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 31, 2023

 

Net Lease Office Properties

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Maryland 001-41812 92-0887849
(State of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     

One Manhattan West, 395 9th Avenue,

58th Floor

  10001
New York, New York    
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 492-1100

 

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):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $0.001 per share   NLOP   New York Stock Exchange

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

Introductory Note

 

On November 1, 2023, W. P. Carey Inc. (“WPC”) completed the previously announced spin-off (the “Spin-Off”) of Net Lease Office Properties (the “Company”), pursuant to which WPC contributed certain office properties (“Office Properties”) to the Company (the contribution transactions, the “Separation”). The Spin-Off was effected pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated October 31, 2023 (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”), between the Company and WPC, as further described in the Information Statement (defined below) and elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”).

 

On November 1, 2023, following the Separation, in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, WPC effected a special dividend to its stockholders of all of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Company, $0.001 par value per share (the “Company Common Shares”), which were held by WPC (the “Distribution”). In the Distribution, WPC distributed one Company Common Share for every 15 shares of common stock of WPC, $0.001 par value per share, held of record as of close of business on October 19, 2023, the record date for the Distribution. The Distribution did not include fractional shares. Instead, all fractional shares that registered WPC stockholders would otherwise have been entitled to receive will be aggregated into whole Company Common Shares and the distribution agent will cause them to be sold in the open market. The aggregate net cash proceeds of these sales will be distributed on a pro rata basis (based on the fractional share such WPC stockholder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to those registered WPC stockholders who would otherwise have been entitled to receive fractional shares.

 

The Distribution is more fully described in the preliminary information statement included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-41812) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 4, 2023, the final version of which was included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on October 11, 2023 (the “Information Statement”). To the extent of there is any conflict between the information provided in the Information Statement and this Current Report, the information contained is Current Report shall supersede the information in the Information Statement.

 

The Distribution became effective at 5:01 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 1, 2023 (the “Distribution Effective Time”). Following the Distribution, the Company became an independent, publicly traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”), with a portfolio of 59 office properties and related assets previously owned by WPC, totaling approximately 9.2 million total leasable square feet. The Company Common Shares are expected to commence regular-way trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “NLOP” on November 2, 2023.

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Separation and Distribution Agreement

 

On October 31, 2023, in connection with the Spin-Off, the Company entered into the Separation and Distribution Agreement with WPC, which set forth the various individual transactions to be consummated that comprised the Separation and the Distribution, including the assets transferred to and liabilities assumed by the Company and its subsidiaries following the Distribution, including the transfer of the Office Properties by WPC to the Company and the transfer by the Company to WPC of approximately $382.4 million from borrowings from the NLOP Financing Arrangements (as defined below).

 

The Separation and Distribution Agreement includes various post-closing covenants, including agreements relating to the parties’ insurance policies, information sharing and other operational matters. The Separation and Distribution Agreement also includes a mutual release by the Company, on the one hand, and WPC, on the other hand, of the other party from certain specified liabilities, as well as mutual indemnification covenants pursuant to which the Company and WPC have agreed to indemnify each other from certain specified liabilities, including any claims relating to indebtedness associated with transfers of the Office Properties and any guaranties related thereto.

 

A summary of the material terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement is set forth under the caption “The Separation and the Distribution—The Separation and Distribution Agreement” in the Information Statement and is incorporated by reference herein. The respective descriptions of the Separation and Distribution Agreement contained in this Current Report and the Information Statement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Tax Matters Agreement

 

On October 31, 2023, the Company and WPC entered into the Tax Matters Agreement that governs the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of the Company and WPC after the Distribution with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings, tax covenants, tax indemnification, cooperation and information sharing. The Tax Matters Agreement provides that (a) the Company and applicable subsidiaries will generally assume liability for all taxes reported, or required to be reported, on a Company tax return following the Distribution, (b) WPC will assume liability for all taxes reported, or required to be reported, on (i) a WPC tax return or (ii) any joint tax return involving both the Company and WPC following the Distribution, and (c) the Company will generally assume sole responsibility for any transfer taxes. The Company’s obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement are not limited in amount or subject to any cap. If the Company is required to pay any liabilities under the circumstances set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement or pursuant to applicable tax law, the amounts may be significant.

 

 

 

 

A summary of the material terms of the Tax Matters Agreement is set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “The Separation and the Distribution—Related Agreements—Tax Matters Agreement” and is incorporated by reference herein. The respective descriptions of the Tax Matters Agreement contained in this Current Report and the Information Statement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Tax Matters Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.2 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Advisory Agreements

 

On November 1, 2023, (i) the Company and W. P. Carey Management LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WPC (the “U.S. Advisor”), entered into an advisory agreement (the “U.S. Advisory Agreement”); and (ii) the Company and W. P. Carey & Co. B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of WPC (the “European Advisor” and, together with the U.S. Advisor, the “Advisors”), entered into an advisory agreement (the “European Advisory Agreement” and, together with the U.S. Advisory Agreement, the “Advisory Agreements”), pursuant to which the Advisors will provide the Company with strategic management services, including asset management, property disposition support and various related services.

 

The Company will pay to the Advisors compensation for services it provides to it, including reimbursement for the costs related thereto. Specifically, the Company will pay the Advisors a management fee of $625,000 per calendar month, paid to the U.S. Advisor and allocated to the European Advisor by WPC, which will be subject to adjustment each month described in the following sentence. Beginning with the first calendar month following the first disposition of a portfolio property, the management fee for the following calendar month shall be reduced proportionally by the contractual minimum annualized base rent (“ABR”) associated with such portfolio property. In no event shall the management fees paid to the Advisors for a given calendar month exceed the fees paid to the Advisors during the preceding calendar month, and in no event shall the aggregate management fees paid to the Advisors for a given fiscal year exceed $7.5 million. Neither Advisor has yet received any compensation for the services contemplated by the Advisory Agreement. The fees shall be payable monthly in arrears, and shall be in addition to the Advisors’ right to reimbursement of expenses, as described below.

 

In addition, the Company will be required to reimburse each Advisor and its affiliates for other specified costs they may incur in connection with certain other services provided to the Company pursuant to the applicable Advisory Agreement, where those costs are not directly paid by the Company. Specifically, the Company will reimburse the Advisors a base administrative reimbursement amount of $333,333.33 per calendar month, paid to the U.S. Advisor and allocated to the European Advisor by WPC, for certain administrative services, including day-to-day management services, investor relations, accounting, tax, legal, and other administrative matters. In addition to the administrative reimbursement amount, the Company will reimburse the Advisors for specified out-of-pocket expenses they incur in connection with their services.

 

The Advisory Agreements have an initial term of three years, and automatically renew for successive one-year terms thereafter without further action by the Company or the applicable Advisor. Each Advisory Agreement may also be terminated (i) by the applicable Advisor no later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, as applicable, or (ii) by the Company upon 90 days’ prior written notice, or immediately for Cause (as defined in the Advisory Agreements). Each applicable Advisor may also terminate the Advisory Agreement (x) immediately for Good Reason (as defined in the Advisory Agreements) or (y) concurrently with or within 90 days following a termination of the other Advisory Agreement.

 

A summary of the material terms of the Advisory Agreements is set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Management—Advisory Agreements” and is incorporated by reference herein. The respective descriptions of the Advisory Agreements contained in this Current Report and the Information Statement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the U.S. Advisory Agreement and the European Advisory Agreement, which are attached as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

 

NLOP Financing Arrangements

 

As previously disclosed, on September 20, 2023, in connection with the Spin-Off, the Company and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries entered into (i) a $335.0 million senior secured mortgage loan (as amended, the “NLOP Mortgage Loan”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank. N.A., together with its successors and/or permitted assigns (collectively, the “Lenders”), and (ii) a $120.0 million mezzanine loan facility with the Lenders (as amended, the “NLOP Mezzanine Loan” and, together with the NLOP Mortgage Loan, the “NLOP Financing Arrangements”).

 

On November 1, 2023, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $455.0 million under the NLOP Financing Arrangements, and each of the NLOP Mortgage Loan and the NLOP Mezzanine Loan was fully drawn. Approximately $382.4 million of the net proceeds was transferred to WPC in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement. The remainder of the proceeds from the NLOP Financing Arrangements is anticipated to be used pay fees and expenses related to the origination of the NLOP Financing Arrangements and other transaction costs, be deposited with the Lenders in satisfaction of the reserve requirements pursuant to the NLOP Financing Arrangements and for other general corporate expenses. As of the completion of the Separation and the Distribution, the Company had an estimated $588.9 million in consolidated outstanding indebtedness and an estimated $53.8 million in cash.

 

 

 

 

On November 1, 2023, concurrent with the disbursement of the NLOP Mortgage Loan and the NLOP Mezzanine Loan, (i) the NLOP Mortgage Loan was amended (the “NLOP Mortgage Loan Modification Agreement”) for, among other things, certain tax matters and matters related to internal transfers and reserves, as more particularly set forth on Exhibit 10.5 attached hereto; and (ii) the NLOP Mezzanine Loan was amended (the “NLOP Mezzanine Loan Modification Agreement”) for, among other things, certain tax matters and matters related to internal transfers and reserves, as more particularly set forth on Exhibit 10.6 attached hereto.

 

A summary of the material terms of the NLOP Financing Arrangements is set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Description of Material Indebtedness” and is incorporated by reference herein. The respective descriptions of the NLOP Financing Arrangements contained in this Current Report and the Information Statement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements governing the NLOP Mortgage Loan and NLOP Mezzanine Loan, attached as Exhibits 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein, in each case as amended by the NLOP Mortgage Loan Modification Agreement and NLOP Mezzanine Loan Modification Agreement, attached as Exhibits 10.5 and 10.6, respectively, to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

The information provided in the Introductory Note of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

As more fully described in the Information Statement and Item 1.01 of this Current Report, the following transactions, among others, occurred prior to the Separation:

 

WPC and its subsidiaries contributed the Office Properties, including entities that own direct or indirect ownership interests in the properties that constitute the Office Properties and certain other assets, to the Company;

 

On November 1, 2023, the Company issued 14,619,919 additional Company Common Shares to WPC, such that WPC owned an aggregate of 14,620,919 Company Common Shares;

 

On November 1, 2023, an aggregate of $455.0 million was funded under the NLOP Financing Arrangements, approximately $382.4 million of which was transferred to WPC pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement; and

 

WPC distributed Company Common Shares to the holders of WPC common stock as of the record date of the Distribution at a ratio of one Company Common Share for every 15 shares of common stock, resulting in a distribution of an aggregate of 14,620,919 Company Common Shares (including 43,050 Company Common Shares issued to participants in the W. P. Carey Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees in accordance with the terms thereof).

 

As a result of these transactions, the Company became an independent, publicly traded REIT. A summary of the assets that were transferred and the liabilities that were assumed is set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “The Separation and the Distribution—The Separation and Distribution Agreement—Acquisition of Assets; Assumption of Liabilities” and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

The information provided in Item 1.01 of this Current Report related to the NLOP Financing Arrangements and Item 2.01 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The information provided in the Introductory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The issuance of the Company Common Shares described in Item 2.01 of this Current Report were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as transactions not involving a public offering.

 

Item 5.01 Change in Control of Registrant.

 

The information provided in the Introductory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

At the Distribution Effective Time, WPC completed the Distribution of the Company Common Shares to the stockholders of WPC. The Company is now an independent publicly traded REIT and the Company Common Shares are expected to trade on the NYSE under the symbol “NLOP.”

 

 

 

 

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

 

Appointment of Trustees

 

On November 1, 2023, immediately following the Distribution Effective Time, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Company (i) increased the size of the Board from one member to five members and each of Jason E. Fox, Axel K. A. Hansing, Jean Hoysradt and Richard J. Pinola were appointed to serve as trustees of the Board; and (ii) approved the classification of the Board into three classes: Class I, with a term expiring at the annual meeting of the shareholders to be held in 2025; Class II, with a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2026; and Class III, with a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2027. Mr. Hansing and Ms. Hoysradt were appointed as Class I trustees, Mr. Pinola was appointed as a Class II trustee and Mr. Fox was appointed a Class III trustee. John Park, a current trustee of the Board, was also designated as a Class II trustee.

 

In connection with the foregoing, the Board also formed (i) an Audit Committee, comprised of Mr. Pinola (as Chair), Mr. Hansing and Ms. Hoysradt, (ii) a Compensation Committee, comprised of Mr. Hansing (as Chair), Ms. Hoysradt and Mr. Pinola, and (iii) a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, comprised of Ms. Hoysradt (as Chair), Mr. Hansing and Mr. Pinola. Mr. Pinola has been appointed as the Non-Executive Lead Independent Trustee.

 

Except for the Separation and Distribution Agreement, there are no arrangements or understandings between any of the trustees of the Board, on one hand, and any other person on the other hand, pursuant to which he or she was selected to serve on the Board. There are no transactions in which any of the trustees of the Board has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

For more information regarding the trustees and the governance matters related to the Company, see the information contained under the captions “Management—The Board Following the Distribution,” “Management—Board Composition,” “Management—Committees of the Board” and “Management—Corporate Governance” in the Information Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Equity Awards to Independent Trustees

 

In connection with their appointment as independent trustees of the Board, each of Mr. Hansing, Ms. Hoysradt and Mr. Pinola were granted $100,000 of restricted stock units which will vest in full one year following the grant date, subject to the applicable independent trustee’s continued service on the vesting date. If an independent trustee’s service is terminated due to death or “disability” or a “change in control” (each as defined in the Incentive Award Plan (as defined below)) occurs prior to the applicable vesting date, the restricted stock units will vest in full. Delivery of the shares underlying vested restricted stock units will be deferred until the earlier to occur of (i) separation of service or (ii) a “change in control” of the Company.

 

The above description of the equity awards does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the restricted stock unit agreement, a form of which is attached as Exhibit 10.8 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

On November 1, 2023 the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of the Company’s executive officers and trustees providing for the indemnification of, and advancement of expenses to, each such person in connection with claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of such person’s service as an officer or trustee of the Company.

 

The above description of the indemnification agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the indemnification agreement, a form of which is attached as Exhibit 10.9 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Net Lease Office Properties and NLO OP LLC 2023 Incentive Award Plan

 

On October 31, 2023, the Board adopted and WPC, as the Company’s sole shareholder, approved the Net Lease Office Properties and NLO OP LLC 2023 Incentive Award Plan (the “Incentive Award Plan”), pursuant to which the Company may grant cash and equity-based awards to employees or consultants of the Company, NLO OP LLC or any subsidiary and non-employee trustees of the Company.

 

The Incentive Award Plan is administered by the Board with respect to awards to non-employee trustees and by the compensation committee of the Board with respect to other participants, each of which may delegate its duties and responsibilities to committees of the Company’s trustees and/or officers (the “plan administrator”), subject to certain limitations that may be imposed under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and/or stock exchange rules, as applicable.

 

The Incentive Award Plan provides that the maximum aggregate number of Company Common Shares that may be issued pursuant to awards under the Incentive Award Plan will be 750,000 Company Common Shares. The maximum number of Company Common Shares that may be issued in connection with awards of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) under the Incentive Award Plan is 1,500,000 Company Common Shares. Each LTIP Unit of NLO OP LLC subject to an award will count as one common share for purposes of calculating the aggregate number of Company Common Shares available for issuance under the Incentive Award Plan and for purposes of calculating the individual award limits under the Incentive Award Plan. If any Company Common Shares subject to an award under the Incentive Award Plan are forfeited, expire or are settled for cash, any Company Common Shares subject to such award may, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, be used again for new grants under the Incentive Award Plan. However, the following Company Common Shares may not be used again for grant under the Incentive Award Plan: (1) Company Common Shares tendered or withheld to satisfy grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligations associated with an award; (2) Company Common Shares subject to a stock appreciation right (“SAR”) that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the SAR on its exercise; and (3) Company Common Shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of options.

 

 

 

 

To the extent permitted under applicable securities exchange rules without shareholder approval, awards granted under the Incentive Award Plan in connection with the assumption, replacement, conversion or adjustment of outstanding equity awards in the context of a corporate acquisition or merger will not reduce the Company Common Shares authorized for grant under the Incentive Award Plan.

 

The Incentive Award Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, dividend equivalents, stock payments, restricted stock units, other incentive awards, LTIP Units and SARs. All awards under the Incentive Award Plan will be set forth in award agreements, which will detail all terms and conditions of the awards, including any applicable vesting and payment terms, as more particularly set forth on Exhibit 10.8 attached hereto. In the case of a participant’s death, disability, retirement or involuntary termination, or in connection with the occurrence of a change in control, the plan administrator may at any time provide that an award will become immediately vested and fully or partially exercisable. Awards will be settled in Company Common Shares or cash, as determined by the plan administrator.

 

A summary of the material terms of the Incentive Award Plan is set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Management—Executive and Trustee Compensation—2023 Incentive Award Plan” and is incorporated by reference herein. The respective descriptions of the Incentive Award Plan contained in this Current Report and in the Information Statement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Incentive Award Plan, which is attached as Exhibit 10.7 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 5.03 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

 

Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust

 

On October 31, 2023, the Company filed Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust (the “Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust”) with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (“MSDAT”).

 

As further described in the Information Statement, the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, among other things, provides for the Company to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of beneficial interest, consisting of 45,000,000 Company Common Shares and 5,000,000 preferred shares, $0.001 par value per share. Each Company Common Share entitles the holder to one vote on matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of trustees. The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust grants the Board the authority to cause the Company to elect to qualify for U.S. federal income tax treatment as a REIT. The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust also set forth restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Company Common Shares in order for the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust became effective upon filing with MSDAT.

 

The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, which is attached as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws

 

On October 31, 2023, the Board adopted the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”).

 

As further described in the Information Statement, the Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for the election of trustees, in uncontested elections, by a majority of the votes cast for and against such nominee at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. In contested elections, the election of trustees shall be by a plurality of all votes cast. requires that trustees must be elected by a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election and by a plurality of the votes cast in a contested election. The Board may increase or decrease the number of trustees, but not below the minimum required by Maryland law or above the maximum permitted by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust. The Amended and Restated Bylaws also set forth the process by which shareholders may nominate individuals to stand for election to the Board or propose other business to be considered at a shareholders’ meeting. The Amended and Restated Bylaws contain an exemption from the Maryland control share acquisition statute as well as other provisions regarding the governance of the Company.

 

 

 

 

The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, which is attached as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

Updated Portfolio Information

 

U.S. Assets

 

As of September 30, 2023, the Company’s U.S. portfolio comprised 54 properties (approximately 7.9 million net-leased square feet), including three LEED-Certified Buildings, that were 96.8% occupied and leased to 57 corporate tenants, generating approximately 89.3% of ABR, located across 18 states.

 

                            Rent Increase  Next Rent    
#  Primary Tenant  Industry  Credit(1)  Address  City  State  SF(2)  ABR   Structure  Increase  WALT(3) 
1  KBR, Inc.(4)  Construction & Engineering  Non-IG  601 Jefferson Street  Houston  Texas   1,064,786(5)  $21,302,622   Fixed: One-time 7.78%  Jan-27   6.6 
2  FedEx Corporation  Air Freight & Logistics  IG  60 Fedex Pkwy  Collierville  Tennessee   390,380  $5,450,032   Fixed: 0.75% annually  Oct-23   16.2 
3  BCBSM, Inc.  Managed Health Care  IG  3535 Blue Cross Road  Eagan  Minnesota   442,542  $4,952,216   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Feb-24   3.3 
4  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.  Diversified Banks  IG  14800 Frye Road  Fort Worth  Texas   386,154  $4,661,452   CPI: 0.0% Floor / 2.0% Cap  Mar-24   6.4 
5  McKesson Corporation (US Oncology)  Health Care Distributors  IG  10101 Woodloch Forest Drive  The Woodlands  Texas   204,063  $4,405,618   Fixed: 4.88% every 3 yrs  Jan-24   0.3 
6  CVS Health Corporation  Health Care Services  IG  9501 Shea Boulevard  Scottsdale  Arizona   354,888  $4,300,000   None(6)  N/A   15.3 
7  Omnicom Group, Inc.  Advertising  IG  5353 Grosvenor Boulevard  Playa Vista  California   120,000  $3,960,930   None  N/A   5.0 
8  Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC  Pharmaceuticals  IG  3900 Paramount Parkway  Morrisville  North Carolina   219,812  $3,905,052   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Oct-23   10.2 
9  Orbital ATK, Inc.  Aerospace & Defense  IG  4700 Nathan Lane North  Plymouth  Minnesota   191,336  $3,746,497   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Dec-23   1.2 
10  R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company  Commercial Printing  Non-IG  4101 Winfield Road  Warrenville  Illinois   167,215  $3,326,573   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Sep-24   4.0 
11  Board of Regents, State of Iowa  Government Related Services  IG  3277-3281 Ridgeway Drive  Coralville  Iowa   191,700  $3,253,907   CPI: 0.0% Floor / No Cap  Nov-25   7.1 
12  Caremark RX, L.L.C.(4)  Health Care Services  IG  2700 West Frye Road  Chandler  Arizona   183,000(5)  $3,212,863   Fixed: $0.50/SF annually  Dec-23   0.7 
13  Bankers Financial Corporation(4)  Property & Casualty Insurance  Non-IG  11101 Roosevelt Blvd North  St. Petersburg  Florida   167,581(5)  $3,149,756   Fixed: 2.50% annually  Aug-24   4.8 
14  DMG MORI SEIKI U.S.A., INC.(7)  Industrial Machinery  IG  2400 Huntington Blvd  Hoffman Estates  Illinois   104,598  $3,027,360   Fixed: 3.00% annually(7)  Jan-25   15.3 
15  Exelon Generation Company, LLC  Electric Utilities  IG  4300 Winfield Road  Warrenville  Illinois   146,745  $2,935,080   Fixed: $0.50/SF annually  Jul-24   2.8 
16  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.  Diversified Banks  IG  4900 Memorial Highway  Tampa  Florida   176,150  $2,934,421   CPI: 0.0% Floor / 2.0% Cap  Mar-24   6.4 
17  Google, LLC  Internet Software & Services  IG  340 Main Street  Venice  California   67,681  $2,844,317   Fixed: 3.00% annually  Jan-24   2.1 
18  BCBSM, Inc.  Managed Health Care  IG  1750 Yankee Doodle Road  Eagan  Minnesota   227,666  $2,830,746   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Feb-24   3.3 
19  ICU MEDICAL, INC.(4)  Health Care Supplies  Non-IG  6000 Nathan Lane North  Plymouth  Minnesota   182,250  $2,770,283   Fixed: $0.35/SF annually  Feb-24   4.0 
20  Intuit Inc.  Internet Software & Services  IG  5601 Headquarters Drive  Plano  Texas   166,033  $2,576,689   Fixed: 'One-time $2.00/SF in '21  N/A   2.8 
21  BCBSM, Inc.  Managed Health Care  IG  1800 Yankee Doodle Road  Eagan  Minnesota   144,864  $2,521,682   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Feb-24   3.3 
22  BCBSM, Inc.  Managed Health Care  IG  3400 Yankee Doodle Road  Eagan  Minnesota   202,608  $2,519,176   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Feb-24   3.3 
23  AVT Technology Solutions LLC  Technology Distributors  IG  8700 South Price Road  Tempe  Arizona   132,070  $2,404,995   Fixed: 3.00% annually  N/A   0.3 
24  Veritas Bermuda, LTD  Systems Software  Non-IG  2815 Cleveland Avenue North  Roseville  Minnesota   136,125  $2,167,225   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Dec-23   9.2 
25  Cenlar FSB  Regional Banks  Non-IG  780 Township Line Road  Yardley  Pennsylvania   105,584  $1,999,761   Fixed: 2.70% annually  Jan-24   4.8 
26  Raytheon Company  Aerospace & Defense  IG  3350 East Hemisphere Loop  Tucson  Arizona   143,650  $1,978,061   CPI: 0.0% Floor / 2.0% Cap  Apr-24   8.5 
27  iHeartCommunications, Inc.  Broadcasting  Non-IG  20880 Stone Oak Parkway  San Antonio  Texas   120,147  $1,970,799   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Feb-24   11.3 
28  Cofinity, Inc./Aetna Life Insurance Co.(4)  Multi-line Insurance  IG  28588 Northwestern Hwy.  Southfield  Michigan   94,453(5)  $1,906,511   Fixed: One-time 6.90% in '23  N/A   1.3 
29  Arbella Service Company, Inc.  Property & Casualty Insurance  IG  1100 Crown Colony Drive  Quincy  Massachusetts   132,160  $1,850,240   Fixed: 'One-time $1.00/SF in '22  N/A   3.7 
30  ICF Consulting Group, Inc.  IT Consulting & Other Services  Non-IG  980 Beaver Creek Dr  Martinsville  Virginia   93,333  $1,724,503   CPI: 0.0% Floor / No Cap  Jan-24   3.3 
31  Acosta, Inc.  Advertising  Non-IG  6600 Corporate Center Parkway  Jacksonville  Florida   88,062  $1,497,054   Fixed: $0.50/SF annually  Jul-24   3.8 
32  Safelite Group, Inc.  Specialized Consumer Services  Non-IG  4300 Safelite Blvd NE  Rio Rancho  New Mexico   94,649  $1,473,000   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Jan-24   5.7 
33  Master Lock Company, LLC  Building Products  Non-IG  6744 S. Howell Avenue  Oak Creek  Wisconsin   120,883  $1,408,986   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Jun-24   8.7 
34  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.(4)  Diversified Banks  IG  4915 Independence Parkway  Tampa  Florida   135,733(5)  $1,361,487   CPI: 0.0% Floor / 2.0% Cap  Mar-24   1.5 
35  Midcontinent Independent Stm Op Inc  Electric Utilities  IG  2985 Ames Crossing Road  Eagan  Minnesota   60,463  $1,117,961   Fixed: $0.25/SF annually  Mar-24   2.4 
36  Emerson Electric Co.  Industrial Machinery  IG  10707 Clay Road  Houston  Texas   52,144  $1,055,916   Fixed: $0.50/SF annually  Nov-23   2.1 
37  Radiate Holdings, L.P.  Cable & Satellite  Non-IG  401 Carlson Circle  San Marcos  Texas   47,000  $1,043,197   CPI: 0.0% Floor / 3.0% Cap  Aug-24   4.9 
38  North American Lighting, Inc.  Auto Parts & Equipment  Non-IG  36600 Corporate Drive  Farmington Hills  Michigan   75,286  $1,031,948   Fixed: 2.50% annually  Apr-24   2.5 
39  Arcfield Acquisition Corporation  Aerospace & Defense  Non-IG  720 Vandenberg Blvd  King of Prussia  Pennsylvania   88,578  $1,000,046   Fixed: One-time 17.50% in '23  N/A   2.8 
40  International Business Machines Corporation  IT Consulting & Other Services  IG  900 Walnut Ridge Drive  Hartland  Wisconsin   81,082  $908,510   CPI: 0.0% Floor / No Cap  Dec-23   2.2 
41  Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc.(4)  Diversified Support Services  Non-IG  308 West Route 38  Moorestown  New Jersey   65,567  $899,370   Fixed: 2.50% annually  Jan-24   1.4 
42  Charter Communications Operating, LLC  Cable & Satellite  Non-IG  13022 Hollenberg Drive  Bridgeton  Missouri   78,080  $780,800   Fixed: $0.50/SF annually  Apr-24   1.5 
43  Carhartt, Inc.  Apparel, Accessories & Luxury  Non-IG  5750 Mercury Dr.  Dearborn  Michigan   58,722  $748,268   Fixed: 2.65% annually  Nov-23   11.2 
44  Xileh Holding Inc.  Multi-Sector Holdings  IG  2750 High Meadow Circle  Auburn Hills  Michigan   55,490  $693,625   Fixed: 2.50% annually  Jan-24   14.3 
45  Undisclosed – multi-national provider of industrial gases  Industrial Gases  IG  12800 West Little York Road  Houston  Texas   49,821  $604,951   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Jan-24   2.3 
46  APCO Holdings, Inc.  Property & Casualty Insurance  Non-IG  6010 Atlantic Boulevard  Norcross  Georgia   50,600  $600,328   Fixed: 2.50% annually  Mar-24   7.4 
47  AVL Michigan Holding Corporation  Auto Parts & Equipment  Non-IG  47603 Halyard Drive  Plymouth  Michigan   70,000  $575,235   Fixed: $0.25/SF annually  Jan-24   0.3 
48  Radiate Holdings, L.P.  Cable & Satellite  Non-IG  7200 Imperial Drive  Waco  Texas   30,699  $459,007   CPI: 0.0% Floor / 3.0% Cap  Aug-24   4.9 
49  S&ME, Inc.  Environmental & Facilities Services  Non-IG  3201 Spring Forest Road  Raleigh  North Carolina   27,770  $417,401   Fixed: 3.00% annually  Oct-23   1.0 
50  Radiate Holdings, L.P.  Cable & Satellite  Non-IG  6441 Saratoga Boulevard  Corpus Christi  Texas   20,717  $344,203   CPI: 0.0% Floor / 3.0% Cap  Aug-24   4.9 
51  BCBSM, Inc.  Managed Health Care  IG  3311 Terminal Drive  Eagan  Minnesota   29,916  $297,574   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Feb-24   3.3 
52  Radiate Holdings, L.P.  Cable & Satellite  Non-IG  2401 East Interstate 20  Odessa  Texas   21,193  $229,607   CPI: 0.0% Floor / 3.0% Cap  Aug-24   4.9 
53  Radiate Holdings, L.P.  Cable & Satellite  Non-IG  341 Carlson Circle  San Marcos  Texas   14,400  $205,492   CPI: 0.0% Floor / 3.0% Cap  Aug-24   4.9 
54  BCBSM, Inc.  Managed Health Care  IG  3545 Blue Cross Road  Eagan  Minnesota   12,286  $183,313   Fixed: 2.00% annually  Feb-24   3.3 
U.S. Total                  7,888,715  $129,526,644          5.8 

 

 

(1)“IG” refers to investment grade rated tenants.

(2)Excludes 570,999 of operating square footage for a parking garage associated with the KBR, Inc. property in Houston, Texas.

(3)“WALT” refers to the weighted-average lease term. Assumes parties do not exercise any renewal or purchase options pursuant to their applicable leases.

(4)Denotes multi-tenant property. Primary tenant generating largest percentage of ABR shown. Industry, credit, rent increase structure and next rent increase for primary tenant.

(5)Denotes leased property that is not 100% occupied.

(6)Converts to a fixed rent increase structure with 2.00% bumps every year upon completion of an in-process renovation, which is anticipated to occur in the first half of 2024.

(7)In the 2023 third quarter, the tenant's lease was extended to December 2038. In conjunction with the extension, the annual rent will be reduced to $2.5 million, effective January 1, 2024. The first fixed rent increase will occur in 2025.

 

 

 

 

European Assets

 

As of September 30, 2023, the Company’s European portfolio comprised five properties (approximately 0.8 million net-leased square feet), including one LEED-Certified Building and one BREEAM-Certified Building, that were 100.0% occupied and leased to five corporate tenants, generating approximately 10.7% of total portfolio ABR, located across three countries.

 

#  Primary Tenant  Industry  Credit(1)  Address  City  Country  SF   ABR   Rent Increase
Type
  Date of
Next
Increase
  WALT(2) 
1  Total E&P Norge AS  Oil & Gas Exploration & Production  IG  Finnestadveien 44  Stavanger  Norway   275,725   $4,965,018   Fixed: 2.50% annually  Jan-24   7.7 
2  Siemens AS  Industrial Conglomerates  IG  Øster Aker vei 88  Oslo  Norway   165,904   $4,311,804   CPI: 0.0% Floor / No Cap  Jan-24   2.2 
3  E.On UK PLC  Internet Retail  IG  Rainton House Cygnet Way  Houghton le Spring  United Kingdom   217,339   $3,491,473   CPI: 2.0% Floor / 4.0% Cap  N/A   1.8 
4  Undisclosed – UK insurance company  Property & Casualty Insurance  IG  Station Quarter(Queensway/Cam  Newport  United Kingdom   80,664   $1,696,813   CPI: 2.0% Floor / 4.0% Cap  Jun-24   10.7 
5  Nokia Corporation  Communications Equipment  IG  Ul. Bobrzynskiego 46  Krakow  Poland   53,400   $1,050,888   CPI: 0.0% Floor / No Cap  N/A   0.9 
European Total                  793,032   $15,515,996          4.7 

 

 

(1)“IG” refers to investment grade rated tenants.

(2)“WALT” refers to the weighted-average lease term. Assumes parties do not exercise any renewal or purchase options pursuant to their applicable leases.

 

The information furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01 shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

 

On October 25, 2023, the Company, through one of its subsidiaries, entered into (i) an amended and restated lease agreement (the “Lease Extension”) with respect to the properties leased by BCBSM, Inc. (dba Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota) (“BCBSM”) located at 1800 Yankee Doodle Road and 3400 Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan, Minnesota (the “Extension Premises”) and (ii) lease termination agreements (collectively, the “Lease Terminations”) with respect to the properties leased by BCBSM located at 3535 Blue Cross Road, 1750 Yankee Doodle Road, 3311 Terminal Drive and 3545 Blue Cross Road (the “Termination Premises”).

 

The Lease Extension, among other things, extends the lease expiration date for the Extension Premises by ten years until January 31, 2037, subject to the tenant’s right to further extend the lease term for two additional five-year periods following the new lease expiration date.

 

The Lease Terminations, among other things, shorten the lease term of each of the Termination Premises from January 31, 2027 to the earlier of (i) June 30, 2024 and (ii) the sale of the respective property. In connection with the Lease Terminations, the tenant has agreed to pay the Company termination fees of approximately $12.0 million to $13.5 million in the aggregate for all of the Termination Premises payable and determined based on the date of each property's termination date.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
2.1*   Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated October 31, 2023, between W. P. Carey Inc. and Net Lease Office Properties.
2.2*   Tax Matters Agreement, dated October 31, 2023, between W. P. Carey Inc. and Net Lease Office Properties.
3.1   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Net Lease Office Properties.
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Net Lease Office Properties.
10.1*   Advisory Agreement, dated November 1, 2023, between W. P. Carey Management LLC and Net Lease Office Properties.
10.2*   Advisory Agreement, dated November 1, 2023, between W. P. Carey & Co. B.V. and Net Lease Office Properties.
10.3*   Loan Agreement, dated September 20, 2023, by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the borrowers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B, as filed on October 4, 2023).
10.4*   Mezzanine Loan Agreement, dated September 20, 2023, between NLO Mezzanine Borrower LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B, as filed on October 4, 2023).
10.5*   Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated September 20, 2023, by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the borrowers named therein.
10.6*   Amendment to the Mezzanine Loan Agreement, dated September 20, 2023, between NLO Mezzanine Borrower LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10.7   Net Lease Office Properties and NLO OP LLC 2023 Incentive Award Plan.
10.8   Form of Net Lease Office Properties and NLO OP LLC 2023 Incentive Award Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B, as filed on October 4, 2023).
10.9   Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into between Net Lease Office Properties and each of its trustees and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B, as filed on October 4, 2023).

 

*Certain exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted exhibits and schedules upon request by the SEC.

 

 

 

 

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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

      Net Lease Office Properties
       
Date: November 2, 2023 By: /s/ Jason E. Fox
     

Jason E. Fox

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

 

 

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

by and between

 

W. P. Carey Inc.

 

and

 

NET LEASE OFFICE PROPERTIES

 

dated as of

 

October 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
     
Article I DEFINITIONS 1
   
Section 1.1 Definitions 1
Section 1.2 Interpretation 10
     
Article II THE SEPARATION 10
   
Section 2.1 Separation Transactions 10
Section 2.2 Transfers of Assets and Assumptions of Liabilities 10
Section 2.3 Release of Guarantees 12
Section 2.4 Termination of Intercompany Agreements. 13
Section 2.5 Settlement of Intercompany Account 14
Section 2.6 Bank Accounts 14
Section 2.7 Rent Allocations 14
     
Article III CERTAIn actions prior to the distributioN 14
   
Section 3.1 SEC and Other Securities Filings 14
Section 3.2 NYSE Listing Application 15
Section 3.3 Distribution Agent Agreement 15
Section 3.4 NLOP Advisory Agreements 15
Section 3.5 Governmental Approvals and Consents 15
Section 3.6 Ancillary Agreements 15
Section 3.7 Governance Matters 15
     
Article IV THE DISTRIBUTION 15
   
Section 4.1 Dividend to WPC 15
Section 4.2 Delivery to Distribution Agent 16
Section 4.3 Mechanics of the Distribution 16
     
Article V CONDITIONS 17
   
Section 5.1 Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Distribution 17
Section 5.2 Right Not to Close 18
     
Article VI NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES 18
   
Section 6.1 Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties 18
Section 6.2 As Is, Where Is 18
     
Article VII CERTAIN COVENANTS AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS 19
   
Section 7.1 Insurance Matters 19
Section 7.2 No Restrictions on Post-Closing Competitive Activities; Corporate Opportunities 20
Section 7.3 Cooperation 21

 

i

 

 

Article VIII ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; PRIVILEGE 22
   
Section 8.1 Agreement for Exchange of Information 22
Section 8.2 Ownership of Information 22
Section 8.3 Compensation for Providing Information 23
Section 8.4 Retention of Records 23
Section 8.5 Limitation of Liability 23
Section 8.6 Production of Witnesses 23
Section 8.7 Confidentiality 23
Section 8.8 Privileged Matters 24
Section 8.9 Financial Information Certifications 26
     
Article IX MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION 26
   
Section 9.1 Release of Pre-Distribution Claims 26
Section 9.2 Indemnification by NLOP 27
Section 9.3 Indemnification by WPC 28
Section 9.4 Procedures for Indemnification 28
Section 9.5 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds 30
Section 9.6 Contribution 31
Section 9.7 Remedies Cumulative 31
Section 9.8 Survival of Indemnities 31
Section 9.9 Limitation of Liability 31
     
Article X DISPUTE RESOLUTION 31
   
Section 10.1 Appointed Representative 31
Section 10.2 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution 31
Section 10.3 Arbitration 32
     
Article XI TERMINATION 33
   
Section 11.1 Termination 33
Section 11.2 Effect of Termination 34
     
Article XII MISCELLANEOUS 34
   
Section 12.1 Further Assurances 34
Section 12.2 Payment of Expenses 34
Section 12.3 Amendments and Waivers 34
Section 12.4 Entire Agreement 34
Section 12.5 Survival of Agreements 35
Section 12.6 Third Party Beneficiaries 35
Section 12.7 Notices 35
Section 12.8 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery 35
Section 12.9 Severability 35
Section 12.10 Assignability; Binding Effect 36
Section 12.11 Governing Law 36
Section 12.12 Construction 36
Section 12.13 Performance 36
Section 12.14 Title and Headings 36

 

ii

 

 

Section 12.15 Exhibits and Schedules 36
Section 12.16 Exclusivity of Tax Matters 36

 

Exhibit A: NLOP Subsidiaries
   
Exhibit B: Tax Matters Agreement
   
Exhibit C: US Advisory Agreement
   
Exhibit D: European Advisory Agreement

 

iii

 

 

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of October 31, 2023, by and between W. P. Carey Inc., a Maryland corporation (“WPC”), and Net Lease Office Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust and wholly owned subsidiary of WPC (“NLOP”). WPC and NLOP are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 1.1.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, WPC, through its Subsidiaries, has previously acquired the NLOP Assets;

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of WPC has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of WPC to cause the NLOP Assets to be owned by NLOP and its Subsidiaries and to establish NLOP as an independent publicly traded company; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Parties intend to effect the separation of WPC and NLOP by distributing to the holders of WPC’s outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“WPC Common Stock”), on a pro rata basis, all of the common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share, of NLOP (“NLOP Common Shares”), owned by WPC as of the Distribution Date (which shall represent 100% of the issued and outstanding NLOP Common Shares).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and agreements set forth below and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1            Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:

 

AAA” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(a).

 

Action” means any demand, claim, action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, litigation, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal or authority.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person; provided, however, that, following the Distribution, (a) no member of the NLOP Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the WPC Group and (b) no member of the WPC Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the NLOP Group. For this purpose, “control” of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and includes all Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto or delivered pursuant hereto.

 

1

 

 

Agreement Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(a).

 

Ancillary Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.

 

Appellate Rules” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(g).

 

Appointed Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

Appropriate Member of the NLOP Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2.

 

Appropriate Member of the WPC Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3.

 

Asset” means all rights, properties or other assets, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, of any kind, nature and description, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and wheresoever situated and whether or not carried or reflected, or required to be carried or reflected, on the books of any Person.

 

Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(e).

 

Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by applicable Law or executive order to close.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Confidential Information” means any and all information:

 

(a)           that is required to be maintained in confidence by any Law or under any Contract;

 

(b)           concerning market studies, business plans, computer hardware, computer software (including all versions, source and object codes and all related files and data), software and database technologies, systems, structures and architectures, and other similar technical or business information;

 

(c)           concerning any business and its affairs, which includes earnings reports and forecasts, macro-economic reports and forecasts, business and strategic plans, general market evaluations and surveys, litigation presentations and risk assessments, financing and credit-related information, financial projections, tax returns and accountants’ materials, business plans, strategic plans, Contracts, however documented, and other similar financial or business information;

 

(d)           constituting communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), communications and materials otherwise related to or made or prepared in connection with or in preparation for any legal proceeding; or

 

(e)           constituting notes, analyses, compilations, studies, summaries and other material that contain or are based, in whole or in part, upon any information included in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d).

 

Consent” means any consent, waiver or approval from, or notification requirement to, any Person other than a member of either Group.

 

2

 

 

Contract” means any written, oral, implied or other contract, agreement, covenant, lease, license, guaranty, indemnity, representation, warranty, assignment, sales order, purchase order, power of attorney, instrument or other commitment, assurance, undertaking or arrangement that is binding on any Person or entity or any part of its property under applicable Law.

  

Deferred Asset” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

 

Deferred Liability” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

 

Distribution” means the transactions contemplated by Section 4.3.

 

Distribution Agent” means Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

Distribution Date” means the date on which the Distribution occurs, such date to be determined by, or under the authority of, the board of directors of WPC, in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

Distribution Ratio” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a).

 

Effective Time” means the time at which the Distribution is effective on the Distribution Date.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Governmental Approval” means any notice, report or other filing to be given to or made with, or any release, consent, substitution, approval, amendment, registration, permit or authorization from, any Governmental Authority.

 

Governmental Authority” means any U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.

 

Group” means either the WPC Group or the NLOP Group, as the context requires.

 

Guarantee” means any guarantee (including guarantees of performance or payment under Contracts, commitments, Liabilities and permits), letter of credit or other credit or credit support arrangement or similar assurance, including surety bonds, bid bonds, advance payment bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds, retention and/or warranty bonds or other bonds or similar instruments.

 

Indebtedness” of any specified Person means (a) all obligations of such specified Person for borrowed money or arising out of any extension of credit to or for the account of such specified Person (including reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to surety bonds, letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar instruments), (b) all obligations of such specified Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such specified Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such specified Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to Assets purchased by such specified Person, (e) all obligations of such specified Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, (f) all Liabilities secured by (or for which any Person to which any such Liability is owed has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any mortgage, lien, pledge or other encumbrance on property owned or acquired by such specified Person (or upon any revenues, income or profits of such specified Person therefrom), whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed by the specified Person or otherwise become Liabilities of the specified Person, (g) all capital lease obligations of such specified Person, (h) all securities or other similar instruments convertible or exchangeable into any of the foregoing, and (i) any Liability of others of a type described in any of the preceding clauses (a) through (h) in respect of which the specified Person has incurred, assumed or acquired a Liability by means of a Guarantee.

 

3

 

 

Indemnifiable Loss” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5.

 

Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(a).

 

Indemnitee” means any WPC Indemnitee or any NLOP Indemnitee.

 

Indemnity Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5.

 

Information Statement” means the information statement, attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and any related documentation to be provided to holders of WPC Common Stock in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

 

Insurance Policy” means any insurance policies and insurance Contracts, including general liability, property and casualty, environmental liability, umbrella, workers’ compensation, automobile, directors and officers liability, errors and omissions, employee dishonesty and fiduciary liability policies, whether, in each case, in the nature of primary, excess, umbrella or self-insurance overage, together with all rights, benefits and privileges thereunder.

 

Insurance Proceeds” means those monies (in each case, net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof):

 

(a)           received by an insured Person from any insurer, insurance underwriter, mutual protection and indemnity club or other risk collective, excluding any proceeds received directly or indirectly (such as through reinsurance arrangements) from any captive insurance Subsidiary of the insured Person; or

 

(b)           paid on behalf of an insured Person by any insurer, insurance underwriter, mutual protection and indemnity club or other risk collective, excluding any such payment made directly or indirectly (such as through reinsurance arrangements) from any captive insurance Subsidiary of the insured Person, on behalf of the insured.

 

Insurance Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(d).

 

Insured Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(d).

 

Intercompany Account” means any receivable, payable or loan between any member of the WPC Group, on the one hand, and any member of the NLOP Group, on the other hand, that exists prior to the Effective Time and is reflected in the records of the relevant members of the WPC Group and the NLOP Group, except for any such receivable, payable or loan that arises pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

Intercompany Agreement” means any Contract, whether or not in writing, between or among any member of the WPC Group, on the one hand, and any member of the NLOP Group, on the other hand, entered into prior to the Distribution Date, but excluding any Contract to which a Person other than any member of the WPC Group or the NLOP Group is also a party.

 

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency.

 

Law” means any law, statute, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, writ, proclamation, judgment, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority.

 

Lenders” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., together with its successors and/or permitted assigns.

 

Liabilities” means any and all Indebtedness, liabilities and obligations, including environmental liabilities, whether accrued, fixed or contingent, mature or inchoate, known or unknown, reflected on a balance sheet or otherwise, including those arising under any Law, Action or any judgment of any Governmental Authority or any award of any arbitrator of any kind, and those arising under any Contract.

 

Linked” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).

 

Loss Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(d).

 

Losses” means any and all damages, losses, deficiencies, Liabilities, obligations, penalties, judgments, settlements, claims, payments, interest costs, Taxes, fines and expenses (including the costs and expenses of any and all Actions and demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ and other professionals’ fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense thereof or the enforcement of rights hereunder).

 

Mortgaged Properties” means the real properties securing the NLOP Mortgage Loan.

 

NLOP” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

NLOP Accounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).

 

NLOP Advisors” means the NLOP US Advisor and the NLOP European Advisor, together with their Affiliates.

 

NLOP Advisory Agreements” means the US Advisory Agreement and the European Advisory Agreement.

 

NLOP Assets” means, except as set forth in Sections 2.5 and 2.6, all of the equity of the NLOP Subsidiaries and all of the other assets owned or to be owned by the NLOP Subsidiaries immediately following the transactions described in Section 2.1, including the assets set forth in Section 1.1(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, and all of the other Assets held or to be held by NLOP set forth on Section 1.1(b) of the Disclosure Schedule. For the avoidance of doubt, the NLOP Assets shall include, but not be limited to, all Assets recorded on the NLOP Balance Sheet; provided, that the amounts set forth on the NLOP Balance Sheet with respect to any Assets shall not be treated as minimum or maximum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Assets that are included in the definition of NLOP Assets.

 

NLOP Balance Sheet” means the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2023, as included in the Information Statement.

 

NLOP Business” means the businesses, operations, activities, Assets and Liabilities of WPC and its Subsidiaries prior to the Transactions related to the real properties set forth in Section 1.1(a) of the Disclosure Schedule (other than the WPC Business).

 

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NLOP Common Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

NLOP European Advisor” means W. P. Carey & Co. B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of WPC.

 

NLOP European Advisory Agreement” means the European Advisory Agreement to be entered into between NLOP and the European Advisor, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, as such agreement may be modified or amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

NLOP Financing Arrangements” means the NLOP Mortgage Loan and the NLOP Mezzanine Loan.

 

NLOP Group” means NLOP and the NLOP Subsidiaries.

 

NLOP Indemnitees” means each member of the NLOP Group and their Affiliates and each of their respective current or former stockholders, trustees, directors, officers, agents and employees (in each case, in such Person’s respective capacity as such) and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

NLOP Liabilities” means, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or one or more of the Ancillary Agreements:

 

(a)           all Liabilities relating to or arising out of the NLOP Assets whether arising prior to, at the time of, or after the Effective Time, including (i) Indebtedness of NLOP or a NLOP Subsidiary that is outstanding at the Effective Time, including mortgage debt relating to the NLOP Assets, (ii) any known or unknown disputes or claims with respect to tenants, property sellers, Governmental Authorities or other third parties relating to the NLOP Business, including all contracts entered into in the name of, or expressly on behalf of, the NLOP Business, including all leases related to the NLOP Assets and all other contractual obligations with respect to service providers, tenants, property sellers and other third parties, and (iii) any insurance charges related to the NLOP Business or the NLOP Assets pursuant to any Insurance Policy held by WPC or NLOP for the benefit of the NLOP Business and NLOP Assets;

 

(b)           all Liabilities recorded on the NLOP Balance Sheet, subject to the satisfaction of any Liabilities subsequent to the date of the NLOP Balance Sheet; provided that the amounts set forth on the NLOP Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum or maximum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of NLOP Liabilities pursuant to this clause (b);

 

(c)           the NLOP Financing Arrangements, and any expenses or Liabilities related thereto;

 

(d)           any potential Liabilities with respect to matters identified on, and subject to the limitations set forth on, Section 1.2 of the Disclosure Schedule;

 

(e)           all Liabilities arising out of claims made by NLOP’s trustees, officers and Affiliates after the Effective Time against WPC or NLOP, to the extent relating to the NLOP Assets; and

 

(f)            all Liabilities that are expressly created by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed or retained by NLOP or any other member of the NLOP Group, and all agreements, obligations and Liabilities of any member of the NLOP Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements.

 

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NLOP Mezzanine Borrower” means a subsidiary of NLOP, which is expected to directly or indirectly own 100% of the equity of the NLOP Mortgage Loan Borrowers immediately following the Separation.

