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): September 19, 2019

 

RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Maryland   000-55776   47-4156046
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation )   (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

3090 Bristol Street, Suite 550, Costa Mesa, California

92626

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(855) 742-4862

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

None

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

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:

 

x 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
None   None   None

 

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. x

 

 

  

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On September 19, 2019, RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc. (the “Registrant”), Rich Uncles NNN REIT Operating Partnership, LP (“NNN REIT OP”), Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I (“REIT I”) and Katana Merger Sub, LP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”).

 

In addition, on September 19, 2019, the Registrant, NNN REIT OP, BrixInvest, LLC (“BrixInvest”), the Registrant’s sponsor and the parent company of the Registrant’s advisor, and Daisho OP Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BrixInvest (“Daisho”), entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”) whereby the Registrant will acquire substantially all of the assets of BrixInvest, as further described in Self-Management Transaction below.

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, REIT I will merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant (the “Merger”). At such time, the separate existence of REIT I shall cease. The Merger is subject to certain closing conditions, including the approval of the Merger by both the Registrant’s stockholders and REIT I’s shareholders, as discussed below. The Merger is expected to close as soon as practicable following the Registrant’s stockholders meeting, which currently is expected to be held in December 2019, and the satisfaction of the closing conditions.

 

The combined company following the Merger (the “Combined Company”) will retain the name “RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc.” The Merger is intended to qualify as a “reorganization” under, and within the meaning of, Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each REIT I common share (the “REIT I Common Shares”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than REIT I Common Shares owned by the Registrant or any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant) will be automatically canceled and retired, and converted into the right to receive one share of Class C common stock of the Registrant (the “Class C Common Stock”), with any fractional REIT I Common Shares converted into a corresponding number of fractional shares of Class C Common Stock. 

 

The Registrant will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Form S-4”) in connection with its issuance of shares of Class C Common Stock as consideration in the Merger. The Form S-4 will include a prospectus of the Registrant and a proxy statement of each of the Registrant and REIT I relating to their respective meetings of stockholders or shareholders to be held to vote on the Merger and the Merger Agreement, as well as other matters (the “Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus”).

 

The Merger Agreement contains customary covenants, including covenants prohibiting the Registrant, its subsidiaries and representatives, and REIT I and its subsidiaries and representatives from soliciting, providing information or entering into discussions concerning proposals relating to alternative business combination transactions, subject to certain limited exceptions. The Merger Agreement also provides that prior to the approval of the Merger by the companies’ respective shareholders, the board of directors of the Registrant or the board of trust managers of REIT I may in certain circumstances make an Adverse Recommendation Change (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement), subject to complying with certain conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

 

 

 

The board of directors of the Registrant immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will continue to serve as the board of directors of the Combined Company until the next annual meeting of the stockholders of the Combined Company (and until their successors are duly elected and qualify).

 

The Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, by either the Registrant or REIT I (in each case, with the prior approval of their respective board’s special committee) if the Merger has not been consummated on or before 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on March 31, 2020, if a final and non-appealable order is entered permanently restraining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger, if the approval of the Merger by the stockholders of the Registrant or the shareholders of REIT I (each, a “Stockholder Approval”) has not been obtained or upon a material uncured breach by the other party that would cause the closing conditions in the Merger Agreement not to be satisfied. In addition, REIT I may terminate the Merger Agreement upon written notice to the Registrant (i) if REIT I has properly accepted a “Superior Proposal” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) at any time prior to receipt by REIT I of the Stockholder Approval pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (ii) upon an Adverse Recommendation Change by the Registrant, (iii) upon the Registrant’s board of directors approving, adopting or publicly endorsing a Competing Proposal (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement), (iv) upon the failure of the Registrant’s board of directors to recommend against acceptance of any tender offer for shares of the Registrant’s common stock that constitutes a Competing Proposal, or (v) upon the Registrant’s material violation of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement that has not been or cannot be cured.

 

The Registrant may terminate the Merger Agreement upon written notice to REIT I (i) if the Registrant has properly accepted a Superior Proposal at any time prior to receipt by the Registrant of the Stockholder Approval pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (ii) upon an Adverse Recommendation Change by REIT I, (iii) upon REIT I’s board of trust managers approving, adopting or publicly endorsing a Competing Proposal, (iv) upon the failure of REIT I’s board of trust managers to recommend against acceptance of any tender offer for REIT I Common Shares that constitutes a Competing Proposal, (v) upon the failure of REIT I’s board of trust managers to include its recommendation in favor of the Merger in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus to be distributed to REIT I’s shareholders or (vi) upon REIT I’s material violation of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement that has not been or cannot be cured.

 

If the Merger Agreement is terminated in connection with REIT I’s acceptance of a Superior Proposal, approval of a Competing Proposal or making an Adverse Recommendation Change prior to receipt by REIT I of the Stockholder Approval, then REIT I must pay to the Registrant a termination payment of $2,540,000. If the Merger Agreement is terminated in connection with the Registrant’s acceptance of a Superior Proposal, approval of a Competing Proposal or making an Adverse Recommendation Change prior to receipt by the Registrant of the Stockholder Approval, then the Registrant must pay to REIT I a termination payment of $2,540,000.

 

The Merger Agreement contains certain representations and warranties made by the parties thereto. The representations and warranties of the parties contained in the Merger Agreement are subject to certain important qualifications and limitations set forth in confidential disclosure letters delivered by each of the Registrant and REIT I. Moreover, the representations and warranties are subject to a contractual standard of materiality that may be different from what may be viewed as material to stockholders.

 

The obligation of each party to consummate the Merger is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt by each party of the Stockholder Approval, receipt of regulatory approvals, delivery of certain documents and consents, the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of the parties, subject to the materiality standards contained in the Merger Agreement, the SEC declaring the Form S-4 effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the absence of a material adverse effect with respect to either the Registrant or REIT I. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the closing of the Merger will occur.

 

 

 

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is only a summary, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Merger Agreement has been included to provide stockholders with information regarding its terms and is not intended to provide any factual information about the Registrant or REIT I. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made as of specified dates solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, and are not intended as statements of fact to be relied upon by the Registrant’s stockholders, but rather as a way of allocating the risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement in the event the statements therein prove to be inaccurate. Statements made in the Merger Agreement, including as part of the representations and warranties, have been modified or qualified by certain confidential disclosures that were made between the parties in connection with the negotiation of the Merger Agreement, which disclosures are not reflected in the Merger Agreement attached hereto. Moreover, such statements may no longer be true as of a given date and may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by stockholders. Accordingly, stockholders should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Registrant or REIT I. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Registrant’s public disclosures. The Registrant acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K not misleading.

 

Self-Management Transaction

 

The Contribution Agreement provides for a series of transactions, agreements, and amendments to the Registrant’s existing agreements and arrangements whereby the Registrant will acquire substantially all of the assets of BrixInvest in exchange for 657,949.5 units of Class M limited partnership interest (the “Class M OP Units”) in NNN REIT OP (the “Self-Management Transaction”). Prior to the closing of the Self-Management Transaction, (i) substantially all of BrixInvest’s assets and liabilities will be contributed to Daisho’s wholly-owned subsidiary, modiv, LLC (“modiv”), and (ii) BrixInvest will spin off Daisho to the BrixInvest members (the “Spin Off”). Pursuant to the Self-Management Transaction, Daisho will contribute to NNN REIT OP all of the membership interests in modiv in exchange for the Class M OP Units. As a result of these transactions and the Self-Management Transaction, BrixInvest, through its subsidiary, Daisho, will transfer all of its operating assets, including but not limited to (a) all personal property used in or necessary for the conduct of BrixInvest’s business, (b) all intellectual property, goodwill, licenses and sublicenses granted and obtained with respect thereto and certain domain names, (c) all continuing employees, and (d) certain other assets and liabilities, to modiv, and will distribute 100% of the ownership interests in Daisho to the members of BrixInvest in the Spin Off. BrixInvest is currently engaged in the business of serving as the sponsor platform supporting the operations of the Registrant, REIT I and BRIX REIT, Inc., including serving, directly or indirectly, as the advisor and property manager to the Registrant, REIT I and BRIX REIT, Inc. The Registrant is the sole general partner of NNN REIT OP. Therefore, upon the consummation of the Self-Management Transaction, the Registrant will become self-managed, and if the Merger is consummated, the Combined Company would become self-managed.

 

The terms of the Class M OP Units to be issued in the Self-Management Transaction will be set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, which will become effective upon the closing of the Self-Management Transaction (the “Amended OP Agreement”).

 

 

 

 

The Class M OP Units will be non-voting, non-dividend accruing, and will not be able to be transferred or exchanged prior to the one-year anniversary of completing the Self-Management Transaction. Following the one-year anniversary of completing the Self-Management Transaction, the Class M OP Units will be convertible into units of Class C limited partnership interest in NNN REIT OP (“Class C OP Units”) at a conversion ratio of 5 Class C OP Units for each 1 Class M OP Unit, subject to a reduction in the conversion ratio (which reduction varies depending upon the amount of time held) if the exchange occurs prior to the four-year anniversary of completing the Self-Management Transaction. Under the Amended OP Agreement, the Class C OP Units will continue to be exchangeable for cash or the Registrant’s shares of Class C Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis, as determined by the Registrant.

 

The Class M OP Units will be eligible for an increase in the conversion ratio if the Registrant achieves each of the targets for assets under management (“AUM”) and adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) in the years set forth below:

 

    Hurdles      
   

AUM

($ in
billions)

   

AFFO Per
Share

($)

    Class M
Conversion
Ratio
Initial Conversion Ratio                   1:5.00
Fiscal Year 2021   $ 0.860     $ 0.59     1:5.75
Fiscal Year 2022   $ 1.175     $ 0.65     1:7.50
Fiscal Year 2023   $ 1.551     $ 0.70     1:9.00

  

At the closing of the Self-Management Transaction, the Registrant, NNN REIT OP, and Daisho intend to enter into a registration rights agreement, pursuant to which Daisho (or any successor holder) will have the right, after one year from the date of the Self-Management Transaction, to request the Registrant to register for resale under the Securities Act shares of its Class C Common Stock issued or issuable to such holder in exchange for the Class C OP Units as described above.

 

The Contribution Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Registrant, NNN REIT OP, BrixInvest and Daisho. The closing of the Self-Management Transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various closing conditions, and therefore no assurance can be given that closing of the Self-Management Transaction will occur.

 

The foregoing description of the Contribution Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Contribution Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.2 and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Contribution Agreement has been included to provide stockholders with information regarding its terms and is not intended to provide any factual information about the Registrant or BrixInvest. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Contribution Agreement were made as of specified dates solely for the benefit of the parties to the Contribution Agreement, and are not intended as statements of fact to be relied upon by the Registrant’s stockholders, but rather as a way of allocating the risk between the parties to the Contribution Agreement in the event the statements therein prove to be inaccurate. Statements made in the Contribution Agreement, including as part of the representations and warranties, have been modified or qualified by certain confidential disclosures that were made between the parties in connection with the negotiation of the Contribution Agreement, which disclosures are not reflected in the Contribution Agreement attached hereto. Moreover, such statements may no longer be true as of a given date and may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by stockholders. Accordingly, stockholders should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Registrant or BrixInvest. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Contribution Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Registrant’s public disclosures. The Registrant acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K not misleading.

 

 

 

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On September 19, 2019, the Registrant and REIT I issued a joint press release announcing the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement as well as the Self-Management Transaction, both as described in detail in Item 1.01 above. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 7.01 disclosure.

 

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, the information in this Item 7.01 disclosure, including Exhibits 99.1 and information set forth therein, is deemed to have been furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

 

Temporary Suspension of Primary Offerings, Distribution Reinvestment Plans and Share Repurchase Programs

 

In connection with the transactions contemplated herein, on September 18, 2019, the board of directors of the Registrant approved the temporary suspension of the primary offering portion of its initial public offering of shares of Class C Common Stock, which is registered with the SEC under the Securities Act (the “Registered Primary Offering”), and the primary offering portion of its offering of shares of Class S common stock (“Class S Common Stock”), which it offers exclusively to non-U.S. Persons pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act under and in accordance with Regulation S promulgated thereunder (“Regulation S Primary Offering” and, together with the Registered Primary Offering, the “Primary Offerings”), effective as of the close of business on September 18, 2019. The Registrant’s automatic investment program will also be temporarily suspended effective as of the close of business on September 18, 2019. The Primary Offerings and the automatic investment program will remain suspended until such time, if any, as the Registrant’s board of directors, in its discretion, may approve resuming the Primary Offerings, at which time stockholders enrolled in the automatic investment program will again automatically purchase shares pursuant to such program unless otherwise determined by the Registrant’s board of directors.

 

The Registrant’s policy will be to accept subscription agreements only if a prospective investor has submitted all required and executed subscription documentation on or before the close of business on September 18, 2019.

 

The board of directors of the Registrant has also approved the temporary suspension of its distribution reinvestment plans for Class C Common Stock and Class S Common Stock (the “DRPs”) and the Registrant’s share repurchase programs for Class C Common Stock and Class S Common Stock (“SRPs”). Redemption requests submitted prior to October 19, 2019 will be honored in accordance with the terms of the SRPs, and the SRPs will be officially suspended as of the close of business on October 19, 2019. Pursuant to the suspension of the DRPs, beginning September 19, 2019, all future distributions shall be paid to the Registrant’s stockholders in cash. The DRPs and the SRPs will remain suspended until such time, if any, as the Registrant’s board of directors, in its discretion, may approve the reinstatement of the DRPs and SRPs.

 

 

 

 

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

The Registrant currently anticipates holding its annual meeting of stockholders in December 2019 in connection with obtaining the Stockholder Approval. The exact date, time and location of the Registrant’s annual meeting of stockholders will be set forth in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus when it is available and furnished to the Registrant’s stockholders after the Form S-4 is declared effective by the SEC. Because the date of the Registrant’s annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days after the date of the Registrant’s 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, the new deadline for the receipt of any shareholder proposal intended to be included in the Registrant’s proxy materials for its 2019 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act is October 4, 2019, which the Registrant believes is a reasonable time before it expects to furnish the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus to stockholders in connection with its 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Settlement of SEC Investigation

 

Since 2017, the SEC has been conducting an investigation related to, among other things, the advertising and sale of securities in connection with the Registrant’s registered public offering of securities and compliance with broker-dealer regulations. In connection with the investigation, the Registrant and certain associates have received and responded to subpoenas from the SEC, including requests for various documents related to the Registrant, the Registrant’s sponsor, and the Registrant’s registered public offering of securities. The Registrant has cooperated and intends to continue to cooperate with the SEC in this matter.

 

Recently, the Registrant’s sponsor proposed a settlement of the investigation to the staff of the enforcement division of the SEC (the “Staff”) related to alleged violations by the Registrant’s sponsor of the registration requirements under Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act and the broker-dealer registration requirements under Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act. The Staff intends to recommend the settlement to the SEC, but the terms of any settlement are subject to final approval by the SEC. Although the Registrant is not a party to the proposed settlement and the Registrant understands that the Staff does not to intend to recommend any action against the Registrant, the proposed settlement terms, if approved by the SEC, would result in the securities the Registrant issues in any offering, including the Registrant’s currently registered public offering of securities, being distributed only through a registered broker-dealer. The Registrant and its sponsor will disclose the terms of the proposed settlement if and when the SEC approves the settlement. The Registrant can provide no assurances regarding the timing of approval of the settlement by the SEC or whether the SEC will approve the settlement on the terms recommended by the Staff or at all.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER

 

In connection with the Merger, the Registrant will prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus jointly prepared by the Registrant and REIT I, and other related documents. The Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus will contain important information about the Merger and related matters. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY THE REGISTRANT AND REIT I WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRANT, REIT I AND THE MERGER. Investors and stockholders of the Registrant and REIT I may obtain free copies of the registration statement, the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus and other relevant documents filed by the Registrant and REIT I with the SEC (if and when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by the Registrant and REIT I with the SEC are also available free of charge on the Registrant’s and REIT I’s website at www.RichUncles.com.

 

 

 

 

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

 

PARTICIPANTS IN SOLICITATION RELATING TO THE MERGER

 

The Registrant, REIT I and their respective directors, trust managers and executive officers may have direct or indirect interests in the Merger due to securities holdings, indemnification agreements and employment terms, and may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Registrant’s stockholders and REIT I’s shareholders in respect of the Merger. Information regarding the Registrant’s directors and executive officers can be found in the Registrant’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019. Information regarding REIT I’s trust managers and executive officers can be found in REIT I’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 27, 2019. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger if and when they become available. These documents are available free of charge on the SEC’s website and from the Registrant or REIT I, as applicable, using the sources indicated above.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements; the Registrant can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Registrant’s expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Merger will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; the inability of the Registrant or REIT I to obtain the Stockholder Approval or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to completion of the Merger; the Registrant’s inability to consummate the Self-Management Transaction; risks related to disruption of management’s attention from the ongoing business operations due to the Merger and/or the Self-Management Transaction; the possibility that the SEC will not approve the settlement of the SEC investigation on the terms recommended by the Staff or at all; availability of suitable investment opportunities; changes in interest rates; the availability and terms of financing; general economic conditions; market conditions; legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business of the Registrant or REIT I; and other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Registrant’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as updated by the Registrant’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 filed with the SEC, and other reports filed by the Registrant with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Registrant undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)       Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated September 19, 2019, by and among RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc., Rich Uncles NNN REIT Operating Partnership, LP, Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I and Katana Merger Sub, LP
     
2.2   Contribution Agreement dated September 19, 2019, by and among Rich Uncles NNN Operating Partnership, LP, RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc., BrixInvest, LLC and Daisho OP Holdings, LLC
     
99.1   Joint Press Release dated September 19, 2019

  

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

  RW HOLDINGS NNN REIT, INC.
  (Registrant)
       
Dated: September 19, 2019 By: /s/ Raymond J. Pacini
  Name: Raymond J. Pacini
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

BY AND AMONG

 

RW HOLDINGS NNN REIT, INC.,

 

RICH UNCLES NNN OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP,

 

KATANA MERGER SUB, LP

 

AND

 

RICH UNCLES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST I

 

DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
Article 1 DEFINITIONS 2
   
Section 1.1 Definitions 2
Section 1.2 Interpretation and Rules of Construction 11
   
Article 2 THE MERGER 11
   
Section 2.1 The Merger; Other Transactions 11
Section 2.2 Closing 12
Section 2.3 Effective Time 12
Section 2.4 Organizational Documents of the Surviving Entity 12
Section 2.5 Managers of the Surviving Entity 12
Section 2.6 Tax Treatment of Merger 13
Section 2.7 Subsequent Actions 13
   
Article 3 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER 13
   
Section 3.1 Effects of the Merger 13
Section 3.2 Exchange Procedures; Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares 14
Section 3.3 Withholding Rights 14
Section 3.4 Dissenters Rights 15
Section 3.5 General Effects of the Merger 15
   
Article 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF REIT I 15
   
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries 16
Section 4.2 Authority; Approval Required 16
Section 4.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents 17
Section 4.4 Capital Structure 18
Section 4.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements; Investment Company Act; Anti-Corruption Laws 19
Section 4.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events 21
Section 4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities 21
Section 4.8 Permits; Compliance with Law 21
Section 4.9 Litigation 22
Section 4.10 Properties 22
Section 4.11 Environmental Matters 23
Section 4.12 Material Contracts 23
Section 4.13 Taxes 25
Section 4.14 Intellectual Property 28
Section 4.15 Insurance 28

 

i

 

 

Section 4.16 Benefit Plans 28
Section 4.17 Related Party Transactions 29
Section 4.18 Brokers 29
Section 4.19 Opinion of Financial Advisor 29
Section 4.20 Takeover Statutes 30
Section 4.21 Information Supplied 30
Section 4.22 No Other Representations and Warranties 30
   
Article 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE NNN REIT PARTIES 31
   
Section 5.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries 31
Section 5.2 Authority 32
Section 5.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents 33
Section 5.4 Capital Structure 34
Section 5.5 Litigation 35
Section 5.6 Brokers 35
Section 5.7 Opinion of Financial Advisor 35
Section 5.8 Ownership of Merger Sub; No Prior Activities 35
Section 5.9 Information Supplied 36
Section 5.10 No Other Representations and Warranties 36
   
Article 6 COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER 36
   
Section 6.1 Conduct of Business by REIT I 36
Section 6.2 Conduct of Business by NNN REIT 40
Section 6.3 No Control of Other Parties’ Business 40
   
Article 7 ADDITIONAL COVENANTS 41
   
Section 7.1 Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus; REIT I Shareholder Approvals and NNN REIT Stockholder Approval 41
Section 7.2 Access to Information; Confidentiality 43
Section 7.3 No Solicitation of Transactions; Change in Recommendation 44
Section 7.4 Public Announcements 50
Section 7.5 Appropriate Action; Consents; Filings 51
Section 7.6 Estoppel Certificates 52
Section 7.7 Notification of Certain Matters; Transaction Litigation 52
Section 7.8 Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance 53
Section 7.9 Dividends 55
Section 7.10 Takeover Statutes 55
Section 7.11 Obligations of the Parties 55
Section 7.12 Certain Transactions 56
Section 7.13 Tax Matters 56
Section 7.14 Amendment of REIT I Charter 57

 

ii

 

 

Article 8 CONDITIONS 57
   
Section 8.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger 57
Section 8.2 Conditions to Obligations of REIT I 58
Section 8.3 Conditions to Obligations of the NNN REIT Parties 58
   
Article 9 TERMINATION, FEES AND EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER 60
   
Section 9.1 Termination 60
Section 9.2 Effect of Termination 63
Section 9.3 Fees and Expenses 63
Section 9.4 Amendment 66
   
Article 10 GENERAL PROVISIONS 66
   
Section 10.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties and Certain Covenants 66
Section 10.2 Notices 67
Section 10.3 Severability 68
Section 10.4 Counterparts 68
Section 10.5 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries 68
Section 10.6 Extension; Waiver 68
Section 10.7 Governing Law; Venue 68
Section 10.8 Assignment 69
Section 10.9 Specific Performance 69
Section 10.10 Waiver of Jury Trial 69
Section 10.11 Authorship 69

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A – REIT I Charter Amendment

DISCLOSURE LETTERS

 

REIT I Disclosure Letter
NNN REIT Disclosure Letter

 

iii

 

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of September 19, 2019 (this “Agreement”), is made and entered in by and among RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“NNN REIT”), Rich Uncles NNN Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of NNN REIT (“NNN REIT Operating Partnership”), Katana Merger Sub, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and a subsidiary of NNN REIT (“Merger Sub”), and Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I, an unincorporated California association (“REIT I”). Each of NNN REIT, NNN REIT Operating Partnership, Merger Sub and REIT I 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 Article 1.

 

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to effect a business combination in which REIT I will be merged with and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub being the surviving company, and each share of REIT I Capital Stock (as defined herein) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (as defined herein) will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined herein), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the California Corporations Code (the “CCC”) and the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”);

 

WHEREAS, on the recommendation of the special committee (the “REIT I Special Committee”) of the REIT I Board of Trust Managers (the “REIT I Board”), the REIT I Board has (a) determined that this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of REIT I and its shareholders, (b) authorized and approved this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (c) directed that the Merger be submitted for consideration at the REIT I Shareholders Meeting and (d) recommended the approval of the Merger by the REIT I Shareholders;

 

WHEREAS, on the recommendation of the special committee (the “NNN REIT Special Committee”) of the Board of Directors of NNN REIT (the “NNN REIT Board”), the NNN REIT Board has (a) determined that this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of NNN REIT and its stockholders, (b) authorized and approved this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (c) directed that the Merger be submitted for consideration at the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting and (d) recommended the approval of the Merger by the stockholders of NNN REIT;

 

WHEREAS, NNN REIT, in its capacity as the sole member of Merger Sub, has taken all actions required for the execution of this Agreement by Merger Sub and to adopt and approve this Agreement and to approve the consummation by Merger Sub of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” under, and within the meaning of, Section 368(a) of the Code, and this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a “plan of reorganization” for the Merger for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code; and

 

WHEREAS, each of the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger, and to prescribe various conditions to the Merger.

 

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:

 

Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement” means a confidentiality agreement that contains provisions that are no less favorable in the aggregate to NNN REIT or REIT I, as applicable, than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

Action” means any claim, action, cause of action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, mediation, interference, audit, assessment, hearing, or other legal proceeding (whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise, whether civil or criminal and whether brought, conducted, tried or heard by or before any Governmental Authority).

 

Affiliate” of a specified Person means a Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” means (i) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) any anti-bribery, anti-corruption or similar applicable Law of any other jurisdiction.

 

Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) and any employment, consulting, termination, severance, change in control, separation, retention stock option, restricted stock, profits interest unit, outperformance, stock purchase, deferred compensation, bonus, incentive compensation, fringe benefit, health, medical, dental, disability, accident, life insurance, welfare benefit, cafeteria, vacation, paid time off, perquisite, retirement, pension, or savings or any other compensation or employee benefit plan, agreement, program, policy or other arrangement, whether or not subject to ERISA, or whether or not reduced to writing.

 

Book-Entry Share” means, with respect to any Party, a book-entry share registered in the transfer books of such Party.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banks located in Los Angeles, California are authorized or required to be closed.

 

CCC” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Confidentiality Agreement” means the letter agreement dated as of May 20, 2019, between REIT I and NNN REIT.

 

Contract” means any written or oral contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, instrument, lease, conditional sales contract, mortgage, license, guaranty, binding commitment or other agreement.

 

2

 

 

Contribution Agreement” means that certain Contribution Agreement being entered concurrently herewith by and among NNN Rich Uncles Partnership, NNN REIT, REIT I Advisor and Daisho OP Holdings, LLC.

 

Debt Facilities” means, with respect to REIT I, any Contract set forth in Section 4.12(a)(iv) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter.

 

Environmental Law” means any Law (including common law) relating to the pollution (or cleanup thereof) or protection of the natural resources, endangered or threatened species, or environment (including ambient air, soil, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface land), or human health or safety (as such matters relate to Hazardous Substances), including Laws relating to the use, handling, presence, transportation, treatment, generation, processing, recycling, remediation, storage, disposal, release or discharge of Hazardous Substances.

 

Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, license, exemption, action, consent or other authorization issued, granted, given, authorized by or required under any applicable Environmental Law.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to an entity (the “Referenced Entity”), any other entity, which, together with the Referenced Entity, would be treated as a single employer under Code Section 414 or ERISA Section 4001.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Expenses” means all expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants to a Party and its Affiliates) incurred by a Party or on its behalf in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the other agreements and documents contemplated hereby, the preparation, printing, filing and mailing of the REIT I Proxy Statement (with respect to REIT I) and the NNN REIT Proxy Statement (with respect to NNN REIT), the preparation, printing and filing of the Form S-4 and all SEC and other regulatory filing fees incurred in connection with the REIT I Proxy Statement (with respect to REIT I) and the NNN REIT Proxy Statement (with respect to NNN REIT), the solicitation of stockholder approval, engaging the services of the Transfer Agent, obtaining any third party consents, making any other filings with the SEC and all other matters related to the Closing and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Expense Reimbursement Payment” means payment in an amount equal to the documented Expenses of the Party that is entitled to receive such payment pursuant to Section 9.3; provided, that such payment shall not exceed $1,000,000.

 

Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.1 (Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries); Section 4.2 (Authority; Approval Required); Section 4.4 (Capital Structure); Section 4.5(f) (Investment Company Act); Section 5.1 (Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries); Section 5.2 (Authority) and Section 5.4 (Capital Structure).

 

GAAP” means the United States generally accepted accounting principles.

 

3

 

 

Governmental Authority” means the United States (federal, state or local) government or any foreign government, or any other governmental or quasi-governmental regulatory, judicial or administrative authority, instrumentality, board, bureau, agency, commission, self-regulatory organization, arbitration panel or similar entity.

 

Hazardous Substances” means (i) those materials, substances, chemicals, wastes, products, compounds, solid, liquid, gas or minerals in each case, whether naturally occurred or man-made, that is listed in, defined in or regulated under any Environmental Law, including the following federal statutes and their state and local counterparts, as each may be amended from time to time, and all regulations thereunder, including: the Comprehensive, Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.; the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, as amended, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11001 et seq.; the Clean Air Act of 1966, as amended by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq.; and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 651 et seq.; (ii) petroleum and petroleum-derived products, including crude oil and any fractions thereof; and (iii) polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, mold, methane, asbestos in any form, radioactive materials or wastes and radon.

 

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person and without duplication, (i) the principal of and premium (if any) of all indebtedness, notes payable, accrued interest payable or other obligations for borrowed money, whether secured or unsecured, (ii) all obligations under conditional sale or other title retention agreements, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by such Person, (iii) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price for any property or assets, (iv) all obligations under capital leases, (v) all obligations in respect of bankers acceptances or letters of credit, (vi) all obligations under interest rate cap, swap, collar or similar transaction or currency hedging transactions (valued at the termination value thereof), (vii) any guarantee of any of the foregoing, whether or not evidenced by a note, mortgage, bond, indenture or similar instrument and (viii) any agreement to provide any of the foregoing.

 

Intellectual Property” means all United States and foreign (i) patents, patent applications, invention disclosures, and all related continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, reissues, re-examinations, substitutions and extensions thereof, (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, corporate names, Internet domain names, design rights and other source identifiers, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iii) registered and unregistered copyrights and copyrightable works, (iv) confidential and proprietary information, including trade secrets, know-how, ideas, formulae, models, algorithms and methodologies, (v) all rights in the foregoing and in other similar intangible assets, and (vi) all applications and registrations for the foregoing.

 

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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

 

4

 

 

Knowledge” means (i) with respect to any REIT I Party, the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of the persons named in Schedule A to the REIT I Disclosure Letter and (ii) with respect to any NNN REIT Party, the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of the persons named in Schedule A to the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter.

 

Law” means any and all domestic (federal, state or local) or foreign laws, rules, regulations and Orders promulgated by any Governmental Authority.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, claim, condition, covenant, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, preferential arrangement, option or other third party right (including right of first refusal or first offer), restriction, right of way, easement, or title defect or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, including any restriction on the use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or other exercise of any attributes of ownership, excluding any restrictions on transfer of equity securities arising under applicable securities Laws.

 

Material Contract” means any NNN REIT Material Contract or any REIT I Material Contract, as applicable.

 

Merger Sub Governing Documents” means the certificate of limited partnership and limited partnership agreement of Merger Sub, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

NNN REIT Advisor” means Rich Uncles NNN REIT Operator, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and external adviser to NNN REIT.

 

NNN REIT Advisory Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement between NNN REIT and NNN REIT Advisor, dated as of August 11, 2017, as amended or supplemented as of the date hereof.

 

NNN REIT Bylaws” means the Bylaws of NNN REIT, as amended and in effect on the date hereof.

 

NNN REIT Charter” means the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Articles of Incorporation of NNN REIT dated May 23, 2016, as amended or supplemented and in effect on the date hereof.

 

NNN REIT Class C Common Stock” means the NNN REIT Common Stock classified as Class C pursuant to the NNN REIT Charter.

 

NNN REIT Class S Common Stock” means the NNN REIT Common Stock classified as Class S pursuant to the NNN REIT Charter.

 

NNN REIT Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of NNN REIT.

 

NNN REIT DRP” means the distribution reinvestment plan of NNN REIT.

 

NNN REIT Governing Documents” means the NNN REIT Charter, the NNN REIT Bylaws, the certificate of limited partnership of NNN REIT Operating Partnership, and the NNN REIT Partnership Agreement.

 

5

 

 

NNN REIT Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, (i) would have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) would prevent or materially impair the ability of NNN REIT Parties to consummate the Merger before the Outside Date; provided, that, for purposes of the foregoing clause (i), “NNN REIT Material Adverse Effect” shall not include any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence to the extent arising out of or resulting from (A) any changes in economic, market or business conditions generally in the U.S. or any other jurisdiction in which NNN REIT or the NNN REIT Subsidiaries operate or in the U.S. or global financial markets generally, including changes in interest or exchange rates (except, in each case, to the extent having a disproportionate effect on NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, compared to other companies in the industry in which NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries operate), (B) changes in general economic conditions in the industries in which NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries operate, (C) any changes in the legal, regulatory or political conditions in the United States or in any other country or region of the world, (D) the commencement, escalation or worsening of a war or armed hostilities or the occurrence of acts of terrorism or sabotage occurring after the date hereof, (E) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or the public announcement of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (F) the taking of any action expressly required by this Agreement, or the taking of any action at the written request or with the prior written consent of REIT I, (G) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, (H) changes in Law or GAAP (or the interpretation thereof), or (I) any Action made or initiated by any holder of NNN REIT Common Stock, including any derivative claims, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which in the case of each of clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (G) and (H) do not disproportionately affect NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, compared to other companies in the industry in which NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries operate.

 

NNN REIT OP Partnership Interest” means the ownership interest in NNN REIT Operating Partnership owned by a partner thereof.

 

NNN REIT Parties” means NNN REIT, Merger Sub and NNN REIT Operating Partnership.

 

NNN REIT Partnership Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, dated as of August 11, 2017, of NNN REIT Operating Partnership, as amended through the date hereof.

 

NNN REIT Properties” means each real property owned, or leased (including ground leased) as lessee or sublessee, by NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary as of the date of this Agreement (including all buildings, structures and other improvements and fixtures located on or under such real property and all easements, rights and other appurtenances to such real property).

 

NNN REIT Proxy Statement” means the proxy statement relating to the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting (with respect to the disclosures therein relating to NNN REIT, its officers and directors and any NNN REIT Subsidiary), together with any amendments or supplements thereto, which is a part of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

NNN REIT SRP” means the share repurchase program of NNN REIT in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

 

NNN REIT Stockholder Approval” means the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders shares of NNN REIT Common Stock entitled to vote at the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting on the Merger.

 

6

 

 

  

NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting” means the meeting of the holders of shares of NNN REIT Common Stock for the purpose of seeking the NNN REIT Stockholder Approval, including any postponement of adjournment thereof.

 

NNN REIT Subsidiary” means (a) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities is, directly or indirectly, owned by NNN REIT, and (b) any partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total equity interest is, directly or indirectly, owned by NNN REIT or of which NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary is a general partner, manager, managing member or the equivalent, including NNN REIT Operating Partnership.

 

NNN REIT Termination Payment” means an amount equal to $2,540,000.

 

Order” means a judgment, injunction, order or decree of any Governmental Authority.

 

Permitted Liens” means any of the following: (i) Liens for Taxes or governmental assessments, charges or claims of payment not yet due, being contested in good faith or for which adequate accruals or reserves have been established; (ii) mechanics and materialmen’s Liens for amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and which are not yet due and payable or are being contested in good faith or such Liens which have been filed of record but which have been bonded over or otherwise insured against; (iii) with respect to any real property, Liens that are zoning regulations, entitlements or other land use or environmental regulations by any Governmental Authority; (iv) with respect to NNN REIT, Liens that are disclosed on Section 1.1(a) of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter, and with respect REIT I, Liens that are disclosed on Section 1.1(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter; (v) with respect to NNN REIT, Liens that are disclosed on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of NNN REIT, or notes thereto (or securing liabilities reflected on such balance sheet), and with respect to REIT I, Liens that are disclosed on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of REIT I, or notes thereto (or securing liabilities reflected on such balance sheet); (vi) with respect to NNN REIT or REIT I, arising pursuant to any Material Contracts of such Party; (vii) with respect to any real property of NNN REIT or REIT I, Liens that are disclosed on existing title policies made available to the other Party prior to the date hereof; or (viii) with respect to NNN REIT or REIT I, Liens that were incurred in the ordinary course of business since December 31, 2017, and that do not materially interfere with the use, operation or transfer of, or any of the benefits of ownership of, the property of such Party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Person” or “person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, group (including a “person” as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), trust, association or other entity or organization (including any Governmental Authority or a political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a Governmental Authority).

 

REIT” means a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

 

REIT I Advisor” means BrixInvest, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the external advisor to REIT I.

 

REIT I Bylaws” means the Bylaws of REIT I, as amended and in effect on the date hereof.

 

REIT I Capital Stock” means the REIT I Common Shares and the REIT I Excess Shares, collectively.

 

REIT I Charter” means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of REIT I dated December 29, 2015, as amended or supplemented and in effect on the date hereof.

 

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 “REIT I Charter Amendment” means the amendment to the REIT I Charter in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

REIT I Common Shares” means the shares of beneficial interest of REIT I representing common shares, $0.01 par value per share.

 

REIT I DRP” means the dividend reinvestment plan of REIT I.

 

REIT I Excess Shares” means the shares of beneficial interest of REIT I representing excess shares, $0.01 par value per share.

 

REIT I Governing Documents” means the REIT I Charter and the REIT I Bylaws.

 

REIT I Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence that individually or in the aggregate, (i) would have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) would prevent or materially impair the ability of the REIT I to consummate the Merger before the Outside Date; provided, that, for purposes of the foregoing clause (i), “REIT I Material Adverse Effect” shall not include any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence to the extent arising out of or resulting from (A) any changes in economic, market or business conditions generally in the U.S. or any other jurisdiction in which REIT I or the REIT I Subsidiaries operate or in the U.S. or global financial markets generally, including changes in interest or exchange rates (except, in each case, to the extent having a disproportionate effect on REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, compared to other companies in the industry in which REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries operate), (B) changes in general economic conditions in the industries in which REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries operate, (C) any changes in the legal, regulatory or political conditions in the United States or in any other country or region of the world, (D) the commencement, escalation or worsening of a war or armed hostilities or the occurrence of acts of terrorism or sabotage occurring after the date hereof, (E) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or the public announcement of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (F) the taking of any action expressly required by this Agreement, or the taking of any action at the written request or with the prior written consent of NNN REIT, (G) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, (H) changes in Law or GAAP (or the interpretation thereof), or (I) any Action made or initiated by any holder of REIT I Common Shares, including any derivative claims, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which in the case of each of clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (G) and (H) do not disproportionately affect REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, compared to other companies in the industry in which REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries operate.

 

REIT I Properties” means each real property owned, or leased (including ground leased) as lessee or sublessee, by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary as of the date of this Agreement (including all buildings, structures and other improvements and fixtures located on or under such real property and all easements, rights and other appurtenances to such real property).

 

REIT I Proxy Statement” means the proxy statement relating to the REIT I Shareholders Meeting (with respect to the disclosures therein relating to REIT I, its officers and directors and any REIT I Subsidiary), together with any amendments or supplements thereto, which is a part of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

8

 

 

REIT I Shareholders” means the holders of the outstanding REIT I Common Shares.

 

REIT I Shareholder Approvals” means the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of REIT I Common Shares entitled to vote at the REIT I Shareholders Meeting on both the Merger and the REIT I Charter Amendment.

 

REIT I Shareholders Meeting” means the meeting of the holders of shares of REIT I Common Shares for the purpose of seeking the REIT I Shareholder Approvals, including any postponement or adjournment thereof.

 

REIT I SRP” means the share repurchase program of REIT I in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

 

REIT I Subsidiary” means (a) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities is, directly or indirectly, owned by REIT I, and (b) any partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total equity interest is, directly or indirectly, owned by REIT I or of which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a general partner, manager, managing member or the equivalent.

 

REIT I Termination Payment” means an amount equal to $$2,540,000.

 

Representative” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s directors, officers, employees, advisors (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, investment bankers, and financial advisors), agents and other representatives.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including the staff thereof).

 

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Tax” or “Taxes” means any United States federal, state, local and foreign income, gross receipts, capital gains, withholding, property, recording, stamp, transfer, sales, use, abandoned property, escheat, franchise, employment, payroll, excise, environmental and any other taxes, duties, assessments or similar governmental charges, together with penalties, interest or additions imposed with respect to such amounts by the U.S. or any Governmental Authority, whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or any other basis.

 

Tax Lien” means Liens relating to Taxes.

 

Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes filed or required to be filed with a Governmental Authority, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

 

Termination Payment” means, as applicable, the Expense Reimbursement Payment, the REIT I Termination Payment or the NNN REIT Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b).

 

Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary” means any wholly owned subsidiary of REIT I.

 

Wholly Owned NNN REIT Subsidiary” means NNN REIT Operating Partnership and any wholly owned subsidiary of NNN REIT or NNN REIT Operating Partnership.

 

9

 

 

(b)                In addition to the terms defined in Section 1.1(a), the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth in the sections set forth below opposite such term:

 

Defined Term   Location of Definition
Acquisition Agreement   Section 7.3(d)
Agreement   Preamble
Certificate of Merger   Section 2.3
Charter Restrictions   Section 7.10
Closing   Section 2.2
Closing Date   Section 2.2
Competing Proposal   Section 7.3(k)(i)
DE SOS   Section 2.3(a)
DRULPA   Recitals
Encumbrances   Section 4.10(a)
Escrow Agreement   Section 9.3(b)
Exchange Ratio   Section 3.1(a)(i)
Form S-4   Section 7.1(a)
Indemnified Parties   Section 7.8(b)
Interim Period   Section 6.1(a)
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus   Section 7.1
Merger Consideration   Section 3.1(a)(i)
Merger Effective Time   Section 2.3
Merger Sub   Preamble
Merger   Recitals
NNN REIT   Preamble
NNN REIT Adverse Recommendation Change   Section 7.1(c)
NNN REIT Board   Recitals
NNN REIT Disclosure Letter   Article 5
NNN REIT Operating Partnership   Recitals
NNN REIT Preferred Stock   Section 5.4(a)
NNN REIT Special Committee   Recitals
NNN REIT Terminating Breach   Section 9.1(c)(i)
NNN REIT Voting Debt   Section 5.4(d)
Party(ies)   Preamble
Qualified REIT Subsidiary   Section 4.1(c)
Qualifying REIT Income   Section 9.3(f)(i)
Registered Securities   Section 7.1(a)
REIT I   Preamble
REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change   Section 7.3(d)
REIT I Board   Recitals
REIT I Board Recommendation   Section 4.2(c)
REIT I Disclosure Letter   Article 4
REIT I Insurance Policies   Section 4.15
REIT I Management Agreement Documents   Section 4.12(d)
REIT I Material Contract   Section 4.12(b)
REIT I Organizational Documents   Section 7.8(b)
REIT I Permits   Section 4.8(a)
REIT I Related Party Agreements   Section 4.17
REIT I SEC Documents   Section 4.5(a)
REIT I Special Committee   Recitals
REIT I Subsidiary Partnership   Section 4.13(h)
REIT I Tax Protection Agreements   Section 4.13(h)
REIT I Terminating Breach   Section 9.1(d)(i)
REIT I Voting Debt   Section 4.4(c)
Merger Effective Time   Section 2.3
Sarbanes-Oxley Act   Section 4.5(a)
Superior Proposal   Section 7.3(k)(ii)
Surviving Entity   Section 2.1
Takeover Statutes   Section 4.20
Taxable REIT Subsidiary   Section 4.1(c)
Transfer Agent   Section 3.2(a)
Transfer Taxes   Section 7.13(d)

 

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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, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference is to an Article or Section of, or Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated;

 

(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 “includingare used in this Agreement, they are deemed to be followed by the words “without limiting the generality of the foregoing” unless expressly provided otherwise;

 

(d)               “or” shall be construed in the inclusive sense of “and/or”;

 

(e)               the words “hereof,” “herein” andhereunder” 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, except to the extent otherwise specified;

 

(f)                all references herein to “$” or dollars shall refer to United States dollars;

 

(g)               no specific provision, representation or warranty shall limit the applicability of a more general provision, representation or warranty;

 

(h)               it is the intent of the Parties that each representation, warranty, covenant, condition and agreement contained in this Agreement shall be given full, separate, and independent effect and that such provisions are cumulative;

 

(i)                 the phrase “ordinary course of business” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “consistent with past practice” whether or not such words actually follow such phrase;

 

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

 

(k)               any reference in this Agreement to a date or time shall be deemed to be such date or time in the City of Los Angeles, California, unless otherwise specified;

 

(l)                 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; and

 

(m)             the definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms.

