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): July 10, 2012

 

 

CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   001-34572   27-0372343

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway, Suite 410

Annapolis, MD

  21401
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (410) 972-4140

Not Applicable

(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 8.01 Other Events.

On July 10, 2012, Chesapeake Lodging Trust (the “Trust”) and Chesapeake Lodging, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”) entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (collectively, the “Underwriters”), pursuant to which the Trust agreed to offer and sell 4,400,000 of its 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Shares”). The Series A Preferred Shares were offered to the public at a price of $25 per share, and were offered to the Underwriters at a price of $24.2125 per share. Pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Trust granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 660,000 Series A Preferred Shares to cover overallotments. On July 11, 2012, the Underwriters notified the Trust of their decision to partially exercise their overallotment option to purchase an additional 600,000 Series A Preferred Shares. The Trust estimates that the net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Trust, will be approximately $120.8 million, taking into account the Underwriters’ partial exercise of the overallotment option. Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. are co-managers of the offering.

In the Underwriting Agreement, the Trust made certain customary representations, warranties and covenants and agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The closing of the offering is subject to customary closing conditions pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

The Underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for the Trust in the ordinary course of their business. Affiliates of certain of the Underwriters have performed investment banking and advisory services for the Trust from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters, including Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., are lenders under our revolving credit facility and may receive their pro rata portion of amounts repaid from the net proceeds of this offering. The affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is the administrative agent, the affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is the syndication agent and the affiliate of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is the documentation agent for the revolving credit facility. In addition, on July 3, 2012, we entered into a loan agreement with an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, an underwriter for the offering, for a $60 million loan.

A copy of the Underwriting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The summary set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 1.1.

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

Under the Trust’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees is authorized without further shareholder action to provide for the issuance of up to 100,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest. On July 12, 2012, the Trust filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation Articles Supplementary designating 5,060,000 of the Trust’s preferred shares of beneficial interest as “7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares.”

A copy of the Articles Supplementary designating the Series A Preferred Shares is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The summary set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 3.1.

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The Series A Preferred Shares will rank, with respect to rights to receive distributions and to participate in distributions or payments upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, senior to the Trust’s common shares of beneficial interest and any equity securities of the Trust expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares, on a parity with any equity securities of the Trust expressly designated as ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Shares, and junior to any equity securities of the Trust expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares.


As a result, upon issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares, the ability of the Trust to make distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or acquire, or make a liquidation payment on, any other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares will be subject to certain restrictions in the event that the Trust does not declare dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares during any dividend period.

The terms of the Series A Preferred Shares are set forth in the Articles Supplementary to the Trust’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The summary set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 3.1.

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

In connection with the offer and sale of the Series A Preferred Shares described above, on July 13, 2012, the Trust, as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, executed Amendment No. 1 to the Limited Partnership Agreement of the Operating Partnership (the “Amendment”). The Amendment designated and authorized the issuance of up to 5,060,000 of the Operating Partnership’s 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units (the “Series A Preferred Units”) to the Trust as the general partner of the Operating Partnership. The Series A Preferred Units have economic terms that are substantially similar to those of the Series A Preferred Shares.

The Series A Preferred Units will rank, with respect to rights to receive distributions and to participate in distributions or payments upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Operating Partnership, senior to the common units of limited partnership interest of the Operating Partnership and any partnership units of the Operating Partnership expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Units, on a parity with any partnership units of the Operating Partnership expressly designated as ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Units, and junior to any partnership units of the Operating Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Units.

A copy of the Amendment is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The summary set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 10.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K are listed on the exhibit index, which appears elsewhere herein and is incorporated herein by reference.


SIGNATURES

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

 

Date: July 13, 2012   CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST
  By:  

/s/ Graham J. Wootten

    Graham J. Wootten
    Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
  1.1   Underwriting Agreement, dated July 10, 2012, by and among the Trust, the Operating Partnership and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule 1 thereto
  3.1   Articles Supplementary relating to the Series A Preferred Shares
  5.1   Opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP regarding the legality of the Series A Preferred Shares
  8.1   Opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP regarding certain tax matters
10.1   Amendment No. 1 to the Limited Partnership Agreement of Chesapeake Lodging, L.P.
12.1   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends
23.1   Consent of Hogan Lovells US LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2   Consent of Hogan Lovells US LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)

Exhibit 1.1

CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST

4,400,000 SHARES

7.75% SERIES A CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES

(Liquidation Preference $25 Per Share)

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

July 10, 2012

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

As Representatives of the

    several Underwriters listed

    in Schedule 1 hereto

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

301 S. College Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10179

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Three World Financial Center

8th Floor

200 Vesey Street

New York, NY10281

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Chesapeake Lodging Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom you are acting as representatives (the “ Representatives ”), an aggregate of 4,400,000 of 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (Liquidation Preference $25.00 Per Share), par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Underwritten Shares ”) and, at the option of the Underwriters, up to an additional 660,000 of 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of the Company (the “ Option Shares ”) to cover over-allotments, if any. The Underwritten Shares and the Option Shares are herein referred to as the “ Shares ”. The preferred shares of beneficial interest of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sale of the Shares are referred to herein as the “ Stock ”.

 

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The Company and Chesapeake Lodging, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), each hereby confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of the Shares, as follows:

1. Registration Statement . (a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-172310), including a form of prospectus (the “ Base Prospectus ”), covering the registration of the offer and sale of certain securities (including the Shares) has been prepared by the Company in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) thereunder and has been filed with the Commission. The Company and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement meet the requirements and comply with the conditions for the use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act. Such registration statement, together with any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, is herein referred to as the “ Registration Statement ,” which shall be deemed to include all information omitted therefrom in reliance upon Rule 430B under the Securities Act and contained in the Prospectus referred to below, has become effective under the Securities Act and no post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed as of the date of this Agreement. “ Prospectus ” means the Base Prospectus, as supplemented by the final prospectus supplement relating to the Shares, in the form first used to confirm sales of the Shares and filed with the Commission pursuant to and within the time limits described in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof. The Base Prospectus, as supplemented by each preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Shares filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, is herein referred to as a “ Preliminary Prospectus .” Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or to the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, and any reference to “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include any documents incorporated by reference therein, and any supplements or amendments thereto, filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference therein prior to the termination of the offering of the Shares by the Underwriters.

(b) As used in this subsection and elsewhere in this Agreement:

Applicable Time ” means 4:30 P.M. (New York time) on the date of this Agreement or such other time as agreed to by the Company and the Underwriters.

Statutory Prospectus ” means the Base Prospectus, as amended and supplemented immediately prior to the Applicable Time, including any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof.

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, relating to the Shares in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) under the Securities Act.

General Use Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is identified on Annex B to this Agreement.

Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not a General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

Pricing Disclosure Package ” means the Statutory Prospectus, any General Use Free Writing Prospectus issued at or prior to the Applicable Time and the information included in Annex B hereto, all considered together.

 

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2. Purchase of the Shares by the Underwriters .

(a) The Company agrees to issue and sell the Underwritten Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule 1 hereto at a price per share (the “ Purchase Price ”) of $24.2125.

In addition, the Company agrees to issue and sell the Option Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and the Underwriters, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, shall have the option to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company the Option Shares at the Purchase Price less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company after the date hereof for which the record date is a date prior to the issuance of the Option Shares and which dividends or distributions are payable on the Underwritten Shares but not payable on the Option Shares.

If any Option Shares are to be purchased, the number of Option Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the number of Option Shares which bears the same ratio to the aggregate number of Option Shares being purchased as the number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto (or such number increased as set forth in Section 10 hereof) bears to the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares being purchased from the Company by the several Underwriters, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional Shares as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make.

The Underwriters may exercise the option to purchase Option Shares at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice from the Representatives to the Company only for the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Underwritten Shares. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered and paid for, which may be the same date and time as the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) but shall not be earlier than the Closing Date or later than the tenth full business day (as hereinafter defined) after the date of such notice (unless such time and date are postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof). Any such notice shall be given at least two business days prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein.

(b) The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Shares as soon after the effectiveness of this Agreement as in the judgment of the Representatives is advisable, and initially to offer the Shares on the terms set forth in the Prospectus. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters may offer and sell Shares to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter.

(c) Payment for the Shares shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company to the Representatives in the case of the Underwritten Shares, at the offices of Clifford Chance US LLP at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on July 17, 2012, or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing or, in the case of the Option Shares, on the date and at the time and place specified by the Representatives in the written notice of the Underwriters’ election to purchase such Option Shares. The time and date of such payment for the Underwritten Shares is referred to herein as the “ Closing Date ”, and the time and date for such payment for the Option Shares, if other than the Closing Date, is herein referred to as the “ Additional Closing Date ”.

 

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Payment for the Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be made against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Shares to be purchased on such date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of such Shares duly paid by the Company. Delivery of the Shares shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct. The certificates for the Shares will be made available for inspection and packaging by the Representatives at the office of DTC or its designated custodian not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(d) The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, neither the Representatives nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by the Underwriters of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Operating Partnership . Each of the Company and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:

(a) Statutory Prospectus . No order preventing or suspending the use of the Statutory Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and the Statutory Prospectus included in the Pricing Disclosure Package, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and the Statutory Prospectus, as of its date, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company and its subsidiaries make no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Statutory Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(b) Pricing Disclosure Package . The Pricing Disclosure Package at the Applicable Time did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company and its subsidiaries make no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Pricing Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

 

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(c) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus . Other than the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Shares (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clause (i) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (ii) the documents listed on Annex B hereto, each electronic road show and any other written communications approved in writing in advance by the Representatives. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby), did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein that has not been superseded or modified and, when taken together with the Statutory Prospectus accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Statutory Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Statutory Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(d) Registration Statement and Prospectus . The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering of the Shares has been initiated or threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such post-effective amendment complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act, and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof. The documents incorporated, or to be incorporated, by reference in the Prospectus, at the time filed with the Commission complied or will comply, in all respects to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), or the Securities Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

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(e) Financial Statements . The financial statements (including the related notes thereto) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and those certain hotels included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“ GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and any supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein; the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and presents fairly the information shown thereby; the pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are reasonable and are set forth in or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(f) No Material Adverse Change . Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than the issuance of common shares of beneficial interest upon exercise of share options and warrants described as outstanding in, and the grant of options and awards under the stock-based compensation plans of the Company and its subsidiaries including without limitation the Company’s Equity Plan (the “ Company Share Plans ”)or the surrender of common shares in satisfaction of applicable tax obligations arising from the vesting of restricted shares granted thereunder described in, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus), short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock, or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, has sustained any loss or interference with its business that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole and that is either from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority.

