UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 28, 2014

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Maryland

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

1-9317

 

04-6558834

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600, Chicago, IL

 

60606

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(312) 646-2800

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2 below):

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 5.02.                                         Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.

 

(e)

 

Amendment to 2012 Equity Compensation Plan

 

On October 28, 2014, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Equity Commonwealth (the “Company”) approved Amendment No. 1 (“Amendment No. 1”) to the CommonWealth REIT 2012 Equity Compensation Plan (as amended and renamed the Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan, the “Plan”). Amendment No. 1 permits the Company to issue restricted share units (“RSUs”) pursuant to the Plan. The Plan otherwise remains unchanged and the total number of common shares of beneficial interest of the Company (the “Common Shares”) issuable pursuant to the Plan, including Common Shares issued in settlement of RSUs, remains 3,000,000.

 

Additionally, on October 28, 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) approved a new form of Restricted Share Agreement to be used for grants of restricted Common Shares to independent members of the Board under the Plan (the “Trustee Form Restricted Share Agreement”).  The Trustee Form Restricted Share Agreement provides the grantee with an amount of Common Shares based on a time-based vesting formula. The Committee also approved new forms of Restricted Share Agreement and Restricted Share Unit Agreement to be used for the grants to officers and employees of the Company under the Plan (respectively, the “Employee Restricted Share Agreement” and “Employee RSU Agreement”). The Employee Restricted Share Agreement provides a grantee with an amount of Common Shares based on a time-based vesting formula. The Employee RSU Agreement is a contingent commitment of the Company to issue Common Shares to a grantee based on the achievement of certain performance-based goals. The Committee also approved a Restricted Share Agreement and Restricted Share Unit Agreement to be used for grants to Sam Zell, the Chairman of the Board (the “Zell Restricted Share Agreement” and “Zell RSU Agreement,” respectively), which provide for vesting and performance criteria applicable to the employee grants but contain modifiied forfeiture and change in control provisions since Mr. Zell is a Trustee and not an employee of the Company.

 

The foregoing descriptions of Amendment No. 1, the Trustee Restricted Share Agreement, the Employee Restricted Share Agreement, the Employee RSU Agreement, the Zell Restricted Share Agreement and the Zell RSU Agreement are not intended to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the copies of the foregoing documents, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1, Exhibit 10.2, Exhibit 10.3 and Exhibit 10.4, Exhibit 10.5 and Exhibit 10.6, respectively, and are incorporated in this Item 5.02 by reference.

 

Executive Compensation

 

On October 28, 2014, the Committee approved compensation terms for David A. Helfand, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, David S. Weinberg, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Adam S. Markman, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Orrin S. Shifrin, the Company’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (collectively, the “Executives”). The material terms of the approved compensation terms for the Executives are summarized below.

 

Annual Base Salary

 

For the 2015 fiscal year, the Committee approved annual base salaries to be paid to Messrs. Helfand, Weinberg, Markman and Shifrin in the amounts of $600,000, $450,000, $450,000 and $450,000, respectively, which is consistent with the interim base salary amounts previously approved by the Committee for each of the Executives.

 

Annual Cash Bonus

 

The Committee approved a cash bonus incentive program (the “Cash Bonus Plan”) pursuant to which each Executive is eligible to receive an annual target cash bonus based on the achievement of certain performance criteria. Pursuant to the Cash Bonus Plan, beginning in fiscal year 2014, each of Messrs. Helfand, Weinberg,

 

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Markman and Shifrin is eligible to receive an annual target cash bonus of 150%, 100%, 100% and 100%, respectively, of his respective annual base salary amount, subject to the achievement of certain performance objectives, as determined by the Committee. The Committee has the discretion to award each of Messrs. Helfand, Weinberg, Markman and Shifrin a maximum cash bonus of 225%, 150%, 150% and 150%, respectively, of his respective annual base salary amount.  The Committee expects to make determinations on the amounts to be paid to each Executive under the Cash Bonus Plan for the 2014 fiscal year in the first quarter of 2015.

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

The Committee also approved a long-term incentive program (the “LTIP”) pursuant to which each Executive is eligible to receive an annual equity grant under the Plan, 1/3 of which will be restricted Common Shares with time-based vesting requirements (the “LTIP Shares”) and 2/3 of which will be RSUs with time-based and performance-based vesting requirements (the “LTIP RSUs”). The number of LTIP Shares and LTIP RSUs to be granted to each Executive will be determined by the Committee on an annual basis. No LTIP Shares or LTIP RSUs have yet been granted by the Committee. The Committee expects to make determinations on the number of LTIP Shares and LTIP RSUs to be issued to each Executive under the LTIP in the first quarter of 2015.

 

The LTIP Shares will vest 25% on the second anniversary of the grant date, 25% on the third anniversary of the grant date and 50% on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, subject in each case to the grantee’s continued employment with the Company as of each date. All outstanding LTIP Shares will fully vest upon a change in control of the Company unless the acquirer assumes the obligations for the LTIP Shares. Each LTIP Share entitles the grantee to receive any dividends declared on the Common Shares beginning on the grant date.

 

The LTIP RSUs will vest 50% at the conclusion of a three-year performance period beginning on the grant date (the “Performance Period”) and 50% one year thereafter, subject in each case to the grantee’s continued employment with the Company through the Performance Period. The amount of LTIP RSUs that vest (the “Earned RSUs”) will be determined based on the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of the Company’s Common Shares for the Performance Period as compared against the TSR for the NAREIT Office Index for the same period (the “Performance Criteria”). All determinations regarding whether the Performance Criteria have been achieved and the number of LTIP RSUs that vest for each grantee will be made by the Committee. Grantees of LTIP RSUs are not entitled to receive any dividends declared on the Common Shares unless and until the LTIP RSUs are earned, at which time the grantee is entitled to receive an amount equal to the dividends that would have been paid to such grantee had such LTIP RSUs been granted as Common Shares at the beginning of the Performance Period.

 

If during the Performance Period, the grantee’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or the grantee resigns with good reason, retires, dies or becomes subject to a disability (a “Qualified Termination”), the number of LTIP RSUs that are earned will be determined at the end of the Performance Period and the number of earned LTIP RSUs that vest will be pro-rated for the number of days the grantee was employed by the Company during the Performance Period.

 

If a change in control of the Company occurs during the Performance Period and the LTIP RSUs are not assumed by the acquirer, any outstanding LTIP RSUs will be earned based on actual levels of achievement of the Performance Criteria as of the date of such change in control and the vesting of such earned LTIP RSUs will be fully accelerated. However, if the acquirer in a change in control assumes the LTIP RSUs, the LTIP RSUs will remain outstanding unless a Qualified Termination of the grantee occurs within 12 months of the change in control (a “Double Trigger Event”), in which case the number of LTIP RSUs that are earned will be determined at the end of the Performance Period and all earned LTIP RSUs will fully vest.

 

Special Equity Awards

 

On October 28, 2014, the Committee approved the one-time grant of restricted Common Shares (the “Employee Special Restricted Shares”) and RSUs (the “Employee Special RSUs”) to certain of the Company’s officers and employees. The Employee Special Restricted Shares generally have the same terms as the LTIP Shares and the Employee Special RSUs generally have the same terms as the LTIP RSUs. Mr. Helfand was granted 155,917 Employee Special Restricted Shares and 316,559 Employee Special RSUs. Each of Messrs. Weinberg,

 

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Markman and Shifrin were granted 51,972 Employee Special Restricted Shares and 105,520 Employee Special RSUs.

 

The Committee also approved on October 28, 2014, the one-time grant of restricted Common Shares (the “Trustee Special Restricted Shares”) to the Company’s Trustees. The Trustee Special Restricted Shares will vest on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the Trustee’s election to the Board and the date of the Company’s 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, subject to the Trustee’s continued service as a Trustee throughout such period.  All outstanding Trustee Special Restricted Shares will fully vest upon a change in control of the Company. Each of the Company’s independent Trustees received 5,862 Trustee Special Restricted Shares.