 

Article 2

THE MERGER

 

Section 2.1           The Merger; Other Transactions. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the CCC and DRULPA, at the Merger Effective Time, REIT I shall be merged with and into Merger Sub, whereupon the separate existence of REIT I will cease, with Merger Sub surviving the Merger (Merger Sub, as the surviving entity in the Merger, sometimes being referred to herein as the “Surviving Entity), such that following and as a result of the Merger, the Surviving Entity will be owned by NNN REIT, as its general partner, and Rich Uncles NNN LP LLC, as its limited partner. The Merger shall have the effects provided in this Agreement and the Certificate of Merger, and as specified in the applicable provisions of the CCC and DRULPA.

 

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Section 2.2           Closing. The closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) will take place (a) by electronic exchange of documents and signatures at 10:00 a.m., Pacific time on the third (3rd) Business Day after all the conditions set forth in Article 8 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver of such conditions at the Closing) shall have been satisfied or validly waived by the Party entitled to the benefit of such condition (subject to applicable Law), or (b) such other place or date as may be agreed in writing by NNN REIT and REIT I. The date on which the Closing actually takes place is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.”

 

Section 2.3           Effective Time. On the Closing Date, NNN REIT, REIT I and Merger Sub shall (i) cause a certificate of merger with respect to the Merger to be duly executed and filed with the Delaware Secretary of State in accordance with the DRULPA (the “Certificate of Merger”), (ii) make any other filings, recordings or publications required to be made by REIT I, Merger Sub or the Surviving Entity under the DRULPA or CCC in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger are accepted for record by the Delaware Secretary of State or on such other date and time (not to exceed five (5) Business Days after the Certificate of Merger are accepted by the Delaware Secretary of State) as specified in the Certificate of Merger (such date and time, the “Merger Effective Time”), it being understood and agreed that the Parties shall cause the Merger Effective Time to occur on the Closing Date. The Certificate of Merger shall provide that the name of the Surviving Entity shall be “Katana Merger Sub LP.”

 

Section 2.4           Organizational Documents of the Surviving Entity.

 

(a)                From and after the Merger Effective Time, the charter of NNN REIT shall remain in effect as the charter of NNN REIT until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law and the applicable provisions of the charter of NNN REIT, as amended.

 

(b)                At the Merger Effective Time and by virtue of the Merger, the certificate of limited partnership and the limited partnership agreement of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, shall be the certificate of limited partnership and the limited partnership agreement of the Surviving Entity, until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law and the applicable provisions of such certificate of organization and operating agreement.

 

Section 2.5           General Partner of the Surviving Entity. At the Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger, the NNN REIT shall be the general partner of the Surviving Entity.

  

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Section 2.6           Tax Treatment of Merger. The Parties intend that, for United States federal income tax purposes (and, where applicable, state and local income tax purposes), the Merger shall qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and this Agreement shall be, and is hereby adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of Section 354 and 361 of the Code. Unless otherwise required by a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or a similar determination under applicable state of local Law), all Parties shall file all United States federal, state and local Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the intended tax treatment of the Merger described in this Section 2.6, and no Party shall take a position inconsistent with such treatment.

 

Section 2.7           Subsequent Actions. If at any time after the Merger Effective Time NNN REIT shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, that any actions are necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Merger Sub its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights or properties of REIT I acquired or to be acquired by the Merger Sub as a result of, or in connection with, the Merger Sub or otherwise to carry out the intent of this Agreement, then the officers of NNN REIT shall be authorized to take all such actions as may be necessary or desirable to vest all right, title or interest in, to or under such rights or properties in Merger Sub or NNN REIT, or otherwise to carry out this Agreement.

 

Article 3

EFFECTS OF THE MERGER

 

Section 3.1           Effects of the Merger.

 

(a)               The Merger. At the Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part of REIT I or Merger Sub or the holders of any securities of NNN REIT, REIT I or Merger Sub:

 

(i)                 Each share of REIT I Common Shares and each share of REIT I Excess Shares, or fraction thereof, issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement one (1) share, or the corresponding fraction thereof, as applicable, (the “Exchange Ratio”) (upon the proper surrender of such Book-Entry Share) of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of NNN REIT Class C Common Stock (the “Merger Consideration”) in accordance with Section 3.2 and subject to Section 3.1(a)(ii), Section 3.1(a)(iii), Section 3.1(b), Section 3.3 and the next sentence of this Section 3.1(a)(i). The Merger Consideration payable to each holder of REIT I Common Shares will be aggregated and each such holder shall be entitled to receive such number of shares of NNN REIT Class C Common Stock, including any fraction thereof (which fraction shall be rounded down to the nearest 1/10,000th), consistent with the Exchange Ratio. From and after the Merger Effective Time, all such shares of REIT I Common Shares shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a share of REIT I Common Shares shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except for the right to receive the Merger Consideration therefor in accordance with Section 3.2.

 

(ii)               Each share of REIT I Common Shares, if any, then held by any Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary shall automatically be retired and shall cease to exist, and no Merger Consideration shall be paid, nor shall any other payment or right inure or be made with respect thereto in connection with or as a consequence of the Merger.

 

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(iii)             Each share of REIT I Common Shares, if any, then held by NNN REIT or any Wholly Owned NNN REIT Subsidiary shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be retired and shall cease to exist, and no Merger Consideration shall be paid, nor shall any other payment or right inure or be made with respect thereto in connection with or as a consequence of the Merger.

 

(iv)              Each membership interest of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall remain the only issued and outstanding membership interests of Merger Sub, and NNN REIT shall remain the sole member of Merger Sub.

 

(b)                Adjustment of the Merger Consideration. Between the date of this Agreement and the applicable Merger Effective Time, if any of REIT I, NNN REIT or NNN REIT Operating Partnership should split, combine or otherwise reclassify the REIT I Common Shares, any class of the NNN REIT Common Stock or any class of the NNN REIT OP Partnership Interest, or makes a dividend or other distribution in shares of the REIT I Common Shares, the NNN REIT Common Stock or the NNN REIT OP Partnership Interest (including any dividend or other distribution of securities convertible into REIT I Common Shares, NNN REIT Common Stock or NNN REIT OP Partnership Interest, but not including shares of REIT I Common Shares issued pursuant to the REIT I DRP or shares of NNN REIT Common Stock issued pursuant to the NNN REIT DRP), or engages in a reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or exchange or other like change, then (without limiting any other rights of the Parties hereunder), the Exchange Ratio shall be ratably adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any such change, and thereafter all references to the Exchange Ratio shall be deemed to be the Exchange Ratio as so adjusted.

 

(c)                Transfer Books. From and after the Merger Effective Time, the share transfer books of REIT I shall be closed, and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of REIT I Common Shares or REIT I Excess Shares. From and after the Merger Effective Time, Persons who held REIT I Common Shares or REIT I Excess Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall cease to have rights with respect to such shares, except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement or by applicable Law.

 

Section 3.2           Exchange Procedures; Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares.

 

(a)                As soon as practicable following the Merger Effective Time, NNN REIT shall cause its transfer agent, Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor transfer agent for NNN REIT, the “Transfer Agent”) to record the issuance on the stock records of NNN REIT of the amount of NNN REIT Common Stock equal to the Merger Consideration that is issuable to each holder of shares of REIT I Common Shares and REIT I Excess Shares (including any fractional shares thereof), pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(i). Shares of NNN REIT Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Section 3.2(a) in exchange for shares of REIT I Common Shares shall be in Book-Entry form.

 

(b)                None of NNN REIT, NNN REIT Operating Partnership, the Surviving Entity or the Transfer Agent or any other Person shall be liable to any holder of REIT I Common Shares for any Merger Consideration or other amounts delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or other similar Law.

 

Section 3.3           Withholding Rights. REIT I, any NNN REIT Party, the Surviving Entity or the Transfer Agent, as applicable, each shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Merger Consideration and any other amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of REIT I Common Shares or REIT I Excess Shares, such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to such payments under the Code or any other provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. Any such amounts so deducted and withheld shall be paid over to the applicable Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

 

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Section 3.4           Dissenters Rights. No dissenters’ or appraisal rights shall be available with respect to the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 3.5           General Effects of the Merger. At the Merger Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as set forth in this Agreement and as provided in the applicable provisions of the DRULPA and CCC. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Merger Effective Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of REIT I and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Entity, and all debts, liabilities and duties of REIT I and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Entity.

 

Article 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF REIT I

 

Except (a) as set forth in the disclosure letter prepared by REIT I and delivered by REIT I to the NNN REIT Parties at or prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “REIT I Disclosure Letter”) (it being acknowledged and agreed that disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the REIT I Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosed with respect to the section or subsection of this Agreement to which it corresponds and any other section or subsection of this Agreement to the extent the applicability of such disclosure to such other section or subsection of this Agreement is reasonably apparent on its face (it being understood that to be so reasonably apparent on its face, it is not required that the other section or subsection of this Agreement be specifically cross-referenced); provided, that no disclosure shall qualify any Fundamental Representation unless it is set forth in the specific section or subsection of the REIT I Disclosure Letter corresponding to such Fundamental Representation; provided, further, that nothing in the REIT I Disclosure Letter is intended to broaden the scope of any representation or warranty of REIT I made herein) or (b) as disclosed in the REIT I SEC Documents publicly available, filed with, or furnished to, as applicable, the SEC on or after December 31, 2018 and prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding any information or documents incorporated by reference therein and excluding any disclosures contained in such documents under the headings “Risk Factors” or “Forward-Looking Statements” or any other disclosures contained or referenced therein to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), and then only to the extent that the relevance of any disclosed event, item or occurrence in such REIT I SEC Documents to a matter covered by a representation or warranty set forth in this Article 4 is reasonably apparent on its face; provided, that the disclosures in the REIT I SEC Documents shall not be deemed to qualify (i) any Fundamental Representations, which matters shall only be qualified by specific disclosure in the respective corresponding section or subsection of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, and (ii) the representations and warranties made in Section 4.3 (No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents), Section 4.5(a) through (c) (SEC Documents; Financial Statements), Section 4.6 (Absence of Certain Changes or Events), Section 4.7 (No Undisclosed Liabilities), Section 4.18 (Brokers) and Section 4.19 (Opinion of Financial Advisor), REIT I hereby, represents and warrants, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to another date (in which case as of such other date)), to the NNN REIT Parties that:

 

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Section 4.1           Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.

 

(a)                REIT I is a real estate investment trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as an unincorporated association under the laws of the State of California and has the requisite trust power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. REIT I is duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, operated or leased by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                Each REIT I Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent applicable) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, and has the requisite organizational power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each REIT I Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, operated or leased by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                Section 4.1(c) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of the REIT I Subsidiaries and their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the jurisdictions in which REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries are qualified or licensed to do business, and the type of and percentage of interest held, directly or indirectly, by REIT I in each REIT I Subsidiary, including a list of each REIT I Subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary” within the meaning of Section 856(i)(2) of the Code (each a “Qualified REIT Subsidiary”) or a “taxable REIT subsidiary” within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code (each, a “Taxable REIT Subsidiary”) and each REIT I Subsidiary that is an entity taxable as a corporation which is neither a Qualified REIT Subsidiary nor a Taxable REIT Subsidiary.

 

(d)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary directly or indirectly owns any equity interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any Person (other than in the REIT I Subsidiaries and investments in short-term investment securities).

 

(e)                REIT I has made available to NNN REIT complete and correct copies of the REIT I Governing Documents. REIT I is in compliance with the terms of its REIT I Governing Documents in all material respects. True and complete copies of REIT I’s minute books, as applicable, have been made available by REIT I to NNN REIT.

 

(f)                 REIT I has not exempted any “Person” from the “Ownership Limit” or the “Common Shares Ownership Limit,” as such terms are defined in the REIT I Charter, or issued any REIT I Excess Shares or waived any requirement that REIT I Excess Shares be issued.

 

Section 4.2           Authority; Approval Required.

 

(a)                REIT I has the requisite trust power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to receipt of the REIT I Shareholder Approvals, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by REIT I and the consummation by REIT I of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary trust action, and no other trust proceedings on the part of REIT I are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Merger or to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to receipt of the REIT I Shareholder Approvals, to the filing of the Certificate of Merger with, and acceptance for record of the Certificate of Merger by, the Delaware Secretary of State.

 

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(b)                This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by REIT I, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the NNN REIT Parties, constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of REIT I enforceable against REIT I in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

(c)                On the recommendation of the REIT I Special Committee, the REIT I Board has (i) determined that the terms of this Agreement, the Merger, the Merger Consideration and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fair to and in the best interests of the holders of REIT I Common Shares, (ii) approved, authorized, adopted and declared advisable this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) directed that the Merger be submitted to a vote of the holders of REIT I Common Shares and (iv) recommended that the holders of REIT I Common Shares vote in favor of approval of the Merger and this Agreement (such recommendation, the “REIT I Board Recommendation”), which resolutions remain in full force and effect and have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way, except as may be permitted after the date hereof by Section 7.3.

 

(d)                The REIT I Shareholder Approvals are the only votes of the holders of securities of REIT I required to approve the Merger.

 

Section 4.3           No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.

 

(a)                The execution and delivery of this Agreement by REIT I does not, and the performance of this Agreement and its obligations hereunder will not, (i) assuming receipt of the REIT I Shareholder Approvals, conflict with or violate any provision of (A) the REIT I Governing Documents or (B) any equivalent organizational or governing documents of any other REIT I Subsidiary, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations and permits described in Section 4.3(b) have been obtained, all filings and notifications described in Section 4.3(b) have been made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, conflict with or violate any Law applicable to REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is bound, or (iii) except as set forth in Section 4.3(a)(iii) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, require any consent or approval (except as contemplated by Section 4.3(b)) under, result in any breach of any obligation or any loss of any benefit or material increase in any cost or obligation of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary under, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to any other Person any right of termination, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice or the lapse of time or both) of, or give rise to any right of purchase, first offer or forced sale under or result in the creation of a Lien on any property or asset of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary pursuant to, any Contract or Permit to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party, except, as to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)                The execution and delivery of this Agreement by REIT I do not, and the performance of this Agreement by REIT I will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority by REIT I, except (i) the filing with the SEC of (A) the REIT I Proxy Statement contained in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and (B) such reports under, and other compliance with, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with, and the acceptance for recording by, the Delaware Secretary of State pursuant to DRULPA, (iii) the consents, authorizations, orders or approvals of each Governmental Authority or Agency listed in Section 8.1(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, and (iv) where failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.4           Capital Structure.

 

(a)                As of the close of business on August 31, 2019, the authorized REIT I Capital Stock consists of 10,000,000 shares of REIT I Common Shares, and 5,000,000 shares of REIT I Excess Shares. As of the date of this Agreement, (i) 8,344,729 shares of REIT I Common Shares were issued and outstanding and (ii) no shares of REIT I Excess Shares were issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of REIT I are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were issued in compliance with applicable securities Laws. Except as set forth in this Section 4.4, there is no other outstanding capital stock of REIT I.

 

(b)                All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the REIT I Subsidiaries that is a corporation are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All equity interests in each of the REIT I Subsidiaries that is a partnership or limited liability company are duly authorized and validly issued. All shares of capital stock of (or other ownership interests in) each of the REIT I Subsidiaries which may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options or exchange rights are duly authorized and, upon issuance will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. REIT I owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock and other ownership interests of each of the REIT I Subsidiaries, free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, and free of preemptive rights.

 

(c)                There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having general voting rights (or convertible into securities having such rights) of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary (“REIT I Voting Debt) issued and outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 4.4(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, there are no outstanding subscriptions, securities options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, convertible securities, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments of any kind to which REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries to (i) issue, transfer or sell or create, or cause to be issued, transferred or sold or created any additional shares of capital stock or other equity interests or phantom stock or other contractual rights the value of which is determined in whole or in part by the value of any equity security of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or equity interests, (ii) issue, grant, extend or enter into any such subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, convertible securities or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments or (iii) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any such shares of capital stock, or other equity interests.

 

(d)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any Contracts concerning the voting (including voting trusts and proxies) of any capital stock of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has granted any registration rights on any of its capital stock. No REIT I Common Shares are owned by any REIT I Subsidiary.

 

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(e)                 REIT I does not have a “poison pill” or similar shareholder rights plan.

 

(f)                 All dividends or other distributions on the REIT I Common Shares and any material dividends or other distributions on any securities of any REIT I Subsidiary which have been authorized or declared prior to the date hereof have been paid in full (except as set forth on Section 4.4(f) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter and to the extent such dividends have been publicly announced and are not yet due and payable).

 

Section 4.5           SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements; Investment Company Act; Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(a)                 REIT I has timely filed with, or furnished (on a publicly available basis) to the SEC, all forms, documents, statements, schedules and reports required to be filed by REIT I under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (together with all certifications required pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”)) since April 29, 2016 (the forms, documents, statements and reports filed with the SEC since April 29, 2016 and those filed with the SEC since the date of this Agreement, if any, including any amendments thereto, the “REIT I SEC Documents”). As of their respective filing dates (or the date of their most recent amendment, supplement or modification, in each case, to the extent filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement), the REIT I SEC Documents (i) complied, or with respect to REIT I SEC Documents filed after the date hereof, will comply, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and (ii) did not, or with respect to REIT I SEC Documents filed after the date hereof, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the REIT I SEC Documents is, to the Knowledge of REIT I, the subject of ongoing SEC review and REIT I does not have any outstanding and unresolved comments from the SEC with respect to any REIT I SEC Documents. None of the REIT I SEC Documents is the subject of any confidential treatment request by REIT I.

 

(b)                REIT I has made available to NNN REIT complete and correct copies of all written correspondence between the SEC, on one hand, and REIT I, on the other hand, since April 29, 2016. At all applicable times, NNN REIT has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(c)                The consolidated audited and unaudited financial statements of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries included, or incorporated by reference, in the REIT I SEC Documents, including the related notes and schedules (as amended, supplemented or modified by later REIT I SEC Documents, in each case, to the extent filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement), (i) have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared from, are in accordance with, and accurately reflect the books and records of REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries in all material respects, (ii) complied or will comply, as the case may be, as of their respective dates in all material respects with the then-applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (iii) have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto, or, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, for normal and recurring year-end adjustments and as may be permitted by the SEC on Form 10-Q or Form 8-K pursuant to Regulation S-X or any successor or like form or rule under the Exchange Act, which such adjustments are not, in the aggregate, material to REIT I) and (iv) fairly present, in all material respects (subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for normal and recurring year-end adjustments, none of which is material), the consolidated financial position of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of their respective dates and the consolidated statements of income and the consolidated cash flows of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries for the periods presented therein. There are no internal investigations, any SEC inquiries or investigations or other governmental inquiries or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened, in each case regarding any accounting practices of REIT I.

 

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(d)                Since April 29, 2016, (A) REIT I has designed and maintained disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by REIT I in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to REIT I’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and (B) to the Knowledge of REIT I, such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting REIT I’s management to material information required to be included in REIT I’s periodic reports required under the Exchange Act (if REIT I was required to file such reports). REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries have designed and maintained a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances (i) regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (iii) that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements and to maintain asset accountability, (iv) that access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (v) that the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences and (vi) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis. REIT I has disclosed to REIT I’s auditors and audit committee (and made summaries of such disclosures available to NNN REIT) (1) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect REIT I’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (2) any fraud, to the Knowledge of REIT I, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in internal control over financial reporting.

 

(e)                REIT I is not and none of the REIT I Subsidiaries are, a party to, and none of REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract, including any Contract relating to any transaction or relationship between or among REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or Person, on the other hand, or any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC), where the result, purpose or effect of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary or REIT I’s or such REIT I Subsidiary’s audited financial statements or other REIT I SEC Documents.

 

(f)                 Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

 

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(g)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary nor, to the Knowledge of REIT I, any director, officer or Representative of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee or (iii) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, in each case, in violation in any material respect of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received any written communication that alleges that REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, or any of their respective Representatives, is, or may be, in violation of, or has, or may have, any liability under, any Anti-Corruption Law.

 

Section 4.6           Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since December 31, 2018 through the date of this Agreement, (a)  REIT I and all REIT I Subsidiaries have conducted their respective business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (b) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has taken any action that would have been prohibited by Section 6.1(b) (Conduct of the Business of REIT I) if taken from and after the date of this Agreement and (c) there has not been any REIT I Material Adverse Effect or any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, circumstances, changes, effects, developments, conditions or occurrences, would reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.7           No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (a) as disclosed, reflected or reserved against on the balance sheet of REIT I dated as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 (including the notes thereto), (b) for liabilities or obligations incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (c) for liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since June 30, 2019, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has any liabilities or obligations or Indebtedness (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) that either alone or when combined with all other liabilities of a type not described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.8           Permits; Compliance with Law.

 

(a)                REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary is in possession of all authorizations, licenses, permits, certificates, approvals, variances, exemptions, orders, franchises, certifications and clearances of any Governmental Authority necessary for REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties or to carry on its respective business substantially as it is being conducted (the “REIT I Permits”), and all such REIT I Permits are valid and in full force and effect, except where the failure to be in possession of, or the failure to be valid or in full force and effect of, any of the REIT I Permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred with respect to any of the REIT I Permits which permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both would permit, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any other material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such REIT I Permits. To the Knowledge of REIT I, there is not pending any applicable petition, objection or other pleading with any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction or authority over the operations of REIT I or the REIT I Subsidiaries that impairs the validity of any REIT I Permit or which would reasonably be expected, if accepted or granted, to result in the revocation of any REIT I Permit.

 

(b)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is, and for the past three (3) years has been, in conflict with, or in default or violation of (i) any Law applicable to REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of REIT I or any other REIT I Subsidiary is bound, or (ii) any REIT I Permits, except, in each case, for any such conflicts, defaults or violations that have been cured, or that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.9           Litigation. There is no material Action or investigation to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party (either as plaintiff or defendant) pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened before any Governmental Authority, and, to the Knowledge of REIT I, there is no basis for any such Action or investigation. None of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries has been permanently or temporarily enjoined by any Order from engaging in or continuing to conduct the business of REIT I or the REIT I Subsidiaries. No Order has been issued in any proceeding to which REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries is or was a party, or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, in any other proceeding, that enjoins or requires REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries to take action of any kind with respect to its businesses, assets or properties. Since December 31, 2016, none of REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary or any Representative of the foregoing has received or made any settlement offer for any Action to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party or potentially could be a party (in each case, either as plaintiff or defendant), other than settlement offers that do not exceed $100,000 individually.

 

Section 4.10        Properties.

 

(a)                Section 4.10(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter lists the REIT I Properties, and sets forth either REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary as owning or leasing such property and any Contracts under which REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary leases, subleases, uses or occupies or has the right to lease, sublease, use or occupy any of the REIT I Properties (the “REIT I Leases”). Except as disclosed in title insurance policies and reports (and the documents or surveys referenced in such policies and reports) copies of which policies and reports were made available for review to NNN REIT: (A) REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary owns fee simple title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, the REIT I Properties, free and clear of Liens, mortgages or deeds of trust, claims against title, charges which are liens, security interests or other encumbrances on title (“Encumbrances”), except for Permitted Liens; (B) except as has not had and would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received written notice of any violation of any Law affecting any portion of any of the REIT I Properties issued by any Governmental Authority; and (C) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received notice to the effect that there are (1) condemnation or rezoning proceedings that are pending or threatened with respect to any of the REIT I Properties or (2) zoning, building or similar Laws, codes, ordinances, orders or regulations that are or will be violated by the continued maintenance, operation or use of any buildings or other improvements on any of the REIT I Properties or by the continued maintenance, operation or use of the parking areas.

 

(b)                REIT I has not received written notice of, nor does REIT I have any Knowledge of, any latent defects or adverse physical conditions affecting any of the REIT I Properties or the improvements thereon.

 

(c)                REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or a valid and enforceable leasehold interest in, all material personal property owned, used or held for use by them. Neither REIT I’s, nor the REIT I Subsidiaries’, ownership of any such personal property is subject to any Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

 

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Section 4.11        Environmental Matters. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect: (i) no notification, demand, directive, request for information, citation, summons, notice of violation or order has been received, no complaint has been filed, no penalty has been asserted or assessed and no investigation, action, suit or proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, is threatened relating to REIT I, any of the REIT I Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, and relating to or arising out of any Environmental Law, any Environmental Permit or Hazardous Substance; (ii) REIT I, the REIT I Subsidiaries and their respective properties are and have been in compliance with all Environmental Laws and all applicable Environmental Permits; (iii)  REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary is in possession of all Environmental Permits necessary for REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties or to carry on its respective business substantially as they are being conducted as of the date hereof, and all such Environmental Permits are valid and in full force and effect with all necessary applications for renewal thereof having been timely filed, except where the failure to be in possession of, or the failure to be valid or in full force and effect of, any of the Environmental Permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect; (iv) any and all Hazardous Substances disposed of by REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary was done so in accordance with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits (v) REIT I, any of the REIT I Subsidiaries and their respective properties are not subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award by any governmental authority pursuant to any Environmental Laws, any Environmental Permit or Hazardous Substance and (vi) there are no liabilities or obligations (and no asserted liability or obligations) of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise arising under or relating to any Environmental Law or any Hazardous Substance (including liability or responsibility for the costs of enforcement proceedings, investigations, cleanup, governmental response, removal or remediation, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, medical monitoring, penalties, contribution, indemnification and injunctive relief) and there is no condition, situation or set of circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in any such liability or obligation.

 

Section 4.12        Material Contracts.

 

(a)                Section 4.12(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of each Contract in effect as of the date hereof to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party or by which any of its properties or assets are bound that:

 

(i)                 obligates REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary to make non-contingent aggregate annual expenditures (other than principal or interest payments or the deposit of other reserves with respect to debt obligations) in excess of $100,000 and is not cancelable within ninety (90) days without material penalty to REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary;

 

(ii)               contains any non-compete or exclusivity provisions with respect to any line of business or geographic area that restricts the business of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, including upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that otherwise restricts the lines of business conducted by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or the geographic area in which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary may conduct business;

 

(iii)             is a Contract that obligates REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary to indemnify any past or present directors, officers, or employees of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary pursuant to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is the indemnitor;

 

(iv)              constitutes (A) an Indebtedness obligation of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary with a principal amount as of the date hereof greater than $100,000 or (B) a Contract (including any so called take-or-pay or keepwell agreements) under which (1) any Person including REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary, has directly or indirectly guaranteed Indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of REIT I or REIT I Subsidiary or (2) REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary has directly or indirectly guaranteed Indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any Person, including REIT I or another REIT I Subsidiary (in each case other than endorsements for the purpose of collection in the ordinary course of business);

 

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(v)                requires REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary to dispose of or acquire assets or properties that (together with all of the assets and properties subject to such requirement in such Contract) have a fair market value in excess of $100,000, or involves any pending or contemplated merger, consolidation or similar business combination transaction;

 

(vi)              constitutes an interest rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap or other Contract relating to a swap or other hedging transaction of any type;

 

(vii)            constitutes a loan to any Person (other than a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary) by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary in an amount in excess of $100,000;

 

(viii)          sets forth the operational terms of a joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or strategic alliance of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary with a third party;

 

(ix)              prohibits the pledging of the capital stock of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or prohibits the issuance of guarantees by any REIT I Subsidiary;

 

(x)                is with a Governmental Authority;

 

(xi)              has continuing “earn-out” or other similar contingent purchase price payment obligations, in each case that could result in payments, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $100,000;

 

(xii)            is an employment Contract or consulting Contract;

 

(xiii)          is a collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor organization, union or association;

 

(xiv)          is a Contract with any professional employer organization, staffing agency, temporary employee agency, or similar company or service provider;

 

(xv)            is a lease, sublease, license or other rental agreement or occupancy agreement (written or verbal) which grants any possessory interest in and to any space situated on or in the REIT I Properties or that otherwise give rights with regard to use of the REIT I Properties; or

 

(xvi)          is both (A) not made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) material to REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

(b)                Each Contract in any of the categories set forth in Section 4.12(a) to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound as of the date hereof is referred to herein as a “REIT I Material Contract.”

 

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(c)                Each REIT I Material Contract is legal, valid, binding and enforceable on REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary that is a party thereto and, to the Knowledge of REIT I, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at Law). REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary has performed all obligations required to be performed by it prior to the date hereof under each REIT I Material Contract and, to the Knowledge of REIT I, each other party thereto has performed all obligations required to be performed by it under such REIT I Material Contract prior to the date hereof. None of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, nor, to the Knowledge of REIT I, any other party thereto, is in breach or violation of, or default under, any REIT I Material Contract, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a violation, breach or default under any REIT I Material Contract, except where in each case such breach, violation or default, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect. None of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has received notice of any violation or default under any REIT I Material Contract, except for violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2018, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received any written notice of the intention of any party to cancel, terminate, materially change the scope of rights under or fail to renew any REIT I Material Contract.

 

(d)                Section 4.12(d) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter lists each management agreement pursuant to which any third party manages or operates any of the REIT I Properties on behalf of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, and describes the property that is subject to such management agreement, REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary that is a party, the date of such management agreement and each material amendment, guaranty or other agreement binding on REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary and relating thereto (collectively, the “REIT I Management Agreement Documents”). The true, correct and complete copies of all REIT I Management Agreement Documents have been made available to NNN REIT. Each REIT I Management Agreement Document is valid, binding and in full force and effect as against REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary and, to the Knowledge of REIT I, as against the other party thereto. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary owes any termination, cancellation or other similar fees or any liquidated damages to any third party manager or operator.

 

Section 4.13        Taxes.

 

(a)                Each REIT I Party and each other REIT I Subsidiary has timely filed with the appropriate Governmental Authority all United States federal income Tax Returns and all other material Tax Returns required to be filed, taking into account any extensions of time within which to file such Tax Returns, and all such Tax Returns were complete and correct in all material respects. Each REIT I Party and each other REIT I Subsidiary has duly paid (or there has been paid on their behalf), or made adequate provisions in accordance with GAAP for, all material Taxes required to be paid by them, whether or not shown on any Tax Return. True and materially complete copies of all United States federal income Tax Returns that have been filed with the IRS by REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary with respect to the taxable years ending on or after REIT I’s formation have been made available to NNN REIT. No written claim has been proposed by any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction where REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary do not file Tax Returns that REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is or may be subject to Tax by such jurisdiction.

 

(b)                Beginning with its initial taxable year ending on December 31, 2014, and through and including the Closing Date (determined as if REIT I’s current taxable year ended immediately prior to Closing), REIT I (i) has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements to qualify as a REIT under the Code and the current and proposed method of operation for REIT I is expected to enable REIT I to continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT through and including the Closing Date, and (ii) has not taken or omitted to take any action which would reasonably be expected to result in REIT I’s failure to qualify as a REIT, and no challenge to REIT I’s status as a REIT is pending or threatened in writing. No REIT I Subsidiary is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, other than a corporation that qualifies as a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or as a Taxable REIT Subsidiary. REIT I’s dividends paid deduction, within the meaning of Section 561 of the Code, for each taxable year, taking into account any dividends subject to Sections 857(b)(8) or 858 of the Code, has not been less than the sum of (i) REIT I’s REIT taxable income, as defined in Section 857(b)(2) of the Code, determined without regard to any dividends paid deduction for such year and (ii) REIT I’s net capital gain for such year.

 

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(c)                (i) There are no audits, investigations by any Governmental Authority or other proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened with regard to any material Taxes or Tax Returns of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary; (ii) no material deficiency for Taxes of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has been claimed, proposed or assessed in writing or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened, by any Governmental Authority, which deficiency has not yet been settled except for such deficiencies which are being contested in good faith or with respect to which the failure to pay, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect; (iii) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has waived any statute of limitations with respect to the assessment of material Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to any material Tax assessment or deficiency for any open tax year; (iv) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any material Tax Return; and (v) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has entered into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax Law).

 

(d)                Each REIT I Subsidiary that is a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company and that has not elected to be a Taxable REIT Subsidiary has been since its formation treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a partnership, disregarded entity, or a Qualified REIT Subsidiary, as the case may be, and not as a corporation, an association taxable as a corporation whose separate existence is respected for federal income tax purposes, or a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7704(a) of the Code.

 

(e)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary holds any asset the disposition of which would be subject to Treasury Regulation Section 1.337(d)-7, nor have they disposed of any such asset during its current taxable year.

 

(f)                 Since its inception, REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries have not incurred (i) any liability for Taxes under Sections 857(b)(1), 857(b)(4), 857(b)(5), 857(b)(6)(A), 857(b)(7), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code, (ii) any liability for Taxes under Sections 857(b)(5) (for income test violations), 856(c)(7)(C) (for asset test violations), or 856(g)(5)(C) (for violations of other qualification requirements applicable to REITs) and (iii)  REIT I has not, and none of the REIT I Subsidiaries have, incurred any material liability for Tax other than (A) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (B) transfer or similar Taxes arising in connection with sales of property. No event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of REIT I no condition or circumstances exists, which presents a material risk that any material liability for Taxes described in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence or any liability for Taxes described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence will be imposed upon REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary.

 

(g)                REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries have complied, in all material respects, with all applicable Laws relating to the payment and withholding of Taxes (including withholding of Taxes pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445, 1446 and 3402 of the Code or similar provisions under any state and foreign Laws) and have duly and timely withheld and, in each case, have paid over to the appropriate taxing authorities all material amounts required to be so withheld and paid over on or prior to the due date thereof under all applicable Laws.

 

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(h)                There are no REIT I Tax Protection Agreements (as hereinafter defined) in force at the date of this Agreement, and, as of the date of this Agreement, no person has raised in writing, or to the Knowledge of REIT I threatened to raise, a material claim against REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary for any breach of any REIT I Tax Protection Agreements. As used herein, “REIT I Tax Protection Agreements” means any written agreement to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party pursuant to which: (i) any liability to holders of limited partnership interests in a REIT I Subsidiary Partnership (as hereinafter defined) relating to Taxes may arise, whether or not as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (ii) in connection with the deferral of income taxes of a holder of limited partnership interests or limited liability company in a REIT I Subsidiary Partnership, REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has agreed to (A) maintain a minimum level of debt, continue a particular debt or provide rights to guarantee debt, (B) retain or not dispose of assets, (C) make or refrain from making Tax elections, or (D) only dispose of assets in a particular manner. As used herein, “REIT I Subsidiary Partnership” means a REIT I Subsidiary that is a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

(i)                 There are no Tax Liens upon any property or assets of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary except Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP.

 

(j)                 There are no Tax allocation or sharing agreements or similar arrangements with respect to or involving REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, and after the Closing Date neither REIT I nor any other REIT I Subsidiary shall be bound by any such Tax allocation agreements or similar arrangements or have any liability thereunder for amounts due in respect of periods prior to the Closing Date.

 

(k)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has requested or received any written ruling of a Governmental Authority or entered into any written agreement with a Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes, and neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is subject to written ruling of a Governmental Authority.

 

(l)                 Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary (i) has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax or (ii) has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than any REIT I Subsidiary) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise.

 

(m)              Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has participated in any “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).

 

(n)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (i) in the two (2) years prior to the date of this Agreement or (ii) in a distribution which could otherwise constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(o)                No written power of attorney that has been granted by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary (other than to REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary) currently is in force with respect to any matter relating to Taxes.

 

(p)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has taken any action or failed to take any action which action or failure would reasonably be expected to jeopardize, nor to the Knowledge of REIT I is there any other fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent, the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

(q)                REIT I is a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.

 

Section 4.14        Intellectual Property. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary (a) owns any registered trademarks, patents or copyrights, (b) has any pending applications, registrations or recordings for any trademarks, patents or copyrights or (c) is a party to any Contracts with respect to use by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary of any trademarks or patents. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, (i) no Intellectual Property used by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary infringes or is alleged to infringe any Intellectual Property rights of any third party, (ii) no Person is misappropriating, infringing or otherwise violating any Intellectual Property of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, and (iii)  REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries own or are licensed to use, or otherwise possess valid rights to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct the business of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries as it is currently conducted. Since December 31, 2018, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received any written or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, verbal complaint, claim or notice alleging misappropriation, infringement or violation of any Intellectual Property rights of any third party.

 

Section 4.15        Insurance. REIT I has made available to NNN REIT copies of all material insurance policies and all material fidelity bonds or other material insurance Contracts providing coverage for REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries (the “REIT I Insurance Policies”). Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, all premiums due and payable under all REIT I Insurance Policies have been paid, and REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries have otherwise complied in all material respects with the terms and conditions of all REIT I Insurance Policies. No written notice of cancellation or termination has been received by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary with respect to any such policy which has not been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation.

 

Section 4.16        Benefit Plans.

 

(a)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has ever maintained, sponsored or contributed to any Benefit Plan. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has any contract, plan or commitment, whether or not legally binding, to create any Benefit Plan.

 

(b)                Except as individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have REIT I Material Adverse Effect, none of REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred or could incur any obligation or liability with respect to or under any Benefit Plan or other employee benefit plan, program or arrangement (including any agreement, program, policy or other arrangement under which any current or former employee, director or consultant has any present or future right to benefits) which has created or will create any obligation with respect to, or has resulted in or will result in any liability to NNN REIT, Merger Sub or any of their respective subsidiaries.

 

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(c)                None of REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has ever maintained, contributed to, or participated in, or otherwise has or could have any obligation or liability in connection with: (i) a “pension plan” under Section 3(2) of ERISA that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code, (ii) a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), (iii) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA), or (iv) a “multiple employer plan” (as defined in Section 413(c) of the Code).

 

(d)                No amount that could be received (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) as a result of the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby (alone or in combination with any other event) by any Person who is a “disqualified individual” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any compensation arrangement could be characterized as a “parachute payment” (as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).

 

(e)                Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is a party to or has any obligation under any Contract otherwise to compensate any Person for excise taxes payable pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code or for additional taxes payable pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

 

(f)                 Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has, or has ever had, any employees.

 

Section 4.17        Related Party Transactions. Except as described in the publicly available REIT I SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC on or after January 1, 2019 and prior to the date hereof (the “REIT I Related Party Agreements”), no agreements, arrangements or understandings between any of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary (or binding on any of their respective properties or assets), on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other hand (other than those exclusively among REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries), are in existence that are not, but are required to be, disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

 

Section 4.18        Brokers. No broker, investment banker or other Person (other than the Persons listed in Section 4.18 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, each in a fee amount not to exceed the amount set forth in Section 4.18 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, pursuant to the terms of the engagement letter between REIT I and such Person, true, correct and complete copies of which have been provided to NNN REIT prior to the date hereof) is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary.

 

Section 4.19        Opinion of Financial Advisor. The REIT I Special Committee has received the oral opinion of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Inc. (which was confirmed in writing, as of the date of this Agreement), to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based on and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions set forth in its written opinion, the Merger Consideration to be paid to holders of the REIT I Common Shares and the consideration paid by NNN REIT in the Contribution Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of shares of the REIT I Common Shares (other than NNN REIT and its Affiliates) and the members of REIT I Advisor, respectively. REIT I will deliver to NNN REIT a complete and correct copy of such opinion promptly after receipt thereof by the REIT I Special Committee solely for informational purposes. REIT I acknowledges that the opinion of UBS Securities LLC contemplated by Section 5.7 is for the benefit of the NNN REIT Special Committee and that REIT I shall not be entitled to rely on that opinion for any purpose.

 

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Section 4.20        Takeover Statutes. No “business combination,” “control share acquisition,” “fair price,” “moratorium” or other takeover or anti-takeover statute or similar federal or state Law (collectively, “Takeover Statutes”) are applicable to this Agreement, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No dissenters’, appraisal or similar rights are available to the holders of REIT I Common Shares with respect to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 4.21        Information Supplied. None of the information relating to REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary contained or incorporated by reference in the REIT I Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 or that is provided by any of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary in writing for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any document filed with any other Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will (a) in the case of the REIT I Proxy Statement, at the time of the initial mailing thereof, at the time of the REIT I Shareholders Meeting, at the time the Form S-4 is declared effective by the SEC or at the Merger Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, or (b) in the case of the REIT I Proxy Statement or with respect to any other document to be filed by REIT I with the SEC in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, at the time of its filing with the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. All documents that REIT I is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent relating to REIT I, its officers, directors and partners and the REIT I Subsidiaries (or other information supplied by or on behalf of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiaries for inclusion therein) will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; provided, that no representation is made as to statements made or incorporated by reference by or on behalf of the NNN REIT Parties.

 

Section 4.22        No Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the representations or warranties expressly set forth in this Article 4 or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, none of REIT I or any other Person has made any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, future operating or financial results, estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects) or the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, none of REIT I or any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty to any NNN REIT Party or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives with respect to, except for the representations and warranties made by REIT I in this Article 4 or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, any oral or written information presented to the NNN REIT Parties or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives in the course of their due diligence of REIT I, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, REIT I acknowledges and agrees that none of the NNN REIT Parties or any other Person has made or is making any representations or warranties relating to the NNN REIT Parties whatsoever, express or implied, beyond those expressly given by the NNN REIT Parties in Article 5 or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, including any implied representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the NNN REIT Parties furnished or made available to REIT I or any of its Representatives.