 

NLOP Mezzanine Loan” means the $120.0 million mezzanine loan facility entered into between the NLOP Mezzanine Borrower and the Lenders pursuant to that certain Mezzanine Loan Agreement, dated September 20, 2023, between NLO Mezzanine Borrower LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and the documents related thereto.

 

NLOP Mortgage Loan” means the $335.0 million senior secured mortgage loan entered into among the NLOP Mortgage Loan Borrowers and the Lenders pursuant to that certain Loan Agreement, dated September 20, 2023, by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the borrowers named therein, and the documents related thereto.

 

NLOP Mortgage Loan Borrowers” means certain subsidiaries of NLOP, which are expected to collectively own the Mortgaged Properties immediately following the Separation.

 

NLOP US Advisor” means W. P. Carey Management LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of WPC.

 

NLOP US Advisory Agreement” means the US Advisory Agreement to be entered into between NLOP and the US Advisor, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, as such agreement may be modified or amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

NLOP Subsidiaries” means the Subsidiaries of NLOP listed in Exhibit A, and any Subsidiary of NLOP formed after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Distribution Date.

 

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

 

NYSE Listing Application” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).

 

Party” or “Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(a).

 

Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a union, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Record Date” means the close of business on the date, to be determined by the board of directors of WPC, as the record date for determining holders of WPC Common Stock entitled to receive NLOP Common Shares in the Distribution.

 

Record Holders” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

 

Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form 10 of NLOP with respect to the registration under the Exchange Act of the NLOP Common Shares to be distributed in the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

 

Rules” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(a).

 

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SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Security Interests” means any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, indenture, right to acquire, right of first refusal, deed of trust, licenses to third parties, leases to third parties, security agreements, voting or other restriction, covenant, condition, restriction, encroachment, restriction on transfer, restrictions or limitations on use of real or personal property or any other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever, imperfections in or failure of title or defect of title.

 

Separation” means the transactions contemplated by Article II.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such specified Person or by any one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such specified Person and one or more of its subsidiaries.

 

Tax Matters Agreement” means the Tax Matters Agreement to be entered into between WPC and NLOP, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto, as such agreement may be modified or amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Tax” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

Tax Authority” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

Third-Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(b).

 

Transactions” means the Separation, the Distribution and any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

Treasury Regulations” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

WPC” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

WPC Accounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).

 

WPC Assets” means all Assets owned, directly or indirectly, by WPC, other than any NLOP Assets.

 

WPC Business” means shall mean, other than the NLOP Business, the businesses, operations and activities of WPC and the WPC Group.

 

WPC Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

WPC Group” means WPC and the Subsidiaries of WPC other than NLOP and the NLOP Subsidiaries.

 

WPC Indemnitees” means each member of the WPC Group and its Affiliates (other than NLOP and the NLOP Subsidiaries) and each of their respective current or former stockholders, directors, officers, agents and employees (in each case, in such Person’s respective capacity as such) and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

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WPC Liabilities” means any Liabilities of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries, other than any NLOP Liabilities.

 

Section 1.2            Interpretation. In this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

 

(a)           words used in the singular include the plural and words used in the plural include the singular;

 

(b)           the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

 

(c)           the word “or” shall have the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”;

 

(d)           relative to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including,” “to” means “to but excluding” and “through” means “through and including”;

 

(e)           accounting terms used herein shall have the meanings historically ascribed to them by WPC and its Subsidiaries in its and their internal accounting and financial policies and procedures in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement;

 

(f)            reference to any agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and by this Agreement;

 

(g)           reference to any Law means such Law (including any and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect at the time of determining compliance or applicability;

 

(h)           references to any Person include such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement; any reference to a third party shall be deemed to mean a Person who is not a Party or an Affiliate of a Party;

 

(i)            if there is any conflict between the provisions of the main body of this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto or thereto, the provisions of the main body of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreement, as applicable, shall control unless explicitly stated otherwise in such Schedule;

 

(j)            if there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the provisions of such Ancillary Agreement shall control (but only with respect to the subject matter thereof) unless explicitly stated otherwise therein; and

 

(k)           any portion of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement obligating a Party to take any action or refrain from taking any action, as the case may be, shall mean that such Party shall also be obligated to cause its relevant Subsidiaries to take such action or refrain from taking such action, as the case may be.

 

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Article II

 

THE SEPARATION

 

Section 2.1            Separation Transactions. On or prior to the Distribution Date, WPC shall, and shall cause NLOP and each other Subsidiary and controlled Affiliate of WPC to, effect each of the transactions set forth in Section 2.1 of the Disclosure Schedule, which transactions shall be accomplished in the order described thereon, and subject to the limitations set forth therein, in each case, with such modifications, if any, as WPC shall determine are necessary or desirable for efficiency or similar purposes.

 

Section 2.2            Transfers of Assets and Assumptions of Liabilities.

 

(a)           Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities Prior to Effective Time. Subject to Section 2.1 and Section 2.2(b), in accordance with Section 2.1 of the Disclosure Schedule and to the extent not previously effected prior to the date hereof pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Disclosure Schedule, WPC and NLOP agree to take all actions necessary so that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, (i) the NLOP Group will own, to the extent it does not already own, all of the NLOP Assets and none of the WPC Assets, and (ii) the NLOP Group will assume, to the extent it is not already liable for, all NLOP Liabilities. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 2.1 of the Disclosure Schedule shall take precedence in the event of any conflict between the terms of this Article II and Section 2.1 of the Disclosure Schedule, and any transfers of assets or liabilities made pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement after the Effective Time shall be deemed to have been made prior to the Effective Time consistent with Section 2.1 of the Disclosure Schedule.

 

(b)           Deferred Transfers and Assumptions.

 

(i)           Nothing in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement will be deemed to require the transfer of any Assets or the assumption of any Liabilities that by their terms or by operation of Law cannot be transferred or assumed.

 

(ii)          To the extent that any transfer of Assets or assumption of Liabilities contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement is not consummated prior to the Effective Time as a result of an absence or non-satisfaction of any required Consent, Governmental Approval and/or other condition (such Assets or Liabilities, a “Deferred Asset” or a “Deferred Liability,” as applicable), the Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such transfers or assumptions as promptly following the Effective Time as practicable. If and when the Consents, Governmental Approvals and/or other conditions, the absence or non-satisfaction of which gave rise to the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability, are obtained or satisfied, the transfer or assumption of the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability will be effected in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement, if any.

 

(iii)         From and after the Effective Time until such time as the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability is transferred or assumed, as applicable, (A) the Party retaining such Deferred Asset will thereafter hold such Deferred Asset for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto (at the expense of the Party entitled thereto) and (B) the Party intended to assume such Deferred Liability will pay or reimburse the Party retaining such Deferred Liability for all amounts paid or incurred in connection with the retention of such Deferred Liability; it being agreed that the Party retaining such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability will not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing clause (A) and clause (B), to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced or agreed in writing to be reimbursed by the Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or intended to assume such Deferred Liability. The Party retaining the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability will use its commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Party entitled to or intended to assume such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability of the need for such expenditure. In addition, the Party retaining such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability will, insofar as reasonably practicable and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (A) treat such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) promptly take such other actions as may be requested by the Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or by the Party intended to assume such Deferred Liability in order to place such Party in the same position as if the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability had been transferred or assumed, as applicable, as contemplated hereby, and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and control over such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability, are to inure from and after the Effective Time to such Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or intended to assume such Deferred Liability and (C) hold itself out (including by providing notice, as applicable) to third parties as agent or nominee on behalf of the Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or intended to assume such Deferred Liability.

 

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(iv)         In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties agree that, as of the Effective Time, each Party will be deemed to have acquired beneficial ownership of all of the Assets, together with all rights and privileges incident thereto, and will be deemed to have assumed all of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities incident thereto, that such Party is entitled to acquire or intended to assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement, if any.

 

(v)          The Parties agree to treat, for all Tax purposes, any Asset or Liability that is not transferred or assumed prior to the Effective Time and which is subject to the provisions of this Section 2.2(b), as (A) owned by the Party to which such Asset was intended to be transferred or by the Party which was intended to assume such Liability, as the case may be, from and after the Effective Time, (B) having not been owned by the Party retaining such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, at any time from and after the Effective Time, and (C) having been held by the Party retaining such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, only as agent or nominee on behalf of the other Party from and after the Effective Time until the date such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, is transferred to or assumed by such other Party. The Parties will not take any position inconsistent with the foregoing unless otherwise required by applicable Law (in which case, the Parties will provide indemnification for any Taxes attributable to the Asset or Liability during the period beginning on the Distribution Date and ending on the date of the actual transfer).

 

(c)           Misallocated Assets and Liabilities.

 

(i)           In the event that, at any time from and after the Effective Time, either Party discovers that it or another member of its Group is the owner of, receives or otherwise comes to possess or benefit from any Asset (including the receipt of payments made pursuant to Contracts and proceeds from accounts receivable with respect to such Asset) that should have been allocated to a member of the other Group pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (except in the case of any deliberate acquisition of Assets from a member of the other Group for value subsequent to the Effective Time), such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Asset to such member of the other Group, and such member of the other Group shall accept such Asset for no further consideration other than that set forth in this Agreement and such Ancillary Agreement. Prior to any such transfer, such Asset shall be held in accordance with Section 2.2(b).

 

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(ii)          In the event that, at any time from and after the Effective Time, either Party discovers that it or another member of its Group is liable for any Liability that should have been allocated to a member of the other Group pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (except in the case of any deliberate assumption of Liabilities from a member of the other Group for value subsequent to the Effective Time), such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Liability to such member of the other Group and such member of the other Group shall assume such Liability for no further consideration than that set forth in this Agreement and such Ancillary Agreement. Prior to any such assumption, such Liabilities shall be held in accordance with Section 2.2(b).

 

(d)           Instruments of Transfer and Assumption. The Parties agree that (i) transfers of Assets that may be required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be effected by delivery by the transferor to the transferee of (A) with respect to those Assets that constitute stock or other equity interests, certificates endorsed in blank or evidenced or accompanied by stock powers or other instruments of transfer endorsed in blank, against receipt and (B) with respect to all other Assets, such good and sufficient instruments of contribution, conveyance, assignment and transfer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parties, as shall be necessary, in each case, to vest in the designated transferee all of the title and ownership interest of the transferor in and to any such Asset, and (ii) the assumptions of Liabilities required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be effected by delivery by the transferee to the transferor of such good and sufficient instruments of assumption, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parties, as shall be necessary, in each case, for the assumption by the transferee of such Liabilities. Each Party hereby waives compliance by each other Party and its respective Group members with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk-transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to any of the Transactions.

 

Section 2.3            Release of Guarantees. In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the obligations set forth in this Agreement.

 

(a)           Each of WPC and NLOP shall, at the request of the other Party and with the reasonable cooperation of such other Party and the applicable member(s) of such Party’s Group, use commercially reasonable efforts to, as soon as reasonably practicable following the applicable Transactions, (i) have any member(s) of the WPC Group removed as guarantor of, indemnitor of or obligor for any NLOP Liability, including the termination and release of any Security Interest on or in any WPC Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such NLOP Liability; and (ii) have any member(s) of the NLOP Group removed as guarantor of, indemnitor of or obligor for any WPC Liability, including the termination and release of any Security Interest on or in any NLOP Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such WPC Liability.

 

(b)           If and to the extent required:

 

(i)           to obtain a release of any member of the WPC Group from a guarantee or indemnity for any NLOP Liability, NLOP or one or more members of the NLOP Group shall execute a guarantee or indemnity agreement in substantially the form of the existing guarantee or indemnity or such other form as is reasonably agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee or indemnity agreement, which agreement shall include the termination and release of any Security Interest on or in any WPC Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such NLOP Liability; provided, that, no such new guarantee or indemnity shall be required to the extent that the corresponding existing guarantee or indemnity contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (i) with which NLOP or the NLOP Group would be reasonably unable to comply or (ii) which NLOP or the NLOP Group would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching;

 

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(ii)          to obtain a release of any member of the NLOP Group from a guarantee or indemnity for any WPC Liability any member of the NLOP Group, WPC or one or more members of the WPC Group shall execute a guarantee or indemnity agreement in substantially the form of the existing guarantee or indemnity or such other form as is reasonably agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee or indemnity agreement, which agreement shall include the termination and release of any Security Interest on or in any NLOP Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such WPC Liability; provided, that, no such new guarantee or indemnity shall be required to the extent that the corresponding existing guarantee or indemnity contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (i) with which WPC or the WPC Group would be reasonably unable to comply or (ii) which WPC or the WPC Group would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching.

  

(c)           Until such time as WPC or NLOP has obtained, or has caused to be obtained, any removal or release as set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 2.3, (i) the Party or the relevant member of its Group that has assumed the Liability related to such guarantee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the guarantor or obligor against or from any Liability (in respect of a mortgage or otherwise) arising from or relating thereto in accordance with the provisions of Article IX and shall, as agent or subcontractor for such guarantor, indemnitor or obligor, pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities (in respect of mortgages or otherwise) of such guarantor, indemnitor or obligor thereunder; and (ii) each of WPC and NLOP, on behalf of itself and the other members of their respective Group, agree not to renew or extend the term of, increase any obligations under, decrease any rights under or transfer to a third party, any loan, guarantee, lease, contract or other obligation for which the other Party or a member of its Group is or may be liable unless all obligations of such other Party and the members of such other Party’s Group with respect thereto have theretofore terminated by documentation satisfactory in form and substance to such other Party.

 

Section 2.4            Termination of Intercompany Agreements.

 

(a)           Except as set forth in Section 2.4(b), WPC, on behalf of itself and each of the other members of the WPC Group, and NLOP, on behalf of itself and each of the other members of the NLOP Group, hereby terminate, effective as of the Effective Time, any and all Intercompany Agreements. No such terminated Intercompany Agreement will be of any further force or effect from and after the Effective Time and all Parties shall be released from all Liabilities thereunder other than the Liability to settle any Intercompany Accounts as provided in Section 2.4. Each Party shall take, or cause to be taken, any and all actions as may be reasonably necessary to effect the foregoing.

 

(b)           The provisions of Section 2.4(a) shall not apply to any of the following agreements (which agreements shall continue to be outstanding after the Distribution Date and thereafter shall be deemed to be, for each relevant Party (or the member of such Party’s Group), an obligation to a third party and shall no longer be an Intercompany Agreement):

 

(i)           this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (and each other agreement or instrument expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement), if any;

 

(ii)          any confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements among any members of either Group or employees of the NLOP Advisors; and

 

(iii)         any agreement listed or described on Section 2.4(b) of the Disclosure Schedule.

 

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Section 2.5            Settlement of Intercompany Account. Each Intercompany Account outstanding immediately prior to the Distribution Date (other than those set forth on Section 2.5 of the Disclosure Schedule), will be satisfied and/or settled in full in cash or otherwise cancelled and terminated or extinguished by the relevant members of the WPC Group and the NLOP Group prior to the Effective Time, in each case, in the manner agreed to by the Parties. Each Intercompany Account outstanding immediately prior to the Distribution Date set forth on Section 2.5 of the Disclosure Schedule, if any, shall continue to be outstanding after the Distribution Date (unless previously satisfied in accordance with its terms) and thereafter shall be deemed to be, for each Party (or the relevant member of such Party’s Group), an obligation to a third party and shall no longer be an Intercompany Account.

 

Section 2.6            Bank Accounts.

 

(a)           Each Party agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause the members of its Group to take, at the Effective Time (or such earlier time as the Parties may agree), all actions necessary to amend or substitute all contracts or agreements governing each bank and brokerage account owned by NLOP (including any WPC bank or brokerage account that is part of the NLOP Business) or any other member of the NLOP Group (collectively, the “NLOP Accounts”) and all contracts or agreements governing each bank or brokerage account owned by WPC (including any WPC bank or brokerage account that is not part of the NLOP Business) or any other member of the WPC Group (collectively, the “WPC Accounts”) so that each such NLOP Account and WPC Account, if currently linked (whether by automatic withdrawal, automatic deposit or any other authorization to transfer funds from or to, hereinafter “Linked”) to any WPC Account or NLOP Account, respectively, is de-Linked from such WPC Account or NLOP Account, respectively.

 

(b)           With respect to any outstanding checks issued or payments initiated by WPC, NLOP, or any of the members of their respective Groups prior to the Effective Time, such outstanding checks and payments shall be honored following the Effective Time by the Person or Group owning the account on which the check is drawn or from which the payment was initiated, respectively.

 

Section 2.7            Rent Allocations. The Parties further agree that no later than 60 days following the Distribution Date, WPC shall be reimbursed an aggregate of $366,395.83 for certain estimated rent payable with respect to the NLOP Assets that relates to uncollected rent for the period between October 1, 2023 and the Effective Time, which shall be paid by wire transfer to an account designated by WPC in immediately available funds.

 

Article III

 

CERTAIn actions prior to the distributioN

 

Section 3.1            SEC and Other Securities Filings.

 

(a)           Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Parties caused the Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC.

 

(b)           Prior to the date of this Agreement, WPC caused the Information Statement to be mailed to the Record Holders.

 

(c)           The Parties shall cooperate in preparing, filing with the SEC and causing to become effective any other registration statements or amendments or supplements thereto that are necessary or appropriate in order to effect the Transactions, or to reflect the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit plans contemplated hereby.

 

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(d)           The Parties shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under state and foreign securities or “blue sky” Laws in connection with the Transactions.

 

Section 3.2            NYSE Listing Application.

 

(a)           Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Parties caused an application for the listing on the NYSE of NLOP Common Shares to be issued to the Record Holders in the Distribution (the “NYSE Listing Application”) to be prepared and filed.

 

(b)           The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the NYSE Listing Application approved, subject to official notice of issuance, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement.

 

(c)           WPC shall give the NYSE notice of the Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act.

 

Section 3.3            Distribution Agent Agreement. On or prior to the date of this Agreement, WPC shall, if requested by the Distribution Agent, enter into a distribution agent agreement with the Distribution Agent.

 

Section 3.4            NLOP Advisory Agreements. On or prior to the Distribution Date, NLOP shall enter into the NLOP Advisory Agreements.

 

Section 3.5            Governmental Approvals and Consents. To the extent that any of the Transactions require any Governmental Approval or Consent which has not been obtained prior to the date of this Agreement, the Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained, such Governmental Approval or Consent prior to the Effective Time.

 

Section 3.6            Ancillary Agreements. Prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause each applicable member of its Group to execute and deliver, as applicable, the NLOP Advisory Agreements and the Tax Matters Agreement, as well as such other written agreements, documents or instruments as the Parties may agree are reasonably necessary or desirable and to the effect the Transactions (collectively, the “Ancillary Agreements”).

 

Section 3.7            Governance Matters.

 

(a)           Organizational Documents. On or prior to the Distribution Date, the Parties shall take all necessary actions to adopt each of the amended and restated declaration of trust of NLOP, the amended and restated bylaws of NLOP and the amended and restated operating agreement of NLOP LLC, each substantially in the forms filed by NLOP with the SEC as exhibits to the Registration Statement.

 

(b)           Officers and Trustees. On or prior to the Distribution Date, the Parties shall take all necessary action so that, as of the Distribution Date, the officers and trustees of NLOP will be as set forth in the Information Statement.

 

Article IV

 

THE DISTRIBUTION

 

Section 4.1            Dividend to WPC. On or prior to the Distribution Date, NLOP shall issue to WPC as a stock dividend such number of NLOP Common Shares (or WPC and NLOP shall take or cause to be taken such other appropriate actions to ensure that WPC has the requisite number of NLOP Common Shares) as may be required to effect the Distribution.

 

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Section 4.2            Delivery to Distribution Agent. Subject to Section 5.1, on or prior to the Distribution Date, WPC will authorize the Distribution Agent, for the benefit of holders of record of WPC Common Stock at the close of business on the Record Date (the “Record Holders”), to effect the book-entry transfer of all outstanding NLOP Common Shares and will instruct the Distribution Agent to effect the Distribution at the Effective Time in the manner set forth in Section 4.3.

 

Section 4.3            Mechanics of the Distribution.

 

(a)           On the Distribution Date, WPC will direct the Distribution Agent to distribute, effective as of the Effective Time, to each Record Holder, one (1) NLOP Common Share for every fifteen (15) shares of WPC Common Stock held by such Record Holder on the Record Date (the “Distribution Ratio”), subject to Section 4.3(b). All such NLOP Common Shares to be so distributed shall be distributed as uncertificated shares registered in book-entry form through the direct registration system. No certificates therefor shall be distributed. All of the NLOP Common Shares distributed in the Distribution will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(b)           Record Holders who, after aggregating the number of NLOP Common Shares (or fractions thereof) to which such Record Holder would be entitled on the Record Date, would be entitled to receive a fraction of a NLOP Common Share in the Distribution, will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares. Fractional NLOP Common Shares will not be distributed in the Distribution nor credited to book-entry accounts. The Distribution Agent shall, as soon as practicable after the Distribution Date (i) determine the number of whole shares and fractional shares of NLOP Common Shares allocable to each Record Holder, (ii) aggregate all such fractional shares into whole shares and sell the whole shares obtained thereby in open market transactions at then prevailing trading prices on behalf of the Record Holders who would otherwise be entitled to fractional share interests, and (iii) distribute to each such Record Holder such holder’s ratable share of the net proceeds of such sale, based upon the average gross selling price per share of NLOP Common Shares after making appropriate deductions for any amount required to be withheld for United States federal income tax purposes. NLOP shall bear the cost of brokerage fees and transfer taxes incurred in connection with these sales of fractional shares, which such sales shall occur as soon after the Distribution Date as practicable and as determined by the Distribution Agent. None of WPC, NLOP or the applicable Distribution Agent will guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional NLOP Common Shares. Neither WPC nor NLOP will pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. The Distribution Agent will have the sole discretion to select the broker-dealers through which to sell the aggregated fractional shares and to determine when, how and at what price to sell such shares. Neither the Distribution Agent nor the selected broker-dealers will be Affiliates of WPC or NLOP. Any NLOP Common Shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares with respect to NLOP Common Shares that remain unclaimed by any Record Holder after the Distribution Date shall be the responsibility of NLOP, and any such Record Holder shall look only to NLOP, not WPC, for such NLOP Common Shares and/or cash, if any, in lieu of fractional share interests, subject in each case to applicable escheat or other abandoned property laws.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, WPC, the Distribution Agent or any Person that is a withholding agent under applicable Law shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration distributable or payable hereunder the amounts required to be deducted and withheld under the Code, or any provision of any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign Tax Law. Any amounts so withheld shall be paid over to the appropriate Tax Authority in the manner prescribed by Law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Persons in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. An applicable withholding agent may collect the deducted or withheld amounts by reducing to cash a sufficient portion of the NLOP Common Shares that a Person would otherwise receive, and may require that such Person bear the brokerage or other costs from this withholding procedure.

 

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Article V

 

CONDITIONS

  

Section 5.1            Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Distribution. The Distribution shall not be effected unless and until the following conditions have been satisfied or waived by WPC, in its sole and absolute discretion, at or before the Effective Time:

 

(a)           the Separation shall have occurred;

 

(b)           the NLOP Financing Arrangements shall have been executed and the conditions for borrowing thereunder satisfied, and $382.4 million from the borrowings under the NLOP Financing Arrangements shall have been transferred to WPC, in each case in accordance with Section 2.1 of the Disclosure Schedule;

 

(c)           the board of directors of WPC shall have declared the Distribution, which declaration may be made or withheld at its sole and absolute discretion;

 

(d)           the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC, with no stop order in effect with respect thereto, and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before, or threatened by, the SEC;

 

(e)           WPC shall have mailed the Information Statement (and such other information concerning NLOP, the Distribution and such other matters as the Parties shall determine and as may otherwise be required by Law) to the Record Holders;

 

(f)            all other actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable federal or state securities Laws and state blue sky Laws in connection with the Transactions shall have been taken;

 

(g)           WPC shall not be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act;

 

(h)           NLOP shall not be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act;

 

(i)            the NYSE shall have approved the NYSE Listing Application, subject to official notice of issuance;

 

(j)            the Ancillary Agreements, including the NLOP Advisory Agreements and the Tax Maters Agreement, shall have been executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto and no party to any of the Ancillary Agreements will be in material breach of any such agreement;

 

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(k)           any material Governmental Approvals and Consents necessary to consummate the Transactions or any portion thereof shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect;

 

(l)            no preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree, or ruling issued by a Governmental Authority, and no Law shall be in effect preventing the consummation of, or materially limiting the benefits of, the Transactions; and

 

(m)          no other event or development shall have occurred or failed to occur that, in the judgment of the board of directors of WPC, exercised in its sole discretion, prevents the consummation of the Transactions or any portion thereof or makes the consummation of the Transactions inadvisable.

 

Section 5.2            Right Not to Close. Each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 is for the benefit of WPC, and the board of directors of WPC may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to waive any condition, in whole or in part. Any determination made by the board of directors of WPC concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions in Section 5.1 will be conclusive and binding on the Parties. The satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 will not create any obligation on the part of WPC to any other Person to effect any of the Transactions or in any way limit WPC’s right to terminate this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements as set forth in Section 11.1 or alter the consequences of any termination from those specified in Section 11.2.

 

Article VI

 

NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES

 

Section 6.1            Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties. EACH PARTY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH OTHER MEMBER OF ITS GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, NO PARTY IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING IN ANY WAY AS TO (A) THE ASSETS, BUSINESSES OR LIABILITIES CONTRIBUTED, TRANSFERRED, DISTRIBUTED OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, (B) ANY CONSENTS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH, (C) THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OF ANY PARTY, (D) THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHT OF SETOFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR OTHER ASSET, INCLUDING ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OF ANY PARTY, OR (E) THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY CONTRIBUTION, DISTRIBUTION, ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT, CERTIFICATE OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSET UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF.

 

Section 6.2            As Is, Where Is. EACH PARTY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH OTHER MEMBER OF ITS GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT ALL ASSETS TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT ARE BEING TRANSFERRED “AS IS, WHERE IS.”

 

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Article VII

 

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

Section 7.1            Insurance Matters.

 

(a)           Prior to the Distribution Date, WPC and NLOP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain separate Insurance Policies for NLOP related to all applicable currently existing WPC Insurance Policies on commercially reasonable terms (it being understood that NLOP shall be responsible for all premiums, costs and fees associated with any new insurance policies placed for the benefit of NLOP pursuant to this Section 7.1).

 

(b)           From and after the Effective Time, (i) WPC shall be entitled to terminate, or cause to be terminated, coverage under existing insurance policies with respect to the NLOP Assets, NLOP Liabilities, WPC Assets, and WPC Liabilities, (ii) WPC shall be entitled to cause the WPC Assets and WPC Liabilities to be covered by existing or new insurance policies of the WPC Group, and (iii) NLOP shall cause the NLOP Assets and the NLOP Liabilities to be covered by existing or new insurance policies of the NLOP Group.

 

(c)           This Agreement shall not be considered as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of any member of either Group in respect of any insurance policy or any other contract or policy of insurance.

 

(d)           From and after the Effective Time, with respect to any losses, damages and Liability incurred by any member of the NLOP Group or the WPC Group, as the case may be (the “Loss Party”), arising from events or occurrences prior to the date on which the Effective Time occurs (“Insurance Termination Date”), WPC or NLOP, respectively (the “Insured Party”), will provide the Loss Party with access to, and the Loss Party may, upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice to the Insured Party, make claims under the Insured Party’s third-party insurance policies in place prior to the Insurance Termination Date and the Insured Party’s historical policies of insurance, but solely to the extent that such policies provided coverage for members of the Loss Party’s Group prior to the Insurance Termination Date; provided that such access to, and the right to make claims under, such insurance policies, shall be subject to the terms and conditions of such insurance policies, including any limits on coverage or scope, any deductibles and other fees and expenses, and shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(i)           the Loss Party shall report any claim to the Insured Party as promptly as practicable, and in any event in sufficient time so that such claim may be made in accordance with the Insured Party’s claim reporting procedures provided in advance to the Loss Party and in effect immediately prior to the Insurance Termination Date (or in accordance with any modifications to such procedures after the Insurance Termination Date communicated by the Insured Party to the Loss Party in writing in advance of any such claim);

 

(ii)          the Loss Party and the members of its Group shall exclusively bear and be liable for (and neither the Insured Party, nor any member of its Group, shall have any obligation to repay or reimburse Loss Party or any member of its Group for), and shall indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse the Insured Party and the members of its Group for, any deductibles, self-insured retention, fees and expenses incurred by the Insured Party or any members of its Group to the extent resulting from any access by the Loss Party or any other members of its Group to, or any claims made by the Loss Party or any other members of its Group under, any insurance provided pursuant to this Section 7.1(d), including any indemnity payments, settlements, judgments, legal fees and allocated claims expenses and claim handling fees, whether such claims are made by members of the Loss Party’s Group, its employees or third parties; and

 

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(iii)         any payments and reimbursements by the Loss Party pursuant to this Section 7.1(d) will be made within thirty (30) days after the Loss Party’s receipt of an invoice therefor from the Insured Party. If the Insured Party incurs costs to enforce the Loss Party’s obligations herein, the Loss Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Insured Party for such enforcement costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. The Insured Party shall retain the exclusive right to control its insurance policies and programs, including the right to exhaust, settle, release, commute, buy-back or otherwise resolve disputes with respect to any of its insurance policies and programs and to amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs, notwithstanding whether any such policies or programs apply to any Loss Party Liabilities and/or claims the Loss Party has made or could make in the future, and no member of the Loss Party’s Group shall erode, exhaust, settle, release, commute, buyback or otherwise resolve disputes with the Insured Party’s insurers with respect to any of the Insured Party’s insurance policies and programs, or amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs. The Loss Party shall cooperate with the Insured Party and share such information as is reasonably necessary in order to permit the Insured Party to manage and conduct its insurance matters as it deems appropriate. Neither the Insured Party nor any of the members of the Insured Party’s Group shall have any obligation to secure extended reporting for any claims under any Liability policies of the Insured Party or any member of the Insured Party’s Group for any acts or omissions by any member of the Loss Party’s Group incurred prior to the Insurance Termination Date.

 

Section 7.2            No Restrictions on Post-Closing Competitive Activities; Corporate Opportunities.

 

(a)           Each of the Parties agrees that this Agreement shall not include any non-competition or other similar restrictive arrangements with respect to the range of business activities that may be conducted, or investments that may be made, by the Groups. Accordingly, each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that nothing set forth in this Agreement shall be construed to create any explicit or implied restriction or other limitation on the ability of any Group to engage in any business or other activity that overlaps or competes with the business of the other Group. Except as expressly provided herein, in WPC’s or NLOP’s conflicts of interest policies, or in the Ancillary Agreements, (x) each Group shall have the right to, and shall have no duty to abstain from exercising such right to, (i) engage or invest, directly or indirectly, in the same, similar or related business activities or lines of business as the other Group, (ii) make investments in the same or similar types of investments as the other Group, (iii) do business with any client, customer, vendor or lessor of any of the other Group or (iv) employ or otherwise engage any officer, trustee, director or employee of the other Group, and (y) neither Party or Group, nor any officer, trustee or director thereof, shall be liable to the other Party or Group or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of any such activities of such Party or Group or of any such Person’s participation therein.

 

(b)           Except as expressly provided herein, in WPC’s or NLOP’s conflicts of interest policies, or in the Ancillary Agreements, and except as WPC and each other member of the WPC Group, on the one hand, and NLOP and each other member of the NLOP Group, on the other hand, may otherwise agree in writing, the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that if any Person that is a member of a Group, including any officer, trustee or director thereof, acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for either or both Groups, neither the other Group nor its stockholders shall have an interest in, or expectation that, such corporate opportunity be offered to it or that it be offered an opportunity to participate therein, and any such interest, expectation, offer or opportunity to participate, and any other interest or expectation otherwise due to such Group with respect to such corporate opportunity, is hereby renounced by such Group on its behalf and on behalf of its stockholders. Accordingly, subject to Section 7.2(c) and except as expressly provided herein, in WPC’s or NLOP’s conflicts of interest policies, or in the Ancillary Agreements, (i) neither Group nor any officer, trustee or director thereof will be under any obligation to present, communicate or offer any such corporate opportunity to the other Group and (ii) each Group has the right to hold any such corporate opportunity for their own account, or to direct, recommend, sell, assign or otherwise transfer such corporate opportunity to any Person or Persons other than the other Group, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, neither Group nor the officers, trustees or directors thereof shall have or be under any fiduciary duty, duty of loyalty or duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of the other Group and its stockholders and shall not be liable to the other Group and its stockholders for any breach or alleged breach thereof or for any derivation of personal economic gain by reason of the fact that such Group or any of its officers, trustees or directors pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity for itself, or directs, recommends, sells, assigns or otherwise transfers the corporate opportunity to another Person, or such Group and its officers, trustees or directors does not present, offer or communicate information regarding the corporate opportunity to the other Group.

 

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(c)           Except as expressly provided herein, in the Ancillary Agreements, or in WPC or NLOP’s conflicts of interest policies, and except as WPC and each other member of the WPC Group, on the one hand, and NLOP and each other member of the NLOP Group, on the other hand, may otherwise agree in writing, the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that in the event that a trustee, director or officer of either Group who is also a trustee, director or officer of the other Group acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, if (i) such Person acts in good faith and (ii) such knowledge of such potential transaction or matter was not obtained solely in connection with, or such corporate opportunity was not offered to such Person solely in, such Person’s capacity as trustee, director or officer of either Group, then (A) such trustee, director or officer, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, (1) shall be deemed to have fully satisfied and fulfilled such Person’s fiduciary duty to each Group and their stockholders with respect to such corporate opportunity, (2) shall not have or be under any fiduciary duty to either Group or their stockholders and shall not be liable to either Group or their stockholders for any breach or alleged breach thereof by reason of the fact that the other Group pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity for itself, or directs, recommends, sells, assigns or otherwise transfers the corporate opportunity to another Person, or either Group or such trustee, director or officer does not present, offer or communicate information regarding the corporate opportunity to the other Group, (3) shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believes to be in, and not opposed to, the best interests of each Group and its stockholders and (4) shall not have any duty of loyalty to the other Group and its stockholders or any duty not to derive any personal benefit therefrom and shall not be liable to the other Group or its stockholders for any breach or alleged breach thereof and (B) such potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity, or the corporate opportunity, shall belong to the applicable Group (and not to the other Group).

  

(d)           Except as expressly provided herein, in WPC’s or NLOP’s conflicts of interest policies, or in the Ancillary Agreements, if the NLOP Advisors acquire knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for either or both Groups, neither the NLOP Advisors, nor any agent or advisor thereof, shall have any duty to communicate or present such corporate opportunity to either Group and shall not be liable to either Group or to their stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that the NLOP Advisors pursue or acquire the corporate opportunity for itself, or directs, recommends, sells, assigns or otherwise transfers the corporate opportunity to either Group or another Person, or does not present such corporate opportunity to either Group.

 

(e)           For the purposes of this Section 7.2, “corporate opportunities” of a Group shall include business opportunities that such Group is financially able to undertake, that are, by their nature, in a line of business of such Group, are of practical advantage to it and are ones in which any member of the Group has an interest or a reasonable expectancy, and in which, by embracing the opportunities, the self-interest of a Person or any of its officers, trustees or directors will be brought into conflict with that of such Group.

 

Section 7.3            Cooperation. Each of the Parties shall establish an appropriate administration system in order to handle in an orderly manner the vesting of any restricted NLOP Common Shares received in the Distribution that relate to shares of restricted WPC Common Stock. The Parties shall work together to unify and consolidate all indicative data and payroll and employment information on regular timetables and make certain that each applicable entity’s data and records in respect of such awards are correct and updated on a timely basis. The foregoing shall include, as applicable, employment status and information required for tax withholding/remittance and reporting, compliance with trading windows and compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act and other applicable laws.

 

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Article VIII

 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; PRIVILEGE

 

Section 8.1            Agreement for Exchange of Information.

 

(a)           For a period (the “Period”) of three (3) years following the Distribution Date or until the termination of both of the NLOP Advisory Agreements, whichever is longer, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request: (i) WPC shall afford to any member of the NLOP Group and their authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to, or, at the NLOP Group’s expense, provide copies of, all books, records, Contracts, instruments, data, documents and other information in the possession or under the control of any member of the WPC Group immediately following the Distribution Date that relates to any member of the NLOP Group or the NLOP Assets and (ii) NLOP shall afford to any member of the WPC Group and their authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to, or, at the WPC Group’s expense, provide copies of, all books, records, Contracts, instruments, data, documents and other information in the possession or under the control of any member of the NLOP Group immediately following the Distribution Date that relates to any member of the WPC Group or the WPC Assets; provided, however, that in the event that NLOP or WPC, as applicable, determine that any such provision of or access to any information in response to a request under this Section 8.1(a) would be commercially detrimental in any material respect, violate any Law or agreement or waive any attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine or other applicable privilege, the Parties shall take all reasonable measures to permit compliance with such request in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence; provided, further, that to the extent specific information-sharing or knowledge-sharing provisions are contained in any of the Ancillary Agreements, such other provisions (and not this Section 8.1(a)) shall govern; provided, further, that the Period shall be extended with respect to requests related to any third party litigation or other dispute filed prior to the end of such period until such litigation or dispute is finally resolved.

 

(b)           Without limiting the generality of Section 8.1(a), until the end of the first full fiscal year following the Distribution Date (and for a reasonable period of time thereafter as required for any party to prepare consolidated financial statements or complete a financial statement audit for the fiscal year during which the Distribution Date occurs), NLOP shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with any requests from any member of the WPC Group pursuant to Section 8.1(a) and WPC shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with any requests from any member of the NLOP Group pursuant to Section 8.1(a), in each case to enable the requesting Party to meet its timetable for dissemination of its earnings releases and financial statements and to enable such requesting party’s auditors to timely complete their audit of the annual financial statements and review of the quarterly financial statements.

 

Section 8.2            Ownership of Information. Any information owned by any Person as of the Effective Time that is provided pursuant to Section 8.1(a) shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Person. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to grant or confer rights of license or otherwise to the requesting Person with respect to any such information.

 

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Section 8.3            Compensation for Providing Information. A Person requesting information pursuant to Section 8.1(a) agrees to reimburse the providing Person for the actual expenses, if any, of gathering and copying such information, to the extent that such expenses are incurred for the benefit of the requesting Person.

 

Section 8.4            Retention of Records. To facilitate the exchange of information pursuant to this Article VIII after the Distribution Date, for the duration of the Period, except as otherwise required or agreed in writing, the Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to retain, or cause to be retained, all information in their, or any member of their Group’s, respective possession or control on the Distribution Date in accordance with the records retention policies and procedures of WPC as in effect on the Distribution Date or modified in good faith thereafter.

 

Section 8.5            Limitation of Liability. No Person required to provide information under this Article VIII shall have any Liability (a) if any historical information provided pursuant to this Article VIII is found to be inaccurate or incomplete, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct by such Person, or (b) if any information is lost or destroyed despite using commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of Section 8.4.

 

Section 8.6            Production of Witnesses. At all times from and after the Distribution Date, upon reasonable advance request:

 

(a)           NLOP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available, or cause to be made available, to any member of the WPC Group, the trustees, the directors, officers, employees and agents of any member of the NLOP Group as witnesses to the extent that the same may reasonably be required by the requesting party (giving consideration to business demands of such trustees, directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with any legal, administrative or other proceeding in which the requesting party may from time to time be involved, except in the case of any action, suit or proceeding in which any member of the NLOP Group is adverse to any member of the WPC Group; and

 

(b)           WPC shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available, or cause to be made available, to any member of the NLOP Group, the trustees, the directors, officers, employees and agents of any member of the WPC Group as witnesses to the extent that the same may reasonably be required by the requesting party (giving consideration to business demands of such trustees, directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with any legal, administrative or other proceeding in which the requesting party may from time to time be involved, except in the case of any action, suit or proceeding in which any member of the WPC Group is adverse to any member of the NLOP Group.

 

Section 8.7           Confidentiality.

 

(a)           NLOP (on behalf of itself and each other member of its Group) and WPC (on behalf of itself and each other member of its Group) shall hold, and shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to hold, and each of the foregoing shall cause their respective trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants and advisors to hold, in strict confidence, and not to disclose or release or use, for any purpose other than as expressly permitted pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, any and all Confidential Information concerning any member of the other Group without the prior written consent of such member of the other Group; provided, that each Party and the members of its Group may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, such Confidential Information (i) to other members of their Group and their respective auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other appropriate consultants and advisors (including the NLOP Advisors, as applicable) who have a need to know such information for purposes of performing services for a member of such Group and who are informed of their obligation to hold such information confidential to the same extent as is applicable to the Parties and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, such Party will be responsible, (ii) if it or any of its Affiliates are required or compelled to disclose any such Confidential Information by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of Law or stock exchange rule, or (iii) as necessary in order to permit such Party to prepare and disclose its financial statements, or other disclosures required by Law or such applicable stock exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of Confidential Information is made pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) above, the Party requested to disclose Confidential Information concerning a member of the other Group, shall, to the extent legally permissible, promptly notify such member of the other Group of the existence of such request or demand and, to the extent commercially practicable and legally permissible, shall provide such member of the other Group thirty (30) days (or such lesser period as is commercially practicable and legally permissible) to seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy, which the Parties will cooperate in obtaining at the sole cost of the Party seeking such protective order or remedy. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the Party that is required to disclose Confidential Information about a member of the Group shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that confidential treatment is accorded such information.

 

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(b)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Parties shall be deemed to have satisfied their obligations hereunder with respect to Confidential Information of any member of the other Group if they exercise the same degree of care (but no less than a reasonable degree of care) as they exercise to preserve confidentiality for their own similar Confidential Information.

 

(c)           Upon the written request of a Party or a member of its Group, the other Party shall take, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to take, reasonable steps to promptly (i) deliver to the requesting Person all original copies of Confidential Information (whether written or electronic) concerning the requesting Person or any member of its Group that is in the possession of the other Party or any member of its Group and (ii) if specifically requested by the requesting Person, destroy (as to electronic Confidential Information, to the extent practical) any copies of such Confidential Information (including any extracts therefrom), unless such delivery or destruction would violate any Law; provided, that the other Party shall not be obligated to destroy Confidential Information that is required by or relates to the business of the other Party or any member of its Group and shall be permitted to retain copies of Confidential Information to the extent necessary to comply with legal, regulatory, audit or document retention policies. Upon the written request of the requesting Person, the other Party shall, or shall cause another member of its Group to cause, its duly authorized officers to certify in writing to the requesting party that the requirements of the preceding sentence have been satisfied in full.

 

Section 8.8            Privileged Matters.

 

(a)           Pre-Distribution Services. The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of the Parties and their Affiliates, and that each of the Parties should be deemed to be the client with respect to such pre-Distribution services for the purposes of asserting all privileges that may be asserted under applicable Law.

 

(b)           Post-Distribution Services. The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time that will be rendered solely for the benefit of NLOP and its Affiliates or WPC and its Affiliates, as the case may be. With respect to such post-Distribution services, the Parties agree as follows:

 

(i)           WPC shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the WPC Assets, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of WPC or NLOP. WPC shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting WPC Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated by or against any member of the WPC Group, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of WPC or NLOP; and

 

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(ii)           NLOP shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the NLOP Assets, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of WPC or NLOP. NLOP shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting NLOP Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated by or against any member of the NLOP Group, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of WPC or NLOP.

 

(c)           The Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege, with equal right to assert or waive, subject to the restrictions in this Section 8.8, with respect to all privileges not allocated pursuant to the terms of Section 8.8(b). NLOP may not waive, and shall cause each other member of the NLOP Group not to waive, any privilege that could be asserted by a member of the WPC Group under any applicable Law, and in which a member of the WPC Group has a shared privilege, without the consent of WPC, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed or as provided in Section 8.8(d) or Section 8.8(e) below. WPC may not waive, and shall cause each other member of the WPC Group not to waive, any privilege that could be asserted by a member of the NLOP Group under any applicable Law, and in which a member of the NLOP Group has a shared privilege, without the consent of NLOP, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed or as provided in Section 8.8(d) or Section 8.8(e) below.

 

(d)           In the event of any litigation or dispute between or among NLOP and WPC, or any members of their respective Groups, the Parties may waive a privilege in which a member of the other Group has a shared privilege, without obtaining the consent from any other party; provided, that such waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of information with respect to the litigation or dispute between the relevant Parties and/or the applicable members of their respective Groups, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to third parties.

 

(e)           If a dispute arises between or among NLOP and WPC, or any members of their respective Groups, regarding whether a privilege should be waived to protect or advance the interest of a party, each Party agrees that it shall negotiate in good faith, shall endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of such party and shall not withhold consent to any request for waiver by such party except to protect its own legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of any other member of its Group.

 

(f)            Upon receipt by either Party, or by any member of its Group, of any subpoena, discovery or other request which requires the production or disclosure of information which such Party knows is subject to a shared privilege or as to which a member of the other Group has the sole right hereunder to assert or waive a privilege, or if either Party obtains knowledge that any of its or any other member of its Group’s current or former trustees, directors, officers, agents or employees have received any subpoena, discovery or other requests which requires the production or disclosure of such privileged information, such Party shall, to the extent legally permissible, promptly notify the other Party of the existence of the request and shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review the information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 8.8 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of such privileged information.

 

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(g)           The access to information being granted pursuant to Section 8.1, the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Section 8.6 hereof, and the transfer of privileged information between and among the Parties and the members of their respective Groups pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements or otherwise.

 

Section 8.9            Financial Information Certifications. The Parties agree to reasonably cooperate with each other in such manner as is necessary to enable the principal executive officer or officers, principal financial officer or officers and controller or controllers of each of the Parties to make the certifications required of them under Sections 302, 404 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Article IX

 

MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 9.1            Release of Pre-Distribution Claims.

 

(a)           Except as provided in Section 9.1(c), effective as of the Effective Time, NLOP does hereby, for itself and each other member of the NLOP Group, release and forever discharge each WPC Indemnitee, from any and all Liabilities whatsoever to any member of the NLOP Group, whether at law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed at or before the Effective Time, including in connection with the Transactions.

 

(b)           Except as provided in Section 9.1(c), effective as of the Effective Time, WPC does hereby, for itself and each other member of the WPC Group, release and forever discharge each NLOP Indemnitee from any and all Liabilities whatsoever to any member of the WPC Group, whether at law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed at or before the Effective Time, including in connection with the Transactions.

 

(c)           Nothing contained in Section 9.1(a) or Section 9.1(b) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings that are specified in, or contemplated to continue pursuant to, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, nothing contained in Section 9.1(a) or Section 9.1(b) shall release any Person from:

 

(i)           any Liability, contingent or otherwise, assumed by, or allocated to, such Person in accordance with this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

 

(ii)          any Liability that such Person may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement for claims brought by third Persons, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article IX and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements;

 

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(iii)         any unpaid accounts payable or receivable arising from or relating to the sale, provision, or receipt of goods, payment for goods, property or services purchased, obtained or used in the ordinary course of business by any member of the WPC Group from any member of the NLOP Group, or by any member of the NLOP Group from any member of the WPC Group from and after the Effective Time; or

 

(iv)         any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than an Indemnitee; provided, that the Parties agree not to bring suit, or permit any other member of their respective Group to bring suit, against any Indemnitee with respect to such Liability.

 

(d)           NLOP shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the NLOP Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or indemnification, against any WPC Indemnitee with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 9.1(a). WPC shall not make, and shall not permit any member of the WPC Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against any NLOP Indemnitee with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 9.1(b).

 

Section 9.2            Indemnification by NLOP. Except as provided in Section 9.4 and Section 9.5, NLOP shall, and, in the case of Section 9.2(a) or Section 9.2(b), shall in addition cause each Appropriate Member of the NLOP Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the WPC Indemnitees from and against any and all Losses of the WPC Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following (without duplication):

 

(a)           any NLOP Liability, including the failure of any member of the NLOP Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any NLOP Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time;

 

(b)           any breach by any member of the NLOP Group of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth therein;

 

(c)           any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in the Registration Statement or the Information Statement other than information that relates solely to the WPC Assets;

 

in each case, regardless of when or where the loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss took place, or whether any such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening is known or unknown, or reported or unreported and regardless of whether such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss existed prior to, on or after the Distribution Date or relates to, arises out of or results from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to, on or after the Distribution Date; provided, however, that no member of the NLOP Group shall have any obligation under this Article IX to indemnify any member of the WPC Group against any Losses to the extent that such Losses arise by virtue of a breach of this Agreement by a member of the WPC Group or the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of any member of the WPC Group. As used in this Section 9.2, “Appropriate Member of the NLOP Group” means the member or members of the NLOP Group, if any, whose acts, conduct or omissions or failures to act caused, gave rise to or resulted in the Loss from and against which indemnity is provided.

 

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Section 9.3            Indemnification by WPC. Except as provided in Section 9.4 and Section 9.5, WPC shall, and, in the case of Section 9.3(a) or Section 9.3(b), shall in addition cause each Appropriate Member of the WPC Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the NLOP Indemnitees from and against any and all Losses of the NLOP Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following (without duplication):

 

(a)           any WPC Liability, including the failure of any member of the WPC Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any WPC Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time;

 

(b)           any breach by any member of the WPC Group of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth therein; and

 

(c)           any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, solely with respect to information contained in the Registration Statement or the Information Statement that relates solely to the WPC Assets;

 

in each case, regardless of when or where the loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss took place, or whether any such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening is known or unknown, or reported or unreported and regardless of whether such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss existed prior to, on or after the Distribution Date or relates to, arises out of or results from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to, on or after the Distribution Date; provided, however, that no member of the WPC Group shall have any obligation under this Article IX to indemnify any member of the NLOP Group against any Losses to the extent that such Losses arise by virtue of a breach of this Agreement by a member of the NLOP Group or the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of any member of the NLOP Group. As used in this Section 9.3, “Appropriate Member of the WPC Group” means the member or members of the WPC Group, if any, whose acts, conduct or omissions or failures to act caused, gave rise to or resulted in the Loss from and against which indemnity is provided.

