) maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision without subjecting the Executive to such additional tax or interest and (y) not incur any additional compensation expense as a result of such reformation.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, to the extent that the Special RSU Grant, any other Long-Term Incentive Compensation Grant or any other cash or equity compensation award granted to the Executive does not constitute “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, settlement of such award may be deferred in accordance with the Company’s policy applicable to the deferral and payment of equity-based awards for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code; provided, however, that in the event that the Executive dies prior to the lapse of such deferral period, payment will be made as soon as administratively practicable, and in any event within 60 days, after the Executive’s death. For the avoidance of doubt, the deferral of such equity-based awards shall not affect the Executive’s vested right to receive such equity-based awards upon the lapse of such deferral period.
(g) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(h) From and after the Effective Date, this Agreement shall supersede any other agreements between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, other than the Executive’s letter to the Company, dated October 24, 2008, regarding the compensation requirements of the Capital Purchase Program under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
| /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx |
| Xxxx X. Xxxx |
| XXXXXX XXXXXXX |
| /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
| By: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
| Title: Global Head of Human Resources |
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EXHIBIT A
Form of Release
(a) In consideration for the payment of the severance described in the Executive’s amended and restated employment agreement with the Company, dated as of September __, 2005, as amended and clarified from time to time (the “Employment Agreement”), the Executive for himself, and for his heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns (collectively “Releasers”) does hereby irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates and divisions and their respective, current and former, trustees, officers, directors, partners, shareholders, agents, employees, consultants, independent contractors and representatives, including without limitation all persons acting by, through under or in concert with any of them (collectively, “Releasees”), and each of them from any and all charges, complaints, claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages, remedies, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, debts and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and costs) of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, whether in law or equity and whether arising under federal, state or local law and in particular including any claim for discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, sex, age (including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), national origin, religion, disability, or any other unlawful criterion or circumstance, which the Executive and Releasers had, now have, or may have in the future against each or any of the Releasees (collectively “Executive/Releaser Actions”) from the beginning of the world until the date hereof.
(b) The Executive acknowledges that: (i) this entire Release is written in a manner calculated to be understood by him; (ii) he has been advised to consult with an attorney before executing this Release; (iii) he was given a period of twenty-one days within which to consider this Release; and (iv) to the extent he executes this Release before the expiration of the twenty-one day period, he does so knowingly and voluntarily and only after consulting his attorney. The Executive shall have the right to cancel and revoke this Release by delivering notice to the Company pursuant to the notice provision of Section 11 of the Employment Agreement prior to the expiration of the seven-day period following the date hereof, and the severance benefits under the Employment Agreement shall not become effective, and no payments or benefits shall be made or provided thereunder, until the day after the expiration of such seven-day period (the “Revocation Date”). Upon such revocation, this Release and the severance provisions of the Employment Agreement shall be null and void and of no further force or effect.
(c) For and in consideration of the obligations upon Executive as set forth in the Employment Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the Company hereby (on its own behalf and that of the Company’s affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, with the Company, the “Affiliated Entities”), the divisions and predecessors and successors of the Affiliated Entities and the directors and officers of the company in their capacity as such (collectively, the “Releasing Entities”) releases Executive and his heirs, executors, successors
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and assigns (the “Executive Released Parties”) and each of them from any and all charges, complaints, claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages, remedies, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, debts and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and costs) of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, whether in law or equity and whether arising under federal, state or local law, which the Company and the Affiliated Entities had, now have, or may have in the future against each or any of the Executive Released Parties from the beginning of the world until the date hereof.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the sole matters to which the Release do not apply are: (i) the Executive’s rights of indemnification and directors and officers liability insurance coverage to which he was entitled immediately prior to with regard to his service as an officer of the Company; (ii) the Executive’s rights under any tax-qualified pension or claims for accrued vested benefits under any other employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement maintained by the Company or under COBRA; or (iii) the Executive’s rights under Sections 5, 7 and 10 of the Employment Agreement which are intended to survive termination of employment.
(e) This Release is the complete understanding between the Executive and the Company in respect of the subject matter of this Release and supersedes all prior agreements relating to the same subject matter. The Executive has not relied upon any representations, promises or agreements of any kind except those set forth herein in signing this Release.
(f) In the event that any provision of this Release should be held to be invalid or unenforceable, each and all of the other provisions of this Release shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Release is found to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified as necessary to permit this Release to be upheld and enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(g) This Release is to be governed and enforced under the laws of the State of New York (except to the extent that New York conflicts of law rules would call for the application of the law of another jurisdiction).