(g) Organization and Good Standing . The Company and each of its subsidiaries have been duly organized and are validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their

 

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respective properties and to conduct their businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”). The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 or as have subsequently been formed in connection with property acquisitions. The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. Additionally, the Company will contribute the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares to the Operating Partnership in exchange for a number of units of partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (the “ OP Units ”) equal to the number of Shares.

(h) Capitalization . The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization.” All the outstanding shares of beneficial interest in the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights. Except as described in or expressly contemplated by the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding rights (including, without limitation, pre-emptive rights), warrants or options to acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of beneficial interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or arrangement of any kind relating to the issuance of any shares of beneficial interest in the Company or any such subsidiary, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or any such rights, warrants or options. The shares of beneficial interest in the Company conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. All the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each subsidiary owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party. All the outstanding OP Units have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights. The terms of the OP Units conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereto contained in the Base Prospectus.

(i) Equity Incentive Awards . With respect to the share options, share appreciation rights (SARs), restricted shares, share units, unrestricted share awards and/or other equity incentive awards (the “ Equity Incentive Awards ”) granted pursuant to existing Company Share Plans, (i) each Equity Incentive Award intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) so qualifies, (ii) each grant of an Equity Incentive Award was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Equity Incentive Award was by its terms to be effective (the “ Grant Date ”) by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the board of trustees of the Company (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) and any required shareholder approval by the necessary number of votes or written consents, and the award agreement governing such grant (if any) was duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, (iii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Company Share Plans, the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, including the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “ Exchange ”) and any other exchange on which Company securities are traded, and (iv) each such grant was properly accounted for in accordance with GAAP in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company and disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Commission in accordance with the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no policy or practice of the Company of granting, an Equity Incentive Award prior to, or otherwise coordinating the grant of an Equity Incentive Award with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its subsidiaries or their results of operations or prospects.

 

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(j) Due Authorization . Each of the Company and the Operating Partnership has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly and validly taken.

(k) Underwriting Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Operating Partnership.

(l) The Shares . The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable. At or prior to the Closing Date, the Company will have executed and filed articles supplementary (the “ Series A Articles Supplementary ”) to the Company’s charter with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland (the “ SDAT ”) establishing the terms of the Shares. The Shares will conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(m) The Underlying Shares . The common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company issuable upon conversion of the Shares (the “ Underlying Shares ”) have been duly authorized and, when issued upon conversion of the Shares in accordance with the terms of the Series A Articles Supplementary, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the issuance of such Underlying Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights. The Company has duly and validly reserved such Underlying Shares for issuance upon conversion of the Shares. The Underlying Shares conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(n) OP Units . The OP Units to be issued by the Operating Partnership in connection with the Company’s contribution of the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares to the Operating Partnership (the “ Preferred Units ”) have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered, will be duly and validly issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable and will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the issuance of the Preferred Units is not subject to any preemptive or similar rights. The Preferred Units will be exempt from registration or qualification under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except for the Preferred Units to be issued in connection with the offering of the Shares and the common OP Units that may be issued by the Operating Partnership upon conversion of the Preferred Units, there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities or interests for, Preferred Units, common OP Units or other ownership interest of the Operating Partnership that rank senior to or on parity with the Preferred Units with respect to dividend or liquidation rights. The common OP Units that may be issued by the Operating Partnership upon conversion of the Preferred Units or the Option Units (as defined below) (the “ Conversion Units ”) have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Preferred Units or the Option Units by all necessary actions and such Conversion Units, when issued upon conversion of the Preferred Units or the Option Units, will be validly issued, fully paid and free of any preemptive or similar rights. The Conversion Units to be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Units or the Option Units will be exempt from registration or qualification under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. None of the Conversion Units will be issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any security holder of the Operating Partnership or any other person

 

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or entity. To the extent the option to purchase all or any portion of the Option Shares is exercised, the Company will contribute the net proceeds from the sale of the Option Shares to the Operating Partnership for a number of Preferred Units, the economic terms of which are substantially similar to the Preferred Stock, equal to the number of Option Shares issued (the “ Option Units ”). The issuance of the Option Units has been duly authorized, and, when issued and delivered by the Operating Partnership, the Option Units will be validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable. The Option Units will be exempt from registration or qualification under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. None of the Option Units will be issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any security holder of the Operating Partnership or any other person or entity.

(o) Operating Partnership Agreement . The Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as amended (the “ Operating Partnership Agreement ”) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

(p) Descriptions of Operating Partnership Agreement . The Operating Partnership Agreement conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(q) No Violation or Default . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject; or (iii) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, in each case, applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

(r) No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by the Company and the Operating Partnership of the Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, in each case, applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(s) No Consents Required . No consent, approval, authorization, order, license, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is

 

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required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and the Operating Partnership of the Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, except for the filing of the Series A Articles Supplementary, the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”), the Exchange and under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters.

(t) Legal Proceedings . Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Agreement; no such investigations, actions, suits or proceedings are, to the knowledge of the Company or the Operating Partnership, threatened or contemplated by any governmental or regulatory authority or threatened by others; and (i) there are no current or pending legal, governmental or regulatory actions, suits or proceedings that are required under the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that are not so described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (ii) there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the Securities Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(u) Independent Accountants . Ernst & Young LLP, Reznick Group, P.C. and KPMG LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and those certain hotels included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are independent registered public accounting firms with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act.

(v) Title to Real and Personal Property . Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple (in the case of real property) to, or have valid and marketable rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property and assets that are material to the respective businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims and defects and imperfections of title except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries or (ii) could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(w) Title to Intellectual Property . Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses and know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, and the conduct of their respective businesses will not conflict in any material respect with any such rights of others. The Company and its subsidiaries have not received any notice of

 

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any claim of infringement, misappropriation or conflict with any such rights of others in connection with its patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and know-how, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(x) No Undisclosed Relationships . No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the trustees, directors, officers, stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other, that is required by the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that is not so described in such documents and in the Pricing Disclosure Package.

(y) Investment Company Act . Neither the Company nor the Operating Partnership is or, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will be, required to register as an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “ Investment Company Act ”).

(z) Taxes . The Company and its subsidiaries have paid all United States federal, state, local and foreign taxes and filed all tax returns required to be paid or filed through the date hereof; and except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is no tax deficiency that has been, or could reasonably be expected to be, asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except for such deficiency or deficiencies that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(aa) Licenses and Permits . The Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, (with the exception of intellectual property licenses which are the subject of Section 3(w)) certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, certificate, permit or authorization or has any reason to believe that any such license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course, except where the failure to renew such license, certificate, permit or authorization would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(bb) No Labor Disputes . No labor disturbance by or dispute with employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is contemplated or threatened, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by, or dispute with, the employees of any of its or its subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, contractors or customers, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(cc) Compliance with and Liability under Environmental Laws . (i) The Company and its subsidiaries (a) are, and at all prior times were, in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, requirements, decisions, judgments, decrees, orders and the common law relating to pollution or the protection of the environment, natural resources or human health or safety, including those relating to the generation, storage, treatment, use, handling, transportation, Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), (b) have

 

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received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, (c) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any Environmental Laws, including for the investigation or remediation of any Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials, and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice, (d) are not conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation or other corrective action pursuant to any Environmental Law at any location, and (e) are not a party to any order, decree or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Environmental Law, and (ii) there are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws of or relating to the Company or its subsidiaries, except in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, for any such matter, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (a) there are no proceedings that are pending, or that are known to be contemplated, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws in which a governmental entity is also a party, other than such proceedings regarding which it is reasonably believed no monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more will be imposed, (b) the Company and its subsidiaries are not aware of any facts or issues regarding compliance with Environmental Laws, or liabilities or other obligations under Environmental Laws, including the Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) none of the Company and its subsidiaries anticipates material capital expenditures relating to any Environmental Laws.

(dd) Hazardous Materials . There has been no storage, generation, transportation, use, handling, treatment, Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials by, relating to or caused by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, any other entity (including any predecessor) for whose acts or omissions the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or could reasonably be expected to be liable) at, on, under or from any property or facility now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or at, on, under or from any other property or facility, in violation of any Environmental Laws or in a manner or amount or to a location that could reasonably be expected to result in any liability under any Environmental Law, except for any violation or liability which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. “ Hazardous Materials ” means any material, chemical, substance, waste, pollutant, contaminant, compound, mixture, or constituent thereof, in any form or amount, including petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) and petroleum products, natural gas liquids, asbestos and asbestos containing materials, naturally occurring radioactive materials, brine, and drilling mud, regulated or which can give rise to liability under any Environmental Law. “ Release ” means any spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing, or migrating in, into or through the environment, or in, into from or through any building or structure.

(ee) Compliance with ERISA . (i) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”), for which the Company or any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code) would have any liability (each, a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code, except for noncompliance that could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company or its subsidiaries; (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Company or its subsidiaries; (iii) for each Plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of

 

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the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, as applicable, has been satisfied (without taking into account any waiver thereof or extension of any amortization period) and is reasonably expected to be satisfied in the future (without taking into account any waiver thereof or extension of any amortization period); (iv) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that either has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to result, in material liability to the Company or its subsidiaries; (v) neither the Company nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“ PBGC ”), in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including a “multiemployer plan”, within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA); and (vi) there is no pending audit or investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, the PBGC or any other governmental agency or any foreign regulatory agency with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company or its subsidiaries. None of the following events has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (x) a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans by the Company or its subsidiaries in the current fiscal year of the Company and its subsidiaries compared to the amount of such contributions made in the Company and its subsidiaries’ most recently completed fiscal year; or (y) a material increase in the Company and its subsidiaries’ “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 106) compared to the amount of such obligations in the Company and its subsidiaries’ most recently completed fiscal year. The assets of the Company are not deemed to constitute “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA or the regulations of the United States Department of Labor under ERISA.