 

Section 9.4            Procedures for Indemnification.

 

(a)           An Indemnitee shall give prompt notice of any matter that such Indemnitee has determined has given or would reasonably be expected to give rise to a right of indemnification under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than a Third-Party Claim which shall be governed by Section 9.4(b)) to any Party that is or may be required pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to make such indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) promptly (and in any event within fifteen (15) days) after making such a determination. Such notice shall state the amount of the Loss claimed, if known, and method of computation thereof, and contain a reference to the provisions of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement in respect of which such right of indemnification is claimed by such Indemnitee; provided, however, that the failure to provide such notice shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure.

 

(b)           If a claim or demand is made against an Indemnitee by any Person who is not a Party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a Party (a “Third-Party Claim”) as to which such Indemnitee is or reasonably expects to be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party in writing, and in reasonable detail, of the Third-Party Claim (and in any event within thirty (30) days) after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third-Party Claim; provided, however, that the failure to provide notice of any such Third-Party Claim pursuant to this sentence shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure (except that the Indemnifying Party or Parties shall not be liable for any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in defending such Third-Party Claim during the period in which the Indemnitee failed to give such notice). Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall promptly deliver to the Indemnifying Party (and in any event within ten (10) days) after the Indemnitee’s receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim.

 

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(c)           An Indemnifying Party shall be entitled (but shall not be required) to assume, control the defense of, and settle any Third-Party Claim, at such Indemnifying Party’s own cost and expense and by such Indemnifying Party’s own counsel, which counsel must be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee, if it gives written notice of its intention to do so (including a statement that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Article IX) to the applicable Indemnitees within thirty (30) days of the receipt of notice from such Indemnitees of the Third-Party Claim (failure of the Indemnifying Party to respond within such thirty (30) day period shall be deemed to be an election by the Indemnifying Party not to assume the defense for such Third-Party Claim). After a notice from an Indemnifying Party to an Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, such Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise or settlement thereof, at its own expense and, in any event, shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnifying Party all witnesses and information in such Indemnitee’s possession or under such Indemnitee’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that such access shall not require the Indemnitee to disclose any information the disclosure of which would, in the good faith judgment of the Indemnitee, result in the loss of any existing privilege with respect to such information or violate any applicable Law.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9.4, in the event that (i) an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, (ii) there exists a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnitee, (iii) any Third-Party Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the Indemnitee, (iv) the Indemnitee’s exposure to Liability in connection with such Third-Party Claim is reasonably expected to exceed the Indemnifying Party’s exposure in respect of such Third-Party Claim taking into account the indemnification obligations hereunder, or (v) the Person making such Third-Party Claim is a Governmental Authority with regulatory authority over the Indemnitee or any of its material Assets, such Indemnitee shall be entitled to control the defense of such Third-Party Claim, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, with counsel of such Indemnitee’s choosing (such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying Party). If the Indemnitee is conducting the defense against any such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnitee in such defense and make available to the Indemnitee all witnesses and information in such Indemnifying Party’s possession or under such Indemnifying Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnitee; provided, however, that such access shall not require the Indemnifying Party to disclose any information the disclosure of which would, in the good faith judgment of the Indemnifying Party, result in the loss of any existing privilege with respect to such information or violate any applicable Law.

 

(e)           Unless the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense of the Third-Party Claim in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, no Indemnitee may settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim without the consent of the Indemnifying Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If an Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense of the Third-Party Claim, it shall not be a defense to any obligation to pay any amount in respect of such Third-Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party was not consulted in the defense thereof, that such Indemnifying Party’s views or opinions as to the conduct of such defense were not accepted or adopted, that such Indemnifying Party does not approve of the quality or manner of the defense thereof or that such Third-Party Claim was incurred by reason of a settlement rather than by a judgment or other determination of liability.

 

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(f)            In the case of a Third-Party Claim, no Indemnifying Party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement of the Third-Party Claim without the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of the Indemnitee if the effect thereof is to permit any injunction, declaratory judgment, other order or other non-monetary relief to be entered, directly or indirectly, against any Indemnitee, does not release the Indemnitee from all liabilities and obligations with respect to such Third-Party Claim or includes an admission of guilt or liability on behalf of the Indemnitee.

 

(g)           Absent fraud or intentional misconduct by an Indemnifying Party, the indemnification provisions of this Article IX shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of an Indemnitee for any monetary or compensatory damages or Losses resulting from any breach of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and each Indemnitee expressly waives and relinquishes any and all rights, claims or remedies such Person may have with respect to the foregoing other than under this Article IX against any Indemnifying Party.

 

Section 9.5            Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds. The Parties intend that any Loss subject to indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to this Article IX (an “Indemnifiable Loss”) will be net of Insurance Proceeds that actually reduce the amount of the Loss. Accordingly, the amount which an Indemnifying Party is required to pay to any Indemnitee will be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds actually recovered by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in reduction of the related Loss. If an Indemnitee receives a payment (an “Indemnity Payment”) required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Loss and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds to which the Indemnitee is entitled, the Indemnitee will pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payments received over the amount of the Indemnity Payments that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds recovery had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payments were made. The Indemnitee shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to recover any Insurance Proceeds to which the Indemnitee is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss. The existence of a claim by an Indemnitee for insurance proceeds or against a third party in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss shall not, however, delay any payment pursuant to the indemnification provisions contained in this Article IX and otherwise determined to be due and owing by an Indemnifying Party; rather, the Indemnifying Party shall make payment in full of such amount so determined to be due and owing by it against a concurrent written assignment by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party of the portion of the claim of the Indemnitee for such insurance or against such third party equal to the amount of such payment. The Indemnitee shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Indemnifying Party in recovering or to recover on behalf of the Indemnifying Party, any Insurance Proceeds to which the Indemnifying Party is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss as a result of such assignment. The Indemnitee shall make available to the Indemnifying Party and its counsel all employees, books and records, communications, documents, items or matters within its knowledge, possession or control that are necessary, appropriate or reasonably deemed relevant by the Indemnifying Party with respect to the recovery of such Insurance Proceeds; provided, however, that nothing in this sentence shall be deemed to require a Party to make available books and records, communications, documents or items which (i) in such Party’s good faith judgment could result in a waiver of any privilege even if the Parties cooperated to protect such privilege as contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) such Party is not permitted to make available because of any Law or any confidentiality obligation to a third party, in which case such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek a waiver of or other relief from such confidentiality restriction. Unless the Indemnifying Party has made payment in full of any Indemnifiable Loss, such Indemnifying Party shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to recover any Insurance Proceeds to which it or such Affiliate is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss.

 

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Section 9.6            Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Article IX is unavailable to an Indemnitee in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnitee, shall contribute to the Losses paid or payable by such Indemnitee as a result of such Indemnifiable Loss in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of NLOP and each other member of the NLOP Group, on the one hand, and WPC and each other member of the WPC Group, on the other hand, in connection with the circumstances which resulted in such Indemnifiable Loss.

 

Section 9.7            Remedies Cumulative. The remedies provided in this Article IX shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.

 

Section 9.8            Survival of Indemnities. The rights and obligations of each of the Parties and their respective Indemnitees under this Article IX shall survive the Distribution Date indefinitely, unless a specific survival or other applicable period is expressly set forth herein, and shall survive the sale or other transfer by any Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities.

 

Section 9.9            Limitation of Liability. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING IN RESPECT OF LOST PROFITS OR REVENUES), HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

Article X

 

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

Section 10.1          Appointed Representative. Each Party shall appoint a representative who shall be responsible for administering the dispute resolution provisions in Section 10.2 (each, an “Appointed Representative”). Each Appointed Representative shall have the authority to resolve any Agreement Disputes on behalf of the Party appointing such representative.

 

Section 10.2          Negotiation and Dispute Resolution.

 

(a)           Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, in the event of a controversy, dispute or claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the interpretation, performance, nonperformance, validity, termination or breach of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise arising out of, or in any way related to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (each, an “Agreement Dispute”), the Appointed Representatives shall negotiate in good faith for thirty (30) days to settle any such Agreement Dispute.

 

(b)           Nothing said or disclosed, nor any document produced, in the course of any negotiations, conferences and discussions in connection with efforts to settle an Agreement Dispute that is not otherwise independently discoverable shall be offered or received as evidence or used for impeachment or for any other purpose, but shall be considered as to have been disclosed for settlement purposes.

 

31

 

 

(c)           If a satisfactory resolution of any Agreement Dispute is not achieved by the Appointed Representatives within thirty (30) days, each Party will be entitled to refer the dispute to arbitration in accordance with Section 10.3.

 

Section 10.3          Arbitration.

 

(a)           If a satisfactory resolution of any Agreement Dispute is not achieved by the Appointed Representatives within thirty (30) days, such Agreement Dispute shall, on the demand of either Party, be resolved through binding and final arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) then in effect, except as those Rules may be modified in this Section 10.3.

 

(b)           There shall be three (3) arbitrators. Each Party shall select one (1) arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after receipt by respondent of a copy of the demand for arbitration. The arbitrators may be affiliated or interested persons of the Parties. If either Party fails to timely select an arbitrator then the Party who has selected an arbitrator may request AAA to provide a list of three (3) proposed arbitrators in accordance with the Rules (each of whom shall be neutral, impartial and unaffiliated with either Party) and the Party that failed to timely appoint an arbitrator shall have ten (10) days from the date AAA provides the list to select one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators proposed by AAA. If the Party fails to select the second (2nd) arbitrator by that time, the Party who has appointed the first (1st ) arbitrator shall then have ten (10) days to select one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators proposed by AAA to be the second (2nd) arbitrator; and if such Party should fail to select the second (2nd) arbitrator by such time, AAA shall select, within fifteen (15) days thereafter, one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators it had proposed as the second (2nd) arbitrator. The two (2) arbitrators so appointed shall jointly appoint the third (3rd) and presiding arbitrator (who shall be neutral and impartial and unaffiliated with either Party) within fifteen (15) days of the appointment of the second (2nd) arbitrator. If the third (3rd) arbitrator has not been appointed within the time limit specified herein, then AAA shall provide a list of proposed arbitrators in accordance with the Rules, and the arbitrator shall be appointed by AAA in accordance with a listing, striking and ranking procedure, with each Party having a limited number of strikes, excluding strikes for cause.

 

(c)           The place of arbitration shall be New York, New York, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.

 

(d)           There shall be only limited documentary discovery of documents directly related to the issues in dispute, as may be ordered by the arbitrators. For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that there shall be no depositions and no other discovery other than limited documentary discovery as described in the preceding sentence.

 

(e)           In rendering an award or decision (the “Award”), the arbitrators shall be required to follow the laws of the State of Maryland. Any arbitration proceedings or award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration agreement shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1 et seq. Any award shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9.9. The Award shall be in writing and shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law on which it is based. Any monetary award shall be made and payable in U.S. dollars. Subject to Section 10.3(g), the Party against which the Award assesses a monetary obligation shall pay that obligation on or before the thirtieth (30th) day following the date of the Award or such other date as the Award may provide.

 

32

 

 

(f)           Except to the extent expressly provided by this Agreement or as otherwise agreed by the Parties, each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and the arbitrators shall not render an award that would include shifting of any such costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees). Each Party shall bear the costs and expenses of its selected arbitrator and the Parties shall equally bear the costs and expenses of the third (3rd) appointed arbitrator.

 

(g)           Notwithstanding any language to the contrary in this Agreement, the Award, including but not limited to, any interim Award, may be appealed pursuant to the AAA’s Optional Appellate Arbitration Rules (“Appellate Rules”). The Award shall not be considered final until after the time for filing the notice of appeal pursuant to the Appellate Rules has expired. Appeals must be initiated within (30) days of receipt of the Award by filing a notice of appeal with any AAA office. Following the appeal process, the decision rendered by the appeal tribunal may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, and despite any contrary provision of the Appellate Rules, this Section 10.3(g) shall apply to any appeal pursuant to this Section 10.3(g) and the appeal tribunal shall not render an award that would include shifting of any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of either Party.

 

(h)           Following the expiration of the time for filing the notice of appeal, or the conclusion of the appeal process set forth in Section 10.3(g), the Award shall be final and binding upon the Parties and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between the Parties relating to the Agreement Dispute, including any claims, counterclaims, issues or accounting presented to the arbitrators. Judgment upon the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no application or appeal to any court of competent jurisdiction may be made in connection with any question of law arising in the course of arbitration or with respect to any award made except for actions relating to enforcement of this agreement to arbitrate or any arbitral award issued hereunder and except for actions seeking interim or other provisional relief in aid of arbitration proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(i)           This Section 10.3 is intended to benefit and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns and shall be binding upon the Parties, and be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that such individuals or entities may have by contract or otherwise.

 

(j)           The arbitrators may consolidate arbitration under this Agreement with any arbitration arising under or relating to any of the Ancillary Agreements if the subjects of the Agreement Disputes thereunder arise out of or relate essentially to the same set of facts or transactions. Such consolidated arbitration will be determined by the arbitrators appointed for the arbitration proceeding that was commenced first in time.

 

(k)           Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties will continue to provide service and honor all other commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article X with respect to all matters not subject to such dispute resolution.

 

Article XI

 

TERMINATION

 

Section 11.1          Termination. Upon written notice, this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements, may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of WPC without the approval of any other Party.

 

33

 

 

Section 11.2          Effect of Termination. In the event of termination pursuant to Section 11.1, neither Party shall have any Liability of any kind to the other Party.

 

Article XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.1          Further Assurances. Subject to the limitations or other provisions of this Agreement, (a) each Party shall, and shall cause the other members of its Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to, and in accordance with applicable Law) to take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done promptly, and to assist and cooperate with the other Party in doing, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the Transactions and to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, including using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain satisfaction of the conditions precedent in Article V within its reasonable control, and to perform all covenants and agreements herein applicable to such Party or any member of its Group and (b) neither Party will, nor will either Party allow any other member of its Group to, without the prior written consent of the other Party, take any action which would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay any of the Transactions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, where the cooperation of third parties, such as insurers or trustees, would be necessary in order for a Party to completely fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such third parties to provide such cooperation.

 

Section 12.2          Payment of Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred related to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Transactions on or prior to the Distribution Date, shall be the responsibility of NLOP and paid by NLOP (or, if paid by WPC, reimbursed by NLOP). Following the Separation, unless as otherwise set forth in the Ancillary Agreements or else agreed in writing by the Parties, each Party shall pay their own costs and expenses.

 

Section 12.3          Amendments and Waivers.

 

(a)           Subject to Section 11.1, this Agreement may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by both Parties.

 

(b)           Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived, or the time for its performance may be extended, by the Party entitled to the benefit thereof and any such waiver shall be validly and sufficiently given for the purposes of this Agreement if it is in writing signed by an authorized representative of such Party. No delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that either Party would otherwise have.

 

Section 12.4          Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, and the Exhibits and Schedules referenced herein and therein and attached hereto or thereto, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, commitments, writings, courses of dealing and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

34

 

 

Section 12.5          Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

 

Section 12.6          Third Party Beneficiaries. Except (a) as provided in Article IX relating to Indemnitees and for the release of any Person provided under Section 9.1, (b) as provided in Section 7.1 relating to insured persons and (c) as provided in Section 8.1(a), this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

 

Section 12.7          Notices. All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) five (5) Business Days following sending by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (b) when sent, if sent by facsimile, (c) when delivered, if delivered personally to the intended recipient, and (d) one (1) Business Day following sending by overnight delivery via a national courier service and, in each case, addressed to a Party at the following address for such Party:

 

(a)           If to WPC:

 

One Manhattan West

395 Ninth Avenue

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

(b)           If to NLOP:

 

c/o W. P. Carey Inc.

One Manhattan West

395 Ninth Avenue

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

Section 12.8          Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other documents pursuant to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same legal effect as, execution by an original signature and delivery in person.

 

Section 12.9          Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto or thereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to affect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the Transactions are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.

 

35

 

 

Section 12.10        Assignability; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that the rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement without such consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective Affiliates provided that no such assignment shall release such assigning Party from any liability or obligation under this Agreement.

 

Section 12.11        Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 12.12        Construction. This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Parties and no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against either Party. The Parties represent that this Agreement is entered into with full consideration of any and all rights which the Parties may have. The Parties have relied upon their own knowledge and judgment. The Parties have had access to independent legal advice, have conducted such investigations they thought appropriate, and have consulted with such other independent advisors as they deemed appropriate regarding this Agreement and their rights and asserted rights in connection therewith. The Parties are not relying upon any representations or statements made by the other Party, or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys, regarding this Agreement, except to the extent such representations are expressly set forth or incorporated in this Agreement. The Parties are not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of the other Party (or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys) to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Agreement or their preparation, it being expressly understood that neither Party shall ever assert any failure to disclose information on the part of the other Party as a ground for challenging this Agreement.

 

Section 12.13        Performance. Each Party shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party.

 

Section 12.14        Title and Headings. Titles and headings to Sections and Articles are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Section 12.15        Exhibits and Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference and shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.

 

Section 12.16        Exclusivity of Tax Matters. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Sections 2.2(b)(v), 4.3(b), 4.3(c), and 7.3), the Tax Matters Agreement shall exclusively govern all matters related to Taxes (including allocations thereof) addressed therein.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

36

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers as of the date first set forth above.

 

  W. P. Carey Inc.
   
   
  By: /s/ ToniAnn Sanzone
    Name: ToniAnn Sanzone
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer
     
   
  Net Lease Office Properties
   
   
  By: /s/ Jason E. Fox
    Name: Jason E. Fox
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Separation and Distribution Agreement]

 

 

 

 

ExhibiT A

 

NLOP Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiary  State/Country of Incorporation/Formation
NLO OP LLC  Delaware
NLO Mezzanine Borrower LLC  Delaware
NLO Pledgor LLC  Delaware
NLO MB TRS LLC  Delaware
NLO Holding Company LLC  Delaware
NLO SubREIT LLC  Delaware
NLO International Holding LP  Delaware
NLO International Holding GP TRS LLC  Delaware
NLO Financing B.V.  Netherlands
NLO Holding B.V.  Netherlands
308 Route 38 LLC  Delaware
500 Jefferson Tower (TX) LLC  Delaware
6000 Nathan (MN) LLC  Delaware
601 Jefferson Manager (DE) LLC  Delaware
601 Jefferson Tower (TX) LLC  Delaware
ADS2 (CA) LLC  Delaware
AIRLIQ (TX) LLC  Delaware
AUTOPRO (GA) LLC  Delaware
Call LLC  Delaware
Develop (TX) LP  Delaware
Drug (AZ) LLC  Delaware
FLOUR POWER (OH) LLC  Delaware
GRC-II (TX) LLC  Delaware
GRC-II (TX) Limited Partnership  Delaware
Health Landlord (MN) LLC  Delaware
HM Benefits (MI) LLC  Delaware
HNGS AUTO (MI) LLC  Delaware
ICall BTS (VA) LLC  Delaware
JPCENTRE (TX) LLC  Delaware
JPCENTRE Manager (TX) LLC  Delaware
JPTampa Management (FL) LLC  Delaware
Medi (PA) LLC  Delaware
Mercury (MI) LLC  Delaware

 

 

 

 

Metaply (MI) LLC  Delaware
Morisek Hoffman (IL) LLC  Delaware
Morrisville Landlord (NC) LP  Delaware
Morrisville Landlord GP (NC) LLC  Delaware
Oak Creek 17 Investor (WI) LLC  Delaware
Popcorn (TX) LLC  Delaware
RACO (AZ) LLC  Delaware
Roosevelt Blvd North (FL) LLC  Delaware
RRD (IL) LLC  Delaware
RUSH IT LLC  Delaware
Spring Forest Road (NC) LLC  Delaware
Stone Oak 17 (TX) LLC  Delaware
Telegraph (MO) LLC  Delaware
Truth (MN) LLC  Delaware
USO Landlord (TX) LLC  Delaware
Vandenburg Blvd (PA) LLC  Delaware
WPC Crown Colony (MA) LLC  Delaware
(CA) ADS, LLC  Delaware
Avasu (AZ) LLC  Delaware
Avasu (AZ) Transferee LLC  Delaware
Boom (MN) LLC  Delaware
Boom (MN) Transferee LLC  Delaware
CII Landlord (IL) LLC  Delaware
CII Landlord (IL) MM LLC  Delaware
GRC GP (TX) LLC  Delaware
GRC (TX) LP  Delaware
Hawk (IA) LLC  Delaware
Hawk Landlord (IA) LLC  Delaware
Hawk JV Landlord (IA) LLC  Delaware
Jax Costa (FL) LLC  Delaware
Jax Costa Transferee LLC  Delaware
Jax Costa Transferee Principal LLC  Delaware
Merge (WI) LLC  Delaware
Merge (WI) Transferee LLC  Delaware
MIS EGN (MN) LLC  Delaware
MIS-EGN (MN) Transferee LLC  Delaware
Orlando Storage 17 (FL) LLC  Delaware
Turbo Headquarters (TX) LLC  Delaware
Turbo Headquarters (TX) Transferee LLC  Delaware
Venice (CA) LP  Delaware
Venice (CA) Transferee LLC  Delaware
Venice (CA) Transferee Principal LLC  Delaware
ØAV 88 AS  Norway
Finnestadveien 44 II AS  Norway
NLO Admir B.V.  Netherlands
NLO Npow B.V.  Netherlands
NLOP Noki Sp. z o.o.  Poland

 

 

Exhibit 2.2

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

W. P. CAREY INC.

AND

NET LEASE OFFICE PROPERTIES

DATED AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Article 1 Definitions 1
Section 1.1 Definitions 1
Section 1.2 Interpretation and Rules of Construction 6
Article 2 Allocation of Taxes 7
Section 2.1 General Rule 7
Section 2.2 General Allocation Principles 7
Section 2.3 Allocation Conventions 8
Section 2.4 Transfer Taxes 8
Article 3 Tax Returns 8
Section 3.1 WPC Separate Returns and Joint Returns 8
Section 3.2 NLOP Separate Tax Returns 8
Section 3.3 Tax Reporting Practices 8
Section 3.4 Adjustments 9
Section 3.5 Tax Attributes 9
Article 4 Tax Payments & Benefits 9
Section 4.1 Taxes Shown on Tax Returns 9
Section 4.2 Certain Adjustments Resulting in Underpayments 9
Section 4.3 Indemnification Payments 10
Section 4.4 Tax Refunds 10
Article 5 [Reserved] 10
Article 6 Assistance and Cooperation 10
Section 6.1 Assistance and Cooperation 10
Section 6.2 Tax Return Information 11
Article 7 Tax Records 11
Section 7.1 Retention of Tax Records 11
Section 7.2 Access to Tax Records 12
Section 7.3 Preservation of Privilege 12
Article 8 Tax Contests 12
Section 8.1 Notice 12
Section 8.2 Control of Tax Contests. 12
Article 9 Tax Treatment of Payments 14
Article 10 Indemnification Payment Escrow 14
Article 11 General Provisions 15
Section 11.1 Amendments and Waivers 15
Section 11.2 Survival of Obligations 15

i

Section 11.3 Dispute Resolution 15
Section 11.4 Notices 15
Section 11.5 Severability 16
Section 11.6 Counterparts 17
Section 11.7 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries 17
Section 11.8 Governing Law 17
Section 11.9 Assignment; Binding Effect 17
Section 11.10 Remedies 17
Section 11.11 Waiver of Jury Trial 18
Section 11.12 Authorship 18

ii

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

This TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 31, 2023, is by and between W. P. Carey Inc., a Maryland corporation (“WPC”), and Net Lease Office Properties (“NLOP”), a Maryland real estate investment trust and wholly-owned subsidiary of WPC. Each of WPC and NLOP (and, solely with respect to Section 2.1(a)(iv) and Sections 1(b) and 3 of Appendix B, NLO Mezzanine Borrower LLC (“Mezz Borrower”)) is sometimes referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of October 31, 2023 by and among WPC and NLOP (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, WPC, through its Subsidiaries, has previously acquired the NLOP Assets;

WHEREAS, NLOP intends to elect to be treated as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes (a "REIT”);

WHEREAS, WPC and NLOP have entered into the Separation and Distribution Agreement, pursuant to which the Parties will complete the Separation, as provided for in a series of contribution and transfer agreements pursuant to Article II of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, whereby WPC has contributed (i) certain NLOP Assets and (ii) 100% of the equity interests in each entity holding the remainder of the NLOP Assets, to NLOP or a NLOP Subsidiary;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, on the Distribution Date, WPC will complete the distribution of NLOP Common Shares to each Record Holder, as set forth more fully in Section 4.3 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement (such distribution transaction, the “Distribution”); and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to set forth their agreement on the rights and obligations of the Parties with respect to (A) the administration and allocation of federal, state, local, and foreign Taxes incurred in Tax Periods beginning prior to the date of the Distribution (the “Distribution Date”), (B) Taxes resulting from the Distribution and transactions effected in connection with the Distribution and (C) various other Tax matters;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

Article 1
Definitions

Section 1.1      Definitions.

(a)            For purposes of this Agreement:

Adjustment Request” means any formal or informal claim or request filed with any Tax Authority, or with any administrative agency or court, for the adjustment, refund, or credit of Taxes, including (i) any amended Tax Return claiming adjustment to the Taxes as reported on the Tax Return or, if applicable, as previously adjusted, (ii) any claim for equitable recoupment or other offset, and (iii) any claim for refund or credit of Taxes previously paid.

1

Agreement Dispute” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Allowed Amount” has the meaning set forth in Article 10 of this Agreement.

Ancillary Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Boot” has the meaning set forth in Appendix A.

 

Business Day” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Change in Control” means any transaction or series of related transactions in which (a) all or substantially all of the assets of NLOP or WPC, as applicable, are sold, assigned, hypothecated, pledged or otherwise transferred to a third party; or (b) possession or control of a controlling portion of the equity interests in NLOP or WPC, as applicable, is directly or indirectly acquired by a third party.

Controlling Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(c) of this Agreement.

"Coverage Limit” means the limitation on WPC’s indemnification of NLOP Group under Section 4.2 described in Appendix C.

Coverage Period” has the meaning set forth in Appendix C.

Distribution Date” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Escrowed Amount” has the meaning set forth in Article 11 of this Agreement.

Final Determination” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax, which resolution may be for a specific issue or adjustment or for any Tax Period, (i) by IRS Form 870 or 870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance by or on behalf of the taxpayer, or by a comparable form under the laws of a state, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction, except that a Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form shall not constitute a Final Determination to the extent that it reserves (whether by its terms or by operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file a claim for refund or the right of the Tax Authority to assert a further deficiency in respect of such issue or adjustment or for such Tax Period (as the case may be); (ii) by a decision, judgment, decree, or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (iii) by a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws of a state, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction; (iv) by any allowance of a refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of a Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the jurisdiction imposing such Tax; (v) by a final settlement resulting from a treaty-based competent authority determination; or (vi) by any other final disposition, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, the execution of a pre-filing agreement with the IRS or other Tax Authority, or by mutual agreement of the Parties.

2

Governmental Authority” means any U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.

Group” means either the NLOP Group or the WPC Group, as the context requires.

Income Tax” means all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income, franchise or similar Taxes imposed on (or measured by) net income or net profits.

Indemnification Payee” has the meaning set forth in Article 10 of this Agreement.

Indemnification Payment” has the meaning set forth in Article 10 of this Agreement.

Indemnification Payor” has the meaning set forth in Article 10 of this Agreement.

Intended Tax Treatment” means the tax treatment set forth on Appendix A.

Joint Return” means any Tax Return that includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the WPC Group together with one or more members of the NLOP Group.

Mezz Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

NLOP Assets” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

NLOP Common Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

NLOP Financing Arrangements” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

NLOP Group” means NLOP and the NLOP Subsidiaries.

NLOP Separate Tax Return” means any Tax Return of any member of the NLOP Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return) that does not include any member of the WPC Group.

NLOP Subsidiaries” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Non-Controlling Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(c) of this Agreement.

Parties” and “Party” have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Past Practices” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a) of this Agreement.

Payor” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a) of this Agreement.

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Positive Tax Opinion or Ruling” has the meaning set forth in Article 10 of this Agreement.

Pre-Distribution Tax Period” means any Tax period ending on or before the Distribution Date.

Prime Rate” means the “prime rate” as published in The Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition.

Prior Group” means any group that filed or was required to file (or will file or be required to file) a Tax Return, for a Tax Period or portion thereof ending at the close of the Distribution Date, , on an affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary, fiscal unity or other group basis (including as permitted by Section 1501 of the Code) that includes at least one member of the NLOP Group.

Privilege” means any privilege that may be asserted under applicable law, including, any privilege arising under or relating to the attorney-client relationship (including the attorney-client and work product privileges), the accountant-client privilege and any privilege relating to internal evaluation processes.

Protected REIT” means any entity that (i) has elected or intends to elect to be taxed as a REIT, and (ii) either (A) is an Indemnification Payee or Required Party or (B) owns a direct or indirect equity interest in an Indemnification Payee or Required Party and is treated for purposes of Section 856 of the Code as (x) owning all or a portion of the assets of such Indemnification Payee or Required Party or (y) as receiving all or a portion of such Indemnification Payee’s or Required Party’s income.

Qualifying Income” has the meaning set forth in Article 11 of this Agreement.

Record Holder” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

REIT” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Required Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a) of this Agreement.

Responsible Party” means, with respect to any Tax Return, the Party having responsibility for preparing and filing such Tax Return under this Agreement.

Restructuring Transactions” means those transactions identified on Appendix A.

Retention Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1 of this Agreement.

Ruling” means a private letter ruling from the IRS regarding the Tax treatment of all or any part of the transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Separation” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Tax” or “Taxes” means any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, value added, stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, escheat, alternative minimum, universal service fund, estimated or other tax (including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax), imposed by any Governmental Authority or political subdivision thereof, and any interest, penalty, additions to tax or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

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Tax Advisor” means a Tax counsel or accountant, in each case of recognized national standing.

Tax Attribute” means a net operating loss, net capital loss, unused investment credit, unused foreign Tax credit (including credits of a foreign company under Section 902 of the Code), excess charitable contribution, general business credit, excess business interest expense carryforward, earnings and profits, basis, or any other Tax Item that could reduce a Tax or create a Tax Benefit.

Tax Authority” means, with respect to any Tax, the Governmental Authority or political subdivision thereof that imposes such Tax, and the agency (if any) charged with the collection of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.

Tax Benefit” means any refund, credit, or other item that causes reduction in otherwise required liability for Taxes.

Tax Contest” means an audit, review, examination, contest, litigation, investigation or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose or effect of redetermining Taxes (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).

Tax Item” means, with respect to any Income Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit.

Tax Law” means the law of any Governmental Authority or political subdivision thereof relating to any Tax.

Tax Period” means, with respect to any Tax, the period for which the Tax is reported as provided under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.

Tax Records” means any (i) Tax Returns, (ii) Tax Return workpapers, (iii) documentation relating to any Tax Contests, and (iv) any other books of account or records (whether or not in written, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms and whether or not stored on electronic or any other medium) maintained or required to be maintained under the Code or other applicable Tax Laws or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority, in each case filed or required to be filed with respect to or otherwise relating to Taxes.

Tax Return” means any report of Taxes due, any claim for refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, declaration, or document filed or required to be filed under the Code or other Tax Law with respect to Taxes, including any attachments, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.

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Transfer Taxes” means all sales, use, transfer, real property transfer, intangible, recordation, registration, documentary, stamp or similar Taxes imposed in connection with the Restructuring Transactions or the Distribution (excluding in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, any Income Taxes).

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated from time to time under the Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Period.

WPC Groupmeans WPC and the Subsidiaries of WPC other than NLOP and the NLOP Subsidiaries.

WPC Separate Tax Return” means any Tax Return of any member of the WPC Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return) that does not include any member of the NLOP Group.

Section 1.2      Interpretation and Rules of Construction. In this Agreement, except to the extent otherwise provided or that the context otherwise requires:

(a)            when a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference is to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement;

(b)            the table of contents and headings for this Agreement are for reference purposes only and do not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement;

(c)            whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(d)            the words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement;

(e)            references to any agreement, instrument, statute, rule or regulation are to the agreement, instrument, statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes, and all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein (and, in the case of statutes, include any rules and regulations promulgated under the statute);

(f)            all terms defined in this Agreement have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto, unless otherwise defined therein;

(g)            the definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as the feminine and neuter genders of such terms;

(h)            references to a Person are also to its successors and permitted assigns;

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(i)            except when used together with the word “either” or otherwise for the purpose of identifying mutually exclusive alternatives, the term “or” has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”;

(j)            all uses of currency or the symbol “$” in this Agreement refer to U.S. dollars; and

(k)            where this Agreement states that a Party “shall,” “will” or “must” perform in some manner, it means that the Party is legally obligated to do so under this Agreement.

Article 2
Allocation of Taxes

Section 2.1      General Rule. All Taxes shall be allocated as follows:

(a)            WPC Liability. Except with respect to Taxes described in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement, WPC shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the NLOP Group from and against any liability for:

(i)            Taxes that are allocated to WPC under this Article 2;

(ii)            any Tax resulting from a breach of any of WPC’s covenants in Section 3.3, Section 3.4, or Section 4.1 of this Agreement;

(iii)            Taxes imposed on NLOP or any member of the NLOP Group pursuant to the provisions of Treasury Regulations § 1.1502-6 (or similar provisions of state, local, or foreign Tax Law) as a result of any such member being or having been a member of a Prior Group; and

(iv)            without duplication, any Tax or loss incurred by Mezz Borrower resulting from (x) a breach of WPC’s obligation to make the election described in Section 1(b) of Appendix B or (y) resulting from a breach of WPC’s covenant in Section 3 of Appendix B.

(b)            NLOP Liability. NLOP shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the WPC Group from and against any liability for:

(i)            Taxes that are allocated to NLOP under this Article 2; and

(ii)            Any Tax resulting from a breach of any of NLOP’s covenants in Section 3.3, Section 3.4, or Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

Section 2.2      General Allocation Principles. All Taxes shall be allocated as follows:

(a)            Allocation of Taxes for Joint Returns. WPC shall be responsible for all Taxes reported, or required to be reported, on any Joint Return that any member of the WPC Group files or is required to file under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.

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(b)            Allocation of Taxes for Separate Returns.

(i)            WPC shall be responsible for all Taxes reported, or required to be reported, on a WPC Separate Tax Return.

(ii)            NLOP shall be responsible for all Taxes reported, or required to be reported, on a NLOP Separate Tax Return.

(c)            Taxes Not Reported on Tax Returns.

(i)            WPC shall be responsible for any Tax attributable to any member of the WPC Group that is not required to be reported on a Tax Return.

(ii)            NLOP shall be responsible for any Tax attributable to any member of the NLOP Group that is not required to be reported on a Tax Return.

Section 2.3      Allocation Conventions. Any Tax Item of NLOP or any member of the NLOP Group arising from a transaction engaged in outside of the ordinary course of business on the Distribution Date after the Effective Time shall be properly allocable to NLOP and any such transaction by or with respect to NLOP or any member of the NLOP Group occurring after the Effective Time shall be treated for all Tax purposes (to the extent permitted by applicable Tax Law) as occurring at the beginning of the day following the Distribution Date in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-76(b) or any similar provisions of state, local or non-U.S. Law.

Section 2.4      Transfer Taxes. Any Transfer Taxes shall be allocated solely to NLOP.

Article 3
Tax Returns

Section 3.1      WPC Separate Returns and Joint Returns. WPC shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all WPC Separate Returns and Joint Returns, and each member of the NLOP Group to which any such Joint Return relates shall execute and file such consents, elections and other documents as WPC may determine, after consulting with NLOP in good faith, are required or appropriate, or otherwise requested by WPC in connection with the filing of such Joint Return. NLOP will elect and join, and will cause its respective Affiliates to elect and join, in filing any Joint Returns that WPC determines are required to be filed or that WPC elects to file, in each case pursuant to this Section 3.1.

Section 3.2      NLOP Separate Tax Returns. NLOP shall prepare and file (or cause to be prepared and filed) all NLOP Separate Tax Returns and all Tax Returns with respect to Transfer Taxes.

Section 3.3      Tax Reporting Practices.

(a)            General Rule. Except as provided in Section 3.3(b) of this Agreement, WPC shall prepare all Joint Returns and NLOP shall prepare all NLOP Separate Tax Returns in accordance with past practices, permissible accounting methods, elections or conventions (“Past Practices”) used by the members of the NLOP Group and the members of the WPC Group prior to the Distribution Date. With respect to any Tax Return that NLOP has the obligation and right to prepare, or cause to be prepared, under this Article 3, to the extent such Tax Return could affect WPC, such Tax Return shall be prepared in accordance with Past Practices used by the members of the WPC Group and the members of the NLOP Group prior to the Distribution with respect to such Tax Return, and to the extent any items, methods or positions are not covered by Past Practices, such Tax Return shall be prepared in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by NLOP, subject to the consent of WPC (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

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(b)            Consistency with Intended Tax Treatment. The Parties shall (and shall cause each of their Affiliates, as applicable, to) prepare all Tax Returns consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment unless, and then only to the extent, an alternative position is required pursuant to a determination by a Tax Authority; provided, however, that neither Party shall be required to litigate before any court any challenge to the Intended Tax Treatment by a Tax Authority.

(c)            Tax Elections & Statements. The Parties shall (and shall cause each of their Affiliates, as applicable, to) take all actions necessary to effectuate the tax elections and file the statements described in Appendix B, in the form and as described in Appendix B.

Section 3.4      Adjustments.

(a)            NLOP hereby agrees that, unless as required by Law, no member of the NLOP Group (nor its successors) shall file any Adjustment Request with respect to any Tax Return that could affect any Joint Return or any other Tax Return that could affect WPC.

(b)            WPC hereby agrees that, unless NLOP consents in writing (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or as required by Law, no member of the WPC Group shall file any Adjustment Request with respect to any NLOP Separate Return.

Section 3.5      Tax Attributes. Tax Attributes shall not be allocated or apportioned in connection with the Distribution, and shall remain with the taxpayer that is entitled to such Tax Attributes without regard to the Distribution.

Article 4
Tax Payments & Benefits

Section 4.1      Taxes Shown on Tax Returns. WPC shall pay (or cause to be paid) to the proper Tax Authority the Tax shown as due on any Tax Return that a member of the WPC Group is responsible for preparing under Article 3 of this Agreement, and NLOP shall pay (or cause to be paid) to the proper Tax Authority the Tax shown as due on any Tax Return that a member of the NLOP Group is responsible for preparing under Article 3 of this Agreement.

Section 4.2      Certain Adjustments Resulting in Underpayments. Except as provided in the next sentence, in the case of any adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination with respect to any Tax, the Party responsible for filing the Tax Return relating to such Tax pursuant to this Agreement shall pay to the applicable Tax Authority when due any additional Tax required to be paid as a result of such adjustment. In the event of a Tax Contest with respect to Taxes for a Pre-Distribution Period for which NLOP is responsible pursuant to Article II and for which NLOP provides written notice to WPC prior to the end of the Coverage Period, WPC shall indemnify and hold harmless the NLOP Group from any additional Taxes assessed or imposed in connection with such Tax Contest for a Pre-Distribution Period but only to the extent such Taxes are described in the Coverage Limit set forth in Appendix C.

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Section 4.3      Indemnification Payments(a)      . To the extent that any Party (the “Payor”) is required under applicable Tax Law to pay to a Tax Authority a Tax that another Party (the “Required Party”) is liable for under this Agreement, the Required Party shall promptly reimburse the Payor within twenty (20) Business Days of delivery by the Payor to the Required Party of an invoice for the amount due, accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. The Required Party shall also pay to the Payor any reasonable third-party costs and expenses related to the foregoing (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) within five (5) days after the Payor’s written demand therefor.

Section 4.4      Tax Refunds(a)      . WPC shall be entitled to any refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Taxes for which WPC is liable hereunder, and NLOP shall be entitled to any refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Taxes for which NLOP is liable hereunder. A Party receiving a refund to which another Party is entitled hereunder shall pay over such refund to such other Party within thirty (30) Business Days after such refund is received or credited.

Article 5
[Reserved]

Article 6
Assistance and Cooperation

Section 6.1      Assistance and Cooperation.

(a)            The Parties shall cooperate (and cause their respective Affiliates to cooperate) with each other and with each other’s agents, including accounting firms and legal counsel, in connection with Tax matters relating to the Parties and their Affiliates, including (i) preparation and filing of Tax Returns, (ii) determining the liability for and amount of any Taxes due (including estimated Taxes) or the right to and amount of any refund of Taxes, (iii) examinations of Tax Returns, and (iv) any administrative or judicial proceeding in respect of Taxes assessed or proposed to be assessed. Such cooperation shall include making all information and documents in their possession relating to any other Party and its Affiliates reasonably available to such other Party as provided in this Article 6. The Parties shall cooperate with each other and take any and all actions reasonably requested by the other in connection with obtaining Positive Tax Opinion or Ruling (including, without limitation, by making any new representation or covenant, confirming any previously made representation or covenant or providing any materials or information requested by any Tax Advisor).

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(b)            Any information or documents provided under this Agreement shall be kept confidential by the Party receiving the information or documents, except as may otherwise be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes. In addition, in the event that NLOP determines that the provision of any information or documents to WPC or any of its Affiliates, or WPC determines that the provision of any information or documents to NLOP or any its Affiliates, could be commercially detrimental, violate any Law or agreement or waive any Privilege, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to permit each other’s compliance with its obligations under this Article 6 in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.

Section 6.2      Tax Return Information. Each of NLOP and WPC, and each member of their respective Groups, acknowledges that time is of the essence in relation to any request for information, assistance or cooperation made pursuant to Section 6.1 of this Agreement or this Section 6.2. Each of NLOP and WPC, and each member of their respective Groups, acknowledges that failure to conform to the reasonable deadlines set by the Party making such request could cause irreparable harm. Each Party shall provide to the other Party information and documents relating to its Group reasonably required by the other Party to prepare Tax Returns, including any pro forma returns required by the Responsible Party for purposes of preparing such Tax Returns. Any information or documents the Responsible Party requires to prepare such Tax Returns shall be provided in such form as the Responsible Party reasonably requests and at or prior to the time reasonably specified by the Responsible Party so as to enable the Responsible Party to file such Tax Returns on a timely basis.

Article 7
Tax Records

Section 7.1      Retention of Tax Records. Each of NLOP and WPC shall preserve and keep all Tax Records exclusively relating to the assets and activities of its Group for Pre-Distribution Periods, for so long as the contents thereof may be or become material in the administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, but in any event until the later of (i) the expiration of any applicable statutes of limitations, or (ii) seven (7) years after the filing of the Tax Return to which they relate (such later date, the “Retention Date”). After the Retention Date, each of NLOP and WPC may dispose of such Tax Records. If, prior to the Retention Date, NLOP or WPC reasonably determine that any Tax Records which it would otherwise be required to preserve and keep under this Article 7 are no longer material in the administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law and the other Party agrees, then such first Party may dispose of such Tax Records upon sixty (60) Business Days’ prior notice to the other Party. Any notice of an intent to dispose given pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall include a list of the Tax Records to be disposed of describing in reasonable detail each file, book, or other record accumulation being disposed. The notified Parties shall have the opportunity, at their cost and expense, to copy or remove, within such sixty (60) Business Day period, all or any part of such Tax Records. If, at any time prior to the Retention Date, a Party or any of its Affiliates determines to decommission or otherwise discontinue any computer program or information technology system used to access or store any Tax Records, then such program or system may be decommissioned or discontinued upon ninety (90) Business Days’ prior notice to the other Party and the other Party shall have the opportunity, at its cost and expense, to copy, within such ninety (90) Business Day period, all or any part of the underlying data relating to the Tax Records accessed by or stored on such program or system.

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Section 7.2      Access to Tax Records. The Parties and their respective Affiliates shall make available to each other for inspection and copying during normal business hours upon reasonable notice all Tax Records (and, for the avoidance of doubt, any pertinent underlying data accessed or stored on any computer program or information technology system) in their possession in connection with Tax matters relating to the Parties and their Affiliates as described in Section 6.1(a), and shall permit the other Party and its Affiliates, authorized agents and representatives and any representative of a Tax Authority or other Tax auditor direct access, at the cost and expense of the requesting Party, during normal business hours upon reasonable notice to any computer program or information technology system used to access or store any Tax Records, in each case to the extent reasonably required by the other Party in connection with the preparation of Tax Returns or financial accounting statements, audits, litigation, or the resolution of items under this Agreement.

Section 7.3      Preservation of Privilege. The Parties and their respective Affiliates shall not provide access to, copies of, or otherwise disclose to any Person any documentation relating to Taxes existing prior to the Distribution Date to which Privilege may reasonably be asserted without the prior written consent of the other Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Article 8
Tax Contests

Section 8.1      Notice. Each Party shall provide prompt notice to the other Party of any written communication from a Tax Authority regarding any pending Tax audit, assessment or proceeding or other Tax Contest of which it becomes aware (i) related to Taxes for Tax Periods for which it is indemnified by the other Party hereunder or for which it may be required to indemnify the other Party hereunder, (ii) in the case of the NLOP Group, relating to Tax Items for a Pre-Distribution Period that could affect the Taxes payable by the WPC Group, or (iii) otherwise relating to the Intended Tax Treatment. Such notice shall attach copies of the pertinent portion of any written communication from a Tax Authority and contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice and other documents received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matters.

Section 8.2      Control of Tax Contests.

(a)            WPC Control. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, WPC shall have the sole right to control and absolute discretion with respect to any decisions to be made, or the nature of any action to be taken, with respect to any Tax Contest with respect to any Tax matters relating to (i) a Joint Return, (ii) a WPC Separate Tax Return, or (iii) a Tax for which WPC is or may be required to indemnify NLOP; provided, however, that with respect to Tax Contests involving NLOP Separate Tax Returns described in clause (iii), WPC shall not settle any such Tax Contest without NLOP’s prior written consent (which may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

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(b)            NLOP Control. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.2, NLOP shall have the sole right to control any Tax Contest with respect to any Tax matters relating to a NLOP Separate Tax Return or Transfer Taxes.

(c)            Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.2(a), in connection with any Tax Contest described in this Section 8.2, the Controlling Party shall have the sole right to contest, litigate, compromise and settle any Tax Contest; provided that to the extent any such Tax Contest (i) could give rise to a claim for indemnity by the Controlling Party or its Affiliates against the Non-Controlling Party or its Affiliates under this Agreement, (ii) is with respect to a NLOP Group Tax Return for a Pre-Distribution Period, or (iii) is with respect to a NLOP Group Tax Return and involves a challenge to the Intended Tax Treatment, then the Controlling Party shall not settle any such Tax Contest without the Non-Controlling Party’s prior written consent (which may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). In connection with any potential adjustment in a Tax Contest described in clauses (i)-(iii) of the preceding sentence: (i) the Controlling Party shall keep the Non-Controlling Party informed in a timely manner of all actions taken or proposed to be taken by the Controlling Party with respect to such Tax Contest; (ii) the Controlling Party shall timely provide the Non-Controlling Party copies of any written materials relating to such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest received from any Tax Authority; (iii) the Controlling Party shall timely provide the Non-Controlling Party with copies of any correspondence or filings submitted to any Tax Authority or judicial authority in connection with such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; (iv) the Controlling Party shall consult with the Non-Controlling Party and offer the Non-Controlling Party a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; and (v) the Controlling Party shall defend such Tax Contest diligently and in good faith; provided, however, that if NLOP is the Controlling Party, (y) WPC shall have the right to participate in the relevant Tax Contest, and (z) NLOP shall not take any action that may negatively impact any Tax Return or Tax liability of WPC without WPC’s prior written consent (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The failure of the Controlling Party to take any action specified in the preceding sentence with respect to the Non-Controlling Party shall not relieve the Non-Controlling Party of any liability and/or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party under this Agreement except to the extent that the Non-Controlling Party was actually harmed by such failure, and in no event shall such failure relieve the Non-Controlling Party from any other liability or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party. In the case of any Tax Contest described in this Article 8, “Controlling Party” means the Party entitled to control the Tax Contest under such Section 8.2(a) or Section 8.2(b) and “Non-Controlling Party” means (x) WPC if NLOP is the Controlling Party and (y) NLOP if WPC is the Controlling Party.

(d)            Power of Attorney. Each member of the WPC Group shall execute and deliver to NLOP (or such member of the NLOP Group as NLOP shall designate) any power of attorney or other similar document reasonably requested by NLOP (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest (as to which NLOP is the Controlling Party) described in this Article 8. Each member of the NLOP Group shall execute and deliver to WPC (or such member of the WPC Group as WPC shall designate) any power of attorney or other similar document requested by WPC (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest (as to which WPC is the Controlling Party) described in this Article 8.

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Article 9
Tax Treatment of Payments

Unless WPC determines, in its reasonable discretion, that an alternative characterization is appropriate, any payment made by WPC or any member of the WPC Group to NLOP or any member of the NLOP Group, or by NLOP or any member of the NLOP Group to WPC or any member of the WPC Group, pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated by the Parties for all Tax purposes as a distribution by NLOP to WPC, or a capital contribution from WPC to NLOP, as the case may be, occurring immediately before the Distribution; provided, however, that any such payment that is made or received by a Person other than WPC or NLOP, as the case may be, shall be treated as if made or received by the payor or the recipient as agent for WPC or NLOP, in each case as appropriate and as reasonable determined by WPC. No Party shall take any position inconsistent with the treatment described in the preceding sentence (including any alternative treatment determined by WPC), and in the event that a Tax Authority asserts that a Party’s treatment of a payment pursuant to this Agreement should be other than as set forth in the preceding sentence, such Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to contest such challenge.