 

Sam Zell, the Chairman of the Board, was granted 227,379 restricted Common Shares and 461,649 RSUs, which awards generally have the same terms as the Employee Special Restricted Shares and the Employee Special RSUs, except that the forfeiture and change in control provisions applicable to Mr. Zell’s awards differ in the following respects: (i) a Qualified Termination includes only Mr. Zell’s death and (ii) a Double Trigger Event occurs when (a) there is a change in control of the Company and (b) either Mr. Zell dies or is no longer Chairman of the Board within 12 months of the change in control.

 

Annual Trustee Compensation

 

On October 28, 2014, the Committee approved the grant to each independent Trustee of the Company of 3,751 restricted Common Shares as annual compensation for his or her service as a Trustee.

 

Trustee Compensation for Interim Period

 

Five of the Company’s independent Trustees served as Trustees from May 23, 2014, the date of their election at the special meeting of shareholders, through July 31, 2014, when each was reelected as a Trustee for the 2014-2015 term. On October 28, 2014, the Committee approved the grant to each of those five independent Trustees of 709 fully vested Common Shares as compensation for his service during such period.

 

All equity grants described above were determined based on the closing price of the Common Shares on October 28, 2014, which was $26.66.

 

Item 9.01.                                         Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Amendment No. 1 to CommonWealth REIT 2012 Equity Compensation Plan, renamed as the Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan, dated October 28, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on October 28, 2014)

 

 

 

10.2

 

Form of Restricted Share Agreement under Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan

 

 

 

10.3

 

Form of Restricted Share Agreement for Employees (Special Awards) under Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan

 

 

 

10.4

 

Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement for Employees (Special Awards) under Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan

 

 

 

10.5

 

Zell Restricted Share Agreement under Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan

 

 

 

10.6

 

Zell Restricted Share Unit Agreement under Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Orrin S. Shifrin

 

Name:

Orrin S. Shifrin

 

Title:

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

Date: October 31, 2014

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

RESTRICTED SHARE AGREEMENT

 

This Restricted Share Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of «DATE» , between «NAME» (the “Recipient”) and Equity Commonwealth (the “Company”).

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Grant of Shares .  Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth and the terms and conditions of the Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Recipient, effective as of the date of this Agreement, «NUMBER OF SHARES» of its common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share.  The shares so granted are hereinafter referred to as the “Shares,” which term shall also include any shares of the Company issued to the Recipient by virtue of his or her ownership of the Shares, by share dividend, share split, recapitalization or otherwise.

 

2.                                       Vesting; Forfeiture .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Sections 2(b) and 2(c) hereof, the Shares shall vest on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the most recent date on which the Recipient was elected to serve as a Trustee of the Company and (ii) the date of the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders in the year following the year in which the Shares are granted pursuant hereto.  Any Shares not vested as of any date are herein referred to as “Unvested Shares.”

 

(b)                                  Subject to Section 2(c) hereof, in the event the Recipient ceases to render services, whether as an employee, trustee or otherwise, to (i) the Company or (ii) an affiliate of the Company, all Unvested Shares shall be forfeited by the Recipient as of the date the Recipient ceases to render such services.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, immediately upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as such term is defined in Exhibit A hereto) or the death of the Recipient, all of the Unvested Shares shall vest and any forfeiture rights of the Company described in Section 2(b) shall lapse in their entirety.

 

3.                                       Transferability of Shares .  Prior to the Shares becoming vested as set forth in Section 2 hereof, the Shares may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, except (i) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or (ii) for no consideration, subject to such rules and conditions as may be established by the Committee, to a member or members of the Recipient’s Immediate Family or to an entity in which more than 50% of the voting interests are owned by the Recipient or a member or members of the Recipient’s Immediate Family.  Notwithstanding any transfer made by the Recipient pursuant to this Section 3, the Recipient (or the Recipient’s beneficiary or estate, as applicable) shall be responsible for all income and other taxes associated with the Shares.  For purposes of this Agreement, the Recipient’s “Immediate Family” means the Recipient’s children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, spouse, former spouse, siblings, nieces, nephews, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships or any person sharing the Recipient’s household (other than a tenant or employee).

 

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4.                                       Legends .  Share certificates, if any, evidencing the Shares shall prominently bear legends in substantially the following terms:

 

“THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED PURSUANT TO AN EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN MAINTAINED BY THE TRUST.  THESE SHARES MAY BE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER AND/OR VESTING RESTRICTIONS, AND UNVESTED SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THE PLAN, THE RELATED GRANT OF SHARES OR AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TRUST AND THE INITIAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES.  A COPY OF APPLICABLE RESTRICTIONS AND FORFEITURE CONDITIONS WILL BE FURNISHED TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST.”

 

In the event that the Shares are not evidenced by share certificates, the share books and records of the Company shall contain a notation in substantially the following terms:

 

“THE SHARES COVERED BY THIS STATEMENT WERE ISSUED PURSUANT TO AN EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN MAINTAINED BY THE TRUST.  THESE SHARES MAY BE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER AND/OR VESTING RESTRICTIONS, AND UNVESTED SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THE PLAN, THE RELATED GRANT OF SHARES OR AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TRUST AND THE INITIAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES. A COPY OF APPLICABLE RESTRICTIONS AND FORFEITURE CONDITIONS WILL BE FURNISHED TO THE HOLDER OF THE SHARES COVERED BY THIS STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST.”

 

Certificates evidencing Shares and Shares not evidenced by certificates shall also bear or contain, as applicable, legends and notations as may be required by the Plan or the Company’s declaration of trust, any applicable supplement thereto or bylaws, each as in effect from time to time, or as the Company may otherwise determine appropriate.

 

Promptly following the request of the Recipient with respect to any Shares (or any other common share of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share, of the Company previously granted to the Recipient) which have become vested, the Company shall take, at its sole cost and expense, all such actions as may be required to permit the Recipient to resell such shares including, without limitation, providing to the Company’s transfer agent certificates of officers of the Company, and opinions of counsel, and taking all such other actions as may be required to remove the legends set forth above with respect to transfer and vesting restrictions from the certificates evidencing such shares and, if applicable, from the share books and records of the Company.

 

5.                                       Tax Withholding .  To the extent required by law, the Company shall withhold or cause to be withheld income and other taxes incurred by the Recipient by reason of a grant of Shares, and the Recipient agrees that he or she shall upon request of the Company pay to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy its tax withholding obligations from time to time (including as Shares become vested) as the Company may request.

 

6.                                       Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                  Amendments .  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be changed or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient and the Company; provided, however, that any change or modification that does not adversely affect the rights

 

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hereunder of the Recipient, as they may exist immediately prior to the effective date of such change or modification, may be adopted by the Company without an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient, and the Company shall give the Recipient written notice of such change or modification reasonably promptly following the adoption of such change or modification.

 

(b)                                  Binding Effect of the Agreement .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon , the Company, the Recipient and their respective estates, heirs, executors, transferees, successors, assigns and legal representatives.

 

(c)                                   Provisions Separable .  In the event that any of the terms of this Agreement shall be or become or is declared to be illegal or unenforceable by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction, such terms shall be null and void and shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement, and all the remaining terms of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(d)                                  Notices .  Any notice in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been properly delivered if it is in writing and is delivered by hand or by facsimile or sent by registered certified mail, postage prepaid, to the party addressed as follows, unless another address has been substituted by notice so given:

 

To the Recipient:                                                    To the Recipient’s address as set forth on the signature page hereof.

 

To the Company:                                                Equity Commonwealth
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60606
Attn: Secretary

 

(e)                                   Construction .  The headings and subheadings of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only, and shall not affect the construction of the provisions hereof.  All references to sections of this Agreement shall be deemed to refer as well to all subsections which form a part of such section.