(ff) Disclosure Controls . The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and that has been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company and its subsidiaries have carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of their disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.

(gg) Accounting Controls . The Company and its subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including, but not limited to, internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Based on the Company’s most recent evaluation of its internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Rule 13a-15(c) of the Exchange Act, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls. The Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Company have been advised of: (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which

 

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have adversely affected or are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

(hh) Insurance . Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries have insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including business interruption insurance, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as are adequate to protect the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has (i) received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance or (ii) any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage at reasonable cost from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business.

(ii) No Unlawful Payments . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any trustee, director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or (iv) made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

(jj) Compliance with Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(kk) Compliance with OFAC . None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any trustee, director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“ OFAC ”); and the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(ll) No Restrictions on Subsidiaries . No subsidiary of the Company (including the Operating Partnership) is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, except for agreements with respect to the Company’s revolving credit facility and management and franchise agreements and as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.

 

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(mm) No Broker’s Fees . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.

(nn) No Registration Rights . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no person has the right to require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the issuance and sale of the Shares.

(oo) No Stabilization . Neither the Company nor the Operating Partnership has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares.

(pp) Business with Cuba . The Company has complied with all provisions of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes (Chapter 92-198, Laws of Florida, as amended) relating to doing business with the Government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba.

(qq) Margin Rules . The application of the proceeds received by the Company from the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.

(rr) Forward-Looking Statements . No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

(ss) Statistical and Market Data . Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

(tt) Sarbanes-Oxley Act . There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of the Company’s trustees or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) applicable to the Company, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

(uu) Status under the Securities Act . At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Shares and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. The Company has paid the registration fee for this offering as calculated pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act or will pay such fee within the time period required by such rule (without giving effect to the proviso therein) and in any event prior to the Closing Date.

(vv) Real Estate Investment Trust . Commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2010, the Company has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) under the Code,

 

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and the Company’s current and proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. All statements regarding the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT and descriptions of the Company’s organization and proposed method of operation set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are true, complete and correct in all material respects.

(ww) No Rated Securities . Neither the Shares nor any debt securities or preferred equity interests of, or guaranteed by, the Company or the Operating Partnership are rated by a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act.

4. Further Agreements of the Company and the Operating Partnership . The Company and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, covenant and agree with each Underwriter that:

(a) Required Filings . The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act, will file a final term sheet relating to the offering of the Shares substantially in the form set forth in Annex C to this Agreement (the “ Final Term Sheet ”) as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to Rule 433 within the period required by Rule 433(d)(5)(ii) under the Securities Act following the date the final terms have been established for the offering of the Shares and any other Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(b) Delivery of Copies . The Company will deliver to, or upon the order of, the Representatives, from time to time, as many copies of the Statutory Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company will deliver to, or upon the order of, the Representatives during the period when delivery of a Prospectus (or, in lieu thereof, the notice referred to under Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act) (the “ Prospectus Delivery Period ”) is required under the Securities Act, as many copies of the Prospectus in final form, or as thereafter amended or supplemented, as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company will deliver to the Representatives at or before the Closing Date, such number of copies of the Registration Statement (including such number of copies of the exhibits filed therewith that may reasonably be requested), including documents incorporated by reference therein, and of all amendments thereto, as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(c) Amendments or Supplements, Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses . Before preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or document incorporated by reference therein, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not prepare, use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object.

(d) Notice to the Representatives . The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing, (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective; (ii) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (iii) when any supplement to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment to the Prospectus has been filed; (iv) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration

 

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Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement or any other request by the Commission for any additional information; (v) of the issuance by the Commission of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act; (vi) of the occurrence of any event within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; and (vii) of the receipt by the Company of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and the Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification of the Shares and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

(e) Ongoing Compliance . (1) If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law and (2) if at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Pricing Disclosure Package as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package to comply with law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in the Pricing Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Pricing Disclosure Package will comply with law.

(f) Blue Sky Compliance . The Company will qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for distribution of the Shares; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

(g) Earnings Statement . The Company will make generally available to its security holders and the Representatives (which may be satisfied by filing with the Commission’s Electronic Data

 

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Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“ EDGAR ”) system or such other system designated by the Commission) as soon as practicable an earnings statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement.

(h) Clear Market . For a period of 30 days after the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not (i) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, other than (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (B) grants of any awards under Company Share Plans and any shares of Stock of the Company issued upon the exercise of options granted under Company Share Plans and (C) the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to any shares that have been or may be issued pursuant to clause (B) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 30-day restricted period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 30-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 30-day period, the restrictions imposed by this Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

(i) Use of Proceeds . The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds.”

(j) No Stabilization . The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Stock.

(k) Exchange Listing . The Company will apply for the listing of the Shares on the Exchange and use its best efforts to complete that listing.

(l) Reports . For one year from the date hereof, the Company will furnish to the Representatives, as soon as practicable after they are available, copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to holders of the Shares, and copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange or automatic quotation system; provided the Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports and financial statements to the Representatives to the extent they are filed on the Commission’s EDGAR system or any successor system thereto.

(m) Record Retention . The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.

 

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(n) Filings . The Company will file with the Commission such reports as may be required by Rule 463 under the Securities Act.

(o) Qualification and Taxation as a REIT . The Company will use its best efforts to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2012, and the Company will use its best efforts to continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code in future years unless the Company’s board of trustees determines in good faith that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to so qualify or to continue to be so qualified.

(p) Articles Supplementary . The Company will file, prior to the Closing Date, with the SDAT the Series A Articles Supplementary and will reserve the maximum number of Underlying Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares until such time as such Underlying Shares have been issued or the Shares have been redeemed.

(q) Amendment to the Operating Partnership Agreement . The Company will cause the general partner of the Operating Partnership to duly authorize, execute and deliver an amendment to the Operating Partnership Agreement, providing for the Preferred Units and the Option Units.

(r) Exchange Act Registration . The Company will register the Shares pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

5. Certain Agreements of the Underwriters . Each Underwriter hereby represents and agrees that:

(a) It has not used, authorized use of, referred to or participated in the planning for use of, and will not use, authorize use of, refer to or participate in the planning for use of, any “free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that contains no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) that was not included (including through incorporation by reference) in the Preliminary Prospectus or a previously filed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Annex B or prepared pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 4(c) above (including any electronic road show), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in clauses (i) or (iii), an “Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus”).

(b) It has not and will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use any free writing prospectus that contains the final terms of the Shares unless such terms have previously been included in a free writing prospectus filed with the Commission.

(c) It is not subject to any pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act with respect to the offering (and will promptly notify the Company if any such proceeding against it is initiated during the Prospectus Delivery Period).

 

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6. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligation of each Underwriter to purchase the Underwritten Shares on the Closing Date or the Option Shares on the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, as provided herein is subject to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) Registration Compliance; No Stop Order . No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.

(b) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be; and the statements of the Company and its officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(c) No Material Adverse Change . No event or condition of a type described in Section 3(f) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist, which event or condition is not described in the Pricing Disclosure Package (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the effect of which, in the judgment of the Representatives, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(d) Officer’s Certificate . The Representatives shall have received from the Company, on behalf of itself and the Operating Partnership, on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company (i) confirming that such officers have carefully reviewed the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and, to the knowledge of such officers, the representations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 3(d) hereof are true and correct, (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and that the Company has complied in all material respects with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and (iii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (a) and (c) above.

(e) Comfort Letters . On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, Ernst & Young LLP, Reznick Group, P.C. and KPMG LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; provided , that the letter delivered on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall use a “cut-off” date no more than three business days prior to such Closing Date or such Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

 

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(f) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Company . Hogan Lovells US LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, their written opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set forth in Annex A-1 hereto.

(g) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters . The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion and 10b-5 statement of Clifford Chance US LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(h) Tax Opinion . Hogan Lovells US LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, their tax opinion, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set forth in Annex A-2 hereto.

(i) No Legal Impediment to Issuance . No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares.

(j) Good Standing . The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and its subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing as foreign entities in such other jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

(k) Exchange Listing . The Shares to be delivered on the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.

(l) Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate . The Representatives shall have received from the Company on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be certificate from the chief financial officer of the Company substantially in the form set forth as Annex D.

(m) Additional Documents . On or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

 

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7. Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters . The Company and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, (ii) or any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in subsection (b) below.

(b) Indemnification of the Company and the Operating Partnership . Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Operating Partnership, their trustees, directors and officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Pricing Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed upon that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the sixth paragraph and the information in the fourth sentence of the eleventh paragraph and the twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting”.

(c) Notice and Procedures . If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such person (the “ Indemnified Person ”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “ Indemnifying Person ”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraph (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided , further , that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than

 

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under paragraph (a) or (b) above. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to represent the Indemnified Person in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interest between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred, upon receipt from the Indemnified Persons of a written request for payment thereof accompanied by a written statement with reasonably supporting detail of such fees and expenses. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and any such separate firm for the Company, its trustees, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and any control persons of the Company shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(d) Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits

 

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received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Shares and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) Limitation on Liability . The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Shares exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.

(f) Non-Exclusive Remedies . The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

8. Effectiveness of Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

Termination . This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date or, in the case of the Option Shares, prior to the Additional Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by any of the Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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9. Defaulting Underwriter .

(a) If, on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the Shares that it has agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Shares by other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Shares on such terms. If other persons become obligated or agree to purchase the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term “ Underwriter ” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section 10, purchases Shares that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.

(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder on such date plus such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase on such date) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.

(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, exceeds 10% of the aggregate amount of Shares to be purchased on such date, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement or, with respect to any Additional Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase Shares on the Additional Closing Date shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 11 hereof and except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.

(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.

10. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Shares and any taxes

 

- 25 -


payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the costs of reproducing and distributing the Agreement; (iv) the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent accountants; (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification of the Shares under the state or foreign securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters up to an aggregate amount of $10,000); (vi) the cost of preparing stock certificates; (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent and any registrar; (viii) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, FINRA; (ix) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “road show” presentation to potential investors, except that (A) the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, will share equally the cost of any aircraft chartered for both the Company and the Underwriters in connection with the “road show” and (B) the lodging and incidental expenses of employees of the Underwriters shall be the responsibility of the Underwriters and (x) all expenses and application fees related to the listing of the Shares on the Exchange. Except as explicitly provided in this Section 11(a), Section 11(b) and Section 7, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel and other advisors.