Article 10
Indemnification Payment Escrow

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, if one party to this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (the “Indemnification Payor”) is required to pay another party to such agreement (the “Indemnification Payee”) any indemnification payment that could reasonably result in income to any Protected REIT for U.S. federal income Tax purposes if paid (such payment, an “Indemnification Payment”), then, unless the Indemnification Payee shall have received a tax opinion of a Tax Advisor or a ruling from the IRS to the effect that the Indemnification Payee’s receipt of such payment will be treated as qualifying income with respect to the any applicable Protected REIT for purposes of Section 856(c)(2) and 856(c)(3) of the Code (“Qualifying Income”) or shall be excluded from income for such purposes (such advice or ruling, a “Positive Tax Opinion or Ruling”), and notified the Indemnification Payor in writing of its receipt of such Positive Tax Opinion or Ruling and directed that payment be made otherwise than into escrow as provided below, the amounts payable to the Indemnification Payee shall be limited to the maximum amount (“Allowed Amount”) that can be paid without causing the Indemnification Payee’s receipt of its share of such funds to cause any applicable Protected REIT to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute Qualifying Income and the Protected REIT has 0.5% of income from unknown sources during such year that does not constitute Qualifying Income (in addition to any known or anticipated income that is not Qualifying Income), as determined by independent accountants to the Indemnification Payee, and any excess of the amount of the Indemnification Payment over the Allowed Amount (such excess, the “Escrowed Amount”) shall be placed into escrow. Any such Escrowed Amount shall be retained by the escrow agent in a separate interest-bearing, segregated account for the account of the Indemnification Payor. The Indemnification Payee shall pay all costs associated with obtaining any tax opinion of a Tax Advisor or ruling from the IRS described above. The Escrowed Amount shall be fully disbursed (and therefore any unpaid portion of the Indemnification Payment shall be paid to the Indemnification Payee) upon the escrow agent’s receipt of a Positive Tax Opinion or Ruling. To the extent not previously paid, upon any determination by independent accountants to the Indemnification Payee that any additional amount of the Indemnification Payment may be disbursed to the Indemnification Payee without causing any applicable Protected REIT to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and 856(c)(3) of the Code, determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute Qualifying Income and the Protected REIT has 0.5% of income from unknown sources during such year that does not constitute Qualifying Income (in addition to any known or anticipated income that is not Qualifying Income), the determination of such independent accountants shall be provided to the escrow agent and such additional amount shall be disbursed to the Indemnification Payee. At the end of the second calendar year beginning after the date on which the Indemnification Payor’s obligation to pay the Indemnification Payment arose (or earlier if directed by the Indemnification Payee), any remainder of the Escrowed Amount (together with interest thereon) then being held by the escrow agent shall be disbursed to the Indemnification Payor and, in the event that the Indemnification Payment has not by then been paid in full, such unpaid portion shall never be due.

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Article 11
General Provisions

Section 11.1      Amendments and Waivers.

(a)            Subject to Section 11.1 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by both Parties.

(b)            Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived, or the time for its performance may be extended, by the Party entitled to the benefit thereof and any such waiver shall be validly and sufficiently given for the purposes of this Agreement if it is in writing signed by an authorized representative of such Party. No delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that either Party would otherwise have.

Section 11.2      Survival of Obligations. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall be unconditional and absolute and shall remain in effect without limitation as to time.

Section 11.3      Dispute Resolution. Any and all Agreement Disputes arising hereunder shall be resolved through the procedures provided in Article X of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

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Section 11.4      Notices. All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) five (5) Business Days following sending by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (b) when sent, if sent by facsimile, (c) when delivered, if delivered personally to the intended recipient, and (d) one (1) Business Day following sending by overnight delivery via a national courier service and, in each case, addressed to a Party at the following address for such Party:

 

(a)            if to WPC to:

One Manhattan West

395 9th Avenue

58th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Attn:Sapna Sanagavarapu, Chief Legal Officer
email:ssanagavarapu@WPCAREY.COM

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Hogan Lovells US LLP
555 13th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

Attn:Lauren Clarke
email:lauren.clarke@hoganlovells.com

(b)            if to NLOP to:

One Manhattan West

395 9th Avenue

58th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Attn:Sapna Sanagavarapu, Chief Legal Officer
email:ssanagavarapu@WPCAREY.COM

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Hogan Lovells US LLP
555 13th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

Attn:Lauren Clarke
email:lauren.clarke@hoganlovells.com

All notices, requests, claims, consents, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be deemed duly given or made (A) if delivered in person, on the date delivered, (B) if sent by electronic mail (providing confirmation of transmission), on the date it was received, or (C) if sent by prepaid overnight courier, on the next Business Day (providing proof of delivery). For the avoidance of doubt, counsel for a Party may send notices, requests, claims, consents demands or other communications on behalf of such Party.

Section 11.5      Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Restructuring Transactions and Distribution is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to affect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the Restructuring Transactions and Distribution are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.

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Section 11.6      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall be deemed one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties. Signatures to this Agreement transmitted by electronic mail in .pdf format, or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature.

Section 11.7      Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, commitments, writings, courses of dealing and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

Section 11.8      Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

Section 11.9      Assignment; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that the rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement without such consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective Affiliates provided that no such assignment shall release such assigning Party from any liability or obligation under this Agreement.

Section 11.10      Remedies.

(a)            Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a Party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by Law or equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy.

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(b)            The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached, and that monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy therefor. It is accordingly agreed that prior to the termination of this Agreement, the non-breaching Party shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement without proof of damages or otherwise, in addition to any other remedy to which such Party is entitled at Law or in equity. Each of the Parties hereby waives (a) any defense in an Action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate to prevent or restrain breaches or threatened breaches and (b) any requirement under any Law to post a security as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief. Each Party agrees that the right of specific performance and other equitable relief is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without that right neither NLOP, on the one hand, nor WPC, on the other hand, would have entered into this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties may pursue both a grant of specific performance or other equitable remedies to the extent permitted by this Section 11.10 and the payment of damages, but shall not be entitled or permitted to receive an award of damages if specific performance or other equitable remedies are awarded and shall not be entitled or permitted to receive an award of specific performance or other equitable remedies if damages are awarded.

Section 11.11      Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 11.11.

Section 11.12      Authorship. The Parties agree that the terms and language of this Agreement are the result of negotiations among the Parties and their respective advisors and, as a result, there shall be no presumption that any ambiguities in this Agreement shall be resolved against any Party. Any controversy over construction of this Agreement shall be decided without regard to events of authorship or negotiation.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers, all as of the date first written above.

W. P. CAREY INC.
By: /s/ ToniAnn Sanzone
Name: ToniAnn Sanzone
Title: Chief Financial Officer

NET LEASE OFFICE PROPERTIES
By: /s/ Jason E. Fox
Name: Jason E. Fox
Title: Chief Executive Officer

With respect to Section 2.1(a)(iv) and Sections 1(b) and 3 of Appendix B:
NLO MEZZANINE BORROWER LLC
By: /s/ ToniAnn Sanzone
Name: ToniAnn Sanzone
Title: Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement]

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

NET LEASE OFFICE PROPERTIES

 

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF DECLARATION OF TRUST

 

FIRST: Net Lease Office Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Trust”) formed under Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (the “Maryland REIT Law”), desires to amend and restate its Declaration of Trust as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

 

SECOND: The following provisions are all the provisions of the Declaration of Trust as hereby amended and restated.

 

ARTICLE I

 

FORMATION

 

The Trust is a real estate investment trust within the meaning of the Maryland REIT Law. The Trust shall not be deemed to be a general partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, joint stock company or a corporation but nothing herein shall preclude the Trust from being treated for tax purposes as an association under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

NAME

 

The name of the Trust is: Net Lease Office Properties. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or “Board of Trustees”) may change the name of the Trust without approval of the shareholders (collectively, the “Shareholders” and individually, the “Shareholder”) of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (the “Shares”).

 

ARTICLE III

 

PURPOSES AND POWERS

 

Section 3.1  Purposes.  The purposes for which the Trust is formed are to engage in any lawful business or other activity, either directly or indirectly through subsidiaries of the Trust, including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Code, for which real estate investment trusts may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in effect.

 

Section 3.2  Powers.  The Trust shall have all of the powers granted to REITs by Maryland law and all other powers set forth in these Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) that are not inconsistent with law and are appropriate to promote and attain its purposes set forth in this Declaration of Trust.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT

 

The address of the principal office of the Trust in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The name of the resident agent of the Trust in the State of Maryland is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, whose address is 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.

 

ARTICLE V

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Section 5.1  Powers.  Subject to any express limitations contained in this Declaration of Trust or in the bylaws of the Trust (the “Bylaws”), (a) the business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees, (b) the Board of Trustees shall have full, exclusive and absolute power, control and authority over the Trust and any and all property of the Trust and (c) all powers of the Trust may be exercised by or under authority of the Board of Trustees except as expressly conferred on or expressly reserved to the Shareholders by law or by this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws.  The Board of Trustees may take any action as in its sole judgment and discretion is necessary or appropriate in the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust or in the furtherance of the interests of the Trust and the owners of its shares of beneficial interest.  This Declaration of Trust shall be construed with the presumption in favor of the grant of power and authority to the Board of Trustees.  Any construction of this Declaration of Trust or determination made in good faith by the Board of Trustees concerning its powers and authority hereunder shall be conclusive.  The enumeration and definition of particular powers of the Board of Trustees included in this Declaration of Trust or in the Bylaws shall in no way be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of this or any other provision of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws or construed or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit the powers conferred upon the Board of Trustees or the trustees (collectively, the “Trustees” and, individually, a “Trustee”) under the general laws of the State of Maryland or any other applicable laws.

 

Section 5.2  Number of Trustees.  The number of Trustees constituting the entire Board of Trustees is currently set at five (5), but may hereafter be increased or decreased only by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Bylaws or this Section 5.2, but shall never be fewer than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”) nor more than fifteen (15). No reduction in the number of Trustees shall cause the removal of any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his or her term.

 

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The Trustees shall be classified, with respect to the terms for which they severally hold office, into three classes, one class (“Class I”) to hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of Shareholders in 2025, another class (“Class II”) to hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of Shareholders in 2026 and another class (“Class III”) to hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of Shareholders in 2027, with the members of each class to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualify. At the annual meeting of Shareholders held in 2025, the successors to the Trustees whose terms expire at such meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of Shareholders held in 2027 and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. At the annual meeting of Shareholders held in 2026, the successors to the Trustees whose terms expire at such meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of Shareholders held in 2027 and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. At the annual meeting of Shareholders held in 2027 and each annual meeting of Shareholders held thereafter, the successors to the Trustees whose terms expire at each annual meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. The names and class of the Trustees who shall serve until their successors are duly elected and qualify shall be:

 

Class I

Axel K. A. Hansing

Jean Hoysradt

 

Class II

Richard J. Pinola

John J. Park

 

Class III

Jason E. Fox

 

It shall not be necessary to list in this Declaration of Trust the names of any Trustees hereinafter elected.

 

Except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of any class or series of Shares and subject to Section 5.3 hereof, any and all vacancies on the Board of Trustees may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees in office, even if the remaining Trustees do not constitute a quorum, and any Trustee elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the trusteeship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies; provided, however, that the Shareholders shall have the right to fill any vacancy that results from the removal of a Trustee for cause pursuant to Section 5.3.

 

Section 5.3  Resignation or Removal of Trustees.  Any Trustee may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board of Trustees, effective upon execution and delivery to the Trust of such written notice or upon any future date specified in the notice. Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Shares, as hereinafter defined, to elect or remove one or more Trustees, any Trustee may be removed at any time, but only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular Trustee, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such Trustee caused demonstrable, material harm to the Trust through willful misconduct, bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty. Any amendment to this Section 5.3 that amends or removes the requirement of cause for the removal of Trustees shall not apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any Trustee in office at the time of such amendment.

 

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Section 5.4  REIT Qualification.  The Board of Trustees, without any action by the Shareholders, shall have the authority to cause the Trust to elect to qualify for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a REIT.  Following such election, if the Board of Trustees determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board of Trustees, without any action by the Shareholders, may revoke or otherwise terminate the Trust’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code or through such other means as the Board determines appropriate.  In addition, the Board of Trustees, without any action by the Shareholders of the Trust, shall have and may exercise, on behalf of the Trust, without limitation, the power to determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on ownership and transfers of Shares set forth in Article VII is no longer required in order for the Trust to qualify as a REIT.

 

Section 5.5  Determinations by Board. The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Trustees consistent with this Declaration of Trust, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Trust and every holder of Shares: the amount of the net income of the Trust for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of Shares or the payment of other distributions on Shares; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of Shares; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Trust or of any Shares; the number of Shares of any class of the Trust; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Trust; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Trust or required or permitted by applicable law, this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Trustees.

 

Section 5.6  Approval of Extraordinary Actions.  Except as specifically provided Article VII, Article X and Section 12.2, notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of Shares entitled to cast a greater proportion of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Trustees and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

Section 5.7  Business Opportunities.  The Trust shall have the power to renounce, by resolution of the Board of Trustees, any interest or expectancy of the Trust in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities or classes or categories of business opportunities that are (i) presented to the Trust or (ii) developed by or presented to one or more Trustees or officers of the Trust.

 

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ARTICLE VI

 

SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Section 6.1  Authorized Shares.  The beneficial interest of the Trust shall be divided into Shares.  The total number of Shares of all classes that the Trust has authority to issue is fifty million (50,000,000), consisting of forty-five million (45,000,000) common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share (“Common Shares”), and five million (5,000,000) preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share (“Preferred Shares”).  The aggregate par value of all authorized Shares having par value is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). The Board of Trustees, with the affirmative vote of a majority of Trustees, may amend this Declaration of Trust from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of shares of any class or series that the Trust has the authority to issue, without approval of any Shareholder.

 

Section 6.2  Common Shares.  Subject to the provisions of Article VII, each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter upon which holders of Common Shares are entitled to vote. The Board of Trustees may reclassify any unissued Common Shares from time to time in one or more classes or series of Common Shares or Preferred Shares.

 

Section 6.2.1  Dividends and Distributions.  The Board of Trustees may from time to time authorize and declare (or cause the Trust to declare) to Shareholders such dividends or distributions in cash or other assets of the Trust or in securities of the Trust or from any other source as the Board of Trustees in its discretion shall determine, but only out of funds legally available therefor.  The Board of Trustees shall endeavor to authorize, and the Trust shall declare and pay, such dividends and distributions as shall be necessary for the Trust to qualify as a REIT under the Code (unless the Board of Trustees has determined that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust to continue to be qualified as a REIT); however, Shareholders shall have no right to any dividend or distribution unless and until authorized by the Board of Trustees and declared by the Board of Trustees or the Trust, but subject to any conditions established by the Board in connection with the declaration of any such dividend.  The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board of Trustees pursuant to this Section 6.2.1 shall be subject to the preferences of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding.

 

Section 6.2.2  Liquidation Rights.  In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or any distribution of the assets of, the Trust, the holders of Common Shares shall be entitled to participate in the pro rata distribution of any assets of the Trust remaining after the Trust shall have paid, or provided for payment of, all debts and liabilities of the Trust and after the Trust shall have paid, or set aside for payment, amounts due to the holders of any class of stock having preference over the Common Shares as to distributions in the event of dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Trust.

 

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Section 6.3  Preferred Shares.  The Board of Trustees may classify any unissued Preferred Shares and reclassify any previously classified but unissued Preferred Shares of any series from time to time, in one or more classes or series of Common Shares or Preferred Shares.

 

Section 6.4  Classification and Reclassification of Shares.  Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board of Trustees, without approval of any Shareholder, (a) by resolution shall: (i) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Shares; (ii) specify the number of Shares to be included in the class or series; and (iii) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Shares outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (b) shall cause the Trust to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (“SDAT”) containing the information required by the Maryland REIT Law.  Any of the terms of any class or series of Shares set or changed pursuant to clause (a)(iii) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts ascertainable outside this Declaration of Trust (including the occurrence of any event, including a determination or action by the Trust or any other person or body) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary filed with the SDAT.

 

If shares of one class are classified or reclassified into shares of another class pursuant to this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of all classes that the Trust has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in Section 6.1.

 

Section 6.5  Authorization by Board of Trustees of Share Issuance.  The Board of Trustees, without approval of any Shareholder, may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration (whether in cash, property, past or future services, obligation for future payment or otherwise) as the Board of Trustees may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend or other situation permitted under the Maryland REIT Law), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws.

 

Section 6.6  Transferable Shares; Preferential Dividends. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration of Trust, no determination shall be made by the Board of Trustees nor shall any transaction be entered into by the Trust that would cause any Shares or other beneficial interest in the Trust not to constitute “transferable shares” or “transferable certificates of beneficial interest” under Section 856(a)(2) of the Code or, with respect to any taxable year(s) in which the Trust is not required to file annual and periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that would cause any distribution to constitute a preferential dividend as described in Section 562(c) of the Code.

 

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Section 6.7 General Nature of Shares.  All Shares shall be personal property entitling the Shareholders only to those rights provided in this Declaration of Trust.  The Shareholders shall have no interest in the property of the Trust and shall have no right to compel any partition, division, dividend or distribution of the Trust or of the property of the Trust.  The death of a Shareholder shall not terminate the Trust.  The Trust is entitled to treat as Shareholders only those persons in whose names Shares are registered as holders of Shares on the share ledger of the Trust.

 

Section 6.8  Fractional Shares.  The Trust may, without the consent or approval of any Shareholder, issue fractional Shares, eliminate a fraction of a Share by rounding up or down to a full Share, arrange for the disposition of a fraction of a Share by the person entitled to it, or pay cash for the fair value of a fraction of a Share.

 

Section 6.9  Divisions and Combinations of Shares.  Subject to any express provision to the contrary in the terms of any class or series of Shares hereafter authorized, the Board of Trustees shall have the power, without a vote of Shareholders, to divide or combine the outstanding Shares of any class or series of Shares into a greater or lesser number of Shares and the corresponding number of authorized Shares of such class or series of Shares (and without regard to any limitation applicable to divisions or combinations of shares by a Maryland corporation that may be effected without the authorization of the stockholders of a Maryland corporation).

 

Section 6.10  Declaration of Trust and Bylaws.  All persons who shall acquire a Share shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

 

Section 7.1  Definitions.  For the purpose of this Article VII, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Beneficial Ownership.  The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in the Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee) by such Person, and shall include ownership through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3) of the Code. Whenever a Person Beneficially Owns Shares that are not actually outstanding (e.g., Shares issuable upon the exercise of an option or the conversion of a convertible security) (“Option Shares”), then, whenever the Declaration of Trust requires a determination of the percentage of outstanding Shares of a class of Shares Beneficially Owned by such Person, the Option Shares Beneficially Owned by such Person shall also be deemed to be outstanding. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Business Day.  The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

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Charitable Beneficiary.  The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.7, provided that each such organization must be described in Sections 501(c)(3) and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A) and 170(c)(2), and Sections 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

Charitable Trust.  The term “Charitable Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 7.2.1(b)(i) and Section 7.3.1.

 

Charitable Trustee.  The term “Charitable Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with both the Trust and the relevant Prohibited Owner that is appointed by the Trust to serve as trustee of the Charitable Trust.

 

Constructive Ownership.  The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Shares by a Person who is or would be treated as an owner of such Shares either actually (including through a nominee) or constructively through the application of section 318 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Own,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Declaration of Trust.  The term “Declaration of Trust” shall mean these Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust as filed for record with the SDAT, and any amendments and supplements thereto.

 

Initial Date.  The term “Initial Date” shall mean (i) the close of business on the date on which W. P. Carey Inc., a Maryland corporation (“WPC”), distributes 100% of the Common Shares of the Trust held by WPC to the holders of shares of common stock of WPC after such distribution is completed or (ii) such other date as determined by the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion.

 

Market Price.  The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding Shares, the Closing Price for such Shares on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Shares, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trade on the NYSE or, if such Shares are not listed or admitted to trade on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Shares are not listed or admitted to trade on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Shares are not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Shares selected by the Board of Trustees or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Shares, the fair market value of Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.

 

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Non-Transfer Event.  The term “Non-Transfer Event” shall mean any event or other changes in circumstances other than a purported Transfer, including, without limitation, any change in the value of any Shares and any redemption of any Shares.

 

NYSE.  The term “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Ownership Limit.  The term “Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% (or such other limit designated by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 7.2.8 or Section 7.2.9) (in value or in number of Shares, whichever is more restrictive) of (A) in the case of Common Shares, the aggregate of the outstanding Common Shares, and (B) in the case of any class or series of Preferred Shares, the aggregate of the Preferred Shares in such class or series. For purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Shares of any class or series by any Person, Shares that are treated as Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such Person shall be deemed outstanding. The number and value of the outstanding Shares of any class or series shall be determined by the Board of Trustees in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

 

Person.  The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including, without limitation, a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity, and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

Prohibited Owner.  The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 7.2.1, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of Shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

 

REIT.  The term “REIT” shall mean a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856 through 859 of the Code.

 

Restriction Termination Date.  The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Trustees determines, pursuant to Section 5.4, that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Trust to qualify as a REIT.

 

Shares. The term “Shares” shall mean all classes or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust, including, without limitation, Common Shares and Preferred Shares.

 

Subsidiary REIT.  The term “Subsidiary REIT” shall mean any subsidiary of the Trust that has or will make an election to qualify to be taxed as a REIT.

 

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Transfer.  The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire, or change its level of, beneficial ownership (for purposes of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares, or the right to vote or receive dividends or distributions on Shares, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, including (a) a change in the capital structure of the Trust, (b) a change in the relationship between two or more Persons which causes a change in ownership of Shares by application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h) of the Code, (c) the granting or exercise of any option or warrant (or any acquisition or disposition of any option or warrant), pledge, security interest, or similar right to acquire Shares, (d) any acquisition or disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or any interest in Shares or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (e) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in beneficial ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, beneficially owned (for purposes of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise.  The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Section 7.2  Shares.

 

Section 7.2.1  Ownership Limitations.  During the period commencing on the Initial Date and through the date prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

 

(a)           Basic Restrictions.

 

(i)            No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Common Shares or Preferred Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit unless, as provided in Section 7.2.8, the Board of Trustees, in its sole and absolute discretion, increases the Ownership Limit with respect to such Person, in which case such Person shall not Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Common Shares in excess of such modified Ownership Limit.

 

(ii)           No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares to the extent that:

 

(1) such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares would result in the Trust or any Subsidiary REIT being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year);

 

(2) such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares would (or, in the sole judgment of the Board of Trustees, could) cause any income of the Trust or any Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, that would otherwise qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of Section 856(d) of the Code to fail to qualify as such (including, but not limited to, as a result of causing the Trust or any Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, to Constructively Own an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Trust or Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, from such tenant for the taxable year of the Trust or any Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, during which such determination is being made would reasonably be expected to equal or exceed the lesser of (a) one percent (1%) of the Trust’s or Subsidiary REIT’s, as applicable, gross income (as determined for purposes of Section 856(c) of the Code), or (b) an amount that would cause the Trust or Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code); or

 

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(3) such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares would result in the Trust or any Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT.

 

(iii)         No Person shall Transfer any Shares if, as a result of the Transfer, the Shares would be beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code).  Subject to Section 7.4 and notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein, any Transfer of Shares (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) that, if effective, would result in Shares being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

 

(b)           Transfer in Trust.  If any Transfer of Shares (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) or Non-Transfer Event occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Shares in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii),

 

(i)           then that number of Shares the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole Share) shall be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such Shares; or

 

(ii)           if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this subparagraph would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii), or would not prevent the Trust from failing to qualify as a REIT, then the Transfer of that number of Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

 

(iii)         In determining which Shares are to be transferred to a Charitable Trust in accordance with this Section 7.2.1(b) and Section 7.3 hereof, Shares shall be so transferred to a Charitable Trust in such manner as minimizes the aggregate value of the Shares that are transferred to the Charitable Trust (except as provided in Section 7.2.6) and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis.

 

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(iv)        To the extent that, upon a transfer of Shares pursuant to this Section 7.2.1(b), a violation of any provision of Section 7.2.1(a) would nonetheless be continuing (as, for example, where the ownership of Shares by a single Charitable Trust would result in the Shares being beneficially owned (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) by fewer than 100 Persons), then Shares shall be transferred to that number of Charitable Trusts, each having a Charitable Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Charitable Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of Section 7.2.1(a) hereof.

 

Section 7.2.2  Remedies for Breach.  If the Board of Trustees or any duly authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or Non-Transfer Event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire beneficial ownership (for purposes of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any Shares in violation of Section 7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event, including, without limitation, causing the Trust to redeem Shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event on the books of the Trust or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or Non-Transfer Event in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the Transfer to the Charitable Trust described above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof and, where applicable, be void ab initio as provided above.

 

Section 7.2.3  Notice of Restricted Transfer.  Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares that will or may violate Section 7.2.1(a), or any Person who would have owned Shares that resulted in a transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b), shall immediately give written notice to the Trust of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, shall give at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Trust such other information as the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such acquisition or ownership on the Trust’s qualification as a REIT.

 

Section 7.2.4  Owners Required To Provide Information.  From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

 

(a)           every owner of more than five percent (5%) (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding Shares, within thirty (30) days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Trust stating the name and address of such owner, the number of Shares Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such Shares are held; provided, that a Shareholder of record who holds outstanding Shares as nominee for another Person, which other Person is required to include in gross income the dividends or distributions received on such Shares (an “Actual Owner”), shall give written notice to the Trust stating the name and address of such Actual Owner and the number of Shares of such Actual Owner with respect to which the Shareholder of record is nominee.  Each owner shall provide to the Trust such additional information as the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Trust’s qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit; and

 

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(b)           each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Shares and each Person (including the Shareholder of record) who is holding Shares for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Trust such information as the Trust may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Trust’s qualification as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit.

 

Section 7.2.5  Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Sections 5.1, 5.4 and 7.4 of this Declaration of Trust, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Trustees to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Trust and the interests of its Shareholders in preserving the Trust’s qualification as a REIT.

 

Section 7.2.6 Ambiguity.  In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 7.2, Section 7.3 or any definition contained in Section 7.1, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it.  If Section 7.2 or 7.3 requires an action by the Board of Trustees and this Declaration of Trust fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Trustees (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 7.2.2) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares in violation of Section 7.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the Shares which, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to Shares which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such Shares based upon the relative number of the Shares held by each such Person.

 

Section 7.2.7  Exemptions.

 

(a)           Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii)(1) and (3), the Board may (but shall not be required to) exempt, prospectively or retroactively, a Person from the Ownership Limit for purposes of the application of Section 7.2.1(a)(i), and/or may prospectively or retroactively waive the provisions of Section 7.2.1(a)(ii)(2) with respect to a Person if:

 

(i) the Board determines, in its sole discretion, based on representations and undertakings provided by such Person to the Board and/or other information submitted by such Person to the Board, that such Person is not an individual for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code);

 

(ii) such Person submits to the Board information satisfactory to the Board, in its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that no Person who is an individual for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code) would be considered to Beneficially Own Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit by reason of such Person’s ownership of Shares in excess of the relevant ownership limit under Section 7.2.1(a)(i) pursuant to the exemption granted under this subparagraph (a);

 

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(iii) such Person submits to the Board information satisfactory to the Board, in its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that clauses (2) and (3) of subparagraph (a)(ii) of Section 7.2.1 will not be violated by reason of such Person’s ownership of Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit under Section 7.2.1(a)(i) pursuant to the exemption granted under this subparagraph 7.2.7(a) (unless a waiver of clause (2) of subparagraph (a)(ii) of Section 7.2.1 is being granted, in which case such information shall be sufficient to allow the Board to conclude that such Person’s ownership of Shares, as and to the extent permitted under such waiver, will not now or in the future jeopardize the Trust’s ability to qualify as a REIT under the Code); and

 

(iv) such Person provides to the Board such representations and undertakings, if any, as the Board may, in its reasonable discretion, require to ensure that the conditions in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof are satisfied and will continue to be satisfied throughout the period during which such Person owns Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit under Section 7.2.1(a)(i) pursuant to any exemption thereto granted under this subparagraph (a) or in excess of the limitation set forth in Section 7.2.1(a)(ii)(2) pursuant to any waiver with respect thereto, and such Person agrees that any violation of such representations and undertakings or any attempted violation thereof will result in the application of the remedies set forth in Section 7.2 (including, without limitation, Section 7.2.5) with respect to Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit with respect to such Person or with respect to Shares as to which a waiver of the limitation set forth in Section 7.2.1(a)(ii)(2) applies (determined without regard to the exemption or waiver granted such Person under this subparagraph (a)).

 

(b)           Prior to granting any exemption pursuant to subparagraph (a), the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Trust’s qualification as a REIT; provided, however, that the Board shall not be obligated to require obtaining a favorable ruling or opinion in order to grant an exception hereunder.  In addition, notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Trustees may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

 

(c)           Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter that participates in a public offering or a private placement of Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) in excess of the Ownership Limit, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

 

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Section 7.2.8  Increase in the Ownership Limit.  Subject to the limitations provided in Section 7.2.1(a)(ii) and this Section 7.2.8, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time increase the Ownership Limit for any one or more Persons; provided, however, that:

 

(a)           The Ownership Limit may not be increased if, after giving effect to such change, either (1) five Persons who are considered individuals pursuant to Section 542 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(3) of the Code, could Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, more than 49.9% of the value of the outstanding Shares (determined taking into account any reduction in the Ownership Limit for other Persons being made contemporaneously pursuant to Section 7.2.9), or (2) either clause (2) or clause (3) of subparagraph (a)(ii) of Section 7.2.1 could be violated (taking into account any prior or contemporaneous waiver of Section 7.2.1(a)(ii)(2)) by any Person for whom the Ownership Limit is increased by reason of such Person’s ownership of Shares in accordance with the increased ownership limit.

 

(b)           Prior to the modification of the Ownership Limit pursuant to this Section 7.2.8, the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, may require such opinions of counsel, affidavits, undertakings or agreements as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Trust’s qualification as a REIT if the modification of the Ownership Limit were to be made.

 

Section 7.2.9  Decrease in the Ownership Limit.  The Board of Trustees may from time to time decrease the Ownership Limit for some or all Persons (including in connection with an increase of the Ownership Limit pursuant to Section 7.2.8 for some Persons); provided, however, that any such decreased Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership in Shares is in excess of the decreased Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage ownership of Shares equals or falls below the decreased Ownership Limit but any further acquisition of Shares in excess of such percentage ownership of Shares will be in violation of the Ownership Limit.

 

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Section 7.2.10  Legend.  Each certificate for Shares shall bear substantially the following legend:

 

The Shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfer.  Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares of the Trust in excess of 9.8% (in value or number of Shares, whichever is more restrictive) (A) in the case of Common Shares, the aggregate of the outstanding Common Shares, and (B) in the case of any class or series of Preferred Shares, the aggregate of the Preferred Shares in such class or series; (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares of the Trust that would result in the Trust or any Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a REIT; (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares of the Trust that would (or, in the sole judgment of the Board of Trustees, could) cause any income of the Trust or any Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, that would otherwise qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of Section 856(d) of the Code to fail to qualify as such (including, but not limited to, as a result of causing the Trust or any Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, to Constructively Own an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Trust or Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, from such tenant for the taxable year of the Trust or Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, during which such determination is being made would reasonably be expected to equal or exceed the lesser of (a) one percent (1%) of the Trust’s or Subsidiary REIT’s, as applicable, gross income (as determined for purposes of Section 856(c) of the Code), or (b) an amount that would cause the Trust or Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code); and (iv) no Person may Transfer Shares of the Trust if such Transfer would result in Shares of the Trust being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (as determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code). Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns, Transfers or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares of the Trust which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares of the Trust in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Trust.  If certain of the restrictions on Transfer or ownership above are violated, the Shares of the Trust represented hereby will be automatically Transferred to a Charitable Trustee of a Charitable Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio. In addition, the Trust may take other actions, including redeeming Shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Trustees in its sole and absolute discretion if the Board of Trustees determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. A Person who attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in violation of the ownership limitations described above shall have no claim, cause of action or any recourse whatsoever against a transferor of such Shares.  All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on Transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Shares of the Trust on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Trust at its Principal Office.

 

Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the Trust will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a shareholder on request and without charge.

 

Section 7.3  Transfer of Shares in Trust.

 

Section 7.3.1  Ownership in Trust.  Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 7.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of Shares to a Charitable Trust, such Shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee as trustee of a Charitable Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries.  Such transfer to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the Transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b).  The Charitable Trustee shall be appointed by the Trust and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Trust and any Prohibited Owner.  Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Trust as provided in Section 7.3.7.

 

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Section 7.3.2  Status of Shares Held by the Charitable Trustee. Shares held by the Charitable Trustee shall be issued and outstanding Shares of the Trust.  The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Shares held by the Charitable Trustee.  The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any Shares held in trust by the Charitable Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the Shares held in the Charitable Trust.  The Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action, or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such Shares.

 

Section 7.3.3  Dividend and Voting Rights.  The Charitable Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to Shares held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary.  Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Trust that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be paid with respect to such Shares by the recipient to the Charitable Trustee upon demand by the Trust and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Charitable Trustee.  Any dividends or distributions so paid over to the Charitable Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary.  The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to Shares held in the Charitable Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, the Charitable Trustee shall have the authority (at the Charitable Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Trust that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Charitable Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Trust has already taken irreversible action, then the Charitable Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Trust has received notification that Shares have been transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Trust shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other shareholder records for purposes of preparing lists of Shareholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of Shareholders.

 

Section 7.3.4  Rights Upon Liquidation.  Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of or any distribution of the assets of the Trust, the Charitable Trustee shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder of Shares of the class or series of Shares that is held in the Charitable Trust, that portion of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to the holders of such class or series (determined based upon the ratio that the number of Shares of such class or series of Shares held by the Charitable Trustee bears to the total number of Shares of such class or series of Shares then outstanding).  The Charitable Trustee shall distribute any such assets received in respect of the Shares held in the Charitable Trust in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or distribution of the assets of the Trust, in accordance with Section 7.3.5.

 

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Section 7.3.5  Sale of Shares by Charitable Trustee.  Within twenty (20) days of receiving notice from the Trust that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Charitable Trustee shall sell the Shares held in the Charitable Trust to a person, designated by the Charitable Trustee, whose ownership of the Shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a).  In connection with any such sale, the Charitable Trustee shall use good faith efforts to sell such Shares at a fair market price.  Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.5.  The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the Shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the Shares in connection with the event causing the Shares to be held in the Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the Shares on the day of the event causing the Shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Charitable Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the Shares held in the Charitable Trust.  The Charitable Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary.  If, prior to the discovery by the Trust that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, such Shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such Shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such Shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.5, such excess shall be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.  The Charitable Trustee shall have the right and power (but not the obligation) to offer any Shares held in trust for sale to the Trust on such terms and conditions as the Charitable Trustee shall deem appropriate.

 

Section 7.3.6  Purchase Right in Shares Transferred to the Charitable Trustee.  Shares transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Trust, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Trust, or its designee, accepts such offer.  The Trust may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3.  The Trust may pay the amount of such reduction to the Charitable Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Trust shall have the right to accept such offer until the Charitable Trustee has sold the Shares held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.3.5.  Upon such a sale to the Trust, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and any dividends or other distributions held by the Charitable Trustee will be paid to the Charitable Beneficiary.

 

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Section 7.3.7  Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries.  By written notice to the Charitable Trustee, the Trust shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that Shares held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary. Neither the failure of the Trust to make such designation nor the failure of the Trust to appoint the Trustee before the automatic transfer provided in Section 7.2.1(b) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Trust thereafter makes such designation and appointment. The designation of a nonprofit organization as a Charitable Beneficiary shall not entitle such nonprofit organization to serve in such capacity and the Trust may, in its sole discretion, designate a different nonprofit organization as the Charitable Beneficiary at any time and for any or no reason.

 

Section 7.4  NYSE Transactions.  Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system.  The fact that the settlement of any transaction takes place shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.

 

Section 7.5  Enforcement.  The Trust is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.

 

Section 7.6  Non-Waiver.  No delay or failure on the part of the Trust or the Board of Trustees in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Trust or the Board of Trustees, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

Section 8.1  Meetings.  There shall be an annual meeting of the Shareholders, to be held on proper notice at such time and location as shall be determined by or in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws, for the election of the Trustees and for the transaction of any other business as may properly come before meeting.  Failure to hold an annual meeting does not affect the validity of any act otherwise taken by or on behalf of the Trust or affect the legal existence of the Trust.  Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration of Trust, special meetings of Shareholders may be called in the manner provided in the Bylaws. If there are no Trustees, the officers of the Trust shall promptly call a special meeting of the Shareholders entitled to vote for the election of successor Trustees.  Any meeting may be adjourned and reconvened as the Trustees determine or as provided in the Bylaws.

 

Section 8.2  Voting Rights.

 

(a)          Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares then outstanding or as otherwise required by law, the Shareholders shall be entitled to vote only on the following matters: (i) election of Trustees as provided in Section 5.2 and the removal of Trustees as provided in Section 5.3; (ii) amendment of this Declaration of Trust as provided in Article X; (iii) termination of the Trust as provided in Section 12.2; (iv) merger or consolidation of the Trust as provided in Article XI; (v) such other matters with respect to which the Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution declaring that a proposed action is advisable and directing that the matter be submitted to the Shareholders for approval or ratification; and (vi) such other matters as may be properly brought before a meeting by a Shareholder pursuant to the Bylaws.

 

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(b)          Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares then outstanding or as otherwise required by law, each outstanding share entitled to vote, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter presented to Shareholders.

 

(c)          With the exception of the election and removal of Trustees in accordance with this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Trust, the amendment of the Bylaws in accordance with the terms thereof, and any matter as may be properly brought before a meeting by a Shareholder pursuant to the Bylaws and applicable laws, no action that would bind the Trust and the Trustees may be taken without the prior recommendation of the Trustees.  Except with respect to the foregoing matters, no action taken by the Shareholders at any meeting shall in any way bind the Board of Trustees.

 

Section 8.3  Preemptive and Appraisal Rights.

 

(a)          Except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by contract, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares of the Trust or any other security of the Trust which it may issue or sell.

 

(b)          Except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by contract, Shareholders of the Trust are not entitled to exercise the rights of objecting stockholders provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 or Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the MGCL or under Section 8-501.1(j) of the Maryland REIT Law, or any successor statute to any of the foregoing statutory provisions.

 

Section 8.4  Action by Shareholders without a Meeting.  The Bylaws may provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by the Shareholders may be taken without a meeting by the written consent of the Shareholders entitled to cast the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to approve the matter at a meeting at which all Shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, as required by statute, this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

AND TRANSACTIONS WITH THE TRUST

 

Section 9.1  Limitation of Shareholder Liability.  No Shareholder shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to the Trust by reason of being a Shareholder, nor shall any Shareholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any person in connection with the property or the affairs of the Trust by reason of being a Shareholder.

 

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Section 9.2  Limitation of Trustee and Officer Liability.  To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of trustees and officers of a Maryland REIT or directors and officers of a Maryland corporation, no present or former Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any Shareholder for money damages except to the extent that (a) the Trustee or officer actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property, or services actually received; or (b) a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the Trustee or officer is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the Trustee’s or officer’s action or failure to act was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 9.2, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of this Declaration of Trust or Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 9.2, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act that occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

Section 9.3  Indemnification.

 

(a)           To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, and in accordance with applicable provisions of the Bylaws and any indemnification agreement or resolution of the Board of Trustees in effect from time to time, the Trust shall indemnify, and pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (i) any present or former Trustee or officer of the Trust against any claim or liability to which he or she may become subject by reason of service in such capacity and (ii) any individual who, while a Trustee or officer of the Trust and at the request of the Trust, serves or has served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, member or manager of another corporation, REIT, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity.  In addition, the Trust may, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to any individual who served a predecessor of the Trust in any of the capacities described in (i) or (ii) above and to any employee or agent of the Trust or a predecessor of the Trust.  Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 9.3, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 9.3, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of this section with respect to any act or failure to act that occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

(b)           The Trust may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person described in the preceding paragraph against any liability which may be asserted against such person.

 

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(c)           The indemnification provided herein shall not be deemed to limit the right of the Trust to indemnify any other person for any such expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law, nor shall it be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification from the Trust may be entitled under any agreement, vote of Shareholders or disinterested trustees, or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

Section 9.4  Transactions Between the Trust and Its Trustees, Officers, Employees and Agents.  Subject to any express restrictions in this Declaration of Trust and any restrictions adopted by the Trustees in the Bylaws or by resolution, the Trust may enter into any contract or transaction of any kind with any person, including any Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or any person affiliated with a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, whether or not any of them has a financial interest in such transaction, provided, however, that in the case of any contract or transaction in which any Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust (or any person affiliated with such person) has a material financial interest in such transaction, then: (a) the fact of the interest shall be disclosed or known to: (i) the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Trustees shall approve or ratify the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of disinterested Trustees, even if the disinterested Trustees constitute less than a quorum, or (ii) the Shareholders entitled to vote, and the contract or transaction shall be authorized, approved or ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the Shareholders entitled to vote other than the votes of shares owned of record or beneficially by the interested party; or (b) the contract or transaction is fair and reasonable to the Trust.

 

Section 9.5  Express Exculpatory Clauses in Instruments.  The Board of Trustees may cause to be inserted in every written agreement, undertaking or obligation made or issued on behalf of the Trust, an appropriate provision to the effect that neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust shall be liable under any written instrument creating an obligation of the Trust, and all Persons shall look solely to the property of the Trust for the payment of any claim under or for the performance of that instrument.  The omission of the foregoing exculpatory language from any instrument shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such instrument and shall not render any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable thereunder to any third party nor shall the Trustees or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust be liable to anyone for such omission.

 

ARTICLE X

 

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 10.1  General.  The Trust reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to this Declaration of Trust, now or hereafter authorized by law, including, without limitation, any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in this Declaration of Trust, of any Shares.  All rights and powers conferred by this Declaration of Trust on Shareholders, Trustees and officers are granted subject to this reservation.  All references to the Declaration of Trust shall include all amendments thereto.

 

Section 10.2  By Trustees.  The Trustees may amend this Declaration of Trust from time to time, in the manner provided by the Maryland REIT Law, without any action by the Shareholders: (i) to qualify as a REIT under the Code or under the Maryland REIT Law, (ii) in any manner in which the charter of a Maryland corporation may be amended without shareholder approval, and (iii) as otherwise provided in this Declaration of Trust.

 

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Section 10.3  By Shareholders.  Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration of Trust, any amendment to this Declaration of Trust shall be valid only after the Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and declaring such amendment advisable, and such amendment has been approved by the affirmative vote of the Shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.  Any amendment to Article VII, Section 12.2 or this sentence of this Declaration of Trust shall be valid only after the Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and declares such amendment advisable and such amendment has been approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the Shares of the Trust then outstanding and entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF TRUST PROPERTY

 

Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding, the Trust may (a) merge the Trust with or into another entity or merge another entity into the Trust or (b) consolidate the Trust with one or more other entities into a new entity.  The Board of Trustees in proposing such action shall adopt a resolution that declares that the proposed transaction is advisable on substantially the terms and conditions set forth or referred to in the resolution, and direct that the proposed transaction be submitted for consideration by the Shareholders.  Except as otherwise provided by the Maryland REIT Law, the transaction must be approved by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

A vote of the Shareholders shall not be required for the merger into the Trust of any entity in which the Trust owns ninety percent (90%) or more of the entire equity interests in such entity, subject to the conditions and rights set forth in Section 8-501.1(c)(4) of the Maryland REIT Law. A vote of the Shareholders shall not be required for the merger of the Trust with or into an acquiring entity, subject to the conditions and rights set forth in Section 8-501.1(c)(5) of the Maryland REIT Law.

 

Subject to applicable law, a vote of the Shareholders shall not be required if the Trust is the successor in the merger, the merger does not reclassify or change the terms of any class or series of Shares that are outstanding immediately before the merger becomes effective or otherwise amend this Declaration of Trust and the number of Shares of each class or series outstanding immediately after the effective time of the merger does not increase by more than twenty percent (20%) of the number of Shares of the same class or series outstanding immediately before the merger becomes effective.

 

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ARTICLE XII

 

DURATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

 

Section 12.1  Duration.  The Trust shall continue perpetually unless terminated pursuant to Section 12.2 or pursuant to any applicable provision of the Maryland REIT Law.

 

Section 12.2  Termination.

 

(a)           Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding, the Trust may be terminated at any time only upon adoption of a resolution by the Board of Trustees declaring that the termination of the Trust is advisable, submission of the matter by the Board of Trustees to the Shareholders for approval and the approval thereof by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.  Upon the termination of the Trust:

 

(i)          The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose of winding up its affairs.

 

(ii)         The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust and all of the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration of Trust shall continue, including the powers to fulfill or discharge the Trust’s contracts, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining property of the Trust to one or more persons at public or private sale for consideration which may consist in whole or in part of cash, securities or other property of any kind, discharge or pay its liabilities and do all other acts appropriate to liquidate its business.

 

(iii)        After paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and agreements as the Trustees deem necessary for the protection of the Trust, the Trust may distribute the remaining property of the Trust among the Shareholders so that after payment in full or the setting apart for payment of such preferential amounts, if any, to which the holders of any Shares at the time outstanding shall be entitled, the remaining property of the Trust shall, subject to any participating or similar rights of Shares at the time outstanding, be distributed ratably among the holders of Common Shares at the time outstanding.

 

(b)           After termination of the Trust, the liquidation of its business and the distribution to the Shareholders as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees shall execute and file with the Trust’s records a document certifying that the Trust has been duly terminated, and the Trustees shall be discharged from all liabilities and duties hereunder, and the rights and interests of all Shareholders shall cease.

 

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ARTICLE XIII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 13.1  Governing Law.  This Declaration of Trust is executed by the undersigned and delivered in the State of Maryland with reference to the laws thereof, and the rights of all parties and the validity, construction and effect of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws provisions thereof.

 

Section 13.2  Reliance by Third Parties.  Any certificate shall be final and conclusive as to any person dealing with the Trust if executed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust or a Trustee, and if certifying to: (a) the number or identity of Trustees, officers of the Trust or Shareholders; (b) the due authorization of the execution of any document; (c) the action or vote taken, and the existence of a quorum, at a meeting of the Board of Trustees or Shareholders; (d) a copy of this Declaration of Trust or of the Bylaws as a true and complete copy as then in force; (e) an amendment to this Declaration of Trust; (f) the termination of the Trust; or (g) the existence of any fact relating to the affairs of the Trust.  No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trust on its behalf or by any officer, employee or agent of the Trust.

 

Section 13.3  Severability.

 

(a)           The provisions of this Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the Board of Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any one or more of such provisions (the “Conflicting Provisions”) are in conflict with the Code, Maryland REIT Law or other applicable federal or state laws, the Conflicting Provisions, to the extent of the conflict, shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this Declaration of Trust, even without any amendment of this Declaration of Trust pursuant to Article X and without affecting or impairing any of the remaining provisions of this Declaration of Trust or rendering invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination.  No Trustee shall be liable for making or failing to make such a determination.  In the event of any such determination by the Board of Trustees, the Board shall amend this Declaration of Trust in the manner provided in Section 10.2.

 

(b)           If any provision of this Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such holding shall apply only to the extent of any such invalidity or unenforceability and shall not in any manner affect, impair or render invalid or unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.

 

Section 13.4  Construction.  In this Declaration of Trust, unless the context otherwise requires, words used in the singular or in the plural include both the plural and singular and words denoting any gender include all genders.  The title and headings of different parts are inserted for convenience and shall not affect the meaning, construction or effect of this Declaration of Trust.  In defining or interpreting the powers and duties of the Trust and its Trustees and officers, reference may be made by the Trustees or officers, to the extent appropriate and not inconsistent with the Code or the Maryland REIT Law, to Titles 1 through 3 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, in accordance with the provisions of Title 3, Subtitles 6, 7, and 8, of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Trust shall be included within the definition of “corporation” for purposes of such provisions.

 

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Section 13.5  Recordation.  This Declaration of Trust and any articles of amendment hereto or articles supplementary hereto shall be filed for record with the SDAT and may also be filed or recorded in such other places as the Trustees deem appropriate, but failure to file for record this Declaration of Trust or any articles of amendment hereto in any office other than in the State of Maryland shall not affect or impair the validity or effectiveness of this Declaration of Trust or any amendment hereto.  A restated Declaration of Trust shall, upon filing, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein and may thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original Declaration of Trust and the various articles of amendments thereto.

 

Section 13.6 Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act. The Trust is prohibited from electing to be subject to any provision of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL, unless such election is first approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by shareholders entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees.

 

THIRD: The amendment and restatement of this Declaration of Trust as hereinabove set forth has been duly advised by the Board of Trustees and approved by the Shareholders of the Trust as required by law.

 

FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Trust in the State of Maryland is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment to and restatement of the Declaration of Trust.

 

FIFTH: The name and address of the Trust’s current resident agent are as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment to and restatement of the Declaration of Trust.

 

SIXTH: The number of trustees of the Trust and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article V of the foregoing amendment to and restatement of the Declaration of Trust.

 

SEVENTH: The total number of Shares which the Trust had authority to issue immediately prior to these articles of amendment and restatement of the Declaration of Trust was one thousand (1,000), consisting of one thousand (1,000) Common Shares, $0.001 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all Shares having par value was ten dollars ($1.00).

 

EIGHTH: The total number of Shares which the Trust has authority to issue pursuant to these articles of amendment and restatement of the Declaration of Trust is fifty million (50,000,000), consisting of forty-five million (45,000,000) Common Shares, $0.001 par value per share, and five million (5,000,000) Preferred Shares, $.001 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized Shares having par value is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

 

NINTH: The undersigned acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust to be the act of the Trust and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Chief Financial Officer on this 31st day of October, 2023.