 

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Article 5

REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE NNN REIT PARTIES

 

Except (a) as set forth in the disclosure letter prepared by the NNN REIT Parties and delivered by the NNN REIT Parties to REIT I at or prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “NNN REIT Disclosure Letter”) (it being acknowledged and agreed that disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosed with respect to the section or subsection of this Agreement to which it corresponds and any other section or subsection of this Agreement to the extent the applicability of such disclosure to such other section or subsection of this Agreement is reasonably apparent on its face (it being understood that to be so reasonably apparent on its face, it is not required that the other section or subsection of this Agreement be cross-referenced); provided, that no disclosure shall qualify any Fundamental Representation unless it is set forth in the specific section or subsection of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter corresponding to such Fundamental Representation; provided, further, that nothing in the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter is intended to broaden the scope of any representation or warranty of the NNN REIT Parties made herein) or (b) as disclosed in the NNN REIT SEC Documents publicly available, filed with, or furnished to, as applicable, the SEC on or after December 31, 2018 and prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding any information or documents incorporated by reference therein and excluding any disclosures contained in such documents under the headings “Risk Factors” or “Forward-Looking Statements” or any other disclosures contained or referenced therein to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), and then only to the extent that the relevance of any disclosed event, item or occurrence in such NNN REIT SEC Documents to a matter covered by a representation or warranty set forth in this Article 5 is reasonably apparent on its face; provided, that the disclosures in the NNN REIT SEC Documents shall not be deemed to qualify (i) any Fundamental Representations, which matters shall only be qualified by specific disclosure in the respective corresponding section of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter, and (ii) the representations and warranties made in Section 5.3 (No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents); Section 5.6 (Absence of Certain Changes or Events), Section 5.7 (No Undisclosed Liabilities), Section 5.6 (Brokers) and Section 5.7 (Opinion of Financial Advisor), the NNN REIT Parties hereby, jointly and severally, represent and warrant, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to another date (in which case as of such other date)), to REIT I that:

 

Section 5.1           Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.

 

(a)                NNN REIT is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Merger Sub is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has the requisite limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each of NNN REIT and Merger Sub is duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, operated or leased by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a NNN REIT Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)                Each NNN REIT Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent applicable) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, and has the requisite organizational power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each NNN REIT Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, operated or leased by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a NNN REIT Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                Section 5.1(c) of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries and their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the jurisdictions in which NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries are qualified or licensed to do business, and the type of and percentage of interest held, directly or indirectly, by NNN REIT in each NNN REIT Subsidiary, including a list of each NNN REIT Subsidiary that is a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary and each NNN REIT Subsidiary that is an entity taxable as a corporation which is neither a Qualified REIT Subsidiary nor a Taxable REIT Subsidiary.

 

(d)                Neither NNN REIT nor any NNN REIT Subsidiary directly or indirectly owns any equity interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any Person (other than in the NNN REIT Subsidiaries and investments in short-term investment securities).

 

(e)                NNN REIT has made available to REIT I complete and correct copies of the NNN REIT Governing Documents. Each of NNN REIT and NNN REIT Operating Partnership is in compliance with the terms of its NNN REIT Governing Documents in all material respects. True and complete copies of NNN REIT’s and NNN REIT Operating Partnership’s minute books, as applicable, have been made available by NNN REIT to REIT I.

 

(f)                 NNN REIT has not exempted any “Person” from the “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” or the “Common Stock Ownership Limit” or established or increased an “Excepted Holder Limit,” as such terms are defined in the NNN REIT Charter, which exemption or Excepted Holder Limit is currently in effect.

 

Section 5.2           Authority.

 

(a)                Each of the NNN REIT Parties has the requisite corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership power and authority, as applicable, to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the NNN REIT Parties and the consummation by the NNN REIT Parties of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company and limited partnership action, and no other corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership proceedings on the part of the NNN REIT Parties are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Merger or to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to the filing of the Certificate of Merger with, and acceptance for record of the Certificate of Merger by, the Delaware Secretary of State.

 

(b)                This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the NNN REIT Parties, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by REIT I, constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of the NNN REIT Parties enforceable against the NNN REIT Parties in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

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(c)                On the recommendation of the NNN REIT Special Committee, the NNN REIT Board has (i) determined that the terms of this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fair to and in the best interests of the holders of NNN REIT Common Stock and NNN REIT OP Partnership Interests, and (ii) approved, authorized, adopted and declared advisable this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which resolutions remain in full force and effect and have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way, except as may be permitted after the date hereof by Section 7.3.

 

(d)                NNN REIT, as the general partner of Merger Sub, has approved this Agreement and the Merger.

 

Section 5.3           No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.

 

(a)                The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the NNN REIT Parties do not, and the performance of this Agreement and its obligations hereunder will not, (i)  conflict with or violate any provision of (A) the NNN REIT Governing Documents or Merger Sub Governing Documents or (B) any equivalent organizational or governing documents of any other NNN REIT Subsidiary, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations and permits described in Section 5.3(b) have been obtained, all filings and notifications described in Section 5.3(b) have been made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, conflict with or violate any Law applicable to NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary is bound, or (iii) except as set forth in Section 5.3(a)(iii) of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter, require any consent or approval (except as contemplated by Section 5.3(b)) under, result in any breach of any obligation or any loss of any benefit or material increase in any cost or obligation of NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary under, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to any other Person any right of termination, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice or the lapse of time or both) of, or give rise to any right of purchase, first offer or forced sale under or result in the creation of a Lien on any property or asset of NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary pursuant to, any Contract or Permit to which NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary is a party, except, as to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a NNN REIT Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the NNN REIT Parties do not, and the performance of this Agreement by each of the NNN REIT Parties will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority by such NNN REIT Parties, except (i) the filing with the SEC of (A) the REIT I Proxy Statement, (B) the Form S-4 and the declaration of effectiveness of the Form S-4, and (C) such reports under, and other compliance with, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with, and the acceptance for record of the Certificate of Merger by, the Delaware Secretary of State pursuant to DRULPA, (iii) such filings and approvals as may be required by any applicable state securities or “blue sky” Laws, (iv) the consents, authorizations, orders or approvals of each Governmental Authority or Agency listed in Section 8.1(a) of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter and (vi) where failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a NNN REIT Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.4           Capital Structure.

 

(a)                As of the close of business on August 31, 2019, the authorized capital stock of NNN REIT consists of 400,000,000 shares of NNN REIT Common Stock, of which 300,000,000 shares are classified as NNN REIT Class C Common Stock and 100,000,000 shares are classified as NNN REIT Class S Common Stock, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (“NNN REIT Preferred Stock”). As of the close of business on August 31, 2019, (i15,812,922 shares of NNN REIT Class C Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) 166,976 shares of NNN REIT Class S Common Stock were issued and outstanding and (iii) no shares of NNN REIT Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of NNN REIT are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were issued in compliance with applicable securities Laws, and all shares of NNN REIT Class C Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger, when so issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will be issued in compliance with applicable securities Laws. Except as set forth in this Section 5.4, there is no other outstanding capital stock of NNN REIT.

 

(b)                As of the date of this Agreement, NNN REIT owns ninety-nine percent (99%) and Rich Uncles NNN LP, LLC owns a one percent (1%) of NNN REIT Operating Partnership and there are no other partners or any Person that has any interest, beneficial or otherwise, in NNN REIT Operating Partnership other than NNN REIT and Rich Uncles NNN LP, LLC. All the NNN REIT OP Partnership Interests held by NNN REIT and Rich Uncles NNN LP, LLC are directly owned by NNN REIT or Rich Uncles NNN LP, LLC, as applicable, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens and free of preemptive rights. All of the NNN REIT OP Partnership Interests are duly authorized and validly issued and were issued in compliance with applicable securities Laws.

 

(c)                All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries that is a corporation are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All equity interests in each of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries that is a partnership or limited liability company are duly authorized and validly issued. All shares of capital stock of (or other ownership interests in) each of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries which may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options or exchange rights are duly authorized and, upon issuance will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. NNN REIT or NNN REIT Operating Partnership owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock and other ownership interests of each of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries, free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, and free of preemptive rights.

 

(d)                There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having general voting rights (or convertible into securities having such rights) of NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary (“NNN REIT Voting Debt”) issued and outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 5.4(d) of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter, there are no outstanding subscriptions, securities options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, convertible securities, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments of any kind to which NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries to (i) issue, transfer or sell or create, or cause to be issued, transferred or sold or created any additional shares of capital stock or other equity interests or phantom stock or other contractual rights the value of which is determined in whole or in part by the value of any equity security of NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or equity interests, (ii) issue, grant, extend or enter into any such subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, convertible securities or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments or (iii) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any such shares of capital stock, NNN REIT Voting Debt or other equity interests.

 

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Section 5.5           Litigation. Except as set forth in Section 5.9 of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter, there is no material Action or investigation to which NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary is a party (either as plaintiff or defendant) pending or, to the Knowledge of NNN REIT, threatened before any Governmental Authority, and, to the Knowledge of NNN REIT, there is no basis for any such Action or investigation. None of NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries has been permanently or temporarily enjoined by any Order from engaging in or continuing to conduct the business of NNN REIT or the NNN REIT Subsidiaries. No Order has been issued in any proceeding to which NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries is or was a party, or, to the Knowledge of NNN REIT, in any other proceeding, that enjoins or requires NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries to take action of any kind with respect to its businesses, assets or properties. Since December 31, 2016, none of NNN REIT, any NNN REIT Subsidiary or any Representative of the foregoing has received or made any settlement offer for any Action to which NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary is a party or potentially could be a party (in each case, either as plaintiff or defendant), other than settlement offers that do not exceed $100,000 individually.

 

Section 5.6           Brokers. No broker, investment banker or other Person (other than the Persons listed in Section 4.18 of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter, each in a fee amount not to exceed the amount set forth in Section 4.18 of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter, pursuant to the terms of the engagement letter between NNN REIT and such Person, true, correct and complete copies of which have been provided to NNN REIT prior to the date hereof) is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.7           Opinion of Financial Advisor. The NNN REIT Special Committee has received the oral opinion of UBS Securities LLC (which was confirmed in writing), to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based on and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions set forth in its written opinion, the aggregate consideration to be paid by NNN REIT pursuant to this Agreement and the Contribution Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view to NNN REIT. NNN REIT will deliver to REIT I a complete and correct copy of such opinion promptly after receipt thereof by the NNN REIT Special Committee solely for informational purposes. NNN REIT acknowledges that the opinion of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Inc. contemplated by Section 4.19 is for the benefit of the REIT I Special Committee and that NNN REIT shall not be entitled to rely on that opinion for any purpose.

 

Section 5.8           Ownership of Merger Sub; No Prior Activities.

 

(a)                Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. All of the limited partnership interests of Merger Sub are owned, directly or indirectly, by NNN REIT.

 

(b)                Except for the obligations or liabilities incurred in connection with its organization and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other documents, agreements, certificates and other instruments contemplated hereby, Merger Sub has not, and will not have prior to the Merger Effective Time, incurred any obligations or liabilities or engaged in any business activities of any type or kind whatsoever.

 

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Section 5.9           Information Supplied. None of the information relating to NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary contained or incorporated by reference in the REIT I Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 or that is provided by NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary in writing for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any document filed with any other Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will (a) in the case of the REIT I Proxy Statement, at the time of the initial mailing thereof, at the time of the REIT I Shareholders Meetings, at the time the Form S-4 is declared effective by the SEC or at the Merger Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, or (b) in the case of the Form S-4 or with respect to any other document to be filed by NNN REIT with the SEC in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, at the time of its filing with the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. All documents that NNN REIT is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent relating to NNN REIT, its officers, directors and partners and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries (or other information supplied by or on behalf of NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiaries for inclusion therein) will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; provided, that no representation is made as to statements made or incorporated by reference by or on behalf of REIT I.

 

Section 5.10        No Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the representations or warranties expressly set forth in this Article 5 or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, none of the NNN REIT Parties or any other Person has made any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the NNN REIT Parties or any other NNN REIT Subsidiary, their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, future operating or financial results, estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects) or the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the NNN REIT Parties or any other NNN REIT Subsidiary. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, none of the NNN REIT Parties or any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty to REIT I or any of its respective Affiliates or Representatives with respect to, except for the representations and warranties made by the NNN REIT Parties in this Article 5, any oral or written information presented to REIT I or any of its respective Affiliates or Representatives in the course of its due diligence of the NNN REIT Parties, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the NNN REIT Parties acknowledge and agree that none of REIT I or any other Person has made or is making any representations or warranties relating to REIT I whatsoever, express or implied, beyond those expressly given by REIT I in Article 4, including any implied representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding REIT I furnished or made available to the NNN REIT Parties or any of their respective Representatives.

 

Article 6

COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

 

Section 6.1           Conduct of Business by REIT I.

 

(a)                REIT I covenants and agrees that, between the date of this Agreement and the earlier to occur of the Merger Effective Time and the date, if any, on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.1 (the “Interim Period”), except (1) to the extent required by Law, (2) as may be consented to in advance in writing by the NNN REIT Special Committee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (3) as may be expressly contemplated, expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement, or (4) as set forth in Section 6.1(b) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, REIT I shall, and shall cause each of the other REIT I Subsidiaries to, (i) conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past practice, and (ii) use all reasonable efforts to (A) preserve intact its current business organization, goodwill, ongoing businesses and significant relationships with third parties and (B) maintain the status of REIT I as a REIT.

 

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(b)                Without limiting the foregoing, REIT I covenants and agrees that, during the Interim Period, except (1) to the extent required by Law, (2) as may be consented to in advance in writing by the NNN REIT Special Committee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (3) as may be expressly contemplated, expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement, or (4) as set forth in Section 6.1(b) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, REIT I shall not, and shall not cause or permit any other REIT I Subsidiary to, do any of the following:

 

(i)               amend or propose to amend (A) the REIT I Governing Documents or (B) such equivalent organizational or governing documents of any REIT I Subsidiary material to REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, or (C) waive the stock ownership limit or create an Excepted Holder Limit (as defined in the REIT I Charter) under the REIT I Charter;

 

(ii)              adjust, split, combine, reclassify or subdivide any shares of stock or other equity securities or ownership interests of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary (other than any Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary);

 

(iii)             declare, set aside or pay any dividend on or make any other actual, constructive or deemed distributions (whether in cash, stock, property or otherwise) with respect to shares of capital stock of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or other equity securities or ownership interests in REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or otherwise make any payment to its or their stockholders or other equityholders in their capacity as such, except for (A) the declaration and payment by REIT I of regular dividends in accordance with past practice at a quarterly rate not to exceed $0.1875 per share, (B) the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to REIT I by any directly or indirectly Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary, and (C) distributions by any REIT I Subsidiary that is not wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by REIT I, in accordance with the requirements of the organizational documents of such REIT I Subsidiary; provided, that, notwithstanding the restriction on dividends and other distributions in this Section 6.1(b)(iii), REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary shall be permitted to make distributions, including under Sections 858 or 860 of the Code, reasonably necessary for REIT I to maintain its status as a REIT under the Code and avoid or reduce the imposition of any entity level income or excise Tax under the Code;

 

(iv)              redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests of REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary;

 

(v)               except for transactions among REIT I and one or more Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiaries or among one or more Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiaries, issue, sell, pledge, dispose, encumber or grant any shares of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries’ capital stock or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries’ capital stock or other equity interests;

 

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(vi)             acquire or agree to acquire (including by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets) any real or personal property, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or any division or material amount of assets thereof, except (A) acquisitions by REIT I or any Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary of or from an existing Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary, (B) acquisitions described in Section 6.1(b)(vi) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, and (C) other acquisitions of personal property for a purchase price of less than $100,000 in the aggregate;

 

(vii)            except as described in Section 6.1(b)(vii) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, sell, mortgage, pledge, lease, assign, transfer, dispose of or encumber, or effect a deed in lieu of foreclosure with respect to, any property or assets, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, provided that any sale, mortgage, pledge, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or deed in connection with (x) the satisfaction of any margin call or (y) the posting of collateral in connection with any Contract to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party shall be considered to be done in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(viii)           incur, create, assume, refinance, replace or prepay any Indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or amend the terms of any debt securities of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries, except (A) Indebtedness incurred under REIT I’s existing Debt Facilities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including to the extent necessary to pay dividends permitted by Section 6.1(b)(iii)), (B) funding any transactions permitted by this Section 6.1(b), (C) Indebtedness that does not, in the aggregate, exceed $100,000; and (D) refinancing of existing Indebtedness (provided, that the terms of such new Indebtedness shall not be materially more onerous on REIT I compared to the existing Indebtedness and the principal amount of such replacement Indebtedness shall not be materially greater than the Indebtedness it is replacing);

 

(ix)              make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, Affiliates, agents or consultants), make any change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of another entity, other than by REIT I or a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary to REIT I or a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary;

 

(x)               enter into, renew, modify, amend or terminate, or waive, release, compromise or assign any rights or claims under, any REIT I Material Contract (or any Contract that, if existing as of the date hereof, would be a REIT I Material Contract), other than (A) any termination or renewal in accordance with the terms of any existing REIT I Material Contract that occurs automatically without any action (other than notice of renewal) by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or (B) as may be reasonably necessary to comply with the terms of this Agreement;

 

(xi)              make any payment, direct or indirect, of any liability of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary before the same comes due in accordance with its terms, other than (A) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (B) in connection with dispositions or refinancings of any Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder;

 

(xii)             waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any Action, other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that (A) with respect to the payment of monetary damages, involve only the payment of monetary damages (excluding any portion of such payment payable under an existing property-level insurance policy) (x) equal to or less than the amounts specifically reserved with respect thereto on the most recent balance sheet of REIT I made available to NNN REIT prior to the date of this Agreement or (y) that do not exceed $100,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate, (B) do not involve the imposition of injunctive relief against REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or the Surviving Entity, (C) do not provide for any admission of material liability by REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries and (D) with respect to any Action involving any present, former or purported holder or group of holders of REIT I Common Shares, comply with Section 7.7(c);

 

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(xiii)            (A) hire or terminate any officer or director of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, (B) increase in any manner the amount, rate or terms of compensation or benefits of any of REIT I’s directors, or (C) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any employment, bonus, severance or retirement Contract or Benefit Plan or other compensation or employee benefits arrangement, except as may be required to comply with applicable Law;

 

(xiv)            fail to maintain all financial books and records in all material respects in accordance with GAAP or make any material change to its methods of accounting in effect at December 31, 2017, except as required by a change in GAAP or in applicable Law, or make any change with respect to accounting policies, principles or practices unless required by GAAP or the SEC;

 

(xv)            enter into any new line of business;

 

(xvi)           form any new funds, joint ventures or non-traded real estate investment trusts or other pooled investment vehicles;

 

(xvii)          fail to duly and timely file all material reports and other material documents required to be filed with any Governmental Authority, subject to extensions permitted by Law;

 

(xviii)         make, change or rescind any material election relating to Taxes, change a material method of Tax accounting, file or amend any material Tax Return, settle or compromise any material federal, state, local or foreign Tax liability, audit, claim or assessment, enter into any material closing agreement related to Taxes, or knowingly surrender any right to claim any material Tax refund, except, in each case, (A) to the extent required by Law or (B) to the extent necessary (x) to preserve REIT I’s qualification as a REIT under the Code or (y) to qualify or preserve the status of any REIT I Subsidiary as a disregarded entity or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes or as a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be;

 

(xix)            take any action that would, or fail to take any action, the failure of which to be taken would, reasonably be expected to cause REIT I to fail to qualify as a REIT or any REIT I Subsidiary to cease to be treated as any of (A) a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes or (B) a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be;

 

(xx)             make or commit to make any capital expenditures that are in excess of $200,000 per quarter in the aggregate;

 

(xxi)            adopt a plan of merger, complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such merger, liquidation or a dissolution, consolidation, recapitalization or bankruptcy reorganization, except in connection with any transaction permitted by Section 6.1(b)(vi) or Section 6.1(b)(vii) in a manner that would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to REIT I or to prevent or impair the ability of REIT I to consummate the Merger;

 

(xxii)           amend or modify the engagement letters entered into with the Persons listed on Section 4.18 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, in a manner adverse to REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary or NNN REIT, or engage other financial advisers in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

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(xxiii)          permit any Liens or Encumbrances, except Permitted Liens; or

 

(xxiv)         authorize, or enter into any Contract to do any of the foregoing.

 

(c)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit REIT I from taking any action, at any time or from time to time, that in the reasonable judgment of the REIT I Board, upon advice of counsel to REIT I, is reasonably necessary (i) for REIT I to avoid or to continue to avoid incurring entity level income or excise Taxes under the Code or to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Code for any period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the Merger Effective Time or (ii) to establish or maintain any exemption from or otherwise avoid the imposition of any requirement that REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, including in the case of clause (i) only, making dividend or any other actual, constructive or deemed distribution payments to stockholders of REIT I in accordance with this Agreement or otherwise as permitted pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii).

 

Section 6.2           Conduct of Business by NNN REIT.

 

(a)                NNN REIT covenants and agrees that, during the Interim Period, except (1) to the extent required by Law, (2) as may be consented to in advance in writing by the REIT I Special Committee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (3) as may be expressly contemplated, expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement, or (4) as set forth in Section 6.2(a) of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter, the NNN REIT Parties shall not, and shall not cause or permit any other NNN REIT Subsidiary to, take any action that would, or fail to take any action, the failure of which to be taken would, reasonably be expected to cause NNN REIT to fail to qualify as a REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary to cease to be treated as any of (A) a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes or (B) a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be.

 

(b)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit NNN REIT from taking any action, at any time or from time to time, that in the reasonable judgment of the NNN REIT Board, upon advice of counsel to NNN REIT, is reasonably necessary (i) for NNN REIT to avoid or to continue to avoid incurring entity level income or excise Taxes under the Code or to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Code for any period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the Merger Effective Time or (ii) to establish or maintain any exemption from or otherwise avoid the imposition of any requirement that NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, including in the case of clause (i) only, making dividend or any other actual, constructive or deemed distribution payments to stockholders of NNN REIT in accordance with this Agreement or otherwise as permitted pursuant to Section 6.2(a).

 

Section 6.3           No Control of Other Parties’ Business. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give (a) REIT I, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary’s operations prior to the Merger Effective Time, or (b) NNN REIT, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary’s operations prior to the Merger Effective Time. Prior to the Merger Effective Time, (i) NNN REIT shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries’ respective operations and (ii) REIT I shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and the REIT I Subsidiaries’ respective operations.

 

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Article 7

 

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

 

Section 7.1           Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus; REIT I Shareholder Approvals and NNN REIT Stockholder Approval.

 

(a)                As promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, (i) REIT I shall prepare (with NNN REIT’s reasonable cooperation) and cause to be filed with the SEC the REIT I Proxy Statement in preliminary form with respect to the REIT I Shareholders Meeting, (ii) NNN REIT shall prepare (with REIT I’s reasonable cooperation) and cause to be filed with the SEC the NNN REIT Proxy Statement in preliminary form with respect to the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting, and (iii) NNN REIT shall prepare (with REIT I’s reasonable cooperation) and cause to be filed with the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act (the “Form S-4”) to register under the Securities Act the shares of NNN REIT Common Stock to be issued in the Merger (together, the “Registered Securities”). The S-4 prepared by NNN REIT shall be in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and will include the REIT I Proxy Statement (prepared by REIT I in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act) and the NNN REIT Proxy Statement (prepared by NNN REIT in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act) (the “Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). Each of NNN REIT and REIT I shall use its reasonable best efforts to (A) have the Form S-4 declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and (B) keep the Form S-4 effective for so long as necessary to permit the NNN REIT Common Stock to be issued in the Merger, unless this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article 9. Each of NNN REIT and REIT I shall furnish all information concerning itself, its Affiliates and the holders of its capital stock to NNN REIT and provide such other assistance as may be reasonably requested in connection with the preparation, filing and distribution of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and shall provide to their and each other’s counsel such representations as reasonably necessary to render the opinions required to be filed therewith. The Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall include all information reasonably requested by such other Party to be included therein. Each of NNN REIT and REIT I shall promptly notify the other upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC or any request from the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and shall, as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof, provide the other with copies of all correspondence between it and its Representatives, on one hand, and the SEC, on the other hand, and all written comments with respect to the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus received from the SEC and advise the other of any oral comments with respect to the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus received from the SEC. Each of NNN REIT and REIT I shall use its reasonable best efforts to respond as promptly as practicable to any comments from the SEC with respect to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and NNN REIT shall use its reasonable best efforts to respond as promptly as practicable to any comments from the SEC with respect to the Form S-4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to filing the Form S-4 (or any amendment or supplement thereto) with the SEC or responding to any comments of the SEC with respect thereto, NNN REIT and REIT I shall cooperate and provide the other a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such document or response (including the proposed final version of such document or response) and shall give due consideration to all reasonable changes provided by the other Party. NNN REIT shall notify REIT I, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time of effectiveness of the Form S-4, the issuance of any stop order relating thereto or the suspension of the qualification for offering or sale in any jurisdiction of the Registered Securities, and NNN REIT and REIT I shall use their reasonable best efforts to have any such stop order or suspension lifted, reversed or otherwise terminated. NNN REIT shall also use its reasonable best efforts to take any other action required to be taken under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any applicable foreign or state securities or “blue sky” Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder in connection with the issuance of the Registered Securities, and REIT I shall furnish all information concerning REIT I and its stockholders as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such actions.

 

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(b)                If, at any time prior to the receipt of the REIT I Shareholder Approvals and NNN REIT Stockholder Approval, any information relating to REIT I or NNN REIT, or any of their respective Affiliates, should be discovered by REIT I (solely with respect to the REIT I Proxy Statement or information about REIT I that has been provided for REIT I information disclosure in the S-4) or NNN REIT which, in the reasonable judgment of REIT I or NNN REIT, should be set forth in an amendment of, or a supplement to, any of the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus so that any of such documents would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (limited to REIT I solely with respect to misstatement of a material fact or omission of any material fact set forth in the REIT I Proxy Statement or information about REIT I that has been provided for REIT I information disclosure in the S-4), the Party that discovers such information shall promptly notify the other Parties, and REIT I and NNN REIT shall cooperate in the prompt filing with the SEC of any necessary amendment of, or supplement to, the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and, to the extent required by Law, in disseminating the information contained in such amendment or supplement to stockholders of REIT I and NNN REIT. Nothing in this Section 7.1(b) shall limit the obligations of any Party under Section 7.1(a). For purposes of Section 4.21 and this Section 7.1, any information concerning or related to NNN REIT, its Affiliates or the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting will be deemed to have been provided by NNN REIT, and any information concerning or related to REIT I, its Affiliates or the REIT I Shareholders Meeting will be deemed to have been provided by REIT I.

 

(c)                As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, REIT I shall, in accordance with applicable Law and the REIT I Governing Documents, establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the REIT I Shareholders Meeting for the purpose of obtaining the REIT I Shareholder Approvals. REIT I shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be mailed to REIT I’s shareholders entitled to vote at the REIT I Shareholders Meeting and to hold the REIT I Shareholders Meeting as soon as practicable after the Form S-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act. REIT I shall, through the REIT I Board, recommend to its shareholders that they give the REIT I Shareholder Approvals, include the REIT I Board Recommendation in the REIT I Proxy Statement and solicit and use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the REIT I Shareholder Approvals, except to the extent that the REIT I Board shall have made a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change as permitted by Section 7.3(d); provided, however, that REIT I’s obligation to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the REIT I Shareholders Meeting shall be unconditional unless this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms and shall not be affected by any REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.1(c), if, on a date for which the REIT I Shareholders Meeting is scheduled, REIT I has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares of REIT I Common Shares to obtain the REIT I Shareholder Approvals, whether or not a quorum is present, REIT I shall have the right to make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the REIT I Shareholders Meeting (provided, however, that the REIT I Shareholders Meeting shall not be postponed or adjourned to a date that is (i) more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the REIT I Shareholders Meeting was originally scheduled (excluding any adjournments or postponements required by applicable Law) or (ii) more than 120 days from the record date for the REIT I Shareholders Meeting); provided, further, the REIT I Shareholders Meeting may not be postponed or adjourned on the date the REIT I Shareholders Meeting is scheduled if REIT I shall have received proxies in respect of an aggregate number of shares of REIT I Common Shares, which have not been withdrawn, such that REIT I Shareholder Approvals would be obtained at such meeting.

 

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(d)                As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, NNN REIT shall, in accordance with applicable Law and the NNN REIT Governing Documents, establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting for the purpose of obtaining the NNN REIT Stockholder Approval (and other matters that shall be submitted to the holders of NNN REIT Common Stock at such meeting). NNN REIT shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be mailed to NNN REIT’s stockholders entitled to vote at the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting and to hold the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting as soon as practicable after the Form S-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act. NNN REIT shall, through the NNN REIT Board, recommend to its stockholders that they give the NNN REIT Shareholder Approval, include such recommendation in the NNN REIT Proxy Statement and solicit and use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the NNN REIT Stockholder Approval, except to the extent that the NNN REIT Board shall have made a NNN REIT Adverse Recommendation Change as permitted by Section 7.3(d). Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.1(c), if, on a date for which the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting is scheduled, NNN REIT has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares of NNN REIT Common Stock to obtain the NNN REIT Stockholder Approval, whether or not a quorum is present, NNN REIT shall have the right to make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting (provided, however, that the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting shall not be postponed or adjourned to a date that is (i) more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting was originally scheduled (excluding any adjournments or postponements required by applicable Law) or (ii) more than 120 days from the record date for the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting).

 

(e)                REIT I and NNN REIT shall use their respective best efforts to hold the REIT I Shareholders Meeting and the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting on the same date and as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 7.2           Access to Information; Confidentiality.

 

(a)                During the period from the date of this Agreement to and including the Merger Effective Time, each of the Parties shall, and shall cause each of their respective subsidiaries to, afford to the other Parties and to their respective Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice to all of their respective properties, offices, books, Contracts, personnel and records and, during such period, each of the Parties shall, and shall cause each of their respective subsidiaries to and shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause its Representatives to, furnish reasonably promptly to the other Parties (i) any information concerning such Party or its respective subsidiaries (including with respect to any pending or threatened Action) as the other Party may reasonably request and (ii) a copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities Laws. In connection with such reasonable access to information, each of the Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause its respective Representatives to participate in meetings and telephone conferences with the other Parties and their Representatives prior to the mailing of any Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, prior to the REIT I Shareholders Meeting and the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting, and at such other times as may be reasonably requested. No investigation under this Section 7.2(a) or otherwise shall affect any of the representations and warranties of the Parties contained in this Agreement or any condition to the obligations of the Parties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Parties shall be required by this Section 7.2(a) to provide the other Parties or their respective Representatives with access to or to disclose information (A) that is subject to the terms of a confidentiality agreement with a third party entered into prior to the date of this Agreement or entered into after the date of this Agreement in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice of in accordance with this Agreement (provided, however, that the withholding Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the required consent of such third party to such access or disclosure), (B) the disclosure of which would violate any Law applicable to such Party or any of its Representatives (provided, however, that withholding Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to make appropriate substitute arrangements to permit reasonable disclosure not in violation of any Law or duty), (C) that is subject to any attorney-client, attorney work product or other legal privilege (provided, however, that withholding Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to allow for such access or disclosure to the maximum extent that does not result in a loss of any such attorney-client, attorney work product or other legal privilege, including by means of entry into a customary joint defense agreement that would alleviate the loss of such privilege) or (D) for the purpose of allowing Parties or their respective Representatives to collect samples of soil, air, water, groundwater or building materials. The Parties will use their reasonable best efforts to minimize any disruption to the businesses of the other Parties and any of their respective subsidiaries that may result from the requests for access, data and information hereunder. Prior to the Merger Effective Time, the Parties shall not, and shall cause their respective Representatives and Affiliates not to, contact or otherwise communicate with parties with which any of the other Parties or any other of their respective subsidiaries has a business relationship regarding the business of the other Parties and their respective subsidiaries or this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written consent of such other Party (provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 7.2(a) shall be deemed to restrict the Parties from contacting such parties in pursuing the business of the Parties operating in the ordinary course).

 

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(b)                Each Party will hold, and will cause its respective Representatives and Affiliates to hold, any nonpublic information, including any information exchanged pursuant to this Section 7.2, in confidence to the extent required by and in accordance with, and will otherwise comply with, the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect pursuant to the terms thereof notwithstanding the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the termination thereof.

 

Section 7.3           No Solicitation of Transactions; Change in Recommendation.

 

(a)                Except as expressly permitted by this Section 7.3, during the Interim Period, REIT I shall and shall cause each of the REIT I Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives (i) to immediately cease any solicitation, encouragement, discussions or negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to a Competing Proposal (as defined below), or any inquiry or proposal that may be reasonably expected to lead to a Competing Proposal, request that any such Person and its Representatives promptly return or destroy all confidential information concerning REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries and immediately terminate all physical and electronic dataroom access granted to any such Person or its Representatives and (ii) not to, directly or indirectly, (A) solicit, initiate or knowingly facilitate or encourage or take any other action for the purpose of facilitating, any inquiry or the making of any proposal which constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Competing Proposal, (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person information in connection with or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, a Competing Proposal or (C) enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle or other agreement with respect to a Competing Proposal. It is agreed that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.3(a) by any Representative of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.3(a) by REIT I.

 

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(b)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7.3, (i) if at any time on or after the date of this Agreement and prior to obtaining the REIT I Shareholder Approvals, REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives receives an unsolicited written Competing Proposal from any Person or group of Persons that the REIT I Board determines in good faith, after consultation with REIT I’s outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a Superior Proposal (as defined below), which Competing Proposal was made in circumstances not otherwise involving a breach of this Agreement and (ii) the REIT I Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with REIT I’s outside legal counsel, that a failure to take action with respect to such Competing Proposal would be inconsistent with the duties of the trust managers of REIT I under applicable California Law, REIT I may or may cause its respective Representatives to, in response to such Competing Proposal, and subject to compliance with this Section 7.3(b), (A) contact such Person or group of Persons to clarify the terms and conditions thereof, (B) furnish, pursuant to an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement, information (including non-public information) with respect to REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries to the Person or group of Persons who has made such Competing Proposal, provided that REIT I shall prior to or concurrently with the time such information is provided to such Person or group of Persons provide to NNN REIT any non-public information concerning REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries that is provided to any Person given such access which was not previously provided to NNN REIT or its Representatives and (C) engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with the Person or group of Persons making such Competing Proposal regarding such Competing Proposal. It is agreed that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.3(b) by any Representative of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.3(b) by REIT I.

 

(c)                REIT I shall promptly, and in any event no later than 24-hours after receipt of any Competing Proposal or request for non-public information in connection therewith, as applicable, (i) advise NNN REIT in writing of the receipt of such Competing Proposal and any request for confidential information in connection with such Competing Proposal, the material terms of such Competing Proposal or request for confidential information and the identity of the Person or group of Persons making such Competing Proposal or request for confidential information and (ii) keep NNN REIT promptly advised of all material developments (including all changes to the material terms of any Competing Proposal), discussions or negotiations regarding any Competing Proposal and the status of such Competing Proposal. REIT I agrees that it and the REIT I Subsidiaries will not enter into any confidentiality agreement with any Person subsequent to the date hereof which prohibits it or a REIT I Subsidiary from providing any information required to be provided to NNN REIT in accordance with this Section 7.3(c) within the time periods contemplated hereby.

 

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(d)                Except as expressly permitted by this Section 7.3(d), the REIT I Board shall not (i)(A) fail to recommend to its shareholders that the REIT I Shareholder Approvals be given or fail to include the REIT I Board Recommendation in the REIT I Proxy Statement, (B) change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, or publicly propose to change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, the REIT I Board Recommendation, (C) take any formal action or make any recommendation or public statement in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer other than a recommendation against such offer or a temporary “stop, look and listen” communication by the REIT I Board pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) of the Exchange Act or (D) adopt, approve or recommend, or publicly propose to adopt, approve or recommend to the stockholders of REIT I a Competing Proposal (actions described in this clause (i) being referred to as a “REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change”) or (ii) authorize, cause or permit REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries to enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle or other agreement with respect to a Competing Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement) (each, an “Acquisition Agreement”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, prior to the time the REIT I Shareholder Approvals are obtained, the REIT I Board, may make (but in each case, subject to compliance with this Section 7.3(d) and Sections 7.3(a)-(c)), a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change and/or terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(ii) to enter into a definitive Acquisition Agreement that constitutes a Superior Proposal, if and only if, (A) a written Competing Proposal that was not solicited in violation of this Section 7.3 is made to REIT I by a third party and such Competing Proposal is not withdrawn, and (B) prior to taking such action, the REIT I Board has determined in good faith (y) after consultation with REIT I’s outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the duties of the trust managers of REIT I under applicable California Law and (z) after consultation with REIT I’s outside legal counsel and outside financial advisors, that such Competing Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that in connection with any such Competing Proposal (1) REIT I has given NNN REIT at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to take such action (which notice shall include the information with respect to such Superior Proposal that is specified in Section 7.3(c) as well as a copy of any proposal, agreement and all material documentation providing for such Superior Proposal), (2) NNN REIT and REIT I have negotiated, and have caused their respective Representatives to negotiate, in good faith with the other Party and its Representatives, to the extent the other Party wishes to negotiate, during such notice period to enable the other Party to propose in writing revisions to the terms of this Agreement such that it would cause such Superior Proposal to no longer constitute a Superior Proposal, (3) following the end of such notice period, the REIT I Board shall have considered in good faith any proposed revisions to this Agreement proposed in writing by NNN REIT and shall have determined that, after consultation with REIT I’s outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, the Competing Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal if such revisions were to be given effect and (4) in the event of any change to the material terms of such Superior Proposal, REIT I shall, in each case, have delivered to NNN REIT an additional notice consistent with that described in subclause (1) above and the notice period shall have recommenced. Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with Section 9.1(c)(ii), the REIT I Board shall submit this Agreement to the REIT I Shareholders even if the REIT I Board shall have effected a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change, and the REIT I Board may not submit to the vote of the REIT I Shareholders any Competing Proposal other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e)                Except to the extent expressly provided in this Section 7.3, nothing in this Section 7.3 shall prohibit the REIT I Board from: (i) taking and disclosing to the stockholders of REIT I, a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act, if failure to do so would violate applicable Law or (ii) making any “stop, look and listen” communication to the stockholders of REIT I pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, in either case, if the REIT I Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the duties of the trust managers under applicable California Law; provided that any disclosure (other than those made pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 7.3(e)) permitted under this Section 7.3(e) that is not an express rejection of any applicable Competing Proposal or an express reaffirmation of the REIT I Board Recommendation shall be deemed a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change and; provided, further, that the REIT I Board shall not, except as expressly permitted by Section 7.3(d), effect a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change.

 

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(f)                 Except as expressly permitted by this Section 7.3, during the Interim Period, NNN REIT shall and shall cause each of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives (i) to immediately cease any solicitation, encouragement, discussions or negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to a Competing Proposal, or any inquiry or proposal that may be reasonably expected to lead to a Competing Proposal, request that any such Person and its Representatives promptly return or destroy all confidential information concerning NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries and immediately terminate all physical and electronic dataroom access granted to any such Person or its Representatives and (ii) not to, directly or indirectly, (A) solicit, initiate or knowingly facilitate or encourage or take any other action for the purpose of facilitating, any inquiry or the making of any proposal which constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Competing Proposal, (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person information in connection with or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, a Competing Proposal or (C) enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle or other agreement with respect to a Competing Proposal. It is agreed that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.3(a) by any Representative of NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.3(a) by NNN REIT.

 

(g)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7.3, (i) if at any time on or after the date of this Agreement and prior to obtaining the REIT I Shareholder Approvals, NNN REIT or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives receives an unsolicited written Competing Proposal from any Person or group of Persons that the NNN REIT Board determines in good faith, after consultation with NNN REIT’s outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a Superior Proposal, which Competing Proposal was made in circumstances not otherwise involving a breach of this Agreement and (ii) the NNN REIT Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with NNN REIT’s outside legal counsel, that a failure to take action with respect to such Competing Proposal would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of NNN REIT under applicable Maryland Law, NNN REIT may or cause its respective Representatives to, in response to such Competing Proposal, and subject to compliance with this Section 7.3(g), (A) contact such Person or group of Persons to clarify the terms and conditions thereof, (B) furnish, pursuant to an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement, information (including non-public information) with respect to NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries to the Person or group of Persons who has made such Competing Proposal, provided that NNN REIT shall prior to or concurrently with the time such information is provided to such Person or group of Persons provide to REIT I any non-public information concerning NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries that is provided to any Person given such access which was not previously provided to REIT I or its Representatives and (C) engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with the Person or group of Persons making such Competing Proposal regarding such Competing Proposal. It is agreed that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.3(b) by any Representative of NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.3(b) by NNN REIT.

 

(h)                NNN REIT shall promptly, and in any event no later than 24-hours after receipt of any Competing Proposal or request for non-public information in connection therewith, as applicable, (i) advise REIT I in writing of the receipt of such Competing Proposal and any request for confidential information in connection with such Competing Proposal, the material terms of such Competing Proposal or request for confidential information and the identity of the Person or group of Persons making such Competing Proposal or request for confidential information and (ii) keep REIT I promptly advised of all material developments (including all changes to the material terms of any Competing Proposal), discussions or negotiations regarding any Competing Proposal and the status of such Competing Proposal. NNN REIT agrees that it and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries will not enter into any confidentiality agreement with any Person subsequent to the date hereof which prohibits it or a NNN REIT Subsidiary from providing any information required to be provided to REIT I in accordance with this Section 7.3(c) within the time periods contemplated hereby.