(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9, (ii) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Shares for delivery to the Underwriters or (iii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Shares for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.

11. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers, trustees and directors and any controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.

12. Survival . The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Shares and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters.

13. Certain Defined Terms . For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term “ affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term “ business day ” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City; and (c) the term “ subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and (d) the term “ significant subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.

 

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14. Miscellaneous .

(a) Authority of Representatives . Any action by the Underwriters hereunder may be taken by the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, and any such action taken by the Representatives shall be binding upon the Underwriters.

(b) Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Representatives at: Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 301 S. College Street, 6 th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202, Attention: Transaction Management, Facsimile: 704-383-9165; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk – 3 rd floor, Facsimile: 212-834-6081; and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Three World Financial Center, 8th Floor, 200 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281, Attention: Joe Morea (Fax: (212) 428-6260). Notices to the Company shall be given to it at Chesapeake Lodging Trust, 1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway, Suite 410, Annapolis, MD 21401, (fax: (410) 972-4180), Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

(c) Governing Law . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state.

(d) Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

(e) Amendments or Waivers . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

(f) Headings . The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

Very truly yours,
CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST
By:  

/s/ Graham J. Wootten

  Name:   Graham J. Wootten
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
CHESAPEAKE LODGING, L.P.
By:   CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST
  Its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Graham J. Wootten

  Name:   Graham J. Wootten
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

 

- 28 -


Accepted: July 10, 2012

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

For itself and on behalf of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto.

 

By:  

/s/ Carolyn Hurley

  Authorized Signatory

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

For itself and on behalf of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto.

 

By:  

/s/ Maria Sramek

  Authorized Signatory

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

For itself and on behalf of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto.

 

By:  

/s/ Scott Primrose

  Authorized Signatory

 

- 29 -


Schedule 1

 

Underwriter

   Number of Shares  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

     1,716,000   

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

     1,144,000   

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

     1,144,000   

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

     220,000   

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

     176,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

     4,400,000   
  

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 3.1

CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST

ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

7.75% SERIES A CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES

Chesapeake Lodging Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Trust”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”) that:

FIRST : Pursuant to authority expressly vested in the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) by Article VI of the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust (which, as amended and supplemented from time to time, together with these Articles Supplementary, is referred to herein as the “Declaration of Trust”) and Section 8-203 of the Maryland REIT Law, the Board has duly classified and designated 5,060,000 authorized but unissued preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share, of the Trust (“Preferred Shares”) as “7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares,” with such preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as appear below, which, upon any restatement of the Declaration of Trust, shall become a part of Article VI of the Declaration of Trust, with any appropriate renumbering or relettering of the sections or subsections thereof.

SECOND : Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Declaration of Trust.

7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares

1. Designation and Number . A series of Preferred Shares, designated the “7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares” (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), is hereby established. The par value of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be $0.01 per share. The number of authorized Series A Preferred Shares shall be 5,060,000.

2. Rank . The Series A Preferred Shares will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, rank: (a) senior to all classes or series of common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share, of the Trust (the “Common Shares”) and any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust (collectively, “Junior Shares”); (b) on a parity with any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust expressly designated as ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Shares as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust (“Parity Shares”); and (c) junior to any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust (“Senior Shares”). The term “shares of beneficial interest” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Trust, which will rank senior to the Series A Preferred Shares prior to conversion or exchange. The Series A Preferred Shares will also rank junior in right of payment to the Trust’s other existing and future indebtedness.

3. Distributions .

(a) Subject to the preferential rights of holders of any Senior Shares, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the Board and declared by


the Trust, out of funds legally available for the payment of distributions, cumulative cash distributions at the rate of 7.75% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Share (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $1.9375 per Series A Preferred Share). Distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the original date of issuance of any Series A Preferred Shares and shall be payable quarterly in equal amounts in arrears on or about the 15 th day of each January, April, July and October of each year, beginning on October 15, 2012 (each such day being hereinafter called a “Distribution Payment Date”); provided, however, if any Distribution Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the distribution which would otherwise have been payable on such Distribution Payment Date may be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if paid on such Distribution Payment Date, and no interest or additional distributions or other sums shall accrue on the amount so payable from such Distribution Payment Date to such next succeeding Business Day. The amount of any distribution payable on the Series A Preferred Shares for any partial distribution period shall be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Distributions shall be payable to holders of record as they appear in the share transfer records of the Trust at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the last Business Day of the calendar quarter prior to the applicable Distribution Payment Date or such other date designated by the Board for the payment of distributions that is not more than 90 nor less than ten days prior to such Distribution Payment Date (each, a “Distribution Record Date”). A “distribution period” shall mean the period commencing from, and including, the Distribution Payment Date to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date; provided, however, that the initial distribution period shall be the period from, and including, July 17, 2012 to, but excluding, October 15, 2012.

(b) No distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares shall be authorized by the Board or declared, paid or set apart for payment by the Trust at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Trust, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof, or a default thereunder, or if such declaration or payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares shall accrue whether or not the restrictions referred to in Section 3(b) exist, whether or not the Trust has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared.

(d) Except as provided in Section 3(e) below, no distributions shall be declared and paid or set apart for payment, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be declared and made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect to, shares of any class or series of Parity Shares or Junior Shares (other than a distribution paid in, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase, Junior Shares) for any period, nor shall shares of any class or series of Parity Shares or Junior Shares be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (other than a redemption, purchase or acquisition of Common Shares made for purposes of and in compliance with requirements of any incentive, benefit or share purchase plan of the Trust or any subsidiary thereof, or as permitted under Article VII of the Declaration of Trust), nor shall any funds be paid or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares by the Trust, directly or indirectly (except by conversion into or exchange for, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for, Junior Shares, and except for purchases or exchanges pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series A Preferred Shares and all holders of Parity Shares), unless full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past distribution periods shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment.

 

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(e) When distributions are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) on the Series A Preferred Shares and any Parity Shares, all distributions declared on the Series A Preferred Shares and any other Parity Shares shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per Series A Preferred Share and per Parity Share shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued distributions per Series A Preferred Share and per Parity Share (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid distributions on any Parity Shares for prior distribution periods if such Parity Shares do not have a cumulative distribution) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series A Preferred Shares which may be in arrears.

(f) If, for any taxable year, the Trust elects to designate as “capital gain dividends” (as defined in Section 857 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) any portion (the “Capital Gains Amount”) of the dividends (as determined for federal income tax purposes) paid or made available for the year to holders of all classes of shares (the “Total Dividends”), then the portion of the Capital Gains Amount that shall be allocable to the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be the amount that the total dividends (as determined for federal income tax purposes) paid or made available to the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares for the year bears to the Total Dividends. The Trust may elect to retain and pay income tax on its net long-term capital gains. In such a case, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares would include in income their appropriate share of the Trust’s undistributed long-term capital gains, as designated by the Trust.

(g) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or shares of beneficial interest of the Trust, in excess of full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares as described above. Any distribution payment made on the Series A Preferred Shares shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distributions due with respect to such shares which remains payable. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares will accumulate as of the Distribution Payment Date on which they first become payable or on the date of redemption, as the case may be.

(h) For the avoidance of doubt, in determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by distribution, redemption or other acquisition of the Trust’s shares of beneficial interest is permitted under Maryland law, no effect shall be given to amounts that would be needed, if the Trust were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights on dissolution are superior to those receiving the distribution.

4. Liquidation Preference .

(a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any Junior Shares, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid, or have the Trust declare and set apart for payment, out of the assets of the Trust legally available for distribution to its shareholders, after payment or provision for payment of all debts and other liabilities of the Trust and any liquidation preference owing in respect of any Senior Shares, a liquidation preference in cash or property at fair market value, as determined by the Board, of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions to, but not including, the date of payment or the date the amount for payment is set apart (the “Liquidating Distributions”).

 

3


(b) If, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the available assets of the Trust are insufficient to pay the full amount of the Liquidating Distributions on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and the corresponding amounts payable on all outstanding Parity Shares, then the holders of Series A Preferred Shares and the holders of such Parity Shares shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full Liquidating Distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

(c) Written notice of the effective date of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, no fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of Series A Preferred Shares at the address of such holder as the same shall appear on the share transfer records of the Trust.

(d) After payment of the full amount of the Liquidating Distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Trust.

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, the consolidation or merger of the Trust with or into another entity, the merger of another entity with or into the Trust, a statutory share exchange by the Trust or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Trust shall not be considered a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust.

5. Optional Redemption .

(a) The Series A Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior to July 17, 2017, except as permitted by Article VII of the Declaration of Trust and as otherwise provided in this Section 5 and Section 6 below. On and after July 17, 2017, the Trust, at its option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, may redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole or from time to time in part, for cash, at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid distributions on such Series A Preferred Shares to, but not including, the redemption date (the “Regular Redemption Right”). If fewer than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed pursuant to the Regular Redemption Right, the shares to be redeemed may be selected pro rata (as nearly as practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot or in such other equitable method determined by the Trust in its sole discretion. If such redemption is to be by lot and, as a result of such redemption, any holder of Series A Preferred Shares would become a holder of a number of Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the Preferred Share Ownership Limit because such holder’s Series A Preferred Shares were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part, then except as otherwise provided in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust, the Trust will redeem the requisite number of Series A Preferred Shares of such holder such that no holder will hold a number of shares in excess of the Preferred Share Ownership Limit subsequent to such redemption.

(b) To ensure that the Trust remains qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, the Series A Preferred Shares shall be subject to the provisions of Article VII of the Declaration of Trust, pursuant to which Series A Preferred Shares owned by a shareholder in excess of the Preferred Share Ownership Limit shall automatically be transferred to a Charitable Trust and the Trust shall have the right to

 

4


purchase such shares, as provided in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust. If the Trust calls for redemption any Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to and in accordance with Article VII of the Declaration of Trust and this Section 5(b), then the redemption price will be an amount equal to $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares to, but not including, the redemption date, subject to any restrictions or limitations contained in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

(c) Unless full cumulative distributions on all Series A Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past distribution periods, (i) no Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed unless all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed, and (ii) the Trust shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly for any consideration, nor shall any monies be paid to or be made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of, any Series A Preferred Shares (except by conversion into or exchange for, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for, Junior Shares); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the redemption or purchase by the Trust of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to Article VII of the Declaration of Trust or otherwise in order to ensure that the Trust remains qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes or the purchase or acquisition of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series A Preferred Shares.