 

ATTEST:   NET LEASE OFFICE PROPERTIES
     
     
/s/ ToniAnn Sanzone   /s/ Jason E. Fox
         
Name: ToniAnn Sanzone   Name: Jason E. Fox
Title: Chief Financial Officer   Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Declaration of Trust]

 

 

 

 Exhibit 3.2

NET LEASE OFFICE PROPERTIES

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of Net Lease Office Properties (the “Trust”) in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board of Trustees”) may designate.

 

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The Trust may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine or the business of the Trust may require.

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

Section 1. PLACE. All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Trust or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of shareholders for the election of trustees and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Trust shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Trustees. If authorized by the Board of Trustees, and subject to applicable provisions of Maryland law and any guidelines and procedures that the Board of Trustees may adopt, shareholders not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders may, by electronic transmission by and to the Trust including by electronic video screen, participate in a meeting of shareholders, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote at a meeting of shareholders whether that meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the Trust or by electronic video screen communication.

 

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS.

 

(a) General. Each of the chairperson of the board, chief executive officer, and a majority of the Board of Trustees then in office may call a special meeting of shareholders. Except as provided in subsection (b)(4) of this Section 3, a special meeting of shareholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the person or persons calling the meeting. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of shareholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Trust to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.

 

(b) Shareholder-Requested Special Meetings.

 

(1) Any shareholder of record seeking to have shareholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Trustees to fix a record date to determine the shareholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more shareholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such shareholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such shareholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of trustees in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Trustees may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Trustees. If the Board of Trustees, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

 

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(2) In order for any shareholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) signed by shareholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (i) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (ii) bear the date of signature of each such shareholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (iii) set forth (A) the name and address, as they appear in the Trust’s books, of each shareholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (B) the class, series and number of all shares of the Trust which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such shareholder and (C) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of the Trust owned beneficially but not of record by such shareholder, (iv) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (v) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting shareholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

 

(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting shareholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Trust’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon shareholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.

 

(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of shareholders (a “Shareholder-Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Trustees; provided, however, that the date of any Shareholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Trustees fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Shareholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the 90th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90th day is not a business day on the first preceding business day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Trustees fails to designate a place for a Shareholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Trust. In fixing a date for a Shareholder-Requested Meeting, the Board of Trustees may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Trustees to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Shareholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Trustees fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Trustees may revoke the notice for any Shareholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting shareholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, the Board of Trustees may submit its own proposal or proposals for consideration at any such Shareholder-Requested Meeting.

 

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that shareholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting shareholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting shareholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Trust’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairperson of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairperson of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

 

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(6) The chairperson of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Trustees may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Trust for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the secretary until the earlier of (i) five business days after actual receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Trust that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, shareholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Trust or any shareholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five business day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

 

Section 4. NOTICE. Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of shareholders, the secretary shall give to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each shareholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such shareholder personally, by leaving it at the shareholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Trust, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the shareholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the shareholder at which the shareholder receives electronic transmissions. The Trust may give a single notice to all shareholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any shareholder at such address, unless such shareholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more shareholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

 

Subject to Section 12(a) of this Article II, any business of the Trust may be transacted at an annual meeting of shareholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of shareholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Trust may postpone or cancel a meeting of shareholders by making a “public announcement” (as defined in Section 12(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

 

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Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. Every meeting of shareholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Trustees to be chairperson of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the chairperson of the board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairperson of the board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the vice chairperson of the board, if there is one, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the secretary or, in the absence of such officers, a chairperson chosen by the shareholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Trustees or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairperson of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of shareholders, an assistant secretary or, in the absence of all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Trustees or the chairperson of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined by the chairperson of the meeting. The chairperson of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairperson and without any action by the shareholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to shareholders of record of the Trust, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairperson of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to shareholders of record of the Trust entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairperson of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting or the health and safety of meeting participants and Company representatives; (g) removing any shareholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairperson of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairperson of the meeting, meetings of shareholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Section 6. QUORUM. At any meeting of shareholders, the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the Declaration of Trust of the Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the shareholders, the chairperson of the meeting may adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

The shareholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough shareholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.

 

Section 7. VOTING. A nominee for election as a trustee shall be elected as a trustee only if such nominee receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast for and against such nominee at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. However, trustees shall be elected by a plurality of all votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present for which (i) the secretary of the Trust receives notice that a shareholder intends to nominate an individual for election as a trustee in compliance with the requirements of advance notice of shareholder nominees for trustee set forth in Article II, Section 12 of these Bylaws, and (ii) such proposed nomination has not been withdrawn by such shareholder on or prior to the close of business on the tenth day preceding the date of filing of the definitive proxy statement of the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission for such meeting, and, as a result of which, the number of nominees is greater than the number of trustees to be elected at the meeting. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are trustees to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the Declaration of Trust. If trustees are to be elected by a plurality of all votes cast at a meeting, shareholders shall not be permitted to vote against a nominee for election to the Board of Trustees. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Declaration of Trust, each outstanding share of beneficial interest, regardless of class, entitles the holder thereof to cast one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairperson of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.

 

Section 8. PROXIES. A holder of record of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust may cast votes in person or by proxy executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Trust before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Any shareholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other shareholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for exclusive use by the Board of Trustees.

 

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Section 9. VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Shares of beneficial interest of the Trust registered in the name of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, managing member, manager, general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such shares pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such shares. Any trustee or fiduciary, in such capacity, may vote shares of beneficial interest registered in such trustee’s or fiduciary’s name, either in person or by proxy.

 

Shares of beneficial interest of the Trust directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

 

The Board of Trustees may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a shareholder may certify in writing to the Trust that any shares of beneficial interest registered in the name of the shareholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the shareholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of shareholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Trust; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Trustees considers necessary or desirable. On receipt by the Trust of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified shares of beneficial interest in place of the shareholder who makes the certification.

 

Section 10. INSPECTORS. The Board of Trustees or the chairperson of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chairperson of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of beneficial interest represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chairperson of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

 

Section 11. REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The president or some other executive officer designated by the Board of Trustees shall prepare annually a full and correct statement of the affairs of the Trust, which shall include a balance sheet and a financial statement of operations for the preceding fiscal year. The statement of affairs shall be submitted at the annual meeting of the shareholders and, within 20 days after the annual meeting of shareholders, placed on file at the principal office of the Trust.

 

Section 12. ADVANCE NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDER NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEE AND OTHER SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS.

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Shareholders. (1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Trustees and the proposal of other business to be considered by the shareholders may be made at an annual meeting of shareholders (i) pursuant to the Trust’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Trustees, (iii) by any shareholder of the Trust present in person or by proxy who was a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the shareholder as provided for in this Section 12 and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 or (iv) pursuant to Section 13 of this Article II.

 

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(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 12, (i) the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Trust and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the shareholders and (ii) otherwise complied in all respects with the requirements of Section 14 of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, and to the extent applicable, the requirements of Rule 14a-19 (as such rule and regulation may be amended from time to time by the SEC) including any SEC staff interpretations related thereto). To be timely, such shareholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 12 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Trust not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 12(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that, in connection with the Trust’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order for notice by the shareholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period or extend any time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above. The number of nominees a shareholder may nominate for election to the Board of Trustees at the annual meeting shall not exceed the number of trustees to be elected at such annual meeting, and for the avoidance of doubt, no shareholder shall be entitled to make additional or substitute nominations following the expiration of the time periods set forth in this section. To be timely for nominations made pursuant to Section 13 of this Article II, a Nomination Notice (as defined below) shall be delivered in accordance with the requirements of Section 13.

  

(3) Any shareholder’s notice given pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this Section 12 shall set forth:

 

(i) as to the shareholder giving the notice,

 

(A) that such shareholder is a holder of record of shares of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice or propose such other business proposal,

 

(B) that such shareholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends to solicit shareholders representing at least 67% of the voting power of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors and otherwise and comply with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act in connection with such solicitation;

 

(ii) as to each individual whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a trustee (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a trustee in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act;

 

(iii) as to any other business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the shareholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the shareholder or the Shareholder Associated Person therefrom;

 

(iv) as to the shareholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Shareholder Associated Person,

 

(A) the class, series and number of all shares of beneficial interest or other securities of the Trust or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such shares or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,

 

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(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person,

 

(C) whether and the extent to which such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of Company Securities for such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person in the Trust or any affiliate thereof disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in the Company Securities,

 

(D) a description of any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with respect to such nomination or other business proposal on whose behalf the nomination or other business proposal is being made and any of their affiliates or associates, and a representation that the shareholder giving the notice will notify the Company in writing of any such agreement, arrangement, or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting within five business days after the record date for such meeting, and

 

(E) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Trust), by security holdings or otherwise, of such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, in the Trust or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;

 

(v) as to the shareholder giving the notice, any Shareholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 12(a) and any Proposed Nominee,

 

(A) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Trust’s share ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Shareholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee,

 

(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such shareholder and each such Shareholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such shareholder and each such Shareholder Associated Person, and

 

(C) whether any such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person has received any financial assistance, funding or other consideration from any other person in respect of the nomination or such other business;

 

(vi) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the shareholder giving the notice or any Shareholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal prior to the date of such shareholder’s notice; and

 

(vii) to the extent known by the shareholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other shareholder supporting the Proposed Nominee or the proposal of other business on the date of such shareholder’s notice.

 

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(4) Any shareholder’s notice given pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this Section 12 shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (A) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Trust in connection with service or action as a trustee that has not been disclosed to the Trust, (B) consents to being named as a nominee in any proxy statement and any associated proxy card for the Trust’s next meeting of shareholders for the election of trustees and will serve as a trustee of the Trust if elected, and (C) will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and share ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Trust; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Trust, upon request, to the shareholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a trustee in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Trust are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Trust are traded).

  

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 12 to the contrary, in the event that the number of trustees to be elected to the Board of Trustees is increased, effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under Section 12(a)(2) of this Article II, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 12(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice required by paragraph (a)(2) of this Section 12(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Trust not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Trust.

 

(6) For purposes of this Section 12, “Shareholder Associated Person” of any shareholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with, such shareholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by such shareholder (other than a shareholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person.

 

(b) Special Meetings of Shareholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Trust’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Trustees may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which trustees are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Trustees or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3 of this Article II for the purpose of electing trustees, by any shareholder of the Trust who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 12 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 12. In the event the Trust calls a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Trustees, any shareholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a trustee as specified in the Trust’s notice of meeting, if (i) the shareholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this Section 12 is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Trust not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Trustees to be elected at such meeting, and (ii) the shareholder otherwise complies in all respects with the requirements of Section 14 of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, and to the extent applicable, the requirements of Rule 14a-19 (as such rule and regulation may be amended from time to time by the SEC) including any SEC staff interpretations related thereto). The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period or extend any time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above. The number of nominees a shareholder may nominate for election to the Board of Trustees at the special meeting shall not exceed the number of trustees to be elected at such special meeting, and for the avoidance of doubt, no shareholder shall be entitled to make additional or substitute nominations following the expiration of the time periods set forth in this Section 12(b).

 

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(c) General. (1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 12 or Section 13 of this Article II, as the case may be, by any shareholder proposing a nominee for election as a trustee or any proposal for other business at a meeting of shareholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 12 or Section 13 of this Article II, as the case may be. Any such shareholder shall notify the Trust of any inaccuracy or change in any such information or if its intention to comply with Rule 14a-19 of the Exchange Act has changed (in each case within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change). A shareholder shall further update and supplement its notice of any nominee for election as a trustee or any proposal for other business to be brought before a meeting, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 12 shall be true and correct (i) as of the record date for the meeting and (ii) as of the date that is ten Business Days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof. Such update and supplement shall be delivered in writing to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Trust not later than three Business Days after the later of the record date or the date notice of the record date is first publicly announced (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date for the meeting) and not later than seven Business Days prior to the date for the meeting, if practicable (or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the meeting), or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten Business Days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this ‎Section 12(c)(1) or any other section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Trust’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any shareholder’s notice, extend any applicable deadlines under these Bylaws or enable or be deemed to permit a shareholder who has previously submitted a shareholder’s notice under these Bylaws to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business and/or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of shareholders. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Trustees, any such shareholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Trustees or any authorized officer of the Trust, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Section 12 or Section 13 of this Article II, as the case may be, and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Trust, written confirmation by such shareholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Section 12 or Section 13 of this Article II, as the case may be, as of an earlier date. If a shareholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 12 or Section 13 of this Article II, as the case may be.

  

(2) Except as otherwise provided in any applicable rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act, only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 12 or Section 13 of this Article II, shall be eligible for election by shareholders as trustees, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 12 or Section 13 of this Article II, as the case may be. The chairperson of the meeting (and, in advance of any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Trustees) shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 12 or Section 13 of this Article II, and, if any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was not made or proposed, as the case may be, in compliance with this Section 12, to declare that such defective nomination or proposal, and any proxies or votes solicited for such nomination or proposal, be disregarded, notwithstanding that such nomination or proposal is set forth in the notice of meeting or other proxy materials and notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Trust.

 

(3) For purposes of this Section 12, “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 12. Nothing in this Section 12 shall be deemed to affect any right of a shareholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Trust to omit a proposal from, the Trust’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 12 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

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(5) Upon request by the Company, if any shareholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act, such shareholder shall deliver to the Company, no later than five (5) business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act. In addition, any such shareholder shall notify the Company within two (2) business days prior to the applicable meeting if such shareholder no longer intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act.

 

(6) Without limiting the other provisions and requirements of this Section 12 or Section 13 of this Article II, unless otherwise required by law, if any shareholder (i) provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act and (ii) subsequently (A) notifies the Company that such shareholder no longer intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act or (B) fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act, or (C) does not appear in person or by proxy at such annual or special meeting to present each nominee for election as a trustee, then the Company shall disregard any proxies or votes solicited for such shareholder’s nominees.

 

(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Section 13. SHAREHOLDER NOMINATIONS INCLUDED IN THE TRUST’S PROXY MATERIAL.

 

(a) Inclusion of Proxy Access Nominees in Proxy Statement. Subject to the provisions of this Section 13, if expressly requested in the relevant Nomination Notice (as defined below), the Trust shall include in its proxy statement for any annual meeting of shareholders: (1) the names of any person or persons nominated for election (each, a “Proxy Access Nominee”), which shall also be included on the Trust’s form of proxy and ballot, by any Eligible Holder (as defined below) or group of up to 20 Eligible Holders that has (individually and collectively, in the case of a group) satisfied, as determined by the Board of Trustees, all applicable conditions and complied with all applicable procedures set forth in this Section 13 (such Eligible Holder or group of Eligible Holders being a “Nominating Shareholder”); (2) disclosure about each Proxy Access Nominee and the Nominating Shareholder required under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission or other applicable law to be included in the proxy statement; (3) any statement included by the Nominating Shareholder in the Nomination Notice for inclusion in the proxy statement in support of each Proxy Access Nominee’s election to the Board of Trustees (subject, without limitation, to Section 13(e)(2)), if such statement does not exceed 500 words and fully complies with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Rule 14a-9 (the “Supporting Statement”); and (4) any other information that the Trust or the Board of Trustees determines, in their discretion, to include in the proxy statement relating to the nomination of each Proxy Access Nominee, including, without limitation, any statement in opposition to the nomination, any of the information provided pursuant to this Section 13 and any solicitation materials or related information with respect to a Proxy Access Nominee.

 

For purposes of this Section 13, any determination to be made by the Board of Trustees may be made by the Board of Trustees, a committee of the Board of Trustees or any officer of the Trust designated by the Board of Trustees or a committee of the Board of Trustees, and any such determination shall be final and binding on the Trust, any Eligible Holder, any Nominating Shareholder, any Proxy Access Nominee and any other person so long as made in good faith (without any further requirements). The chairperson of any annual meeting of shareholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall have the power and duty to determine whether a Proxy Access Nominee has been nominated in accordance with the requirements of this Section 13 and, if not so nominated, shall direct and declare at the meeting that such Proxy Access Nominee shall not be considered.

 

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(b) Maximum Number of Proxy Access Nominees. (1) The Trust shall not be required to include in the proxy statement for an annual meeting of shareholders more Proxy Access Nominees than that number of trustees constituting the greater of (i) two or (ii) 20% of the total number of trustees of the Trust on the last day on which a Nomination Notice may be submitted pursuant to this Section 13 (rounded down to the nearest whole number) (the “Maximum Number”). The Maximum Number for a particular annual meeting shall be reduced by: (i) Proxy Access Nominees who the Board of Trustees itself decides to nominate for election at such annual meeting; (ii) the number of individuals who will be included in the Trust’s proxy materials as nominees recommended by the Board of Trustees pursuant to an agreement, arrangement or other understanding with a shareholder or group of shareholders (other than any such agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in connection with an acquisition of shares from the Trust by such shareholder or group of shareholders); (iii) Proxy Access Nominees who cease to satisfy, or Proxy Access Nominees of Nominating Shareholders that cease to satisfy, the eligibility requirements in this Section 13, as determined by the Board of Trustees; (iv) Proxy Access Nominees whose nomination is withdrawn by the Nominating Shareholder or who become unwilling to serve on the Board of Trustees; and (v) the number of incumbent trustees who had been Proxy Access Nominees with respect to any of the preceding two annual meetings of shareholders and whose reelection at the upcoming annual meeting is being recommended by the Board of Trustees. In the event that one or more vacancies for any reason occurs on the Board of Trustees after the deadline for submitting a Nomination Notice as set forth in Section 13(d) below but before the date of the annual meeting, and the Board of Trustees resolves to reduce the size of the board in connection therewith, the Maximum Number shall be calculated based on the number of trustees in office as so reduced.

  

(2) If the number of Proxy Access Nominees pursuant to this Section 13 for any annual meeting of shareholders exceeds the Maximum Number then, promptly upon notice from the Trust, each Nominating Shareholder will select one Proxy Access Nominee for inclusion in the proxy statement until the Maximum Number is reached, going in order of the amount (largest to smallest) of the ownership position as disclosed in each Nominating Shareholder’s Nomination Notice, with the process repeated if the Maximum Number is not reached after each Nominating Shareholder has selected one Proxy Access Nominee. If, after the deadline for submitting a Nomination Notice as set forth in Section 13(d), a Nominating Shareholder or a Proxy Access Nominee ceases to satisfy the eligibility requirements in this Section 13, as determined by the Board of Trustees, a Nominating Shareholder withdraws its nomination or a Proxy Access Nominee becomes unwilling to serve on the Board of Trustees, whether before or after the mailing or other distribution of the definitive proxy statement, then the nomination shall be disregarded, and the Trust: (i) shall not be required to include in its proxy statement or on any ballot or form of proxy the disregarded Proxy Access Nominee or any successor or replacement nominee proposed by the Nominating Shareholder or by any other Nominating Shareholder and (ii) may otherwise communicate to its shareholders, including without limitation by amending or supplementing its proxy statement or ballot or form of proxy, that a Proxy Access Nominee will not be included as a nominee in the proxy statement or on any ballot or form of proxy and will not be voted on at the annual meeting.

 

(c) Eligibility of Nominating Shareholder. (1) An “Eligible Holder” is a person who has either (i) been a record holder of the common shares used to satisfy the eligibility requirements in this Section 13(c) continuously for the three-year period specified in Subsection (2) below or (ii) provides to the Secretary of the Trust, within the time period referred to in Section 13(d), evidence of continuous ownership of such shares for such three-year period from one or more securities intermediaries in a form that the Board of Trustees determines would be deemed acceptable for purposes of a shareholder proposal under Rule 14a-8(b)(2) under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule).

 

(2) An Eligible Holder or group of up to 20 Eligible Holders may submit a nomination in accordance with this Section 13 only if the person or group (in the aggregate) has continuously owned at least the Minimum Number (as defined below) of common shares of the Trust (excluding any common shares of any predecessor of the Trust) throughout the three-year period preceding and including the date of submission of the Nomination Notice, and continues to own at least the Minimum Number through the date of the annual meeting. Two or more funds that are (i) under common management and investment control, (i) under common management and funded primarily by a single employer or (iii) a “group of investment companies,” as such term is defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, shall be treated as one Eligible Holder if such Eligible Holder shall provide together with the Nomination Notice documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Trust that demonstrates that the funds meet the criteria set forth in (i), (ii) or (iii) hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a nomination by a group of Eligible Holders, any and all requirements and obligations for an individual Eligible Holder that are set forth in this Section 13, including the minimum holding period, shall apply to each member of such group; provided, however, that the Minimum Number shall apply to the ownership of the group in the aggregate. Should any shareholder cease to satisfy the eligibility requirements in this Section 13, as determined by the Board of Trustees, or withdraw from a group of Eligible Holders at any time prior to the annual meeting of shareholders, the group of Eligible Holders shall only be deemed to own the shares held by the remaining members of the group.

 

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(3) The “Minimum Number” of the Trust’s common shares means 3% of the number of outstanding common shares as of the most recent date for which such amount is given in any filing by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the submission of the Nomination Notice.

 

(4) For purposes of this Section 13, an Eligible Holder “owns” only those outstanding shares of the Trust as to which the Eligible Holder possesses both: (A) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the shares; and (B) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such shares; provided that the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (A) and (B) shall not include any shares: (i) purchased or sold by such Eligible Holder or any of its affiliates in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (ii) sold short by such Eligible Holder, (iii) borrowed by such Eligible Holder or any of its affiliates for any purpose or purchased by such Eligible Holder or any of its affiliates pursuant to an agreement to resell or subject to any other obligation to resell to another person, or (iv) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by such Eligible Holder or any of its affiliates, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of outstanding shares of the Trust, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, the purpose or effect of: (x) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such Eligible Holder’s or any of its affiliates’ full right to vote or direct the voting of any such shares, and/or (y) hedging, offsetting, or altering to any degree, gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such shares by such Eligible Holder or any of its affiliates. An Eligible Holder “owns” shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the Eligible Holder retains the right to instruct how the shares are voted with respect to the election of trustees and possesses the full economic interest in the shares. An Eligible Holder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the Eligible Holder has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of attorney, or other similar instrument or arrangement that is revocable at any time by the Eligible Holder. An Eligible Holder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the Eligible Holder has loaned such shares provided that the Eligible Holder has the power to recall such loaned shares on five business days’ notice. The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the word “own” shall have correlative meanings. Whether outstanding shares of the Trust are “owned” for these purposes shall be determined by the Board of Trustees.

 

(5) No Eligible Holder shall be permitted to be in more than one group constituting a Nominating Shareholder, and if any Eligible Holder appears as a member of more than one group, it shall be deemed to be a member of the group that has the largest ownership position as reflected in the Nomination Notice.

 

(6) Any Eligible Holder (including each Eligible Holder whose stock ownership is counted for the purposes of qualifying as a group) whose Proxy Access Nominee withdraws, becomes ineligible or does not receive at least 10% of the votes cast for such Proxy Access Nominee at an annual meeting of shareholders will not be eligible to nominate or participate in the nomination of a Proxy Access Nominee pursuant to this Section 13 for the following two annual meetings of shareholders.

 

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(d) Nomination Notice.

 

To nominate a Proxy Access Nominee, the Nominating Shareholder must, no earlier than 150 days and no later than 120 days before the anniversary of the date that the Trust mailed its proxy statement for the prior year’s annual meeting of shareholders, submit to the Secretary of the Trust at the principal executive office of the Trust all of the following information and documents (collectively, the “Nomination Notice”); provided, however, that in connection with the Trust’s first annual meeting or if (and only if) the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within a period that commences 30 days before such anniversary date and ends 30 days after such anniversary date (an annual meeting date outside such period being referred to herein as an “Other Meeting Date”), the Nomination Notice shall be given in the manner provided herein by the later of the close of business on the date that is 180 days prior to such Other Meeting Date or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such Other Meeting Date is first made: (i) a Schedule 14N (or any successor form) relating to each Proxy Access Nominee, completed and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Nominating Shareholder as applicable, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules; (ii) a written notice, in a form deemed satisfactory by the Board of Trustees, of the nomination of each Proxy Access Nominee that includes the following additional information, agreements, representations and warranties by the Nominating Shareholder (including each group member): (A) the information required with respect to the nomination of trustees pursuant to Section 12 of this Article II; (B) the details of any relationship that existed within the past three years and that would have been described pursuant to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14N (or any successor item) if it existed on the date of submission of the Schedule 14N; (C) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Shareholder acquired the securities of the Trust in the ordinary course of business and did not acquire, and is not holding, securities of the Trust for the purpose or with the effect of influencing or changing control of the Trust; (D) a representation and warranty that each Proxy Access Nominee’s candidacy or, if elected, Board of Trustees membership would not violate applicable state or federal law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Trust’s securities are traded; (E) a representation and warranty that each Proxy Access Nominee: (1) does not have any direct or indirect relationship with the Trust that would cause the Proxy Access Nominee to be considered not independent pursuant to the Trust’s Corporate Governance Guidelines as most recently published on its website and otherwise qualifies as independent under the rules of the primary stock exchange on which the common shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are traded; (2) meets the audit committee and compensation committee independence requirements under the rules of the primary stock exchange on which the common shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are traded; (3) is a “non-employee trustee” for the purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule); (4) is an “outside trustee” for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor provision); (5) meets the trustee qualifications set forth in Article III of these Bylaws; and (6) is not and has not been subject to any event specified in Rule 506(d)(1) of Regulation D (or any successor rule) under the Securities Act or Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K (or any successor rule) under the Exchange Act, without reference to whether the event is material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of such Proxy Access Nominee; (F) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Shareholder satisfies the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 13(c) and has provided evidence of ownership to the extent required by Section 13(c)(1); (G) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Shareholder intends to continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Section 13(c) through the date of the annual meeting; (H) details of any position of a Proxy Access Nominee as an officer, director or trustee of any competitor (that is, any entity that provides services or engages in business activities that compete with or are alternatives to the services provided or business activities engaged in by the Trust or its affiliates) of the Trust, within the three years preceding the submission of the Nomination Notice; (I) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Shareholder will not engage in a “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) (without reference to the exception in Section 14a-1(l)(2)(iv)) (or any successor rules) with respect to the annual meeting, other than with respect to a Proxy Access Nominee or any nominee of the Board of Trustees; (J) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Shareholder will not use any proxy card other than the Trust’s proxy card in soliciting shareholders in connection with the election of a Proxy Access Nominee at the annual meeting; (K) if desired, a Supporting Statement; and (L) in the case of a nomination by a group, the designation by all group members of one group member that is authorized to act on behalf of all group members with respect to matters relating to the nomination, including withdrawal of the nomination; (iii) an executed agreement, in a form deemed satisfactory by the Board of Trustees, pursuant to which the Nominating Shareholder (including each group member) agrees: (A) to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in connection with the nomination, solicitation and election; (B) to file any written solicitation or other communication with the Trust’s shareholders relating to one or more of the Trust’s trustees or trustee nominees or any Proxy Access Nominee with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to the extent that such filing would be required if such communication were made by or on behalf of the Trust; (C) to assume all liability stemming from an action, suit or proceeding concerning any actual or alleged legal or regulatory violation arising out of any communication by the Nominating Shareholder or any of its Proxy Access Nominees with the Trust, its shareholders or any other person in connection with the nomination or election of trustees, including, without limitation, the Nomination Notice; (D) to indemnify and hold harmless (jointly with all other group members, in the case of a group member) the Trust and each of its trustees, officers and employees individually against any liability, loss, damages, expenses or other costs (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, whether legal, administrative or investigative, against the Trust or any of its trustees, officers or employees arising out of or relating to any nomination, solicitation or other activity by the Nominating Shareholder in connection with its efforts to elect its Proxy Access Nominees pursuant to this Section 13; and (E) in the event that any information included in the Nomination Notice, or any other communication by the Nominating Shareholder (including with respect to any group member), with the Trust, its shareholders or any other person in connection with the nomination or election ceases to be true and accurate in all material respects (or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements made not misleading), or that the Nominating Shareholder (including any group member) has failed to continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Section 13(c), to promptly (and in any event within 48 hours of discovering such misstatement, omission or failure) notify the Trust and any other recipient of such communication of (1) the misstatement or omission in such previously provided information and of the information that is required to correct the misstatement or omission or (2) such failure; and (iv) an executed agreement, in a form deemed satisfactory by the Board of Trustees, by each Proxy Access Nominee: (A) to consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee; (B) to provide to the Trust such other information and certifications, including completion of the Trust’s trustee questionnaire, as it may reasonably request; (C) at the reasonable request of the Trust’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, to meet with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to discuss matters relating to the nomination of such Proxy Access Nominee to the Board of Trustees, including the information provided by such Proxy Access Nominee to the Trust in connection with his or her nomination and such Proxy Access Nominee’s eligibility to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees; (D) that such Proxy Access Nominee agrees, if elected, to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees for the entire term until the next meeting at which such candidate would face re-election, and has read and agrees to adhere to the Trust’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and any other Trust policies and guidelines applicable to trustees; and (E) that such Proxy Access Nominee is not and will not become a party to (1) any compensatory, payment or other financial agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity in connection with his or her nomination, service or action as a trustee of the Trust that has not been disclosed to the Trust, (2) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity as to how such Proxy Access Nominee would vote or act on any issue or question as a trustee (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Trust or (3) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such Proxy Access Nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a trustee of the Trust, with its fiduciary duties under applicable law.

 

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The information and documents required by this Section 13(d) to be provided by the Nominating Shareholder shall be: (i) provided with respect to and executed by each group member, in the case of information applicable to group members; and (ii) provided with respect to the persons specified in Instruction 1 to Items 6(c) and (d) of Schedule 14N (or any successor item) in the case of a Nominating Shareholder or group member that is an entity. The Nomination Notice shall be deemed submitted on the date on which all the information and documents referred to in this Section 13(d) (other than such information and documents contemplated to be provided after the date the Nomination Notice is provided) have been delivered to or, if sent by mail, received by the Secretary of the Trust.

 

(e) Exceptions. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13, the Trust may omit from its proxy statement any Proxy Access Nominee and any information concerning such Proxy Access Nominee (including a Nominating Shareholder’s Supporting Statement) and no vote on such Proxy Access Nominee will occur (notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Trust), and the Nominating Shareholder may not, after the last day on which a Nomination Notice would be timely, cure in any way any defect preventing the nomination of such Proxy Access Nominee, if: (i) the Trust receives a notice pursuant to Section 12 of this Article II that a shareholder intends to nominate a candidate for trustee at the annual meeting, whether or not such notice is subsequently withdrawn or made the subject of a settlement with the Trust; (ii) the Nominating Shareholder or the designated lead group member, as applicable, or any qualified representative thereof, does not appear at the meeting of shareholders to present the nomination submitted pursuant to this Section 13, the Nominating Shareholder withdraws its nomination or the chairperson of the annual meeting declares that such nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by this Section 13 and shall therefore be disregarded; (iii) the Board of Trustees determines that such Proxy Access Nominee’s nomination or election to the Board of Trustees would result in the Trust violating or failing to be in compliance with the Declaration of Trust, these Bylaws or any applicable law, rule or regulation to which the Trust is subject, including any rules or regulations of the primary stock exchange on which the common shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are traded; (iv) such Proxy Access Nominee was nominated for election to the Board of Trustees pursuant to this Section 13 at one of the Trust’s two preceding annual meetings of shareholders and either withdrew or became ineligible or received a vote of less than 25% of the votes cast in favor of such Proxy Access Nominee; (v) such Proxy Access Nominee has been, within the past three years, an officer or director of a competitor, as defined for purposes of Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, as amended; or (vi) the Trust is notified, or the Board of Trustees determines, that the Nominating Shareholder or the Proxy Access Nominee has failed to continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Section 13(c), any of the representations and warranties made in the Nomination Notice ceases to be true and accurate in all material respects (or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements made not misleading), such Proxy Access Nominee becomes unwilling or unable to serve on the Board of Trustees or any material violation or breach occurs of the obligations, agreements, representations or warranties of the Nominating Shareholder or such Proxy Access Nominee under this Section 13;

 

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(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13, the Trust may omit from its proxy statement, or may supplement or correct, any information, including all or any portion of the Supporting Statement or any other statement in support of a Proxy Access Nominee included in the Nomination Notice, if the Board of Trustees determines that: (i) such information is not true in all material respects or omits a material statement necessary to make the statements made not misleading; (ii) such information directly or indirectly impugns the character, integrity or personal reputation of, or directly or indirectly makes charges concerning improper, illegal or immoral conduct or associations, without factual foundation, with respect to, any person; or (iii) the inclusion of such information in the proxy statement would otherwise violate the Securities and Exchange Commission proxy rules or any other applicable law, rule or regulation.

  

The Trust may solicit against, and include in the proxy statement its own statement relating to, any Proxy Access Nominee.

 

Section 14. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “MGCL”), shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

 

Section 15. SHAREHOLDERS’ CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting (a) if a unanimous consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each shareholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the shareholders or (b) if the action is advised, and submitted to the shareholders for approval, by the Board of Trustees and a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of shareholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting of shareholders is delivered to the Trust in accordance with Title 8 or the other applicable provisions of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (collectively, the “MRL”). The Trust shall give notice of any action taken by less than unanimous consent to each shareholder not later than ten days after the effective time of such action.

 

ARTICLE III

 

TRUSTEES

 

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Trustees.

 

Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE, QUALIFICATIONS AND RESIGNATION. At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Trustees may establish, increase or decrease the number of trustees, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MRL, nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a trustee shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of trustees. In case of failure to elect trustees at the designated time, the trustees holding over shall continue to serve as trustees until their successors are elected and qualify. Any trustee of the Trust may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Trustees, the chairperson of the board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

 

Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of shareholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may provide, by resolution, the time and place of regular meetings of the Board of Trustees without other notice than such resolution.

 

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Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by or at the request of the chairperson of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or a majority of the trustees then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Trustees may fix the time and place of any special meeting of the Board of Trustees called by them. The Board of Trustees may provide, by resolution, the time and place for special meetings of the Board of Trustees without other notice than such resolution.

  

Section 5. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each trustee at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the trustee or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the trustee or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Trust by the trustee. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Trust by the trustee and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

 

Section 6. QUORUM. A majority of the trustees shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Trustees, provided that, if less than a majority of such trustees is present at such meeting, a majority of the trustees present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of trustees is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.

 

The trustees present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough trustees to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

 

Section 7. VOTING. The action of a majority of the trustees present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws. If enough trustees have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of trustees necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws.

 

Section 8. ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board of Trustees, the chairperson of the board or, in the absence of the chairperson, the vice chairperson of the board, if any, shall act as chairperson of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairperson and vice chairperson of the board, the chief executive officer or, in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or, in the absence of the president, a trustee chosen by a majority of the trustees present, shall act as chairperson of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Trust or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairperson of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Trustees may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

Section 10. CONSENT BY TRUSTEES WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Trustees may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each trustee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Trustees.

 

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Section 11. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all the trustees cease to be trustees, such event shall not terminate the Trust or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining trustees hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred shares of beneficial interest, any vacancy on the Board of Trustees may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining trustees, even if the remaining trustees do not constitute a quorum; provided, however, that a vacancy created by the removal of a trustee by Shareholders may also be filled by Shareholders in the manner set forth in Article II, Section 7. Any trustee elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the trusteeship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

 

Section 12. COMPENSATION. Trustees shall not receive any stated salary for their services as trustees but, by resolution of the trustees, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Trust and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as trustees. Trustees may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the trustees or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as trustees; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any trustees from serving the Trust in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

Section 13. RELIANCE. Each trustee and officer of the Trust shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Trust, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Trust whom the trustee or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the trustee or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a trustee, by a committee of the Board of Trustees on which the trustee does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the trustee reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

 

Section 14. RATIFICATION. The Board of Trustees or the shareholders may ratify and make binding on the Trust any action or inaction by the Trust or its officers to the extent that the Board of Trustees or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a trustee, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Trustees or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Trust and its shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

 

Section 15. INTERESTED TRUSTEE TRANSACTIONS. Section 2-419 of the MGCL shall be available for and apply to any contract or other transaction between the Trust and any of its trustees or between the Trust and any other trust, corporation, firm or other entity in which any of its trustees is a trustee or director or has a material financial interest.

 

Section 16. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS. Any trustee or officer, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Trust.

 

Section 17. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, this Section 17 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Trustees under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Trustees, (i) a meeting of the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof may be called by any trustee or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Trustees during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many trustees and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (iii) the number of trustees necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Trustees.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

COMMITTEES

 

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board of Trustees may appoint from among its members an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and other committees, composed of one or more trustees, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees.

 

Section 2. POWERS. The Board of Trustees may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article IV any of the powers of the Board of Trustees. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Trustees, any committee may delegate some or all of its power and authority to one or more subcommittees, composed of one or more trustees, as the committee deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

Section 3. MEETINGS. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Trustees. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Trustees may designate a chairperson of any committee, and such chairperson or, in the absence of a chairperson, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board of Trustees shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another trustee to act in the place of such absent member, provided such appointed trustee meets the membership requirements of such committee.

 

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of a committee of the Board of Trustees may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Trustees may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

 

Section 6. VACANCIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Trustees shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.

 

ARTICLE V

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Trust shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairperson of the board, a vice chairperson of the board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Trustees may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Trust shall be elected annually by the Board of Trustees, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Trust and such officer or agent.

 

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Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the Trust may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Trustees if in its judgment the best interests of the Trust would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Trust may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Trustees, the chairperson of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Trust.

  

Section 3. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Trustees for the balance of the term.

 

Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Board of Trustees may designate a chief executive officer. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Trust, as determined by the Board of Trustees, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Trust. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Trustees or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Trust or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

 

Section 5. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Board of Trustees may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Trustees or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 6. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Board of Trustees may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Trustees or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 7. CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD. The Board of Trustees may designate from among its members a chairperson of the board, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Trust. The Board of Trustees may designate the chairperson of the board as an executive or non-executive chairperson. The chairperson of the board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Trustees. The chairperson of the board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or the Board of Trustees.

 

Section 8. PRESIDENT. In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Trust. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Trustees, the president shall be the chief operating officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Trustees or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Trust or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

 

Section 9. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

 

Section 10. SECRETARY. The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the shareholders, the Board of Trustees and committees of the Board of Trustees in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the trust records and of the seal of the Trust; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such shareholder; (e) have general charge of the share transfer books of the Trust; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Trustees.

 

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Section 11. TREASURER. The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Trust, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Trust, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Trust in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Trustees and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Trustees. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Trustees, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Trust.

 

The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Trust as may be ordered by the Board of Trustees, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Trustees, at the regular meetings of the Board of Trustees or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Trust.

 

Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Trustees.

 

Section 13. COMPENSATION. The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Trustees and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a trustee.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

 

Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Board of Trustees may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Trust and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Trust when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Trustees and executed by an authorized person.

 

Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Trust shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Trust in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Trustees.

 

Section 3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Trust not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Trust as the Board of Trustees, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, or any other officer designated by the Board of Trustees may determine.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

SHARES

 

Section 1. CERTIFICATES. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Trustees, shareholders of the Trust are not entitled to certificates evidencing the shares of beneficial interest held by them. In the event that the Trust issues shares of beneficial interest evidenced by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Trustees or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MRL and shall be signed by the officers of the Trust in any manner permitted by the MRL. In the event that the Trust issues shares of beneficial interest without certificates, to the extent then required by the MRL, the Trust shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MRL to be included on share certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of shareholders based on whether or not their shares are evidenced by certificates.

 

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Section 2. TRANSFERS. All transfers of shares shall be made on the books of the Trust, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Trustees or any officer of the Trust may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Trustees that such shares shall no longer be evidenced by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares the Trust shall provide to the record holders of such shares, to the extent then required by the MRL, a written statement of the information required by the MRL to be included on share certificates.

  

The Trust shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of beneficial interest as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of beneficial interest will be subject in all respects to the Declaration of Trust and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

 

Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. Any officer of the Trust may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Trust alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such shareholder and the Board of Trustees has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Trust, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Trust a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Trust.

 

Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Board of Trustees may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of shareholders of record is to be held or taken.

 

When a record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except if the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting shall be determined as set forth herein.

 

Section 5. SHARE LEDGER. The Trust shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate share ledger containing the name and address of each shareholder and the number of shares of each class held by such shareholder.

 

Section 6. FRACTIONAL SHARES; ISSUANCE OF UNITS. The Board of Trustees may authorize the Trust to issue fractional shares or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, the Board of Trustees may authorize the issuance of units consisting of different securities of the Trust. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Trust, except that the Board of Trustees may provide that for a specified period securities of the Trust issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Trust only in such unit.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

ACCOUNTING YEAR

 

The Board of Trustees shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Trust by a duly adopted resolution.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust may be authorized by the Board of Trustees, subject to the provisions of law and the Declaration of Trust. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or shares of beneficial interest of the Trust, subject to the provisions of law and the Declaration of Trust.

 

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Trust available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Trustees may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Trust or for such other purpose as the Board of Trustees shall determine, and the Board of Trustees may modify or abolish any such reserve.

 

ARTICLE X

 

INVESTMENT POLICY

 

Subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Trust as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

SEAL

 

Section 1. SEAL. The Board of Trustees may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Trust. The seal shall contain the name of the Trust and the year of its formation and the words “Formed Maryland.” The Board of Trustees may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

 

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Trust is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Trust.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

 

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Trust shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former trustee or officer of the Trust and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a trustee or officer of the Trust and at the request of the Trust, serves or has served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Declaration of Trust and these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a trustee or officer. The Trust may, with the approval of its Board of Trustees, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Trust in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Trust or a predecessor of the Trust. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance, agreement or otherwise.

 

22

 

 

Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article XII, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph of this Article XII with respect to any act or failure to act that occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

  

ARTICLE XIII

 

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LITIGATION

 

Unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought in the right or on behalf of the Trust, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any present or former trustee, officer, other employee, or agent of the Trust or to the shareholders of the Trust, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Trust or any present or former trustee, officer, other employee, or agent of the Trust arising pursuant to any provision of the MRL, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Trust or any present or former trustee or officer or other employee of the Trust that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. In the event that any action or proceeding described in the this Article XIV is pending in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, any shareholder that is a party to such action, proceeding or claim shall cooperate in seeking to have the action or proceeding assigned to the Business & Technology Case Management Program. The provisions of this Article XIV do not apply to claims brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

 

These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed, and new Bylaws adopted, by the Board of Trustees or by the affirmative vote of holders of shares of the Trust representing not less than a majority of all the votes outstanding and entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

ARTICLE XVI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

All references to the Declaration of Trust shall include all amendments and supplements thereto and any other documents filed with and accepted for record by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation related thereto.

 

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ARTICLE XVII

 

SEVERABILITY

  

If any provision of these Bylaws shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such holding shall apply only to the extent of any such invalidity or unenforceability and shall not in any manner affect, impair or render invalid or unenforceable any other provision of these Bylaws in any jurisdiction.

 

24

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

dated as of November 1, 2023

 

between

 

Net Lease Office Properties

 

and

 

W. P. Carey Management LLC

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS 1
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR 5
SECTION 3. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR 9
SECTION 4. AGENCY 10
SECTION 5. BANK ACCOUNTS 10
SECTION 6. RECORDS 10
SECTION 7. CONFIDENTIALITY 10
SECTION 8. LIMITATION ON ACTIVITIES; INSURANCE 10
SECTION 9. COMPENSATION 11
SECTION 10. EXPENSES 12
SECTION 11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION 14
SECTION 12. NO JOINT VENTURE 15
SECTION 13. TERM 16
SECTION 14. TERMINATION 16
SECTION 15. TERMINATION FEE 16
SECTION 16. ACTION UPON TERMINATION 17
SECTION 17. ASSIGNMENT 17
SECTION 18. RELEASE OF PROPERTY 17
SECTION 19. NOTICES 18
SECTION 20. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS 19
SECTION 21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT 19
SECTION 22. Arbitration 19
SECTION 23. GOVERNING LAW 21
SECTION 24. NO WAIVERS 21
SECTION 25. HEADINGS 21
SECTION 26. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS 21
SECTION 27. SURVIVAL 22
SECTION 28. Severability 22

 

Annex A: NLOP Properties

 

 

 

ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

THIS ADVISORY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of November 1, 2023 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Net Lease Office Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”), and W. P. Carey Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its permitted assignees, the “Advisor”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Company, through its own operations and the operations of its Subsidiaries (as defined herein), is in the business of owning, developing, managing and disposing of office real property;

 

WHEREAS, the Company intends to qualify as a Real Estate Investment Trust (a “REIT”) under the Code (as defined herein);

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to avail itself of the experience, sources of information, advice, assistance and certain facilities of, or available to, the Advisor and to have the Advisor undertake the duties and responsibilities hereinafter set forth, on behalf of, and subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of, the Company, as provided in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the European Advisor have, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, entered into that the European Advisory Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Advisor is willing to render such services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the definitions hereinafter indicated:

 

AAA” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(a) of this Agreement.

 

Administrative Reimbursementhas the meaning set forth in Section 10(a) of this Agreement.

 

Advisor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Advisor Costs” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(c) of this Agreement.

 

Advisor Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) of this Agreement.

 

Affiliatemeans, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person, (ii) any executive officer, general partner or managing member of such Person, (iii) any member of the board of directors or board of managers (or bodies performing similar functions) of such Person and (iv) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, general partner or managing member. For the avoidance of doubt, and for purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Advisor.

 

Agreement” means this Advisory Agreement, as amended from time to time.

 

1

 

 

Appellate Rules” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(g) of this Agreement.

 

Applicable Percentage” shall mean, with respect to any NLOP Property, the percentage set forth on Annex A hereto with respect to such NLOP Property.

 

Applicable Disposition Discount” means, with respect to any NLOP Property, the dollar amount equal to product of (a) the Applicable Percentage, and (b) the Base Management Fee.

 

Audit Committee” means the audit committee of the Board of Trustees or the committee or body performing similar functions.

 

Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(e) of this Agreement.

 

Base Management Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a) of this Agreement.

 

Board of Trustees” means the board of trustees of the Company.

 

Cause” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)            any material breach of a material term of this Agreement by the Advisor that has not been cured within 30 days following written notice thereof from the Company;

 

(b)            fraud, criminal conduct, willful misconduct or willful or grossly negligent breach by the Advisor in the performance of its duties under this Agreement that, in each case, is determined by a majority of the Company’s Independent Trustees to be materially adverse to the Company;

 

(c)            the commencement of any proceeding relating to the Advisor’s bankruptcy or insolvency, or the dissolution of the Advisor, including an order for relief in an involuntary bankruptcy case or the Advisor authorizing or filing a voluntary bankruptcy petition; or

 

(d)            termination of the European Advisory Agreement by the Company for “Cause” (as defined in the European Advisory Agreement) pursuant to subsections (a), (b) or (c) of the definition thereof.

 

Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)            a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (b)(ii) as beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction;

 

(b)           during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board of Trustees together with any new trustee(s) (other than a trustee designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in the preceding clause (i) or the succeeding clause (iii) of this definition) whose election by the Board of Trustees or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the trustees then still in office who either were trustees at the beginning of the two (2)-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

 

2

 

 

(c)            the consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (A) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (C) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of another entity, in each case, other than a transaction:

 

(i)            which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and following which the Successor Entity continues to own all or substantially all the assets that the Company owned immediately before the transaction and succeeds to its business, and

 

(ii)           after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (b)(ii) as beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

 

(d)            approval by the Company’s shareholders of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Common Share” means a common share of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company now or hereafter authorized as common voting shares of the Company.

 

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Company Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

Company Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(c) of this Agreement.

 

Company Termination for Convenience” has the meaning set forth in Section 14(b) of this Agreement.

 

Cross Default Termination” has the meaning set forth in Section 14(d) of this Agreement.

 

Disposed Propertyhas the meaning set forth in Section 9(c) of this Agreement.

 

Disputes” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(a) of this Agreement.

 

Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

European Advisor” means W. P. Carey & Co. B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of WPC.

 

3

 

 

European Advisory Agreement” means that certain European Advisory Agreement entered into by and between the Company and the European Advisor concurrently with this Agreement, as such agreement may be modified or amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(d) of this Agreement.

 

Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)            any failure to obtain a reasonably satisfactory agreement from any successor to the Company to assume the Company’s obligations under the Agreement;

 

(b)            any material breach of this Agreement by the Company that has not been cured within 30 days following written notice thereof from the Advisor; or

 

(c)            the Advisor has the right to terminate the European Advisory Agreement with “Good Reason” (as defined in the European Advisory Agreement) pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of the definition thereof.

 

Governing Instruments” means, with regard to any entity, the declaration of trust and bylaws in the case of a real estate investment trust, the articles of incorporation and bylaws in the case of a corporation, the certificate of limited partnership (if applicable) and the partnership agreement in the case of a general or limited partnership, the articles of formation and the operating agreement in the case of a limited liability company, or, in each case, comparable governing documents.

 

Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(d) of this Agreement.

 

Independent Trustee” means any member of the Board of Trustees who, on the date at issue, is “independent” as determined by application of the rules and regulations of any applicable securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed.

 

Initial Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13 of this Agreement.

 

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) of this Agreement.

 

Management Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a) of this Agreement.

 

NLOP Properties” means the real properties of the Company or its Subsidiaries listed in Annex A hereto.

 

Person” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, estate, trust, joint venture, any federal, state, county or municipal government or any bureau, department or agency thereof or any other legal entity and any fiduciary acting in such capacity on behalf of the foregoing.

 

REIT” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement”

 

Renewal Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13 of this Agreement.

 

4

 

 

Required Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) of this Agreement:

 

Rules” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(a) of this Agreement.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and any partnership, the general partner of which is the Company or any subsidiary of the Company and any limited liability company, the managing member of which is the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

 

Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13 of this Agreement.

 

Termination Date” means the effective date of any termination pursuant to Section 14.

 

Termination Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 15(a) of this Agreement.

 

Trailing Annual Fees” has the meaning set forth in Section 15 of this Agreement.

 

Trustee” means any person holding such office on the Board of Trustees, as of any particular time.