 

(f)                                    No Right to Continued Service .  This Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement by the Company or any affiliate of the Company to employ or otherwise retain in any position, as a trustee or otherwise, the Recipient, nor is the Company or any affiliate of the Company obligated to continue employing or otherwise retaining in any position, as a trustee or otherwise, the Recipient by reason of this Agreement or the grant of Shares to the Recipient hereunder.

 

(g)                                   Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(h)                                  Applicable Law .  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, or caused this Agreement to be executed under seal, as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Orrin S. Shifrin

 

Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

RECIPIENT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

Printed Name:

 

 

Address:

 

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Exhibit A

 

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the events set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

 

(a)                                  any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of either the then outstanding common shares of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in paragraph (c)(i) below;

 

(b)                                  the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Trustees then serving: individuals who, on the date of the Agreement, constitute the Board and any new Trustee whose appointment, election, or nomination to the Board was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Trustees then in office who either were Trustees on the date of the Agreement or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended;

 

(c)                                   there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other entity, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

 

(d)                                  the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

 

For purposes of the definitions set forth on this Exhibit A, the following definitions shall apply, with capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit A having the meaning set forth in the Plan:

 

“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

“Agreement” shall mean the Restricted Share Agreement to which this Exhibit A is attached.

 

“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 



 

“Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities and (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.

 


Exhibit 10.3

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

RESTRICTED SHARE AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES (SPECIAL AWARDS)

 

This Restricted Share Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of «DATE» , between «NAME» (the “Recipient”) and Equity Commonwealth (the “Company”).

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Grant of Shares .  Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth and the terms and conditions of the Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Recipient, effective as of the date of this Agreement (the “Grant Date”), «NUMBER OF SHARES» of its common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share.  The shares so granted are hereinafter referred to as the “Shares,” which term shall also include any shares of the Company issued to the Recipient by virtue of his or her ownership of the Shares, by share dividend, share split, recapitalization or otherwise.

 

2.                                       Vesting; Forfeiture .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Sections 2(b) and 3(b) hereof, the Shares shall vest as follows: (i) 25% of the Shares shall vest on the second anniversary of the Grant Date, (ii) 25% of the Shares shall vest on the third anniversary of the Grant Date, and (iv) 50% of the Shares shall vest on the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date.  Any Shares not vested as of any date are herein referred to as “Unvested Shares.”

 

(b)                                  Subject to Section 3(a) hereof, in the event the Recipient’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates (as such term is defined in Exhibit A hereto) is terminated, all Unvested Shares shall be forfeited by the Recipient as of the date of the Recipient’s termination of employment.

 

3.                                       Termination of Employment; Change in Control .

 

(a)                                  If the Recipient’s employment is terminated (i) by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company without “Cause,” (ii) by the Recipient for “Good Reason,” (iii) due to the Recipient’s “Retirement,” or (iv) due to the Recipient’s death or “Disability” (as such terms are defined in Exhibit A hereto) (such termination, a “Qualified Termination”), then the Shares shall become vested as of the date of the termination of the Recipient’s employment on a pro rata basis, determined based on (x) the number of days that have elapsed from the Grant Date through the date the Recipient ceases to be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, compared to (y) the total number of days during the period commencing on the Grant Date and ending on the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Recipient’s Qualified Termination occurs within twelve (12) months after a “Change in Control” (as such term is defined in Exhibit A hereto) in which the Shares are assumed by the acquirer or surviving entity in the Change in Control transaction, then the Shares shall become fully vested as of the date of the termination of the Recipient’s employment.

 

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(b)                                  If a Change in Control occurs prior to the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date and while the Recipient is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, and the Shares are not assumed by the acquirer or surviving entity in the Change in Control transaction, then the Recipient’s Unvested Shares shall become fully vested as of the date of the Change in Control.

 

4.                                       Transferability of Shares .  Prior to the Shares becoming vested as set forth in Section 2 hereof, the Shares may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, except (i) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or (ii) for no consideration, subject to such rules and conditions as may be established by the Committee, to a member or members of the Recipient’s Immediate Family or to an entity in which more than 50% of the voting interests are owned by the Recipient or a member or members of the Recipient’s Immediate Family.  Notwithstanding any transfer made by the Recipient pursuant to this Section 4, the Recipient (or the Recipient’s beneficiary or estate, as applicable) shall be responsible for all income and other taxes associated with the Shares.  For purposes of this Agreement, the Recipient’s “Immediate Family” means the Recipient’s children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, spouse, former spouse, siblings, nieces, nephews, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships or any person sharing the Recipient’s household (other than a tenant or employee).

 

5.                                       Legends .  Share certificates, if any, evidencing the Shares shall prominently bear legends in substantially the following terms:

 

“THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED PURSUANT TO AN EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN MAINTAINED BY THE TRUST.  THESE SHARES MAY BE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER AND/OR VESTING RESTRICTIONS, AND UNVESTED SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THE PLAN, THE RELATED GRANT OF SHARES OR AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TRUST AND THE INITIAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES.  A COPY OF APPLICABLE RESTRICTIONS AND FORFEITURE CONDITIONS WILL BE FURNISHED TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST.”

 

In the event that the Shares are not evidenced by share certificates, the share books and records of the Company shall contain a notation in substantially the following terms:

 

“THE SHARES COVERED BY THIS STATEMENT WERE ISSUED PURSUANT TO AN EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN MAINTAINED BY THE TRUST.  THESE SHARES MAY BE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER AND/OR VESTING RESTRICTIONS, AND UNVESTED SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THE PLAN, THE RELATED GRANT OF SHARES OR AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TRUST AND THE INITIAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES. A COPY OF APPLICABLE RESTRICTIONS AND FORFEITURE CONDITIONS WILL BE FURNISHED TO THE HOLDER OF THE SHARES COVERED BY THIS STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST.”

 

Certificates evidencing Shares and Shares not evidenced by certificates shall also bear or contain, as applicable, legends and notations as may be required by the Plan or the Company’s declaration of trust, any applicable supplement thereto or bylaws, each as in effect from time to time, or as the Company may otherwise determine appropriate.

 

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Promptly following the request of the Recipient with respect to any Shares (or any other common share of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share, of the Company previously granted to the Recipient) which have become vested, the Company shall take, at its sole cost and expense, all such actions as may be required to permit the Recipient to resell such shares including, without limitation, providing to the Company’s transfer agent certificates of officers of the Company, and opinions of counsel, and taking all such other actions as may be required to remove the legends set forth above with respect to transfer and vesting restrictions from the certificates evidencing such shares and, if applicable, from the share books and records of the Company.

 

6.                                       Tax Withholding .  To the extent required by law, the Company shall withhold or cause to be withheld income and other taxes incurred by the Recipient by reason of a grant of Shares, and the Recipient agrees that he or she shall upon request of the Company pay to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy its tax withholding obligations from time to time (including as Shares become vested) as the Company may request.

 

7.                                       Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                  Amendments .  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be changed or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient and the Company; provided, however, that any change or modification that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of the Recipient, as they may exist immediately prior to the effective date of such change or modification, may be adopted by the Company without an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient, and the Company shall give the Recipient written notice of such change or modification reasonably promptly following the adoption of such change or modification.

 

(b)                                  Binding Effect of the Agreement .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company, the Recipient and their respective estates, heirs, executors, transferees, successors, assigns and legal representatives.

 

(c)                                   Provisions Separable .  In the event that any of the terms of this Agreement shall be or become or is declared to be illegal or unenforceable by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction, such terms shall be null and void and shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement, and all the remaining terms of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(d)                                  Notices .  Any notice in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been properly delivered if it is in writing and is delivered by hand or by facsimile or sent by registered certified mail, postage prepaid, to the party addressed as follows, unless another address has been substituted by notice so given:

 

To the Recipient:

To the Recipient’s address as set forth on the signature page hereof.

