UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 8, 2020
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission file number 000-54369
Maryland | 27-0331816 | |||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1845 Walnut Street, 17th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19103
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(215) 231-7050
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(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 following obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the securities Act (17CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading symbol |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
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n/a | n/a | n/a |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01. Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement
REIT I Merger
On September 8, 2020, Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II, Inc. (REIT II), RRE Opportunity OP II, LP (OP II), Revolution I Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of REIT II (Merger Sub I), Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (REIT I or the Registrant), and Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP (OP I), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the REIT I Merger Agreement).
Subject to the terms and conditions of the REIT I Merger Agreement, (i) REIT I will merge with and into Merger Sub I, with Merger Sub I surviving as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of REIT II (the REIT I Company Merger) and (ii) OP I will merge with and into OP II, with OP II surviving (the REIT I Partnership Merger and, together with the REIT I Company Merger, the REIT I Merger). At such time, the separate existence of REIT I and OP I shall cease.
At the effective time of the REIT I Company Merger, each issued and outstanding share of REIT Is common stock (or fraction thereof), $0.01 par value per share (the REIT I Common Stock), will be converted into the right to receive 1.22423 shares of common stock of REIT II, $0.01 par value per share (the REIT II Common Stock), and each issued and outstanding share of REIT Is convertible stock, $0.01 par value (the REIT I Convertible Stock) will be converted into the right to receive $0.02 in cash (without interest).
In addition, each share of REIT I Common Stock or REIT I Convertible Stock, if any, then held by any REIT I wholly owned subsidiary or held by REIT II or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries will no longer be outstanding and will automatically be retired and will cease to exist, and no consideration will be paid, nor will any other payment or right inure or be made with respect to such shares of REIT I Common Stock and REIT I Convertible Stock in connection with or as a consequence of the REIT I Company Merger.
At the effective time of the REIT I Partnership Merger, each common unit of partnership interests in OP I (OP I Common Units) outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the REIT I Partnership Merger will convert into the right to receive 1.22423 common units of partnership interest in OP II (OP II Common Units) and each Series A Cumulative Participating Redeemable Preferred Unit in OP I (OP I Series A Preferred Units) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the REIT I Partnership Merger will convert into the right to receive one Series A Cumulative Participating Redeemable Preferred Unit in OP II (OP II Series A Preferred Units).
The REIT I Merger Agreement contains customary covenants, including covenants prohibiting REIT I and its subsidiaries and representatives from soliciting, providing information or entering into discussions concerning proposals relating to alternative business combination transactions, subject to certain limited exceptions. The REIT I Merger Agreement also provides that prior to the approval by REIT Is stockholders of the REIT I Company Merger, the board of directors of REIT I may in certain circumstances make a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change (as such term is defined in the REIT I Merger Agreement), subject to complying with certain conditions set forth in the REIT I Merger Agreement.
The REIT I Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances, including by either REIT II or REIT I (in each case, with the prior approval of the special committee of their respective board of directors) (i) if the REIT I Company Merger has not been consummated on or before 11:59 p.m. New York time on June 8, 2021, (ii) if the approval of the stockholders of REIT I (REIT I Stockholder Approval) has not been obtained at the meeting of the stockholders of REIT I to consider the REIT I Merger, or (iii) upon a material uncured breach of the respective obligations, covenants or agreements by the other party that would cause the closing conditions in the REIT I Merger Agreement not to be satisfied.
REIT I may terminate the REIT I Merger Agreement if REIT I has properly accepted a Superior Proposal (as defined in the REIT I Merger Agreement) at any time prior to receipt by REIT I of the REIT I Stockholder Approval pursuant to the terms of the REIT I Merger Agreement. REIT II may terminate the REIT I Merger Agreement at any time prior to receipt by REIT I of the REIT I Stockholder Approval upon (i) a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change or the failure of REIT Is board of directors to include its recommendation in favor of the REIT I Company Merger in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus to be distributed to REIT Is stockholders, (ii) a tender offer or exchange offer for any shares of REIT I Common Stock that constitutes a Competing Proposal (other than by REIT II or any of its affiliates) is commenced and the REIT I board of directors fails to recommend against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by the REIT I stockholders and to publicly reaffirm the REIT I board recommendation within ten business days of being requested to do so by REIT II, or (iii) upon REIT Is material violation of the non-solicit provisions of the REIT I Merger Agreement.