 

Qualified Disposition” means, for any NLOP Property, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all of the Company’s direct or indirect interest in and title to such NLOP Property to a third party other than the Company or any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries.

 

Qualifying Termination” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)            Company Termination for Convenience;

 

(b)            Termination by the Advisor with Good Reason; or

 

(c)            Cross Default Termination by the Advisor if the European Advisory Agreement is terminated pursuant to (i) a “Company Termination for Convenience” or (ii) a termination by the Advisor with “Good Reason” (each as defined in the European Advisory Agreement).

 

Reimbursable Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(e) of this Agreement.

 

WPC” means W. P. Carey Inc., a Maryland corporation, of which the Advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary.

 

SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR

 

(a)            The Company hereby appoints the Advisor to provide management services with respect to the day-to-day operations of the Company and the NLOP Properties, including strategic management services, asset management, property disposition support, and various related services, and the Advisor hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to perform each of the duties set forth herein. The appointment of the Advisor shall be exclusive to the Advisor, except to the extent that the Advisor elects, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to cause the duties of the Advisor hereunder to be provided by third parties.

 

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(b)            The Advisor, in its capacity as such, shall at all times be subject to the supervision, direction and management of the Board of Trustees, and will have only such functions and authority as the Company may delegate to it and as set forth in this Agreement. The Board of Trustee has dispositive power in the event of any conflict between the Board of Trustees and the Advisor with respect to the functions and authority delegated to the Advisor above.

 

(c)            The Company and the Board of Trustees, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2(d), hereby delegates the following functions and authority to the Advisor, and the Advisor agrees to perform (or cause to be performed) such services and activities relating to the NLOP Properties and operations of the Company as may be appropriate, including, without limitation:

 

(i)            sourcing, investigating and evaluating prospective disposition, exchange or other transactions with respect to the NLOP Properties (including potential seller financing related thereto, as may be permitted), and making recommendations with respect thereto to the Board of Trustees, where applicable;

 

(ii)           conducting negotiations with brokers, purchasers and their respective agents and representatives, investment bankers and other parties regarding the disposition, exchange or other transactions with respect to the NLOP Properties (including potential seller financing related thereto, as may be permitted), and subject to any necessary approvals from the Board of Trustees, executing and delivering documentation related thereto and performing the transactions contemplated thereby;

 

(iii)          managing and monitoring the operating performance of NLOP Properties and providing periodic reports to the Board of Trustees, in form, substance and frequency as the Advisor deems reasonably necessary or as the Board of Trustees may otherwise reasonably request;

 

(iv)          assisting the Company in developing criteria that are specifically tailored to the Company’s operations and divestiture objectives;

 

(v)          engaging and supervising independent contractors that provide services relating to the Company or the NLOP Properties, including, but not limited to, investment banking, legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, securities brokerage, property management, real estate, leasing, brokerage and other advisory and consulting services reasonably necessary for Advisor to perform its duties hereunder (it being understood that the Independent Trustees and any committees of the Board of Trustees shall retain the authority to hire its or their own attorneys or other advisors);

 

(vi)          negotiating, on behalf of the Company, the terms of loan documents for the Company’s financings;

 

(vii)         coordinating and managing the operations of any joint venture or co-investment interests held by the Company and conducting and overseeing all matters with respect to the joint venture or co-investment partners;

 

(viii)        coordinating and supervising all property managers, tenant operators, leasing agents and developers for the administration, leasing, management and/or development of any of the NLOP Properties;

 

(ix)          providing executive and administrative personnel, office space and administrative services required in rendering services to the Company;

 

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(x)           administering bookkeeping and accounting functions as are required for the management and operation of the Company, contracting for audits and preparing such periodic reports and filings as may be required by any governmental authority in connection with the ordinary conduct of the Company’s business, and otherwise advising and assisting the Company with its compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including, without limitation, periodic reports, returns or statements required under the Exchange Act, the Code and any regulations or rulings thereunder, the securities and tax statutes of any jurisdiction in which the Company is obligated to file such reports, or the rules and regulations promulgated under any of the foregoing;

 

(xi)          advising and assisting in the preparation and filing of all offering documents, registration statements, prospectuses, proxies and other forms or documents filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act or any state securities regulators (it being understood that the Company shall be responsible for the content of any and all of its offering documents, SEC filings or state regulatory filings, and that the Advisor shall not be held liable for any costs or liabilities arising out of any misstatements or omissions in the Company’s offering documents, SEC filings, state regulatory filings or other filings referred to in this subparagraph, whether or not material (except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Advisor’s duties under this Agreement);

 

(xii)         enabling the Company to retain qualified accountants and legal counsel, as applicable, to assist in developing appropriate accounting procedures, compliance procedures and testing systems with respect to financial reporting obligations and compliance with the provisions of the Code applicable to REITs (it being understood that the Board of Trustees and its Audit Committee shall retain authority to determine the Company’s independent public accountant and that the Independent Trustees and any committees of the Board of Trustees shall retain the authority to hire its or their own attorneys or other advisors);

 

(xiii)        counseling the Company regarding the maintenance of its status as a REIT and monitoring compliance with the various REIT qualification tests and other rules set out in the Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder;

 

(xiv)        counseling the Company regarding the maintenance of its exemption from the Investment Company Act and monitoring compliance with the requirements for maintaining an exemption from the Investment Company Act;

 

(xv)         counseling the Company in connection with policy decisions to be made by the Board of Trustees;

 

(xvi)        evaluating and recommending to the Board of Trustees modifications to any hedging strategies in effect on the date hereof and engaging in hedging activities;

 

(xvii)       communicating with the Company’s investors and analysts as required to satisfy reporting or other requirements of any governing body or exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded and to maintain effective relations with such parties;

 

(xviii)      investing and re-investing any moneys and securities of the Company (including investing in short-term investments, payment of fees, costs and expenses, or payments of dividends or distributions to shareholders and partners of the Company) and advising the Company as to its capital structure and capital raising;

 

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(xix)        causing the Company to qualify to do business in all applicable jurisdictions and to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses;

 

(xx)          handling and resolving all claims, disputes or controversies (including all litigation, arbitration, settlement or other proceedings or negotiations) in which the Company may be involved or to which the Company may be subject arising out of the Company’s day-to-day operations, subject to such limitations or parameters as may be imposed from time to time by the Board of Trustees;

 

(xxi)         using commercially reasonable efforts to enable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company to be within any expense guidelines or budgets set by the Board of Trustees from time to time;

 

(xxii)        using commercially reasonable efforts to enable the Company to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in all material respects; and

 

(xxiii)       performing such other services as may be required from time to time for management and other activities relating to the assets of the Company as the Board of Trustees and the Advisor shall agree from time to time.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, the Advisor will also perform portfolio management services on behalf of the Company with respect to the NLOP Properties. Such services will include, but not be limited to, consulting with the Company on the purchase and sale of, and other investment opportunities in connection with, the Company’s portfolio of assets; the collection of information and the submission of reports pertaining to the Company’s assets, interest rates and general economic conditions; periodic review and evaluation of the performance of the Company’s portfolio of assets; acting as liaison between the Company and banking, mortgage banking, investment banking and other parties with respect to the purchase, financing and disposition of assets; and other customary functions related to portfolio management. Additionally, the Advisor will perform monitoring services on behalf of the Company with respect to any services provided by third parties, which the Advisor determines are material to the performance of the business.

 

(d)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Advisor must obtain prior approval by a majority of the Board of Trustees (including a majority of the Independent Trustees and a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees not involved in the applicable transaction) (the “Required Approval”) prior to causing the Company to take any of the following actions (subject to any delegation for which the Required Approval was obtained with respect thereto):

 

(i)            the entry into, or termination or material modification of, any material transaction related to any NLOP Property, including dispositions and joint ventures;

 

(ii)           the entry into, or termination or material modification of, any material financing, loan or securities offering transaction of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(iii)          the retention of the Company’s independent registered public accountants (which shall also require the prior approval of the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees);

 

(iv)          the entry into, or termination or modification of, any material transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the Advisor or its Affiliates, on the other hand;

 

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(v)           the issuance, optional redemption or repurchase of equity or debt securities by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(vi)          the grant, termination or material modification of any equity incentive awards by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(vii)         the entry into, or termination or material modification of any transaction that would constitute a Change in Control; and

 

(viii)       such other matters as may be determined by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

 

(e)            The Advisor shall make available sufficient experienced and appropriate personnel to perform the services and functions specified herein, including, without limitation, a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, the positions required under the Governing Instruments of the Company and its Subsidiaries and such other positions as the Advisor deems reasonably necessary from time to time. The Advisor shall not be obligated to dedicate any of its officers or other personnel exclusively to the Company nor is the Advisor, its Affiliates or any of their officers or other employees obligated to dedicate any specific portion of its or their time to the Company or its business, except as necessary to perform the services required hereunder.

 

(f)            The Advisor may retain, for and on behalf, and at the sole cost and expense, of the Company, such services of accountants, legal counsel, tax counsel, appraisers, insurers, brokers, business developers, transfer agents, registrars, developers, investment banks, financial advisors, underwriters, banks and other consultants and advisors as the Advisor deems necessary or advisable in connection with the management and operations of the Company. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Advisor shall have the right to cause any such services to be rendered by its employees or Affiliates (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes any employees, consultants or agents of any Affiliate of the Advisor). The Advisor shall further be entitled to reasonably rely on qualified experts hired by the Advisor, including any of the foregoing.

 

(g)            Subject to Section 2(d) above, the Advisor may enter into agreements with other parties in connection with its duties hereunder.

 

(h)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, it is agreed and understood that the European Advisor shall be responsible for providing portfolio management services with respect to the NLOP Properties that are located outside of the United States, and such other services contemplated by, and pursuant to the terms of, the European Advisory Agreement.

 

SECTION 3. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR

 

Nothing herein shall prevent the Advisor or its Affiliates (or their members, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, advisors or others) from engaging in any other business or activities, or from rendering services of any kind to any other Person, including advisory or other services to others similar to those set forth in this Agreement. The Company recognizes that it is not entitled to preferential treatment in receiving information, recommendations and other services from the Advisor. The Company and the Board of Trustees acknowledge that the Advisor and/or one or more of its Affiliates may be or become subject to various conflicts of interest. The Advisor shall act in good faith to endeavor to identify to the Independent Trustees any conflicts that may arise among the Company, the Advisor and/or any other Person or entity on whose behalf the Advisor may be engaged.

 

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SECTION 4. AGENCY

 

The Advisor shall act as agent of the Company in making, acquiring, financing and disposing of assets of the Company, disbursing and collecting the Company’s funds, paying the debts and fulfilling the obligations of the Company, supervising the performance of professionals engaged by or on behalf of the Company and handling, prosecuting and settling any claims of or against the Company, the Board of Trustees, holders of the Company’s securities or the Company’s representatives or properties.

 

SECTION 5. BANK ACCOUNTS

 

The Advisor may establish and maintain, subject to any applicable conditions or limitations of the loan documents applicable to the Company, one or more bank accounts in its own name for account of the Company or in the name of the Company or any Subsidiary (any such account, a “Company Account”), and may collect and deposit funds into any such Company Account or Company Accounts, and disburse funds from any such Company Account or Company Accounts. The Advisor shall from time to time render appropriate accountings of such collections and payments to the Board of Trustees and, upon request, to the auditors of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 6. RECORDS

 

The Advisor shall maintain appropriate books of accounts and records relating to services performed under this Agreement, and such books of account and records shall be accessible for inspection by representatives of the Company at any time during normal business hours upon reasonable advance notice to the Advisor.

 

SECTION 7. CONFIDENTIALITY

 

The Advisor shall keep confidential any and all non-public information obtained in connection with the services rendered under this Agreement and shall not disclose any such information to any Person, except to (i) its Affiliates, members, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives or advisors who reasonably need such information for the Advisor to be able to perform its duties hereunder (and the European Advisor to carry out its duties under the European Advisory Agreement, (ii) appraisers, lenders, bankers and other parties as necessary in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, (iii) in connection with any governmental or regulatory filings or requests of the Company or the Advisor or any of their Affiliates, (v) as required by applicable law or regulation, including any applicable disclosure requirements applicable to the Company and the Advisor and their Affiliates under securities or blue sky laws or stock exchange listing requirements, or (vi) with the prior written consent of the Board of Trustees. The confidentiality provisions of this Section 7 shall survive for a period of three (3) years after the Termination Date.

 

SECTION 8. LIMITATION ON ACTIVITIES; INSURANCE

 

(a)            The Advisor shall refrain from any action that, in its sole judgment made in good faith, (i) can reasonably be expected to result in the loss of the Company’s status as a REIT under the Code, or to subject the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act, or (ii) can reasonably be expected to result in the violation of any law, rule or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary that would materially adversely affect the Company or that would otherwise not be permitted by such entity’s Governing Instruments. If the Advisor is ordered to take any such action by the Board of Trustees, the Advisor shall promptly notify the Board of Trustees of the Advisor’s judgment with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advisor and its Affiliates, officers and employees shall not be liable to the Company or any Subsidiary, the Board of Trustees, or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any act or omission by the Advisor, its Affiliates, officers or employees except as provided in Section 11.

 

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(b)            The Advisor shall at all times during the term of this Agreement (including the Initial Term and any Renewal Term) maintain such insurance coverage as is customarily maintained by other advisors, managers or servicers of similar assets. No fidelity bond shall be required.

 

(c)            The Advisor acknowledges receipt of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and Policy on Insider Training, and agrees to require its employees who provide services to the Company to comply with such codes and policies.

 

SECTION 9. COMPENSATION

 

(a)            Management Fee. As compensation for the Advisor’s services under this Agreement, during the Term, the Company will pay the Advisor a management fee of $625,000.00 per calendar month (the “Base Management Fee”), which shall be subject to adjustment as set forth in this Section 9 (as may be adjusted pursuant to this Section 9, the “Management Fee”).

 

(b)            Initial Management Fee Proration. The Management Fee for the initial calendar month following the Effective Time shall be prorated to an amount equal to the product of (i) the Base Management Fee and (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the number of calendar days remaining in such calendar month following the Effective Date; and (b) the total number of calendar days in such initial calendar month.

 

(c)            Adjustments for Dispositions. If a Qualified Disposition of a NLOP Property (each a “Disposed Property”) occurs during a calendar month, the Management Fee for such calendar month shall be reduced, for each such Disposed Property, by an amount equal to the product of (i) the Applicable Disposition Discount with respect to such Disposed Property, and (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the number of calendar days remaining in such calendar month following the closing date of such Qualified Disposition and (b) the total number of calendar days in such calendar month. For each full calendar month following any such Qualified Disposition, the Management Fee shall be reduced by the Applicable Disposition Discount with respect to such Disposed Property.

 

(d)            Limitations. In no event shall the Management Fee for any calendar month be greater than the Management Fee in effect during the preceding calendar month (without regard for the adjustments, if any, as set forth in Section 9(b) above), and in no event shall the aggregate Management Fee payable for a given fiscal year exceed $7.5 million. For the avoidance of doubt, the Management Fee shall not be modified or reduced except as expressly set forth in this Section 9, and shall not be modified or reduced for changes and amendments with respect to any NLOP Property, other than a Qualifying Disposition, including, but not limited to (i) new or amended lease arrangements, (ii) property vacancies, (iii) insolvency or bankruptcy, or (iv) changes in the operating performance of such NLOP Property. The Management Fee to be paid to the Advisor under this Section 9, a portion of which shall be paid to the European Advisor as agreed between the Advisor and the European Advisor for the services provided by the European Advisor under the European Advisory Agreement, is not intended to compensate the Advisor with respect to the NLOP Properties that are located outside of the United States.

 

(e)            Invoices. Promptly following the end of each calendar month, the Advisor shall prepare and deliver to the Company a written invoice for such calendar month’s Management Fee. Upon the request of the Board of Trustees, the Advisor shall also provide the supporting calculations with respect to the Management Fee for any given calendar month (provided that such a request, and the Company’s delivery thereof, shall not delay the payment date set forth in Section 9(f) below).

 

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(f)            Payment. The Management Fee shall be payable, in cash, monthly in arrears, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the Advisor’s written invoice, on the later of (i) 30 calendar days following the end of such calendar month or (ii) 20 calendar days following receipt of the Advisor’s invoice for such prior calendar month’s Management Fee.

 

SECTION 10. EXPENSES

 

(a)            Administrative Reimbursement. During the Term, the Company shall pay the Advisor a base administrative reimbursement of $333,333.33 per calendar month (as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 10(b), the “Administrative Reimbursement”) as reimbursement for the Advisor Costs.

 

(b)            Initial Administrative Reimbursement Proration. The Administrative Reimbursement for the initial calendar month following the Effective Time shall be prorated to an amount equal to the product of (i) the Administrative Reimbursement and (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the number of calendar days remaining in such calendar month following the Effective Date; and (b) the number of calendar days in such initial calendar month.

 

(c)            Advisor Costs. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or approved by majority vote of the Independent Trustees or the Audit Committee, in exchange for the Administrative Reimbursement, the Advisor shall bear the following expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement, and shall not be entitled to reimbursement with respect to such expenses (collectively, the “Advisor Costs”):

 

(i)            base salary, cash incentive compensation and other employment expenses of personnel employed by the Advisor, including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, payroll taxes and the cost of employee benefit plans (other than equity awards granted by the Company pursuant to an equity compensation plan approved by the Board of Trustees);

 

(ii)           fees and travel and other expenses of employees of the Advisor, to the extent not incurred while providing services pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(iii)          rent, telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment and machinery (including computers, to the extent utilized) and other office expenses of the Advisor, except to the extent such expenses relate solely to an office maintained by the Company separate from the offices of the Advisor; and

 

(iv)          miscellaneous administrative expenses relating to performance by the Advisor of its obligations hereunder.

 

(d)            Expense Reimbursement. Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Company shall pay (or shall reimburse the Advisor for) all of its and its Subsidiaries’ expenses and all costs and expenses associated with the services to be provided pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is specifically agreed that the following out-of-pocket expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be paid by the Company (or shall be reimbursed by the Company to the Advisor) (collectively, the “Expenses”):

 

(i)            the cost of borrowed money;

 

(ii)           taxes on income and taxes and assessments on real and personal property, if any, and all other taxes applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

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(iii)          legal, auditing, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, reporting, registration and other fees, and printing, engraving and other expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, trading, registration and listing of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ securities on a stock exchange, including transfer agent’s, registrar’s and indenture trustee’s fees and charges;

 

(iv)         expenses of organizing, restructuring, reorganizing or liquidating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or of revising, amending, converting or modifying the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Governing Instruments;

 

(v)           fees and travel and other expenses paid to members of the Board of Trustees and officers of the Company or those of individuals in similar positions with any of its Subsidiaries in their capacities as such (but not in their capacities as officers or employees of the Advisor) and fees and travel and other expenses paid to advisors, contractors, mortgage servicers, consultants and other agents and independent contractors employed by or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries (whether or not engaged by the Advisor rather than directly by the Company);

 

(vi)         expenses directly connected with the investigation, disposition or ownership of real estate interests or other property (including third party property diligence costs, appraisal reporting, the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, brokerage and sales commissions, maintenance, repair, improvement and local management of property), other than expenses with respect thereto of employees of the Advisor, to the extent that such expenses are to be borne by the Advisor pursuant to this Agreement, including Section 10(c);

 

(vii)        all insurance costs (including officer and trustee liability insurance) incurred in connection with the Company and its Subsidiaries or in connection with any officer and trustee indemnity agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or arising under the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Governing Instruments;

 

(viii)       expenses connected with payments of distributions, dividends or interest or contributions in cash or any other form made or caused to be made by the Trustees to holders of securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(ix)          all expenses connected with communications to holders of securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries and other administrative work necessary to maintaining relations with holders of securities, including the proxy solicitation materials and reports to holders of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ securities;

 

(x)           legal, accounting, auditing and other professional services fees and expenses in addition to those described above;

 

(xi)          filing and recording fees and costs for regulatory or governmental filings, approvals and notices;

 

(xii)         the costs and expenses of conceiving, implementing, managing and settling all equity award or compensation plans or arrangements established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including but not limited to the value of awards made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to members of the Board of Trustees, the Advisor or its employees, if any, and payment of any employment or withholding taxes in connection therewith; and

 

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(xiii)        all other costs and expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than those to be specifically borne by the Advisor pursuant to Section 10(c) above.

 

(e)            Invoices. Promptly following the end of each calendar month, the Advisor shall prepare and deliver to the Company a written invoice for such calendar month’s Expenses paid by the Advisor and for which the Advisor is entitled to reimbursement pursuant to Section 10(d) and such Expenses (as defined in the European Advisory Agreement) paid by the European Advisor and for which the European Advisor is entitled to reimbursement pursuant to the European Advisory Agreement (collectively, the “Reimbursable Expenses”). Upon the request of the Board of Trustees, the Advisor shall also provide the reasonable supporting documentation with respect to the Reimbursable Expenses for any given calendar month (provided that such a request, and the Advisor’s delivery thereof, shall not delay the payment date set forth in Section 10(f) below).

 

(f)            Payment. The Administrative Reimbursement shall be payable, in cash, monthly in arrears, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account or accounts designated in writing by the Advisor, on the date that is 30 calendar days following the end of such calendar month. Reimbursable Expenses for which the Advisor is entitled to reimbursement pursuant to Section 10(d) shall be payable, in cash, monthly in arrears, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the Advisor’s written invoice, on the later of (i) 30 calendar days following the end of such calendar month or (ii) 20 calendar days following receipt of the Advisor’s invoice for such prior calendar month’s Expenses.

 

(g)            The Administrative Reimbursement and Reimbursable Expenses to be paid to the Advisor under this Section 10, a portion of which shall be paid to the European Advisor as agreed between the Advisor and the European Advisor for the services provided by the European Advisor under the European Advisor Agreement, are not intended to compensate the Advisor with respect to the NLOP Properties that are located outside of the United States.

 

SECTION 11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

(a)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Advisor shall have no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services as required under this Agreement in good faith and shall not be responsible for any action of the Board of Trustees in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendations of the Advisor, including as set forth in Section 8(a). The Advisor, its Affiliates and their members, managers, officers and employees will not be liable to the Company or any Subsidiary, to the Board of Trustees or to the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any acts or omissions by the Advisor, its Affiliates, members, managers, officers or employees pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement, except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

(b)            The Company shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold the Advisor, its Affiliates, members, managers, officers and employees, sub-advisors and each other Person, if any, controlling the Advisor or its Affiliates (each, an “Advisor Indemnified Party”), harmless of and from any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees) (collectively, “Losses”) in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of such Advisor Indemnified Party made in good faith in the performance of the Advisor’s duties under this Agreement and not constituting such Advisor Indemnified Party’s bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

(c)            The Advisor shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold the Company, its Subsidiaries, its shareholders, trustees, officers and employees and each other Person, if any, controlling the Company or its Subsidiaries (each, a “Company Indemnified Party”), harmless of and from any and all Losses in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of the Advisor constituting bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

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(d)            Promptly after receipt by the Advisor Indemnified Party or the Company Indemnified Party, as applicable (the “Indemnified Party”) of notice of the commencement of any action, such Indemnified Party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made pursuant hereto, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to any Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 11. In case any such action shall be brought against an Indemnified Party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified Party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Section 11, as applicable, for any legal expenses of other counsel or any of the expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party, unless (i) the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Indemnified Party, due to actual or potential differing interests between them.

 

(e)            The Company shall be required to advance funds to an Advisor Indemnified Party for legal expenses and other costs incurred as a result of any legal action or proceeding if a claim in respect thereof is to be made pursuant hereto and if requested by such Advisor Indemnified Party if (i) such suit, action or proceeding relates to or arises out of, or is alleged to relate to or arise out of or has been caused or alleged to have been caused in whole or in part by, any action or inaction on the part of the Advisor Indemnified Party in the performance of its duties or provision of its services on behalf of the Company; and (ii) the Advisor Indemnified Party undertakes to repay any funds advanced pursuant to this Section 11(e) in cases in which such Indemnified Party would not be entitled to indemnification under Section 11(b). If advances are required under this Section 11(e), the Advisor Indemnified Party shall furnish the Company with an undertaking as set forth in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence and shall thereafter have the right to bill the Company for, or otherwise require the Company to pay, at any time and from time to time after such Advisor Indemnified Party shall become obligated to make payment therefor, any and all reasonable amounts for which such Advisor Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 11, and the Company shall pay the same within thirty (30) days after request for payment. In the event that a determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator that the Company is not so obligated in respect of any amount paid by it to a particular Advisor Indemnified Party, such Advisor Indemnified Party will refund such amount within sixty (60) days of such determination, and in the event that a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator is made that the Company is so obligated in respect to any amount not paid by the Company to a particular Advisor Indemnified Party, the Company will pay such amount to such Advisor Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days of such final determination, in either case together with interest at the current prime rate plus two percent (2%) from the date paid until repaid or the date it was obligated to be paid until the date actually paid.

 

SECTION 12. NO JOINT VENTURE

 

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to make the Company and the Advisor partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them.

 

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SECTION 13. TERM

 

This Agreement shall have an initial term of three (3) years (the “Initial Term”), and shall automatically renew thereafter for successive one (1) year terms (each a “Renewal Term,” and such term, as renewed, the “Term”) without further action by either the Company or the Advisor, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 14. TERMINATION

 

(a)            No later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, the Advisor may deliver written notice of its intention not to renew the term, whereupon the term of this Agreement shall not be renewed and extended, and this Agreement shall terminate effective on the expiration date of such Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

(b)            The Company may terminate this Agreement upon 90 days’ prior written notice (a “Company Termination for Convenience”); provided, however, that, if requested by the Company, the Advisor shall provide transition services (including, without limitation, assistance with identifying a replacement advisor) to the Company for up to an additional 90 days following the effective date of such Company Termination for Convenience, which services shall be subject to the same compensation and reimbursements as in effect at the time of such Company Termination for Convenience is delivered.

 

(c)            The Company may terminate this Agreement immediately, without prior notice to the Advisor, for Cause.

 

(d)            The Advisor may terminate this Agreement (i) immediately, without prior notice to the Company, with Good Reason or (ii) effective concurrently with or within 90 days following the Termination Date (as defined in the European Advisory Agreement) of the European Advisory Agreement (a “Cross Default Termination”).

 

SECTION 15. TERMINATION FEE

 

(a)            In the event of a Qualifying Termination, the Company shall pay the Advisor a fee (the “Termination Fee”) in an amount equal to the product of (i) either (a) 2.0, if such Qualifying Termination occurs prior to the end of the Initial Term, or (b) 1.5, if such Qualifying Termination occurs on or after the end of the Initial Term, and (ii) the sum of the Management Fee payable by the Company during the twelve full calendar months preceding such termination (the “Trailing Annual Fees”). In the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs on or prior to the end of the twelfth full calendar month following the Effective Time, Trailing Annual Fees shall be deemed to equal the product of (i) the average of the sum of the Management Fees payable during each completed calendar month following the Effective Time (or $1,875,000.00, if no calendar month has been completed following the Effective Time), and (ii) twelve. The Termination Fee shall be payable to the Advisor on or before the Termination Date of this Agreement, and shall be in addition to all other earned but unpaid Management Fee and Administrative Reimbursement, and any incurred but unreimbursed Expenses accumulated as of the Termination Date, in each case, in accordance with Section 16.

 

(b)            For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall a Termination Fee be payable exclusively as a result of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

 

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SECTION 16. ACTION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a)            From and after the Termination Date, the Advisor shall not be entitled to compensation for further services under this Agreement, but shall be paid all compensation accruing through the Termination Date, including, without limitation, any Termination Fee due in connection with such termination.

 

(b)            On the Termination Date or as promptly thereafter as practicable, the Advisor shall forthwith:

 

(i)            after deducting any earned but unpaid Management Fee or Administrative Reimbursement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the prorated portion of the Management Fee or Administrative Reimbursement for the period between the beginning of the calendar month during which the termination occurred and the Termination Date) and incurred but unreimbursed Expenses accumulated, in each case, through the Termination Date, including, without limitation, any Termination Fee due in connection with such termination, pay over to the Company all money collected and held for the account of the Company or a Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(ii)           deliver to the Board of Trustees a full accounting, including a statement showing all payments collected and money held by it, covering the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the Board of Trustees with respect to the Company or a Subsidiary; and

 

(iii)          deliver to the Board of Trustees all property and documents of the Company or any Subsidiary then in the custody of the Advisor; provided, however, that the Advisor may retain copies of all such information.

 

(c)            On the Termination Date or as promptly thereafter as practicable, the Company shall (to the extent such amounts have not already been deducted in accordance with Section 16(b)(i) above) forthwith:

 

(i)            pay to the Advisor all earned but unpaid Management Fees and Administrative Reimbursement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the prorated portion of the Management Fee or Administrative Reimbursement for the period between the beginning of the calendar month during which the termination occurred and the Termination Date) through the Termination Date, including, without limitation, any Termination Fee due in connection with such termination; and

 

(ii)           reimburse the Advisor for all incurred but unreimbursed Expenses payable to the Advisor under this Agreement and payable to the European Advisory under the European Advisory Agreement through the Termination Date.

 

SECTION 17. ASSIGNMENT

 

Neither party may assign this Agreement or its rights hereunder without the written consent of the other party, except that the Advisor may assign this Agreement (i) to an Affiliate (only with respect to an entity described in clause (i) of the definition thereof) or other entity whose business and operations are managed or supervised by WPC, or (ii) to a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust, or other entity that is a successor (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) to the Advisor.

 

SECTION 18. RELEASE OF PROPERTY

 

(a)            The Advisor agrees that any money or other property of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof held by the Advisor under this Agreement shall be held by the Advisor as custodian for the Company or such Subsidiary, and the Advisor’s records shall be appropriately marked clearly to reflect the ownership of such money or other property by the Company or such Subsidiary. Upon the receipt by the Advisor of a written request from the Board of Trustees requesting the Advisor to release to the Company or any Subsidiary any money or other property then held by the Advisor for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary under this Agreement, the Advisor shall release such money or other property to the Company or any Subsidiary within a reasonable period of time, but in no event later than 30 days following such request. The Advisor shall not be liable to the Company, any Subsidiary, the Board of Trustees or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any act or omission by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the money or other property released to the Company or any Subsidiary in accordance with this Section 18.

 

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(b)            The Company agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Advisor to the extent any release of money or other property to the Company or any Subsidiary, and shall refrain from demanding any such release to the extent doing so may compromise the Company’s operations or Advisor’s ability to effectively carry out its duties under this Agreement, or that may materially adversely affect the Company or not be permitted by the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s Governing Instruments. If the Advisor is ordered release any money or other property in a manner that may be adverse to the Company, as described in the preceding sentence, the Advisor shall promptly notify the Board of Trustees of the Advisor’s judgment thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advisor and its Affiliates, officers and employees shall not be liable to the Company or any Subsidiary, the Board of Trustees, or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any act or omission by the Advisor, its Affiliates, officers or employees except as provided in Section 11.

 

SECTION 19. NOTICES

 

Unless expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, all notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given, made and received when delivered against receipt or upon actual receipt of (i) personal delivery, (ii) delivery by reputable overnight courier, (iii) delivery by email, facsimile transmission or email against answerback or (iv) delivery by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as set forth below:

 

(a)If to the Company:

 

One Manhattan West

395 Ninth Avenue

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

(b)If to the Advisor:

 

One Manhattan West

395 Ninth Avenue

New York, NY 10001
Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

Either party may alter the address to which communications or copies are to be sent by giving notice of such change of address in conformity with the provisions of this Section 19 for the giving of notice.

 

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SECTION 20. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns as provided in this Agreement.

 

SECTION 21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. The express terms of this Agreement control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified or amended other than by an agreement in writing executed by both parties.

 

SECTION 22. Arbitration

 

(a)            Any disputes, claims or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the provision of services by the Advisor pursuant to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including any disputes, claims or controversies brought by or on behalf of the Company or the Advisor or any holder of equity interests (which, for purposes of this Section 22, shall mean any holder of record or any beneficial owner of equity interests or any former holder of record or beneficial owner of equity interests) of the Company or the Advisor, either on his, her or its own behalf, on behalf of the Company or the Advisor or on behalf of any series or class of equity interests of the Company or the Advisor or holders of any equity interests of the Company or the Advisor against the Company or the Advisor or any of their respective trustees, directors, members, officers, managers (including the Advisor or its successor), agents or employees, including any disputes, claims or controversies relating to the meaning, interpretation, effect, validity, performance or enforcement of this Agreement, including this arbitration agreement or the governing documents of the Company or the Advisor (all of which are referred to as “Disputes”), or relating in any way to such a Dispute or Disputes shall, on the demand of any party to such Dispute or Disputes, be resolved through binding and final arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) then in effect, except as those Rules may be modified in this Section 22. For the avoidance of doubt, and not as a limitation, Disputes are intended to include derivative actions against the trustees, directors, officers or managers of the Company or the Advisor and class actions by a holder of equity interests against those individuals or entities and the Company or the Advisor. For the avoidance of doubt, a Dispute shall include a Dispute made derivatively on behalf of one party against another party. For purposes of this Section 22, the term “equity interest” shall mean, (i) in respect of the Company, shares of beneficial interest of the Company, and (ii) in respect of the Advisor, “membership interest” in the Advisor as defined in the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended.

 

(b)            There shall be three (3) arbitrators. If there are only two (2) parties to the Dispute, each party shall select one (1) arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after receipt by respondent of a copy of the demand for arbitration. The arbitrators may be affiliated or interested persons of the parties. If there are more than two (2) parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand, shall each select, by the vote of a majority of the claimants or the respondents, as the case may be, one (1) arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the demand for arbitration. The arbitrators may be affiliated or interested persons of the claimants or the respondents, as the case may be. If either a claimant (or all claimants) or a respondent (or all respondents) fail(s) to timely select an arbitrator then the party (or parties) who has selected an arbitrator may request AAA to provide a list of three (3) proposed arbitrators in accordance with the Rules (each of whom shall be neutral, impartial and unaffiliated with any party) and the party (or parties) that failed to timely appoint an arbitrator shall have ten (10) days from the date AAA provides the list to select one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators proposed by AAA. If the party (or parties) fail(s) to select the second (2nd) arbitrator by that time, the party (or parties) who have appointed the first (1st) arbitrator shall then have ten (10) days to select one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators proposed by AAA to be the second (2nd) arbitrator; and, if he/they should fail to select the second (2nd) arbitrator by such time, AAA shall select, within fifteen (15) days thereafter, one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators it had proposed as the second (2nd) arbitrator. The two (2) arbitrators so appointed shall jointly appoint the third (3rd) and presiding arbitrator (who shall be neutral, impartial and unaffiliated with any party) within fifteen (15) days of the appointment of the second (2nd) arbitrator. If the third (3rd) arbitrator has not been appointed within the time limit specified herein, then AAA shall provide a list of proposed arbitrators in accordance with the Rules, and the arbitrator shall be appointed by AAA in accordance with a listing, striking and ranking procedure, with each party having a limited number of strikes, excluding strikes for cause.

 

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(c)            The place of arbitration shall be New York, New York, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

 

(d)            There shall be only limited documentary discovery of documents directly related to the issues in dispute, as may be ordered by the arbitrators. For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that there shall be no depositions and no other discovery other than limited documentary discovery as described in the preceding sentence.

 

(e)            In rendering an award or decision (the “Award”), the arbitrators shall be required to follow the laws of the State of Maryland. Any arbitration proceedings or award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration agreement shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1 et seq. The Award shall be in writing and shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law on which it is based. Any monetary award shall be made and payable in U.S. dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset. Subject to Section 22(g), each party against which the Award assesses a monetary obligation shall pay that obligation on or before the thirtieth (30th) day following the date of the Award or such other date as the Award may provide.

 

(f)            Except to the extent expressly provided by this Agreement or as otherwise agreed by the parties thereto, each party involved in a Dispute shall bear its own costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and the arbitrators shall not render an award that would include shifting of any such costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) or, in a derivative case or class action, award any portion of the Company’s or the Advisor’s, as applicable, award to the claimant or the claimant’s attorneys. Each party (or, if there are more than two (2) parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand, respectively) shall bear the costs and expenses of its (or their) selected arbitrator and the parties (or, if there are more than two (2) parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand) shall equally bear the costs and expenses of the third (3rd) appointed arbitrator.

 

(g)            Notwithstanding any language to the contrary in this Agreement, the Award, including but not limited to, any interim Award, may be appealed pursuant to the AAA’s Optional Appellate Arbitration Rules (“Appellate Rules”). The Award shall not be considered final until after the time for filing the notice of appeal pursuant to the Appellate Rules has expired. Appeals must be initiated within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Award by filing a notice of appeal with any AAA office. Following the appeal process, the decision rendered by the appeal tribunal may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, and despite any contrary provision of the Appellate Rules, this Section 22(f) shall apply to any appeal pursuant to this Section 22(f) and the appeal tribunal shall not render an award that would include shifting of any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of any party.

 

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(h)            Following the expiration of the time for filing the notice of appeal, or the conclusion of the appeal process set forth in Section 22(g), the Award shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between those parties relating to the Dispute, including any claims, counterclaims, issues or accounting presented to the arbitrators. Judgment upon the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no application or appeal to any court of competent jurisdiction may be made in connection with any question of law arising in the course of arbitration or with respect to any award made except for actions relating to enforcement of this agreement to arbitrate or any arbitral award issued hereunder and except for actions seeking interim or other provisional relief in aid of arbitration proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(i)             This Section 22 is intended to benefit and be enforceable by the Company, the Advisor and their respective holders of equity interests, trustees, directors, officers, managers (including the Advisor or its successor), agents or employees, and their respective successors and assigns and shall be binding upon the Company, the Advisor and their respective holders of equity interests, and be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that such individuals or entities may have by contract or otherwise.

 

SECTION 23. GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement shall be governed by and construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, notwithstanding any New York or other conflict-of-law provisions to the contrary.

 

SECTION 24. NO WAIVERS

 

Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

 

SECTION 25. HEADINGS

 

The titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 26. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts of this Agreement, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.

 

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SECTION 27. SURVIVAL

 

Sections 1, 7, 11, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23, 25 and 27 shall survive the termination hereof. Any termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to the rights of the parties hereto accrued prior to the termination or upon termination.

 

SECTION 28. Severability

 

The provisions of this Agreement are independent of and separable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that for any reason any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part.

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY
   
  Net Lease Office Properties,
  a Maryland real estate trust
   
  By: /s/ Jason E. Fox
    Name: Jason E. Fox
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer
   
   
  ADVISOR
   
  W. P. Carey Management LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ ToniAnn Sanzone
    Name: ToniAnn Sanzone
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Advisory Agreement]

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

dated as of November 1, 2023

 

between

 

Net Lease Office Properties

 

and

 

W. P. Carey & Co. B.V.

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS 1
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR 5
SECTION 3. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR 8
SECTION 4. AGENCY 8
SECTION 5. BANK ACCOUNTS 9
SECTION 6. RECORDS 9
SECTION 7. CONFIDENTIALITY 9
SECTION 8. LIMITATION ON ACTIVITIES; INSURANCE 9
SECTION 9. COMPENSATION 10
SECTION 10. EXPENSES 10
SECTION 11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION 12
SECTION 12. NO JOINT VENTURE 13
SECTION 13. TERM 13
SECTION 14. TERMINATION 13
SECTION 15. TERMINATION FEE 14
SECTION 16. ACTION UPON TERMINATION 14
SECTION 17. ASSIGNMENT 14
SECTION 18. RELEASE OF PROPERTY 15
SECTION 19. NOTICES 15
SECTION 20. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS 16
SECTION 21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT 16
SECTION 22. Arbitration 16
SECTION 23. GOVERNING LAW 18
SECTION 24. NO WAIVERS 18
SECTION 25. HEADINGS 18
SECTION 26. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS 18
SECTION 27. SURVIVAL 19
SECTION 28. Severability 19

 

Annex A: Covered Properties

 

 

 

ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

THIS ADVISORY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of November 1, 2023 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Net Lease Office Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”), and W. P. Carey & Co. B.V., a Dutch limited liability company (together with its permitted assignees, the “Advisor”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Company, through its own operations and the operations of its Subsidiaries (as defined herein), is in the business of owning, developing, managing and disposing of office real property;

 

WHEREAS, the Company intends to qualify as a Real Estate Investment Trust (a “REIT”) under the Code (as defined herein);

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to avail itself of the experience, sources of information, advice, assistance and certain facilities of, or available to, the Advisor and to have the Advisor undertake the duties and responsibilities hereinafter set forth, on behalf of, and subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of, the Company, as provided in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the US Advisor have, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, entered into that the US Advisory Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Advisor is willing to render such services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the definitions hereinafter indicated:

 

AAA” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(a) of this Agreement.

 

Advisor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Advisor Costs” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(b) of this Agreement.

 

Advisor Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) of this Agreement.

 

Affiliatemeans, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person, (ii) any executive officer, general partner or managing member of such Person, (iii) any member of the board of directors or board of managers (or bodies performing similar functions) of such Person and (iv) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, general partner or managing member. For the avoidance of doubt, and for purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Advisor.

 

Agreement” means this Advisory Agreement, as amended from time to time.

 

Appellate Rules” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(g) of this Agreement.

 

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Audit Committee” means the audit committee of the Board of Trustees or the committee or body performing similar functions.

  

Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(e) of this Agreement.

 

Board of Trustees” means the board of trustees of the Company.

 

Cause” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)            any material breach of a material term of this Agreement by the Advisor that has not been cured within 30 days following written notice thereof from the Company;

 

(b)            fraud, criminal conduct, willful misconduct or willful or grossly negligent breach by the Advisor in the performance of its duties under this Agreement that, in each case, is determined by a majority of the Company’s Independent Trustees to be materially adverse to the Company;

 

(c)            the commencement of any proceeding relating to the Advisor’s bankruptcy or insolvency, or the dissolution of the Advisor, including an order for relief in an involuntary bankruptcy case or the Advisor authorizing or filing a voluntary bankruptcy petition; or

 

(d)            termination of the US Advisory Agreement by the Company for “Cause” (as defined in the US Advisory Agreement) pursuant to subsections (a), (b) or (c) of the definition thereof.

 

Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)            a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (b)(ii) as beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction;

 

(b)            during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board of Trustees together with any new trustee(s) (other than a trustee designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in the preceding clause (i) or the succeeding clause (iii) of this definition) whose election by the Board of Trustees or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the trustees then still in office who either were trustees at the beginning of the two (2)-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

 

(c)            the consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (A) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (C) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of another entity, in each case, other than a transaction:

 

(i)            which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and following which the Successor Entity continues to own all or substantially all the assets that the Company owned immediately before the transaction and succeeds to its business, and

 

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(ii)           after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (b)(ii) as beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

 

(d)            approval by the Company’s shareholders of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Common Share” means a common share of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company now or hereafter authorized as common voting shares of the Company.

 

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Company Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

Company Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(c) of this Agreement.

 

Company Termination for Convenience” has the meaning set forth in Section 14(b) of this Agreement.

 

Covered Properties” means the real properties of the Company or its Subsidiaries located outside of the United States listed in Annex A hereto.

 

Cross Default Termination” has the meaning set forth in Section 14(d) of this Agreement.

 

Disputes” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(a) of this Agreement.

 

Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

European Qualifying Termination” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)            Termination for Convenience by the Company;

 

(b)            Termination by the Advisor with Good Reason; or

 

(c)            Cross Default Termination by the Advisor if the US Advisory Agreement is terminated pursuant to (i) a “Termination for Convenience” by the Company or (ii) a termination by the Advisor with “Good Reason” (each as defined in the US Advisory Agreement).

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(c) of this Agreement.

 

Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)            any failure to obtain a reasonably satisfactory agreement from any successor to the Company to assume the Company’s obligations under the Agreement;

 

(b)            any material breach of this Agreement by the Company that has not been cured within 30 days following written notice thereof from the Advisor; or

 

(c)            the Advisor has the right to terminate the US Advisory Agreement with “Good Reason” (as defined in the US Advisory Agreement) pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of the definition thereof.

 

Governing Instruments” means, with regard to any entity, the declaration of trust and bylaws in the case of a real estate investment trust, the articles of incorporation and bylaws in the case of a corporation, the certificate of limited partnership (if applicable) and the partnership agreement in the case of a general or limited partnership, the articles of formation and the operating agreement in the case of a limited liability company, or, in each case, comparable governing documents.

 

Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(d) of this Agreement.

 

Independent Trustee” means any member of the Board of Trustees who, on the date at issue, is “independent” as determined by application of the rules and regulations of any applicable securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed.

 

Initial Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13 of this Agreement.

 

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) of this Agreement.

 

Person” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, estate, trust, joint venture, any federal, state, county or municipal government or any bureau, department or agency thereof or any other legal entity and any fiduciary acting in such capacity on behalf of the foregoing.

 

REIT” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement”

 

Renewal Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13 of this Agreement.

 

Required Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) of this Agreement:

 

Rules” has the meaning set forth in Section 22(a) of this Agreement.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and any partnership, the general partner of which is the Company or any subsidiary of the Company and any limited liability company, the managing member of which is the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

 

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Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 13 of this Agreement.

 

Termination Date” means the effective date of any termination pursuant to Section 14.

 

Trustee” means any person holding such office on the Board of Trustees, as of any particular time.

 

US Advisor” means W. P. Carey Management LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of WPC.

 

US Advisory Agreement” means that certain US Advisory Agreement entered into by and between the Company and the US Advisor concurrently with this Agreement, as such agreement may be modified or amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

WPC” means W. P. Carey Inc., a Maryland corporation, of which the Advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary.

 

SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR

 

(a)            The Company hereby appoints the Advisor to provide management services with respect to the asset management, property disposition support, strategic management services, and related services, in each case, related to the Covered Properties, and the Advisor hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to perform each of the duties set forth herein. The appointment of the Advisor shall be exclusive to the Advisor, except to the extent that the Advisor elects, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to cause the duties of the Advisor hereunder to be provided by third parties.

 

(b)            The Advisor, in its capacity as such, shall at all times be subject to the supervision, direction and management of the Board of Trustees, and will have only such functions and authority as the Company may delegate to it and as set forth in this Agreement. The Board of Trustee has dispositive power in the event of any conflict between the Board of Trustees and the Advisor with respect to the functions and authority delegated to the Advisor above.

 

(c)            The Company and the Board of Trustees, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2(d), hereby delegates the following functions and authority to the Advisor, and the Advisor agrees to perform (or cause to be performed) such services and activities relating to the Covered Properties as may be appropriate, including, without limitation:

 

(i)            sourcing, investigating and evaluating prospective disposition, exchange or other transactions with respect to the Covered Properties (including potential seller financing related thereto, as may be permitted), and making recommendations with respect thereto to the Board of Trustees, where applicable;

 

(ii)           conducting negotiations with brokers, purchasers and their respective agents and representatives, investment bankers and other parties regarding the disposition, exchange or other transactions with respect to the Covered Properties (including potential seller financing related thereto, as may be permitted), and subject to any necessary approvals from the Board of Trustees, executing and delivering documentation related thereto and performing the transactions contemplated thereby;

 

(iii)          managing and monitoring the operating performance of Covered Properties and cooperating with the U.S. Advisor to provide periodic reports to the Board of Trustees, in form, substance and frequency as the Advisor deems reasonably necessary or as the Board of Trustees may otherwise reasonably request;

 

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(iv)          assisting the Company in developing criteria that are specifically tailored to the Company’s operations and divestiture objectives with respect to the Covered Properties;

  

(v)           engaging and supervising independent contractors that provide services relating to the Covered Properties, including, but not limited to, investment banking, legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, securities brokerage, property management, real estate, leasing, brokerage and other advisory and consulting services reasonably necessary for Advisor to perform its duties hereunder (it being understood that the Independent Trustees and any committees of the Board of Trustees shall retain the authority to hire its or their own attorneys or other advisors);

 

(vi)          cooperating with the U.S. Advisor in the negotiation, on behalf of the Company, of the terms of loan documents for the Company’s financings, if any, with respect to any Covered Property;

 

(vii)         coordinating and managing the operations of any joint venture or co-investment interests held by the Company and conducting and overseeing all matters with respect to the joint venture or co-investment partners, in each case, with respect to the Covered Properties;

 

(viii)        coordinating and supervising all property managers, tenant operators, leasing agents and developers for the administration, leasing, management and/or development of any of the Covered Properties;

 

(ix)           providing executive and administrative personnel, office space and administrative services required in rendering services to the Company;

 

(x)            administering bookkeeping and accounting functions as are required for the management and operation of the Company, contracting for audits and preparing such periodic reports and filings as may be required by any governmental authority in connection with the ordinary conduct of the Company’s business, and otherwise advising and assisting the Company with its compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including, without limitation, periodic reports, returns or statements required under the Exchange Act, the Code and any regulations or rulings thereunder, the securities and tax statutes of any jurisdiction in which the Company is obligated to file such reports, or the rules and regulations promulgated under any of the foregoing;

 

(xi)           advising and assisting in the preparation and filing of all offering documents, registration statements, prospectuses, proxies and other forms or documents filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act or any state securities regulators (it being understood that the Company shall be responsible for the content of any and all of its offering documents, SEC filings or state regulatory filings, and that the Advisor shall not be held liable for any costs or liabilities arising out of any misstatements or omissions in the Company’s offering documents, SEC filings, state regulatory filings or other filings referred to in this subparagraph, whether or not material (except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Advisor’s duties under this Agreement);

 

(xii)          causing the Company to qualify to do business in all applicable jurisdictions and to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses, in each case, with respect to the Covered Properties;

 

(xiii)         handling and resolving all claims, disputes or controversies (including all litigation, arbitration, settlement or other proceedings or negotiations) in which the Company may be involved or to which the Company may be subject arising out of the Company’s day-to-day operations, subject to such limitations or parameters as may be imposed from time to time by the Board of Trustees;

 

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(xiv)        using commercially reasonable efforts to enable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company to be within any expense guidelines or budgets set by the Board of Trustees from time to time;

 

(xv)         using commercially reasonable efforts to enable the Company to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in all material respects;

 

(xvi)        providing reasonable assistance to the U.S. Advisor with respect to any of the duties, functions or responsibilities delegated to the U.S. Advisor under the U.S. Advisory Agreement; and

 

(xvii)       performing such other services as may be required from time to time for management and other activities relating to the assets of the Company as the Board of Trustees and the Advisor shall agree from time to time.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, the Advisor will also perform portfolio management services on behalf of the Company with respect to the Covered Properties. Such services will include, but not be limited to, consulting with the Company on the purchase and sale of, and other investment opportunities in connection with, the Covered Properties; the collection of information and the submission of reports pertaining to the Company’s assets, interest rates and general economic conditions applicable to the Covered Properties; periodic review and evaluation of the performance of the Covered Properties; acting as liaison between the Company and banking, mortgage banking, investment banking and other parties with respect to the purchase, financing and disposition of assets outside of the United States; and other customary functions related to portfolio management. Additionally, the Advisor will perform monitoring services on behalf of the Company with respect to any services provided by third parties, which the Advisor determines are material to the performance of the business.