 

 

To the Company:

Equity Commonwealth

 

Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600

 

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Attn: Secretary

 

(e)                                   Construction .  The headings and subheadings of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only, and shall not affect the construction of the provisions hereof.  All references to sections of this Agreement shall be deemed to refer as well to all subsections which form a part of such section.

 

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(f)                                    No Right to Continued Employment .  This Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company to employ or otherwise retain in any position the Recipient, nor is the Company or any Affiliate of the Company obligated to continue employing or otherwise retaining in any position the Recipient by reason of this Agreement or the grant of Shares to the Recipient hereunder.

 

(g)                                   Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(h)                                  Applicable Law .  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, or caused this Agreement to be executed under seal, as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

 

 

 

 

By: Orrin S. Shifrin

 

Title: Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

RECIPIENT:

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

Printed Name:

 

Address:

 

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Exhibit A

 

“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

“Cause” shall mean, as determined by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an applicable agreement between the Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, (i) the conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; (ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of duties; (iii) a material breach of any term of any employment, consulting or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property or non-competition agreements, if any, between the Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; or (iv) a material violation of state or federal securities laws.  Any determination by the Committee whether an event constituting Cause shall have occurred shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the events set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

 

(a)                                  any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of either the then outstanding common shares of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in paragraph (c)(i) below;

 

(b)                                  the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Trustees then serving: individuals who, on the date of the Agreement, constitute the Board and any new Trustee whose appointment, election, or nomination to the Board was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Trustees then in office who either were Trustees on the date of the Agreement or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended;

 

(c)                                   there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other entity, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

 

(d)                                  the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the

 



 

Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

 

“Disability” shall mean the inability of the Recipient to perform each of the essential duties of the Recipient’s position by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is potentially permanent in character or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.  The determination of whether the Recipient has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee.

 

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Good Reason” shall mean, unless otherwise provided in an applicable agreement between the Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, the occurrence of one or more of the following without the Recipient’s express written consent, which circumstances are not remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days of its receipt of a written notice from the Recipient describing the applicable circumstances (which notice must be provided by the Recipient within ninety (90) days of the Recipient’s knowledge of the applicable circumstances): (i) any material, adverse change in the Recipient’s duties, responsibilities, authority, title, status or reporting structure; (ii) a material reduction in the Recipient’s base salary or bonus opportunity; or (iii) a geographical relocation of the Recipient’s principal office location by more than fifty (50) miles.

 

“Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities and (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.

 

“Retirement” shall mean retirement from active employment with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company pursuant to its relevant policy on retirement as determined by the Committee, or, if no such policy is in place, retirement from active employment with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company on or after age 65.

 


Exhibit 10.4

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES (SPECIAL AWARDS)

 

This Restricted Share Unit Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of «DATE» , between «NAME» (the “Recipient”) and Equity Commonwealth (the “Company”).

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Grant of Restricted Share Units .  Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth and the terms and conditions of the Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Recipient, effective as of the date of this Agreement, «NUMBER OF UNITS» RSUs (the “RSUs”).  Each RSU represents the right to receive one Share, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan.  The number of RSUs that the Recipient actually earns for the Performance Period will be determined by the level of achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Exhibit A attached hereto.  Capitalized terms that are used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

2.                                       Performance Period .  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Performance Period” shall be the period commencing on «COMMENCEMENT DATE» and ending on «THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF COMMENCEMENT DATE» .

 

3.                                       Performance Criteria .

 

(a)                                  The number of RSUs earned by the Recipient for the Performance Period (the “Earned RSUs”) shall be determined at the end of the Performance Period based on the level of achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Exhibit A.  All determinations of whether and to what extent the Performance Criteria has been achieved, the number of RSUs earned by the Recipient, and all other matters related to this Section 3 shall be made by Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) in its sole discretion.  Any RSUs that do not become Earned RSUs at the end of the Performance Period, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, shall be immediately forfeited by the Recipient.

 

(b)                                  Following the completion of the Performance Period, the Committee shall determine (i) whether, and to what extent, the Performance Criteria has been achieved, and (ii) the number of RSUs that shall be deemed Earned RSUs, if any.  Such determination shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Recipient, and on all other persons, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

4.                                       Vesting; Forfeiture .

 

(a)                                  50% of the Earned RSUs shall vest on the date that the Committee determines the achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof, subject to the Recipient’s continued employment with the Company or an “Affiliate” (as such term is defined in Exhibit B hereto) of the Company through such date.

 

1



 

(b)                                  50% of the Earned RSUs shall vest on «FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMENCEMENT DATE» , subject to the Recipient’s continued employment with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company through such date.

 

(c)                                   Subject to Section 5 hereof, in the event the Recipient’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates is terminated, all unvested RSUs shall be forfeited by the Recipient as of the date of the Recipient’s termination of employment.

 

5.                                       Termination of Employment; Change in Control .

 

(a)                                  If, during the Performance Period, the Recipient’s employment is terminated (i) by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company without “Cause,” (ii) by the Recipient for “Good Reason,” (iii) due to the Recipient’s “Retirement,” or (iv) due to the Recipient’s death or “Disability” (as such terms are defined in Exhibit B hereto) (such termination, a “Qualified Termination”), then the number of RSUs that are earned by the Recipient shall be determined at the end of the Performance Period in accordance with Section 3 hereof, and the Recipient’s Earned RSUs, if any, shall become vested as of the date that the Committee determines the achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof on a pro rata basis, determined based on (x) the number of days that have elapsed from the beginning of the Performance Period through the date the Recipient ceases to be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, compared to (y) the total number of days during the period commencing on «COMMENCEMENT DATE» and ending on «FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMENCEMENT DATE» .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Recipient’s Qualified Termination occurs during the Performance Period and within twelve (12) months after a “Change in Control” (as such term is defined in Exhibit B hereto) in which the RSUs are assumed by the acquirer or surviving entity in the Change in Control transaction, then any such Earned RSUs shall become fully vested as of the date that the Committee determines the achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof.  With respect to Earned RSUs held by the Recipient for which the Performance Period is complete but for which the additional vesting period is incomplete prior to the Recipient’s Qualified Termination, any restrictions on the Earned RSUs shall lapse and such Earned RSUs shall automatically become fully vested as of the date of the termination of the Recipient’s employment.  The number of Shares that will be issued to the Recipient in respect of any Earned RSUs that become vested in accordance with this Section 5(a) shall be calculated based on the closing price per Share on the trading date coinciding with (or if such date is not a trading day, next following) the date of the termination of the Recipient’s employment.

 

(b)                                  If, during the Performance Period, a Change in Control occurs while the Recipient is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, and the RSUs are not assumed by the acquirer or surviving entity in the Change in Control transaction, then the Recipient’s RSUs shall be deemed earned based on the actual level of achievement of the Performance Criteria measured as of the date of the Change in Control, as determined by the Committee based on a then forty (40) day trailing average price per Share.  Any such Earned RSUs shall be fully vested.  With respect to Earned RSUs held by the Recipient for which the Performance Period is complete but for which the additional vesting period is incomplete, any restrictions on the Earned RSUs shall lapse and such Earned RSUs shall automatically become fully vested as of the date of the Change in Control.  The number of Shares that will be issued to the Recipient in respect of any Earned RSUs that become vested in accordance with this Section 5(b) shall be calculated based on the closing price per Share on the trading date coinciding with (or if such date is not a trading day, next following) the date of the Change in Control.  If the Shares are no longer traded on an established national or regional stock exchange as of such date, the number of Shares that will be issued to the Recipient in respect of any such vested Earned RSUs shall be calculated based on the value determined by the Committee in its reasonable discretion based on the actual or implied price paid in the Change in Control transaction.  Any such Shares shall be issued to the Recipient on

 

2



 

the date of the Change in Control.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary for the Recipient to avoid taxes and/or penalties under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless it constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 409A of the Code.