 

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(i)                 Except as expressly permitted by this Section 7.3(d), the NNN REIT Board shall not (i)(A) change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, or publicly propose to change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, the NNN REIT Board Recommendation, (B) take any formal action or make any recommendation or public statement in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer other than a recommendation against such offer or a temporary “stop, look and listen” communication by the NNN REIT Board pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) of the Exchange Act or (C) adopt, approve or recommend, or publicly propose to adopt, approve or recommend to the stockholders of NNN REIT a Competing Proposal (actions described in this clause (i) being referred to as a “NNN REIT Adverse Recommendation Change”) or (ii) authorize, cause or permit NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries to enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle or other agreement with respect to a Competing Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement) (each, an “Acquisition Agreement”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, prior to the time the REIT I Shareholder Approvals are obtained, the NNN REIT Board, may make (but in each case, subject to compliance with this Section 7.3(d) and Sections 7.3(a)-(c)), a NNN REIT Adverse Recommendation Change and/or terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(ii) to enter into a definitive Acquisition Agreement that constitutes a Superior Proposal, if and only if, (A) a written Competing Proposal that was not solicited in violation of this Section 7.3 is made to NNN REIT by a third party and such Competing Proposal is not withdrawn, and (B) prior to taking such action, the NNN REIT Board has determined in good faith (y) after consultation with NNN REIT’s outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of NNN REIT under applicable Maryland Law and (z) after consultation with NNN REIT’s outside legal counsel and outside financial advisors, that such Competing Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that in connection with any such Competing Proposal (1) NNN REIT has given REIT I at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to take such action (which notice shall include the information with respect to such Superior Proposal that is specified in Section 7.3(c) as well as a copy of any proposal, agreement and all material documentation providing for such Superior Proposal), (2) NNN REIT and REIT I have negotiated, and have caused their respective Representatives to negotiate, in good faith with the other Party and its Representatives, to the extent the other Party wishes to negotiate, during such notice period to enable the other Party to propose in writing revisions to the terms of this Agreement such that it would cause such Superior Proposal to no longer constitute a Superior Proposal, (3) following the end of such notice period, the NNN REIT Board shall have considered in good faith any proposed revisions to this Agreement proposed in writing by REIT I and shall have determined that, after consultation with NNN REIT’s outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, the Competing Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal if such revisions were to be given effect and (4) in the event of any change to the material terms of such Superior Proposal, NNN REIT shall, in each case, have delivered to REIT I an additional notice consistent with that described in subclause (1) above and the notice period shall have recommenced. Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with Section 9.1(c)(ii), the NNN REIT Board shall submit this Agreement to its stockholders even if the NNN REIT Board shall have effected a NNN REIT Adverse Recommendation Change, and the NNN REIT Board may not submit to the vote of their stockholders any Competing Proposal other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(j)                 Except to the extent expressly provided in this Section 7.3, nothing in this Section 7.3 shall prohibit the NNN REIT Board from: (i) taking and disclosing to the stockholders of NNN REIT, a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act, if failure to do so would violate applicable Law or (ii) making any “stop, look and listen” communication to the stockholders of NNN REIT pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, in either case, if the NNN REIT Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors under applicable Maryland Law; provided that any disclosure (other than those made pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 7.3(e)) permitted under this Section 7.3(e) that is not an express rejection of any applicable Competing Proposal or an express reaffirmation of the NNN REIT Board Recommendation shall be deemed a NNN REIT Adverse Recommendation Change and; provided, further, that the NNN REIT Board shall not, except as expressly permitted by Section 7.3(d), effect a NNN REIT Adverse Recommendation Change.

 

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(k)                For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i)                 Competing Proposal” means, (A) with respect to REIT I, any proposal or offer, whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions, relating to any (1) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X), (2) sale or other disposition, by merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction, of any assets of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the consolidated assets of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (3) issue, sale or other disposition by REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries of (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction) securities (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, such securities) representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of REIT I Common Shares, (4) tender offer or exchange offer in which any Person or “group” (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) shall acquire beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of REIT I Common Shares, (5) recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other similar type of transaction with respect to REIT I in which a third party shall acquire beneficial ownership of twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding shares of REIT I Common Shares, or (6) transaction that is similar in form, substance or purpose to any of the foregoing transactions and (B) with respect to NNN REIT, any proposal or offer, whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions, relating to any (1) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X), (2) sale or other disposition, by merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction, of any assets of NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the consolidated assets of NNN REIT and the NNN REIT Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (3) issue, sale or other disposition by NNN REIT or any of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries of (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction) securities (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, such securities) representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of NNN REIT Common Stock, (4) tender offer or exchange offer in which any Person or “group” (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) shall acquire beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of NNN REIT Common Stock, (5) recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other similar type of transaction with respect to NNN REIT in which a third party shall acquire beneficial ownership of twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding shares of NNN REIT Common Stock, or (6) transaction that is similar in form, substance or purpose to any of the foregoing transactions; provided, however, that the term “Competing Proposal” shall not include (i) the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) any merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction solely among NNN REIT and one or more of the NNN REIT Subsidiaries or solely among the NNN REIT Subsidiaries.

 

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(ii)               Superior Proposal” means, (A) with respect to REIT I, a written Competing Proposal made by a third party (except for purposes of this definition, the references in the definition of “Competing Proposal” to “twenty percent (20%)” shall be replaced with “fifty percent (50%)”) which the REIT I Board (based on the recommendation of the REIT I Special Committee) determines in its good faith judgment (after consultation with its legal and financial advisors and after taking into account (1) all of the terms and conditions of the Competing Proposal and this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by NNN REIT) and (2) the feasibility and certainty of consummation of such Competing Proposal on the terms proposed (taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such Competing Proposal and conditions to consummation thereof) to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the REIT I Shareholders (in their capacities as shareholders) than the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by NNN REIT)) and (B) with respect to NNN REIT, a written Competing Proposal made by a third party (except for purposes of this definition, the references in the definition of “Competing Proposal” to “twenty percent (20%)” shall be replaced with “fifty percent (50%)”) which the NNN REIT Board (based on the recommendation of the NNN REIT Special Committee) determines in its good faith judgment (after consultation with its legal and financial advisors and after taking into account (1) all of the terms and conditions of the Competing Proposal and this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by REIT I) and (2) the feasibility and certainty of consummation of such Competing Proposal on the terms proposed (taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such Competing Proposal and conditions to consummation thereof) to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the stockholders of NNN REIT (in their capacities as stockholders) than the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by REIT I)).

 

Section 7.4           Public Announcements. Except with respect to any REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change, any NNN REIT Adverse Recommendation Change or any action taken pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 7.1 or Section 7.3, so long as this Agreement is in effect, the Parties shall consult with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statements or filings with respect to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and none of the Parties shall issue any such press release or make any such public statement or filing prior to obtaining the other Parties’ consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); provided, that a Party may, without obtaining the other Parties’ consent, issue such press release or make such public statement or filing as may be required by Law or Order if it is not possible to consult with the other Party before making any public statement with respect to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Parties have agreed upon the form of a joint press release announcing the Merger and the execution of this Agreement, and shall make such joint press release no later than one (1) Business Day following the date on which this Agreement is signed.

 

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Section 7.5           Appropriate Action; Consents; Filings.

 

(a)                Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, REIT I and each of the NNN REIT Parties shall and shall cause the other REIT I Subsidiaries and the other NNN REIT Subsidiaries, respectively, and their respective Affiliates to use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other party in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law or pursuant to any Contract to consummate and make effective, as promptly as practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (i) taking all actions necessary to cause the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article 8 to be satisfied, (ii) preparing and filing any applications, notices, registrations and requests as may be required or advisable to be filed with or submitted to any Governmental Authority in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) obtaining all necessary or advisable actions or nonactions, waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Authorities or other Persons necessary in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the making of all necessary or advisable registrations and filings (including filings with Governmental Authorities, if any) and the taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary or advisable to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any Governmental Authority or other Persons necessary in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) subject to Section 7.7(c), defending any lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other Governmental Authority vacated or reversed, the avoidance of each and every impediment under any antitrust, merger control, competition or trade regulation Law that may be asserted by any Governmental Authority with respect to the Merger so as to enable the Closing to occur as soon as reasonably possible, and (v) executing and delivering any additional instruments necessary or advisable to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement; provided, that neither Party will have any obligation (A) to propose, negotiate, commit to or effect, by consent decree, hold separate order or otherwise, the sale, divestiture or disposition of any assets or businesses of such Party, any of its subsidiaries (including subsidiaries of NNN REIT after the Closing) or their Affiliates or (Botherwise to take or commit to take any actions that would limit the freedom of such Party, its subsidiaries (including subsidiaries of NNN REIT after the Closing) or their Affiliates with respect to, or their ability to retain, one or more of their businesses, product lines or assets.

 

(b)                In connection with and without limiting the foregoing Section 7.5(a), each of the Parties shall give (or shall cause their respective Affiliates to give) any notices to third parties, and each of the Parties shall use, and cause each of their respective Affiliates to use, its reasonable best efforts to obtain any third party consents that are necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Parties will, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, furnish to the other such necessary information and reasonable assistance as the other may request in connection with the preparation of any required applications, notices, registrations and requests as may be required or advisable to be filed with any Governmental Authority and will cooperate in responding to any inquiry from a Governmental Authority, including promptly informing the other party of such inquiry, consulting in advance before making any presentations or submissions to a Governmental Authority, and supplying each other with copies of all material correspondence, filings or communications between either party and any Governmental Authority with respect to this Agreement. To the extent reasonably practicable, the Parties or their Representatives shall have the right to review in advance and each of the Parties will consult the others on, all the information relating to the other and each of their Affiliates that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any Governmental Authority in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except that confidential competitively sensitive business information may be redacted from such exchanges. To the extent reasonably practicable, neither Party shall, nor shall they permit their respective Representatives to, participate independently in any meeting or engage in any substantive conversation with any Governmental Authority in respect of any filing, investigation or other inquiry without giving the other Party prior notice of such meeting or conversation and, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, without giving the other Party the opportunity to attend or participate (whether by telephone or in person) in any such meeting with such Governmental Authority.

 

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(c)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in connection with obtaining any approval or consent from any Person (other than any Governmental Authority) with respect to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, none of the Parties or any of their respective Representatives shall be obligated to pay or commit to pay to such Person whose approval or consent is being solicited any cash or other consideration, make any accommodation or commitment or incur any liability or other obligation to such Person. Subject to the immediately foregoing sentence, the Parties shall cooperate with respect to reasonable accommodations that may be requested or appropriate to obtain such consents.

 

Section 7.6           Estoppel Certificates. As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement and during the Interim Period, REIT I shall, and shall cause the REIT I Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates to use, good faith, commercially reasonable efforts to obtain an estoppel certificate, duly executed by each the tenants under the REIT I Leases that are set forth on Section 7.6 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter (each, a “Specified REIT I Tenant”), dated no more than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date and reflecting the terms of such REIT I Lease, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (each, an “Estoppel Certificate”). REIT I shall provide a draft of the Estoppel Certificates to NNN REIT for review and comment before presenting them to the applicable REIT I Tenant and shall promptly (and at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date) deliver a copy of such executed Estoppel Certificates to NNN REIT promptly upon receipt thereof by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary. 

 

Section 7.7           Notification of Certain Matters; Transaction Litigation.

 

(a)                REIT I and its Representatives shall give prompt notice to the NNN REIT Parties, and the NNN REIT Parties and their Representatives shall give prompt notice to REIT I, of any notice or other communication received by such Party from any Governmental Authority in connection with this Agreement, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b)                REIT I and its Representatives shall give prompt notice to the NNN REIT Parties, and the NNN REIT Parties and their Representatives shall give prompt notice to REIT I, if (i) any representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement becomes untrue or inaccurate such that it would be reasonable to expect that the applicable closing conditions would be incapable of being satisfied by the Outside Date or (ii) it fails to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement; provided, that no such notification shall affect the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the Parties or the conditions to the obligations of the Parties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the failure by REIT I, the NNN REIT Parties or their respective Representatives to provide such prompt notice under this Section 7.7(b) shall not constitute a breach of covenant for purposes of Section 8.2(b), Section 8.3(b), Section 9.1(c)(i), or Section 9.1(d)(i).

 

(c)                REIT I and its Representatives shall give prompt notice to the NNN REIT Parties, and the NNN REIT Parties and their Representatives shall give prompt notice to REIT I, of any Action commenced or, to such Party’s Knowledge, threatened against, relating to or involving such Party or any REIT I Subsidiary or NNN REIT Subsidiary, respectively, or any of their respective directors, officers or partners that relates to this Agreement, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. REIT I and its respective Representatives shall give NNN REIT the opportunity to reasonably participate in the defense and settlement of any stockholder litigation against REIT I or its trustees, officers or partners relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no such settlement shall be agreed to without NNN REIT’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). The NNN REIT Parties and their respective Representatives shall give REIT I the opportunity to reasonably participate in the defense and settlement of any litigation against the NNN REIT Parties and/or their directors, officers or partners relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no such settlement shall be agreed to without REIT I’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

 

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Section 7.8           Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance.

 

(a)                Without limiting or being limited by the provisions of Section 7.8(b) and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, during the period commencing as of the Merger Effective Time and ending on the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Merger Effective Time, NNN REIT shall (and shall cause the Surviving Entity to): (i) indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Indemnified Party (as defined below) against and from any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any Action to the extent such Action arises out of or pertains to (x) any action or omission or alleged action or omission in such Indemnified Party’s capacity as a manager, director, officer, partner, member, trustee, employee or agent of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries, or (y) this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger; and (ii) pay in advance of the final disposition of any such Action the expenses (including attorneys’ fees and any expenses incurred by any Indemnified Party in connection with enforcing any rights with respect to indemnification) of any Indemnified Party without the requirement of any bond or other security, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Law, but subject to NNN REIT’s or the Surviving Entity’s receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, NNN REIT or the Surviving Entity, as applicable, (i) shall not settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment or otherwise seek termination with respect to any claim, action, suit or proceeding against or investigation of any Indemnified Party for which indemnification may be sought under this Section 7.8(a) without the Indemnified Party’s prior written consent (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, (ii) shall not be liable for any settlement effected without their prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) and (iii) shall not have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine in a final and non-appealable order that such indemnification is prohibited by applicable Law, in which case the Indemnified Party shall promptly refund to NNN REIT or the Surviving Entity the amount of all such expenses theretofore advanced pursuant hereto.

 

(b)                Without limiting the foregoing and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, each of NNN REIT and the Surviving Entity agrees that, during the period commencing as of the Merger Effective Time and ending on the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Merger Effective Time, all rights to indemnification and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Merger Effective Time now existing in favor of the current or former managers, directors, officers, partners, members, trustees, employees, agents, fiduciaries or other individuals of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries (the “Indemnified Party(ies)”) as currently provided in (i) the REIT I Governing Documents or, if applicable, similar organizational documents or agreements of any REIT I Subsidiary (the REIT I Organizational Documents”). For a period of six (6) years following the Merger Effective Time, the organizational documents of NNN REIT and the Surviving Entity and the organizational documents of any applicable NNN REIT Subsidiary or REIT I Subsidiary shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification and limitations on liability of directors and officers than are set forth in the REIT I Organizational Documents as of the Merger Effective Time, which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six (6) years following the Merger Effective Time in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of individuals who, at or prior to the Merger Effective Time, were the Indemnified Parties, unless such modification shall be required by applicable Law and then only to the minimum extent required by applicable Law.

 

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(c)                For a period of six (6) years after the Merger Effective Time, NNN REIT shall cause the Surviving Entity to maintain in effect REIT I’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering each Person currently covered by REIT I’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy for acts or omissions occurring prior to and through the Merger Effective Time; provided, that in lieu of such obligation, (i) the Surviving Entity may substitute therefor policies of an insurance company with the same or better rating as REIT I’s current insurance carrier the material terms of which, including coverage and amount, are no less favorable in any material respect to such directors and officers than REIT I’s existing policies as of the date hereof or (ii) in consultation with NNN REIT, REIT I may obtain extended reporting period coverage under REIT I’s existing insurance programs (to be effective as of the Merger Effective Time) for a period of six (6) years after the Merger Effective Time for a cost not in excess of three times the current annual premiums for such insurance; and provided, further, that in no event shall the Surviving Entity be required to pay annual premiums for insurance under this Section 7.8(c) in excess of 300% of the most recent annual premiums paid by REIT I for such purpose, it being understood that if the annual premiums of such insurance coverage exceed such amount, the Surviving Entity shall nevertheless be obligated to provide such coverage as may be obtained for such 300% amount.

 

(d)                If NNN REIT or the Surviving Entity or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges with or into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation, partnership or other entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) liquidates, dissolves or winds-up, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of NNN REIT or the Surviving Entity, as applicable, assume the obligations set forth in this Section 7.8.

 

(e)                NNN REIT shall cause the Surviving Entity to pay all reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, that may be incurred by any Indemnified Party in enforcing the obligations provided in this Section 7.8.

 

(f)                 The provisions of this Section 7.8 are intended to be for the express benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party (who are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 7.8), his or her heirs and his or her personal representatives, shall be binding on all successors and assigns of REIT I, NNN REIT and the Surviving Entity and shall not be amended in a manner that is adverse to the Indemnified Party (including his or her successors, assigns and heirs) without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (including such successors, assigns and heirs) affected thereby. The exculpation and indemnification provided for by this Section 7.8 shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnified Party is entitled, whether pursuant to applicable Law, Contract or otherwise.

 

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Section 7.9           Dividends.

 

(a)                In the event that a distribution with respect to the shares of REIT I Common Shares permitted under the terms of this Agreement has a record date prior to the Merger Effective Time and has not been paid prior to the Closing Date, such distribution shall be paid to the holders of such shares of REIT I Common Shares on the Closing Date immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time. In the event that a distribution with respect to the shares of NNN REIT Common Stock permitted under the terms of this Agreement has a record date prior to the Merger Effective Time and has not been paid prior to the Closing Date, such distribution shall be paid to the holders of such shares of NNN REIT Common Stock on the Closing Date immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time. After the signing of this Agreement and before the Merger Effective Time, REIT I shall coordinate with NNN REIT with respect to the declaration of, and the setting of record dates and payment dates for dividends on REIT I Common Shares so that (i) holders of REIT I Common Shares do not receive dividends on both REIT I Common Shares and NNN REIT Common Stock received in the Merger in respect of a single distribution period or fail to receive a dividend on either REIT I Common Shares or NNN REIT Common Stock received in the Merger in respect of a single distribution period or (ii) do not receive both a dividend permitted by the proviso to Section 6.1(b)(iii) on REIT I Common Shares and a dividend on NNN REIT Common Stock received in the Merger or fail to receive either a dividend permitted by the proviso to Section 6.1(b)(iii) on REIT I Common Shares or a dividend on NNN REIT Common Stock received in the Merger.

 

(b)                In the event that REIT I shall declare or pay any dividend or other distribution that is expressly permitted pursuant to the proviso at the end of Section 6.1(b)(iii), it shall notify NNN REIT at least twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date, and NNN REIT shall be entitled to declare a dividend per share payable to holders of NNN REIT Common Stock and NNN REIT OP Partnership Interests, in an amount per share of NNN REIT Common Stock or per NNN REIT OP Partnership Interest equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the dividend declared by REIT I with respect to each share of REIT I Common Shares by (y) the Exchange Ratio. The record date and time and payment date and time for any dividend payable pursuant to this Section 7.9(b) shall be prior to the Closing Date.

 

Section 7.10        Takeover Statutes. The Parties shall use their respective reasonable best efforts (a) to take all action necessary so that no Takeover Statute is or becomes applicable to the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (b) if any such Takeover Statute is or becomes applicable to any of the foregoing, to take all action necessary so that the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to eliminate or minimize the effect of such Takeover Statute or the restrictions in the REIT I Charter or the NNN REIT Charter (“Charter Restrictions”) on the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No Party shall take any action to exempt any Person (other than the other Parties or their respective Affiliates) from any Takeover Statute of any jurisdiction or Charter Restrictions that may purport to be applicable to the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise cause any restrictions in any Takeover Statute or Charter Restrictions not to apply to any such Person.

 

Section 7.11        Obligations of the Parties. REIT I shall take all actions necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. NNN REIT shall take all actions necessary to (a) cause the NNN REIT Parties to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and (b) ensure that, prior to the Merger Effective Time, Merger Sub shall not conduct any business or make any investments or incur or guarantee any indebtedness other than as specifically contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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Section 7.12        Certain Transactions.

 

(a)                Except as set forth in Section 7.12 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, REIT I shall cause all contracts (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the REIT I Related Party Agreements) between any former, current or future officers, directors, partners, stockholders, managers, members, affiliates or agents of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, on the one hand, and REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, on the other hand, to be settled or terminated on or prior to the Closing, without any further obligations, liability or payments (other than customary indemnification obligations) by or on behalf of REIT I as of the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not require the settlement or termination of an agreement that is solely between REIT I and/or any entities that will remain REIT I Subsidiaries after the Closing.

 

(b)                REIT I represents and warrants that the REIT I DRP and the REIT I SRP have been suspended as of the date of this Agreement and shall take all such actions as may be required to maintain the suspension of the same. REIT I shall (i) take such actions as may be required to terminate the REIT I DRP effective immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) ensure that no shares of Company Common Stock are purchased or issued pursuant to the Company DRIP during the Interim Period and (iii) ensure that no purchase or other rights under the REIT I DRP enable the holder of such rights to acquire any interest in NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary as a result of such purchase or the exercise of such rights at or after the Effective Time.

 

(c)                REIT I shall (i) take such actions as may be required to terminate the REIT I SRP effective prior to the Effective Time, (ii) ensure that no shares of Company Common Stock are repurchased by Company pursuant to the REIT I SRP during the Interim Period, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement and (iii) ensure that no redemption or other rights under the REIT I SRP enable the holder of such rights to cause NNN REIT or any NNN REIT Subsidiary to redeem NNN REIT Common Shares issued in connection with the Merger as a result of such redemption or other rights at or after the Effective Time.

 

(d)                NNN REIT shall use its reasonable best efforts to seek SEC guidance prior to the Merger Effective Time, relating to its ability to include the NNN REIT Class C Common Stock issued as Merger Consideration in the NNN REIT SRP, consistent with all other classes of NNN REIT Common Stock commencing at the earliest possible date following the Merger Effective Time. In the absence of NNN REIT receiving such favorable SEC guidance, NNN REIT shall adopt a share redemption program for the NNN REIT Class C Common Stock issued as Merger Consideration within twelve (12) months following the Merger Effective Time containing terms at least as favorable as the NNN REIT SRP.

 

Section 7.13        Tax Matters.

 

(a)                Each of REIT I and NNN REIT shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, including by executing and delivering the officers’ certificates referred to herein and reporting consistently for all federal, state, and local income Tax or other purposes. Neither REIT I nor NNN REIT shall take any action, or fail to take any action, that would reasonably be expected to cause the Merger to fail to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

(b)                NNN REIT shall (i) deliver to Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP a tax representation letter, dated as of the Closing Date and signed by an officer of NNN REIT, containing representations of NNN REIT and (ii) cause Squar Milner LLC to deliver to Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP a reliance letter, dated as of the Closing Date and signed by a partner of Squar Milner LLC, in each case containing representations reasonably necessary or appropriate to enable Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP to render the tax opinion described in Section 8.3(f).

 

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(c)                NNN REIT shall (i) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the opinion of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, and (ii) deliver to Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP a tax representation letter, dated as of the Closing Date and signed by an officer of NNN REIT and NNN REIT Operating Partnership, containing representations of NNN REIT and NNN REIT Operating Partnership reasonably necessary or appropriate to enable Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP to render the tax opinion described in Section 8.3(f).

 

(d)                REIT I and NNN REIT shall reasonably cooperate in the preparation, execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires, applications or other documents regarding any real property transfer or gains, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer or stamp taxes, any transfer, recording, registration and other fees and any similar taxes that become payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (together with any related interest, penalties or additions to such taxes, Transfer Taxes”), and shall reasonably cfooperate in attempting to minimize the amount of Transfer Taxes.

 

Section 7.14          Amendment of REIT I Charter. The REIT I Board shall resolve to amend the REIT I Charter as set forth in Exhibit A hereto and shall include such amendment in the REIT I Proxy Statement.

 

Article 8

 

CONDITIONS

 

Section 8.1           Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of the Parties to effect the Merger and to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the Closing Date are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by Law, waiver by each of the Parties at or prior to the Merger Effective Time of the following conditions:

 

(a)                Regulatory Authorizations. All consents, authorizations, orders or approvals of each Governmental Authority necessary for the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement set forth in Section 8.1(a) of the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter and Section 8.1(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter shall have been obtained and any applicable waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been terminated.

 

(b)                Shareholder Approval. The REIT I Shareholder Approvals shall have been obtained in accordance with applicable Law and the REIT I Charter and REIT I Bylaws.

 

(c)                No Injunctions or Restraints. No Order issued by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction prohibiting consummation of the Merger shall be in effect, and no Law shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement that, in any case, prohibits, restrains, enjoins or makes illegal the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d)                Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have been declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form S-4 shall have been issued by the SEC and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated by the SEC that have not been withdrawn.

 

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Section 8.2           Conditions to Obligations of REIT I. The obligations of REIT I to effect the Merger and to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by Law, waiver by REIT I, at or prior to the Merger Effective Time, of the following additional conditions:

 

(a)                Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties of the NNN REIT Parties set forth in the Fundamental Representations (except Section 5.4(a) (Capital Structure) and Section 5.6 (Brokers), Section 5.7 (Opinion of Financial Advisor), shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the Merger Effective Time, (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.4(a) (Capital Structure) shall be true and correct in all but de minimis respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the Merger Effective Time, and (iii) each of the other representations and warranties of the NNN REIT Parties contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the Merger Effective Time, except (A) in each case, representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date shall be true and correct only on and as of such date, and (B) in the case of clause (iii) where the failure of such representations or warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or NNN REIT Material Adverse Effect qualifications set forth therein), individually or in the aggregate, does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have a NNN REIT Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                Performance of Covenants and Obligations of the NNN REIT Parties. The NNN REIT Parties shall have performed in all material respects all obligations, and complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants, required to be performed by them under this Agreement on or prior to the Merger Effective Time.

 

(c)                Absence of Material Adverse Change. On the Closing Date, no circumstance shall exist that constitutes a NNN REIT Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)                Delivery of Certificate. NNN REIT shall have delivered to REIT I a certificate, dated the date of the Closing and signed by its chief executive officer and chief financial officer on behalf of NNN REIT, certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a), Section 8.2(b) and Section 8.2(c) have been satisfied.

 

(e)                Amendment of REIT I Charter. The REIT I Board shall have resolved to amend the REIT I Charter as set forth in Exhibit A hereto and the REIT I Shareholders shall have approved such amendment in the REIT I Shareholders Meeting.

 

Section 8.3           Conditions to Obligations of the NNN REIT Parties. The obligations of the NNN REIT Parties to effect the Merger and to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by Law, waiver by NNN REIT at or prior to the Merger Effective Time, of the following additional conditions:

 

(a)                 Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties of REIT I set forth in the Fundamental Representations (except Section 4.4(a) (Capital Structure), Section 4.18 (Brokers), Section 4.19 (Opinion of Financial Advisor) and Section 4.20 (Takeover Statutes)) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the Merger Effective Time, (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.4(a) (Capital Structure) shall be true and correct in all but de minimis respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the Merger Effective Time, and (iii) each of the other representations and warranties of REIT I contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the Merger Effective Time, except (A) in each case, representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date shall be true and correct only on and as of such date, and (B) in the case of clause (iii) where the failure of such representations or warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or REIT I Material Adverse Effect qualifications set forth therein), individually or in the aggregate, does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)                Performance of Covenants or Obligations of REIT I. REIT I shall have performed in all material respects all obligations, and complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants, required to be performed by them under this Agreement on or prior to the Merger Effective Time.

 

(c)                Absence of Material Adverse Change. On the Closing Date, no circumstance shall exist that constitutes a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)                Delivery of Certificate. REIT I shall have delivered to NNN REIT a certificate, dated the date of the Closing and signed by its chief executive officer and chief financial officer on behalf of REIT I certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a), Section 8.3(b) and Section 8.3(c) have been satisfied.

 

(e)                Required Consents. REIT I shall have obtained the consents and approvals set forth on Schedule 8.3(e) (the “Required Consents”) in a form reasonably satisfactory to NNN REIT.

 

(f)                 REIT Opinion. NNN REIT shall have received a written opinion of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that, commencing with NNN REIT’s taxable year that ended on December 31, 2016, NNN REIT has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code and its actual method of operation will enable NNN REIT to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, which opinion will be subject to customary exceptions, assumptions and qualifications and based on customary representations contained in an officer’s certificate executed by NNN REIT.

 

(g)                Section 368 Opinion. NNN REIT shall have received a written opinion of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, or other counsel to NNN REIT reasonably satisfactory to REIT I, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to NNN REIT, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, which opinion will be subject to customary exceptions, assumptions and qualifications. In rendering such opinion, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP may rely upon the tax representation letters described in Section 7.13.

 

(h)                Approval of Merger by Holders of NNN REIT Common Stock. Although NNN REIT is not required to submit this Agreement or the Merger to the holders of NNN Common Stock for approval under the NNN REIT Charter, the NNN REIT Bylaws or the MGCL, (i) the NNN Board shall have directed that this Agreement and the Merger be submitted for consideration to the holders of NNN REIT Common Stock at a duly held meeting of the holders of NNN REIT Common Stock, (ii) the NNN REIT Board shall have recommended that the holders of NNN REIT Common Stock vote in favor of approval of this Agreement and the Merger, and (iii) this Agreement and the Merger shall have been approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of NNN REIT Common Stock present in person or by proxy at such meetings (together, the “NNN REIT Stockholder Approval”).

 

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(i)                 Estoppel Certificates. NNN REIT shall have received (i) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Estoppel Certificates from the Specified REIT I Tenants set forth on Section 8.1(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to NNN REIT, along with (ii) a written statement, dated as of the Closing Date and duly executed by REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary, affirming that as of the Closing, all information contained in such Estoppel Certificates delivered to NNN REIT remains true and correct other than the date through which rental payments are made, which date REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary shall update to the current correct date. For purposes of the foregoing clause (i), any such Estoppel Certificate shall be deemed unsatisfactory if it discloses: (i) any default by the landlord or the respective tenant under the applicable REIT I Lease; (ii) any amendment, modification or supplement to any REIT I Lease that was not provided to NNN REIT prior to the commencement of the Interim Period; or (iii) any other information that is inconsistent in any material respect with the applicable REIT I Lease or related information as provided to NNN REIT, any NNN REIT Subsidiary or any of their Affiliates, before the commencement of the Interim Period.

 

(j)                 Settlement Documents and SEC Obligations.  REIT I Advisor and the SEC shall have entered a settlement agreement and any other documents, instruments or agreements of any kind and nature required to be entered into in connection therewith (the “Settlement Documents”) in connection with that certain administrative proceeding commenced by the SEC against REIT I Advisor and such Settlement Documents shall be in full force and effect, no default shall have occurred under any of the Settlement Documents and all obligations thereunder shall have been fully and timely satisfied and all payment and performance obligations shall have been paid and performed, as and when due.

 

Article 9

TERMINATION, FEES AND EX
PENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.1           Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be abandoned at any time prior to the Merger Effective Time, notwithstanding receipt of the REIT I Shareholder Approvals and NNN REIT Stockholder Approval, as applicable (except as otherwise specified in this Section 9.1):

 

(a)                by mutual written consent of each of REIT I and NNN REIT;

 

(b)                by either REIT I (with the prior approval of the REIT I Special Committee) or NNN REIT (with the prior approval of the NNN REIT Special Committee): 

  

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(i)                if the Merger shall not have occurred on or before 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on March 31, 2020 (the “Outside Date”); provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(b)(i) shall not be available to any Party if the failure of such Party (and (A) in the case of REIT I, including the failure of the other REIT I, and (B) in the case of NNN REIT, including the failure of the other NNN REIT Parties) to perform or comply in all material respects with the obligations, covenants or agreements of such Party set forth in this Agreement shall have been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Merger to be consummated by the Outside Date;

 

(ii)               if any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an Order permanently restraining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such Order shall have become final and nonappealable; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b)(ii) shall not be available to a Party if the issuance of such final, non-appealable Order was primarily due to the failure of such Party (and (A) in the case of REIT I, including the failure of the other REIT I, and (B) in the case of NNN REIT, including the failure of the other NNN REIT Parties) to perform in all material respects any of its obligations, covenants or agreements under this Agreement; or

 

(iii)             if the REIT I Shareholder Approvals or NNN REIT Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the REIT I Shareholders and NNN REIT Stockholder Meetings duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or postponement thereof at which a vote on the approval of this Agreement and the Merger was taken; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b)(iii) shall not be available to a Party if the failure to receive the REIT I Shareholder Approvals and NNN REIT Stockholder Approval was primarily due to the failure of a Party to perform in all material respects any of its obligations, covenants or agreements under this Agreement;

 

(c)                by REIT I (with the prior approval of the REIT I Special Committee):

 

(i)                if a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any obligation, covenant or agreement on the part of any of the NNN REIT Parties set forth in this Agreement has occurred that would cause any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 not to be satisfied (a “NNN REIT Terminating Breach), which breach or failure to perform cannot be cured, or, if capable of cure, has not been cured by the earlier of twenty (20) days following written notice thereof from REIT I to NNN REIT and two (2) Business Days before the Outside Date; provided, that REIT I shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c)(i) if a REIT I Terminating Breach shall have occurred and be continuing at the time REIT I delivers notice of its election to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c)(i);

 

(ii)               if REIT I has accepted a Superior Proposal at any time prior to receipt of the Stockholder Approvals in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.3(d) herein; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be so terminated unless concurrently with the occurrence of such termination the payment required by Section 9.3(b) is made in full to NNN REIT and the definitive agreement relating to the Superior Proposal is entered into, and in the event that such definitive agreement is not concurrently entered into and such payment is not concurrently made, such termination shall be null and void;

 

(iii)             if (A) the NNN REIT Board or any committee thereof, for any reason, shall have effected a NNN REIT Adverse Recommendation Change; (B) the NNN Board or any committee thereof shall have approved, adopted or publicly endorsed or recommended any Competing Proposal, (C) a tender offer or exchange offer for any shares of NNN Common Stock that constitutes a Competing Proposal (other than by REIT I or any of its Affiliates) is commenced and the NNN REIT Board fails to recommend against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by the stockholders of NNN REIT and to publicly reaffirm the NNN REIT Board Recommendation within ten (10) Business Days of being requested to do so by REIT I, or (D) NNN REIT shall have materially violated any of its obligations under Section 7.3, or shall be deemed pursuant to the last sentence of Section 7.3(h) to have materially violated any of its obligations under Section 7.3 (other than any immaterial or inadvertent violations thereof that did not result in a Competing Proposal); or

 

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(iv)              if (A) all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 have been and continue to be satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing), (B) on or after the date the Closing should have occurred, REIT I has delivered written notice to NNN REIT to the effect that all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing) and REIT I is prepared to consummate the Closing, and (C) the NNN REIT Parties fail to consummate the Closing within three (3) Business Days after delivery of the notice referenced in the preceding clause (B) (it being understood that during such three (3) Business Day period, NNN REIT shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement); or

 

(d)                by NNN REIT (with the prior approval of the NNN REIT Special Committee):

 

(i)                if a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any obligation, covenant or agreement on the part of REIT I set forth in this Agreement has occurred that would cause any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 not to be satisfied (a “REIT I Terminating Breach”), which breach or failure to perform cannot be cured, or if capable of cure, has not been cured by the earlier of twenty (20) days following written notice thereof from NNN REIT to REIT I and two (2) Business Days before the Outside Date; provided, that NNN REIT shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(d)(i) if a NNN REIT Terminating Breach shall have occurred and be continuing at the time NNN REIT delivers notice of its election to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(d)(i);

 

(ii)               if NNN REIT has accepted a Superior Proposal at any time prior to receipt of the REIT I Shareholder Approvals and NNN REIT Stockholder Approval in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.3(j) hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be so terminated unless concurrently with the occurrence of such termination the payment required by Section 9.3(b) is made in full to REIT I and the definitive agreement relating to the Superior Proposal is entered into, and in the event that such definitive agreement is not concurrently entered into and such payment is not concurrently made, such termination shall be null and void;

 

(iii)              if, at any time prior to receipt of the REIT I Shareholder Approvals and NNN REIT Stockholder Approval, (A) the REIT I Board or any committee thereof, for any reason, shall have effected a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change; (B) the REIT I Board or any committee thereof shall have approved, adopted or publicly endorsed or recommended any Competing Proposal, (C) a tender offer or exchange offer for any shares of REIT I Common Shares that constitutes an Competing Proposal (other than by NNN REIT or any of its Affiliates) is commenced and the REIT I Board fails to recommend against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by the stockholders of REIT I and to publicly reaffirm the REIT I Board Recommendation within five (5) Business Days of being requested to do so by NNN REIT, (D) the REIT I Board or any committee thereof fails to include the REIT I Board Recommendation in the REIT I Proxy Statement, or (E) REIT I shall have violated any of its obligations under Section 7.3, or shall be deemed pursuant to the last sentence of Section 7.3(b) to have violated any of its obligations under Section 7.3;

 

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(iv)              if (A) all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 have been and continue to be satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing), (B) on or after the date the Closing should have occurred, NNN REIT has delivered written notice to REIT I to the effect that all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing) and the NNN REIT Parties are prepared to consummate the Closing, and (C) REIT I fails to consummate the Closing within three (3) Business Days after delivery of the notice referenced in the preceding clause (B) (it being understood that during such three (3) Business Day period, REIT I shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement); or

 

(v)               if the NNN REIT Approval shall not have been obtained at the NNN REIT Stockholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or postponement thereof at which a vote on the approval of the REIT Merger was taken; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b)(iii)) shall not be available to a Party if the failure to receive the REIT I Shareholder Approval or NNN REIT Stockholder Approval was primarily due to the failure of a Party to perform in all material respects any of its obligations, covenants or agreements under this Agreement.

 

Section 9.2           Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 9.1, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other Parties specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made, and this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of REIT I or the NNN REIT Parties, except that the Confidentiality Agreement and the provisions of Section 7.4 (Public Announcements), this Section 9.2, Section 9.3 (Fees and Expenses), Section 9.4 (Amendment), and Article 10 (General Provisions) of this Agreement shall survive the termination hereof; provided, that no such termination shall relieve any Party from any liability or damages resulting from any fraud or willful and material breach of any of its covenants, obligations or agreements set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 9.3           Fees and Expenses.

 

(a)                Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.3, all Expenses shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Merger are consummated; provided that the Parties will share equally any HSR Act and the Form S-4 filing fees, if any, as may be required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b)                In the event that this Agreement is terminated:

 

(i)                (A)(x) by NNN REIT pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(i), and after the date hereof and prior to the breach or failure to perform giving rise to such right of termination, a bona fide Competing Proposal (with, for all purposes of this Section 9.3(b)(i), all percentages included in the definition of “Competing Proposal” increased to fifty percent (50%)) has been publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to the REIT I Board or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make such an Competing Proposal or (y) by NNN REIT or REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i) (and at the time of such termination REIT I would not have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iii)) and after the date of this Agreement, a Competing Proposal with respect to REIT I has been made to REIT I or publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to REIT I’s stockholders (and not withdrawn) or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make such an Competing Proposal and (B) within twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, a transaction in respect of an Competing Proposal with respect to REIT I is consummated or REIT I enters into a definitive agreement in respect of an Competing Proposal with respect to REIT I that is later consummated, REIT I shall pay to NNN REIT the REIT I Termination Payment;

 

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(ii)               (A)(x) by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(i), and after the date hereof and prior to the breach or failure to perform giving rise to such right of termination, a bona fide Competing Proposal (with, for all purposes of this Section 9.3(b)(i), all percentages included in the definition of “Competing Proposal” increased to fifty percent (50%)) has been publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to the NNN REIT Board or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make such an Competing Proposal or (y) by REIT I or NNN REIT pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i) (and at the time of such termination NNN REIT would not have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iii)) or Section 9.1(b)(iii) and after the date of this Agreement, a Competing Proposal with respect to NNN REIT has been made to NNN REIT or publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to NNN REIT’s stockholders (and not withdrawn) or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make such an Competing Proposal and (B) within twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, a transaction in respect of an Competing Proposal with respect to NNN REIT is consummated or NNN REIT enters into a definitive agreement in respect of an Competing Proposal with respect to NNN REIT that is later consummated, NNN REIT shall pay to REIT I the NNN REIT Termination Payment;

 

(iii)             by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(i) (other than as described in Section 9.3(b)(ii)), then NNN REIT shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the Expense Reimbursement Payment;

 

(iv)             by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(ii), then REIT I shall pay to NNN REIT an amount equal to the REIT I Termination Payment.

 

(v)              by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iii), then NNN REIT shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the NNN REIT Termination Payment;

 

(vi)             by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iv), then NNN REIT shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the NNN REIT Termination Payment;

 

(vii)            by NNN REIT pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(i) (other than as described in Section 9.3(b)(i)), then REIT I shall pay to NNN REIT an amount equal to the Expense Reimbursement Payment;

 

(viii)           by NNN REIT pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(ii), then NNN REIT shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the NNN REIT Termination Payment;

 

(ix)              by NNN REIT pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(ii), then REIT I shall pay to NNN REIT an amount equal to the REIT I Termination Payment;

 

(x)               by NNN REIT pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(iv), then REIT I shall pay to NNN REIT an amount equal to the REIT I Termination Payment;

 

(xi)              by NNN REIT pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i) and at the time of such termination REIT I would have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iii), then NNN REIT shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the NNN REIT Termination Payment; or

 

(xii)             by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i) and at the time of such termination NNN REIT would have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(iv), then REIT I shall pay to NNN REIT an amount equal to the REIT I Termination Payment.

 

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(c)                The Parties agree and acknowledge that in no event shall any Party be required to pay a Termination Payment on more than one occasion. Payment of a Termination Payment shall be made by wire transfer of same day funds to the account or accounts designated by the Party entitled to payment thereof (the “Recipient”) (i) prior to or concurrently at the time of consummation of any transaction contemplated by an Competing Proposal, in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(i) or Section 9.3(b)(i), (ii) prior to or concurrently with termination of this Agreement, in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(iv) and Section 9.3(b)(v), (iii) concurrently with termination of this Agreement, in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(x) or Section 9.3(b)(xii), and (iv) as promptly as reasonably practicable after termination (and, in any event, within two (2) Business Days thereof), in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to any other provision of Section 9.3(b).

 

(d)                Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a Termination Payment becomes payable, then such payment shall be the Recipient’s and its Affiliates’ sole and exclusive remedy as liquidated damages for any and all losses or damages of any nature against the Party obligated to pay the Termination Payment (the “Payor”) and its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Representatives in respect of this Agreement, any agreement executed in connection herewith, and the transaction contemplated hereby and thereby, including for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the termination of this Agreement, the failure of the Merger to be consummated or for a breach or failure to perform hereunder (whether intentionally, unintentionally, or otherwise) or otherwise.