(d) Immediately prior to any redemption of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Regular Redemption Right, the Trust shall pay, in cash, any accrued and unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares to, but not including, the redemption date, unless a redemption date falls after a Distribution Record Date and prior to the corresponding Distribution Payment Date, in which case each holder of record of Series A Preferred Shares at the close of business on such Distribution Record Date shall be entitled to the distribution payable on such shares on the corresponding Distribution Payment Date (including any accrued and unpaid distributions for prior distribution periods) notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such Distribution Payment Date. Except as provided above and in Section 6(e), the Trust will make no payment or allowance for unpaid distributions, whether or not in arrears, on Series A Preferred Shares for which a notice of redemption has been given.

(e) The following procedures apply to the redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Regular Redemption Right:

(i) Notice of redemption pursuant to the Regular Redemption Right will be (A) mailed by the Trust, postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, addressed to the respective holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the share transfer records of the Trust, and (B) issued by the Trust in a press release for publication on the Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if such organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of such press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or posted on the Trust’s website, within one business day after mailing the notice of redemption to the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares. A failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.

(ii) In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series A Preferred Shares may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (A) the redemption date; (B) the redemption price; (C) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (D) the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing the Series A Preferred Shares to

 

5


be redeemed are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (E) the procedures for surrendering non-certificated Series A Preferred Shares for payment of the redemption price; (F) that distributions on Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (G) if the Trust elects to redeem any Series A Preferred Shares in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in Section 6(b) below), that the holders of Series A Preferred Shares to which such notice relates will not be able to tender such Series A Preferred Shares for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and each Series A Preferred Share tendered for conversion that is selected, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined in Section 9(a) below), for redemption will be redeemed on the related redemption date instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date. If less than all of the Series A Preferred Shares held by any holder are to be redeemed pursuant to the Regular Redemption Right, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of Series A Preferred Shares held by such holder to be so redeemed.

(iii) If notice of redemption pursuant to the Regular Redemption Right of any Series A Preferred Shares has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set apart by the Trust for the benefit of the holders of any Series A Preferred Shares so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date distributions will cease to accrue on such Series A Preferred Shares, such Series A Preferred Shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price and any accrued and unpaid distributions to, but not including, the redemption date; provided, however, if the redemption date falls after a Distribution Record Date and prior to the corresponding Distribution Payment Date, each holder of Series A Preferred Shares so called for redemption at the close of business on such Distribution Record Date shall be entitled to the distribution payable on such shares on the corresponding Distribution Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such Distribution Payment Date.

(iv) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed pursuant to the Regular Redemption Right shall surrender such shares at the place or places designated in such notice and, upon surrender of the certificates, if any, for such Series A Preferred Shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Trust shall so require and the notice shall so state), such Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed by the Trust at the redemption price plus any accrued and unpaid distributions payable upon such redemption. In case less than all Series A Preferred Shares represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the unredeemed Series A Preferred Shares without cost to the holder thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed are held in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), holders of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall comply with applicable procedures of DTC in connection with surrendering their shares for payment of the redemption price.

(f) Subject to applicable law and the limitation on purchases when distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares are in arrears, the Trust may, at any time and from time to time, purchase any Series A Preferred Shares in the open market, by tender or by private agreement.

(g) Any Series A Preferred Shares that shall at any time have been redeemed pursuant to the Regular Redemption Right or otherwise acquired shall, after such redemption or acquisition, have the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares, without designation as to series until such shares are once more classified and designated as part of a particular series by the Board.

 

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6. Special Optional Redemption .

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below), the Trust, at its option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, may redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid distributions to, but not including, the redemption date (“Special Optional Redemption Right”).

(b) A “Change of Control” is when, after the original issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares, the following have occurred and are continuing:

(i) the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of shares of the Trust entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of the Trust entitled to vote generally in elections of trustees (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all shares of the Trust that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

(ii) following the closing of any transaction referred to in (i) above, neither the Trust nor the acquiring or surviving entity has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE Amex Equities (the “NYSE Amex”), or the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”), or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE Amex or NASDAQ.

(c) If fewer than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right, the shares to be redeemed may be selected pro rata (as nearly as practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot or in such other equitable method determined by the Trust in its sole discretion. If such redemption is to be by lot and, as a result of such redemption, any holder of Series A Preferred Shares would become a holder of a number of Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the Preferred Share Ownership Limit because such holder’s Series A Preferred Shares were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part then, except as otherwise provided in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust, the Trust will redeem the requisite number of Series A Preferred Shares of such holder such that no holder will hold a number of shares in excess of the Preferred Share Ownership Limit subsequent to such redemption.

(d) Unless full cumulative distributions on all Series A Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past distribution periods, (i) no Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed pursuant to the Special Option Redemption Right unless all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed, and (ii) the Trust shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly for any consideration, nor shall any monies be paid to or be made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of, any Series A Preferred Shares (except by conversion into or exchange for, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for, Junior Shares); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the redemption or purchase by the Trust of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to Article VII of the Declaration of Trust or otherwise in order to ensure that the Trust remains qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes or the purchase or acquisition of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series A Preferred Shares.

 

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(e) Immediately prior to any redemption of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right, the Trust shall pay, in cash, any accrued and unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares to, but not including, the redemption date, unless a redemption date falls after a Distribution Record Date and prior to the corresponding Distribution Payment Date, in which case each holder of Series A Preferred Shares at the close of business on such Distribution Record Date shall be entitled to the distribution payable on such shares on the corresponding Distribution Payment Date (including any accrued and unpaid distributions for prior distribution periods) notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such Distribution Payment Date. Except as provided above, the Trust will make no payment or allowance for unpaid distributions, whether or not in arrears, on Series A Preferred Shares for which a notice of redemption has been given.

(f) The following procedures apply to the redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right:

(i) Notice of redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right will be (A) mailed by the Trust, postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, addressed to the respective holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the share transfer records of the Trust, and (B) issued by the Trust in a press release for publication on the Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if such organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of such press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or posted on the Trust’s website, within one business day after mailing the notice of redemption to the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares. A failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.

(ii) In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series A Preferred Shares may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (A) the redemption date; (B) the redemption price; (C) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (D) the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (E) the procedures for surrendering non-certificated Series A Preferred Shares for payment of the redemption price; (F) that the Series A Preferred Shares are being redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right in connection with the occurrence of a Change of Control and a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control; (G) that the holders of Series A Preferred Shares to which such notice relates will not be able to tender such Series A Preferred Shares for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and each Series A Preferred Share tendered for conversion that is selected, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, for redemption will be redeemed on the related redemption date instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date; and (H) that distributions on Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date. If less than all of the Series A Preferred Shares held by any holder are to be redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of Series A Preferred Shares held by such holder to be redeemed.

(iii) If notice of redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right of any Series A Preferred Shares has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by the Trust for the benefit of the holders of any Series A Preferred Shares so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date distributions will cease to accrue on such Series A Preferred Shares, such Series A Preferred Shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such Series A

 

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Preferred Shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price and any accrued and unpaid distributions to, but not including, the redemption date; provided, however, if the redemption date falls after a Distribution Record Date and prior to the corresponding Distribution Payment Date, each holder of Series A Preferred Shares so called for redemption at the close of business on such Distribution Record Date shall be entitled to the distribution payable on such shares on the corresponding Distribution Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such Distribution Payment Date.

(iv) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right shall surrender such shares at the place or places designated in such notice and, upon surrender of the certificates, if any, for such Series A Preferred Shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Trust shall so require and the notice shall so state), such Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed by the Trust at the redemption price plus any accrued and unpaid distributions payable upon such redemption. In case less than all Series A Preferred Shares represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the unredeemed Series A Preferred Shares without cost to the holder thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed are held in book-entry form through the facilities of DTC, holders of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall comply with applicable procedures of DTC in connection with surrendering their shares for payment of the redemption price.

(g) Any Series A Preferred Shares that shall at any time have been redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right or otherwise acquired shall, after such redemption or acquisition, have the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Shares, without designation as to series until such shares are once more classified and designated as part of a particular series by the Board.

7. Voting Rights .

(a) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares will not have any voting rights, except as set forth below.

(b) Whenever distributions on any Series A Preferred Shares shall be in arrears for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive (a “Preferred Distribution Default”), the number of trustees then constituting the Board shall be increased by two and the holders of Series A Preferred Shares (voting as a single class together with the holders of any other class or series of Parity Shares upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (“Voting Parity Shares”)) shall be entitled to vote for the election of a total of two additional trustees of the Trust (each, a “Preferred Share Trustee”) at an annual meeting of shareholders or a properly called special meeting of the Voting Parity Shares, and thereafter at each subsequent annual meeting of shareholders until all accumulated distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares for the past distribution periods and the then-current distribution period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment in full. The Preferred Share Trustees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares when they have the voting rights set forth in this Section 7(b) (voting together as a single class with the holders of any outstanding Voting Parity Shares) in the election to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until such trustees’ right to hold the office terminates as described below, whichever occurs earlier.

(c) If and when all accrued distributions for past distribution periods and the distribution for the then-current distribution period on the Series A Preferred Shares shall have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment in full, the holders of Series A Preferred

 

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Shares shall immediately be divested of the voting rights set forth in Section 7(b) (subject to revesting in the event of each and every Preferred Distribution Default) and, if all accumulated distributions for past distribution periods and the distribution for the then-current distribution period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment in full on all outstanding Voting Parity Shares, the term of office of each Preferred Share Trustee so elected shall immediately terminate and the number of trustees shall be reduced accordingly. Any Preferred Share Trustee may be removed at any time, but only for cause (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), by the vote of, and shall not be removed otherwise than by the vote of, the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares when they have the voting rights set forth in Section 7(b) and the holders of any outstanding Voting Parity Shares (voting together as a single class). So long as a Preferred Distribution Default shall continue, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Share Trustee may be filled by written consent of the Preferred Share Trustee remaining in office, or if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares when they have the voting rights set forth in Section 7(b) and the holders of any outstanding Voting Parity Shares (voting together as a single class). The Preferred Share Trustee shall each be entitled to one vote per trustee on any matter.