 

6.                                       Settlement of RSUs .  Except as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, as soon as practicable following the applicable vesting date of any Earned RSUs held by the Recipient, but in no event later than 60 days after such vesting date, the Company shall cause one Share to be issued to the Recipient for each such Earned RSU, less applicable withholding taxes pursuant to Section 9 hereof.  T he Company shall cause such Shares (less any shares withheld to pay taxes) to be delivered, either by book-entry registration or in the form of a stock certificate or certificates, registered in the Recipient’s name or in the names of the Recipient’s legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any settlement of the RSUs hereunder constitutes “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and the Recipient is a “specified employee” (as determined under the Company’s policy for identifying specified employees) on the date of his or her “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), the date for settlement shall be the earlier of (i) death or (ii) the later of (x) the date that settlement would otherwise be made hereunder or (y) the first business day following the end of the sixth-month period following the date of the Recipient’s separation from service.

 

7.                                       Rights as a Shareholder; Dividend Equivalents .

 

(a)                                  The Recipient shall not have any rights of a shareholder with respect to the Shares underlying the RSUs unless and until the RSUs vest and are settled by the issuance of such Shares.

 

(b)                                  The Recipient shall not be entitled to receive any dividends with respect to the Shares underlying the RSUs unless and until such RSUs become Earned RSUs.  Within 60 days following the Committee’s determination of whether, and to what extent, the Performance Criteria has been achieved, the Company shall pay to the Recipient, in respect of each Earned RSU held by the Recipient, if any, an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid in respect of the Shares underlying such Earned RSUs had such Shares been issued to the Recipient on the first day of the Performance Period.  Thereafter, the Company shall pay to the Recipient, in respect of each Earned RSU held by the Recipient, if any, whether or not vested, an amount in cash equal to the per Share amount of any ordinary cash dividend paid to holders of Shares by the Company.  The Company shall pay any such amount(s) to the Recipient within 60 days following the date that the ordinary cash dividend is paid to holders of Shares.  The Recipient shall be entitled to receive such dividend equivalent payments for so long as his or her Earned RSUs remain outstanding.  Upon and following the vesting of the Recipient’s Earned RSUs and the settlement of such RSUs in Shares, the Recipient shall be the record owner of the Shares underlying the Earned RSUs unless and until such Shares are sold or otherwise disposed of, and as the record owner shall be entitled to all rights of a shareholder of the Company (including voting and dividend rights).

 

8.                                       Transferability .  The RSUs or the rights relating thereto may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Recipient, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and upon any such transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution, the transferee shall hold such RSUs subject to all of the terms and conditions that were applicable to the Recipient immediately prior to such transfer.

 

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9.                                       Tax Withholding .  The Company shall have the right to withhold or cause to be withheld from any compensation paid to the Recipient pursuant to the Plan, the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect of the RSUs and to take all such other action as the Company deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes.  The Recipient agrees that if the amount payable to the Recipient by the Company in the ordinary course is insufficient to pay such withholding taxes, then the Recipient shall, upon the request of the Company, pay to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy its tax withholding obligations.

 

10.                                Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                  Amendments .  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be changed or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient and the Company; provided, however, that any change or modification that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of the Recipient, as they may exist immediately prior to the effective date of such change or modification, may be adopted by the Committee without an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient, and the Committee shall give the Recipient written notice of such change or modification reasonably promptly following the adoption of such change or modification.

 

(b)                                  Binding Effect of the Agreement .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company, the Recipient and their respective estates, heirs, executors, transferees, successors, assigns and legal representatives.

 

(c)                                   Section 409A .  This Agreement is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any regulations or other effective guidance promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service, and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with such intent.  To the extent that the Company determines that the Recipient would be subject to the additional taxes or penalties imposed on certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans pursuant to Section 409A of the Code as a result of any provision of this Agreement, such provision shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to avoid application of such additional taxes or penalties. The nature of any such amendment shall be determined by the Committee.

 

(d)                                  Provisions Separable .  In the event that any of the terms of this Agreement shall be or become or is declared to be illegal or unenforceable by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction, such terms shall be null and void and shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement, and all the remaining terms of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(e)                                   Notices .  Any notice in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been properly delivered if it is in writing and is delivered by hand or by facsimile or sent by registered certified mail, postage prepaid, to the party addressed as follows, unless another address has been substituted by notice so given:

 

To the Recipient:

To the Recipient’s address as set forth on the signature page hereof.

 

 

To the Company:

Equity Commonwealth

 

Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600

 

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Attn: Secretary

 

(f)                                    Construction .  The headings and subheadings of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only, and shall not affect the construction of the provisions hereof.  All references to sections of this Agreement shall be deemed to refer as well to all subsections which form a part of such section.

 

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(g)                                   No Right to Continued Employment .  This Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company to employ or otherwise retain in any position the Recipient, nor is the Company or any Affiliate of the Company obligated to continue employing or otherwise retaining in any position the Recipient by reason of this Agreement or the grant of RSUs to the Recipient hereunder.

 

(h)                                  Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(i)                                      Applicable Law .  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, or caused this Agreement to be executed under seal, as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

 

 

 

 

By: Orrin S. Shifrin

 

Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

RECIPIENT:

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

Printed Name:

 

Address:

 

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Exhibit A

 

Performance Criteria

 

Performance Criteria : The RSUs shall be earned based on the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) for the Performance Period relative to the TSR for the NAREIT Office Index for the Performance Period, as set forth in the table below.  Depending on the Company’s TSR relative to the TSR of the NAREIT Office Index for the Performance Period, the Recipient may earn between 0% and 100% of the RSUs.

 

Performance Criteria: Company
Performance vs. NAREIT Office Index
Performance

 

% of RSUs Earned

 

90 th  Percentile and Above

 

100.00

%

80 th  Percentile

 

87.5

%

70 th  Percentile

 

75.0

%

60 th  Percentile

 

62.5

%

50 th  Percentile

 

50

%

40 th  Percentile

 

37.5

%

30 th  Percentile

 

25.0

%

25 th  Percentile

 

12.5

%

Below 25 th  Percentile

 

0

%

 

Absolute Modifier: If the Company’s total TSR for the Performance Period is negative, any RSUs deemed earned based on the table above shall be reduced by 25%.

 

Interpolation : To the extent performance falls between two levels in the table above, linear interpolation shall apply in determining the percentage of the RSUs that are earned.

 

TSR Calculation : TSR performance shall be calculated as the compounded annual growth rate, expressed as a percentage (rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent (0.1%)), in the value per Share during the Performance Period due to the appreciation in the price per Share and dividends paid during the Performance Period, assuming dividends are reinvested.  “D” is the amount of dividends paid to a shareholder of record of the Company with respect to one Share during the Performance Period.  The absolute TSR percentage is calculated pursuant to the formula set forth below.

 

Cumulative TSR = ((1*(1+TSR Year 1)*(1+TSR Year 2)*(1+TSR Year 3))-1)

 

=(1*(1+Cumulative TSR))^(1/3)-1

 

TSR for a given year shall be calculated as follows:

 

((Ending Share Price+D)/Beginning Share Price)-1

 



 

The performance for the companies comprising the NAREIT Office Index shall be calculated in the same manner as described above and the difference between the absolute TSR of the Company and the average absolute TSR for the companies within the NAREIT Office Index, expressed in terms of relative percentile ranking, shall be applied to the matrix set forth above.  Only companies that are public throughout the entire Performance Period shall be included for purposes of calculating the relative TSR comparison (i.e., companies that may become acquired, have an initial public offering, etc. during the Performance Period shall be excluded from the calculation altogether). For purposes of the calculation above, the Ending Share Price shall be based on a 40 day trailing average closing stock price as of December 31st for the final calendar year in the Performance Period.