 

(e)                Each of the Parties acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 9.3 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that without these agreements, the other Parties would not enter into this Agreement. In the event that the Payor shall fail to pay the Termination Payment when due, the Payor shall reimburse the Recipient for all reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred or accrued by the Recipient (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) in connection with the collection under and enforcement of this Section 9.3. Further, if the Payor fails to timely pay any amount due pursuant to this Section 9.3, and, in order to obtain the payment, the Recipient commences a suit which results in a judgment against the Payor for the payment set forth in this Section 9.3, the Payor shall pay to the Recipient its reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees) in connection with such suit, together with interest on such amount at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate of Citibank, N.A. in effect on the date such payment was required to be made through the date of payment. If payable, the Termination Payment shall not be payable more than once pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(f)                 The Payor shall deposit into escrow an amount in cash equal to the Termination Payment with an escrow agent reasonably selected by the Recipient, after reasonable consultation with the Payor, and pursuant to a written escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) reflecting the terms set forth in this Section 9.3 and otherwise reasonably acceptable to each of the Parties and the escrow agent. The payment or deposit into escrow of the Termination Payment pursuant to this Section 9.3(b) shall be made by the Payor promptly after receipt of notice from the Recipient that the Escrow Agreement has been executed by the parties thereto. The Escrow Agreement shall provide that the Termination Payment in escrow or the applicable portion thereof shall be released to the Recipient on an annual basis based upon the delivery by the Recipient to the escrow agent of any one (or a combination) of the following:

 

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(i)                a letter from the Recipient’s independent certified public accountants indicating the maximum amount that can be paid by the escrow agent to the Recipient without causing the Recipient to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code for the applicable taxable year of the Recipient determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute income described in Sections 856(c)(2)(A)-(H) or 856(c)(3)(A)-(I) of the Code (such income, “Qualifying REIT Income”), in which case the escrow agent shall release to the Recipient such maximum amount stated in the accountant’s letter;

 

(ii)               a letter from the Recipient’s counsel indicating that the Recipient received a private letter ruling from the IRS holding that the receipt by the Recipient of the Termination Payment would either constitute Qualifying REIT Income or would be excluded from gross income within the meaning of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, in which case the escrow agent shall release to the Recipient the remainder of the Termination Payment; or

 

(iii)             a letter from the Recipient’s counsel indicating that the Recipient has received a tax opinion from the Recipient’s outside counsel or accountant, respectively, to the effect that the receipt by the Recipient of the Termination Payment should either constitute Qualifying REIT Income or should be excluded from gross income within the meaning of Section 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, in which case the escrow agent shall release to the Recipient the remainder of the Termination Payment.

 

The Parties agree to cooperate in good faith to amend this Section 9.3(f) at the reasonable request of the Recipient in order to (A) maximize the portion of the Termination Payment that may be distributed to the Recipient hereunder without causing the Recipient to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, (B) improve the Recipient’s chances of securing the favorable private letter ruling from the IRS described in this Section 9.3(f) or (C) assist the Recipient in obtaining the favorable tax opinion from its outside counsel or accountant described in this Section 9.3(f). The Escrow Agreement shall provide that the Recipient shall bear all costs and expenses under the Escrow Agreement and that any portion of the Termination Payment held in escrow for ten (10) years shall be released by the escrow agent to the Payor. The Payor shall not be a party to the Escrow Agreement and shall not bear any liability, cost or expense resulting directly or indirectly from the Escrow Agreement (other than any Taxes imposed on the Payor in connection therewith). The Recipient shall fully indemnify the Payor and hold the Payor harmless from and against any such liability, cost or expense.

 

Section 9.4           Amendment. Subject to compliance with applicable Law, this Agreement may be amended by mutual agreement of the Parties by action taken or authorized by the REIT I Special Committee and the NNN REIT Special Committee, respectively, at any time before or after receipt of the REIT I Shareholder Approvals and prior to the Merger Effective Time; provided, that after the REIT I Shareholder Approvals have been obtained, there shall not be (i) any amendment of this Agreement that changes the amount or the form of the consideration to be delivered under this Agreement to the holders of REIT I Common Shares, or which by applicable Law requires the further approval of the stockholders of REIT I without such further approval of such stockholders, or (ii) any amendment or change not permitted under applicable Law. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the Parties.

 

Article 10

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 10.1        Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties and Certain Covenants. None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Merger Effective Time. The covenants to be performed prior to or at the Closing shall terminate at the Closing. This Section 10.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the Parties that by its terms contemplates performance after the Merger Effective Time.

 

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Section 10.2        Notices. All notices, requests, claims, consents, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the Parties or sent by facsimile or e-mail of a pdf attachment (providing confirmation of transmission) at the following addresses or facsimile numbers (or at such other address or facsimile number for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

(a)                if to a NNN REIT Party to:

 

The Special Committee of the Board of Directors

RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc.

3090 Bristol Street, Suite 550

Costa Mesa, California 92626

Attn: Curtis B. McWilliams, Chairperson

email: cbmcwilliams09@gmail.com

 

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
1600 Atlanta Financial Center

3343 Peachtree Road, NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Attn: Lauren B. Prevost, Esq. and Amie Singer, Esq.

email: lprevost@mmmlaw.com; asinger@mmmlaw.com

 

if to a REIT I Party to:

 

The Special Committee of the Board of Directors
Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I
3090 Bristol Street, Suite 550

Costa Mesa, California 92626

Attn: Vipe Desai, Chairperson
email: vipe@hdxmix.com

 

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

 

Corporate Law Solutions
907 Sandcastle Drive
Corona del Mar, California 92625
Attention: Gregory W. Preston, Esq.
email: gpreston@corp-law.com

 

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Section 10.3        Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced under any present or future Law, or public policy, (a) such term or other provision shall be fully separable, (b) this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, and (c) all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable term or other provision or by its severance herefrom so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that transactions contemplated by this Agreement be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

Section 10.4        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 (by telecopy, electronic delivery or otherwise) to the other Parties. Signatures to this Agreement transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in “portable document form” (“pdf”), 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 10.5        Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement (including the Exhibits, Schedules, the REIT I Disclosure Letter and the NNN REIT Disclosure Letter) and the Confidentiality Agreement (a) constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and, (b) except for the provisions of Article 3 (which, from and after the Merger Effective Time, shall be for the benefit of holders of shares of REIT I Common Shares immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time) and Section 7.8 (which, from and after the Merger Effective Time shall be for the benefit of the Indemnified Parties) are not intended to confer upon any Person other than the Parties hereto any rights or remedies.

 

Section 10.6        Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Merger Effective Time, the Parties may, to the extent legally allowed and except as otherwise set forth herein, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other Party contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the requirements of applicable Law, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a Party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such Party. The failure of any Party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of those rights.

 

Section 10.7        Governing Law; Venue.

 

(a)                This Agreement, and all claims or causes of actions (whether at Law, in contract or in tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or related to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to its conflicts of laws principles (whether the State of Maryland or any other jurisdiction that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland).

 

(b)                All disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any Maryland state or federal court. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any such Maryland state or federal court, for the purpose of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any Party, (ii) agrees not to commence any such dispute except in such courts, (iii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such dispute may be heard and determined in any such Maryland state or federal court, (iv) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such dispute, and (v) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such dispute. Each of the Parties agrees that a final judgment in any such dispute shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Each Party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.2. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

 

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Section 10.8        Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or otherwise by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Parties. This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

 

Section 10.9        Specific Performance. 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 pursuant to Article 9, each Party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and each Party hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such Party is entitled at Law or in equity.

 

Section 10.10    Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY 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 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 HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 10.10.

 

Section 10.11    Authorship. The Parties agree that the terms and language of this Agreement are the result of negotiations between 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.

 

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

 

  Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I
   
  By: /s/ RAYMOND J. PACINI
    Name: Raymond J. Pacini
    Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page  to the Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 

 

 

 

  RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc.
   
  By: /s/ AARON S. HALFACRE
    Name: Aaron S. Halfacre
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  Rich Uncles NNN Operating Partnership, LP
   
  By: RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc., not in its individual capacity but solely as general partner
   
  By: /s/ AARON S. HALFACRE
    Name: Aaron S. Halfacre
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  KATANA MERGER SUB, LP
   
  By: RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc., its General Partner
   
  By: /s/ AARON S. HALFACRE
    Name: Aaron S. Halfacre
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to the Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.2

 

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

by and AMONG

 

RICH UNCLES NNN OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP,

as the Operating Partnership and the Contributee,

 

RW HOLDINGS NNN REIT, INC.,
as Parent

 

AND

 

BRIXINVEST, LLC

AND

DAISHO OP HOLDINGS, LLC

as the Contributor,

 

Dated as of September 19, 2019

 

 

 

 

This CONTRIBUTION Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of September 19, 2019, by and among (a) Rich Uncles NNN Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership” or the “Contributee”), (b) RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Parent”), as the general partner of the Contributee, (c) BrixInvest, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BrixInvest”) and (d) Daisho OP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of BrixInvest (“Daisho”) (BrixInvest and Daisho collectively referred to as the “Contributor”). The Contributee and the Contributor are collectively referred to as the “Parties,” and each, a “Party.” Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Article 11 of this Agreement.

 

R E C I T A L S

 

WHEREAS, BrixInvest is the parent company of Daisho, which is in turn the parent company of modiv, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NewCo”);

 

WHEREAS, BrixInvest is engaged in, among other things, the business of serving as the advisor and property manager to Parent, Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I, an unincorporated California association (“REIT I”) and BRIX REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“BRIX REIT”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties intend that: (i) BrixInvest will contribute, assign and transfer the Contributed Assets to NewCo, and NewCo will assume the Assumed Liabilities (the “Initial Contribution”); and (ii) following the Initial Contribution, Daisho will contribute, assign and transfer 100% of the Equity Interests of NewCo (the “Contributed Interests”) to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 657,949.5 Class M units of limited partnership interest of the Operating Partnership (the “OP Units”) (the “Second Contribution”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals, the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
CONTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

 

1.1               Initial Contribution.

 

(a)                Contribution of the Contributed Assets. On and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, prior to the Closing, and in no event less than one (1) Business Day prior to the Daisho Spin-Off (the “Transfer Date”) the Contributor agrees to cause the employment of the Continuing Employees to be transferred to NewCo on the terms and conditions set forth in Section 5.3(a), and to contribute, convey, transfer, irrevocably assign and deliver to NewCo the membership interests in the Contributed Subsidiaries and those assets specifically set forth on, or specifically described in, Schedule 1.1(a) (collectively, the “Contributed Assets”), free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and at the Closing, NewCo agrees to accept the employment of the Continuing Employees and the contribution of the Contributed Assets and assume the Assumed Liabilities, if any.

 

(b)                Excluded Assets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Contributed Assets shall not include, and NewCo shall not have any right to receive or otherwise acquire, any of the rights, properties or assets of the Contributor specifically set forth on, or specifically described in, Schedule 1.1(b) (collectively, the “Excluded Assets”).

 

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(c)                Assumed Liabilities. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, NewCo shall assume from the Contributor (i) the Liabilities set forth on, or described in, Schedule 1.1(c), and (ii) all Liabilities accruing on or after Closing relating to or arising out of or with respect to NewCo’s business, the employment of the Continuing Employees with NewCo, or the Contributed Assets (each an “Assumed Liability” and, collectively, the “Assumed Liabilities”), and NewCo (or the Contributee or its Affiliates on NewCo’s behalf) shall thereafter pay, perform and otherwise discharge the Assumed Liabilities in accordance with their terms. Except for the Assumed Liabilities, nothing contained in any Transaction Document shall be interpreted or construed to result in the assumption by NewCo, or result in NewCo, Contributee or Parent becoming in any way liable for, any other Liability of the Contributor (each an “Excluded Liability” and, collectively, the “Excluded Liabilities”).

 

(d)                Assignment of Certain Contracts. Subject to Section 1.1(e), at the Closing, effective as of the Closing Date, NewCo shall succeed to the rights and privileges of the Contributor, and shall perform, or cause its subsidiaries or Affiliates to perform, at and after the Closing Date as an Assumed Liability, all Contracts and Permits of the Company Group set forth on Schedule 1.1(d) (the “Assigned Contracts”).

 

(e)                Consent of Third Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Transaction Document, to the extent that the assignment of all or any portion of any of the Assigned Contracts shall require the consent of the other party thereto or any third Person (including the Contributor Required Consents), or if any Permit is non-assignable or assignable only with the consent of the Governmental Authority issuing the same or any third Person, then in any and all such instances, this Agreement shall not constitute an agreement to assign any such Assigned Contracts or Permits, if such an assignment would constitute a breach or violation thereof. In order, however, to provide NewCo with the full realization and value of such Assigned Contracts and Permits in the event that such consent with respect to such Assigned Contract or Permit shall not have been obtained, the Company Group shall cooperate with NewCo and the Contributee in any arrangement reasonably acceptable to the Parties, intended to both (a) provide NewCo and the Contributee with the benefit of any such Contributed Assets and (b) cause NewCo and the Contributee to bear all costs and Liabilities (including Taxes) of or under any such Contributed Assets; provided, that (i) Contributee and Parent shall not be required to pay any amounts or provide other consideration to any Third Party in obtaining any such consents, and (ii) for so long as Contributor holds any such Assigned Contracts or Permits pursuant to the foregoing, NewCo and the Contributee shall indemnify and hold Contributor and its Affiliates harmless from any Liabilities incurred or asserted as a result of the Contributee’s or such Affiliate’s ownership, management or operation of any such Assigned Contracts or Permits.

 

1.2               Second Contribution.

 

(a)                Transfer of Contributed Interests. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing and immediately following the Initial Contribution as set forth in Section 1.1, Contributor agrees to contribute, assign and transfer the Contributed Interests, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), to Contributee.

 

(b)                Consideration. At the Closing, as consideration for the Contributed Interests, Contributee shall deliver to Contributor and/or pay on its behalf, or assume, as the case may be, the following: (a) the OP Units, (b) the Assumed Liabilities, and (c) payment of the Transaction Expenses (the “Contribution Value”).

 

(c)                Earnout Adjustment. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Conversion Rate of the OP Units issued to the Contributor at the Closing (as may be subsequently transferred by Contributor pursuant to a Permitted Transfer) shall be subject to an upward adjustment based on achieving certain Earnout Adjustment Milestones related to AFFO and AUM as set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement.

 

1.3               Tax Treatment. The contribution of the Contributed Assets by the Contributor to NewCo, followed by the contribution of the Contributed Interests by Contributor to the Contributee, as contemplated by the Initial Contribution followed by the Second Contribution, is intended to qualify as a tax-deferred contribution of assets to the Contributee in exchange for OP Units under Code Section 721. The Parties each hereby agree to report the transactions contemplated herein for all income tax purposes (including for purposes of reporting on any income tax returns filed by Parent, Contributee and Contributor) in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of this Section 1.3 and none of the Parties shall take any position (whether in audits, or Tax Returns or otherwise) that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 1.3 unless required to do so by applicable Law.

 

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ARTICLE 2
CLOSING

 

2.1               Closing. The closing of the contribution and exchange of the Contributed Assets and Contributed Interests (the “Closing”) shall take place (a) by electronic exchange of documents and signatures at 12:01 a.m., Pacific time on the third (3rd) Business Day after all the conditions set forth in ARTICLE 7 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver of such conditions at the Closing) shall have been satisfied or validly waived by the Party entitled to the benefit of such condition (subject to applicable Law), or (b) such other place or date as may be agreed in writing by Parent and Contributor. The date on which the Closing actually takes place is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.”

 

2.2               Closing Payment.

 

(a)                At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing, the Contributor shall prepare and deliver to Parent a distribution schedule, which may be updated by the Contributor as necessary until the Closing (the “Distribution Schedule”), dated as of the Closing Date, setting forth the amount of Transaction Expenses and Debt outstanding as of the Closing Date.

 

(b)                At Closing, Parent shall deliver or cause to be delivered the following:

 

(i)                 on behalf of the Contributor, pay to the Persons entitled thereto, the amounts comprising Transaction Expenses, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in accordance with wire instructions and final invoices provided by the Contributor to Parent at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date and set forth in the Distribution Schedule; and

 

(ii)               the OP Units to the Contributor.

 

ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES regarding
THE COMPANY GROUP

 

The Contributor hereby represents and warrants to Contributee and Parent that the statements contained in this Article 3 are true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, except as set forth herein or in the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, dated as of the date hereof, and delivered by the Contributor to Contributee contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Contributor Disclosure Schedule”) (it being agreed that the disclosure of any matter in any section in the Contributor Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to have been disclosed in any other section in the Contributor Disclosure Schedule to which the applicability of such disclosure is reasonably apparent):

 

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3.1               Organization and Good Standing.

 

(a)                Each entity in the Company Group (i) is a legal entity, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has the requisite corporate or other organizational power and authority necessary to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed or registered to transact business as a foreign entity and is in good standing (or the equivalent thereof) to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or license necessary (such jurisdictions, the “Foreign Qualifications”), except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                Section 3.1(b) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete list of the following: (A) for each entity in the Company Group, such entity’s (1) name, jurisdiction of organization and registration number, (2) directors, officers and managers (however designated) and (3) Foreign Qualifications, if any; and (B) further, for each Contributed Subsidiary, such Contributed Subsidiary’s (x) authorized units, membership interests or other Equity Interests, (y) number of each class or type of issued and outstanding units, membership interests or other Equity Interests and (z) current record and beneficial owners of such units, membership interests or other Equity Interests.

 

(c)                Except as set forth on Section 3.1(c) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, no entity in the Company Group (currently or at any time in the past) owns or controls or has any rights to acquire (currently or at any time in the past), directly or indirectly, any Equity Interests of any Person (other than BrixInvest’s direct ownership of Daisho and the Contributed Subsidiaries and after consummation of the Initial Contribution, Diasho’s direct ownership of the Contributed Subsidiaries). No entity in the Company Group is a party to or otherwise bound by any Contract, arrangement or commitment of any kind relating to the issuance, acquisition or sale of any Equity Interests of any Person (other than the Contributor). No entity in the Company Group (i) is (currently or any time in the past) a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement or (ii) has agreed or is obligated to, directly or indirectly, make any future investment in or capital contribution or similar advance to any Person.

 

(d)                NewCo has been (currently and any time in the past) a holding company and, except for owning the Contributed Assets upon consummation of the Initial Contribution, did not (currently or any time in the past), directly or indirectly, (i) engage in or facilitate any business activities of any kind, (ii) own, lease or use any assets or properties of any kind, (iii) hold, enter into or become subject to or bound by (or commit to the foregoing) any Contracts or Permits (other than this Agreement and any Transaction Document to which it is a party) or (iv) suffer, sustain, guarantee, assume or otherwise incur, in whole or in part, any Liabilities.

 

(e)                Except as set forth on Section 3.1(e) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, each Subsidiary of BrixInvest (other than the Contributed Subsidiaries), including (i) Daisho, (ii) Rich Uncles NNN REIT Advisor, LLC, (iii) Rich Uncles REIT Operator, LLC, (iv) RW Holdings Institutional Operator, LLC, (v) Rich Uncles, Inc. and (vi) RW Holdings, Inc. (the “Excluded Subsidiaries”) is a holding company and does not, directly or indirectly, (A) engage in or facilitate any material business activities of any kind, (B) own, lease or use any material assets or properties of any kind, (C) hold, or is not subject to or bound by, any material Contracts or Permits (other than this Agreement and any Transaction Document to which it is a party) or (D) suffer, sustain, guarantee, assume or otherwise incur, in whole or in part, any material Liabilities.

 

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3.2               Organizational Documents. The Contributor has made available to Contributee complete and correct copies of the Company Group Charter Documents, in each case, as amended or restated as of the Closing. No entity in the Company Group is (currently or at any time in the past) in violation of or default under any material provision of such entity’s applicable Company Group Charter Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, the Contributor has provided to Contributee accurate and complete copies of any documents or agreements identified in the Contributor Disclosure Schedule and each of the following: (a) copies of the minute books containing records of all proceedings, consents, actions and meetings of any board(s) of directors, partners or managers, any committee(s) of such board(s) and equityholders of the Company Group; (b) copies of the ledgers, journals and other records of the Company Group reflecting all grants, issuances, redemptions or transfers of Equity Interests of the Company Group; and (c) any material Permits applied for or issued by any Governmental Authority with respect to the Company Group or any Equity Interests of the Company Group.

 

3.3               Power and Authority; Enforceability. The Contributor has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents by the Company Group and the consummation by the Company Group of the Transactions have been duly authorized by all necessary action on their respective parts, and no other limited liability company or other organizational action or proceeding on the part of the Contributor or any Contributed Subsidiary is necessary to authorize or approve the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or the consummation of the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Contributor and each Transaction Document to which any entity in the Company Group is a party will be duly executed and delivered by such entity as of the Closing and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by each other Party, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the applicable entity in the Company Group, enforceable against such entity in accordance with its terms, except to the extent such enforceability may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (the “Equitable Exceptions”).

 

3.4               No Conflicts; Required Consents.

 

(a)                Except as set forth on Section 3.4(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, none of the execution and delivery by any entity in the Company Group of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to which it is a party, the performance of the obligations contemplated hereby or thereby or the consummation of the Transactions, will (i) conflict with or violate any Laws to which any entity in the Company Group or any of their assets or properties is subject, (ii) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company Group Charter Documents, (iii) conflict with, result in a violation or breach of, constitute a default under (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would could a default under), result in the acceleration of any payment or performance obligation under, create in any Person the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice or consent under, any Contract, Permit or other obligation to which any entity in the Company Group or any of their assets or properties is a party or otherwise subject or (iv) result in the imposition of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any entity in the Company Group or any of their assets or properties.

 

(b)                Except as set forth on Section 3.4(b) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, no consent, license, permit, waiver, authorization or approval or other action by or order of, and no notice to or filing, registration, or declaration with, any Governmental Authority will be required to be obtained or made by any entity in the Company Group in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance by the Contributor of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to which it is a party and the consummation by the Contributor of the Transactions.

 

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3.5               Capitalization.

 

(a)                Section 3.5(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of (i) each series or class of authorized Equity Interests of each entity in the Company Group and each Excluded Subsidiary, (ii) each record holder of any series or class of Equity Interests of any entity in the Company Group and each Excluded Subsidiary, indicating the number of each series or class of outstanding Equity Interests owned by each holder as of the date hereof and the number of units, membership interests or other Equity Interests into which such Equity Interests are convertible, if any, (iii) each holder of Company Options, indicating the number of Company Options held by each holder as of the date hereof, and identifies for each Company Option, the exercise price, date of grant, vesting schedule, total number of Equity Interests subject to such Company Option and the number of Equity Interests into which such Company Option is vested and exercisable as of the date hereof, and (iv) each holder of Restricted Units, indicating the number of Restricted Units held by each holder as of the date hereof, and identifies for each Restricted Unit, the date of grant, vesting schedule, total number of Equity Interests subject to such Restricted Unit and the number of Equity Interests into which such Restricted Unit is vested or for which any restrictions have lapsed as of the date hereof. Except as set forth in Section 3.5(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, there are no authorized or outstanding options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities, equity appreciation, phantom equity, profit participation, subscriptions, rights (including any preemptive rights), calls or commitments or agreements of any character whatsoever, whether written or oral, or similar rights with respect to any entity in the Company Group or to which any entity in the Company Group is a party or otherwise bound or which could obligate any entity in the Company Group to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase or redeem, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased or redeemed, any Equity Interests of any entity in the Company Group.

 

(b)                Except as set forth on Section 3.5(b) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, there are no authorized or outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other types of Indebtedness (i) having, directly or indirectly, general or special voting rights (or convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for or acquire securities of NewCo or any Contributed Subsidiary having the right to vote) (“Voting Debt”), (ii) convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for or that, directly or indirectly, entitle any Person to subscribe for or acquire any Equity Securities of NewCo or any Contributed Subsidiary (whether or not containing voting rights (or convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for or acquire securities having the right to vote)) (“Convertible Debt”) or (iii) having rights that, directly or indirectly, entitle any other Person to share in the equity, profits, earnings, losses or gains of NewCo or any Contributed Subsidiary or other rights the value of which is linked to the value of any Equity Securities of NewCo or any Contributed Subsidiary or other similar rights (whether or not containing voting rights (or convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for or acquire securities having the right to vote)) (“Non-Convertible Debt”).

 

(c)                Except as set forth in Section 3.5(c) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, there are no Contracts to which any entity in the Company Group is a party or by which it is bound relating or with respect to (i) the grant, issuance, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition of any Equity Interest of any entity in the Company Group, (ii) the registration, sale or transfer (including Contracts relating to rights of first refusal or first offer, co-sale rights or “drag-along” rights) of any Equity Interests of any entity in the Company Group or (iii) the voting or disposing of any Equity Interest of, or other equity or voting interest in, any entity in the Company Group, including any voting trust, rights plan or antitakeover plan. Except as set forth in Section 3.5(c) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, no Person has any right of first offer, right of first refusal or preemptive right in connection with any future offer, sale or issuance of Equity Interests of the Contributor. There are no declared or accrued but unpaid dividends or distributions with respect to any Equity Interests of any entity in the Company Group. Except as set forth on Section 3.5(c) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, as of the date hereof, the Contributor holds all outstanding Equity Interests of each entity in the Company Group (other than the Contributor), and, as of the Closing, NewCo shall own all outstanding Equity Interests of each entity in the Company Group (other than the Contributor and NewCo). As of the Closing, Contributee and NewCo will be, directly or indirectly, the sole record and beneficial holder of all of the Contributed Interests and all rights to acquire or receive any Equity Interests of any entity in the Company Group (other than the Contributor).

 

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(d)                Except as set forth in Section 3.5(d) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each entity in the Company Group are duly authorized, validly issued and have been offered, issued, sold and delivered by such entity in the Company Group in compliance with all registration or qualification requirements (or applicable exemptions therefrom) of applicable securities Laws, and none of such issued and outstanding Equity Interests are subject to any right of recession, or are subject to or were issued in violation of any applicable securities Laws, purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of applicable Law, the Company Group Charter Documents or any Contract to which any entity in the Company Group is a party or by which such entity or its properties or assets are bound.

 

3.6               Financial Statements.

 

(a)                Section 3.6(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule sets forth copies of: (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Contributor as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Contributor for the fiscal year then ended (the “Annual Financial Statements”); and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet (the “Interim Balance Sheet”) of the Contributor as of June 30, 2019 (the “Balance Sheet Date”) and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Contributor for the six month period then ended (the “Interim Financial Statements” and, collectively with the Annual Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”).

 

(b)                The Financial Statements (including the notes and supplementary information, if any, thereto): (i) are accurate and complete in all material respects and are based upon and consistent with the books and records of the Contributor (which books and records are, in turn, accurate and complete in all material respects); (ii) fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Contributor and the Contributed Subsidiaries and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Contributor and the Contributed Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby; and (iii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, except for the treatment of deferred organization and offering costs which were adjusted in the Interim Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP, subject to the absence of footnote disclosures and other presentation items and, in the case of the Interim Financial Statements, to normal year-end adjustments.

 

(c)                All reserves set forth or reflected in the Financial Statements are adequate. The revenue recognition policies and methodologies of the Contributor were consistently applied in the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP for the periods covered thereby, except for the treatment of deferred organization and offering costs which were adjusted in the Interim Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. The Contributor has maintained a standard system of accounting, established and administered in accordance with GAAP, except for the treatment of deferred organization and offering costs which were adjusted in the Interim Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP, and internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that transactions, receipts and expenditures of the Contributor are being (i) executed, processed and made only in accordance with appropriate policies, procedures and authorizations of management and the board of directors or managers of the Contributor and (ii) reported and recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, except for the treatment of deferred organization and offering costs which were adjusted in the Interim Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. The Contributor has never maintained any off-the-book accounts or entered into any transactions for any off balance sheet activity.

 

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3.7               Absence of Changes. Except as set forth in Section 3.7 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, since January 1, 2019, each entity in the Company Group has conducted its respective business in the ordinary course of business and there has not been: (a) any Company Group Material Adverse Effect; (b) any amendment to or restatement of the Company Group Charter Documents; (c) material change in any method of accounting or accounting practice of the Contributor, except as required by GAAP or disclosed in the notes to the Financial Statements; (d) adoption of any plan of merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or dissolution or filing of any petition in bankruptcy under any applicable bankruptcy Law by any entity in the Company Group or consent to the filing of any such bankruptcy petition against any entity in the Company Group; (e) any action which, had it been taken after the date of this Agreement, would be prohibited by the terms of Section 5.1; or (f) any agreement to do any of the foregoing, or any action or omission that would result in any of the foregoing.

 

3.8               Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as set forth in Section 3.8 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, no entity in the Company Group has any Liabilities, other than: (a) Liabilities which are adequately reflected or reserved against on the face of the Interim Balance Sheet; and (b) Liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of the business since the Balance Sheet Date (none of which (i) are material in nature or amount, individually or in the aggregate, or (ii) are a Liability resulting from, arising out of, relating to, in the nature of, or caused by any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, violation of Law or Order, environmental matter or Action).

 

3.9               Contributed Permits. Except as set forth on Section 3.9(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, each entity in the Company Group holds any Permits necessary for the lawful conduct or operation of its business and to own, lease, use or otherwise hold any of their properties and assets, including the Contributed Assets. A true and complete list of any Permits included in the Contributed Assets held by any entity in the Company Group and the registered holder thereof is set forth on Section 3.9(b) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule (the “Contributed Permits”). Each entity in the Company Group has materially complied (currently and any time in the past) with each Contributed Permit. There is no Action pending or, to the Contributor’s Knowledge, threatened, that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in, revocation, suspension, modification, non-renewal, impairment, restriction, termination or cancellation of, or order of forfeiture or material fine with respect to, any Contributed Permit. No entity in the Company Group has received any notice or other communication from ‎any Person regarding any actual or potential ‎deficiency or Liability under, violation of, or failure to comply with, any Contributed Permit, that remains unresolved or for which any entity in the Company Group has any further Liability. Except as set forth on Section 3.9(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, the Contributed Permits constitute all of the material Permits required for the Contributee to own and use the Contributed Assets and operate the business of the Company Group in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices commencing as of the Closing.

 

3.10           Compliance with Applicable Laws. Except as set forth on Section 3.10 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, each entity in the Company Group has complied (currently and any time in the past), in all material respects, with each Law and Order applicable to such entity in the Company Group or its business, assets or properties. No entity in the Company Group has received any notice or other communication from any Person regarding any actual or potential ‎deficiency or Liability under, violation of, or failure to comply with, any applicable Law or Order, and to the Knowledge of the Contributor, no Event has occurred or exists that (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) will or could reasonably be expected to form the basis of any such Liability, violation or failure. No entity in the Company Group has been (currently and any time in the past) subject to any adverse Action by or Order from any Governmental Authority that remains unresolved or for which any entity in the Company Group has any further Liability.

 

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3.11           Legal Proceedings. Except as set forth on Section 3.11 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, (a) there are no Actions pending or, to the Contributor’s Knowledge, threatened, against or affecting any entity in the Company Group or to which any entity in the Company Group is a party or could have an indemnity, by or before any Governmental Authority (including any Action relating to this Agreement, any Company Group Charter Document or the Transactions), and (b) to the Contributor’s Knowledge, no Event has occurred or exists that (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) will or could reasonably be expected to form the basis of any such Action. Except as set forth on Section 3.11 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, no entity in the Company Group is subject to any Order or in breach or violation of any Order. There are no Actions by any entity in the Company Group pending or threatened against any other Person. Except as set forth on Section 3.11 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, no entity in the Company Group is subject to any Order or in breach or violation of any Order, which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Contributor or Parent or any of their business, assets or properties.

 

3.12           Real Property.

 

(a)                No entity in the Company Group owns or has ever owned any real property, buildings, structures, easements or other rights and interests appurtenant thereto.

 

(b)                Section 3.12(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule sets forth the landlord, tenant and address of each parcel of real property leased, subleased, used or occupied by any entity in the Company Group (the “Leased Real Property”), and a list of any Contracts in respect of the leasing, subleasing, use or occupancy thereof (the “Real Property Leases”). A true and correct copy of each Real Property Lease has been made available to the Contributee. Except as set forth on Section 3.12(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule: (i) each Real Property Lease is, to the Contributor’s Knowledge, legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect; (ii) the Company Group’s possession and quiet enjoyment of the Leased Real Property has not been disturbed; (iii) there are no pending, or to the Contributor’s Knowledge, threatened disputes with respect to any Real Property Lease; (iii) neither any entity in the Company Group, on the one hand, nor to the Contributor’s Knowledge, any other party to the Real Property Leases, on the other hand, is in breach of or default under any Real Property Lease; (iv) to the Contributor’s Knowledge, no Event has occurred or exists which could (whether with the delivery of notice, the passage of time or both) constitute such a breach of or default under, or permit the termination, modification or acceleration of rent under any Real Property Lease; and (v) the Company Group has not subleased, licensed or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy any Leased Real Property or any portion thereof.

 

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3.13           Environmental, Health and Safety Laws. Each entity in the Company Group has complied (currently and any time in the past), in all material respects, with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining and complying with any Permits required by Environmental Laws for the operation of its business or the use or occupancy of any of its assets or properties (whether real, personal or mixed). No Action is pending, or to the Contributor’s Knowledge, threatened, against or affecting any member of the Contributor by a Governmental Authority or any other Person alleging any material violation of or material Liability under any Environmental Laws. No entity in the Company Group has assumed, undertaken, provided an indemnity with respect to, or otherwise become subject to, any material Liability of any other Person relating to any Environmental Law.

 

3.14           Availability, Title to and Condition of Contributed Assets. The Company Group has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or other valid right to use, all of the assets and properties that are necessary or reasonably required to conduct its business, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens). Except as set forth in Section 3.14 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, the Contributed Assets, the Contributed Interests and the Assigned Contracts constitute all of the assets, properties, interests and rights (whether tangible, intangible or mixed and including, for the avoidance of doubt, Contracts and Permits) that are necessary for, and are sufficient to, conduct its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. Except as set forth in Section 3.14 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, NewCo and the Contributed Subsidiaries will have good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or other valid right to use all assets and properties (whether tangible, intangible or mixed and including, for the avoidance of doubt, Contracts and Permits) reasonably necessary for the continued conduct of their business immediately after Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted by the Company Group as of the date of this Agreement.

 

3.15           Taxes. Except as set forth on Section 3.15 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, and except with respect to the Excluded Assets, (a) each entity in the Company Group, or a duly-authorized third Person acting on its behalf, has timely filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by any entity in the Company Group; (b) all such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all material respects; (c) each entity in the Company Group, or a duly-authorized third Person acting on its behalf, has paid all material Taxes shown as due and owing on such Tax Returns and all other material Taxes due and owing by any entity in the Company Group, other than any such Taxes that are being contested in good faith for which adequate reserves have been established on the face of the Latest Balance Sheet; (d) other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, no entity in the Company Group is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any material Tax Return; (e) there are no Liens for Taxes (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of the Contributed Assets; (f) no foreign, federal, state, or local tax audits or Actions on the part of any Taxing Authority are pending, or to the Contributor’s Knowledge are being conducted with respect to any entity in the Company Group; (g) no entity in the Company Group, or a duly-authorized third Person acting on its behalf, has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a material Tax assessment or deficiency, with respect to any entity in the Company Group; (h) the Contributed Assets are not subject to any joint venture, partnership or other arrangement or Contract that is treated as a partnership for any federal, state, county, local, provincial or foreign Tax purposes; (i) no entity in the Company Group is or has been a party to any "listed transaction" as defined in Code Section 6707A and Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4; (j) the Contributor is properly classified as a “partnership,” and at all times since its formation has been properly classified as a “partnership” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3(b)(1) (and any corresponding or similar provisions of applicable Law) for all income Tax purposes, and each other entity in the Company Group is, and at all times since its formation has been, properly classified as “disregarded as an entity separate from its owner” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3(b)(1)(ii) (and any corresponding or similar provisions of applicable Law) for all income Tax purposes; and (k) there is no former, pending or threatened Action against any entity in the Company Group, or any third Person to whom any entity in the Company Group would have an indemnification obligation, by any Taxing Authority that such entity in the Company Group is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction and in which such entity in the Company Group does not file Tax Returns.

 

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3.16           Contracts. Except as set forth on Section 3.16 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule (such Contracts responsive to any of the following subsections, collectively, the “Material Contracts”), no entity in the Company Group is a party to or bound by any Contracts of the following types:

 

(a)                any Contract with any current or former director, manager, officer, individual employee, consultant, independent contractor or other Person on a full time, part time, consulting or other basis (other than (i) any “at will” Contract that may be terminated by the Company Group upon thirty (30) days’ or less advance notice without liability or (ii) under which the Company Group does not have any further Liability or executory obligations) (A) with respect to employment with or the provision of services to the Company Group, (B) related to any redundancy, severance, separation, settlement, release of claims or other post-termination benefits or (C) providing or granting any change in control, retention or transaction bonuses or similar arrangements required as a result of or triggered (in whole or in part) by the Transactions;

 

(b)                any Contract with any professional employer organization, staffing agency, temporary employee agency or similar company or service;

 

(c)                any Contract (i) related to indebtedness of the Company Group, (ii) subjecting any entity in the Company Group or any of their assets or properties to any Lien or (iii) guarantying any Liability of any other Person;

 

(d)                any Contract under which the Company Group (i) is lessee of or holds or operates any personal property owned by any other Person, except for any lease of personal property under which the aggregate annual rental payments do not exceed $5,000 or (ii) is lessor of or permits any other Person to hold or operate any personal property owned or controlled by it;

 

(e)                except for commercial off-the-shelf software and licenses to use stock images and artwork, any Contract (A) under which the Company Group is a licensee of or is otherwise granted by any Person any rights to use any Intellectual Property, (B) under which the Company Group is a licensor or otherwise grants to any Person any rights to use any Intellectual Property or (B) which provides for the development or customization of any Intellectual Property by or for the Company Group;

 

(f)                 any Contract (i) granting a royalty, dividend or similar payment or arrangement based on the revenues or profits of the Company Group or (ii) with respect to any partnership, manufacturer, development, joint venture or similar relationship or arrangement that involves a sharing of revenues, profits, losses, costs or liabilities relating to the Company Group or any other Person;

 

(g)                any Contract involving the settlement or compromise of any Action;

 

(h)                any Contract with a Governmental Authority;

 

(i)                 any Contract related to any completed, pending or future (i) disposition, divestiture or acquisition (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) of any business or material portion of assets or properties by the Company Group, (ii) consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or other business combination with respect to the Company Group or (iii) issuance of Equity Interests of the Company Group;

 

(j)                 any Real Property Lease;

 

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(k)                any Contract or group of related Contracts that (i) involves future expenditure or payment or receipt of consideration in excess of $5,000 in any calendar year or (iii) is not terminable by the Company Group without penalty on notice of thirty (30) days or less;

 

(l)                 any Contract (i) prohibiting, or purporting to limit or restrict, directly or indirectly, the Company Group from freely engaging in any business, including restrictions on the Company Group’s ability to compete, freedom to solicit customers, solicit or hire any Person or to conduct their businesses in any geographical area or the type or line of business in which they may engage, (ii) providing “most favored nation” or other provisions where the pricing, discounts or benefits to any customer of the Company Group changes based on the pricing, discounts or benefits offered to other customers, (iii) granting a right of first refusal or right of first offer for any line of business, Equity Interests or material portion of the Contributor’s assets or properties or (iv) establishing an exclusive sale or purchase obligation with respect to any obligation or geographical area;

 

(m)              any Contract that provides for the indemnification of any Person;

 

(n)                any Contract (i) containing an agreement by any entity in the Company Group to provide any Person with access to the Source Code for the Company Platform, or (ii) between any entity in the Company Group and an escrow agent to provide for the Source Code for the Company Platform to be put in escrow; or

 

(o)                any Contract material to the Company Group and not otherwise set forth on Section 3.16 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule.

 

Except as set forth on Section 3.16 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, each Material Contract is in full force and effect, is the legal, valid and binding obligation of each party thereto, and is enforceable, in accordance with its terms, against each party thereto, subject to the Equitable Exceptions. Except as set forth on Section 3.16 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, (i) each entity in the Company Group has performed and complied, in all material respects, with all of their obligations under each Material Contract; (ii) no entity in the Company Group, or to the Contributor’s Knowledge any other party thereto, is in violation of or default under, any Material Contract or has received any notice or other communication of any violation of or default under, or the cancellation, termination, modification or acceleration of, any Material Contract; (iii) no Event has occurred or exists that (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) will or could reasonably be expected to, (A) result in any violation of or default under (or give any Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under) any Material Contract, or (B) give any Person the right to (1) accelerate the maturity, payment or performance of any material grant, right or other Liability under a Material Contract or (2) cancel, terminate or adversely modify any Material Contract; and (iv) no entity in the Company Group or, to the Contributor’s Knowledge, any other party thereto, is contemplating or threatening any cancellation, termination, acceleration, adverse amendment, adverse modification or non-renewal of any Material Contract. Complete and accurate copies of each written Material Contract and a summary of the material terms of any oral Material Contracts have been made available to Contributee.

 

3.17           Employee Benefit Matters.

 

(a)                Section 3.17(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate and complete list of each Employee Plan maintained or contributed to or sponsored by the Contributor on behalf of any current or former employee, officer, director, consultant, or other service provider of the Contributor, or with respect to which the Contributor has any Liability or potential Liability (individually referred to herein as a “Plan” and collectively, the “Plans”). Except for the Contributor, no entity in the Company Group or any ERISA Affiliates sponsors, maintains, or has ever sponsored or maintained, or has or has ever had any Liability with respect to any Employee Plan. Contributor has never sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or had any Liability under or with respect to an Employee Plan that is or was subject to Title IV of ERISA or Code Section 412 or 430, any “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, any multiple employer plan as described in Section 413(c) of the Code, any multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA, or any “qualified plan” under Section 401(a) of the Code. With respect to each of the Plans, all required contributions, payments and accruals have been made on a timely basis and in accordance with the terms of such Plans and applicable Laws or, to the extent not yet due, properly accrued for on the books and records of Contributor (and in such case will be subsequently made), and there is no unfunded Liability related to the Plans which is not taken into account in determining Assumed Liabilities. No Plan provides (or could require any entity in the Company Group to provide) post-employment welfare benefits other than (i) a limited period through the end of the month following separation from service as set forth in any applicable insurance policy, (ii) coverage mandated by COBRA or (iii) other applicable state continuation coverage law for which the covered individual pays the full cost of coverage.