(h) This Release inures to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns and the Executive and its legal representatives.
| EXECUTIVE |
| COMPANY |
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Appendix 1
Restrictive Covenant Agreement
AGREEMENT
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, including its subsidiaries, affiliates, and related companies (hereinafter “Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx” or the “Firm”), believes that there are certain fundamental employment terms and conditions for Managing Directors2 and Executive Directors that are essential to protect the Firm’s business interests, client and employee relationships, and confidential information. These terms and conditions serve a number of important goals which, given your position with the Firm, you are uniquely positioned to advance. The goals include (i) promoting the continuity of our workforce, (ii) providing the Firm, as well as the Firm’s clients and customers and other employees, with a smooth transition of business, responsibilities, and business relationships in the event you terminate your employment with the Firm, (iii) ensuring that you continue to fulfill your obligations to the Firm during your employment, (iv) protecting Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx’x confidential business information, trade secrets, customer lists and other proprietary information to which you have had and will in the future have access, and (v) maintaining Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx’x customer and employee relationships and goodwill worldwide (collectively, the “Business Interests”).
As a Managing Director or Executive Director of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, you may be eligible to receive equity-based awards under the Firm’s equity compensation plans (each an “Equity Award”3), in the Firm’s sole discretion. Equity Awards are granted to encourage continued employment, to protect the Firm’s global Business Interests, and to align the recipient’s interests with the interests of the Firm. In furtherance of these goals, and in addition to any eligibility requirements set forth in applicable equity compensation plans, your eligibility for any Equity Award, whether in respect of fiscal year 2005 or granted at any time in the future, is conditioned upon your agreement to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including those set forth below in paragraphs A-D (the “Terms and Conditions”). Nothing in this Agreement is intended to obligate the Firm to grant you an Equity Award in respect of fiscal year 2005 or at any time in the future, inasmuch as the grant of Equity Awards will continue to be in the Firm’s sole discretion.
| 2 | References to “Managing Director” include Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents of Discover Financial Services. |
| 3 | In addition to equity-based awards, if any, granted under the Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (or any successor thereto), Equity Awards shall also include awards, if any, granted to eligible Asset Management employees pursuant to the Investment Management Deferred Compensation Plan (the “IMDCP”). |
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| A. | Notice Period Prior to Termination |
You agree that in the event you decide to resign your employment for any reason (a “Resignation”), you will provide advance written notice of your Resignation to your immediate manager, and that the period of notice that you will provide shall be determined by your officer level at the time of your Resignation (this period of notice, along with the Firm’s period of notice described below, the “Notice Period”).
| • | If you are an Executive Director at the time of your Resignation, your Notice Period will be 60 days; |
| • | If you are a Managing Director at the time of your Resignation, your Notice Period will be 90 days; |
| • | If you are a member of the Management Committee at the time of your Resignation, your Notice Period will be 180 days. |
In the event of the termination of your employment by the Firm for any reason other than for Cause (as defined in the most recent Equity Award granted prior to the date of such termination and/or as provided below), the Firm, in its discretion, will either provide you with (i) notice of your termination equal to the applicable Notice Period or (ii) payment in lieu of such Notice Period (or, where notice has previously been given in accordance with clause (i) above, payment in lieu of the remainder of such Notice Period), subject, in the case of clause (ii), to your execution, delivery and non-revocation of a release in a form satisfactory to the Firm.
During the Notice Period (provided that you are not paid in lieu of your Notice Period in the event of the termination of your employment by the Firm), you will remain an employee of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and will continue to be paid your base salary and be eligible for welfare and qualified retirement plan benefits applicable to you. However, you will generally not be eligible to receive Above Base Compensation (i.e., a bonus) if you decide to leave the Firm. If you give or receive notice of termination of your employment with the Firm, please consult the Human Resources Department for more information.
As an employee during the Notice Period, you will be expected to undertake such duties and responsibilities as are assigned to you by Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, including duties to assist Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx with your transition from the Firm and maintaining the Firm’s business, business relationships, and goodwill. In addition, as an employee you will continue to be bound by all fiduciary duties and obligations owed to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and required to comply with all Firm policies and the Code of Conduct, as amended from time to time (the “Code of Conduct”). The Firm reserves the right to put you on paid leave (i.e., base salary and welfare and qualified retirement plan benefits continuance) and to suspend any of your duties and powers and to relocate your office for all or part of your Notice Period.
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Subject to the applicable Notice Period that the Firm has undertaken to provide to the extent required above, this Agreement does not create a contract for employment for any specified duration or in any way limit Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx’x right to terminate your employment as an at-will employee or otherwise modify the At-Will Employment Policy on the Human Resources Department’s policy website. Nor does it alter your right to terminate your employment at will, subject to the applicable Notice Period.