 



 

Exhibit B

 

“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

“Cause” shall mean, as determined by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an applicable agreement between the Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, (i) the conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; (ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of duties; (iii) a material breach of any term of any employment, consulting or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property or non-competition agreements, if any, between the Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; or (iv) a material violation of state or federal securities laws.  Any determination by the Committee whether an event constituting Cause shall have occurred shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the events set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

 

(a)                                  any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of either the then outstanding common shares of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in paragraph (c)(i) below;

 

(b)                                  the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Trustees then serving: individuals who, on the date of the Agreement, constitute the Board and any new Trustee whose appointment, election or nomination to the Board was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Trustees then in office who either were Trustees on the date of the Agreement or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended;

 

(c)                                   there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other entity, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

 

(d)                                  the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company

 



 

in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

 

“Disability” shall mean the inability of the Recipient to perform each of the essential duties of the Recipient’s position by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is potentially permanent in character or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.  The determination of whether the Recipient has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee.

 

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Good Reason” shall mean, unless otherwise provided in an applicable agreement between the Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, the occurrence of one or more of the following without the Recipient’s express written consent, which circumstances are not remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days of its receipt of a written notice from the Recipient describing the applicable circumstances (which notice must be provided by the Recipient within ninety (90) days of the Recipient’s knowledge of the applicable circumstances): (i) any material, adverse change in the Recipient’s duties, responsibilities, authority, title, status or reporting structure; (ii) a material reduction in the Recipient’s base salary or bonus opportunity; or (iii) a geographical relocation of the Recipient’s principal office location by more than fifty (50) miles.

 

“Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities and (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.

 

“Retirement” shall mean retirement from active employment with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company pursuant to its relevant policy on retirement as determined by the Committee, or, if no such policy is in place, retirement from active employment with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company on or after age 65.

 


Exhibit 10.5

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

RESTRICTED SHARE AGREEMENT FOR TRUSTEES (SPECIAL AWARDS)

 

This Restricted Share Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of October 28, 2014, between Samuel Zell (the “Recipient”) and Equity Commonwealth (the “Company”).

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Grant of Shares .  Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth and the terms and conditions of the Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Recipient, effective as of the date of this Agreement (the “Grant Date”), «NUMBER OF SHARES» of its common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share.  The shares so granted are hereinafter referred to as the “Shares,” which term shall also include any shares of the Company issued to the Recipient by virtue of his or her ownership of the Shares, by share dividend, share split, recapitalization or otherwise.

 

2.                                       Vesting; Forfeiture .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Sections 2(b) and 3(b) hereof, the Shares shall vest as follows: (i) 25% of the Shares shall vest on the second anniversary of the Grant Date, (ii) 25% of the Shares shall vest on the third anniversary of the Grant Date, and (iv) 50% of the Shares shall vest on the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date.  Any Shares not vested as of any date are herein referred to as “Unvested Shares.”

 

(b)                                  Subject to Section 3(a) hereof, in the event the Recipient ceases to render services to the Company as a Trustee, all Unvested Shares shall be forfeited by the Recipient as of the date the Recipient ceases to render such services.

 

3.                                       Termination of Employment; Change in Control .

 

(a)                                  If the Recipient’s service as a Trustee terminates due to the Recipient’s death, then the Shares shall become vested as of the date of the termination of the Recipient’s service with the Company on a pro rata basis, determined based on (x) the number of days that have elapsed from the Grant Date through the date the Recipient ceases to be a Trustee of the Company, compared to (y) the total number of days during the period commencing on the Grant Date and ending on the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, within twelve (12) months after a “Change in Control” (as such term is defined in Exhibit A hereto) in which the Shares are assumed by the acquirer or surviving entity in the Change in Control transaction, the Recipient dies or is no longer Chairman of the Board, then the Shares shall become fully vested as of the date of the Recipient’s death or the date the Recipient is no longer Chairman of the Board, as applicable.

 

(b)                                  If a Change in Control occurs prior to the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date and while the Recipient is a Trustee of the Company, and the Shares are not assumed by the acquirer or surviving entity in the Change in Control transaction, then the Recipient’s Unvested Shares shall become fully vested as of the date of the Change in Control.

 

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4.                                       Transferability of Shares .  Prior to the Shares becoming vested as set forth in Section 2 hereof, the Shares may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, except (i) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or (ii) for no consideration, subject to such rules and conditions as may be established by the Committee, to a member or members of the Recipient’s Immediate Family or to an entity in which more than 50% of the voting interests are owned by the Recipient or a member or members of the Recipient’s Immediate Family.  Notwithstanding any transfer made by the Recipient pursuant to this Section 4, the Recipient (or the Recipient’s beneficiary or estate, as applicable) shall be responsible for all income and other taxes associated with the Shares.  For purposes of this Agreement, the Recipient’s “Immediate Family” means the Recipient’s children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, spouse, former spouse, siblings, nieces, nephews, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships or any person sharing the Recipient’s household (other than a tenant or employee).

 

5.                                       Legends .  Share certificates, if any, evidencing the Shares shall prominently bear legends in substantially the following terms:

 

“THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED PURSUANT TO AN EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN MAINTAINED BY THE TRUST.  THESE SHARES MAY BE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER AND/OR VESTING RESTRICTIONS, AND UNVESTED SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THE PLAN, THE RELATED GRANT OF SHARES OR AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TRUST AND THE INITIAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES.  A COPY OF APPLICABLE RESTRICTIONS AND FORFEITURE CONDITIONS WILL BE FURNISHED TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST.”

 

In the event that the Shares are not evidenced by share certificates, the share books and records of the Company shall contain a notation in substantially the following terms:

 

“THE SHARES COVERED BY THIS STATEMENT WERE ISSUED PURSUANT TO AN EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN MAINTAINED BY THE TRUST.  THESE SHARES MAY BE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER AND/OR VESTING RESTRICTIONS, AND UNVESTED SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THE PLAN, THE RELATED GRANT OF SHARES OR AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TRUST AND THE INITIAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES. A COPY OF APPLICABLE RESTRICTIONS AND FORFEITURE CONDITIONS WILL BE FURNISHED TO THE HOLDER OF THE SHARES COVERED BY THIS STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST.”

 

Certificates evidencing Shares and Shares not evidenced by certificates shall also bear or contain, as applicable, legends and notations as may be required by the Plan or the Company’s declaration of trust, any applicable supplement thereto or bylaws, each as in effect from time to time, or as the Company may otherwise determine appropriate.

 

Promptly following the request of the Recipient with respect to any Shares (or any other common share of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share, of the Company previously granted to the Recipient) which have become vested, the Company shall take, at its sole cost and expense, all such actions as may be required to permit the Recipient to resell such shares including, without limitation, providing to the Company’s transfer agent certificates of officers of the Company, and opinions of counsel, and taking all such other actions as may be required to remove the legends set

 

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forth above with respect to transfer and vesting restrictions from the certificates evidencing such shares and, if applicable, from the share books and records of the Company.

 

6.                                       Tax Withholding .  To the extent required by law, the Company shall withhold or cause to be withheld income and other taxes incurred by the Recipient by reason of a grant of Shares, and the Recipient agrees that he or she shall upon request of the Company pay to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy its tax withholding obligations from time to time (including as Shares become vested) as the Company may request.

 

7.                                       Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                  Amendments .  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be changed or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient and the Company; provided, however, that any change or modification that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of the Recipient, as they may exist immediately prior to the effective date of such change or modification, may be adopted by the Company without an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient, and the Company shall give the Recipient written notice of such change or modification reasonably promptly following the adoption of such change or modification.

 

(b)                                  Binding Effect of the Agreement .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company, the Recipient and their respective estates, heirs, executors, transferees, successors, assigns and legal representatives.