 

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(b)                Each Plan (and any predecessor plans that have been merged into such Plan) has been funded, administered and maintained, in form and operation in compliance in all material respects with its terms and all applicable Laws, and no failure or condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in any material Liability to the Company Group or, following the Closing, Contributee. There are no pending or, to the Contributor’s Knowledge, threatened, Actions, claims (other than routine undisputed claims for benefits), suits, disputes, audits or investigations with respect to any Plan. No Plan is currently the subject of an investigation, examination or audit by a Governmental Authority.

 

(c)                With respect to each Plan, the Contributor has made available to Contributee, to the extent applicable: (i) a current, accurate and complete copy (or, to the extent no such copy exists, an accurate description of all material terms) of the plan document, and all amendments thereto; (ii) the most recent summary plan description as well as summaries of material modifications thereto and other material written communication (or a description of material oral communications) by any entity in the Company Group to its employees concerning the benefits provided under the Plan; (iii) all related group insurance contracts, administrative services contracts, fidelity bonds, fiduciary liability insurance, and other funding arrangements; and (iv) all material written correspondence with any Governmental Authority in the past three (3) years. The terms of each Plan permit Contributor or a successor to amend and terminate such Plan at any time and for any reason without penalty and without Liability, cost or expense to Contributor or such successor (other than advance notice requirements not exceeding sixty (60) days and reasonable costs and expenses of a type typically incurred in terminations of similar employee benefit plans).

 

(d)                Except as set forth on Section 3.17(d) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (alone or in combination with any other event) will not accelerate the time of the payment or vesting of, or increase the amount of, or result in the forfeiture of compensation or benefits under any Plan. No amount that could be received (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) as a result of the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (alone or in combination with any other event) by any Business Employee who is a “disqualified individual” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any compensation arrangement with any entity in the Company Group will result in a “parachute payment” (as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).

 

(e)                Contributor and each Plan that is a “group health plan” as defined in Section 733(a)(1) of ERISA (each, a “Health Plan”) (i) is currently in material compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148 (“ACA”), the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No.111-152 (“HCERA”), and all regulations and guidance issued thereunder (collectively, with ACA and HCERA, the “Health Care Reform Laws”) and (ii) has been in material compliance with all Health Care Reform Laws since March 23, 2010, in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii), to the extent the Health Care Reform Laws are applicable thereto. No entity in the Company Group or any Health Plan has incurred (and nothing has occurred and no condition or circumstance exists, that could subject entity or any Health Plan to) any penalty or excise Tax under Code Section 4980D or 4980H or any other provision of the Health Care Reform Laws.

 

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(f)                 Each Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(d)(1) satisfies in form and operation the requirements of Code Section 409A and the guidance thereunder (and has satisfied such requirements for the entire period during which Code Section 409A has applied to such Plan), and no additional Tax under Section 409A of the Code has been or could be incurred by a participant in any such Plan. The Company Option Plan and all options granted thereunder have at all times satisfied the exemption from Code Section 409A with respect to nonstatutory stock options not providing for the deferral of compensation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(A). No entity in the Company Group has any obligation (whether pursuant to a Plan or otherwise) to indemnify, “gross-up”, reimburse or otherwise compensate any individual with respect to the additional Taxes or interest imposed pursuant to Code Section 409A.

 

3.18           Employment and Labor Matters.

 

(a)                Except for the Contributor, no entity in the Company Group has or has had employees or has engaged individual independent contractors to perform services. To the Contributor’s Knowledge, Contributor is, and has been for the past five (5) years, in material compliance with all applicable Laws respecting employment, employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours and is not liable for any arrears of wages or penalties with respect thereto. Except as set forth on Section 3.18(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, no Action is pending or has been pending within the prior five (5) years, or to the Contributor’s Knowledge, is threatened against the Contributor (or any of its officers, directors, executives or department supervisors) relating to any employment, independent contractor or consulting contract, any collective bargaining obligation or agreement, discrimination, harassment, pay equity, human rights, equal opportunity, overtime exemption classification, wages and hours, independent contractor classification, labor relations, plant closing notification, occupational health and safety, leave of absence requirements, privacy rights, retaliation, immigration, wrongful discharge, or other violation of the rights of current or former employees, current or former independent contractors, current or former consultants, or employment candidates. In the past five (5) years, to the extent Contributor has received employment discrimination or sexual harassment allegations of, or against, any of its employees, Contributor has promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated all such allegations, and when indicated by its policies, Contributor has taken prompt corrective action that is reasonably calculated to prevent further discrimination or harassment and does not reasonably expect to incur any material liability with respect to any such allegations. As of the date hereof, all compensation, including wages, commissions and bonuses, payable to all employees, independent contractors and consultants of Contributor for services performed on or prior to the date hereof have been paid in full (or accrued in full on the Interim Balance Sheet) and there are no outstanding agreements, understandings or commitments of the Contributor with respect to any compensation, commissions or bonuses. All amounts that Contributor is legally required to withhold from its employees’ wages and to pay to any Governmental Authority as required by applicable law have been withheld and paid, and Contributor has no outstanding obligation to make any such withholding or payment, other than with respect to an open payroll period.

 

(b)                The Contributor has made available a true, accurate and complete list of (i) all employees of the Contributor, specifying each employee’s name; title; department; hire date; status (full-time/part-time/seasonal/temporary); principal place of employment; classification as exempt or non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (the “FLSA”) or any similar applicable Laws; current year annual base salary or hourly wage; current year target incentive compensation (bonus and/or commission, as applicable); full, prior year actual incentive compensation (bonus and/or commission, as applicable); any other benefits; and (ii) to the Contributor’s Knowledge, all Persons engaged by the Contributor as independent contractors or consultants at any time during the past three (3) years, specifying each Person’s name; start date; end date (if applicable); location; full, prior year total compensation (or, if prior year not available, current year to date total compensation); current year to date total compensation; compensation rate; whether the Person subcontracts or has subcontracted to other Persons in performing the services for the Contributor; and whether the Person is subject to an independent contractor, consulting or related agreement. All current and former employees of Contributor who have been classified as exempt under the FLSA or similar laws have been properly classified and treated as such, and all current and former employees of Contributor have been properly compensated for all time worked in accordance with the FLSA and similar laws. All Persons who have provided services to Contributor as independent contractors or consultants have been properly classified as independent contractors, rather than employees, of Contributor, for purposes of all applicable laws and Plans.

 

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(c)                Each employee, independent contractor and consultant of the Contributor is terminable at will, without payment of severance or other compensation or consideration, and without advance notice. There are no agreements or understandings between the Contributor and any of its employees, independent contractors or consultants that their employment or services will be for any particular period. As of the date hereof, none of the Contributor’s officers or key employees has given written notice of any intent to terminate his or her employment with the Contributor, nor, to the Knowledge of the Contributor, does any such employee intend to terminate his or her employment with the Contributor. The Contributor is in compliance in all respects and, to the Knowledge of the Contributor, each of the employees, independent contractors and consultants of the Contributor is in compliance in all respects, with the terms of any employment, independent contractor and consulting agreements between the Contributor and such individuals. There are not any oral or informal arrangements, commitments or promises between Contributor and any employees, independent contractors or consultants of the Contributor that have not been documented as part of the formal written agreements between any such individuals and the Contributor. To the Knowledge of the Contributor, except as set forth on Section 3.18(c) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, no executive or key employee is a party to any confidentiality, non-competition, proprietary rights or other such agreement between such employee and any other Person besides the Company Group that would be material to the performance of such employee’s employment duties, or the ability of the Company Group to conduct its business.

 

(d)                Contributor has never been a party to, bound by, or negotiating any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a union, works council or labor organization (collectively, “Union”), and there has never been any Union representing or purporting to represent any employee, independent contractor or consultant of the Contributor. There has never been, nor has there been any threat of, any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout or other similar labor disruption or dispute affecting the Contributor or any employees, independent contractors or consultants of the Contributor, with respect to their work for the Contributor. Contributor has never had any duty to recognize or bargain with any Union or other Person purporting to act as the exclusive bargaining representative of any employees, independent contractors or consultants of the Contributor, and does not have any such duty in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Contributor is not, and has not been, the subject of any actual or, to the Contributor’s Knowledge, threatened Action asserting that Contributor has committed an unfair labor practice within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act. To the Contributor’s Knowledge, there has never been any organizing effort or demand for recognition or certification or attempt to organize employees, independent contractors or consultants of Contributor by any Union.

 

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(e)                Contributor has never been subject to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, or any similar foreign, state, or local law (the “WARN Act”).

 

(f)                 Contributor has complied in all respects with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and all regulations promulgated thereunder (“IRCA”) and similar laws with respect to the completion, maintenance and other documentary requirements of Forms I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Forms) and similar employee verification forms for all employees of Contributor and the re-verification of the employment status of any and all employees of Contributor whose employment authorization documents indicated a limited period of employment authorization. To the Contributor’s Knowledge, it has only employed Persons authorized to work in the United States. Contributor has not received any written notice of any inspection or investigation relating to its alleged noncompliance with or violation of applicable immigration laws, nor has it been warned, fined or otherwise penalized by reason of any failure to comply with applicable immigration laws.

 

3.19           Insurance. Section 3.19 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule accurately sets forth, with respect to each material insurance policy maintained by, or at the expense of, any entity in the Company Group (or previously maintained for occurrence-based coverage and under which the Company Group continues to be covered against any losses) or under which any entity in the Company Group is a beneficiary (collectively, the “Insurance Policies”): (i) the name of the insurance carrier that issued such policy and the policy number of such policy; (ii) whether such policy is a “claims made” or an “occurrences” policy; (iii) a description of the coverage provided by such policy and the material terms and provisions of such policy (including all applicable coverage limits, deductible amounts and co-insurance arrangements and any non-customary exclusions from coverage); (iv) the annual premium payable with respect to such policy, and the cash value (if any) of such policy; and (v) a description of any material claims pending, and any material claims that have been asserted since January 1, 2018, with respect to such policy or any predecessor insurance policy. True and complete copies of the Insurance Policies have been made available to Contributee. Each Insurance Policy is legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect and has been issued by an insurance carrier that is, to the Contributor’s Knowledge, solvent, financially sound and reputable. No entity in the Company Group is in breach of or default under any Insurance Policy. Each Insurance Policy is fully paid or current with regard to payment schedules and any other amounts due thereunder. No entity in the Company Group has received any notice or other communication from the issuer of any Insurance Policy (i) cancelling or invalidating, or threatening to cancel or invalidate, any such policy; (ii) refusing coverage or rejecting a claim under, or threatening to refuse cover or reject claim under, any such policy; or (iii) indicating that such issuer may be unwilling or unable to perform any of its obligations thereunder. To the Knowledge of the Contributor, there is no Action or Liability by virtue of which the aggregate policy limits under any of the Insurance Policies could be exhausted or materially eroded.

 

3.20           Intellectual Property.

 

(a)                Section 3.20(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of (i) all Registered Intellectual Property owned by any entity in the Company Group as well as all social media accounts and pages registered in the name of any entity in the Company Group, (ii) the jurisdiction in which such item of Registered Intellectual Property has been registered or filed and the applicable application, registration, or serial or other similar identification number, (iii) any other Person that has an ownership interest in such item of Registered Intellectual Property and the nature of such ownership interest, and (iv) all payments and filings that are currently due or will become due, and all other actions that must be taken, within sixty (60) days after the date of this Agreement with respect to each item of Registered Intellectual Property, including the payment of any registration, maintenance or renewal fees or the filing of any documents for the purposes of maintaining or renewing any Registered Intellectual Property. All Registered Intellectual Property is, to the Knowledge of the Contributor, subsisting, valid, and enforceable.

 

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(b)                To the Knowledge of the Contributor, no interference, opposition, reissue, reexamination, or other Action of any nature (other than in connection with the prosecution of the Registered Intellectual Property with the applicable Governmental Authority in the ordinary course) is, or has been, pending or, to the Contributor’s Knowledge, threatened in which the scope, validity, or enforceability of any Company Group Owned IP is being, or has been, challenged and, to the Knowledge of the Contributor, there is no basis for a claim that any Company Group Owned IP is invalid or unenforceable.

 

(c)                The Company Group exclusively owns and possesses, all right, title and interest in and to all Company Group Owned IP, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). Other than in respect of Company Group Owned IP, the Company Group has entered into written, valid, and enforceable Contracts for all other Intellectual Property used by any entity in the Company Group in, or that are necessary for, the operation of its business as presently conducted (“IP Contracts”), and such IP Contracts are in full force and effect. Each entity in the Company Group is in compliance with, and has not breached any material term of, any IP Contracts and, to the Knowledge of the Contributor, all other parties to IP Contracts in all material respects are in compliance with, and have not breached any term thereof.

 

(d)                The Company Group Intellectual Property included in the Contributed Assets constitutes all the Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the conduct of its business as presently conducted. The Company Group Intellectual Property that is included in the Contributed Assets shall be available for use by the Company Group immediately after the Closing Date on identical terms and conditions to those under which the Company Group owned or used the Company Group Intellectual Property immediately prior to the Closing Date. None of the Company Group Intellectual Property is subject to any Action, Order, stipulation, or Contract affecting the validity, registrability, or enforceability of such Company Group Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of the Contributor, no third party is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the Company Group Intellectual Property.

 

(e)                Each Person who has (i) contributed to the development or conception of any Company Group Owned IP or (ii) has been provided access to the Source Code of the Company Platform (each an “IP Contributor”) has entered into a valid, written, and enforceable agreement that protects the Confidential Information and trade secrets of the Company Group, and each Person described in clause (i) hereof has entered into a valid, written, and enforceable agreement that grants and assigns to the Company Group exclusive ownership of, including all Intellectual Property in and to, such development or conception. No IP Contributor or other current or former shareholder, officer, director, or employee of the Company Group has any claim, right, or interest to or in any Company Group Owned IP.

 

(f)                 The Company Group possesses all Source Code for the Company Platform and related documentation and materials necessary to assemble, compile, link, modify, maintain, support and operate the Company Platform. The Contributor is not currently, nor has it ever been, a party to any license agreement to license the use of the Company Platform. No Source Code for the Company Platform has been delivered, licensed, or made available by or on behalf of the Company Group to any escrow agent or other Person.

 

(g)                The Company Platform was developed by a third-party software development company engaged by BrixInvest for such purpose pursuant to a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”). A copy of the Consulting Agreement has been made available to Contributee. Other than the Company Platform, there is no Software that constitutes Company Group Owned IP. Use of the Company Platform has been made available solely as a hosted service pursuant to the online terms of use that has been provided to Contributee. To the Knowledge of the Contributor, there are no defects, technical concerns or problems in the Company Platform that would prevent the same from performing substantially in accordance with its user specifications or functionality descriptions (collectively, “Technical Deficiencies”). To the Knowledge of the Contributor, there is no virus, worm, Trojan horse or similar disabling code or program (“Malicious Code”) in the Company Platform or the Business Systems owned by or under the control of the Contributor. No entity in the Company Group has received any written or oral complaints from any Dealers or customers related to any Malicious Code or Technical Deficiencies.

 

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(h)                None of the Company Group, the Company Group Owned IP, nor the operation of the business, including the provision of services and use of the Company Platform, infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated the Intellectual Property of any third party, and the Company Group has not received any notices, requests for indemnification or threats from any third party, in each case in writing (including by email), related to the foregoing.

 

(i)                 Section 3.20(h) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all Open Source Software that has been used in, incorporated into, linked to, integrated or bundled with, or used to develop the Company Platform, and for each such item of Open Source Software: (i) the name and version number of the applicable Open Source Software and whether such Open Source Software has been distributed by the Company Group, including deployment on-premises with a third party, in or as part of a browser script, or as part of a mobile application; (ii) the name of the applicable license to such Open Source Software (including version number); (iii) the manner in which such Open Source Software is used in, incorporated into, linked to, integrated or bundled with the Company Platform (e.g., embedded, static or dynamic linking, etc.); and (iv) whether such Open Source Software component is used “as is” or has been modified by the Company Group. The Company Group is in full compliance with the terms and conditions of all licenses for all Open Source Software used with the Company Platform or in the business. The Company Group has not used and does not use any Open Source Software or any modification or derivative thereof in a manner that would grant or purport to grant to any Person any rights to or immunities under the Company Platform.

 

(j)                 The Company Group has taken steps reasonable under the circumstances to maintain and protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of the Confidential Information of the Company Group, or of any other Person to which the Company Group has agreed to maintain and protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value thereof, and the Contributor has not disclosed any such Confidential Information or confidential Company Group Intellectual Property to any third party other than pursuant to a written confidentiality agreement pursuant to which such third party agrees to protect such Confidential Information.

 

(k)                The Company Group owns, leases, licenses or otherwise has the legal right to use or have operated on its behalf, all Business Systems and such Business Systems are sufficient for the needs of its business as presently conducted. In the last twelve (12) months, there has not been any material failure with respect to any of the Business Systems owned by or under the control of the Company Group that has not been remedied or replaced in all material respects. The Company Group has taken commercially reasonable actions to protect the security and integrity of the Business Systems and the data stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby (including all Personal Information).

 

(l)                 The Company Group and the conduct of its business are in compliance with, and have been in compliance, in all material respects, with all Data Security Requirements and other applicable laws in respect of the use, storage and distribution of Personal Information. No notices or other communications have been received by, and no Actions have been made against, any entity in the Company Group by any Person alleging a violation of any Data Security Requirements or other applicable laws in respect of the use, storage and distribution of Personal Information. There have not been any actual or alleged incidents of data security breaches or, to the Knowledge of the Contributor, unauthorized access or use of any of the Business Systems, or unauthorized acquisition, destruction, damage, disclosure, loss, corruption, alteration, or use of any Business Data. The consummation of the Transactions will not result in any Liability of the Company Group in connection with any Data Security Requirements. Copies of all current and prior privacy policies of the Company Group that apply to Internet websites owned, maintained or operated by the Contributor (“Company Sites”) or the Company Platform have been delivered to Contributee. Each such privacy policy and any materials distributed or marketed by the Company Group have at all times made all disclosures to (a) the users of Company Sites or the Company Platform and (b) the Company Group’s customers or other Persons whose Personal Information the Company Group has collected to the extent such disclosures are required by Data Privacy Laws and other applicable laws in respect of the use, storage and distribution of Personal Information.

 

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(m)              The Company Group has maintained and currently maintains data security programs as are reasonably necessary to meet any standards which may be imposed by applicable law (but in no case less than a commercially reasonable standard) with respect to the confidentiality of Personal Information. No Personal Information has been disclosed in breach or violation of, and the Company Group and the conduct of its business are in compliance with, and have been in compliance, in all material respects, the provisions of any (i) applicable laws (including Data Privacy Laws), (ii) the Company Group’s privacy policies now or previously in existence (each, a “Privacy Policy”), (iii) the relevant Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and the Payment Application Data Security Standard (“PCI DSS”), (iv) Privacy Agreements (as defined below) and (v) any applicable foreign privacy requirements applicable to such information and data (collectively, the “Commitments”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company Group has implemented and maintained, at a minimum, such physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to: (A) maintain the security, integrity, and confidentiality of such Personal Information; (B) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such Personal Information; (C) maintain security standards compliant with PCI DSS; and (D) protect against unauthorized access to or use of such Personal Information that could result in harm or inconvenience to the Persons to whom such Personal Information pertains.

 

(n)                The Company Group is (currently and any time in the past) in material compliance with any Contracts between any entity in the Company Group, on the one hand, and its vendors, marketing affiliates, customers, business partners, or other Persons, on the other hand, that are applicable to the use and disclosure of Personal Information (the “Privacy Agreements”). Accurate and complete copies of all of the Privacy Agreements have been made available to Contributee. The Privacy Agreements do not require the delivery of any notice to or consent from any Person, or prohibit the transfer of Personal Information collected and in the possession or control of the Company Group to Contributee in connection with the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions.

 

(o)                To the extent that the Company Group receives, processes, transmits or stores any financial account numbers (such as credit cards, bank accounts, PayPal accounts, debit cards), passwords, CCV data, or other related data (“Cardholder Data”), the Company Group has implemented and abides by information security procedures, processes and systems that have at all times met or exceeded all Laws related to the collection, storage, processing and transmission of Cardholder Data, including those established by applicable Governmental Authorities, and the Payment Card Industry Standards Council (including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard).

 

3.21           Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth on Section 3.21 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule or for employment agreements and arrangements entered into with any entity in the Company Group in the ordinary course of business, no officer, director, employee, equityholder or Affiliate of any entity in the Company Group or any Excluded Subsidiary (a) is a party to or bound by any Contract or transaction with any entity in the Company Group or any Excluded Subsidiary, (b) other than in such Person’s capacity as a Member, has any interest in any asset or property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, owned by the Company Group or any Excluded Subsidiary or used or held for use in, or necessary to, its business, (c) has any interest in any Person that engages with, purchases from or sells, licenses, provides or furnishes to any entity in the Company Group or any Excluded Subsidiary any goods, property, technology or intellectual or other property rights or services or (d) owes any amount to any entity in the Company Group or any Excluded Subsidiary or is owed any amount by any entity in the Company Group or any Excluded Subsidiary.

 

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3.22           Anticorruption Laws.

 

(a)                None of the Company Group, or any Representative of the Company Group, or to the Knowledge of the Contributor, any agent or other third party representative acting on behalf of the Contributor in connection with or relating to its business, has (currently or any time in the past): (i) received any notice, inquiry, or internal or external allegation or report from, or been subject to any Action by, any Governmental Authority or any other Person related to Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Terrorism Laws; (ii) made any voluntary or involuntary disclosure to a Governmental Authority or any other Person related to Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Terrorism Laws; or (iii) conducted any internal investigation or audit concerning any actual or potential violation or wrongdoing related to Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Terrorism Laws. The Company Group maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with all applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(b)                None of the Company Group, their respective Representatives (in their capacities as such) or any other Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, (a) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful payments relating to political activity, or failed to disclose fully any such contributions in violation of Law, (b) given, offered, promised, or authorized to give, any money or thing of value to any government official corruptly for the purpose of influencing an act or decision of such Person, or inducing such Person to use his or her influence or position to affect any government act or decision relating or (c) given, offered, promised, or authorized to give, any money or thing of value to a government official or any other Person in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws. There have been no false or fictitious entries made in the books or records of any entity in the Company Group relating to any illegal payment or unrecorded fund, and no entity in the Company Group has established or maintained an unrecorded fund.

 

3.23           No Brokers. Except as set forth on Section 3.23 of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, no broker, finder, investment banker or similar Person is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions, or any future acquisition or disposition by any entity in the Company Group, based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Contributor or any of its Affiliates (including any entity in the Company Group).

 

3.24           Securities Law Matters; Transfer Restrictions.

 

(a)                The Contributor acknowledges that the Contributee intends the offer and issuance of the OP Units hereunder to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws by virtue of (i) the status of the Contributor as an “accredited investor” within the meaning of the federal securities Laws, and (ii) Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act (“Regulation D”), and that the Contributee will rely in part upon the representations and warranties made by the Contributor in this Agreement in making the determination that the offer and issuance of the OP Units qualify for exemption under Rule 506 of Regulation D as an offer and sale only to “accredited investors.”

 

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(b)                The Contributor is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of the federal securities Law, particularly Regulation D.

 

(c)                The Contributor will acquire the OP Units for its own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

(d)                The Contributor has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to enable it to evaluate the merits and risks of investment in the OP Units. The Contributor has the ability to bear the economic risk of acquiring the OP Units. The Contributor acknowledges that (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement involve complex Tax consequences for the Contributor, and the Contributor is relying solely on the advice of the Contributor’s own Tax advisors in evaluating such consequences; (ii) the Contributee has not made (nor shall it be deemed to have made) any representations or warranties as to the Tax consequences of such transaction to the Contributor; and (iii) references in this Agreement to the intended Tax effect of the transactions contemplated hereby shall not be deemed to imply any representation by the Contributee as to a particular Tax effect that may be obtained by the Contributor. The Contributor remains solely responsible for all Tax matters relating to the Contributor.

 

(e)                The Contributor has had an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive information and answers from, the Contributee and Parent concerning the Contributee and Parent, the OP Units, the contribution of the Contributed Assets and the REIT Shares into which the OP Units may be exchanged, and to assess and evaluate any information supplied to the Contributor by the Contributee or Parent.

 

(f)                 The Contributor is aware that there are restrictions on the transferability of the OP Units and that the OP Units will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities Laws, and the Contributor has no right to require that they be so registered. The Contributor agrees that any OP Units it acquires will not be sold in the absence of registration unless such sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws.

 

(g)                The Contributor understands that there is no established public, private or other market for the OP Units to be issued to the Contributor hereunder, and it is not anticipated that there will be any public, private or other market for such OP Units in the foreseeable future.

 

(h)                The Contributor understands that Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act is not currently available with respect to the sale of OP Units.

 

3.25           No Other Representations or Warranties. The Contributor, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates (other than NewCo and the Contributed Subsidiaries), acknowledges that (a) none of Contributee, Parent or any of their Affiliates has made any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to any matter set forth in ARTICLE 4, or the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the matters set forth in ARTICLE 4, except as expressly set forth in ARTICLE 4, (b) none of the Contributor or any of its Affiliates have relied on any representation or warranty from Contributee, Parent or any of their Affiliates in determining to enter into the Transaction Documents, except as expressly set forth in ARTICLE 4 and (c) none of Contributee, Parent or any of their Affiliates shall have or be subject to any Liability of the Contributor or any of its Affiliates or representatives resulting solely from the distribution to the Contributor or any of its Affiliates or representatives, or the Contributor’s use of, or its Affiliates’ or representatives’ use of, any such information, including any information, documents or material made available to the Contributor or any of its Affiliates or representatives in any form in expectation of or negotiation of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

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ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES regarding
the contributee AND Parent

 

Each of the Contributee and Parent hereby represents and warrants, severally and not jointly, and solely on behalf of such Party, to the Contributor, that the statements contained in this ARTICLE 4 are true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, except as set forth herein or in the Contributee Disclosure Schedule, dated as of the date hereof, and delivered by the Contributee to the Contributor contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Contributee Disclosure Schedule”) (it being agreed that the disclosure of any matter in any section in the Contributee Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to have been disclosed in any other section in the Contributee Disclosure Schedule to which the applicability of such disclosure is reasonably apparent):

 

4.1               Organization and Related Matters. Each of Contributee and Parent (i) is a legal entity, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has the requisite corporate or other organizational power and authority necessary to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed or registered to transact business as a foreign entity and is in good standing (or the equivalent thereof) to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or license necessary.

 

4.2               Power; Authority; Enforceability. Each of Contributee and Parent has all requisite legal entity power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents by Contributee and Parent and the consummation by Contributee and Parent of the Transactions have been duly authorized by all necessary action on their respective parts, and no other limited liability company or other organizational action or proceeding on the part of Contributee or Parent is necessary to authorize or approve the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or the consummation of the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Contributee and Parent and each Transaction Document to which Contributee and Parent is a party will be duly executed and delivered by such Party as of the Closing and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Contributor, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Contributee and Parent, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent such enforceability may be subject to the Equitable Exceptions.

 

4.3               No Conflicts; Required Consents.

 

(a)                Except as set forth on Section 4.3(a) of the Contributee Disclosure Schedule, none of the execution and delivery by Contributee or Parent of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to which it is a party, the performance of the obligations contemplated hereby or thereby or the consummation of the Transactions, will (i) conflict with or violate any Laws to which Contributee and Parent or any of their assets or properties is subject, (ii) conflict with or violate any provision of the Organizational Documents of Contributee or Parent, (iii) conflict with, result in a violation or breach of, constitute a default under (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would could a default under), result in the acceleration of any payment or performance obligation under, create in any Person the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice or consent under, any Contract, Permit or other obligation to which Contributee or Parent or any of their assets or properties is a party or otherwise subject or (iv) result in the imposition of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon Contributee and Parent or any of their assets or properties, except, as to clauses (iii) and (iv) above, for any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Contributee or Parent.

 

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(b)                Except as set forth on Section 4.3(b) of the Contributee Disclosure Schedule, no consent, license, permit, waiver, authorization or approval or other action by or order of, and no notice to or filing, registration, or declaration with, any Governmental Authority will be required to be obtained or made by Contributee and Parent in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance by Contributee and Parent of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to which it is a party and the consummation by Contributee and Parent of the Transactions.

 

4.4               Issuance of Units. The OP Units, when issued and delivered in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and, except as provided in the Operating Partnership Agreement and except as affected by Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, non-assessable, free and clear of any Liens; provided, however, that such OP Units are subject to restrictions on transfer under federal and state securities Laws and as otherwise set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement. Except for this Agreement, there are no Contracts to which the Contributee or Parent are a party restricting the transfer of, or affecting the rights of any holder of, such OP Units, and there are no conversion, preemptive, subscription or other rights, and there are no outstanding options, calls, warrants, rights, or other commitments of any kind, in any such case, relating to such OP Units or that that give any Person the right to receive any contractual right similar to or derived from the economic benefits and rights accruing to holders of such OP Units. Such OP Units will not be issued in violation of any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal granted by the Contributee or Parent. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, stockholder agreements, proxies or other rights or agreements in effect with respect to the voting, transfer or dividend rights of such OP Units. None of the Contributee or Parent has materially violated any applicable federal or state securities Laws or any preemptive or similar rights created by statute, Organizational Document or agreement in connection with the offer, sale, issuance or allotment of such OP Units.

 

4.5               Tax Status of the Contributee. The Contributee has at all times during its existence been properly treated as either a “disregarded entity” or partnership for federal income tax purposes and not as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for such purposes. Except as set forth on Section 4.5 of the Contributee Disclosure Schedule, each subsidiary of the Contributee has at all times during its existence been properly treated as either a “disregarded entity” or a partnership for federal income tax purposes and not as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for such purposes.

 

4.6               REIT Status. Parent elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2016.  Commencing with such taxable year, Parent has at all times been organized and operated in such a manner so as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code.

 

4.7               Legal Proceedings. Except as set forth on Section 4.7 of the Contributee Disclosure Schedule, (a) there are no Actions pending or, to the Contributor’s Knowledge, threatened, against or affecting Contributee or Parent or to which Contributee or Parent is a party or could have an indemnification obligation, by or before any Governmental Authority (including any Action relating to this Agreement, any of the Parent’s or Contributor’s Organizational Documents or the Transactions), and (b) to the Contributor’s Knowledge, no Event has occurred or exists that (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) will or could reasonably be expected to form the basis of any such Action, in each case, except, as to clauses (a) and (b) above, for any such Actions or Events which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Contributee or Parent or any of their businesses, assets or properties. Neither Contributee nor Parent is subject to any Order or in breach or violation of any Order, which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Contributee or Parent or any of their businesses, assets or properties.

 

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4.8               No Other Representations or Warranties. Each of Contributee and Parent acknowledges that (a) the Contributor has not made any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the Contributed Assets, the Assumed Liabilities, its business, its financial condition, results of operations, future operating or financial results, estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects) or the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the Contributed Assets, the Assumed Liabilities or its business furnished or made available to Contributee, Parent or any of their Affiliates and representatives, except as expressly set forth in Article 3 or the documents, agreements, certificates or other instruments contemplated hereby, (b) none of Contributee or Parent has relied on any representation or warranty from the Contributor in determining to enter into the Transaction Documents, except as expressly set forth in Article 3 or the documents, agreements, certificates or other instruments contemplated hereby, and (c) the Contributor shall not have or be subject to any Liability of the Contributee or Parent or any of their Affiliates or representatives resulting solely from the distribution to the Contributee or Parent or any of their Affiliates or representatives, or the Contributee’s, Parent’s or any of their Affiliates’ or representatives’ use of, any such information, including any information, documents or material made available to the Contributee or Parent or any of their Affiliates or representatives in any “data rooms,” management presentations or in any other form in expectation of or negotiation of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Each of Contributee and Parent acknowledges that the acquisition of the Contributed Assets, Assumed Liabilities and Business hereunder is without any representation or warranty as to merchantability or fitness thereof for any particular purpose, in an “as is” condition and on a “where is” basis, except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement or the documents, agreements, certificates or other instruments contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

ARTICLE 5
COVENANTS

 

5.1               Covenants Against Disclosure.

 

(a)                Except as may be required by Law, Contributor shall not, and shall not permit its Affiliates to (i) disclose to any Person in any manner, directly or indirectly, any confidential information or data, whether of a technical or commercial nature, directly relating to its business or the business of any Contributed Subsidiary, the Contributed Assets or the Assumed Liabilities, or (ii) use, or permit or assist, by acquiescence or otherwise, any Person to use, in any manner, directly or indirectly, any such information or data, except to the extent that Contributor or any such Affiliates have retained rights therein as provided herein, or is required to disclose such information by judicial or administrative process or pursuant to applicable Law, and excepting disclosure of such data or information as is at the time generally known to the public or otherwise in the public domain and which did not become so generally known or a part of the public domain through any breach of any provision of this Section 5.1(a) hereof by Contributor.

 

(b)                The initial public disclosures, including a Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Parent, relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall be made solely by Parent; provided, however, that Parent shall provide the Contributor a reasonable period of time to review and comment on such disclosures, and in good faith take into account any comment made by Contributor during such period; provided further, however, that the Parties shall be permitted to make any other public disclosures regarding this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby that are necessary to fulfill public disclosure requirements of any Governmental Authority or required to be made by applicable Law or Order.

 

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5.2               Notification of Certain Matters. Prior to the Closing, except as prohibited by Law, each of the Contributor and Parent shall promptly notify the other Parties in writing of:

 

(a)                any inaccuracy of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement;

 

(b)                any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that notice to or consent of such Person is required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(c)                any material notice or other material communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

 

(d)                any filing or notice made by such Party with any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.3               Employee Matters.

 

(a)                Continuing Employees. On the Transfer Date, Contributor shall cause the employment of all of its employees (the “Continuing Employees”) to be transferred to NewCo, where their employment shall continue through and after the Closing Date, (i) at an annual base salary or wage level, as applicable, and annual bonus and annual incentive opportunities (excluding any deferred compensation arrangements, transaction based bonus opportunities, or equity or equity based incentive compensation), that are the same as those provided to each such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Transfer Date (disregarding any increases in such amounts since January 1, 2019 to the extent not made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice), and (ii) with employee benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to the employee benefits provided to each such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Transfer Date (excluding any defined benefit pension plans or retiree welfare benefits).

 

(b)                This Section 5.3 shall inure solely to the benefit of each of the Parties to this Agreement, and nothing in this Section 5.3 shall confer upon any Continuing Employee, or any legal representative or beneficiary thereof, any rights or remedies, including any right to employment or continued employment for any specified period, or compensation or benefits of any nature or kind whatsoever under this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 5.3, express or implied, shall be deemed an amendment of any plan providing benefits to any Continuing Employee or as altering the at-will nature of any Continuing Employee’s employment. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit the right of NewCo to terminate the employment of any Continuing Employee at any time or construed as altering the at-will nature of any Continuing Employee’s employment; and provided further that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit the right of NewCo, following the Closing, to (y) change or modify the terms and conditions of employment for any Continuing Employee or (z) change, modify, or terminate any employee benefit plan or arrangement.

 

5.4               Conduct of Business.

 

(a)                From the date hereof until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 5.4 or otherwise consented to in writing by Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Company Group shall continue to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including its cash management customs and practices (including the collection of receivables and payment of payables)) and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to carry on and preserve intact its current business organization, keep available the services of its current officers and employees, maintain the existence of and protect all Intellectual Property owned by the Company and preserve its goodwill and relationships with customers, licensors, licensees and others with whom the Company Group has contractual or other commercial relations in substantially the same manner as such relationships existed immediately prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

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(b)                Without limiting the terms of Section 5.4(a), from the date hereof until to the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms, except as (1) expressly permitted or required by this Agreement, (2) expressly set forth in Schedule 5.4 or (3) otherwise consented to by Parent in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company Group shall not:

 

(i)                 Take any action or omit to take any action that would require disclosure under Section 3.7;

 

(ii)               (A) enter into any Contract, agreement or arrangement (1) outside of the ordinary course of business, or (2) prohibiting in any way the conduct of the business of any entity in the Company Group or (B) directly or indirectly engage in any transaction, arrangement or Contract with any officer, director, stockholder or Affiliate of the Company or any relative of such an officer, director or Affiliate, outside the ordinary course of business;

 

(iii)             enter into, materially amend or modify outside the ordinary course of business or terminate any agreement the disclosure of which would be required by Section 3.16 of this Agreement were such agreement in effect as of the date of this Agreement;

 

(iv)              split, combine or reclassify any equity securities of any entity in the Company Group, or issue any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any equity securities of any entity in the Company Group;

 

(v)                issue, grant, deliver or sell, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any equity securities of any entity in the Company Group or any securities convertible into such equity securities or options to acquire any such convertible securities;

 

(vi)              adopt, amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify the Company Group Charter Documents;

 

(vii)            introduce any of the following changes: (A) with respect to the operation of the business or any entity in the Company Group, (x) any material change in the types, nature, or composition, outside the ordinary course of business, or (y) quality, in each case of the services sold, leased or delivered by such Person, or (B) any material change to the manner in which the Contributor licenses or otherwise distributes the Company Platform, outside the ordinary course of business;

 

(viii)          declare, pay or otherwise set aside for payment any non-cash dividend or other non-cash distribution with respect to any equity securities of any entity in the Company Group;

 

(ix)              acquire any Person or other business enterprise or division thereof (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise), or otherwise merge or consolidate with, or acquire all or substantially all the assets of, or otherwise acquire, any business, business organization or division thereof, or any other Person;

 

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(x)                sell, lease, license, convey or otherwise dispose of any assets of any entity in the Company Group, other than the sale or license of the Company Platform in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xi)              incur any Debt, except for (A) Debt to the extent incurred for the purpose and in an amount no greater than the amount set forth opposite such purpose on Schedule 5.4(b)(xi), and (B) any additional Debt that (1) does not exceed an aggregate principal amount of $250,000 under any credit facilities existing as of the date hereof, and (2) is incurred in the ordinary course consistent with past practice;

 

(xii)            increase the compensation or benefits of any Continuing Employee, including salaries, bonuses, incentives or any other benefits, other than an increase in wages or salaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as required by applicable Law or pursuant to the terms of any employee benefit plan as in effect on the date hereof;

 

(xiii)          waive any rights of material value;

 

(xiv)          (A) delay or postpone any payment of any accounts payable or other payables or expenses, or accelerate the collection of accounts receivable or cash collections of any type or (B) revise or amend any billing policy of any entity in the Company Group to facilitate any of the actions in clause (A);

 

(xv)            settle or compromise any pending or threatened Action, except for settlements or compromises solely for monetary damages in an amount equal to or less than $250,000, whether individually or in the aggregate, for which the Company Group receives a full release;

 

(xvi)          (A) assume, guarantee or endorse or otherwise become responsible for, the obligations of any other Person; (B) enter into any off-balance sheet financing arrangement or any accounts receivable or payable financing arrangement; or (C) make or grant any loans, advances or investments or similar financial commitments to others or purchase debt securities of others;

 

(xvii)        enter into any transaction with or for the benefit of (A) any member of the Contributor or (B) any of Contributor’s Affiliates other than the Transactions, the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated herein and therein;

 

(xviii)      except as required by GAAP or in the ordinary course of business, revalue any of its material assets (whether tangible or intangible) or make any change in accounting practices or policies;

 

(xix)          (A) materially amend, modify, renew, extend, replace, terminate (prior to the end of its term) or grant any release, waiver or relinquishment of any material right under any Material Contract, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and in a manner that is not materially adverse to the Company Group, or (B) enter into any new Contract that would have been a Material Contract, if entered into prior to the date hereof, except, in each case, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

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(xx)            terminate the coverage of any Insurance Policies, or fail to maintain insurance upon all its material assets and properties in such amounts and of such kinds comparable to that in effect as of the date hereof;

 

(xxi)          make, revoke or change any election in respect of Taxes, adopt or change any accounting period, adopt or change any method of accounting in respect of Taxes, file any amended Tax Returns, enter into any closing or similar agreement with respect to Taxes, settle any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes with any Taxing Authority or consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes with any Taxing Authority;

 

(xxii)        liquidate, dissolve, fail to maintain its existence, recapitalize, reorganize or otherwise wind up its business or operations;

 

(xxiii)      take any action that could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the Company Group’s ability to consummate the Transactions;

 

(xxiv)      enter into any lease, the obligations of the Company Group as lessee would, under GAAP, be required to be capitalized;

 

(xxv)        take any action or omit to take any action, the taking or omission of which, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and/or

 

(xxvi)      agree in writing to take any of the actions described in this Section 5.4(b).

 

(c)                From the date hereof until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 5.4 or otherwise consented to in writing by Contributor (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), each of Parent and Contributee shall continue to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and shall not, and shall not cause or permit any of its Affiliates to, take any action that would, or fail to take any action, the failure of which to be taken would, reasonably be expected to cause Parent to fail to qualify as a REIT or Contributee or any Subsidiary of Parent or Contributee to cease to be treated as any of a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes.

 

5.5               Public Announcements. No Party shall issue any press release or otherwise make any public announcement concerning this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or the Transactions without the prior written consent of Parent and the Contributor (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Each of the Parties agrees that, except as provided above, the terms of this Agreement and each Transaction Document or the Transactions shall not be disclosed or otherwise made available to the public and that copies of this Agreement shall not be publicly filed or otherwise made available to the public, except where such disclosure, availability or filing is required by applicable Law.

 

5.6               Required Member Approval. The Contributor shall use its best efforts to obtain the Required Member Approval and deliver to Parent, not later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing, a true, correct and complete copy of the Member Written Consent evidencing the adoption of this Agreement and the Transactions by the Members constituting the Required Member Approval.

 

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5.7               Intentionally Left Blank.

 

5.8               Cooperation; Consents.

 

(a)                The Parties will each cooperate with each other and use reasonable best efforts (i) to take, or to cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under the Agreement, applicable Law or otherwise to consummate and make effective the Transactions, (ii) to obtain from any Governmental Authorities any consents, licenses, permits, waivers, approvals, authorizations or orders required to be obtained and to make any filings with or notifications or submissions to any Governmental Authority required to be made by such Person in connection with the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, and (iii) to make all necessary filings, make such notices, and make any other required submissions, with respect to this Agreement, that are necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law or otherwise are reasonably required to obtain the Contributor Approvals, and to comply with Law. Each Party shall cooperate fully with the other Party and its Affiliates in promptly seeking such consents, licenses, permits, waivers, or approvals, authorizations or orders and promptly inform the other Parties of any oral communication or written communications with any Governmental Authorities regarding any such consents, waivers or approvals.

 

(b)                The Contributor shall use reasonable best efforts to give all notices and obtain all consents set forth on Section 3.4(a) of the Contributee Disclosure Schedule; provided, however, no entity in the Company Group shall be obligated to pay any consideration therefor.