(d) So long as any Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Trust shall not:

(i) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust expressly designated ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, or reclassify any authorized shares of beneficial interest of the Trust into any such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares, without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and the holders of any outstanding Voting Parity Shares (voting together as a single class); provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Shares disproportionately relative to other Parity Shares, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares (voting as a separate class) shall also be required; or

(ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, whether by merger or consolidation (in either case, an “Event”) or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Shares or the holders thereof, without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the holders of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares (voting as a separate class); provided, however, that with respect to the occurrence of any Event set forth above, so long as Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged or the holders of Series A Preferred Shares receive shares of capital stock with rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers substantially similar, taken as a whole, to the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series A Preferred Shares, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Shares or the holders thereof; and provided further that any increase in the amount of the authorized Series A Preferred Shares or the creation or issuance, or increase in the amounts authorized, of any other class or series of Parity Shares or Junior Shares shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

(e) In any matter in which the holders of Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to vote separately as a single class, each such holder shall have the right to one vote for each Series A Preferred Share held by such holder. If the holders of Series A Preferred Shares and the holders of shares of any other class or series of Voting Parity Shares are entitled to vote together as a single class on any matter, such holders shall each have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference.

 

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(f) The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

8. Information Rights . During any period in which the Trust is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and any Series A Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Trust will (i) transmit by mail or other permissible means under the Exchange Act to all holders of Series A Preferred Shares, as their names and addresses appear in the Trust’s record books and without cost to such holders, copies of the annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that the Trust would have been required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Trust were subject thereto (other than any exhibits that would have been required); and (ii) within 15 days following written request, supply copies of such reports to any prospective holder of Series A Preferred Shares. The Trust will mail (or otherwise provide) the reports to the holders of Series A Preferred Shares within 15 days after the respective dates by which the Trust would have been required to file such reports with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

9. Conversion . Series A Preferred Shares are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust, except as provided in this Section 9.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall have the right, unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Trust has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Regular Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right, to convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Shares held by such holder (the “Change of Control Conversion Right”) on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of Common Shares, per Series A Preferred Share to be converted (the “Common Share Conversion Consideration”) equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of (x) the $25.00 liquidation preference plus (y) the amount of any accrued and unpaid distributions to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a Distribution Record Date and prior to the corresponding Distribution Payment Date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued and unpaid distribution will be included in such sum) by (ii) the Common Share Price (as defined below) and (B) 2.9189 (the “Share Cap”), subject to the immediately succeeding paragraph.

The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any share splits (including those effected pursuant to a Common Shares distribution), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a “Share Split”) with respect to Common Shares as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split shall be the number of Common Shares that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split.

For the avoidance of doubt, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the aggregate number of Common Shares (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration (as defined below), as applicable) issuable in connection with the exercise of the Change of Control Conversion Right shall not exceed 14,769,634 Common Shares (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable), subject to

 

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increase on a pro rata basis if the Trust issues additional Series A Preferred Shares (the “Exchange Cap”). The Exchange Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any Share Splits on the same basis as the corresponding adjustment to the Share Cap.

In the case of a Change of Control pursuant to which Common Shares shall be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “Alternative Form Consideration”), a holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall receive upon conversion of such Series A Preferred Shares the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder of Series A Preferred Shares would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Change of Control had such holder of Series A Preferred Shares held a number of Common Shares equal to the Common Share Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (the “Alternative Conversion Consideration”; and the Common Share Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, as may be applicable to a Change of Control, shall be referred to herein as the “Conversion Consideration”).

In the event that holders of Common Shares have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Change of Control, the consideration that the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall receive shall be the form of consideration elected by the holders of Common Shares who participate in the determination (based on the weighted average of elections) and shall be subject to any limitations to which all holders of Common Shares are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in the Change of Control.

The “Change of Control Conversion Date” shall be a Business Day set forth in the notice of Change of Control provided in accordance with Section 9(c) below that is no less than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which the Trust provides such notice pursuant to Section 9(c).

The “Common Share Price” shall be (i) the amount of cash consideration per Common Share, if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of Common Shares is solely cash, and (ii) the average of the closing prices per Common Share on the NYSE for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control, if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of Common Shares is other than solely cash.

(b) No fractional Common Shares shall be issued upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Shares. In lieu of fractional shares, holders shall be entitled to receive the cash value of such fractional shares based on the Common Share Price.

(c) Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, a notice of occurrence of the Change of Control, describing the resulting Change of Control Conversion Right, shall be delivered to the holders of record of Series A Preferred Shares at their addresses as they appear on the Trust’s share transfer records and notice shall be provided to the Trust’s transfer agent. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the conversion of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Each notice shall state: (i) the events constituting the Change of Control; (ii) the date of the Change of Control; (iii) the last date on which the holders of Series A Preferred Shares may exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right; (iv) the method and period for calculating the Common Share Price; (v) the Change of Control Conversion Date, which shall be a Business Day occurring within 20 to 35 days following the date of such notice; (vi) that if, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Trust has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Regular

 

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Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right, the holder will not be able to convert Series A Preferred Shares and such Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if they have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Change of Control Conversion Right; (vii) if applicable, the type and amount of Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per Series A Preferred Share; (viii) the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent; and (ix) the procedures that the holders of Series A Preferred Shares must follow to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right.

(d) The Trust shall issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if such organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of such press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or post notice on the Trust’s website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first Business Day following any date on which the Trust provides notice pursuant to Section 9(c) above to the holders of Series A Preferred Shares.

(e) In order to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right, a holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the certificates evidencing the Series A Preferred Shares, to the extent such shares are certificated, to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written conversion notice completed, to the Trust’s transfer agent. Such notice shall state: (i) the relevant Change of Control Conversion Date; (ii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be converted; and (iii) that the Series A Preferred Shares are to be converted pursuant to the applicable terms of the Series A Preferred Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series A Preferred Shares are held in global form, such notice shall comply with applicable procedures of DTC.

(f) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Change of Control Conversion Right (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Trust’s transfer agent prior to the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. The notice of withdrawal must state: (i) the number of withdrawn Series A Preferred Shares; (ii) if certificated Series A Preferred Shares have been issued, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn Series A Preferred Shares; and (iii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares, if any, which remain subject to the conversion notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series A Preferred Shares are held in global form, the notice of withdrawal shall comply with applicable procedures of DTC.

(g) Series A Preferred Shares as to which the Change of Control Conversion Right has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn shall be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Change of Control Conversion Right on the Change of Control Conversion Date, unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Trust has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem such Series A Preferred Shares, whether pursuant to its Regular Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right. Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not have the right to convert any shares that the Trust has elected to redeem prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. Accordingly, if the Trust has provided a redemption notice with respect to some or all of the Series A Preferred Shares, holders of any Series A Preferred Shares that the Trust has called for redemption shall not be permitted to exercise their Change of Control Conversion right in respect of any of the shares that have been called for redemption, and such Series A Preferred Shares shall not be so converted and the holders of such shares shall be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.

 

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(h) The Trust shall deliver the applicable Conversion Consideration no later than the third Business Day following the Change of Control Conversion Date.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no holder of Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled to convert such Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares to the extent that receipt of such Common Shares would cause the holder of such Common Shares (or any other person) to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Common Shares of the Trust in excess of the Common Share Ownership Limit, as such term is defined in the Declaration of Trust, as applicable.

10. Application of Article VII . The Series A Preferred Shares are subject to the provisions of Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

THIRD : The Series A Preferred Shares have been classified and designated by the Board under the authority contained in the Declaration of Trust.

FOURTH : These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board in the manner and by the vote required by law.

FIFTH : These Articles Supplementary shall be effective at the time the SDAT accepts these Articles Supplementary for record.

SIXTH : The undersigned Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Trust acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the act of the Trust and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

[Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and witnessed by its Senior Vice President and Secretary on July 12, 2012.

WITNESS: CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST

 

By:  

/s/ Graham J. Wootten

    By:  

/s/ Douglas W. Vicari

Name: Graham J. Wootten     Name: Douglas W. Vicari
Title:   Senior Vice President and Secretary     Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO     

Hogan Lovells US LLP

Park Place II

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Ninth Floor

McLean, VA 22102

T +1 703.610.6100

F +1 703.610.6200

www.hoganlovells.com

July 13, 2012

Board of Trustees

Chesapeake Lodging Trust

1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway, Suite 410

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as counsel to Chesapeake Lodging Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “ Trust ”), in connection with the public offering of up to 5,060,000 of the Trust’s 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Series A Preferred Shares ”). The offering by the Trust is being made pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated July 10, 2012 and the accompanying base prospectus dated February 28, 2011 (such documents, collectively, the “ Prospectus ”) that form part of the Company’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-172310) (the “ Registration Statement ”). This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of such agreements, instruments and documents as we have deemed an appropriate basis on which to render the opinion hereinafter expressed. In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including telecopies). We also have assumed that the Series A Preferred Shares will not be issued in violation of the ownership limit contained in the Trust’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust. As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.

This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended (collectively, the “ Maryland REIT Law ”). We express no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, or regulations.

Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that following (i) issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, dated July 10, 2012 (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), by and among the Trust, Chesapeake Lodging, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters listed on Schedule 1 thereto, and (ii) receipt by the Trust of the consideration for the


Board of Trustees

Chesapeake Lodging Trust

  2   July 13, 2012

 

Series A Preferred Shares specified in the resolutions of the Board of Trustees and the Pricing Committee of the Board of Trustees, the Series A Preferred Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

This opinion letter has been prepared for use in connection with the filing by the Trust of a Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the offer and sale of the Series A Preferred Shares, which Form 8-K will be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and speaks as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the delivery of this letter.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the above-described Form 8-K and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP

Exhibit 8.1

 

LOGO   

Hogan Lovells US LLP

Columbia Square

555 Thirteenth Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004

T +1 202 637 5600

F +1 202 637 5910

www.hoganlovells.com

July 13, 2012

Board of Trustees

Chesapeake Lodging Trust

1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway, Suite 410

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as tax counsel to Chesapeake Lodging Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “ Company ”), in connection with the public offering of up to 5,060,000 of the Company’s 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per (the “ Series A Preferred Shares ”). The offering by the Company is being made pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated July 10, 2012 and the accompanying base prospectus dated February 28, 2011 (such documents, collectively, the “ Prospectus ”) that form part of the Company’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-172310) (the “ Registration Statement ”). In connection with the filing by the Company of a Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the offer and sale of the Series A Preferred Shares on the date hereof (the “ July 13 Form 8-K ”), which July 13 Form 8-K will be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and Prospectus, we have been asked to provide you with this letter regarding the Company’s qualification as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Bases for Opinions

The opinions set forth in this letter are based on relevant current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), Treasury Regulations thereunder (including proposed and temporary Treasury Regulations), and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, applicable legislative history, and the administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “ IRS ”), including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling, all as of the date hereof. These provisions and interpretations are subject to change by the IRS, Congress and the courts (as applicable), which may or may not be retroactive in effect and which might result in material modifications of our opinions. Our opinions do not foreclose the possibility of a contrary determination by the IRS or a court of competent jurisdiction, or of a contrary position taken by the IRS or the Treasury Department in regulations or rulings issued in the future. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best professional judgment with respect to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, if such issue were to be litigated, but an opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position asserted by the IRS.