 

(c)                                   Provisions Separable .  In the event that any of the terms of this Agreement shall be or become or is declared to be illegal or unenforceable by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction, such terms shall be null and void and shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement, and all the remaining terms of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(d)                                  Notices .  Any notice in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been properly delivered if it is in writing and is delivered by hand or by facsimile or sent by registered certified mail, postage prepaid, to the party addressed as follows, unless another address has been substituted by notice so given:

 

To the Recipient:

To the Recipient’s address as set forth on the signature page hereof.

 

 

To the Company:

Equity Commonwealth

 

Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600

 

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Attn: Secretary

 

(e)                                   Construction .  The headings and subheadings of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only, and shall not affect the construction of the provisions hereof.  All references to sections of this Agreement shall be deemed to refer as well to all subsections which form a part of such section.

 

(f)                                    No Right to Continued Service .  This Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement by the Company or any Affiliate (as such term is defined in Exhibit A hereto) of the Company to retain in any position the Recipient, nor is the Company or any Affiliate of the Company obligated to continue retaining in any position the Recipient by reason of this Agreement or the grant of Shares to the Recipient hereunder.

 

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(g)                                   Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(h)                                  Applicable Law .  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, or caused this Agreement to be executed under seal, as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Orrin S. Shifrin

 

Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

RECIPIENT:

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

Printed Name: Samuel Zell

 

Address:

 

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Exhibit A

 

“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the events set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

 

(a)                                  any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of either the then outstanding common shares of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in paragraph (c)(i) below;

 

(b)                                  the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Trustees then serving: individuals who, on the date of the Agreement, constitute the Board and any new Trustee whose appointment, election, or nomination to the Board was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Trustees then in office who either were Trustees on the date of the Agreement or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended;

 

(c)                                   there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other entity, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

 

(d)                                  the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

 

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities and (iv) a corporation owned, directly or

 



 

indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.

 


Exhibit 10.6

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT FOR TRUSTEES (SPECIAL AWARDS)

 

This Restricted Share Unit Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of October 28, 2014, between Samuel Zell (the “Recipient”) and Equity Commonwealth (the “Company”).

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Grant of Restricted Share Units .  Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth and the terms and conditions of the Equity Commonwealth 2012 Equity Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Recipient, effective as of the date of this Agreement, «NUMBER OF UNITS» RSUs (the “RSUs”).  Each RSU represents the right to receive one Share, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan.  The number of RSUs that the Recipient actually earns for the Performance Period will be determined by the level of achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Exhibit A attached hereto.  Capitalized terms that are used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

2.                                       Performance Period .  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Performance Period” shall be the period commencing on October 28, 2014 and ending on October 28, 2017.

 

3.                                       Performance Criteria .

 

(a)                                  The number of RSUs earned by the Recipient for the Performance Period (the “Earned RSUs”) shall be determined at the end of the Performance Period based on the level of achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Exhibit A.  All determinations of whether and to what extent the Performance Criteria has been achieved, the number of RSUs earned by the Recipient, and all other matters related to this Section 3 shall be made by Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) in its sole discretion.  Any RSUs that do not become Earned RSUs at the end of the Performance Period, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, shall be immediately forfeited by the Recipient.

 

(b)                                  Following the completion of the Performance Period, the Committee shall determine (i) whether, and to what extent, the Performance Criteria has been achieved, and (ii) the number of RSUs that shall be deemed Earned RSUs, if any.  Such determination shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Recipient, and on all other persons, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

4.                                       Vesting; Forfeiture .

 

(a)                                  50% of the Earned RSUs shall vest on the date that the Committee determines the achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof, subject to the Recipient’s continued service with the Company through such date.

 

(b)                                  50% of the Earned RSUs shall vest on October 28, 2018, subject to the Recipient’s continued service with the Company through such date.

 

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(c)                                   Subject to Section 5 hereof, in the event the Recipient ceases to render services to the Company as a Trustee, all unvested RSUs shall be forfeited by the Recipient as of the date the Recipient ceases to render such services.

 

5.                                       Termination of Service; Change in Control .

 

(a)                                  If, during the Performance Period, the Recipient’s service as a Trustee terminates due to the Recipient’s death, then the number of RSUs that are earned by the Recipient shall be determined at the end of the Performance Period in accordance with Section 3 hereof, and the Recipient’s Earned RSUs, if any, shall become vested as of the date that the Committee determines the achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof on a pro rata basis, determined based on (x) the number of days that have elapsed from the beginning of the Performance Period through the date of the Recipient’s death, compared to (y) the total number of days during the period commencing on October 28, 2014 and ending on October 28, 2018.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, during the Performance Period and within twelve (12) months after a “Change in Control” (as such term is defined in Exhibit B hereto) in which the RSUs are assumed by the acquirer or surviving entity in the Change in Control transaction, the Recipient dies or is no longer Chairman of the Board, then any such Earned RSUs shall become fully vested as of the date that the Committee determines the achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof.  With respect to Earned RSUs held by the Recipient for which the Performance Period is complete but for which the additional vesting period is incomplete, any restrictions on the Earned RSUs shall lapse and such Earned RSUs shall automatically become fully vested as of (1) the date the Recipient is no longer Chairman of the Board, provided such date occurs within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control in which the RSUs are assumed by the acquirer or surviving entity in the Change in Control transaction, or (2) the date of the Recipient’s death.  The number of Shares that will be issued to the Recipient in respect of any Earned RSUs that become vested in accordance with this Section 5(a) shall be calculated based on the closing price per Share on the trading date coinciding with (or if such date is not a trading day, next following) the date of the Recipient’s death or the date the Recipient is no longer Chairman of the Board, as applicable.  Any such Shares shall be issued to the Recipient as soon as practicable, but no later than 60 days, following the later to occur of (i) the date that the Committee determines the achievement of the Performance Criteria in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof and (ii) the earlier to occur of (x) the date of the Recipient’s death and (y) October 28, 2018.

 

(b)                                  If, during the Performance Period, a Change in Control occurs while the Recipient is a Trustee of the Company, and the RSUs are not assumed by the acquirer or surviving entity in the Change in Control transaction, then the Recipient’s RSUs shall be deemed earned based on the actual level of achievement of the Performance Criteria measured as of the date of the Change in Control, as determined by the Committee based on a then forty (40) day trailing average price per Share.  Any such Earned RSUs shall be fully vested.  With respect to Earned RSUs held by the Recipient for which the Performance Period is complete but for which the additional vesting period is incomplete, any restrictions on the Earned RSUs shall lapse and such Earned RSUs shall automatically become fully vested as of the date of the Change in Control.  The number of Shares that will be issued to the Recipient in respect of any Earned RSUs that become vested in accordance with this Section 5(b) shall be calculated based on the closing price per Share on the trading date coinciding with (or if such date is not a trading day, next following) the date of the Change in Control.  If the Shares are no longer traded on an established national or regional stock exchange as of such date, the number of Shares that will be issued to the Recipient in respect of any such vested Earned RSUs shall be calculated based on the value determined by the Committee in its reasonable discretion based on the actual or implied price paid in the Change in Control transaction.  Any such Shares shall be issued to the Recipient on the date of the Change in Control.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary for the Recipient to avoid taxes and/or penalties under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless it constitutes a “change in control event”

 

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within the meaning of Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 409A of the Code.

 

6.                                       Settlement of RSUs .  Except as provided in Section 5 hereof, as soon as practicable following the applicable vesting date of any Earned RSUs held by the Recipient, but in no event later than 60 days after such vesting date, the Company shall cause one Share to be issued to the Recipient for each such Earned RSU, less applicable withholding taxes pursuant to Section 9 hereof.  T he Company shall cause such Shares (less any shares withheld to pay taxes) to be delivered, either by book-entry registration or in the form of a stock certificate or certificates, registered in the Recipient’s name or in the names of the Recipient’s legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any settlement of the RSUs hereunder constitutes “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and the Recipient is a “specified employee” (as determined under the Company’s policy for identifying specified employees) on the date of his or her “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), the date for settlement shall be the earlier of (i) death or (ii) the later of (x) the date that settlement would otherwise be made hereunder or (y) the first business day following the end of the sixth-month period following the date of the Recipient’s separation from service.