 

(d)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Advisor must obtain prior approval by a majority of the Board of Trustees (including a majority of the Independent Trustees and a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees not involved in the applicable transaction) (the “Required Approval”) prior to causing the Company to take any of the following actions (subject to any delegation for which the Required Approval was obtained with respect thereto):

 

(i)            the entry into, or termination or material modification of, any material transaction related to any Covered Property, including dispositions and joint ventures;

 

(ii)           the entry into, or termination or material modification of, any material financing, loan or securities offering transaction of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(iii)          the retention of the Company’s independent registered public accountants (which shall also require the prior approval of the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees);

 

(iv)          the entry into, or termination or modification of, any material transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the Advisor or its Affiliates, on the other hand;

 

(v)           the issuance, optional redemption or repurchase of equity or debt securities by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

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(vi)          the grant, termination or material modification of any equity incentive awards by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(vii)         the entry into, or termination or material modification of any transaction that would constitute a Change in Control; and

 

(viii)        such other matters as may be determined by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

 

(e)            The Advisor shall make available sufficient experienced and appropriate personnel to perform the services and functions specified herein. The Advisor shall not be obligated to dedicate any of its officers or other personnel exclusively to the Company nor is the Advisor, its Affiliates or any of their officers or other employees obligated to dedicate any specific portion of its or their time to the Company or its business, except as necessary to perform the services required hereunder.

 

(f)            The Advisor may retain, for and on behalf, and at the sole cost and expense, of the Company, such services of accountants, legal counsel, tax counsel, appraisers, insurers, brokers, business developers, transfer agents, registrars, developers, investment banks, financial advisors, underwriters, banks and other consultants and advisors as the Advisor deems necessary or advisable in connection with the management and operations of the Covered Properties. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Advisor shall have the right to cause any such services to be rendered by its employees or Affiliates (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes any employees, consultants or agents of any Affiliate of the Advisor). The Advisor shall further be entitled to reasonably rely on qualified experts hired by the Advisor, including any of the foregoing.

 

(g)            Subject to Section 2(d) above, the Advisor may enter into agreements with other parties in connection with its duties hereunder.

 

(h)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, it is agreed and understood that the Advisor shall not be responsible for providing portfolio or asset management services with respect to the real properties owned or controlled by the Company or its Subsidiaries that are located in the United States, and such other services expressly contemplated by, and pursuant to the terms of, the US Advisory Agreement.

 

SECTION 3. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR

 

Nothing herein shall prevent the Advisor or its Affiliates (or their members, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, advisors or others) from engaging in any other business or activities, or from rendering services of any kind to any other Person, including advisory or other services to others similar to those set forth in this Agreement. The Company recognizes that it is not entitled to preferential treatment in receiving information, recommendations and other services from the Advisor. The Company and the Board of Trustees acknowledge that the Advisor and/or one or more of its Affiliates may be or become subject to various conflicts of interest. The Advisor shall act in good faith to endeavor to identify to the Independent Trustees any conflicts that may arise among the Company, the Advisor and/or any other Person or entity on whose behalf the Advisor may be engaged.

 

SECTION 4. AGENCY

 

The Advisor shall act as agent of the Company in making, acquiring, financing and disposing of assets of the Company, disbursing and collecting the Company’s funds, paying the debts and fulfilling the obligations of the Company, supervising the performance of professionals engaged by or on behalf of the Company and handling, prosecuting and settling any claims of or against the Company, the Board of Trustees, holders of the Company’s securities or the Company’s representatives or properties.

 

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SECTION 5. BANK ACCOUNTS

 

The Advisor may establish and maintain, subject to any applicable conditions or limitations of the loan documents applicable to the Company, one or more bank accounts in its own name for account of the Company or in the name of the Company or any Subsidiary (any such account, a “Company Account”), and may collect and deposit funds into any such Company Account or Company Accounts, and disburse funds from any such Company Account or Company Accounts. The Advisor shall from time to time render appropriate accountings of such collections and payments to the Board of Trustees and, upon request, to the auditors of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 6. RECORDS

 

The Advisor shall maintain appropriate books of accounts and records relating to services performed under this Agreement, and such books of account and records shall be accessible for inspection by representatives of the Company at any time during normal business hours upon reasonable advance notice to the Advisor.

 

SECTION 7. CONFIDENTIALITY

 

The Advisor shall keep confidential any and all non-public information obtained in connection with the services rendered under this Agreement and shall not disclose any such information to any Person, except to (i) its Affiliates, members, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives or advisors who reasonably need such information for the Advisor to be able to perform its duties hereunder (and the US Advisor to carry out its duties under the US Advisory Agreement, (ii) appraisers, lenders, bankers and other parties as necessary in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, (iii) in connection with any governmental or regulatory filings or requests of the Company or the Advisor or any of their Affiliates, (v) as required by applicable law or regulation, including any applicable disclosure requirements applicable to the Company and the Advisor and their Affiliates under securities or blue sky laws or stock exchange listing requirements, or (vi) with the prior written consent of the Board of Trustees. The confidentiality provisions of this Section 7 shall survive for a period of three (3) years after the Termination Date.

 

SECTION 8. LIMITATION ON ACTIVITIES; INSURANCE

 

(a)            The Advisor shall refrain from any action that, in its sole judgment made in good faith, (i) can reasonably be expected to result in the loss of the Company’s status as a REIT under the Code, or to subject the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act, or (ii) can reasonably be expected to result in the violation of any law, rule or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary that would materially adversely affect the Company or that would otherwise not be permitted by such entity’s Governing Instruments. If the Advisor is ordered to take any such action by the Board of Trustees, the Advisor shall promptly notify the Board of Trustees of the Advisor’s judgment with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advisor and its Affiliates, officers and employees shall not be liable to the Company or any Subsidiary, the Board of Trustees, or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any act or omission by the Advisor, its Affiliates, officers or employees except as provided in Section 11.

 

(b)            The Advisor shall at all times during the term of this Agreement (including the Initial Term and any Renewal Term) maintain (ii) such insurance coverage as is customarily maintained by other advisors, managers or servicers of similar assets. No fidelity bond shall be required,

 

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(c)            The Advisor acknowledges receipt of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and Policy on Insider Training, and agrees to require its employees who provide services to the Company to comply with such codes and policies.

 

SECTION 9. COMPENSATION

 

The Advisor shall be entitled to a portion of the Management Fee (as defined in the US Advisory Agreement) payable to the US Advisor, in accordance with the US Advisory Agreement, which shall be paid to the Advisor by the US Advisor for any such Management Fee in such amount, and on such terms, as may be agreed between the Advisor and the US Advisor.

 

SECTION 10. EXPENSES

 

(a)            Administrative Reimbursement. The Advisor shall be entitled to a portion of the Administrative Reimbursement (as defined in the US Advisory Agreement) payable to the US Advisor, in accordance with the US Advisory Agreement, which shall be reimbursed to the Advisor by the US Advisor for any such Administrative Reimbursement in such amount, and on such terms, as may be agreed between the Advisor and the US Advisor.

 

(b)            Advisor Costs. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or approved by majority vote of the Independent Trustees or the Audit Committee, in exchange for the Advisor’s portion of the Administrative Reimbursement, the Advisor shall bear the following expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement, and shall not be entitled to reimbursement with respect to such expenses (collectively, the “Advisor Costs”):

 

(i)            base salary, cash incentive compensation and other employment expenses of personnel employed by the Advisor, including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, payroll taxes and the cost of employee benefit plans (other than equity awards granted by the Company pursuant to an equity compensation plan approved by the Board of Trustees);

 

(ii)           fees and travel and other expenses of employees of the Advisor, to the extent not incurred while providing services pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(iii)          rent, telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment and machinery (including computers, to the extent utilized) and other office expenses of the Advisor, except to the extent such expenses relate solely to an office maintained by the Company separate from the offices of the Advisor; and

 

(iv)          miscellaneous administrative expenses relating to performance by the Advisor of its obligations hereunder.

 

(c)            Expense Reimbursement. Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Company shall pay (or shall reimburse the Advisor for) all of its and its Subsidiaries’ expenses and all costs and expenses associated with the services to be provided pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is specifically agreed that the following out-of-pocket expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be paid by the Company (or shall be reimbursed by the Company to the Advisor) (collectively, the “Expenses”):

 

(i)            the cost of borrowed money;

 

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(ii)           taxes on income and taxes and assessments on real and personal property, if any, and all other taxes applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(iii)          legal, auditing, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, reporting, registration and other fees, and printing, engraving and other expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, trading, registration and listing of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ securities on a stock exchange, including transfer agent’s, registrar’s and indenture trustee’s fees and charges;

 

(iv)          expenses of organizing, restructuring, reorganizing or liquidating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or of revising, amending, converting or modifying the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Governing Instruments;

 

(v)           fees and travel and other expenses paid to members of the Board of Trustees and officers of the Company or those of individuals in similar positions with any of its Subsidiaries in their capacities as such (but not in their capacities as officers or employees of the Advisor) and fees and travel and other expenses paid to advisors, contractors, mortgage servicers, consultants and other agents and independent contractors employed by or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries (whether or not engaged by the Advisor rather than directly by the Company);

 

(vi)          expenses directly connected with the investigation, disposition or ownership of real estate interests or other property (including third party property diligence costs, appraisal reporting, the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, brokerage and sales commissions, maintenance, repair, improvement and local management of property), other than expenses with respect thereto of employees of the Advisor, to the extent that such expenses are to be borne by the Advisor pursuant to this Agreement, including Section 10(b);

 

(vii)         all insurance costs (including officer and trustee liability insurance) incurred in connection with the Company and its Subsidiaries or in connection with any officer and trustee indemnity agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or arising under the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Governing Instruments;

 

(viii)        expenses connected with payments of distributions, dividends or interest or contributions in cash or any other form made or caused to be made by the Trustees to holders of securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(ix)           all expenses connected with communications to holders of securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries and other administrative work necessary to maintaining relations with holders of securities, including the proxy solicitation materials and reports to holders of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ securities;

 

(x)            legal, accounting, auditing and other professional services fees and expenses in addition to those described above;

 

(xi)           filing and recording fees and costs for regulatory or governmental filings, approvals and notices;

 

(xii)          the costs and expenses of conceiving, implementing, managing and settling all equity award or compensation plans or arrangements established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including but not limited to the value of awards made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to members of the Board of Trustees, the Advisor or its employees, if any, and payment of any employment or withholding taxes in connection therewith; and

 

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(xiii)         all other costs and expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than those to be specifically borne by the Advisor pursuant to Section 10(b) above.

 

(d)            Invoices and Payment. All invoicing of, and reimbursement for, the Expenses shall be conducted by the US Advisor pursuant to, and subject to the terms of, the US Advisory Agreement, and any reimbursable Expenses shall be reimbursed to the Advisor by the US Advisor, in such amounts, and on such terms, as may be agreed between the Advisor and the US Advisor..

 

SECTION 11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

(a)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Advisor shall have no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services as required under this Agreement in good faith and shall not be responsible for any action of the Board of Trustees in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendations of the Advisor, including as set forth in Section 8(a). The Advisor, its Affiliates and their members, managers, officers and employees will not be liable to the Company or any Subsidiary, to the Board of Trustees or to the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any acts or omissions by the Advisor, its Affiliates, members, managers, officers or employees pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement, except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

(b)            The Company shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold the Advisor, its Affiliates, members, managers, officers and employees, sub-advisors and each other Person, if any, controlling the Advisor or its Affiliates (each, an “Advisor Indemnified Party”), harmless of and from any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees) (collectively, “Losses”) in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of such Advisor Indemnified Party made in good faith in the performance of the Advisor’s duties under this Agreement and not constituting such Advisor Indemnified Party’s bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

(c)            The Advisor shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold the Company, its Subsidiaries, its shareholders, trustees, officers and employees and each other Person, if any, controlling the Company or its Subsidiaries (each, a “Company Indemnified Party”), harmless of and from any and all Losses in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of the Advisor constituting bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

(d)            Promptly after receipt by the Advisor Indemnified Party or the Company Indemnified Party, as applicable (the “Indemnified Party”) of notice of the commencement of any action, such Indemnified Party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made pursuant hereto, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to any Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 11. In case any such action shall be brought against an Indemnified Party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified Party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Section 11, as applicable, for any legal expenses of other counsel or any of the expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party, unless (i) the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Indemnified Party, due to actual or potential differing interests between them.

 

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(e)            The Company shall be required to advance funds to an Advisor Indemnified Party for legal expenses and other costs incurred as a result of any legal action or proceeding if a claim in respect thereof is to be made pursuant hereto and if requested by such Advisor Indemnified Party if (i) such suit, action or proceeding relates to or arises out of, or is alleged to relate to or arise out of or has been caused or alleged to have been caused in whole or in part by, any action or inaction on the part of the Advisor Indemnified Party in the performance of its duties or provision of its services on behalf of the Company; and (ii) the Advisor Indemnified Party undertakes to repay any funds advanced pursuant to this Section 11(e) in cases in which such Indemnified Party would not be entitled to indemnification under Section 11(b). If advances are required under this Section 11(e), the Advisor Indemnified Party shall furnish the Company with an undertaking as set forth in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence and shall thereafter have the right to bill the Company for, or otherwise require the Company to pay, at any time and from time to time after such Advisor Indemnified Party shall become obligated to make payment therefor, any and all reasonable amounts for which such Advisor Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 11, and the Company shall pay the same within thirty (30) days after request for payment. In the event that a determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator that the Company is not so obligated in respect of any amount paid by it to a particular Advisor Indemnified Party, such Advisor Indemnified Party will refund such amount within sixty (60) days of such determination, and in the event that a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator is made that the Company is so obligated in respect to any amount not paid by the Company to a particular Advisor Indemnified Party, the Company will pay such amount to such Advisor Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days of such final determination, in either case together with interest at the current prime rate plus two percent (2%) from the date paid until repaid or the date it was obligated to be paid until the date actually paid.

 

SECTION 12. NO JOINT VENTURE

 

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to make the Company and the Advisor partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them.

 

SECTION 13. TERM

 

This Agreement shall have an initial term of three (3) years (the “Initial Term”), and shall automatically renew thereafter for successive one (1) year terms (each a “Renewal Term,” and such term, as renewed, the “Term”) without further action by either the Company or the Advisor, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 14. TERMINATION

 

(a)            No later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, the Advisor may deliver written notice of its intention not to renew the term, whereupon the term of this Agreement shall not be renewed and extended, and this Agreement shall terminate effective on the expiration date of such Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

(b)            The Company may terminate this Agreement upon 90 days’ prior written notice (a “Company Termination for Convenience”); provided, however, that, if requested by the Company, the Advisor shall provide transition services (including, without limitation, assistance with identifying a replacement advisor) to the Company for up to an additional 90 days following the effective date of such Company Termination for Convenience, which services shall be subject to the same compensation and reimbursements as in effect at the time of such Company Termination for Convenience is delivered.

 

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(c)            The Company may terminate this Agreement immediately, without prior notice to the Advisor, for Cause.

 

(d)            The Advisor may terminate this Agreement (i) immediately, without prior notice to the Company, with Good Reason or (ii) effective concurrently with or within 90 days following the Termination Date (as defined in the US Advisory Agreement) of the US Advisory Agreement (a “Cross Default Termination”).

 

SECTION 15. TERMINATION FEE

 

In the event of a European Qualifying Termination or a Qualifying Termination (as such term is defined in the US Advisory Agreement), the Advisor shall be entitled to a portion of any Termination Fee (as defined in the US Advisory Agreement) payable to the US Advisor, in accordance with the US Advisory Agreement, which shall be paid to the Advisor by the US Advisor for any such Termination Fee in such amount, and on such terms, as may be agreed between the Advisor and the US Advisor.

 

SECTION 16. ACTION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a)            From and after the Termination Date, the Advisor shall not be entitled to compensation for further services under this Agreement, but shall be paid all compensation accruing through the Termination Date.

 

(b)            On the Termination Date or as promptly thereafter as practicable, the Advisor shall forthwith:

 

(i)            after deducting any incurred but unreimbursed Expenses accumulated through the Termination Date due in connection with such termination, pay over to the Company all money collected and held for the account of the Company or a Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(ii)           deliver to the Board of Trustees a full accounting, including a statement showing all payments collected and money held by it, covering the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the Board of Trustees with respect to the Company or a Subsidiary; and

 

(iii)          deliver to the Board of Trustees all property and documents of the Company or any Subsidiary then in the custody of the Advisor; provided, however, that the Advisor may retain copies of all such information.

 

(c)            On the Termination Date or as promptly thereafter as practicable, the Company shall (to the extent such amounts have not already been deducted in accordance with Section 16(b)(i) above) forthwith:

 

(i)            reimburse the Advisor for all incurred but unreimbursed Expenses through the Termination Date pursuant to Section 10(c) above.

 

SECTION 17. ASSIGNMENT

 

Neither party may assign this Agreement or its rights hereunder without the written consent of the other party, except that the Advisor may assign this Agreement (i) to an Affiliate (only with respect to an entity described in clause (i) of the definition thereof) or other entity whose business and operations are managed or supervised by WPC, or (ii) to a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust, or other entity that is a successor (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) to the Advisor.

 

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SECTION 18. RELEASE OF PROPERTY

 

(a)            The Advisor agrees that any money or other property of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof held by the Advisor under this Agreement shall be held by the Advisor as custodian for the Company or such Subsidiary, and the Advisor’s records shall be appropriately marked clearly to reflect the ownership of such money or other property by the Company or such Subsidiary. Upon the receipt by the Advisor of a written request from the Board of Trustees requesting the Advisor to release to the Company or any Subsidiary any money or other property then held by the Advisor for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary under this Agreement, the Advisor shall release such money or other property to the Company or any Subsidiary within a reasonable period of time, but in no event later than 30 days following such request. The Advisor shall not be liable to the Company, any Subsidiary, the Board of Trustees or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any act or omission by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the money or other property released to the Company or any Subsidiary in accordance with this Section 18.

 

(b)            The Company agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Advisor to the extent any release of money or other property to the Company or any Subsidiary, and shall refrain from demanding any such release to the extent doing so may compromise the Company’s operations or Advisor’s ability to effectively carry out its duties under this Agreement, or that may materially adversely affect the Company or not be permitted by the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s Governing Instruments. If the Advisor is ordered release any money or other property in a manner that may be adverse to the Company, as described in the preceding sentence, the Advisor shall promptly notify the Board of Trustees of the Advisor’s judgment thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advisor and its Affiliates, officers and employees shall not be liable to the Company or any Subsidiary, the Board of Trustees, or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any act or omission by the Advisor, its Affiliates, officers or employees except as provided in Section 11.

 

SECTION 19. NOTICES

 

Unless expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, all notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given, made and received when delivered against receipt or upon actual receipt of (i) personal delivery, (ii) delivery by reputable overnight courier, (iii) delivery by email, facsimile transmission or email against answerback or (iv) delivery by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as set forth below:

 

(a)If to the Company:
One Manhattan West

395 Ninth Avenue

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

(b)If to the Advisor:
One Manhattan West

395 Ninth Avenue

New York, NY 10001
Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

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Either party may alter the address to which communications or copies are to be sent by giving notice of such change of address in conformity with the provisions of this Section 19 for the giving of notice.

 

SECTION 20. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns as provided in this Agreement.

 

SECTION 21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. The express terms of this Agreement control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified or amended other than by an agreement in writing executed by both parties.

 

SECTION 22. Arbitration

 

(a)            Any disputes, claims or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the provision of services by the Advisor pursuant to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including any disputes, claims or controversies brought by or on behalf of the Company or the Advisor or any holder of equity interests (which, for purposes of this Section 22, shall mean any holder of record or any beneficial owner of equity interests or any former holder of record or beneficial owner of equity interests) of the Company or the Advisor, either on his, her or its own behalf, on behalf of the Company or the Advisor or on behalf of any series or class of equity interests of the Company or the Advisor or holders of any equity interests of the Company or the Advisor against the Company or the Advisor or any of their respective trustees, directors, members, officers, managers (including the Advisor or its successor), agents or employees, including any disputes, claims or controversies relating to the meaning, interpretation, effect, validity, performance or enforcement of this Agreement, including this arbitration agreement or the governing documents of the Company or the Advisor (all of which are referred to as “Disputes”), or relating in any way to such a Dispute or Disputes shall, on the demand of any party to such Dispute or Disputes, be resolved through binding and final arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) then in effect, except as those Rules may be modified in this Section 22. For the avoidance of doubt, and not as a limitation, Disputes are intended to include derivative actions against the trustees, directors, officers or managers of the Company or the Advisor and class actions by a holder of equity interests against those individuals or entities and the Company or the Advisor. For the avoidance of doubt, a Dispute shall include a Dispute made derivatively on behalf of one party against another party. For purposes of this Section 22, the term “equity interest” shall mean, (i) in respect of the Company, shares of beneficial interest of the Company, and (ii) in respect of the Advisor, “membership interest” in the Advisor as defined in the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended.

 

(b)            There shall be three (3) arbitrators. If there are only two (2) parties to the Dispute, each party shall select one (1) arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after receipt by respondent of a copy of the demand for arbitration. The arbitrators may be affiliated or interested persons of the parties. If there are more than two (2) parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand, shall each select, by the vote of a majority of the claimants or the respondents, as the case may be, one (1) arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the demand for arbitration. The arbitrators may be affiliated or interested persons of the claimants or the respondents, as the case may be. If either a claimant (or all claimants) or a respondent (or all respondents) fail(s) to timely select an arbitrator then the party (or parties) who has selected an arbitrator may request AAA to provide a list of three (3) proposed arbitrators in accordance with the Rules (each of whom shall be neutral, impartial and unaffiliated with any party) and the party (or parties) that failed to timely appoint an arbitrator shall have ten (10) days from the date AAA provides the list to select one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators proposed by AAA. If the party (or parties) fail(s) to select the second (2nd) arbitrator by that time, the party (or parties) who have appointed the first (1st) arbitrator shall then have ten (10) days to select one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators proposed by AAA to be the second (2nd) arbitrator; and, if he/they should fail to select the second (2nd) arbitrator by such time, AAA shall select, within fifteen (15) days thereafter, one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators it had proposed as the second (2nd) arbitrator. The two (2) arbitrators so appointed shall jointly appoint the third (3rd) and presiding arbitrator (who shall be neutral, impartial and unaffiliated with any party) within fifteen (15) days of the appointment of the second (2nd) arbitrator. If the third (3rd) arbitrator has not been appointed within the time limit specified herein, then AAA shall provide a list of proposed arbitrators in accordance with the Rules, and the arbitrator shall be appointed by AAA in accordance with a listing, striking and ranking procedure, with each party having a limited number of strikes, excluding strikes for cause.

 

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(c)            The place of arbitration shall be New York, New York, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

 

(d)            There shall be only limited documentary discovery of documents directly related to the issues in dispute, as may be ordered by the arbitrators. For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that there shall be no depositions and no other discovery other than limited documentary discovery as described in the preceding sentence.

 

(e)            In rendering an award or decision (the “Award”), the arbitrators shall be required to follow the laws of the State of Maryland. Any arbitration proceedings or award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration agreement shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1 et seq. The Award shall be in writing and shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law on which it is based. Any monetary award shall be made and payable in U.S. dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset. Subject to Section 22(g), each party against which the Award assesses a monetary obligation shall pay that obligation on or before the thirtieth (30th) day following the date of the Award or such other date as the Award may provide.

 

(f)             Except to the extent expressly provided by this Agreement or as otherwise agreed by the parties thereto, each party involved in a Dispute shall bear its own costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and the arbitrators shall not render an award that would include shifting of any such costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) or, in a derivative case or class action, award any portion of the Company’s or the Advisor’s, as applicable, award to the claimant or the claimant’s attorneys. Each party (or, if there are more than two (2) parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand, respectively) shall bear the costs and expenses of its (or their) selected arbitrator and the parties (or, if there are more than two (2) parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand) shall equally bear the costs and expenses of the third (3rd) appointed arbitrator.

 

(g)            Notwithstanding any language to the contrary in this Agreement, the Award, including but not limited to, any interim Award, may be appealed pursuant to the AAA’s Optional Appellate Arbitration Rules (“Appellate Rules”). The Award shall not be considered final until after the time for filing the notice of appeal pursuant to the Appellate Rules has expired. Appeals must be initiated within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Award by filing a notice of appeal with any AAA office. Following the appeal process, the decision rendered by the appeal tribunal may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, and despite any contrary provision of the Appellate Rules, this Section 22(f) shall apply to any appeal pursuant to this Section 22(f) and the appeal tribunal shall not render an award that would include shifting of any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of any party.

 

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(h)            Following the expiration of the time for filing the notice of appeal, or the conclusion of the appeal process set forth in Section 22(g), the Award shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between those parties relating to the Dispute, including any claims, counterclaims, issues or accounting presented to the arbitrators. Judgment upon the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no application or appeal to any court of competent jurisdiction may be made in connection with any question of law arising in the course of arbitration or with respect to any award made except for actions relating to enforcement of this agreement to arbitrate or any arbitral award issued hereunder and except for actions seeking interim or other provisional relief in aid of arbitration proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(i)            This Section 22 is intended to benefit and be enforceable by the Company, the Advisor and their respective holders of equity interests, trustees, directors, officers, managers (including the Advisor or its successor), agents or employees, and their respective successors and assigns and shall be binding upon the Company, the Advisor and their respective holders of equity interests, and be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that such individuals or entities may have by contract or otherwise.

 

SECTION 23. GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement shall be governed by and construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, notwithstanding any New York or other conflict-of-law provisions to the contrary.

 

SECTION 24. NO WAIVERS

 

Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

 

SECTION 25. HEADINGS

 

The titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 26. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts of this Agreement, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.

 

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SECTION 27. SURVIVAL

 

Sections 1, 7, 11, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23, 25 and 27 shall survive the termination hereof. Any termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to the rights of the parties hereto accrued prior to the termination or upon termination.

 

SECTION 28. Severability

 

The provisions of this Agreement are independent of and separable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that for any reason any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part.

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY
   
  Net Lease Office Properties,
  a Maryland real estate trust
   
  By: /s/ Jason E. Fox
    Name: Jason E. Fox
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer
   
   
  ADVISOR
   
  W. P. Carey & Co. B.V.,
  a Dutch limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ Gregory M. Butchart
    Name: Gregory M. Butchart
    Title:   Director A
   
  By: /s/ Ramses van Toor
    Name: Ramses van Toor
    Title:   Director B

 

[Signature Page to Advisory Agreement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment to Loan Agreement (this “Amendment”), dated as of November 1, 2023, is between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., having an address at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179 (together with its successors and/or permitted assigns, “Lender”) and THE ENTITIES IDENTIFIED ON EXHIBIT A ATTACHED HERETO, each having its principal place of business at c/o W. P. Carey Inc., One Manhattan West, 395 9th Avenue, 58th Floor, New York, New York 10001 (each, an “Individual Borrower” and collectively, “Borrower”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, reference is hereby made to that Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2023, between Lender and Borrower (the “Loan Agreement”; all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Loan Agreement).

 

WHEREAS, Lender and Borrower desire to amend the Loan Agreement in the manner hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, Lender and Borrower hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.         Amendments to the Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

(a)Section 1.1 (Definitions) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the following definitions: “Annual Required REIT Distribution Amount”; “Annual TRS Tax Distribution Amount”; “Quarterly REIT Distribution” and “Quarterly TRS Tax Distribution”.

 

(b)Section 1.1 (Definitions) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by replacing or adding, as applicable, the following definitions:

 

““Designated Borrower” shall mean Holdco or any Individual Borrower selected by Borrower for purposes of the Interest Rate Cap Agreement (and any Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement or Substitute Interest Rate Cap Agreement).”

 

“"KBR Lease” shall mean that certain Lease Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2003, between 601 Jefferson Tower (TX) LLC (as successor-in-interest to Dresser-Cullen Venture), as landlord, and Kellogg Brown & Root LLC (“KBR”), as tenant, as amended.”

 

 

 

 

““Permitted Equity Transfer” shall mean any of the following: (a) any Transfer, directly as a result of the death of a natural person, of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests previously held by the decedent in question to the Person or Persons lawfully entitled thereto, (b) any Transfer, directly as a result of the legal incapacity of a natural person, of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests previously held by such natural person to the Person or Persons lawfully entitled thereto, (c) transfers of direct and indirect equity interests in Mezzanine Member by any Person so long as (i) Guarantor remains a publicly traded entity with its shares on the New York Stock Exchange or another nationally or internationally recognized stock exchange, (ii) Guarantor continues to Control each other Restricted Party, (iii) Guarantor continues to own, directly or indirectly, at least 51% of the ownership interest in each other Restricted Party (other than Guarantor), and (iv) either (A) no Ownership Change Limitation would reasonably be expected to exist immediately following such Transfer, or (B) such Transfer would not reasonably be expected to increase the percentage ownership of 5% shareholders of Mezzanine Borrower (including any “public group” as defined in Section 1.382-2T(f)(13) of the Treasury regulations treated as such) for purposes of determining whether there is an Ownership Change Limitation; (d) any direct or indirect Transfer of any interest in Guarantor by the public shareholders thereof and their beneficial owners, (e) the sales, transfer or issuance of Mezzanine Borrower Preferred Interests and/or Subsidiary REIT Preferred Interests, and (f) transfers of direct or indirect equity interests in one or more Individual Borrowers to (i) Holdco, (ii) a Subsidiary REIT (or direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary thereof) or (iii) TRS (provided that the equity value of the assets held by all TRS Subsidiaries does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total equity value of Mezzanine Borrower), in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of Section 5.2.10(e) hereof.”

 

““Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount” shall mean, for any Fiscal Quarter, a good faith estimate of the amount (which may be positive or negative) equal to (1) the amount of cash that would be necessary to be distributed by the Mezzanine Borrower with respect to Mezzanine Borrower Common Equity Interests for the Fiscal Year that includes the applicable Fiscal Quarter to (i) maintain its status as a REIT and (ii) prevent it from being subject to tax under Section 857(b) or Section 4981 of the Code based on the assumptions that (w) the tax year of Mezzanine Borrower ends on the last day of the applicable Fiscal Quarter (if not the fourth Fiscal Quarter), (x) in calculating the Quarterly REIT Reserve Amount for each Fiscal Quarter, any net operating losses or carryforwards thereof do not offset net capital gains recognized during the Fiscal Year that includes the applicable Fiscal Quarter for the first 18 months after the net operating losses are generated, except as otherwise mutually agreed by Lender and Borrower, (y) to the extent any amounts would be required to be distributed in respect of Mezzanine Borrower Common Equity Interests to satisfy clause (1)(i) or clause (1)(ii) (with such amount determined for this purpose without regard to any Consent Dividend) (I) the first $1,000,000 of such amount is made solely in cash, (II) the portion of such amount in excess of $1,000,000 is satisfied with a Consent Dividend until the quotient of $1,000,000 over the amount described in this clause (II) equals the Minimum Cash Percentage, and (III) the Minimum Cash Percentage of the remaining portion of such amount in excess of the amounts described in clauses (I) and (II) is made in cash and the balance is satisfied with a Consent Dividend, and (z) any distribution received from a TRS Subsidiary is treated as a distribution to which Section 301 of the Code applies, minus (2) the balance in the REIT Distribution Reserve Account at the time the disbursement for the Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount for such Fiscal Quarter is requested (which balance shall be deemed increased by any amounts previously released to the Mezzanine Borrower from the REIT Distribution Reserve Account during the Fiscal Year that includes such Fiscal Quarter pursuant to the first sentence of Section 7.7.4). The applicable Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount shall be estimated at the time Borrower requests any disbursement to the REIT Distribution Reserve Account pursuant to Section 7.8.2(a)(i) or Section 7.8.2(b)(i) based on information available to the Borrower at such time.”

 

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““Quarterly TRS Tax Payments” shall mean a good faith estimate of the income and franchise taxes required to be paid by the TRS Subsidiaries to Governmental Authorities during a Fiscal Quarter, including estimated taxes, interest, penalties and extension payments, which good faith estimate shall take into account, without limitation, the apportionment factor for each state and local jurisdiction in which such TRS Subsidiary is anticipated to file income or franchise tax returns for such Fiscal Year, the deductibility of state and local taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes and any tax credits that would reasonably be expected to be available to such TRS Subsidiary in computing such tax liabilities. The amount of the Quarterly TRS Tax Payments shall be estimated at the time Borrower requests such Quarterly TRS Tax Payments pursuant to Section 7.8.2(d). Any tax refund received by a TRS Subsidiary from a Governmental Authority shall either be paid into the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Account or retained by the TRS Subsidiary to discharge future income or franchise taxes of the TRS Subsidiaries , in which latter case such refund shall be taken into account for the amount of any Quarterly TRS Tax Payments subsequently requested.”

 

““REIT Distribution Reserve Fund" shall mean the funds deposited into the REIT Distribution Reserve Account.”

 

““REIT Distribution Reserve Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.7.4.”

 

““Reserve Funds” shall mean, collectively, the Tax and Insurance Escrow Fund, the Replacement Reserve Fund, the Required Repair Fund, the Rollover Reserve Fund, the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Fund, the Ground Lease Reserve Fund, the Corporate Reserve Fund, the PPD HVAC Repairs Fund, the PPD Dispute Reserve Funds, the REIT Distribution Reserve Account and any other escrow fund established by the Loan Documents.”

 

““TRS Tax Liability from Sale” shall mean the product of (i) a good faith estimate of the net income or gain, if any, allocable to such TRS Subsidiary from the sale or disposition of an Individual Property and (ii) a good faith estimate of the effective income tax rate applicable to such TRS Subsidiary from the sale or disposition of such Individual Property that, without limitation, takes into account the estimated income and franchise tax apportionment factor for each state and local jurisdiction in which such TRS Subsidiary is anticipated to file income or franchise tax returns for such Fiscal Year, the deductibility of state and local taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes and any tax credits that would reasonably be expected to be available to such TRS Subsidiary in computing such tax liabilities.”

 

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(c)Section 2.5.2(f) of the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(f)       The Adjusted Release Amount paid to Lender in connection with any such release shall be applied (i) first, to reduce the Release Amount of the Individual Property being released to zero (which amount shall be applied to the applicable Mortgage Deleveraging Threshold), (ii) second, to be paid to Mezzanine Lender to be applied as a prepayment of the Mezzanine Loan until the Mezzanine Release Amount of the Individual Property is reduced to zero, (iii) third, if the Individual Property was sold directly or indirectly by a TRS Subsidiary, to the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Account in an amount equal to the TRS Tax Liability from Sale with respect to such Individual Property, (iv) fourth, any accrued and unpaid Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount shall be deposited in the REIT Distribution Reserve Account and held by the Lender as additional collateral for the Loan until disbursed in accordance with Section 7.7.4, (v) fifth, to be paid to the relevant TRS Subsidiary for any Quarterly TRS Tax Payments previously requested in accordance with Section 7.8.2(d) that remains unpaid, and (vi) lastly, as prepayment of the Loan, which amount shall be applied to the applicable Mortgage Deleveraging Threshold in accordance with Section 2.4.2(b)(i) hereof; and

 

(d)Section 2.6.2(c) of the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(c)       All funds on deposit in the Cash Management Account during the continuance of a Lockbox Event may be applied by Lender in such order and priority as Lender shall determine in its sole discretion; provided, however, that, (i) unless a Material Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower shall have the right to request distributions (and Lender shall make such distributions to or as directed by Borrower) for any amount necessary to pay amounts set forth in Section 2.6.2(f)(vii) and Quarterly TRS Tax Payments to the relevant TRS Subsidiary from any amounts then on deposit in the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Account and disburse as reserves any amounts necessary in the REIT Distribution Reserves Account; provided, further, that before any funds shall be so disbursed to the REIT Distribution Reserves Account (and from the REIT Distribution Reserves Account to Mezzanine Borrower) or the relevant TRS Subsidiary for such Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount or Quarterly TRS Tax Payments, as applicable, Borrower shall provide an Officer’s Certificate certifying the amount of such Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount or Quarterly TRS Tax Payments, as applicable, and (ii) unless a Mezzanine Trigger Event has occurred and is continuing, Lender shall permit disbursements to the Mezzanine Lender for application to the Mezzanine Current Interest as provided in Section 2.6.2(f)(x).”

 

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(e)Section 5.1.25 (Taxes) of the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“Each of Pledgor, Holdco and the Individual Borrowers will be treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes; provided that an Individual Borrower shall be permitted to (a) file a check-the-box election on IRS Form 8832 to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (b) (i) make a joint election with Mezzanine Borrower on IRS Form 8875 to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary of Mezzanine Borrower within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code (each such taxable REIT subsidiary, together with TRS, a “TRS Subsidiary”) or (ii) elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, so long as, in each case, the terms and conditions set forth in Section 5.2.10(e)(i) and (iii) hereof are satisfied as of the effective date of any such election. Borrower will timely file or cause to be filed for itself all applicable income and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed by it and will pay or cause to be paid all federal income and other material taxes and related liabilities required to be paid by it, except taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which Borrower sets aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP. Borrower will not permit any Liens for Section 2.7 Taxes to be imposed on or with respect to any of its income or assets, other than Liens for Section 2.7 Taxes not yet due and payable and for which Borrower sets aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.”

 

(f)Section 5.2.8 (Advisory Agreement) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by replacing “unconditionally” with “unreasonably”.

 

(g)Section 5.2.10(e)(iii) of the Loan agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(iii)       Borrower shall have delivered (i) (x) an amendment to the applicable Pledge Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender or an additional pledge and security agreement granting Lender a first priority security interest in 100% of the common equity interests any new TRS Subsidiary or Subsidiary REIT and (y) (A) an amendment to the Holdco Pledge Agreement granting Lender a first priority security interest in the Individual Borrowers held by Holdco or (B) a pledge and security agreement from the TRS Subsidiary or Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, granting Lender a first priority security interest in the Individual Borrowers held by such TRS Subsidiary or Subsidiary REIT, as applicable, in each case, in substantially the same form as the Pledge Agreements entered into on the Closing Date and (ii) upon request from Lender, an opinion letter from Reed Smith LLP or another counsel reasonably satisfactory to Lender opining as to the enforceability of such amendment(s) or pledge agreement(s) and other customary matters consistent with the corresponding opinions delivered on the Closing Date with respect to the Pledge Agreements, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender; and”

 

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(h)Section 7.2 (Tax and Insurance Escrow Fund) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:

 

“On or prior to November 30, 2023, Borrower shall provide to Lender evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that (i) Taxes in amount equal to $370,197.56 for the Individual Property located at 4915 Independence Parkway, Tampa, FL have been paid, which amount was disbursed by Lender to Borrower on the Funding Date and (ii) Taxes in amount equal to $399,986.80 for the Individual Property located at 11101 Roosevelt Blvd N, Saint Petersburg, FL have been paid, which amount was disbursed by Lender to Borrower on the Funding Date.”

 

(i)Section 7.4 (Rollover Reserve) of the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

7.4.1 Deposits to Rollover Reserve Fund.

 

(a)        Borrower shall pay to Lender (a) on the Funding Date an initial deposit in an amount equal to (x) $23,931,389.11 plus (y) $584,665.48 (the “Initial KBR OpEx Deposit”) and (b) on each Payment Date thereafter an amount equal to $2.00 per square foot for the Properties in the aggregate (the “Rollover Reserve Monthly Deposit”), which amounts shall be deposited with and held by Lender for tenant improvement and leasing commission obligations incurred following the date hereof. Amounts so deposited, together with amounts deposited under paragraph (c) below, shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Rollover Reserve Fund” and the account to which such amounts are held shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Rollover Reserve Account.”

 

(b)        In addition to the required deposits set forth in paragraph (a) above, the following items shall be deposited into the Rollover Reserve Account and held as Rollover Reserve Funds and shall be disbursed and released as set forth in Section 7.4.2 below. Borrower shall advise Lender at the time of receipt thereof of the nature of such receipt so that Lender shall have sufficient time to instruct the Cash Management Bank to deposit and hold such amounts in the Rollover Reserve Account pursuant to the Cash Management Agreement: (i) on the Funding Date, an amount equal to all Unfunded Obligations, (ii) all sums paid to Borrower (less reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses to be retained by Borrower) with respect to (A) a modification of any Lease or otherwise paid in connection with Borrower taking any action under any Lease (e.g., granting a consent) or waiving any provision thereof (but excluding any base rent or additional rent paid in connection with any modification), or (B) any settlement of claims of Borrower against third parties in connection with any Lease, and (iii) any holdover rents or use and occupancy fees from any Tenant or former Tenant (to the extent not paid for current or prior use and occupancy or holdover rent), or any security deposit retained by Borrower following an event of default under a Lease, in each case, less any actual, out-of-pocket amounts expended by Borrower in connection with the transactions giving rise to such payment and amounts applied to accrued rents, which amounts shall be retained by Borrower. All sums paid to Borrower (less reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses to be retained by Borrower) with respect to any rejection, termination, surrender or cancellation of any Lease (including in any bankruptcy case) or any lease buy-out or surrender payment from any Tenant (including any payment relating to unamortized tenant improvements and/or leasing commissions) (collectively, “Lease Termination Payments”) shall be applied pro rata as a prepayment of the Debt and the Mezzanine Debt, and the principal portion of such prepayment shall be applied to the applicable Mortgage Deleveraging Threshold.

 

6 

 

 

(c)       In addition to the required deposits set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, on the Payment Date in November 2023 and the Payment Date in December 2023, Borrower shall pay to Lender an amount equal to $58,466.55 from the Rents received by Borrower under the KBR Lease (such deposits together with the Initial KBR OpEx Deposit, collectively, the “KBR OpEx Deposits”), which amounts shall be deposited into the Rollover Reserve Account and disbursed as set forth in Section 7.4.2 below.

 

7.4.2       Withdrawal of Rollover Reserve Funds. Provided no Material Event of Default hereunder exists, Lender shall make disbursements from the Rollover Reserve Fund for Approved Leasing Expenses incurred by Borrower; provided that, disbursements for Unfunded Obligations shall be in the amounts and for the obligations specified on Schedule 4.1.26-B hereto. Lender shall make disbursements as requested by Borrower on a monthly basis in increments of no less than $5,000.00 upon delivery by Borrower of Lender’s standard form of draw request accompanied by copies of paid invoices for the amounts requested and, if required by Lender for any expenses in the aggregate for any Individual Property in excess of $250,000.00, lien waivers and releases from all parties furnishing materials and/or services in connection with the requested payment. With respect to any tenant improvements, Lender may require an inspection of the Properties at Borrower’s expense prior to making a disbursement in order to verify completion of improvements for which reimbursement is sought. Notwithstanding the foregoing, provided no Material Event of Default hereunder exists, Lender shall disburse the KBR OpEx Deposits from the Rollover Reserve Fund promptly upon satisfaction by Borrower of each of the following conditions: (i) the reconciliation of the KBR OpEx Deposits is provided by Borrower to KBR in accordance with the KBR Lease and KBR agrees with such reconciliation amount, (ii) Borrower has delivered to Lender evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that such reconciliation is complete, and (iii) Lender shall have received an Officer’s Certificate stating that the conditions set forth in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are true and correct. Promptly following such disbursement, Borrower shall deliver to Lender evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that the reconciliation amount has been disbursed to KBR in accordance with the KBR Lease.”

 

(j)Section 7.1.1 (Deposits) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by replacing “$299,017.20” with “$552,212.00”.

 

7 

 

 

(k)Section 7.7 (Additional Reserves) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following Section 7.7.4:

 

“7.7.4      REIT Distribution Reserve. Provided no Lockbox Event Period is ongoing and except as otherwise contemplated by Section 2.6.2(c), on the last Business Day of each Fiscal Year, or on such date(s) after November 15th of such Fiscal Year as Borrower shall reasonably request and for which Lender consents (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), Lender shall release to Borrower all amounts in the REIT Distribution Reserve Account, provided that Lender shall not be acting unreasonably in withholding such consent to a release prior to the last Business Day of the Fiscal Year with respect to amounts that, if released, would reasonably be expected to exceed the amount of REIT Distribution Reserve Funds that would otherwise be available at the end of the Fiscal Year if not for such earlier release, and Borrower shall provide Lender with any information reasonably necessary to make such determination. In the event that there is a negative Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount for a Fiscal Quarter, (i) Borrower shall provide to Lender an Officer’s Certificate certifying such negative amount no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the end of such Fiscal Quarter and (ii) Lender shall release such amount from the REIT Distribution Reserve Account to the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Account (and such amount so released shall be treated as Excess Cash Flow for all purposes of this Agreement).”

 

(l)The lead-in to Section 7.8.2 of the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“7.8.2      Release of Excess Cash Flow Reserve Funds. Provided no Lockbox Event Period is ongoing, all Excess Cash Flow Reserve Funds shall be disbursed on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter after the Funding Date (the “Quarterly Disbursement Date”) as follows (provided, however, that, at the election of Borrower, the Quarterly Disbursement Date for the items in clause (a)(i) and clause (b)(i) below for the final Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year shall be January 15th of the year following such Fiscal Quarter):”

 

(m)Section 7.8.2(a)(i) of the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(i)           to the REIT Distribution Reserve Account the Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount; provided that before any funds shall be so reserved for such Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount, Borrower shall have provided to Lender a request for such reserves setting forth the amounts reservable in the REIT Distribution Reserve Account no less than ten (10) days prior to the Quarterly Disbursement Date together with an Officer’s Certificate certifying such amounts; provided further, however, that Borrower may revise such request with respect to the Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount for the final Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year as reasonably necessary in advance of such Fiscal Quarter’s Quarterly Disbursement Date;”

 

8 

 

 

(n)Section 7.8.2(a)(ii) of the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with: “Intentionally Omitted”.

 

(o)Section 7.8.2(b)(i) of the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(i)      to the REIT Distribution Reserve Account the Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount; provided that before any funds shall be so reserved for such Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount, Borrower shall have provided to Lender a request for such reserves setting forth the amounts reservable in the REIT Distribution Reserve Account no less than ten (10) days prior to the Quarterly Disbursement Date together with an Officer’s Certificate certifying such amounts; provided further, however, that Borrower may revise such request with respect to the Quarterly REIT Reserves Amount for the final Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year as reasonably necessary in advance of such Fiscal Quarter’s Quarterly Disbursement Date;”

 

(p)Section 7.8.2(b)(ii) of the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with: “Intentionally Omitted”.

 

(q)Section 7.8.2 (Release of Excess Cash Flow Reserve Funds) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following clause (d):

 

“Provided no Lockbox Event Period is ongoing and except as otherwise contemplated by Section 2.6.2(c), to the extent there are funds in the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Account, Borrower shall be permitted to have funds disbursed to the TRS Subsidiaries from the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Account in an amount equal to the Quarterly TRS Tax Payments for such quarter in accordance with the timeline set forth in Schedule 7.8.2(d) attached hereto; provided, however, that before any funds shall be so disbursed for any such Quarterly TRS Tax Payments, Borrower shall have provided to Lender an Officer’s Certificate certifying such amounts; provided, further, that to the extent amounts are requested be disbursed on a Quarterly Disbursement Date the disbursements for Quarterly TRS Tax Payments pursuant to this Section 7.8.2(d) shall be prioritized over the disbursements pursuant to Section 7.8.2(a) or Section 7.8.2(b).”

 

(r)Schedule 4.1.1 (Organizational Chart of Borrower) attached to the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with Schedule 4.1.1 attached hereto.

 

(s)Schedule 4.1.26-B (Unfunded Obligations) attached to the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with Schedule 4.1.26-B attached hereto.

 

(t)Schedule 7.1.1 (Required Repairs – Deadlines for Completion) attached to the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with Schedule 7.1.1 attached hereto.

 

(u)Schedule 7.8.2(d) (Quarterly TRS Tax Payments) attached hereto is hereby added as Schedule 7.8.2(d) to the Loan Agreement.

 

9 

 

 

Section 2.               Lockbox Account. Holdco hereby pledges, transfers and assigns to Lender, and grants to Lender, as additional security for the payment and performance of the Obligations, a continuing perfected first priority security interest in and to, and a first lien upon the following property of Holdco (whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired and regardless of where located), (i) the Lockbox Account and all of Holdco’s right, title and interest in and to all cash, property or rights transferred to or deposited therein from time to time, (ii) all earnings, investments and securities held in the Lockbox Account in accordance with the Lockbox Agreement and (iii) any and all proceeds (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York) of the foregoing.  This pledge, assignment and grant of security interest made hereby shall secure payment of all amounts payable by Holdco and/or Borrower to Lender under the Loan Documents.  Holdco further agrees, at the expense of Holdco, to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file or do at its sole cost and expense, all other acts, assignments, notices, agreements or other instruments as Lender may reasonably require in order to effectuate, assure, convey, secure, assign, transfer and convey unto Lender any of the rights granted by this Section 2 or the Lockbox Agreement and to more fully perfect and protect any lien or security interest granted hereby or thereby, provided the same do not increase the obligations, or decrease the rights, of Holdco or Borrower under the Loan Documents, to more than a de minimis extent.