 

5.9               Amendment to Notes. Prior to November 1, 2019, the Contributor shall enter into an Omnibus Amendment to the Convertible Notes (the “Omnibus Amendment to Convertible Notes”) with the Required Investor (as defined in the Convertible Notes), in a form reasonably acceptable to Contributee, pursuant to which the maturity date thereunder is extended to a date on or after the Closing Date but in no event later than thirty (30) days following the Closing Date and the holders thereof have waived any and all defaults of any kind and nature occurring on or prior to the date of such amendment.

 

5.10           SEC Investigation. BrixInvest shall, and shall cause each entity in the Company Group, as applicable, to diligently negotiate, finalize, execute and deliver a settlement agreement and any other documents, instruments or agreements of any kind and nature required to be entered into in connection therewith (the “Settlement Documents”) in connection with that certain administrative proceeding commenced by the SEC against BrixInvest (and described on Schedule 5.10) and to timely and fully satisfy and comply with the terms of any resulting order of the SEC, including but not limited to any requirement to cease-and-desist from certain activities and to pay any civil money penalty to the Commission (together with all other obligations of the Company Group under the Settlement Documents, the “SEC Obligations”). BrixInvest will keep Parent informed of the status, and provide Parent copies, of any and all communication with the Commission regarding the Settlement Documents.

 

5.11           Parent Board of Directors. Parent shall take or shall cause to be taken all corporate or other action necessary to appoint Joe Hanauer as an additional member of the board of directors of Parent immediately following the Closing.

 

5.12           Spin-Off of Daisho OP Holdings. Prior to the Closing, BrixInvest shall cause to be distributed to its members 100% of the membership interests of Daisho OP Holdings (the “Daisho Spin-Off”).

 

5.13           Assumption of Offer Letters. Prior to the Closing, Parent shall, or shall cause one of its subsidiaries to, accept the assignment of the Offer Letters, and agree to be bound by the terms thereof as if entered into by Parent or such subsidiary.

  

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ARTICLE 6
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

6.1               Wrong Pockets; Further Assurances.

 

(a)                  In the event that, following the Closing, (i) the Contributor becomes aware of any right, property or asset in the possession or control of the Contributor or any of its Affiliates which is not included as a Contributed Asset on Schedule 1.1(a) but which, consistent with the methodologies and principles used by the Parties in preparing Schedule 1.1(a), should have been included as a Contributed Asset, or (ii) the Contributee becomes aware of any right, property or asset in the possession or control of the Contributee or any of its Affiliates which is not included as an Excluded Asset on Schedule 1.1(b) but which consistent with the methodologies and principles used by the Parties in preparing Schedule 1.1(b), should have been included as an Excluded Asset, then the Contributor or the Contributee, as applicable, shall notify the other Party thereof as soon as reasonably practicable, and the Parties shall cooperate in good faith in procuring treatment of such right, property or asset as a Contributed Asset or Excluded Asset, as applicable, hereunder, including causing any transfer of such Contributed Asset or Excluded Asset, as applicable, pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 6.1.

 

(b)                  Each of the Contributor and the Contributee shall, or shall cause their respective Affiliates to, at the request of the other, execute and deliver to the other all such instruments and documents or further assurances as the other may reasonably request in order to (i) vest in NewCo all of the rights, title and interests of the Contributor and its Affiliates in and to the Contributed Assets as contemplated hereby, (ii) effectuate NewCo’s assumption of the Assumed Liabilities, (iii) vest in Contributee all rights, title and interest in and to the Contributed Interests, and (iv) grant to each Party all rights contemplated herein to be granted to such Party under the Transaction Documents. In the event any Contributed Assets or Contributed Interests remain vested in the Contributor or any of its Affiliates, the Contributor shall (or shall cause its applicable Affiliate to), transfer such Contributed Asset or Contributed Interests as soon as reasonably practicable to NewCo or Contributee (as applicable) or to their respective designee. The Contributor shall notify the Contributee as soon as reasonably practicable upon becoming aware that that there are any Contributed Assets or Contributed Interests in its possession or control or that of any of its Affiliates. In the event any Excluded Asset is vested in NewCo or any of its Affiliates following Closing, NewCo shall (or shall cause its applicable Affiliate to) transfer such Excluded Asset as soon as reasonably practicable to the Contributor or its designee. The Contributee shall notify the Contributor as soon as reasonably practicable upon becoming aware that that there are any Excluded Assets in NewCo’s possession or control or that of any of its Affiliates.

 

(c)                   In the event that the Contributor receives any invoices from any obligor with respect to any Contributed Asset or Assumed Liability, then the Contributor shall, within thirty (30) days of receipt of such payment, remit the full amount of such payment to NewCo. In the event that NewCo receives any payments from any obligor with respect to any Excluded Asset or Excluded Liability, then NewCo shall, within thirty (30) days of receipt of such payment, remit the full amount of such payment to the Contributor.

 

(d)                  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the Parties agrees to use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, or as appropriate to refrain from taking, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, or as appropriate to refrain from doing, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including (i) defending any Actions challenging this Agreement or otherwise seeking to enjoin or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, (ii) executing and delivering any instruments and taking any other actions, including furnishing to each other Party any assistance or information the other Party reasonably requires in order to carry out the intent of the Transaction Documents, and (iii) providing reasonable assistance or information to each other Party in respect of regulatory or other governmental filings and disclosures and otherwise compliance with applicable Law, to the extent such information is in the possession of such Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Contributor nor any of its Affiliates will be obligated to make any payments, or otherwise pay any consideration, to any Third Party to obtain any applicable consent, waiver or approval.

 

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6.2               Tax Matters.

 

(a)                Except as otherwise provided herein, the Contributor shall be liable for, and shall pay any transfer Taxes or other similar Tax customarily imposed on a contributor in an asset contribution transaction, and the Contributee shall be liable for, and shall pay any transfer Taxes or other similar Tax customarily imposed on a contributee in an asset contribution transaction, that are imposed in connection with the transfer of the Contributed Assets pursuant to this Agreement and each shall timely file all Tax Returns required with respect thereto.

 

(b)                The Contributor and the Contributee shall cooperate, to the extent reasonably requested by the other Party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns and any audit, Action, or other proceeding involving Taxes. Cooperation shall include the retention and, upon the other Party’s request, the provision of records and other information reasonably relevant to the preparation of a Tax Return or the conduct of an audit, litigation, or other proceeding.

 

(c)                Except with respect to the Excluded Assets, the Contributor shall timely file or cause to be timely filed when due all material Tax Returns required to be filed on or prior to the Closing Date and shall pay or cause to be paid all material Taxes shown due thereon. The Contributee shall timely file or cause to be timely filed when due all material Tax Returns required to be filed on or after the Closing Date but relating to periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date, and shall pay or cause to be paid all Taxes shown due thereon. All such Tax Returns shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practice, except as otherwise required by applicable Law and on a basis consistent with this Agreement. The Contributee shall prepare or cause to be prepared all other Tax Returns.

 

6.3               Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance.

 

(a)                Without limiting any rights that any manager, director, executive officer or employee of Contributor or of its Affiliates may have under any indemnification agreement or the Organizational Documents of Contributor or as otherwise afforded by applicable Law (including promptly advancing expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law), all of which shall survive the Closing, anything to the contrary contained in any Transaction Document notwithstanding, or under the Organizational Documents of Parent or the Contributee, in addition to, and not in limitation of any other indemnity rights contained in any Transaction Document, from and after the Closing Date, Parent and the Contributee shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless the current or former managers, directors, executive officers or employees of Contributor and its subsidiaries and Affiliates acting in their capacity as such (collectively, the “D&O Indemnified Parties”) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted under applicable Law, as now or hereafter in effect, for acts or omissions by such D&O Indemnified Parties occurring prior to the Closing Date. Without limiting the foregoing, Parent and the Contributee shall use reasonable efforts to, and shall use reasonable efforts to cause NewCo and each Contributed Subsidiary to, for a period of not less than six (6) years after the Closing Date, (i) maintain provisions in its Organizational Documents concerning the indemnification and exculpation (including provisions relating to expense advancement) of D&O Indemnified Parties that are no less favorable to those Persons than the provisions of the Organizational Documents of Contributor and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in each case, as of the date of this Agreement, and (ii) not to amend, repeal or otherwise modify such provisions in any respect that would adversely affect the rights of those Persons thereunder, in each case, except as required by Law.

 

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(b)                As of the Closing Date, Contributee shall have obtained, at its sole cost and expense, and, for a period of six (6) years after the Closing Date, Contributee shall maintain in effect a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance reasonably satisfactory to Contributor on terms not less favorable than the terms of the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage obtained by Contributor as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date with respect to such individuals, in connection with the business of the Company Group with respect to claims arising from, or related to facts or events which occurred at or before, the Closing Date.

 

6.4               Access. The Parties agree to furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, upon request, as promptly as practicable, such information and assistance relating to the business of the Company Group, Contributed Assets, Assumed Liabilities and Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities (including access to books and records) as is reasonably necessary for the filing of all Tax Returns, the making of any election relating to Taxes, the preparation for any audit by any Governmental Authority, and the prosecution or defense of any claims, suits or proceedings relating to any Tax, without charge or expense to the requesting Party.

 

6.5               Prohibited Transfers. Contributor acknowledges and agrees that following the Closing, it shall not Transfer any OP Units other than pursuant to a Permitted Transfer.

 

6.6               Use of Name. For a period not to exceed thirty (30) days following the Closing, Contributee agrees that BrixInvest shall have the right and license to use the name “RW Holdings” and any and all trademarks, trade names, and domain names associated therewith, until such time as RW Holdings, Inc., a Maryland corporation wholly-owned by BrixInvest, and RW Holdings Institutional Operator, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company wholly-owned by BrixInvest, are dissolved or otherwise cease to exist or their entity names are changed to remove the name “RW Holdings.” BrixInvest agrees, following the Closing, to take all action as reasonably necessary, including filings with proper state agencies, to effectuate such dissolutions, terminations of existence, or name changes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right and license granted herein shall expire on the date that is thirty (30) days following the Closing.

 

6.7               Transfer of Assets. Following the Closing, but in no event later than the date that is one (1) day prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date, Parent and Contributee shall have caused all of the assets of Katana Merger Sub, LP immediately prior to the Closing Date to be transferred to, contributed to, or otherwise held by the Contributee (or its wholly-owned subsidiary).

 

ARTICLE 7
CLOSING CONDITIONS

 

7.1               Conditions to Obligations of Each Party. The respective obligations of each Party to effect the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived in writing by the Parties hereto:

 

(a)                No Injunctions. No Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and has the direct effect of making the Transactions illegal or otherwise directly prohibiting consummation of the Transactions.

 

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(b)                No Litigation. No Legal Proceeding shall be pending or threatened by or before any Governmental Authority (i) challenging or seeking to prevent or prohibit the consummation of any of the Transactions, (ii) seeking to prohibit or limit the ownership, operation or conduct by the Company Group or its Affiliates of any material portion of the business or assets of the Company Group taken as a whole, or challenging or seeking to dispose of or hold separate any material portion of the business or assets of the Company Group taken as whole, in each case as a result of the Transactions, or (iii) seeking to cause any of the Transactions to be rescinded following consummation and no order, judgment, decree, stipulation or injunction to any such effect shall be in effect.

 

(c)                Termination and Amendment of Advisory Agreements. (i) The REIT I Advisory Agreement and the NNN REIT Advisory Agreement shall have each been terminated pursuant to a form to be mutually agreed upon by the parties thereto, which form shall include a waiver and release of any acquisition, disposition or participation fees that may otherwise be due pursuant to such agreements, and (ii) the BRIX REIT Advisory Agreement shall have been amended and restated in a form to be mutually agreed upon by Contributee and the parties thereto.

 

7.2               Additional Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Contributee. The obligations of Parent and Contributee to effect the Transactions also are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived in writing by Parent:

 

(a)                Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties concerning the Company Group contained in this Agreement and in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made at and as of such date (other than those representations and warranties made as of such specific date or dates, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date or dates) except as would not reasonably be expected to constitute a Company Group Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                Agreements and Covenants. Each entity in the Company Group shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of their respective obligations, agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing, any of which may be waived in writing by Parent.

 

(c)                No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, no Company Group Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred.

 

(d)                Officers’ Certificate. The Contributor shall have delivered to Parent a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed on behalf of the Contributor by its Chief Executive Officer or another authorized officer, certifying compliance with each of the conditions set forth in Sections 7.2(a), (b) and (c).

 

(e)                Initial Contribution. Contributor shall have consummated the Initial Contribution and executed and delivered the following Transaction Documents to Parent:

 

(i)                 A Bill of Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreement, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A (a “Bill of Sale and Assumption Agreement”), duly executed by BrixInvest and NewCo, assigning and transferring the Contributed Assets used in its business and effecting the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities;

 

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(ii)               A Contribution and Distribution Agreement, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit B (an “Contribution and Distribution Agreement”), duly executed by BrixInvest, Daisho and NewCo, assigning and transferring the Contributed Assets and the Contributed Interests to NewCo;

 

(iii)             An Assignment of Intellectual Property, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit C (an “Assignment of Intellectual Property”) duly executed by BrixInvest; and

 

(iv)              An assignment in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent of all right, title and interest in all the equity interest in the Contributed Subsidiaries to NewCo and any amendments to the Organizational Documents of the Contributed Subsidiaries reasonably required by Parent to reflect such transfer.

 

(f)                 Required Consents. Contributor shall have obtained the consents and approvals set forth on Schedule 7.2(f) (the “Contributor Required Consents”) in a form reasonably satisfactory to Parent.

 

(g)                Key Person Agreements. Those certain Offer Letters with each of the Key Employees shall be in full force and effect and no default shall have occurred thereunder.

 

(h)                Restrictive Covenant Agreements. The Key Employees shall have entered into a customary sale of business Restrictive Covenant Agreement with the Contributee and NewCo in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent, the Contributee, NewCo and the Key Employees (each, a “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”), which shall include confidentiality provisions that survive indefinitely and non-competition, non-solicitation (both as to employees and business relations), non-hire and non-disparagement restrictive covenants that survive until the earlier to occur of (i) a bona fide sale of the Contributee to a third party or the liquidation or winding up of the Contributee or (ii) four (4) years following the Closing Date.

 

(i)                 Secretary’s Certificate. Contributor shall have delivered to Parent a certificate of the Secretary of Contributor, certifying as to:

 

(i)                 Resolutions of Contributor’s managers and members, if necessary, authorizing the Transactions and the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which Contributor is a party;

 

(ii)                Resolutions of NewCo’s managers and members, if necessary, authorizing the Transactions and the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which NewCo is a party;

 

(iii)              The Company Group Charter Documents; and

 

(iv)              A good standing certificate, dated not earlier than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, for each entity in the Company Group from their respective jurisdiction of formation or organization, as applicable.

 

(j)                 Employment Transition. Contributor shall have delivered proof reasonably acceptable to Parent that (i) the employment of all Continuing Employees, (ii) the contracts with independent contractors, (iii) except as may be limited by applicable Law, any personnel and independent contractor records (including all human resources and other records), and (iv) all employee handbooks, training materials and other marketing and expense management programs and materials that pertain to its business, have been properly transferred to, or established at, NewCo prior to the Closing, with all necessary third Person consents (except that Contributor may retain copies of such records or files, to the extent that it determines, in its reasonable discretion, is necessary to satisfy its obligations under Law).

 

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(k)                Option Cancellation Notice. Contributor shall have delivered written notice to all holders of Company Options providing that, effective as of (but conditioned upon) Closing, all Company Options will be cancelled for no consideration in accordance with the terms of the Company Option Plan, such that from and after the Closing, all such cancelled Company Options will be void and of no further force and effect, will no longer be exercisable by the former holder thereof, and will no longer entitle the former holder thereof to any payment or other rights with respect thereto.

 

(l)                 Termination of Company Option Plan. Contributor shall have terminated the Company Option Plan effective as of (but conditioned upon) Closing.

 

(m)              Restricted Units. Prior to (but conditioned upon) Closing, the Key Employees shall have each voluntarily forfeited their rights to vesting of the Restricted Units, as a result of this transaction or otherwise, in BrixInvest and BrixInvest and the Key Employees shall have agreed to forfeit the Restricted Units in exchange for the consideration set forth in this paragraph. Contributee shall have, effective as of (but conditioned upon) Closing, established and issued to the Key Employees newly granted restricted units of Contributee which shall have the same or similar terms as the Class M Units as set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement, except that such units shall be intended to constitute a “profits interest” for federal income tax purposes and shall be restricted until the earlier of (i) the four-year anniversary of the Closing Date or (ii) involuntary termination of such Key Employee’s employment without cause (as such term shall be defined in the restricted unit award agreements).

 

(n)                Operating Partnership Agreement. Contributor shall have delivered the Operating Partnership Agreement duly executed by Contributor.

 

(o)                Intentionally Left Blank.

 

(p)                Omnibus Amendment. Contributor shall have secured approval of the Omnibus Amendment to Convertible Notes and such Omnibus Amendment to Convertible Notes shall have been duly executed and be in full force and effect.

 

(q)                Distribution Schedule. The Contributor shall have prepared and delivered the final Distribution Schedule, prepared in accordance with Section 2.2(a).

 

(r)                 Settlement Documents and SEC Obligations. The Settlement Documents shall have been entered into and are in full force and effect, no default shall have occurred under any of the Settlement Documents and all SEC Obligations have been fully and timely satisfied and all payment and performance obligations shall have been paid and performed, as and when due.

 

(s)                 Assignment of Contributed Interests. The Contributor shall have delivered to the Contributee a membership interest assignment representing all of the Contributed Interests, together with appropriate instruments of transfer to convey the same to Contributee, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Contributee.

 

(t)                 General. Each entity in the Company Group shall provide to Parent any such other certificates, opinions, documents or instruments as may reasonably be requested by Parent, consistent with the terms of and transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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7.3               Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Contributor and NewCo. The obligations of the Contributor and NewCo to effect the Transactions also are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived in writing by the Contributor:

 

(a)                Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties concerning Parent and the Contributee contained in this Agreement and in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made at and as of such date (other than those representations and warranties made as of such specific date or dates, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date or dates) except as would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on Parent or the Contributee.

 

(b)                Agreements and Covenants. Each of Parent and Contributee shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of its respective obligations, agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing.

 

(c)                Officers’ Certificate. Parent shall have delivered to Contributor a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by a duly authorized officer of Parent, certifying compliance with the conditions set forth in Sections 7.3(a) and (b).

 

(d)               Operating Partnership Agreement. Parent shall have approved and adopted the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Contributor substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “Operating Partnership Agreement”).

 

(e)                OP Units. Contributee shall provide to Contributor any instruments of transfer as Contributor reasonably requests to vest all right, title and interest in and to the OP Units in Contributor.

 

(f)                 Registration Rights. Parent shall have executed and delivered to Daisho the Registration Rights Agremeent.

 

(g)                Secretary’s Certificate. Parent shall deliver a certificate of the Secretary of Parent, certifying as to:

 

(i)                 Resolutions of the board of directors of Parent on behalf of Parent itself and as general partner of the Contributee authorizing the Transaction and the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which Parent and the Contributee, respectively, is a party,

 

(ii)                The Organizational Documents of Parent and Contributee; and

 

(iii)              Good standing certificates, dated not earlier than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, for Parent and the Contributee, respectively, from their respective jurisdictions of formation or organization; and

 

(h)                General. Parent and Contributee shall have delivered to Contributor any such other certificates, opinions, documents or instruments as may reasonably be requested by Contributor, consistent with the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 8
INDEMNIFICATION

 

8.1               Contributor Indemnification. From and after the Closing, subject to the limitations and other provisions of this ARTICLE 8, Contributor agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Contributee, Parent, and each of their respective Affiliates (including NewCo and the Contributed Subsidiaries), and each of their respective officers, directors, stockholders, partners, managers, and members and their respective heirs, legatees, devisees, executors, administrators, trustees, personal representatives, successors and assigns (each, a “Contributee Indemnified Party”), harmless from and against any and all Losses incurred by any Contributee Indemnified Party relating to:

 

(a)                the breach of any representation or warranty made by Contributor contained in ARTICLE 3;

 

(b)                the breach or failure to perform any covenant or agreement made or undertaken by Contributor or NewCo in this Agreement;

 

(c)                the Excluded Assets;

 

(d)                the Excluded Liabilities; and

 

(e)                the excess, if any, by which Net Debt and Transaction Expenses exceeds $7,300,000.

 

8.2               Contributee Indemnification. From and after the Closing, subject to the limitations and other provisions of this ARTICLE 8, Contributee and Parent jointly and severally agree to indemnify, defend and hold Contributor and its officers, directors, stockholders, partners, managers, and members and their respective heirs, legatees, devisees, executors, administrators, trustees, personal representatives, successors and assigns (each, a “Contributor Indemnified Party”), harmless from and against any and all Losses incurred by any Contributor Indemnified Party relating to:

 

(a)                the breach by Contributee or Parent of any representation or warranty made by Contributee or Parent and contained in ARTICLE 4;

 

(b)                the breach or failure to perform any covenant or agreement made or undertaken by Contributee or Parent in this Agreement;

 

(c)                the Contributed Assets; and

 

(d)                the Assumed Liabilities.

 

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8.3               Indemnifying Procedures.

 

(a)                Upon receipt by a Contributor Indemnified Party or a Contributee Indemnified Party, as the case may be (the “Indemnified Party”), of notice from a Third Party of any action, suit, proceeding, claim, demand or assessment against such Indemnified Party that might give rise to a claim for Losses under this ARTICLE 7, the Indemnified Party shall promptly give written notice thereof to the Contributee, on the one hand, or Contributor, on the other hand, as the case may be (the “Indemnifying Party”), indicating in reasonable detail the nature of such claim and the basis therefor, including (i) a copy of all papers served with respect to any such action, and (ii) the Indemnified Party’s best estimate of the amount of Losses that may arise from any such action; provided, however, that failure to give such notice shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been prejudiced as a result of such failure. The Indemnifying Party will have thirty (30) days after such notice is given (the “Notice Period”) to notify the Indemnified Party (i) whether or not it disputes the liability of the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party hereunder with respect to such claim or demand, and (ii) whether or not it desires, at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, to defend the Indemnified Party with respect to the Third Party claim; provided, however, that, upon notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party, any Indemnified Party is hereby authorized, but is not obligated, prior to the Notice Period, to file any motion, answer or other pleading that it reasonably shall deem necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within the Notice Period that it desires to defend the Indemnified Party against the Third Party claim, the Indemnifying Party will have the right to control the defense of such matter by all appropriate proceedings and with counsel of its own choosing, at its sole cost and expense, and to compromise or settle such matter; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party will not agree to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or compromise with respect to such matter without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), unless the terms of such settlement shall contain as an unconditional term thereof a full and complete release of the Indemnified Party by the Third Party. If the Indemnified Party desires to participate in any such defense, it may do so at its sole cost and expense, and in a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere with the defense of such matter by the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party fails to respond to the Indemnified Party within the Notice Period, elects not to defend the Indemnified Party, or after electing to defend fails to commence or reasonably pursue such defense, then the Indemnified Party shall have the right, but not the obligation, to undertake or continue the defense of, and to compromise or settle (exercising reasonable business judgment), the matter; provided, however, that any such compromise or settlement consists solely of money damages to be borne by the Indemnifying Party and otherwise shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party and shall contain as an unconditional term thereof a full and complete release of the Indemnifying Party by the Third Party in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party. Payments to the Indemnified Party for Losses for Third Party claims which are otherwise covered by the indemnification obligations herein shall not be required except to the extent that the Indemnified Party has expended or simultaneously with such payment will expend, out-of-pocket sums. If the Indemnifying Party has assumed the defense of a Third Party claim, it shall reasonably proceed with such defense and promptly notify the Indemnified Party if it proposes to compromise or settle such Third Party claim in accordance with this Section 8.3. In any event in which the Indemnifying Party has assumed the defense of a Third Party claim, the Indemnified Party and its counsel shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the Indemnified Party from taking the position that it is entitled to indemnification hereunder.

 

(b)                In the event any Indemnified Party should have an indemnification claim against any Indemnifying Party under a Transaction Document that does not involve a claim by a Third Party, the Indemnified Party, as quickly as is reasonably practicable after first obtaining actual knowledge of an indemnification claim, shall deliver notice of such claim to the Indemnifying Party indicating in reasonable detail the nature of such claim and the basis therefor, including the Indemnified Party’s best estimate of the amount of Losses that may arise from any such claim. The failure by any Indemnified Party to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it may have to such Indemnified Party solely to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has been actually and materially prejudiced by such failure.

 

(c)                Parent and the Contributee shall, as well as their respective directors, officers, partners, and employees and the Contributee’s attorneys, accountants and agents to, at the request of Contributor, cooperate with Contributor as may be reasonably required in connection with the investigation and defense of any Third Party claim, Action or investigation relating to Contributor’s business or the Excluded Assets or the Excluded Liabilities that is brought against Contributor or any of its Affiliates relating in any way to its business at any time on or after the Closing. Likewise, Contributor shall, and shall instruct its directors, managers, officers, employees, attorneys, accountants and agents to, at Contributee’s request, cooperate with Contributee as may be reasonably required in connection with the investigation and defense of any Third Party claim, Action, or investigation relating to the Contributed Assets or the Assumed Liabilities that is brought against Contributee or Parent or any of their respective Affiliates at any time on or after the Closing.

 

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8.4               Survival.

 

(a)                All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties of any Party under this Agreement, subject to the limitations specified in Section 8.4(b), (c) and (d), shall survive the Closing, and any indemnification claim asserted in accordance with Section 8.3 prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period shall continue in effect with respect to such claim until such claim shall have been finally resolved or settled.

 

(b)                Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.4(d) or (e), the obligations of the Contributor under Section 8.1(a) shall survive the Closing until the expiration of twelve (12) consecutive months after the Closing Date, with respect to claims made by Contributee Indemnified Parties by notice in writing to Contributor, received on or before such last day.

 

(c)                Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.4(d) or (e), the obligations of the Contributee and Parent under Section 8.2(a) shall survive the Closing until the expiration of twelve (12) consecutive months after the Closing Date, with respect to claims made by Contributor Indemnified Parties by notice in writing to the Contributee, received on or before such last day.

 

(d)                Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.4(a), 8.4(b) and 8.4(c), the obligations of:

 

(i)             Contributor in accordance with Section 8.1(a) with respect to the warranties and representations contained in (i) Section 3.1, Section 3.2, Section 3.3, Section 3.4, Section 3.5 and Section 3.21 shall survive the Closing for a period of three (4) years and Section 3.15 (together, the “Fundamental Representations”) shall survive the Closing until 11:59 p.m. California time on the date that is sixty (60) days after the expiration of the longest relevant statute of limitations period (including any extensions thereof) (as such statute of limitations period pertains to the underlying subject matter of such representation and warranty or covenant, or to the ability of any Contributee Indemnified Party or any third party to make a claim relating to a breach of such representation and warranty or covenant, as the case may be, whichever is later);

 

(ii)             Contributor in accordance with Section 8.1(b), (c) and (d) with respect to any covenants and agreements to be performed and complied with following the Closing and with respect to the Excluded Assets, in each case, shall survive the Closing indefinitely;

 

(iii)            Contributee and Parent in accordance with Section 8.2(a) with respect to the warranties and representations contained in Section 4.1, Section 4.2 and Section 4.4 shall survive the Closing for a period of three (3) years; and

 

(iv)            Contributee and Parent in accordance with Section 8.2(b), (c) and (d) with respect to any covenants and agreements to be performed and complied with following the Closing and with respect to the Contributed Assets and the Assumed Liabilities, in each case, shall survive the Closing indefinitely.

 

(e)                The limitations under Section 8.4 and 8.5 shall not apply in respect of claims for Fraud.

 

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8.5               Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document:

 

(a)                Other than with respect to any claim for breach of a Fundamental Representation, the Contributee Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 8.1(a) with respect to any claim for indemnification for breach of (i) any representation or warranty made by Contributor contained in ARTICLE 3 (excluding any Materiality Qualified Rep) unless and until the amount of Losses (excluding costs and expenses of the Contributee Indemnified Parties incurred in connection with making such claim under this Agreement) incurred by the Contributee Indemnified Party for any individual occurrence (or series of one or more occurrence arising from the same facts or circumstances) exceeds $10,000 and (ii) any Materiality Qualified Rep unless and until the amount of Losses (excluding costs and expenses of the Contributee Indemnified Parties incurred in connection with making such claim under this Agreement) incurred by the Contributee Indemnified Party for any individual occurrence (or series of one or more occurrence arising from the same facts or circumstances) exceeds $20,000 (such thresholds set forth in Section 8.5(a)(i) and (ii), each a “Per-Claim Basket” and any such Losses disregarded pursuant to a Per-Claim Basket, an “Ineligible Loss”), after which, subject to Section 8.5(b), the Contributee Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to indemnification for such Losses with respect to such occurrence and not only those in excess of the applicable Per-Claim Basket.

 

(b)                Other than with respect to any claim for breach of a Fundamental Representation, the Contributee Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 8.1(a) with respect to any claim for indemnification unless and until the aggregate amount of Losses (excluding (x) Ineligible Losses and (y) costs and expenses of the Contributee Indemnified Parties incurred in connection with making such claims under this Agreement) incurred by the Contributee Indemnified Parties exceeds $415,000 (the “Basket Amount”), after which the Contributee Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to indemnification for such Losses to the extent of such Losses back to the first dollar.

 

(c)                Other than with respect to any claim for breach of a Fundamental Representation, the aggregate amount of Losses for which the Contributee Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 8.1(a) will not exceed $4,150,000 the “Cap”); provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary, the aggregate Liability of Contributor in respect of claims for indemnification pursuant to this Agreement (including under any provision of this ARTICLE 8) will not exceed the then remaining Fair Market Value of the OP Units subject to forfeiture hereunder.

 

(d)                For purposes of determining both whether or not a breach of a representation and warranty by Contributor under this Agreement has occurred and for purposes of calculating the dollar amount of Losses for which any Contributee Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification for such breach, each of such representations and warranties that contain any qualification as to “material,” “Material Adverse Effect” and similar qualifiers (each, a “Materiality Qualifier”) will be deemed and interpreted to be a representation or warranty made without such qualification. If Contributee or Parent breaches any representation or warranty for which indemnification may be provided under Section 8.2(a), then, solely for purposes of calculating the dollar amount of Losses for which any Contributor Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification for such breach, each of such representations and warranties that contain any qualification as to “material,” “Material Adverse Effect” and similar qualifiers will be deemed and interpreted to be a representation or warranty made without such qualification.

 

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(e)                The amount of any Loss for which indemnification is provided under this ARTICLE 8 shall be net of (i) any amounts actually received by the Indemnified Party pursuant to any indemnification by, or indemnification agreement with, any Third Party and (ii) third party insurance proceeds (for the avoidance of doubt, not including self-insurance or insurance with a captive insurance Affiliate), which shall be an offset against such Loss. The Indemnified Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek recovery from all such sources to minimize any Loss for which indemnification is provided under this ARTICLE 8. If the amount to be netted hereunder from any payment required under this ARTICLE 8 is determined after payment by the Indemnifying Party of any amount otherwise required to be paid to an Indemnified Party pursuant to this ARTICLE 8, the Indemnified Party shall repay to the Indemnifying Party, promptly after such determination, any amount that the Indemnifying Party would not have had to pay pursuant to this ARTICLE 8 had such determination been made at the time of such payment.

 

8.6               No Circular Recovery. From and after the Closing, the Contributor, on behalf of itself and each Member and any subsequent transferee of any OP Units of the Contributor or any Member and each of their successors, assigns, transferees, representatives, agents and any other Person claiming by, through, or under any of the foregoing (each, a “Contributor Related Party”) hereby expressly: (a) waives and releases any rights of subrogation, offset, contribution, indemnification, advancement of expenses or other remedies or rights of recovery of the Contributor and any Contributor Related Party, regardless of whether such right is pursuant to any Governing Document, Contract, Law or otherwise, for any Event that gives or may give rise to any indemnification obligation or other Liability of the Contributor or any Contributor Related Party, under this Agreement, any or Transaction Document or in connection with the Transactions (for the avoidance of doubt, disregarding any time, economic, procedural or other limitation set forth in this Agreement or otherwise and irrespective of whether a claim for such Event is actually made, resolved or recovered); (b) agrees that neither the Contributor nor any Contributor Related Party shall have a right of contribution or subrogation against or indemnity from any Contributee Indemnified Party in the event the Contributor or any Contributor Related Party is required to take, or refrain from taking, any action, whether by the payment of money or otherwise, as a result of this Section 8.6; and (c) waives, and covenants to refrain from and to cause each Contributor Related Party to refrain from, directly or indirectly, exercising, enforcing, asserting or otherwise commencing any Action with respect to, any rights described in the foregoing clause (a); provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8.6 shall not limit the indemnification rights of the D&O Indemnified Parties set forth in Section 6.3.

 

8.7               Contributor Release.

 

(a)                Effective as of the Closing, the Contributor on behalf of itself and Daisho hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, acquits and forever discharges Parent, the Contributee and each of their Affiliates (including NewCo and the Contributed Subsidiaries) and each of their respective past, present, and future, direct and indirect, equityholders, parents, Subsidiaries, principals, directors, managers, partners, general partners, limited partners, officers, employees, trustees, joint ventures, predecessors, insurers, attorneys, agents and representatives, and each of their respective successors, assigns, beneficiaries, heirs, executors, personal and legal representatives (individually, a “Releasee” and, collectively, the “Releasees”) of and from any commitment, obligation, right, promise, compensation, Contract, Action, Liability, Damage or claim of any kind or nature, at Law or in equity, arising out of or relating to, directly or indirectly, any act, omission, matter, cause, circumstance, event or other transaction occurring contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing, including any claims arising from or relating to the Contributor or any Contributor Related Party’s prior relationship or status with any Releasee (the “Causes of Action”); provided, however, that the Causes of Action shall not include any rights or claims by such Releasee arising from or related to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. The Contributor understands that this is a full and final general release of any Action, Damage or Liability of any kind or nature, that could have been asserted in any Action against any Releasee. For purposes of implementing a full and complete release and discharge of the Releasees, this Section 8.7 is intended to include in its effect any Actions, Damages or Liabilities of any kind or nature which the Contributor or any Contributor Related Party does not know of or suspect to exist in its favor at the time of signing this Agreement, and that this release contemplates the release of any such Actions, Damages or Liabilities.

 

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(b)                The Contributor, on behalf of itself and each other Contributor Related Party, further acknowledges and agrees that: (i) any Releasee may, from time to time, (A) enter into agreements for additional types of financing, including recapitalizations, mergers and initial public offerings of capital stock of such Releasee, or (B) pursue acquisitions or enter into agreements for the sale of such Releasee or their assets or properties, which may result in or reflect an increase in equity value or enterprise value; (ii) any and all Actions arising from or relating to such transactions or such increases in equity value or enterprise value are encompassed within the scope of this release; and (iii) the sole exceptions to the scope of this release are for claims arising after the Closing directly under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents in accordance with their terms.

 

(c)                The Contributor, on behalf of itself and each other Contributor Related Party, represents and warrants to the Releasees that: (i) neither it nor any other Contributor Related Party has assigned any Causes of Action against any Releasee; (ii) it has consulted with counsel with respect to this Agreement and has been fully apprised of the consequences of this release; (iii) it has had access to adequate information regarding the terms of this Agreement and any other matters encompassed by this Agreement or the Transactions (including the scope and effect of this release) to make an informed and knowledgeable decision with respect to entering into this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and consummating the Transactions; and (iv) it has not relied upon any Releasee in deciding to enter into this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents and has made its own independent analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. Effective upon the Closing, the Contributor, on behalf of itself and each other Contributor Related Party, hereby waives, covenants to refrain from, agrees to cause each other Contributor Related Party to refrain from, directly or indirectly, exercising, enforcing, asserting or otherwise commencing any Action with respect to, the Causes of Action. The Releasees are intended to be third party beneficiaries of this Section 8.7.

 

8.8               Exclusive Remedy. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the remedies provided for in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall be the Parties’ sole and exclusive remedies with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and of the other Transaction Documents, other than for a claim of Fraud, and further that nothing in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall operate to limit the rights of the Parties to seek equitable remedies (including injunctive relief or specific performance). No amount of Loss shall be recoverable under this Agreement by any Indemnified Party to the extent such Party has asserted a claim and received indemnification for the same amount of Loss under any other Transaction Document (the purpose and intent of the foregoing to avoid “duplicative recovery”). It is the Parties’ intention that the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement shall control and determine the Parties’ respective rights and obligations as against or among the Parties concerning any claims with respect to the Contributed Assets, the Excluded Assets, the Assumed Liabilities or the Excluded Liabilities.

 

8.9               Nature of Damages. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, in no event shall any Indemnifying Party be liable to any Indemnified Party for any punitive damages, except to the extent such damages are finally and actually paid by the Indemnified Party to an unaffiliated Third Party in connection with a claim against the Indemnified Party.

 

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8.10           Method of Payment. All amounts due and payable from Parent or Contributee to a Contributor Indemnified Party shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five (5) Business Days following final determination of a claim pursuant to Section 8.3.  Any amount due and payable from Contributor (or subsequent transferee of the OP Units) to a Contributee Indemnified Party pursuant to this ARTICLE 8 shall be satisfied, at Contributor’s sole discretion, in cash, by the forfeiture of OP Units, or both.  In the event that any claim for indemnification hereunder pursuant to the foregoing sentence, then the Contributor (or subsequent transferee of the OP Units) shall forfeit and the Contributee Indemnified Parties shall receive a number of OP Units (as equitably adjusted from time to time in respect of any conversion, split, combination, recapitalization or the like affecting the OP Units) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the amount of Losses indemnifiable by Contributor (or subsequent transferee of the OP Units) hereunder by (b) the then-current fair market value of the OP Units, which shall be determined by (x) multiplying the then-current per share net asset value of Parent’s Class C Common Stock (as set forth in Parent’s most recent prospectus or Form 10-K) by the number of Class C OP Units then outstanding and applying the then-applicable Conversion Ratio for the Class C Units (as set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement) and (y) dividing the quotient by the number of Class C OP Units then outstanding (as equitably adjusted from time to time in respect of any conversion, split, combination, recapitalization or the like affecting the OP Units or in changes to the Conversion Rate of the OP Units) (“Fair Market Value”).

 

8.11           Tax Treatment of Indemnity Payments. Any payments made to any Party pursuant to this ARTICLE 8 shall constitute an adjustment of the Contribution Value for income tax purposes and shall be treated as such by the Contributor and the Contributee on their Tax Returns to the extent permitted by applicable Law.

 

ARTICLE 9
Termination

 

9.1               Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing by certain of the Parties as provided below:

 

(a)                 by mutual written consent of Parent and Contributor;

 

(b)                by Parent by providing written notice to the Contributor, upon the occurrence of a Company Group Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)                 by Parent if the Contributor has not delivered the Required Member Approval on or before the tenth Business Day prior to the Closing Date;

 

(d)                by Parent upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of the Contributor set forth in this Agreement which (i) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.2 and (ii) has not been cured within ten (10) Business Days following the earlier of receipt by Parent of written notice of such breach from the Contributor or receipt by the Contributor of written notice of such breach from Parent;

 

(e)                 by the Contributor, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, guarantee, covenant or agreement on the part of Parent or Contributee set forth in this Agreement which (i) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.3 and (ii) has not been cured within ten (10) Business Days following the earlier of receipt by the Contributor of written notice of such breach from Parent or receipt by Parent of written notice of such breach from the Contributor;

 

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(f)                 by either Parent or the Contributor, if there shall be any Law, order, injunction or decree which is final and nonappealable preventing the consummation of the Transactions or that makes consummation of the Transactions illegal; or

 

(g)               by either Parent or the Contributor, if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on March 31, 2020 (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(g) shall not be available to any Party whose failure to perform any material covenant, agreement or obligation hereunder has been the principal cause of the failure of the Closing to occur on or before such Outside Date.

 

9.2               Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void, there shall be no liability on the part of any Party or any of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, stockholders, managers or partners and all rights and obligations of any Party hereto shall cease; provided, however, nothing herein shall relieve any Party from any liability for any breach of such Party’s representations, warranties covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement prior to such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 9.2, Section 9.3, Section 9.4 and Article 10 (Miscellaneous) shall survive any termination of this Agreement. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the obligations of the parties under the Confidentiality Agreement (and such obligations shall not be limited by this Section 9.2), which shall remain in full force and effect until the Closing.

 

9.3               Amendments and Waivers. Subject to compliance with applicable Law, any provision hereof may be amended, modified, terminated or supplemented and the observance of any provision hereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance, and either retroactively or prospectively) by a writing signed by Parent (on behalf of itself and Contributee) and the Contributor (on behalf of itself and NewCo). Any amendment, modification, termination, supplement or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 9.3 shall be binding upon each of the parties hereto.

 

9.4               Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No waivers of, or exceptions to, any term, condition or provision hereof, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of, or exception to, any such term, condition or provision. No failure or delay on the part of any Party hereto in the exercise of any right hereunder shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of, or acquiescence in, any breach of any representation, warranty or agreement herein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right.

 

ARTICLE 10
GENERAL

 

10.1           Schedules; Exhibits; Integration. Each schedule and exhibit delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall constitute a part of this Agreement. This Agreement (and such schedules and exhibits), together with the other Transaction Documents, constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the Parties in connection therewith.

 

10.2           Interpretation. For all purposes of the Transaction Documents, except as otherwise specifically stated therein:

 

(a)                the terms defined in the Agreement have the meanings assigned to them herein and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

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(b)                all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned under GAAP;

 

(c)                pronouns of either gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms;

 

(d)                words defined as one part of speech (such as a noun) include a corresponding meaning when used as another part of speech (such as a verb);

 

(e)                the words “include” and “including” shall be without limitation and shall be construed to mean “include, but not be limited to” or “including, without limitation;”

 

(f)                 the phrase “ordinary course of business” shall mean, with respect to an action taken by or omission of any Person, an action or omission that (a) is consistent in nature, scope and magnitude with the past practices of such Person and (b) does not require separate or special authorization or approval of any kind, including the board of directors or managers or any equityholder of such Person.