July 13, 2012

Page 2 of 4

 

In rendering the following opinions, we have examined such statutes, regulations, records, agreements, certificates and other documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions, including, but not limited to (1) the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus, (2) the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 2012 (the “ March 1 Form 8-K ”), and (3) certain organizational documents of the Company and its subsidiary (those documents referred to in clauses (1) through (3), the “ Reviewed Documents ”).

The opinions set forth in this letter are premised on, among other things, the written representations of the Company and, to the extent set forth in the Management Representation Letter (as hereinafter defined), of CHSP DC Holding Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “ Subsidiary REIT ”), contained in a letter to us dated as of the date hereof (the “ Management Representation Letter ”). Although we have discussed the Management Representation Letter with the Company, for purposes of rendering our opinions, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the Reviewed Documents and the Management Representation Letter. We consequently have relied upon the representations and statements of the Company as described in the Reviewed Documents and the Management Representation Letter, and assumed that the information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us is accurate and complete in all material respects.

In this regard, we have assumed with your consent the following:

 

  (1) that (A) all of the representations and statements as to factual matters set forth in the Reviewed Documents and the Management Representation Letter are true, correct, and complete as of the date hereof, (B) any representation or statement in the Reviewed Documents and the Management Representation Letter made as a belief or made “to the knowledge of” or similarly qualified is true, correct and complete as of the date hereof, without such qualification, (C) each agreement described in the Reviewed Documents is valid and binding in accordance with its terms, and (D) each of the obligations of the Company, and its subsidiaries, as described in the Reviewed Documents, has been or will be performed or satisfied in accordance with its terms;

 

  (2) the genuineness of all signatures, the proper execution of all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity of the originals from which any copies were made;

 

  (3) that any documents as to which we have reviewed only a form were or will be duly executed without material changes from the form reviewed by us; and

 

  (4) from and after the date of this letter, the Company will comply with its representation contained in the Management Representation Letter that the Company will utilize all appropriate “savings provisions” (including the provisions of Sections 856(c)(6), 856(c)(7), and 856(g) of the Code, and the provision included in Section 856(c)(4) of the Code (flush language) allowing for the disposal of assets within 30 days after the close of a calendar quarter, and all available deficiency dividend procedures) available to the Company under the Code in order to correct any violations of the applicable REIT qualification requirements of Sections 856 and 857 of the Code, to the full extent the remedies under such provisions are available, but only to the extent available.


July 13, 2012

Page 3 of 4

 

Any material variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the documents that we have reviewed and upon which we have relied (including, in particular, the Management Representation Letter) may adversely affect the conclusions stated herein.

Opinions

Based upon and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, including, without limitation, the discussion set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

 

  (1) for each of its taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2010, the Company has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code and the Company’s current organization and proposed method of operation (as described in the Prospectus, which incorporates by reference the March 1 Form 8-K, and the Management Representation Letter) will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2012 and future taxable years; and

 

  (2) the portions of the discussion under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” included in the March 1 Form 8-K, as supplemented by the discussion under the caption “Additional U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” included in the Prospectus, that describe applicable U.S. federal income tax law are correct in all material respects as of the date hereof.

The Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code will depend upon the ability of the Company to meet on an ongoing basis (through actual quarterly and annual operating results, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership and otherwise) the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, and upon the Company utilizing any and all appropriate “savings provisions” (including the provisions of Sections 856(c)(6), 856(c)(7), and 856(g) of the Code and the provision included in Section 856(c)(4) of the Code (flush language) allowing for the disposal of assets within 30 days after the close of a calendar quarter, and all available deficiency dividend procedures) available to the Company under the Code to correct violations of specified REIT qualification requirements of Sections 856 and 857 of the Code. Our opinions set forth above do not foreclose the possibility that the Company may have to utilize one or more of these “savings provisions” in the future, which could require the Company to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be significant in amount) in order to maintain its REIT qualification. Moreover, the qualification and taxation of the Company as a REIT will depend upon the satisfaction by the Subsidiary REIT of the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. We have not undertaken to review the Company’s or the Subsidiary REIT’s compliance with these requirements on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s or Subsidiary REIT’s operations, the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, the level of its distributions to shareholders and the diversity of its share ownership for any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements under the Code for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

In order to qualify as a REIT, 75% of the Company’s total assets must be comprised of “real estate assets” (as that term is used for purposes of Section 856(c) of the Code) and limited other assets specified in the Code as of the close of each calendar quarter of each taxable year of the Company, and at least 75% of the Company’s gross income for any taxable year for which it seeks to qualify as a REIT must be derived from certain specified “real estate” sources, including qualifying rents from real property. The Company’s ability to comply with this requirement is entirely dependent on the Company acquiring and owning (for U.S. federal income tax purposes) on the relevant dates “real estate assets” with an aggregate value equal to, or in excess of, 75% of its “total assets” and owning


July 13, 2012

Page 4 of 4

 

throughout the relevant taxable year assets that will produce sufficient “real estate” gross income to satisfy the 75% gross income test. The value of the assets that the Company will own at the end of any future calendar quarter, cannot be known with certainty as of the date hereof. Similarly, the gross income that the Company’s assets will produce for future years, and the nature of that income, cannot be known with certainty as of the date hereof. We have not reviewed any assets that will be owned by the Company at the close of any future calendar quarter, nor have we reviewed any sources of the Company’s gross income for any future taxable year. Accordingly, the accuracy of our opinions are entirely dependent on the Company’s representations contained in the Management Representation Letter regarding the anticipated value and composition of its assets that it will acquire with the proceeds from the sale of Securities or otherwise, and the nature of its income derived therefrom.

This opinion letter addresses only the specific U.S. federal income tax matters set forth above and does not address any other federal, state, local or foreign legal or tax issues.

This opinion letter has been prepared for your use in connection with the filing of the July 13 Form 8-K will be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and speaks as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation by reason of this opinion letter or otherwise to advise you of any changes in our opinions subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement. Except as provided in the next paragraph, this opinion letter may not be distributed, quoted in whole or in part or otherwise reproduced in any document, or filed with any governmental agency without our express written consent.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 8.1 to the July 13 Form 8-K and to the reference to Hogan Lovells US LLP under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, however, we do not admit thereby that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Very truly yours,
/ S / H OGAN L OVELLS US LLP

Exhibit 10.1

FIRST AMENDMENT TO

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF

CHESAPEAKE LODGING, L.P.

DESIGNATION OF 7.75% SERIES A

CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS

July 13, 2012

Pursuant to Section 4.2 and Section 14.1.B of the Agreement of Limited Partnership of Chesapeake Lodging, L.P. (the “Partnership Agreement”), the General Partner hereby amends the Partnership Agreement as follows in connection with the issuance of up to 5,060,000 of its 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share (the “Series A Preferred Shares”) of the General Partner and the issuance to the General Partner of Series A Preferred Units (as defined below) in exchange for the contribution by the General Partner of the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Series A Preferred Shares:

1. Designation and Number . A series of Preferred Units (as defined below), designated the “7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units” (the “Series A Preferred Units”), is hereby established. The number of authorized Series A Preferred Units shall be 5,060,000.

2. Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Partnership Agreement. The following defined terms used in this Amendment to the Partnership Agreement shall have the meanings specified below:

“Articles Supplementary” means the Articles Supplementary of the General Partner filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on July 12, 2012, designating the terms, rights and preferences of the Series A Preferred Shares.

“Base Liquidation Preference” means $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit.

“Common Shares” means the General Partner’s common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share.

“Distribution Record Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).

“Junior Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.

“Liquidating Distributions” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6(a).

“Net Operating Income” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10(f).

“Parity Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.

“Preferred Units” means all Partnership Interests designated as preferred units by the General Partner from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Partnership Agreement.

“Senior Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.

“Series A Preferred Return” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).

“Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).

“Special Optional Redemption Right” shall have the meaning provided in the Articles Supplementary.


3. Maturity . The Series A Preferred Units have no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption.

4. Rank . The Series A Preferred Units will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, rank (a) senior to all Class A Units and Class B Units and any class or series of Preferred Units expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (collectively, the “Junior Preferred Units”); (b) on a parity with any class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (the “Parity Preferred Units”); and (c) junior to any class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (the “Senior Preferred Units”). The term “Preferred Units” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Partnership, which will rank senior to the Series A Preferred Units prior to conversion or exchange. The Series A Preferred Units will also rank junior in right of payment to the Partnership’s existing and future indebtedness.

5. Distributions .

(a) Subject to the preferential rights of holders of any class or series of Senior Preferred Units of the Partnership, the holders of Series A Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the General Partner and declared by the Partnership, out of funds of the Partnership legally available for payment of distributions, cumulative cash distributions at the rate of 7.75% per annum of the Base Liquidation Preference per unit (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $1.9375 per unit) (the “Series A Preferred Return”). Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the date of original issue of any Series A Preferred Units and shall be payable quarterly, in equal amounts, in arrears, on or about the 15 th day of each January, April, July and October of each year (each, a “Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date’’); provided, however, if any Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date is not a business day, then the distribution which would otherwise have been payable on such Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date may be paid on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if paid on such Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date, and no interest or additional distributions or other sums shall accrue on the amount so payable from such Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date to such next succeeding business day. “Business day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required to close. A “distribution period” shall mean the period commencing from, and including, the Distribution Payment Date to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date; provided, however, that the initial distribution period shall be the period from, and including, July 17, 2012 to, but excluding, October 15, 2012. The amount of any distribution payable on the Series A Preferred Units for any partial distribution period will be prorated and computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. Distributions will be payable in arrears to holders of record of the Series A Preferred Units as they appear on the records of the Partnership at the close of   business   on the applicable record date, which shall be the last business day of the calendar quarter prior to the applicable Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date or such other date designated by the General Partner of the Partnership for the payment of distributions that is not more than 90 nor less than ten days prior to such Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date (each, a “Distribution Record Date”).