 

Section 3.                Miscellaneous.

 

(a)             Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) Borrower has the power and authority to enter into this Amendment and to perform its obligations under the Loan Agreement as amended hereby, (ii) Borrower has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Amendment by Borrower and (iii) this Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by Borrower and constitutes Borrower’s legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(b)             Except as amended by this Amendment, the Loan Agreement shall continue to remain unmodified and in full force and effect. Each of the parties hereto hereby confirms and ratifies its respective obligations pursuant to the Loan Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, and confirms that such obligations shall apply in all respects as amended by this Amendment. References in the Loan Documents to the “Loan Agreement” shall mean the Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

 

(c)             Guarantor hereby (i) approves and consents to this Amendment, (ii) ratifies, confirms, renews and reaffirms all of its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party (the “Guarantor Documents”), and (iii) acknowledges and agrees that its obligations under the Guarantor Documents remain in full force and effect, binding on and enforceable against it in accordance with the terms, covenants and conditions of such documents without impairment. Additionally, Guarantor hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in the event the Advisory Agreement is terminated, it shall not enter into any replacement advisory agreement without the prior written consent of Lender as to the identity of the Person designated to replace WPC and the form of replacement advisory agreement, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, that if such replacement advisor has not been appointed within 90 days following the effective date of a Company Termination for Convenience (as defined in the Advisory Agreement), then Guarantor shall request transition services for an additional 90 days as set forth in Section 14(b) of the Advisory Agreement.

 

10 

 

 

(d)             Guarantor hereby represents and warrants that (i) it has the power and authority to acknowledge this Amendment and (ii) it has duly authorized such acknowledgement.

 

(e)             All paragraph, section, exhibit and schedule headings and captions herein are used for reference only and in no way limit or describe the scope or intent of, or in any way affect, this Amendment.

 

(f)              Sections 10.3 (Governing Law) and 10.7 (Trial by Jury) of the Loan Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference for all purposes, with the word “Agreement” being changed to “Amendment” solely for purposes of this incorporation by reference of such provisions into this Amendment.

 

(g)              This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of originals, including copies delivered by facsimile, pdf or other electronic means, shall have the same import and effect as original counterparts and shall be valid, enforceable and binding for all purposes hereunder. Signatures executed electronically using DocuSign or similar signature software shall be regarded as original signatures for all purposes hereunder.

 

(h)             The provisions of this Amendment are severable, and if any one clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such clause or provision, or part thereof, and not any other clause or provision of this Amendment. In the event of any conflict, ambiguity or inconsistency between the terms of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document and the terms of this Amendment, the terms of this Amendment shall control to the extent of such conflict, ambiguity or inconsistency.

 

(i)               The provisions of Section 9.3 of the Loan Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

11 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their duly authorized representatives, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

  RACO (AZ) LLC
  FLOUR POWER (OH) LLC
  DRUG (AZ) LLC
  500 JEFFERSON TOWER (TX) LLC
  ROOSEVELT BLVD NORTH (FL) LLC
  AUTOPRO (GA) LLC
  MORISEK HOFFMAN (IL) LLC
  RRD (IL) LLC
  WPC CROWN COLONY (MA) LLC
  METAPLY (MI) LLC
  HNGS AUTO (MI) LLC
  MERCURY (MI) LLC
  HM BENEFITS (MI) LLC
  6000 NATHAN (MN) LLC
  TRUTH (MN) LLC
  HEALTH LANDLORD (MN) LLC
  TELEGRAPH (MO) LLC
  308 ROUTE 38 LLC
  CALL LLC
  SPRING FOREST ROAD (NC) LLC
  VANDENBURG BLVD (PA) LLC
  MEDI (PA) LLC
  RUSH IT LLC
  USO LANDLORD (TX) LLC
  STONE OAK 17 (TX) LLC
  JPCENTRE (TX) LLC
  AIRLIQ (TX) LLC
  601 JEFFERSON TOWER (TX) LLC
  ICALL BTS (VA) LLC
  OAK CREEK 17 INVESTOR (WI) LLC
  ADS2 (CA) LLC,
  each a Delaware limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ Brian Zander
    Name: Brian Zander
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signatures continue on the following page]

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Senior Loan Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  MORRISVILLE LANDLORD (NC) LP,
  a Delaware limited partnership
   
    By: MORRISVILLE LANDLORD GP (NC) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its general partner
       
    By: /s/ Brian Zander
      Name: Brian Zander
      Title: Authorized Signatory

 

  GRC-II (TX) LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
  a Delaware limited partnership
   
    By: GRC-II (TX) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its general partner
   
    By: /s/ Brian Zander
      Name: Brian Zander
      Title: Authorized Signatory

 

  DEVELOP (TX) LP,
  a Delaware limited partnership
   
    By: POPCORN (TX) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its general partner
   
    By: /s/ Brian Zander
      Name: Brian Zander
      Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signatures continue on the following page]

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Senior Loan Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  JPMorgan Chase Bank, NATIONAL aSSOCIATION
   
  By: /s/ Jessica Wong
    Name: Jessica Wong
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Senior Loan Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  Acknowledged and agreed solely with respect to Section 3(c) and Section 3(d):  
   
  GUARANTOR:
   
  NET LEASE OFFICE PROPERTIES, a Maryland real estate investment trust  
   
  By: /s/ Brian Zander                                                   
    Name: Brian Zander
    Title: Authorized Signatory
   
  Acknowledged and agreed solely with respect to Section 2:
   
  HOLDCO:
   
  NLO HOLDING COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company  
   
  By: /s/ Brian Zander
    Name: Brian Zander
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Senior Loan Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

AMENDMENT TO MEZZANINE LOAN AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment to Mezzanine Loan Agreement (this “Amendment”), dated as of November 1, 2023, is between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., having an address at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179 (together with its successors and/or permitted assigns, “Lender”) and NLO MEZZANINE BORROWER LLC, having its principal place of business at c/o W. P. Carey Inc., One Manhattan West, 395 9th Avenue, 58th Floor, New York, New York 10001 (“Borrower”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, reference is hereby made to that Mezzanine Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2023, between Lender and Borrower (the “Loan Agreement”; all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Loan Agreement).

 

WHEREAS, Lender and Borrower desire to amend the Loan Agreement in the manner hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, Lender and Borrower hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.         Amendments to the Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

(a)Section 1.1 (Definitions) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the following definition:

 

““Permitted Equity Transfer” shall mean any of the following: (a) any Transfer, directly as a result of the death of a natural person, of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests previously held by the decedent in question to the Person or Persons lawfully entitled thereto, (b) any Transfer, directly as a result of the legal incapacity of a natural person, of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests previously held by such natural person to the Person or Persons lawfully entitled thereto, (c) transfers of direct and indirect equity interests in Member by any Person so long as (i) Guarantor remains a publicly traded entity with its shares on the New York Stock Exchange or another nationally or internationally recognized stock exchange, (ii) Guarantor continues to Control each other Restricted Party, (iii) Guarantor continues to own, directly or indirectly, at least 51% of the ownership interest in each other Restricted Party (other than Guarantor), and (iv) either (A) no Ownership Change Limitation would reasonably be expected to exist immediately following such Transfer, or (B) such Transfer would not reasonably be expected to increase the percentage ownership of 5% shareholders of Borrower (including any “public group” as defined in Section 1.382-2T(f)(13) of the Treasury regulations treated as such) for purposes of determining whether there is an Ownership Change Limitation; (d) any direct or indirect Transfer of any interest in Guarantor by the public shareholders thereof and their beneficial owners, (e) the sales, transfer or issuance of Borrower Preferred Interests and/or Subsidiary REIT Preferred Interests, and (f) transfers of direct or indirect equity interests in one or more Individual Senior Borrowers to (i) Holdco, (ii) a Subsidiary REIT (or direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary thereof) or (iii) TRS (provided that the equity value of the assets held by all TRS Subsidiaries does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total equity value of Borrower), in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of Section 5.2.10(e) hereof.”

 

 

 

 

(b)Section 1.1 (Definitions) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following definition:

 

““Senior Loan” shall mean the loan made by Senior Lender to Senior Borrower pursuant to the Senior Loan Agreement.”

 

(c)Section 5.1.25(c) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“Borrower intends for the Incorporation Actions to result in a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code in which WPC is deemed to receive, in exchange for its deemed transfer of assets (subject to liabilities) to Borrower, (i) 100% of the Borrower Common Equity Interests and (ii) “other property or money” within the meaning of Section 351(b) of the Code at least in an amount equal to the cash received by WPC in payment of the Principal Sum (as defined in the Intercompany Obligation) (together, the “Intended Tax Treatment”). Borrower shall (and, to the extent applicable, shall cause its Subsidiaries to) file all applicable tax returns consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment. Borrower shall not take any action, cause any action to be taken, fail to take any action or cause any action to fail to be taken, which action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent the Intended Tax Treatment or the Section 362(e)(2)(C) Election.”

 

(d)Schedule 4.1.1 attached to the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with Schedule 4.1.1 attached hereto.

 

(e)Lender hereby approves the modification of the Senior Loan Documents pursuant to the terms of that certain Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between Senior Borrower and Senior Lender, and as such, the definition of “Senior Loan Agreement” in Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety as follows:

 

““Senior Loan Agreement” means that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Senior Lender and Senior Borrower, as amended by that certain Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as November 1, 2023, between Senior Borrower and Senior Lender as the same may be further amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.”

 

2 

 

 

Section 2.            Miscellaneous.

 

(a)               Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) Borrower has the power and authority to enter into this Amendment and to perform its obligations under the Loan Agreement as amended hereby, (ii) Borrower has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Amendment by Borrower and (iii) this Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by Borrower and constitutes Borrower’s legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(b)               Except as amended by this Amendment, the Loan Agreement shall continue to remain unmodified and in full force and effect. Each of the parties hereto hereby confirms and ratifies its respective obligations pursuant to the Loan Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, and confirms that such obligations shall apply in all respects as amended by this Amendment. References in the Loan Documents to the “Loan Agreement” shall mean the Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

 

(c)               Guarantor hereby (i) approves and consents to this Amendment, (ii) ratifies, confirms, renews and reaffirms all of its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party (the “Guarantor Documents”), and (iii) acknowledges and agrees that its obligations under the Guarantor Documents remain in full force and effect, binding on and enforceable against it in accordance with the terms, covenants and conditions of such documents without impairment. Additionally, Guarantor hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in the event the Advisory Agreement is terminated, it shall not enter into any replacement advisory agreement without the prior written consent of Lender as to the identity of the Person designated to replace WPC and the form of replacement advisory agreement, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, that if such replacement advisor has not been appointed within 90 days following the effective date of a Company Termination for Convenience (as defined in the Advisory Agreement), then Guarantor shall request transition services for an additional 90 days as set forth in Section 14(b) of the Advisory Agreement.

 

(d)              Guarantor hereby represents and warrants that (i) it has the power and authority to acknowledge this Amendment and (ii) it has duly authorized such acknowledgement.

 

(e)              All paragraph, section, exhibit and schedule headings and captions herein are used for reference only and in no way limit or describe the scope or intent of, or in any way affect, this Amendment.

 

(f)               Sections 10.3 (Governing Law) and 10.7 (Trial by Jury) of the Loan Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference for all purposes, with the word “Agreement” being changed to “Amendment” solely for purposes of this incorporation by reference of such provisions into this Amendment.

 

(g)              This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of originals, including copies delivered by facsimile, pdf or other electronic means, shall have the same import and effect as original counterparts and shall be valid, enforceable and binding for all purposes hereunder. Signatures executed electronically using DocuSign or similar signature software shall be regarded as original signatures for all purposes hereunder.

 

3 

 

 

(h)               The provisions of this Amendment are severable, and if any one clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such clause or provision, or part thereof, and not any other clause or provision of this Amendment. In the event of any conflict, ambiguity or inconsistency between the terms of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document and the terms of this Amendment, the terms of this Amendment shall control to the extent of such conflict, ambiguity or inconsistency.

 

(i)                 The provisions of Section 9.3 of the Loan Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

4 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their duly authorized representatives, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

  NLO MEZZANINE BORROWER LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ Catherine Cantasano
    Name: Catherine Cantasano
    Title: Authorized Signatory
   
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
   
  By: /s/ Jessica Wong
    Name: Jessica Wong
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Mezzanine Loan Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  Acknowledged and agreed solely with respect to Section 2(c) and Section 2(d):  
   
  GUARANTOR:
   
  NET LEASE OFFICE PROPERTIES,
  a Maryland real estate investment trust
   
  By: /s/ Brian Zander
    Name: Brian Zander
    Title: Authorized Signatory

   

[Signature Page to Amendment to Mezzanine Loan Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

NET LEASE OFFICE PROPERTIES AND NLO OP LLC
2023 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN 

 

ARTICLE 1.

 

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Net Lease Office Properties and NLO OP LLC 2023 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of Net Lease Office Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”), and NLO OP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Partnership”), by linking the individual interests of Employees, Consultants and members of the Board to those of the Company’s shareholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to the Company’s shareholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company, the Partnership and their subsidiaries in their ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of those individuals upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s and the Partnership’s operation is largely dependent.

 

ARTICLE 2.

 

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

 

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.

 

2.1              Administrator” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article 9. With reference to the duties of the Administrator under the Plan which have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 9.6 hereof, or which the Board has assumed, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.

 

2.2              Affiliate” shall mean the Partnership, any Parent or any Subsidiary.

 

2.3              Applicable Accounting Standards” shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company’s financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.

 

2.4              Applicable Law” shall mean any applicable law, including without limitation, (a) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (c) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.

 

 1 

 

 

2.5              Award” shall mean an Option, a Restricted Stock award, a Dividend Equivalent award, a Stock Payment award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, an Other Incentive Award, an LTIP Unit award or a Stock Appreciation Right, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan.

 

2.6              Award Agreement” shall mean any written notice, agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine, consistent with the Plan.

 

2.7              Board” shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Company.

 

2.8              Cause” means, except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, that a Participant who is an Employee should be or was dismissed as a result of (i) any material breach by the participant of any agreement to which the participant and the Company or an Affiliate are parties, (ii) any act (other than retirement) or omission to act by the Participant, including without limitation, the commission of any crime (other than ordinary traffic violations) that may have a material and adverse effect on the business of the Company or any Affiliate or on the Participant's ability to perform services for the Company or any Affiliate, or (iii) any material misconduct or neglect of duties by the participant in connection with the business or affairs of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

2.9              Change in Control” means the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

(i)             any “person”, as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act (other than the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, and any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of such person, shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of either (A) the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities having the right to vote in an election of the Board (“Voting Securities”) or (B) the then outstanding Shares of the Company (in either such case other than as a result of acquisition of securities directly from the Company); provided, however, that a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Section 2.8(i) if, prior to reaching or exceeding such beneficial ownership limit, the Board approves the purchase, issuance, transfer, gift, assignment, or other similar transaction pursuant to which such person reaches or exceeds such beneficial ownership limit; provided, further, that if any such person shall thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional Voting Securities or Shares (other than pursuant to a Share split, Share dividend, or similar transaction), then, absent additional Board approval, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Section 2.8(i). For the avoidance of doubt, in no way shall the approval by the Board of an acquisition of Voting Securities or Shares subject to this Section 2.8(i) be deemed to limit, in any way, the provisions contained in Section 2.8(iii); or

 

(ii)             persons (as defined in the previous subsection) who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Trustees of the Board (the “Incumbent Trustees”) cease for any reason, including without limitation, as a result of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or similar transaction, to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a Trustee of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Trustees shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered an Incumbent Trustee; or

 

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(iii)            the consummation of (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than a consolidation or merger of the Company or any Subsidiary, on the one hand, and an affiliate of, or entity managed or advised by, the Company or any Subsidiary, on the other hand) where the shareholders of the Company, immediately prior to the consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after the consolidation or merger, beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors or trustees, as applicable, of the surviving entity in such consolidation or merger in substantially the same relative proportion as ownership immediately prior to the consolidation or merger (or of its ultimate parent entity, if any), (B) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company other than to an entity with respect to which, following such sale or disposition, the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the sale own more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the outstanding shares and the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors or trustees, as applicable, of such entity, or (C) any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i) solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of Shares outstanding, increases (x) the proportionate number of Shares beneficially owned by any person to 25% or more of the Shares then outstanding or (y) the proportionate voting power represented by the Shares beneficially owned by any person to 25% or more of the combined voting power of all then outstanding voting Securities; provided, however, that if any person referred to in clause (x) or (y) of this sentence shall thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional Shares or other Voting Securities (other than pursuant to a Share split, Share dividend, or similar transaction), then a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i). Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or portion of any Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”), to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described above with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

 

The Administrator shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

 

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2.10             Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of any Award.

 

2.11             Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board described in Article 11 hereof.

 

2.12             Common Shares” shall mean the common shares of beneficial interest of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.

 

2.13             Company” shall mean Net Lease Office Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust.

 

2.14             Consultant” shall mean any consultant or advisor of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under the applicable rules of Form S-8 Registration Statement.

 

2.15             Distribution” shall have the meaning provided Separation Agreement.

 

2.16             Distribution Date” shall have the meaning provided Separation Agreement.

 

2.17             Dividend Equivalent” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Common Shares) of dividends paid on Common Shares, awarded under Section 7.1 hereof.

 

2.18             DRO” shall mean a “domestic relations order” as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.

 

2.19             Effective Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the Distribution Date.

 

2.20             Eligible Individual” shall mean any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Trustee, as determined by the Administrator.

 

2.21             Employee” shall mean any officer or other employee (within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary.

 

2.22             Equity Restructuring” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its shareholders, such as a share dividend, share split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Common Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Shares (or other securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Shares underlying outstanding share-based Awards.

 

2.23             Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

2.24             Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any given date, the value of a Common Share determined as follows:

 

 

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(a)             If the Common Shares are (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a Common Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Common Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Common Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

 

(b)             If the Common Shares are not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Shares are regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Common Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Common Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

 

(c)             If the Common Shares are neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.

 

2.25             Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following, without the Participant's written consent, after a Change in Control: (i) a material reduction in the Participant's base salary or wage rate or target incentive opportunity, or (ii)  the relocation of the Participant's principal place of employment to a location more than twenty miles from the Participant's principal place of employment as of immediately prior to the Change in Control, provided, that the foregoing events shall constitute Good Reason only if the Participant provides the Company with written objection to the event within thirty days following the occurrence thereof, the Company does not reverse or otherwise cure the event within thirty days of receiving that written objection and the Participant actually resigns the Participant's employment within sixty days following the expiration of that cure period.

 

2.26             Greater Than 10% Shareholder” shall mean an individual then-owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively).

 

2.27             Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

 

2.28             Individual Award Limit” shall mean the cash and share limits applicable to Awards granted under the Plan, as set forth in Section 3.3 hereof.

 

2.29             LTIP Unit” shall mean, to the extent authorized by the Partnership Agreement, a unit of the Partnership that is granted pursuant to Section 7.5 hereof and is intended to constitute a “profits interest” within the meaning of the Code.

 

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2.30             Non-Employee Trustee” shall mean a Trustee of the Company who is not an Employee.

 

2.31             Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

 

2.32             Option” shall mean a right to purchase Common Shares at a specified exercise price, granted under Article 6 hereof. An Option shall be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that Options granted to Non-Employee Trustees and Consultants shall only be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

2.33             Organizational Documents” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Company’s declaration of trust, bylaws or other similar organizational documents relating to the creation and governance of the Company, and (b) the Committee’s charter or other similar organizational documentation relating to the creation and governance of the Committee.

 

2.34             Other Incentive Award” shall mean an award of cash or Common Shares, or any other award valued wholly or partially by referring to, or otherwise based on, Common Shares or other property, awarded to a Participant pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof.

 

2.35             Parent” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities ending with the Company if each of the entities other than the Company beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

 

2.36             Participant” shall mean a person who has been granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

 

2.37             Partnership” shall mean NLO OP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

2.38             Partnership Agreement” shall mean that certain Operating Agreement of NLO OP LLC, dated September 19, 2023, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.

 

2.39             Performance Criteria” shall mean the criteria (and adjustments) that the Administrator may select for an Award for purposes of establishing performance goals for a given performance period, which may include the following (without limitation): (i) net earnings or adjusted net earnings (in each case, either before or after one or more of the following: (A) interest, (B) taxes, (C) depreciation, (D) amortization, and (E) non-cash equity-based compensation expense); (ii) gross or net sales or revenue or sales or revenue growth; (iii) net income (either before or after taxes); (iv) adjusted net income; (v) operating earnings or profit (either before or after taxes); (vi) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow and cash flow return on capital); (vii) return on assets; (viii) return on net assets; (ix) return on capital or return on invested capital; (x) return on shareholders’ equity; (xi) shareholder return; (xii) return on sales; (xiii) gross or net profit or operating margin; (xiv) costs, reductions in costs and cost control measures; (xv) funds from operations; (xvi) adjusted funds from operations; (xvii) core funds from operations; (xviii) cash available for distribution; (xix) productivity; (xx) expenses; (xxi) margins; (xxii) working capital; (xxiii) earnings or loss per share; (xxiv) adjusted earnings or loss per share; (xxv) price per Common Share or dividends per share (or appreciation in and/or maintenance of such price or dividends); (xxvi) implementation or completion of critical projects; (xxvii) market share; (xxviii) debt levels or reduction; (xxix) comparisons with other stock market indices; (xxx) financing and other capital raising transactions; (xxxi) acquisition activity; (xxxii) economic value-added; (xxxiii) earnings as a multiple of interest expense; and (xxxiv) total capital invested in assets, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms for the Company or an Affiliate or any operating unit of the Company or an Affiliate or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease, or relative to or as compared to performance of other companies or to market performance indicators or indices.

 

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2.40             “Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, (a) prior to the Public Trading Date, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined under Rule 701 of the Securities Act and (b) on or after the Public Trading Date, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined under the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act or any successor Form thereto, or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator, after taking into account Applicable Law.

 

2.41             Plan” shall mean this Net Lease Office Properties and NLO OP LLC 2023 Incentive Award Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

2.42             Program” shall mean any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.

 

2.43             Public Trading Date” shall mean the first date upon which the Common Shares are listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on any securities exchange or designated (or approved for designation) upon notice of issuance as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system.

 

2.44             REIT” shall mean a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

 

2.45             Restricted Stock” shall mean an award of Common Shares made under Article 7 hereof that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture.

 

2.46             Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a contractual right awarded under Section 7.3 hereof to receive in the future a Common Share or the Fair Market Value of a Common Share in cash.

 

2.47             Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

2.48             Separation Agreement” shall mean the Separation and Distribution Agreement dated on or about October 31, 2023 (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time), by and between the Company and WPC.

 

2.49             Share Limit” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(a) hereof.

 

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2.50             Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean an Award entitling the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion thereof (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of such Award from the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of such Award by the number of Common Shares with respect to which such Award shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose.

 

2.51             Stock Payment” shall mean a payment in the form of Common Shares awarded under Section 7.2 hereof.

 

2.52             Subsidiary” shall mean (a) a corporation, association or other business entity of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries, (b) any partnership or limited liability company of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries, and (c) any other entity not described in clauses (a) or (b) above of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the ownership and the power (whether voting interests or otherwise), pursuant to a written contract or agreement, to direct the policies and management or the financial and the other affairs thereof, are owned or controlled by the Company, the Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries.

 

2.53             Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock, in any case, upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, an outstanding equity award previously granted by a company or other entity that is a party to such transaction; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

 

2.54             Termination of Service in Connection with a Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur with respect to a participant if within the two-year period beginning on the date of a Change in Control the employment or service of the Participant shall be terminated either (i) by the Company without Cause, (ii) due to a resignation by the Participant for Good Reason or (iii) in the case of Trustees, a required resignation from the Board.

 

2.55             Termination of Service” shall mean, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator:

 

(a)             As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Participant as a Consultant to the Company and its Affiliates is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment and/or service as an Employee and/or Trustee with the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(b)             As to a Non-Employee Trustee, the time when a Participant who is a Non-Employee Trustee ceases to be a Trustee for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment and/or service as an Employee and/or Consultant with the Company or any Affiliate.

 

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(c)             As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Participant and the Company and its Affiliates is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in service as a Consultant and/or Trustee with the Company or any Affiliate.

 

The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, whether a Termination of Service has occurred, whether any Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause and whether any particular leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Service; provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless the Administrator otherwise provides in the terms of any Program, Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service only if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code. For purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relationship shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Affiliate employing or contracting with such Participant ceases to remain an Affiliate following any merger, sale of shares or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).

 

2.56             Trustee” shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.

 

2.57             WPC” shall mean W. P. Carey Inc., a Maryland corporation.

 

ARTICLE 3.

 

COMMON SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

3.1             Number of Common Shares.

 

(a)             Subject to Section 3.1(b) and Section 10.2 hereof, the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan is 750,000 Common Shares (the “Share Limit”). In order that the applicable regulations under the Code relating to Incentive Stock Options be satisfied, the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be 1,500,000. Each LTIP Unit issued pursuant to an Award shall count as one Common Share for purposes of calculating the aggregate number of Common Shares available for issuance under the Plan as set forth in this Section 3.1(a) and for purposes of calculating the Individual Award Limits set forth in Section 3.3 hereof.

 

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(b)             If any Common Shares subject to an Award are forfeited or expire or such Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Common Shares subject to such Award shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, again be available for future grants of Awards under the Plan and shall be added back to the Share Limit in the same number of Common Shares as were debited from the Share Limit in respect of the grant of such Award (as may be adjusted in accordance with Section 11.2 hereof). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Common Shares shall not be added back to the Share Limit and will not be available for future grants of Awards: (i) Common Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option; (ii) Common Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award; (iii) Common Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the share settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right on exercise thereof; and (iv) Common Shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of Options. Any Common Shares repurchased by the Company under Section 7.4 hereof at the same price paid by the Participant such that such Common Shares are returned to the Company will again be available for Awards. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Common Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Common Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

 

(c)             Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Common Shares authorized for grant under the Plan, except to the extent required by reason of Section 422 of the Code. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate, or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines, has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by its shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common shares of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Common Shares authorized for grant under the Plan to the extent that grants of Awards using such available shares are (i) permitted without shareholder approval under the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed and (ii) made only to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

(d)             Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, but subject to Section 11.2 of the Plan, Awards granted under the Plan shall vest no earlier than the first anniversary of such Award’s date of grant; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards that result in the issuance of an aggregate of up to 5% of the Common Shares available pursuant to this Section 3.1 (as such number of the Common Shares may be increased from time to time in accordance with the Plan) may be granted to any one or more Participants without respect to such minimum vesting provisions. For purposes of Awards granted to Non-Employee Trustees, a vesting period will be deemed to be one year if it runs from the date of one annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders to the next annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders that occurs at least fifty (50) weeks following the date of such first annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 3.1(d) shall preclude or limit any Award or other arrangement (or any action by the Committee) from providing for accelerated vesting of such Award in connection with or following a Participant’s death, disability, retirement or involuntary termination or in connection with the occurrence of a Change in Control.

 

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3.2             Common Shares Distributed. Any Common Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Shares or Common Shares purchased on the open market.

 

3.3             Individual Award Limits. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Section 10.2 hereof, (a) the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one individual during any calendar year shall be 850,000 Common Shares, (b) the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash during any calendar year with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be $10,000,000, and (c) the sum of any cash compensation and the value (determined as of the date of grant under Applicable Accounting Standards) of Awards granted to any Non-Employee Trustee during any calendar year may not exceed $1,000,000 (together, the “Individual Award Limits”).

 

ARTICLE 4.

 

GRANTING OF AWARDs

 

4.1             Participation. The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom one or more Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. No Eligible Individual or other Person shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

 

4.2             Award Agreement. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement stating the terms and conditions applicable to such Award, consistent with the requirements of the Plan and any applicable Program. Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

 

4.3             Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, with respect to any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, any applicable Program and the applicable Award Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule, and such additional limitations shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into such Award to the extent permitted by Applicable Law.

 

4.4             At-Will Service. Nothing in the Plan or in any Program or Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue as an Employee, Trustee or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or any Affiliate, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of any Participant’s employment or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate.

 

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4.5             Foreign Participants. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an applicable Program to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Affiliates operate or have Employees, Non-Employee Trustees or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange or Applicable Law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms, conditions and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable; provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the Share Limit or Individual Award Limits contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 hereof, respectively; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange.

 

4.6             Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.

 

ARTICLE 5.

 

OPTIONS and stock appreciation rights

 

5.1             General. The Administrator is authorized to grant Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan. The Administrator will determine the number of Common Shares covered by each Option and Stock Appreciation Right, the exercise price of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right and the conditions and limitations applicable to the vesting and exercise of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation Right will entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right) to receive from the Company upon exercise of the exercisable portion of the Stock Appreciation Right an amount determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one Common Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price per Common Share of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Common Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, subject to any limitations of the Plan or that the Administrator may impose and payable in cash, Common Shares valued at Fair Market Value or a combination of the two as the Administrator may determine or provide in the Award Agreement.

 

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5.2             Qualification of Incentive Stock Options. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who is not an Employee of the Company or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company (as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively). No person who qualifies as a Greater Than 10% Shareholder may be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan may be modified by the Administrator, with the consent of the Participant, to disqualify such Option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of shares or stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and all other plans of the Company or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company (as defined in Section 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted and the fair market value of shares or stock shall be determined as of the time the respective options were granted. In addition, to the extent that any Options otherwise fail to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. Any interpretations and rules under the Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

 

5.3             Option and Stock Appreciation Right Exercise Price. The exercise price per Common Share subject to each Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted (or, as to Incentive Stock Options, on the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). In addition, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Greater Than 10% Shareholder, such price shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of the Common Shares subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the exercise price of any Substitute Award shall be determined in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 424 and 409A of the Code.

 

5.4             Option and SAR Term. The term of each Option and the term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Rights, as applicable, is granted, or five (5) years from the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Shareholder. The Administrator shall determine the time period, including the time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Participant has the right to exercise the vested Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, which time period may not extend beyond the stated term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may determine that in the event that on the last business day of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right (other than an Incentive Stock Option) (i) the exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right is prohibited by Applicable Law, as determined by the Company, or (ii) Common Shares may not be purchased or sold by the applicable Participant due to any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods) or a “lock-up” agreement undertaken in connection with an issuance of securities by the Company, the term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be extended until the date that is 30 days after the end of the legal prohibition, black-out period or lock-up agreement, as determined by the Company; provided, however, in no event shall the extension last beyond the ten year term of the applicable Option or Stock Appreciation Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws, the Administrator may provide in the terms of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right that if the Participant, prior to the end of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, violates the non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other similar restrictive covenant provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the right of the Participant and the Participant’s transferees to exercise any Option or Stock Appreciation Right issued to the Participant shall terminate immediately upon such violation, unless the Company otherwise determines.

 

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5.5             Exercise and Payment.

 

(a)             Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by delivering to the Company a written notice of exercise, in a form prescribed by the Administrator (which may be electronic), signed by the person authorized to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, together with, as applicable, payment in full (i) as specified in Section 5.5(b) below for the number of Common Shares for which the Award is exercised and (ii) as specified in Section 8.2 below for any applicable taxes. Unless the Administrator otherwise determines, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised for a fraction of a Common Share.

 

(b)             Subject to any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods) and Applicable Laws, the exercise price of an Option must be paid by:

 

(i)             cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds or by check payable to the order of the Company, provided that the Company may limit the use of one of the foregoing payment forms if one or more of the payment forms below is permitted;

 

(ii)             if there is a public market for Common Shares at the time of exercise, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, or (B) the Participant’s delivery to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator;

 

(iii)             to the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of Common Shares owned by the Participant valued at their fair market value;

 

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(iv)             to the extent permitted by the Administrator, surrendering Common Shares then issuable upon the Option’s exercise valued at their fair market value on the exercise date;

 

(v)             to the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery of a promissory note or any other property that the Administrator determines is good and valuable consideration; or

 

(vi)             to the extent permitted by the Company, any combination of the above payment forms approved by the Administrator.

 

ARTICLE 6.

 

RESTRICTED STOCK

 

6.1             Award of Restricted Stock.

 

(a)             The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Individuals, and shall determine the terms and conditions, including the restrictions applicable to each award of Restricted Stock, which terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with the Plan or any applicable Program, and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate.

 

(b)             The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value of the Common Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock to the extent required by Applicable Law.

 

6.2             Rights as Shareholders. Subject to Section 6.4 hereof, upon issuance of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all the rights of a shareholder with respect to said shares, subject to the restrictions in the Plan, an applicable Program or in the applicable Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the shares; provided, however, that, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the shares may be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.3 hereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with respect to Restricted Stock, dividends which are paid prior to vesting shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the share of Restricted Stock vests.

 

6.3             Restrictions. All shares of Restricted Stock (including any shares received by Participants thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of share dividends, share splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall be subject to such restrictions and vesting requirements as the Administrator shall provide in the applicable Program or Award Agreement.

 

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6.4             Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, if no purchase price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall lapse and be forfeited, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled without consideration on the date of such Termination of Service. If a purchase price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Participant the unvested Restricted Stock then-subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock or such other amount as may be specified in an applicable Program or the applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator in its sole discretion may provide that, upon certain events, including without limitation a Change in Control, the Participant’s death, retirement or disability, any other specified Termination of Service or any other event, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock shall not terminate, such Restricted Stock shall vest and cease to be forfeitable and, if applicable, the Company shall cease to have a right of repurchase.

 

6.5             Certificates/Book Entries for Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine. Certificates or book entries evidencing shares of Restricted Stock must include an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may, in its sole discretion, retain physical possession of any share certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

 

ARTICLE 7.

 

DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS; STOCK PAYMENTS; RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS; OTHER INCENTIVE AWARDS; LTIP UNITS; Adjusted Awards

 

7.1             Dividend Equivalents.

 

(a)             Subject to Section 7.1(b) hereof, Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator, either alone or in tandem with another Award, based on dividends declared on the Common Shares, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date the Dividend Equivalents are granted to a Participant and the date such Dividend Equivalents terminate or expire, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Common Shares by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Award shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests.

 

(b)             Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

7.2             Stock Payments. The Administrator is authorized to make one or more Stock Payments to any Eligible Individual. The number or value of Common Shares of any Stock Payment shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based upon one or more Performance Criteria or any other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, determined by the Administrator. Stock Payments may, but are not required to be made in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to such Eligible Individual.

 

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7.3             Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual. The number and terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Units shall be determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate, including conditions based on one or more Performance Criteria or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, in each case, on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall specify, or may permit the Participant to elect, the conditions and dates upon which the Common Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units shall be issued, which dates shall not be earlier than the date as of which the Restricted Stock Units vest and become nonforfeitable and which conditions and dates shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of Section 409A or an exemption therefrom. On the distribution dates, the Company shall issue to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Common Share (or the Fair Market Value of one such Common Share in cash) for each vested and nonforfeitable Restricted Stock Unit.

 

7.4             Other Incentive Awards.  Other Incentive Awards may be granted to Participants, including Awards entitling Participants to receive Common Shares to be delivered in the future and including annual or other periodic or long-term cash bonus awards (whether based on specified Performance Criteria or otherwise), in each case subject to any conditions and limitations in the Plan. Such Other Incentive Awards will also be available as a payment form in the settlement of other Awards, as standalone payments or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Incentive Awards may be paid in cash, Common Shares, or a combination of cash and Common Shares, as determined by the Administrator.

 

7.5             LTIP Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant LTIP Units in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that LTIP Units may only be issued to a Participant for the performance of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership (a) in the Participant’s capacity as a partner of the Partnership, (b) in anticipation of the Participant becoming a partner of the Partnership, or (c) as otherwise determined by the Administrator, provided that the LTIP Units are intended to constitute “profits interests” within the meaning of the Code, including, to the extent applicable, Revenue Procedure 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343 and Revenue Procedure 2001-43, 2001-2 C.B. 191. The Administrator shall specify the conditions and dates upon which the LTIP Units shall vest and become nonforfeitable. LTIP Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement and such other restrictions, including restrictions on transferability, as the Administrator may impose. These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Administrator determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter.

 

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7.6             Other Terms and Conditions. All applicable terms and conditions of each Award described in this Article 9, including without limitation, as applicable, the term, vesting conditions and exercise/purchase price applicable to the Award, shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE 8.

 

Additional terms of awards

 

8.1             Delivery of Common Shares. The Administrator shall also determine the methods by which Common Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants.

 

8.2             Tax Withholding. The Company and its Affiliates shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company or an Affiliate, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant’s social security, Medicare and any other employment tax obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising in connection with any Award. In satisfaction of the foregoing requirement or in satisfaction of any additional tax withholding, the Company may satisfy, or may allow a Participant to satisfy, such obligations by any payment means described in Section 5.5(b) hereof, including, without limitation, by withholding, or allowing such Participant to elect to have the Company or an Affiliate withhold, Common Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Common Shares). The number of Common Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Common Shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding or repurchase no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the maximum individual statutory withholding rates in the applicable jurisdiction. The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Common Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise involving the sale of Common Shares to pay the Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.

 

8.3             Transferability of Awards.

 

(a)             Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.3(b) or (c) hereof:

 

(i)             No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Common Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Common Shares have lapsed;

 

(ii)             No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for or otherwise subject to the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Common Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Common Shares have lapsed, and any attempted disposition of an Award prior to the satisfaction of these conditions shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by clause (i) of this provision; and

 

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(iii)             During the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise any exercisable portion of an Award granted to him or her under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO. After the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by his personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

(b)             Notwithstanding Section 8.3(a) hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant or a Permitted Transferee of such Participant to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is to become a Non-Qualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Participant, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee (other than to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant) other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Participant (other than the ability to further transfer the Award); and (iii) the Participant (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including without limitation, documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under applicable federal, state and foreign securities laws and (C) evidence the transfer. In addition, and further notwithstanding Section 8.3(a) hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant to transfer Incentive Stock Options to a trust that constitutes a Permitted Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.

 

(c)             Notwithstanding Section 8.3(a) hereof, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Participant is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a “community property” state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as his beneficiary with respect to more than fifty percent (50%) of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is delivered to the Administrator in writing prior to the Participant’s death.

 

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8.4             Conditions to Issuance of Common Shares.

 

(a)             The Administrator shall determine the methods by which Common Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Company nor its Affiliates shall be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Common Shares is in compliance with Applicable Law, and the Common Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such Applicable Law.

 

(b)             All Common Share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Common Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any Common Share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Common Shares.

 

(c)             The Administrator shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.

 

(d)             No fractional Common Shares shall be issued and the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Common Shares or whether such fractional Common Shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.

 

(e)             The Company, in its sole discretion, may (i) retain physical possession of any share certificate evidencing Shares until any restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and/or (ii) require that the share certificates evidencing such Common Shares be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Participant deliver a share power, endorsed in blank, relating to such Common Shares.

 

(f)             Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by Applicable Law, the Company and/or its Affiliates may, in lieu of delivering to any Participant certificates evidencing Common Shares issued in connection with any Award, record the issuance of Common Shares in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or share plan administrator).

 

8.5             Forfeiture and Claw-Back Provisions.

 

(a)             Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in the terms of Awards made under the Plan, or to require a Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that: (i) any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Common Shares underlying the Award, must be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (x) a Termination of Service occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, (y) the Participant at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or (z) the Participant incurs a Termination of Service for cause; and

 

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(b)             All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by a Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Common Shares underlying the Award) shall be subject to the applicable provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, whether implemented prior to or after the grant of such Award, including without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

8.6             Prohibition on Repricing. Subject to Section 10.2 hereof, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, (a) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its price per share, or (b) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Stock Appreciation Right price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Common Shares. Subject to Section 10.2 hereof, the Administrator shall have the authority, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, to amend any outstanding Award to increase the price per share or to cancel and replace an Award with the grant of an Award having a price per share that is greater than or equal to the price per share of the original Award.

 

8.7             Acceleration. The Administrator may at any time provide that any Award will, subject to the terms of this Plan, become immediately vested and fully or partially exercisable, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise fully or partially realizable, in connection with or following a Participant’s death, disability, retirement or involuntary termination or in connection with the occurrence of a Change in Control.

 

ARTICLE 9.

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

9.1             Administrator. The Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein) and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Trustees of the Company appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are listed, quoted or traded, in each case, to the extent required under such provision; provided, however, that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 9.l or otherwise provided in the Organizational Documents. Except as may otherwise be provided in the Organizational Documents, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment, Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board, and vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Trustees of the Company and (b) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 9.6 hereof.

 

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9.2             Duties and Powers of Administrator. It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and all Programs and Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and any Program as are not inconsistent with the Plan, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Program or Award Agreement provided that the rights or obligations of the holder of the Award that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not materially adversely affected by such amendment, unless the consent of the Participant is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 10.15 hereof. Any such interpretations and rules with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee in its capacity as the Administrator under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

 

9.3             Action by the Committee. Unless otherwise established by the Board or in the Organizational Documents or as required by Applicable Law, a majority of the Administrator shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Administrator in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Administrator. Each member of the Administrator is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.

 

9.4             Authority of Administrator. Subject to any specific designation in the Plan and Applicable Law, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:

 

(a)             Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;

 

(b)             Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual;

 

(c)             Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Common Shares to which an Award will relate;

 

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(d)             Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any performance criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;

 

(e)             Determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Common Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

 

(f)              Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

 

(g)             Determine as between the Company, the Partnership and any Subsidiary which entity will make payments with respect to an Award, consistent with applicable securities laws and other Applicable Law;

 

(h)             Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

 

(i)              Establish, adopt, or revise any Programs, rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

 

(j)              Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement; and

 

(k)             Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.

 

9.5             Decisions Binding. The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.

 

9.6             Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Article 11; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (b) officers of the Company (or Trustees) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under the Organizational Documents and other Applicable Law. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or that are otherwise included in the applicable Organizational Documents, and the Board or Committee, as applicable, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 9.6 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and the Board or the Committee may abolish any committee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority.

 

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ARTICLE 10.

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

10.1            Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.

 

(a)             Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.1, the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board; provided that, except as provided in Section 10.15 hereof, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides.

 

(b)             Notwithstanding Section 10.1(a), the Administrator may not, except as provided in Section 10.2, take any of the following actions without approval of the Company’s shareholders given within twelve (12) months before or after the action by the Administrator: (i) increase the Share Limit or any Individual Award Limit, (ii) reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, or (iii) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award in violation of Section 8.6 hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which the Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

10.2            Changes in Common Shares or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.

 

(a)             In the event of any share dividend, share split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to shareholders, or any other change affecting the Company’s shares or the Company’s share price other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the Share Limit and Individual Award Limits); (ii) the number and kind of Common Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and/or (iv) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.

 

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(b)             In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 10.2(a) hereof or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards:

 

(i)             To provide for the termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or other property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 10.2, the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment);

 

(ii)             To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and applicable exercise or purchase price;

 

(iii)             To make adjustments in the number and type of securities subject to outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future and/or in the terms, conditions and criteria included in such Awards (including the grant or exercise price, as applicable);

 

(iv)             To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all securities covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or an applicable Program or Award Agreement;

 

(v)             To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion; and/or

 

(vi)             To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

 

(c)             In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 10.2(a) and 10.2(b) hereof:

 

(i)             The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted; and/or

 

(ii)             The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments to the Share Limit and the Individual Award Limits).

 

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The adjustments provided under this Section 10.2(c) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.

 

(d)             Except as may otherwise be provided in any applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement entered into between the Company (or an Affiliate) and a Participant, if a Change in Control occurs and a Participant’s outstanding Awards are not continued, converted, assumed, or replaced by the surviving or successor entity in such Change in Control, then, immediately prior to the Change in Control, such outstanding Awards, to the extent not continued, converted, assumed, or replaced, shall become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable, and all forfeiture, repurchase and other restrictions on such Awards shall lapse (with performance-vesting awards vesting and restrictions thereon lapsing based on actual performance as of the date of such Change in Control with goals adjusted if the Administrator determines, in its discretion, that adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the shortened performance period unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement), in which case, such Awards will be canceled upon the consummation of the Change in Control in exchange for the right to receive the Change in Control consideration payable to other holders of Common Shares, which may be on such terms and conditions as apply generally to holders of Common Shares under the Change in Control documents (including, without limitation, any escrow, earn-out or other deferred consideration provisions) or such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may provide, and determined by reference to the number of Common Shares subject to such Awards and net of any applicable exercise price; provided that to the extent that any Awards constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” that may not be paid upon the Change in Control under Section 409A without the imposition of taxes thereon under Section 409A, the timing of such payments shall be governed by the applicable Award Agreement (subject to any deferred consideration provisions applicable under the Change in Control documents); and provided, further, that if the amount to which a Participant would be entitled upon the settlement or exercise of such Award at the time of the Change in Control is equal to or less than zero, then such Award may be terminated without payment. Upon, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control, the Administrator may cause any and all Awards outstanding hereunder to terminate at a specific time in the future, including but not limited to the date of such Change in Control, and shall give each Participant the right to exercise such Awards during a period of time as the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine.

 

(e)             The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

(f)             Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, no adjustment or action described in this Section 10.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent it would (i) cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, (ii) result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, or (iii) cause an Award to fail to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A.

 

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(g)             The existence of the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and/or any Award granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company, the shareholders of the Company or any Affiliate to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s or such Affiliate’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, any issue of shares or of options, warrants or rights to purchase shares or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference shares whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Shares, the securities of any Affiliate or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares or securities of any Affiliate, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

 

(h)             In the event of any pending share dividend, share split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to shareholders, or any other change affecting the Common Shares or the share price of the Common Shares including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Company in its sole discretion may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.

 

10.3             Approval of Plan by Shareholders. The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s sole shareholder after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan and prior to the Distribution Date.

 

10.4             No Shareholders Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein or in an applicable Program or Award Agreement, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a shareholder with respect to Common Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record owner of such Common Shares.

 

10.5             Paperless Administration. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

 

10.6             Section 83(b) Election. No Participant may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to any Award under the Plan without the consent of the Administrator, which the Administrator may grant or withhold in its sole discretion. If, with the consent of the Administrator, a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Award as of the date of transfer of the Award rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Participant shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

10.7             Grant of Awards to Certain Employees or Consultants. The Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary may provide through the establishment of a formal written policy or otherwise for the method by which Common Shares or other securities of the Company or the Partnership may be issued and by which such Common Shares or other securities and/or payment therefor may be exchanged or contributed among such entities, or may be returned upon any forfeiture of Common Shares or other securities by the Participant.

 

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10.8             REIT Status. The Plan shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the Company’s status as a REIT. No Award shall be granted or awarded, and with respect to any Award granted under the Plan, such Award shall not vest, be exercisable or be settled:

 

(a)             to the extent that the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of such Award could cause the Participant or any other person to be in violation of the Ownership Limit (as defined in the Company’s declaration of trust, as amended from time to time) or any other provision of Section 7.2.1 of the Company’s declaration of trust, as amended from time to time, or

 

(b)             if, in the discretion of the Administrator, the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of such Award could impair the Company’s status as a REIT.

 

10.9             Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Affiliate. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Affiliate: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Trustees or Consultants of the Company or any Affiliate or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, shares, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

 

10.10           Compliance with Laws. The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan, the issuance and delivery of Common Shares and LTIP Units and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all Applicable Law and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all Applicable Law. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to effect compliance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.

 

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10.11             Data Privacy. As a condition to receiving any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this section by and among the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates exclusively for implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including the Participant’s name, address and telephone number; birthdate; social security, insurance number or other identification number; salary; nationality; job title(s); any Common Shares held in the Company or its Subsidiaries and affiliates; and Award details, to implement, manage and administer the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary to implement, administer and manage a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data to third parties assisting the Company with Plan implementation, administration and management. These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any required Data transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Common Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data that the Company holds regarding such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data regarding such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data regarding the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents in this Section 10.11 in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrator’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents in this Section 10.11. For more information on the consequences of refusing or withdrawing consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.

 

10.12           Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.

 

10.13           Governing Law. The Plan and any Programs or Award Agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.

 

10.14           Section 409A. To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A, the Plan, any applicable Program and the Award Agreement covering such Award shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that, following the Effective Date, the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan, any applicable Program and the Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes on the Award under Section 409A, either through compliance with the requirements of Section 409A or with an available exemption therefrom. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to the tax treatment of any Award under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company shall have no obligation under this Section 10.13 or otherwise to take any action (whether or not described herein) to avoid the imposition of taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and shall have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute non-compliant, “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to the imposition of taxes, penalties and/or interest under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” required to be made under an Award to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A and as the Administrator determines) due to his or her “separation from service” will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, be delayed for the six-month period immediately following such “separation from service” (or, if earlier, until the specified employee’s death) and will instead be paid (as set forth in the Award Agreement) on the day immediately following such six-month period or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (without interest). Any payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under such Award payable more than six months following the Participant’s “separation from service” will be paid at the time or times the payments are otherwise scheduled to be made.

 

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10.15           No Rights to Awards. No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Participants or any other persons uniformly.

 

10.16           Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

10.17           Indemnification. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law and the Company’s charter and bylaws, each member of the Board and any officer or other employee to whom authority to administer any component of the Plan is delegated shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he may be a party or in which he may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided, however, that he gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he undertakes to handle and defend it on his own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Organizational Documents, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

10.18           Relationship to other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

 

10.19           Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates.

 

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* * * * *

 

I hereby certify that the foregoing Plan was duly adopted by the Board of Trustees of Net Lease Office Properties on October 31, 2023.

 

* * * * *

 

I hereby certify that the foregoing Plan was approved by the sole shareholder of Net Lease Office Properties on October 31, 2023.

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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Executed on this 1st day of November, 2023.

 

  /s/ Jason E. Fox
  Jason E. Fox
  Chief Executive Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to 2023 Incentive Award Plan]