 

7.                                       Rights as a Shareholder; Dividend Equivalents .

 

(a)                                  The Recipient shall not have any rights of a shareholder with respect to the Shares underlying the RSUs unless and until the RSUs vest and are settled by the issuance of such Shares.

 

(b)                                  The Recipient shall not be entitled to receive any dividends with respect to the Shares underlying the RSUs unless and until such RSUs become Earned RSUs.  Within 60 days following the Committee’s determination of whether, and to what extent, the Performance Criteria has been achieved, the Company shall pay to the Recipient, in respect of each Earned RSU held by the Recipient, if any, an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid in respect of the Shares underlying such Earned RSUs had such Shares been issued to the Recipient on the first day of the Performance Period.  Thereafter, the Company shall pay to the Recipient, in respect of each Earned RSU held by the Recipient, if any, whether or not vested, an amount in cash equal to the per Share amount of any ordinary cash dividend paid to holders of Shares by the Company.  The Company shall pay any such amount(s) to the Recipient within 60 days following the date that the ordinary cash dividend is paid to holders of Shares.  The Recipient shall be entitled to receive such dividend equivalent payments for so long as his or her Earned RSUs remain outstanding.  Upon and following the vesting of the Recipient’s Earned RSUs and the settlement of such RSUs in Shares, the Recipient shall be the record owner of the Shares underlying the Earned RSUs unless and until such Shares are sold or otherwise disposed of, and as the record owner shall be entitled to all rights of a shareholder of the Company (including voting and dividend rights).

 

8.                                       Transferability .  The RSUs or the rights relating thereto may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Recipient, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and upon any such transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution, the transferee shall hold such RSUs subject to all of the terms and conditions that were applicable to the Recipient immediately prior to such transfer.

 

9.                                       Tax Withholding .  The Company shall have the right to withhold or cause to be withheld from any compensation paid to the Recipient pursuant to the Plan, the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect of the RSUs and to take all such other action as the Company deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes.  The Recipient

 

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agrees that if the amount payable to the Recipient by the Company in the ordinary course is insufficient to pay such withholding taxes, then the Recipient shall, upon the request of the Company, pay to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy its tax withholding obligations.

 

10.                                Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                  Amendments .  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be changed or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient and the Company; provided, however, that any change or modification that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of the Recipient, as they may exist immediately prior to the effective date of such change or modification, may be adopted by the Committee without an agreement in writing executed by the Recipient, and the Committee shall give the Recipient written notice of such change or modification reasonably promptly following the adoption of such change or modification.

 

(b)                                  Binding Effect of the Agreement .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company, the Recipient and their respective estates, heirs, executors, transferees, successors, assigns and legal representatives.

 

(c)                                   Section 409A .  This Agreement is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any regulations or other effective guidance promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service, and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with such intent.  To the extent that the Company determines that the Recipient would be subject to the additional taxes or penalties imposed on certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans pursuant to Section 409A of the Code as a result of any provision of this Agreement, such provision shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to avoid application of such additional taxes or penalties. The nature of any such amendment shall be determined by the Committee.

 

(d)                                  Provisions Separable .  In the event that any of the terms of this Agreement shall be or become or is declared to be illegal or unenforceable by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction, such terms shall be null and void and shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement, and all the remaining terms of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(e)                                   Notices .  Any notice in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been properly delivered if it is in writing and is delivered by hand or by facsimile or sent by registered certified mail, postage prepaid, to the party addressed as follows, unless another address has been substituted by notice so given:

 

To the Recipient:

To the Recipient’s address as set forth on the signature page hereof.

 

 

To the Company:

Equity Commonwealth

 

Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600

 

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Attn: Secretary

 

(f)                                    Construction .  The headings and subheadings of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only, and shall not affect the construction of the provisions hereof.  All references to sections of this Agreement shall be deemed to refer as well to all subsections which form a part of such section.

 

(g)                                   No Right to Continued Service .  This Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement by the Company or any Affiliate (as such term is defined in Exhibit B hereto) of the Company to retain in any position the Recipient, nor is the Company or any Affiliate of the Company

 

4



 

obligated to continue retaining in any position the Recipient by reason of this Agreement or the grant of RSUs to the Recipient hereunder.

 

(h)                                  Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(i)                                      Applicable Law .  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

5



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, or caused this Agreement to be executed under seal, as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Orrin S. Shifrin

 

Title: Executive Vice President, General

 

Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

RECIPIENT:

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

Printed Name: Samuel Zell

 

Address:

 

6



 

Exhibit A

 

Performance Criteria

 

Performance Criteria : The RSUs shall be earned based on the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) for the Performance Period relative to the TSR for the NAREIT Office Index for the Performance Period, as set forth in the table below.  Depending on the Company’s TSR relative to the TSR of the NAREIT Office Index for the Performance Period, the Recipient may earn between 0% and 100% of the RSUs.

 

Performance Criteria: Company
Performance vs. NAREIT Office Index
Performance

 

% of RSUs Earned

 

90 th  Percentile and Above

 

100.00

%

80 th  Percentile

 

87.5

%

70 th  Percentile

 

75.0

%

60 th  Percentile

 

62.5

%

50 th  Percentile

 

50

%

40 th  Percentile

 

37.5

%

30 th  Percentile

 

25.0

%

25 th  Percentile

 

12.5

%

Below 25 th  Percentile

 

0

%

 

Absolute Modifier: If the Company’s total TSR for the Performance Period is negative, any RSUs deemed earned based on the table above shall be reduced by 25%.

 

Interpolation : To the extent performance falls between two levels in the table above, linear interpolation shall apply in determining the percentage of the RSUs that are earned.

 

TSR Calculation : TSR performance shall be calculated as the compounded annual growth rate, expressed as a percentage (rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent (0.1%)), in the value per Share during the Performance Period due to the appreciation in the price per Share and dividends paid during the Performance Period, assuming dividends are reinvested.  “D” is the amount of dividends paid to a shareholder of record of the Company with respect to one Share during the Performance Period.  The absolute TSR percentage is calculated pursuant to the formula set forth below.

 

Cumulative TSR = ((1*(1+TSR Year 1)*(1+TSR Year 2)*(1+TSR Year 3))-1)

 

=(1*(1+Cumulative TSR))^(1/3)-1

 

TSR for a given year shall be calculated as follows:

 

((Ending Share Price+D)/Beginning Share Price)-1

 



 

The performance for the companies comprising the NAREIT Office Index shall be calculated in the same manner as described above and the difference between the absolute TSR of the Company and the average absolute TSR for the companies within the NAREIT Office Index, expressed in terms of relative percentile ranking, shall be applied to the matrix set forth above.  Only companies that are public throughout the entire Performance Period shall be included for purposes of calculating the relative TSR comparison (i.e., companies that may become acquired, have an initial public offering, etc. during the Performance Period shall be excluded from the calculation altogether). For purposes of the calculation above, the Ending Share Price shall be based on a 40 day trailing average closing stock price as of December 31st for the final calendar year in the Performance Period.

 



 

Exhibit B

 

“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the events set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

 

(a)                                  any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of either the then outstanding common shares of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in paragraph (c)(i) below;

 

(b)                                  the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Trustees then serving: individuals who, on the date of the Agreement, constitute the Board and any new Trustee whose appointment, election or nomination to the Board was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Trustees then in office who either were Trustees on the date of the Agreement or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended;

 

(c)                                   there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other entity, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

 

(d)                                  the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

 

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities and (iv) a corporation owned, directly or

 



 

indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.