| B. | Non-Solicitation of Clients and Customers |
The relationship between the Firm and its clients and customers, and prospective clients and customers, constitutes a valuable asset of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and may not be converted to your own use, or for the use of any third party. Accordingly, you agree that during your employment, including during your Notice Period, and during your Client Non-Solicitation Period (as defined in the immediately subsequent sentence), you will not, directly or indirectly (through any person, corporation, partnership or other business entity of any kind), solicit or entice away or in any manner attempt to persuade any client or customer, or prospective client or customer, of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx (i) to discontinue or diminish his, her or its relationship or prospective relationship with the Firm or (ii) to otherwise provide his, her or its business to any person, corporation, partnership or other business entity which engages in any line of business in which Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx is engaged (other than Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx). The “Client Non-Solicitation Period” means:
| • | If you are an Executive Director or a Managing Director at the time of your Resignation, 90 days after the termination of your employment; |
| • | If you are a member of the Management Committee at the time of your Resignation, 180 days after the termination of your employment. |
The restrictions in this paragraph shall apply only to clients or customers, or prospective clients or customers, that you worked for on an actual or prospective project or assignment during the Notice Period or the period of 180 days preceding your notice of Resignation.
| C. | No Hire or Solicitation of Employees |
The employees of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx are one of its most important assets, and the Firm wishes to protect its interest in retaining valuable employees. Accordingly, you agree that during your employment, including during your Notice Period, and for 180 days after the termination of your employment, you will not directly or indirectly in any capacity (including through any
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person, corporation, partnership or other business entity of any kind), hire or solicit, recruit, induce, entice, influence, or encourage any Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx employee to leave the Firm or become hired or engaged by another firm. The restrictions in this paragraph shall apply only to employees with whom you worked or had professional or business contact, or who worked in or with your business unit, during the Notice Period or the period of 180 days preceding your notice of Resignation.
| D. | Confidentiality Obligations |
You acknowledge that you have agreed to abide by the obligations of confidentiality as set forth in the Firm’s Code of Conduct, including those obligations that extend beyond your period of employment with Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx.
****
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx reserves the right to waive all or part of the Terms and Conditions under appropriate circumstances, in its sole discretion. Any such waiver must be in writing and signed by a Managing or Executive Director in the Human Resources Department.
Please note that this Agreement constitutes a variation to certain of your terms and conditions of employment. All other terms and conditions of your employment will remain in full force and effect. Through your acceptance of this Agreement, as well as in consideration for your continued employment and any promotion that you may receive and the Firm’s undertaking to provide you with notice or payment in lieu of your Notice Period if it terminates your employment for any reason other than for Cause and your acceptance of future compensation, including incentive compensation, you acknowledge that the Terms and Conditions, which will be operative worldwide, are reasonable and necessary to protect Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx’x global Business Interests. You further acknowledge that any breach or threatened breach of any of the Terms and Conditions will cause immeasurable and irreparable damage to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx. Accordingly, you agree that if you do not comply or threaten not to comply with the Terms and Conditions, damages will not be an adequate remedy for any breach committed by you and, therefore, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx will be entitled to injunctive relief or specific performance in a state or federal court in the County of New York to the fullest extent permissible by law. In addition, failure to comply with the Terms and Conditions will result in immediate cancellation of any vested and unvested portions of any Equity Award that may be granted to you, in the Firm’s sole discretion, in respect of fiscal year 2005 or at any time in the future, and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx may seek additional damages.
The Terms and Conditions shall be deemed to be part of the applicable equity compensation plans of the Firm and of the IMDCP and part of the terms and conditions of all Equity Awards, if any, granted to you in respect of fiscal year 2005 or at any time in the future during your employment with Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx.
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This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to any conflicts or choice of law principles; provided, however, that any Equity Awards, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to such Equity Awards, shall be governed by New York law or as otherwise provided in the most recent applicable Equity Award granted prior to the occurrence or event giving rise to the application of this provision. In any dispute relating to or concerning this agreement, the parties agree to submit such dispute to a state or federal court in the County of New York and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court except to the extent that you and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx are obligated to arbitrate disputes pursuant to any individual agreement with the Firm and/or the rules and regulations of any applicable regulatory body, in which case such obligation shall not be deemed to preclude Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx from seeking injunctive relief as provided in this Agreement.
In the event any provision in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a state or federal court in the County of New York or an appropriate tribunal of competent jurisdiction in any respect, neither party will be required to comply with such provision for so long as the provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained in this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired by the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of such provision. You agree that a state or federal court in the County of New York or an appropriate tribunal of competent jurisdiction may reform any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions to the extent necessary to make them valid and enforceable. It is also understood and agreed that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not, in and of itself, affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx agrees that to the extent any provision hereof is contrary to applicable law, it will not seek to enforce such provision.
The Firm appreciates your continued contributions and your demonstrated commitment to the Firm’s Business Interests set forth above.
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Employee Acknowledgement
I have read and understand this Agreement. I recognize and agree that it creates binding obligations and sets forth terms and conditions of my continued employment with the Firm.
Please affirm your agreement and acceptance by typing I AGREE and your employee identification number (“EIN”) in the boxes below, and then clicking SUBMIT. Upon a successful submission, you will be sent an e-mail confirmation. Please note that the deadline for your successful submission is November 30, 2005. Your agreement will go into effect on December 1, 2005.
| Acceptance | EIN |
| SUBMIT |
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