 

(g)                references to exhibits, schedules, Articles, Sections and paragraphs shall be references to the exhibits, schedules, Articles, Sections and paragraphs of this Agreement;

 

(h)                the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

 

(i)                 references to “writing” or comparable expressions includes a reference to facsimile transmission, email or comparable means of communication;

 

(j)                 any Law defined or referred to in this Agreement or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such Law as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor Laws and the related regulations and published interpretations thereof; provided that for purposes of any of the representations or warranties contained in this Agreement that are made as of a specific date or dates, references to any Law shall be deemed to refer to such Law, as amended, modified and/or supplemented and to regulations thereunder, and published interpretations thereof, in each case as of such specified date or dates; and

 

(k)                the terms “made available,” “provided,” “furnished” and words of similar import means the posting by or on behalf of the Contributor of materials to a virtual data room managed by the Contributor and made accessible to the Contributee during the one (1) Business Day prior to the execution of this Agreement or the physical delivery by or on behalf of the Contributor (including delivery by email or other electronic means) of such materials to the Contributee.

 

10.3           Submission to Jurisdiction; Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Wilmington, Delaware for the purpose of any Action arising out of or based upon any of the Transaction Documents (“Covered Matters”), (b) agree not to commence any Action arising out of, or based upon, any Covered Matters except in the state courts or federal courts located in Wilmington, Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter of any Covered Matter may not be enforced in or by such court.  All Covered Matters shall be governed by, interpreted and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any Law other than the Law of the State of Delaware. Each Party hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any Covered Matter. Each Party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other Party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such Party would not, in the event of any Covered Matter, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other Parties have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section 10.3.

 

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10.4           Amendment; Waiver. Subject to compliance with applicable Law, the provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified, or supplemented without the prior written consent of Parent and Contributor. No waiver by any of the Parties of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the party sought to be charged with such waiver. No waiver by any of the Parties any default, misrepresentation or breach of representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement hereunder, whether intentional or not, shall be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior or subsequent such occurrence.

 

10.5           Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the Parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court located in Wilmington, Delaware in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.

 

10.6           Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence with regard to all obligations under this Agreement.

 

10.7           Assignment. No Transaction Document or any rights or obligations under any of them are assignable without the prior written consent of all of the Parties.

 

10.8           Headings. The descriptive headings of the articles, sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

 

10.9           Recitals. The recitals are fully incorporated into this Agreement by reference.

 

10.10        Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, each Party, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to relieve or discharge the obligation of any third Person to any Party to this Agreement.

 

10.11        Notices. Any notice or other communication hereunder must be given in writing and either (a) delivered in Person, (b) transmitted by electronic mail, provided that any notice so given is also mailed as provided in the following clause (c), or (c) mailed by a reputable overnight courier service as follows:

 

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If to Parent, the Contributee or NewCo (Following the Closing), addressed to:

 

RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc.

3090 Bristol Street, Suite 550

Costa Mesa, California 92626

Attention: Curtis B. McWilliams, Chairperson

Email: cbmcwilliams09@gmail.com

 

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

 

Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
1600 Atlanta Financial Center

3343 Peachtree Road, NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Attention: Lauren B. Prevost, Esq. and Amie Singer, Esq.

Email: lprevost@mmmlaw.com; asinger@mmmlaw.com

 

If to the Contributor or NewCo (Prior to the Closing), addressed to:

 

BrixInvest, LLC

3090 Bristol Street, Suite 550

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Attention: Aaron Halfacre

Email: aaron@richuncles.com

 

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

 

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
201 17th Street NW, Suite 1700

Atlanta, GA 30363
Attention: Michael K. Rafter, Esq.

Email: mike.rafter@nelsonmullins.com

 

or to such other address or to such other Person as each Party shall have last designated by such notice to the other Parties. Each such notice or other communication shall be effective (i) when delivered in Person, (ii) if given by electronic mail, when transmitted to the applicable email address so specified in (or pursuant to) this Section 10.11, and (iii) if given by reputable overnight courier, one (1) Business Day after delivery or the first attempted delivery.

 

10.12        Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, each of Contributor and Contributee shall pay its own expenses incident to the negotiation, preparation and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, but not limited to, the fees, expenses and disbursements of its accountants and counsel and, to the extent required hereunder, the fees and expenses of securing third party consents and approvals required to be obtained by it.

 

10.13        Representation By Counsel; Interpretation. Each of Party acknowledges that each Party to this Agreement has been represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Accordingly, any rule of Law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the Party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a reasonable manner to effect the intent of the Parties.

 

10.14        Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any Governmental Authority, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect; provided that the essential terms and conditions of this Agreement for all Parties remain valid, binding and enforceable. In the event of any such determination, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement to fulfill as closely as possible the original intents and purposes hereof. To the extent permitted by Law, the Parties hereby to the same extent waive any provision of Law that renders any provision hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

 

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10.15        Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile, and each of which shall be deemed an original of this Agreement, and all of which, when taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 11
DEFINITIONs

 

For all purposes of the Transaction Documents, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context in which a term is used clearly requires otherwise:

 

“Action” means any suit, litigation, arbitration, mediation, claim, complaint, dispute, action, allegation, charge, demand, grievance, audit, investigation, inquiry, inspection, finding, review, survey, assessment, examination, notice letter or other proceeding.

 

“Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by,” and “under common control with”) as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or equity interests, by Contract or otherwise.

 

“AFFO” has the meaning set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement.

 

“Agreement” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” means any applicable Laws concerning or relating to bribery or corruption, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

Anti-Terrorism Laws” means any applicable Laws concerning or relating to terrorism financing or money laundering, including the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), S.C. 2000, c.17, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. §1701 et seq.), the Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 5 et seq.), the International Security Development and Cooperation Act (22 U.S.C. § 2349aa-9 et seq.), the Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective 24, 2001, the Uniting and Strengthening American by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56.

 

“Assigned Contracts” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.1(d).

 

“Assignment of Intellectual Property” means an assignment in substantially the form attached to the Agreement as Exhibit C assigning and transferring all of Contributor’s Intellectual Property.

 

“Assumed Liabilities” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.1(c).

 

“AUM” has the meaning set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement.

 

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Basket Amount” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.5(b).

 

“Bill of Sale and Assumption Agreement” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.2(e)(i).

 

Business Data” means all business information and all personally-identifying information (including all Personal Information) and data (whether of employees, contractors, consultants, customers, consumers, or other Persons and whether in electronic or any other form or medium) that is accessed, collected, used, processed, stored, shared, distributed, transferred, disclosed, destroyed, or disposed of by or on behalf of any entity in the Company Group through any of the Business Systems.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than (i) a Saturday or a Sunday or (ii) a day on which banking and other deposit gathering institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York are authorized or required by applicable Law to be closed.

 

Business Systems” means all Software (including the Company Platform), computer hardware (whether general or special purpose), Computing Device, electronic data processing, information, record keeping, communications, telecommunications, networks, interfaces, platforms, servers, peripherals, and computer systems, including any outsourced systems and processes that are owned or used by or for any entity in the Company Group in the conduct of its business.

 

Cap” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.5(c).

 

“Cardholder Data” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20(m).

 

Cash” means all cash, cash equivalents of the Company Group as part of the Contributed Assets, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with the GAAP.

 

“Closing” has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“Closing Date” has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Commitments” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20(k).

 

Company Group” means, collectively, BrixInvest, Daisho, NewCo and the Contributed Subsidiaries.

 

Company Group Charter Documents” means, collectively, the Contributor Charter Documents and the Contributor Subsidiary Charter Documents.

 

Company Group Owned IP” means all Intellectual Property that is owned, purported to be owned, filed for registration with a Governmental Authority by, or registered with a Governmental Authority in the name of or assigned to any entity in the Company Group (including the Registered Intellectual Property), and any and all Intellectual Property that the Company Group has asserted ownership of prior to the Closing Date (whether the Company Group has asserted that such Intellectual Property is owned singularly or jointly with a third party or parties).

 

Company Group Intellectual Property” means the Company Group Owned IP and any other Intellectual Property used or held for use by any entity in the Company Group.

 

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Company Options” means options to purchase common units of BrixInvest pursuant to the Company Option Plan which are outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing.

 

Company Option Plan” means the Contributor’s 2016 Option Plan.

 

“Company Platform” means all Software made available by any entity in the Company Group to its customers or other third parties, and from which any entity in the Company Group has derived within the three (3) years preceding the date hereof or is currently deriving, revenue from the sale, license, subscription, support or provision thereof, whether directly or indirectly (e.g. Software provided as part of any product offering, even if the customer or other third party is not directly charged for such products).

 

Company Sites” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20(j).

 

Computing Device” means any physical object that has the capacity to process instructions in executable code form, including personal computers, servers, mobile devices, tablets, routers, switches, wireless access points, and card readers.

 

“Consulting Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20(f).

 

“Contributed Subsidiaries” means Rich Uncles NNN REIT Operator, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Brix Student Housing Operator, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Contribution and Distribution Agreement” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.2(e)(ii).

 

“Contributor Approvals” means, collectively with any Contributor Governmental Approvals, any consent, license, permit, approval, waiver or authorization or order of, filing with or any notification to, the third Persons set forth on Section 3.4(a) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule, required as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions.

 

Contributor Charter Documents” means the Governing Documents of the Contributor, as in effect from time to time, including the Certificate of Formation and the LLCA of the Contributor.

 

Contributor Governmental Approvals” means any consent, license, permit, approval, waiver, authorization or order of, filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority required as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions, including those set forth on Section 3.4(b) of the Contributor Disclosure Schedule.

 

Contributor Subsidiary Charter Documents” means the Governing Documents of each entity in the Company Group (other than the Contributor), as in effect from time to time.

 

Confidential Information” means any information that is of value to its owner, is treated as confidential and is not already generally available to the public (other than as a result of a disclosure by any entity in the Company Group in violation of this Agreement), including trade secrets, the terms of this Agreement, pricing, business plans, systems, programs, software products, data systems, inventions, technological know-how, processes, agent and customer lists, product information, proprietary technical documentation, financial data and any notes, analyses, compilations, studies, forecasts, interpretations or other documents that are derived from, contain, reflect or are based upon any such information.

 

“Continuing Employee” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.3(a).

 

Contract” means any binding contract, agreement, document, instrument, certificate, license, sublicense, deed, lease, sublease, assignment, power of attorney, purchase order, statement of work, insurance policy, benefit plan, letter of intent, franchise, commitment, obligation, covenant, assurance, promise, indemnity, representation, warranty, right, memoranda of understanding, offer letter, indenture, mortgage, security interest, guarantee or other arrangement of any kind, whether written or oral, together with any amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto.

 

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“Contributed Assets” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.1(a).

 

“Contributee” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“Contributee Indemnified Party” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.1.

 

“Contribution Value” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.2(b).

 

“Contributor” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

“Contributor Indemnified Party” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.2.

 

“Contributor Required Consents” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.2(f).

 

“Conversion Rate” has the meaning set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement with respect to the OP Units.

 

“Convertible Notes” means the convertible promissory notes evidencing a debt obligation of BrixInvest, issued on various dates pursuant to a private placement, in the aggregate principal amount of $4,000,000.

 

“Copyrights” means copyrights, whether registered or unregistered, in published works and unpublished works, and pending applications to register the same.

 

“Covered Matters” has the meaning as set forth in Section 10.3.

 

“D&O Indemnified Parties” has the meaning as set forth in Section 6.3(a).

 

“Daisho” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

“Daisho Spin-Off” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.12.

 

“Data Privacy Laws” means data protection, privacy, security, confidentiality or destruction Laws in any relevant jurisdiction.

 

“Data Security Requirements” means, collectively, all of the following to the extent relating to Data Treatment or otherwise relating to privacy, security, or security breach notification requirements and applicable to the Company Group, to the conduct of its business, or to any of the Business Systems or any Business Data: (i) the Company Group’s own rules, policies, and procedures; (ii) all laws, including Data Privacy Laws; (iii) industry standards applicable to the industry in which the Company Group’s business operates; and (iv) Contracts into which the Company Group has entered or by which it is otherwise bound.

 

Data Treatment” means the access, collection, use, import, export, processing, recording, organization, structuring, adaptation, alteration, retrieval, alignment, combination, erasure, storage, sharing, distribution, transfer, disclosure, security, destruction, or disposal of any Personal Information, sensitive, or confidential information or data (whether in electronic or any other form or medium).

 

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Dealers” means dealers, distributors, value added resellers, original equipment manufacturers, resellers, sales agents, sales representatives, integrators, and similar Persons.

 

“Debt” means, without duplication, any liability of any entity in the Company Group in respect of (a) indebtedness for borrowed money, including indebtedness, obligations and liabilities evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (b) all liabilities of the Company Group for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (c) all liabilities related to any earn-out or contingent payment or similar payment, (d) obligations under letters of credit, (e) all liabilities incurred in connection with the unwinding of any hedge, swap or other derivative transaction, (f) guarantees or sureties of the obligations of the type described in the other clauses of this definition of “Debt”, (g) obligations created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by the Company Group, (h) all accrued interest expense and all unpaid penalties, fees, expenses, changes, prepayment or make-whole penalties or premiums or other breakage costs on any of the obligations of the type described in the other clauses of this definition of “Debt”, (i) accrued and unpaid income Taxes for any period or portion of any period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, in each case, calculated in accordance with GAAP and on the assumption that any applicable Tax period that begins before and ends after the Closing Date ends on the Closing Date, (j) obligations owing to current or former equityholders with respect to unpaid dividends or other distributions, (l) all obligations of the type referred to in the other clauses of this definition of “Debt” of other Persons secured by any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on any property or asset of any of the Company Group.

 

“Domain Names” means Internet domain names.

 

“Earnout Adjustment Milestones” has the meaning set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement regarding achievement of certain levels of AFFO and AUM.

 

“Employee Plan” means each (i) employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), (ii) nonqualified deferred compensation plan (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), or (iii) employment, severance, change-in-control, bonus, incentive, equity compensation, health, welfare, or fringe benefit, retirement, and any other compensatory or employee benefit plan, contract or arrangement of any kind (whether or not subject to ERISA, written or oral, qualified or nonqualified, funded or unfunded, insured or self-insured, foreign or domestic, currently effective or terminated).

 

Environmental Laws” means any applicable Laws and other requirements having the force or effect of Law relating to or imposing Liability or standards of conduct concerning pollution or protection of the environment, public health and safety, or worker health and safety, or that pertain to the handling, use, manufacturing, processing, storage, treatment, transportation, discharge, release, emission, disposal, re-use or recycling of Hazardous Materials, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq., as amended, the Hazardous Substances Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 5101 et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq., the Emergency Planning Community Right-to-Know Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 11001 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq., and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. Section 2701 et seq., and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

 

Equity Interest” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any capital stock, partnership or membership interest, unit of participation, voting securities, debt securities or other similar ownership interest (however designated) in such Person, (b) any securities (including debt securities) directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock, partnership or membership interest, unit of participation, voting securities or other similar ownership interest (however designated) in such Person, (c) any option, warrant, purchase right, conversion right, exchange right or other Contract that would, directly or indirectly, entitle any other Person to subscribe for or acquire any such interest in such Person or otherwise entitle any other Person to share in the equity, profits, earnings, losses or gains of such Person (including equity appreciation, phantom equity, profit participation or other similar rights), and (d) any share or unit appreciation rights, phantom share rights, other rights the value of which is linked to the value of any securities or interests referred to in clauses (a) through (c) above or other similar rights.

 

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“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any other corporation or trade or business that would be treated as a single employer with any entity in the Company Group under Code Section 414 or Section 4001(a)(14) or 4001(b) of ERISA.

 

Event” means any event, effect, fact, occurrence, circumstance, action, omission, condition, development, change or proceeding.

 

“Excluded Assets” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.1(b).

 

“Excluded Liabilities” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.1(b).

 

“Fair Market Value” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.10.

 

“Financial Statements” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.6(a).

 

“FLSA” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.18(b).

 

“Fraud” means an act, committed by or on behalf of a Party, with intent to deceive another Party to enter into this Agreement, and requires (i) a false representation of material fact made in this Agreement (ii) with actual knowledge (as opposed to constructive, imputed or implied knowledge) that such representation is false, (iii) with an intention to induce the Party to whom such representation is made to act or refrain from acting in reliance upon it, (iv) causing that Party, in justifiable or reasonable reliance upon such false representation and with ignorance to the falsity of such representation, to take or refrain from taking action, (v) causing such Party to suffer damage by reason of such reliance and (vi) compliance with any other applicable legal requirements for asserting a claim of fraud (including, pleading with particularity).

 

“Fundamental Representations” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.4(d)(i).

 

“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

 

Governing Document” means the (a) document(s) by which any Person (other than an individual) establishes its legal existence or which govern its internal organizational affairs and (b) any stockholders’ agreement, investor rights agreement, voting agreement, right of first refusal and co-sale agreement or any other Contract comparable to those described in clause (a) as may be applicable to such Person pursuant to applicable Law or by Contract, together with any legally binding amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto.

 

“Governmental Authority” means any (i) government, whether federal, provincial, state, local or municipal, domestic or foreign, (ii) governmental or quasi-Governmental Authority of any nature (including any governmental body, authority, agency, commission, instrumentality, branch, department, official or entity and any court or other tribunal), (iii) body, authority, agency, commission or instrumentality exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or power of any kind, including any self-regulatory organization or (iv) arbitral tribunal.

 

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“Hazardous Materials” means (i) those materials, substances, chemicals, wastes, products, compounds, solid, liquid, gas or minerals in each case, whether naturally occurred or man-made, that is listed in, defined in or regulated under any Environmental Law, including the following federal statutes and their state and local counterparts, as each may be amended from time to time, and all regulations thereunder, including: the Comprehensive, Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.; the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, as amended, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11001 et seq.; the Clean Air Act of 1966, as amended by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq.; and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 651 et seq.; (ii) petroleum and petroleum-derived products, including crude oil and any fractions thereof; and (iii) polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, mold, methane, asbestos in any form, radioactive materials or wastes and radon.

 

Indemnified Party” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.3(a).

 

Indemnifying Party” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.3(a).

 

Ineligible Loss” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.5(a).

 

Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property and proprietary rights throughout the world, including (i) all patents, pending patent applications, patent disclosures, and inventions and all improvements thereto (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice), and all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, divisional, extensions, and reexaminations in connection therewith, (ii) trademarks, service marks, domain names, trade dress, corporate names, trade names, and other indicia of source, and all registrations, applications and renewals in connection therewith (together with the goodwill associated therewith), (iii) copyrights and all works of authorship, and all registrations, applications and renewals in connection therewith, (iv) mask works and all registrations and applications for registrations thereof; (v) Software, (vi) trade secrets, know-how, technologies, databases, processes, techniques, protocols, methods, formulae, algorithms, layouts, designs, specifications and confidential information, (vii) all other intellectual property rights; and (viii) all copies and tangible embodiments of the foregoing (in whatever form or medium).

 

“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service or any successor entity.

 

“Key Employees” means the individuals listed on Schedule 11.1.

 

Knowledge” or “to the knowledge” of any Party means (a) in the case of Parent, the actual knowledge of the individuals listed in Schedule 11.2(a), (b) in the case of the Contributee, the actual knowledge of the individuals listed in Schedule 11.2(b), and (c) in the case of Contributor, the actual knowledge of the individuals listed in Schedule 11.2(c) and, in each case, the knowledge such Person would have upon a reasonable investigation of the Contributor’s books, records and employees.

 

“Law” means any foreign, provincial, federal, state, local or other law (including common law), statute, ordinance, rule, ruling, convention, act, constitution, code, treaty, fine, regulation, judgment, injunction, executive order, decree, award, judgment, injunction, requirement, pronouncement or other restriction of any Governmental Authority, including any Order.

 

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“Legal Proceeding” means any Action by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

“Liability” means any liability, debt, obligation, deficiency, interest, Tax, penalty, fine, demand, guarantee, endorsement, duty, judgment, cause of action or other loss (including loss of benefit or profit), cost or expense of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, known or unknown, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not foreseeable, and whether due or to become due and regardless of when asserted., including those arising under any Law, Action, Order, Contract or Governing Document.

 

Lien” means any lien, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, lease, security interest, charge, claim, easement, encumbrance, hypothecation, encroachment, restriction, option, proxy, right of first offer or refusal, defect in survey or title or other lien or encumbrance of any kind.

 

“LLCA of the Contributor” means that certain Sixth Amended and Restated Company Agreement of the Contributor, dated as of May 14, 2019, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Loss” or “Losses” means any and all costs, expenses, losses or damages, Taxes, fines, penalties or Liabilities (including interest which may be imposed or incurred in connection therewith, court costs, litigation expenses, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs).

 

“Mark” means any brand name, logos, service mark, trademark, trade name, or trade dress, together with the goodwill connected with the use of and symbolized by, and all registrations or application for registration of, any of the foregoing.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means, (i) with respect to any entity in the Company Group or its business, any Event that has or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact or effect on the Company Group, its business, the Contributed Assets, or the Assumed Liabilities, taken as a whole; provided thatMaterial Adverse Effect” shall neither be deemed to include the impact or effect of, nor shall there be taken into account in determining whether there has been a “Material Adverse Effect”: (a) changes in Laws or interpretations thereof or binding directives of Governmental Authority, (b) the announcement of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or the taking of any action contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any of them, (c) changes in GAAP or the interpretations thereof, (d) compliance with, and performance of, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (e) changes affecting general economic conditions or the industry in which Contributor operates, including competition in any geographic areas in which Contributor operates, (f) the failure of Contributor to meet projections of earnings, revenues or other financial measures (whether such projections were made by Contributor or any independent Third Parties), (g) general political, economic, financial or capital market conditions (including interest rates), (h) national or international political or social conditions, including the engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military or terrorist attack within or upon the United States, or any of its territories, possessions, or diplomatic or consular offices or upon any military installation, equipment or personnel of the United States, or (i) changes in financial, banking, or securities markets (including any disruption thereof and any decline in the price of any security or any market index), and (ii) with respect to any entity in the Company Group, Parent or the Contributee, a material adverse effect on the ability of such Person, in a timely manner, to enter into, to perform its obligations under, or to consummate the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement or the Transaction Documents.

 

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Materiality Qualified Reps” shall mean the representations and warranties set forth in ARTICLE 3 that are subject to a Materiality Qualifier and are read and interpreted without regard to such Materiality Qualifier in accordance with Section 8.5(d) for purposes of ARTICLE 8 of this Agreement.

 

“Materiality Qualifier” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.5(d).

 

“Member” means the holders of units, membership interests or other limited liability company interests (however designated) of Contributor as of immediately prior to the Closing.

 

“Member Written Consent” means the action taken by written consent of the Members approving and adopting this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which the Contributor is or will be a party, the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby in accordance with applicable Law and the Contributor Charter Documents.

 

“Net Debt” means the aggregate Debt of the Company Group that is an Assumed Liability less Cash, in each case as of the Closing.

 

“NewCo” has the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.

 

“NNN REIT Advisory Agreement” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement by and among Parent, Rich Uncles NNN REIT Operator, LLC, and BrixInvest, dated as of August 11, 2017, as amended.

 

“Notice Period” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.3(a).

 

Object Code” means Software, substantially or entirely in binary form, which is intended to be directly executable by a computer after suitable processing and linking but without the intervening steps of compilation or assembly.

 

“Offer Letters” means, collectively, (a) that certain offer letter by BrixInvest, LLC to Raymond J. Pacini, dated March 27, 2018 and (b) that certain offer letter by BrixInvest, LLC to Aaron Halfacre, dated June 4, 2018.

 

“OP Units” has the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.

 

“Open Source Software” means (a) any Software that contains, or is derived in any manner in whole or in part from, any Software that is distributed as free Software, open source Software (e.g., Linux) or under similar licensing or distribution models; (b) any Software that may require as a condition of use, modification or distribution that such Software or other Software incorporated into, derived from or distributed with such Software: (i) be disclosed or distributed in source code form; (ii) be licensed for the purpose of making derivative works; or (iii) be redistributable at no charge; and (c) Software licensed or distributed under any of the following licenses or distribution models, or licenses or distribution models similar to any of the following: (1) GNU’s General Public License (GPL) or Lesser/Library GPL (LGPL); (2) the Artistic License (e.g., PERL); (3) the Mozilla Public License; (4) the Netscape Public License; (5) the Sun Community Source License (SCSL); (6) the Sun Industry Source License (SISL); (7) the Apache Software License; and (8) other open source licenses that have been approved by the Open Source Initiative™ as complying with its definition of “open source.”.

 

“Operating Partnership” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

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“Operating Partnership Agreement” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.3(d).

 

“Order” means any judgment, writ, decree, award, compliance agreement, injunction or order (whether judicial, administrative or arbitral) and any determination of any Governmental Authority.

 

“Organizational Documents” means the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, charter, bylaws, articles of formation or organization, certificate of formation or organization, regulations, operating agreement, limited liability company agreement, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, and all other similar documents, instruments, or certificates executed, adopted, or filed in connection with the creation, formation, or organization of a Person, including any amendments thereto.

 

“Parent” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“Parties” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

 

“Party” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

 

“Patents” means all patents and patent applications.

 

“PCI DSS” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20(k).

 

Per-Claim Basket” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.5(a).

 

“Permit” means any permits, franchises, grants, authorizations, declarations, orders, licenses, registrations, requirements, easements, variances, exemptions, consents, certificates, approvals, filings and similar rights of any kind issued, or required to be issued, by any Governmental Authority or other Person.

 

Permitted Lien” means (i) mechanics, materialmen’s and similar Liens with respect to any amounts not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith through (if then appropriate) appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in compliance with GAAP on the books and records of the Contributor as of the Closing, (ii) Liens for Taxes not yet delinquent or which are being contested in good faith through (if then appropriate) appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in compliance with GAAP on the books and records of the Contributor as of the Closing, (iii) Liens of record on real property (including recorded easements, covenants, rights of way and similar restrictions of record) that (A) would be disclosed by a physical inspection of such real property and (B) do not interfere with the present use, occupancy, value or marketability of title of such real property, and (iv) any Lien approved to remain outstanding to the extent Parent authorizes to the Contributor, in writing, the credit facility of Contributor to remain in place after Closing.

 

“Permitted Transfer” means (i) a Transfer of all or a portion of the OP Units to BrixInvest, (ii) a Transfer of all or a portion of the OP Units to any member(s) of BrixInvest on or after the date that is one (1) year after the Closing Date and any subsequent transfer, in each case as specifically authorized by the Operating Partnership Agreement (including, without limitation, compliance with all applicable securities laws and contingent upon the receiving member executing a joinder to the Operating Partnership Agreement), or (iii) a Transfer of all or a portion of the OP Units as required by applicable Law or Order.

 

“Person” means an individual, entity or other organization, whether organized for profit or not for profit, including a partnership (whether general or limited), a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust (whether inter vivos or testamentary), a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, a REIT or a Governmental Authority.

 

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“Personal Information” means data or other information relating, directly or indirectly, to an identified or identifiable natural person, including Cardholder Data and any data regulated under Data Privacy Laws.

 

“Personal Property” means machinery, computer programs, computer software, tools, motor vehicles, office equipment, inventories, supplies, plant, spare parts, and other tangible or intangible personal property, excluding, however, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and Contracts, Permits or Intellectual Property.

 

“Plan” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.17(a).

 

“Privacy Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20(l).

 

“Privacy Policy” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20(k).

 

“Pro Rata Percentage” means a percentage allocable to each Member based on the number of OP Units such Member would receive if Contributor were liquidated as of the Closing in accordance with the terms of the LLCA of the Contributor, as in effect as of the Closing.

 

Registered Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property that is the subject of an active registration (or an application currently pending for registration) with any Governmental Authority, and any domain name that is the subject of any active registration with any domain name registrar.

 

“Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated of even date herewith, by and among Parent, the Operating Partnership, and Daisho, as the same may be amended.

 

“Regulation D” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.24(a).

 

REIT” means a “real estate investment trust” within the meaning of Code Section 856.

 

“REIT I Advisory Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement between Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I and BrixInvest, dated as of March 8, 2012, as amended.

 

“REIT Shares” means shares of Class C Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, in Parent (or successor entity, as the case may be), the terms and conditions of which are set forth in the charter of Parent filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, as amended, supplemented, or restated from time to time.

 

Representative” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s directors, officers, employees, advisors (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, investment bankers, and financial advisors), agents and other representatives.

 

“Required Member Approval” means Members holding at least a majority of the issued and outstanding voting units of the Contributor.

 

59

 

 

Restricted Units” means restricted common units of BrixInvest granted pursuant to those certain Restricted Units Award Agreements between the Company and each of Aaron Halfacre and Raymond Pacini.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Software” means a set of statements or instructions to be used directly or indirectly in a Computing Device in order to bring about a certain result, in all forms (including object code, interpreted code, and Source Code), together with all related documentation and materials.

 

Source Code” means computer software in a form that is readily suitable for review and edit by trained programmers, including related programmer comments and documentation embedded therein.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.

 

“Tax” means any (a) taxes, charges, withholdings, fees, levies, imposts, duties and governmental fees or other like assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever in the nature of taxes imposed by any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, state, county, local, provincial or foreign or other Tax Authority (including those related to, net income, gross income, receipts, capital, windfall profit, severance, property (real and personal), production, sales, goods and services, use, utility, business and occupation, license, excise, registration, franchise, employment, unemployment, healthcare, payroll (including social security or similar contributions), severance, disability, wage, deductions at source, withholding, alternative or add-on minimum, intangibles, ad valorem, transfer, gains, stamp, customs, duties, estimated, transaction, title, capital unit, paid-up capital, profits, premium, value added, recording, inventory and merchandise, business privilege, federal highway use, commercial rent, communications or environmental tax, any Liability under unclaimed property, escheat, or similar Laws) or add on minimum, estimated and other taxes of any kind whatsoever, and any fee, custom, impost, assessment, obligation, levy, tariff, charge or duty in the nature of a tax (including deficiencies, penalties, interest, additions to tax, additional amounts and other charges or fees attributable thereto), whether disputed or not and including any obligations to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Tax Liability of any other Person, and (b) interest, penalties, fines, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any Tax Authority in connection with (i) any item described in clause (a) or (ii) the failure to comply with any requirement imposed with respect to any Tax Return.

 

“Tax Return” means any return (including any information return), declaration, report, statement, schedule, notice, form, claim for refund, information return, certificate, bill, declaration of estimated Taxes, or other document or information (including any schedule, appendix or attachment thereto), filed with or submitted to, or required or permitted to be filed with, supplied or submitted to, any Taxing Authority in connection with the imposition, determination, assessment, collection, or payment of any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation, or enforcement of or compliance with any Law relating to any Tax, including any amendment thereof.

 

“Taxing Authority” means the IRS or any other Governmental Authority responsible for the administration of any Tax.

 

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“Third Party” means any Person other than any Party or any Contributee Indemnified Party.

 

“Trade Secrets” means all know-how, trade secrets or other proprietary information.

 

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Bill of Sale and Assumption Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, Assignment of Intellectual Property, the Operating Partnership Agreement, and any amendments to any of them.

 

Transaction Expenses” means, without duplication, as of immediately prior to the Closing and to the extent not paid prior to Closing, (A) the aggregate amount of all fees, costs, expenses and other liabilities incurred by or on behalf of, or payable by, any entity in the Company Group, arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, whether or not accrued and whether billed or payable prior to, on or after the Closing, including (i) any fees, costs and other expenses of any investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants and other consultants, advisors or representatives; (ii) any assignment, change in control or similar fees expressly payable as a result of the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; and (B) the premium and any other cost to obtain and maintain a directors and officers liability tail policy required pursuant to Section 6.3(b).

 

“Transactions” means the Initial Contribution, the Second Contribution and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.

 

“Transfer” has the meaning set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement.

 

“Transfer Date” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.3(a).

 

“Union” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.18(d).

 

“Warn Act” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.18(e).

 

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

    CONTRIBUTOR:
     
    BRIXINVEST:    
     
    BRIXINVEST, LLC    
    a Delaware limited liability company    
     
    By: /S/ RAYMOND E. WIRTA    
      Raymond E. Wirta  
      Authorized Signatory  
     
    DAISHO:  
     
    DAISHO OP HOLDINGS, LLC  
    a Delaware limited liability company  
     
    By: /S/ RAYMOND E. WIRTA  
      Raymond E. Wirta  
      Authorized Signatory  

 

[Signature page to Contribution Agreement]

 

 

 

    Parent:    
     
    RW Holdings nnn reit, INC.    
    a Maryland corporation    
     
    By: /S/ aaron s. halfacre    
      Aaron S. Halfacre    
      Chief Executive Officer    
       
    CONTRIBUTEE/OPERATING PARTNERSHIP:    
     
    RICH UNCLES NNN OPERATING
    PARTNERSHIP, L.P.    
    a Delaware limited partnership    
    for itself and as general partner of the Contributee  
     
    By: RW Holdings NNN REIT, INC.  
      Its General Partner  
       
    By: /S/ aaron s. halfacre  
        Aaron S. Halfacre
        Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Contribution Agreement]

 

Exhibit 99.1

  

Real Estate Crowd Funding Pioneer Announces Transformational Transaction

 

RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc. to Merge with Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I and Acquire its External Advisor

 

 

COSTA MESA, Calif., Sep. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc. (“NNN REIT”) and Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I (“REIT I”) announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which NNN REIT would acquire REIT I. Concurrently, NNN REIT announced it has entered into a contribution agreement with BrixInvest, LLC (“LLC”), the external manager and sponsor of both REITs, whereby LLC would contribute substantially all of its assets to NNN REIT's Operating Partnership (“NNN OP”). The two all-stock transactions will create the largest real estate crowdfunded equity REIT with over $450 million in real estate assets under management and the first FinTech real estate crowdfunding platform to be wholly owned by its own investors.

 

This transformational transaction establishes NNN REIT as a best-in-class public, non-listed real estate investment trust (REIT) where investors benefit from internal management, a board of directors with substantial public company real estate experience, the elimination of all external advisory fees and a direct-to-investor business model that cuts out the high-commission middlemen.

 

“Today over 10,000 individual investors should be congratulated. Were it not for these intrepid spirits uniting under the belief that investing in high quality real estate is available to everyone in a better and more cost-effective way, the private REIT industry never would have emerged from the dark ages,” stated Aaron Halfacre, NNN REIT’s CEO. Mr. Halfacre added, “Since joining the company a year ago, I have worked tirelessly to bring about a vision of a shareholder-owned structure for the non-listed real estate industry, a structure that we believe can dominate the industry in the years to come just like John Bogle’s vision for Vanguard revolutionized the mutual fund industry.”

 

Following the transactions, the Company is expected to be the first and only known continuously offered, public non-listed equity REIT that offers the diversification benefits of private real estate investment with the best-in-class corporate governance features of publicly listed REITs. In an industry known for REIT sponsors that profit by collecting large fees from their managed REITs and a FinTech industry dominated by institutional venture capitalists with nearly exclusive access to investments, the Company intends to offer investors an alternative that will enable them to put even more of their investment dollars to work by paying no advisory or management fees to external managers and having direct ownership of one of the most successful FinTech real estate crowdfunding platforms.

 

“Over 14 years ago I had the simple notion that the investment world would be a better place if individual investors, of all walks of life and at every stage of their journey toward financial freedom, could invest in high-quality, institutional-grade real estate without the cost, burden and complexity historically embedded in the heavily intermediated real estate investment industry,” commented Ray Wirta, founder and Chairman of NNN REIT. Mr. Wirta further stated, “Through tremendous effort, trial and learning, we are now seeing that simple notion become a powerful path forward for investors.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the successful merger with REIT I, the combined company will have an improved portfolio that is poised for growth. Owning 45 income-producing properties in 14 states, with approximately 2.2 million square feet, the combined company portfolio will be 100% occupied, with approximately 67% of the combined company’s net rents, on a pro forma basis, coming from properties leased to tenants and/or guarantors with investment grade or equivalent ratings. The combined company portfolio will have a balanced diversification consisting of 19 retail, 14 office, and 12 industrial properties, and no tenant will represent more than 8.1% of the net rents of the combined company, on a pro forma basis, with the top five tenants comprising a collective 32% of the net rents.

 

“The independent directors of NNN REIT believe that following a lengthy and thorough evaluation process, the transaction will result in a stronger company that is even better positioned to meet the needs of our existing investors and to attract potential future investors,” stated Curtis McWilliams, Chair of the Special Committee of Independent Directors of NNN REIT. Mr. McWilliams added, “Based on the committee’s collective years of public company real estate experience, we believe that NNN REIT has become a company like no other.”

 

As part of its goal to establish best-in-class corporate governance and raise the standards within the industry, NNN REIT has assembled a slate of directors for its board, comprising its six current directors and an additional director nominee for election to the board, that exemplifies the highest standards of independence, acumen and integrity. Unprecedented for a public non-listed REIT, these individuals have the unique distinction of currently and/or previously serving in such titles as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer for over 12 public and private real estate companies (including 8 publicly listed REITs) that were responsible for nearly $200 billion in real estate assets, in total, during their respective tenures.

 

 

Transaction Terms

 

In exchange for each share of REIT I common stock, REIT I stockholders will receive 1.000 share of NNN REIT common stock, which is equivalent to $10.16 per REIT I share based on NNN REIT's most recent estimated net asset value per share of $10.16.

 

In exchange for each LLC unit, LLC unitholders will receive 1.000 Class M Unit in NNN OP, which are ultimately convertible into a minimum of 5.000 shares and, contingent upon the successful achievement of specific milestones, a maximum of 9.000 shares of NNN REIT common stock following the fourth anniversary of the transaction close. Following the fourth year, the converted units will be entitled to dividend distributions and voting rights. Based on NNN REIT's most recent estimated net asset value per share of $10.16, the minimum conversion ratio of 5.000 shares of NNN REIT common stock is equivalent to $50.80 per LLC unit.

 

Following the closing of the transactions, NNN REIT, REIT I, and LLC stockholders are expected to own approximately 58%, 29%, and 13% of the combined company, respectively.

 

The transactions are expected to close in late December 2019 or early January 2020, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including the approval of the merger by NNN REIT and REIT I stockholders and approval of the contribution by LLC unitholders. The merger and contribution transactions are expected to close concurrently but are not conditioned on the consummation of each other. There can be no assurance that the transactions will be consummated.

 

In connection with the pending transactions, all of the registered REIT offerings managed by the LLC have been temporarily suspended and, following approval by the respective REITs’ board of directors, will be reopened at a later date.

 

 

 

 

 

SEC Update

 

“The merger with REIT I and the acquisition of LLC are, without doubt, important events in NNN REIT’s history. Equally important is the status of the SEC investigation of our advisor that was opened in early 2017 and fully disclosed by us in our 10-Q filed on May 15, 2017. I am pleased to announce that over the last several months we have been working hard with the SEC Staff to resolve the investigation and that the LLC has now proposed a settlement of the investigation to the SEC, that subject to SEC approval, could be announced very soon. As we have disclosed in more detail in today's 8-K filing, a key element offered by the LLC in the settlement was to provide even greater protection to our investors while staying true to our goal of making real estate investing less expensive. We believe the settlement provides us the opportunity to commit to using securities offering and distribution best practices to implement the guidance of both the SEC and FINRA. We look forward to sharing additional details about our advisor's settlement once it is approved by the SEC as well as updates on the progress of today’s announced transactions,” concluded Aaron Halfacre.

 

 

Advisors

 

The NNN REIT special committee, comprised of the four independent directors, was advised by UBS Investment Bank as exclusive financial advisor and Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP as its legal advisor. The REIT I special committee, consisting entirely of independent directors, was advised by SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. as its financial advisors and Corporate Law Solutions, P.C. as its legal advisor. LLC was advised by Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP as its legal advisor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I

 

Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I is an unincorporated public, non-listed real estate investment trust and was formed primarily to invest in single-tenant income-producing properties principally located in California and that are leased to creditworthy tenants under long-term net leases. As of June 30, 2019, the REIT's real estate investment portfolio consisted of 20 properties in three states, including 10 retail, six industrial, and four office properties with approximately 607,000 square feet of aggregate leasable space.

 

 

About RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc.

 

RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc. is an incorporated public, non-listed real estate investment trust and was formed to primarily invest, directly or indirectly through investments in real estate owning entities, in single-tenant income-producing properties located in the United States, which are leased to creditworthy tenants under long-term net leases. As of June 30, 2019, the REIT's real estate investment portfolio consisted of 24 operating properties, a 72.7% tenant-in-common interest in an office property and one parcel of land in 13 states, including 10 office, nine retail, and five industrial properties with approximately 1,537,000 square feet of aggregate leasable space.

 

 

About BrixInvest, LLC

 

BrixInvest, LLC (f/k/a Rich Uncles, LLC) is an advisor and sponsor of three public, non-listed real estate investment trusts: Rich Uncles Real Estate Investment Trust I, RW Holdings NNN REIT, Inc., and BRIX REIT, Inc.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER

 

In connection with the proposed merger, NNN REIT will prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus jointly prepared by NNN REIT and REIT I, and other related documents. The Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus will contain important information about the merger and related matters. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY NNN REIT AND REIT I WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT NNN REIT, REIT I AND THE MERGER. Investors and stockholders of NNN REIT and REIT I may obtain free copies of the registration statement, the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus and other relevant documents filed by NNN REIT and REIT I with the SEC (if and when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by NNN REIT and REIT I with the SEC are also available free of charge on NNN REIT’s and REIT I’s website at www.RichUncles.com.

 

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

 

 

 

 

 

PARTICIPANTS IN SOLICITATION RELATING TO THE MERGER

 

NNN REIT, REIT I and their respective directors, trust managers and executive officers may have direct or indirect interests in the merger due to securities holdings, indemnification agreements and employment terms, and may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from NNN REIT’s stockholders and REIT I’s shareholders in respect of the merger. Information regarding NNN REIT’s directors and executive officers can be found in NNN REIT’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019. Information regarding REIT I’s trust managers and executive officers can be found in REIT I’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 27, 2019. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC in connection with the merger if and when they become available. These documents are available free of charge on the SEC’s website and from NNN REIT or REIT I, as applicable, using the sources indicated above.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements; NNN REIT and REIT I can give no assurance that their expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations of NNN REIT or REIT I include, but are not limited to, the risk that the merger will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the inability of NNN REIT or REIT I to obtain stockholder approval of the merger or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to completion of the merger; NNN REIT’s inability to consummate the transaction with LLC; risks related to disruption of management’s attention from the ongoing business operations due to the merger and/or the transaction with LLC; the possibility that the SEC will not approve the settlement of the SEC investigation on the terms recommended by the staff of the SEC or at all; availability of suitable investment opportunities; changes in interest rates; the availability and terms of financing; general economic conditions; market conditions; legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business of NNN REIT or REIT I; and other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of NNN REIT’s and REIT I’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as updated by NNN REIT’s and REIT I’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 filed with the SEC, and other reports filed by NNN REIT and REIT I with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Each of NNN REIT and REIT I undertake no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact:

 

Jennifer Barber

 

Chief of Staff

 

(949) 537-2421

 

jbarber@richuncles.com