(b) No distributions on the Series A Preferred Units shall be authorized by the General Partner or declared, paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the General Partner or the Partnership, including any agreement relating to the indebtedness of any of them, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration or payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, distributions on the Series A Preferred Units will accrue whether or not the restrictions referred to in Section 5(b) exist, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared.

 

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(d) Except as provided in Section 5(e) below, no distributions shall be declared and paid or set apart for payment, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be declared and made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect to, any Class A Units, Class B Units, Parity Preferred Units or Junior Preferred Units of the Partnership (other than a distribution paid in units of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase units of, Class A Units, Class B Units, or Junior Preferred Units) for any period, nor shall Class A Units, Class B Units, Parity Preferred Units or Junior Preferred Units be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration, nor shall any funds be paid or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such units by the Partnership, directly or indirectly (except by conversion into or exchange for, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for, Class A Units, Class B Units or Junior Preferred Units, and except for purchases or exchanges pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series A Preferred Units and all holders of Parity Preferred Units), unless full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units for all past distribution periods shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment.

(e) When distributions are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) on the Series A Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units, all distributions declared on the Series A Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per Series A Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued distributions per Series A Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid distributions on any Parity Preferred Units for prior distribution periods if such Parity Preferred Units do not have a cumulative distribution) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on Series A Preferred Units which may be in arrears.

(f) Holders of Series A Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or units of the Partnership, in excess of full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units as provided above. Any distribution made on the Series A Preferred Units shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distributions due with respect to such units which remains payable. Accrued but unpaid distributions on Series A Preferred Units will accumulate as of the Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date on which they first become payable or on the date of redemption, as the case may be.

(g) For the avoidance of doubt, in determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation) by distribution, redemption or other acquisition of the Partnership Units is permitted under Delaware law, no effect shall be given to the amounts that would be needed, if the Partnership were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of Partnership Units whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

6. Liquidation Preference .

(a) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any Class A Units, Class B Units or Junior Preferred Units, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid, or have the Partnership declare and set apart for payment, out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to its Partners after payment or provision for payment of all debts and other liabilities of the Partnership and any liquidation preference owing in respect of any Senior Preferred Units, a liquidation preference in cash or property at fair market value, as determined by the General Partner, of $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions to, but not including, the date of payment or the date the amount for payment is set apart for payment (the “Liquidating Distributions”).

(b) If upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, the available assets of the Partnership are insufficient to pay the full amount of the Liquidating Distributions on all outstanding Series A Preferred Units and the corresponding amounts payable on all outstanding Parity Preferred Units, then the holders of Series A Preferred Units and Parity Preferred Units shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full Liquidating Distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

 

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(c) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, after payment shall have been made in full to the holders of the Series A Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units, any other series or class or classes of Junior Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of the Series A Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall not be entitled to share therein.

(d) After payment of the full amount of the Liquidating Distributions to which they are entitled, holders of Series A Preferred Units will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Partnership.

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, the consolidation or merger of the Partnership with or into another entity, the merger of another entity with or into the Partnership, a statutory unit exchange by the Partnership or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Partnership shall not be considered a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership.

7. Optional Redemption .

(a) The Series A Preferred Units are not redeemable prior to July 17, 2017, except as otherwise provided in this Section 7. On and after July 17, 2017, the Partnership, at its option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, may redeem the Series A Preferred Units, in whole or from time to time in part, for cash, at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit, plus any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption (the “Redemption Date”). If fewer than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed may be selected pro rata (as nearly as practicable without creating fractional units) or by lot or in such other equitable method determined by the Partnership in its sole discretion.

(b) Unless full cumulative distributions on all Series A Preferred Units shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past distribution periods, (i) no Series A Preferred Units shall be redeemed unless all outstanding Series A Preferred Units are simultaneously redeemed, and (ii) the Partnership shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly for any consideration, nor shall any monies be paid to or be made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of, any Series A Preferred Units (except by conversion into or exchange for, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for Class A Units, Class B Units or Junior Preferred Units of the Partnership); provided, however , that the foregoing shall not prevent the redemption or purchase of Series A Preferred Units by the Partnership in connection with a redemption or purchase by the General Partner of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to Article VII of the Declaration of Trust or otherwise in order to ensure that the General Partner remains qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes or pursuant to the terms of the Articles Supplementary, or the purchase or acquisition of Series A Preferred Units pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series A Preferred Units.

(c) Immediately prior to any redemption of Series A Preferred Units, the Partnership shall pay, in cash, any accrued and unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Units to, but not including, the Redemption Date, unless a Redemption Date falls after a Distribution Record Date and prior to the corresponding Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date, in which case each holder of Series A Preferred Units at the close of business on such Distribution Record Date shall be entitled to the distribution payable on such units on the corresponding Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date (including any accrued and unpaid distributions for prior distribution periods) notwithstanding the redemption of such units before such Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date. Except as provided above, the Partnership will make no payment or allowance for unpaid distributions, whether or not in arrears, on Series A Preferred Units for which a notice of redemption has been given.

(d) Notice of redemption of the Series A Preferred Units shall be mailed by the Partnership to each holder of record of the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed by first class mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date at such holder’s address as the same appears on the records of the Partnership. A failure to give such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A Preferred Units except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Each notice shall state: (i) the Redemption Date; (ii) the redemption price; (iii)

 

4


the number of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed; (iv) the place or places where the Series A Preferred Units are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price and the procedures applicable thereto; and (v) that distributions on such Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such Redemption Date. If less than all of the Series A Preferred Units held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of Series A Preferred Units held by such holder to be so redeemed.

(e) Holders of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed shall surrender such Series A Preferred Units at the place or places designated in such notice and, upon surrender of the units, such Series A Preferred Units shall be redeemed by the Partnership at the redemption price plus any accrued and unpaid distributions payable upon such redemption. If notice of redemption of any of the Series A Preferred Units has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set apart by the Partnership for the benefit of the holders of any Series A Preferred Units so called for redemption, then, from and after the Redemption Date, distributions will cease to accrue on such Series A Preferred Units, such Series A Preferred Units shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such Series A Preferred Units will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price and any accrued and unpaid distributions to, but not including, the Redemption Date; provided, however , if the Redemption Date falls after a Distribution Record Date and prior to the corresponding Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date, each holder of Series A Preferred Units so called for redemption at the close of business on such Distribution Record Date shall be entitled to the distribution payable on such units on the corresponding Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such units before such Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Partnership may redeem one Series A Preferred Unit for each Series A Preferred Share purchased in the open market, through tender or by private agreement by the General Partner.

(g) All Series A Preferred Units redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and reclassified as authorized but unissued Preferred Units, without designation as to class or series, and may thereafter be reissued as any class or series of Preferred Units in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Partnership Agreement.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Partnership may redeem Series A Preferred Units at any time in connection with any redemption by the General Partner of the Series A Preferred Shares.

8. Voting Rights . Holders of the Series A Preferred Units will not have any voting rights.

9. Conversion . The Series A Preferred Units are not convertible or exchangeable for any other property or securities, except as provided herein.

(a) In the event that a holder of Series A Preferred Shares exercises its right to convert the Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares in accordance with the terms of the Articles Supplementary, then, concurrently therewith, an equivalent number of Series A Preferred Units of the Partnership held by the General Partner shall be automatically converted into a number of Class A Units of the Partnership equal to the number of Common Shares issued upon conversion of such Series A Preferred Shares; provided, however , that if a holder of Series A Preferred Shares receives cash or other consideration in addition to or in lieu of Common Shares in connection with such conversion, then the General Partner, as the holder of the Series A Preferred Units, shall be entitled to receive cash or such other consideration equal (in amount and form) to the cash or other consideration to be paid by the General Partner to such holder of the Series A Preferred Shares. Any such conversion will be effective at the same time the conversion of Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares is effective.

(b) No fractional units will be issued in connection with the conversion of Series A Preferred Units into Class A Units. In lieu of fractional Class A Units, the General Partner shall be entitled to receive a cash payment in respect of any fractional unit in an amount equal to the fractional interest multiplied by the closing price of a Common Shares on the date the Series A Preferred Shares are surrendered for conversion by a holder thereof.

 

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10. Allocation of Profit and Loss . Allocations of the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among holders of Series A Preferred Units in accordance with Article VI of the Partnership Agreement.

11. Except as modified herein, all terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, which terms and conditions the General Partner hereby ratifies and confirms.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as of the date first set forth above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST

By:  

/s/ Graham J. Wootten

  Name:   Graham J. Wootten
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Exhibit 12.1

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges

and Preferred Share Dividends

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share dividends for the periods shown (in thousands, except ratio amount):

 

     Three Months
Ended
    Year Ended December 31,  
     March 31, 2012     2011      2010  

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ (2,392   $ 9,154       $ (1,257

Add:

       

Interest expense (including amortization of capitalized interest)

     5,084        12,868         2,344   

Portion of rental expense representing interest

     19        40         8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total earnings

   $ 2,711      $ 22,062       $ 1,095   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fixed charges and preferred share dividends:

       

Interest expense (including capitalized interest)

   $ 5,084      $ 12,868       $ 2,344   

Portion of rental expense representing interest

     19        40         8   

Preferred share dividends

     —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed charges and preferred share dividends

   $ 5,103      $ 12,908       $ 2,352   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share dividends

     (a     1.7         (b
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Earnings did not cover fixed charges and preferred share dividends by $2,392.
(b) Earnings did not cover fixed charges and preferred share dividends by $1,257.

We have not previously issued any preferred shares and therefore there are no preferred share dividends included in fixed charges and preferred share dividends for these periods.