If the REIT I Merger Agreement is terminated in certain circumstances, including in connection with REIT Is acceptance of a Superior Proposal or making a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change, then REIT I must pay to REIT II a termination fee of $22,989,657 plus reimburse up to $2,000,000 for REIT IIs expenses. Additionally, if the REIT I Merger Agreement is terminated because the closing conditions have been satisfied or waived but either REIT II or REIT I have failed to close, then such party must reimburse the other party up to $2,000,000 for that other partys expense.
The REIT I Merger Agreement contains certain representations and warranties made by the parties thereto. The representations and warranties of the parties contained in the REIT I Merger Agreement are subject to certain important qualifications and limitations set forth in confidential disclosure letters delivered by each of REIT II and REIT I. Moreover, the representations and warranties are subject to a contractual standard of materiality that may be different from what may be viewed as material to stockholders.
The parties have agreed to limits on the conduct of their businesses between the signing of the REIT I Merger Agreement and the closing of the REIT I Merger. Generally, transactions that are not in the ordinary course of business require the consent of the other party. Ordinary distributions will also require the other partys consent unless the distributions are needed for REIT qualification purposes, which is not expected.
The obligation of each party to consummate the REIT I Merger is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt by REIT I of the REIT I Stockholder Approval, delivery of certain documents and consents, the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of the parties (subject to the materiality standards contained in the REIT I Merger Agreement), the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed by REIT II to register the shares of the REIT II Common Stock to be issued as consideration in the REIT I Company Merger, and the absence of certain material adverse effects with respect to either REIT II or REIT I.
The foregoing description of the REIT I Merger Agreement is only a summary, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the REIT I Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the REIT I Merger Agreement has been included to provide stockholders with information regarding its terms and is not intended to provide any factual information about REIT II or REIT I. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the REIT I Merger Agreement have been made solely for the benefit of the parties to the REIT I Merger Agreement, and are not intended as statements of fact to be relied upon by
REIT Is stockholders, but rather as a way of allocating the risk between the parties to the REIT I Merger Agreement in the event the statements therein prove to be inaccurate. Statements made in the REIT I Merger Agreement have been modified or qualified by certain confidential disclosures that were made between the parties in connection with the negotiation of the REIT I Merger Agreement, which disclosures are not reflected in the REIT I Merger Agreement attached hereto. Moreover, such statements may no longer be true as of a given date and may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by stockholders. Accordingly, stockholders should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of REIT II or REIT I. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the REIT I Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in REIT Is public disclosures. REIT I acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K not misleading.
Combined Company
On September 8, 2020, REIT II also entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to acquire Resource Apartment REIT III, Inc. (REIT III). REIT IIs proposed merger with REIT III is referred to herein as the REIT III Merger, and collectively with the REIT I Merger, the Mergers. The REIT III Merger is also a stock-for-stock transaction whereby REIT III will be merged into a wholly owned subsidiary of REIT II. The consummation of the REIT I Merger is not contingent upon the completion of the REIT III Merger, and the consummation of the REIT III Merger is not contingent upon the completion of the REIT I Merger.
The combined company following either or both of the Mergers (the Combined Company) will be renamed Resource REIT, Inc. Each of the Mergers is intended to qualify as a reorganization under, and within the meaning of, Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Self-Management Transaction
On September 8, 2020, OP I, entered into a transaction (the Self-Management Transaction) with Resource PM Holdings LLC (PM Holdings), Resource NewCo LLC (Advisor Holdings), C-III Capital Partners LLC (PM Contributor), Resource Real Estate, LLC (Advisor Contributor or Resource Real Estate) and Resource America, Inc. (Resource America), pursuant to which PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor contributed to OP I all of the membership interests in PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings, respectively, and certain assets related to the business of PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings, respectively, in exchange for 6,158,759 OP I Common Units (valued at $67,500,000 based upon the December 31, 2019 estimated value per share of REIT I Common Stock), 319,965 OP I Series A Preferred Units (with a face value of $67,500,000), and the right to receive certain deferred payments having the aggregate value of $27,000,000. These deferred payments and the OP I Series A Preferred Units are as described more fully below. As a result of the Self-Management Transaction, REIT I is now self-managed and succeeds to the advisory, asset management and property management arrangements formerly in place for REIT I, REIT II and REIT III. As part of the Self-Management Transaction, REIT I entered into a series of agreements and amendments to existing agreements as further described below.
Contribution Agreement
On September 8, 2020, OP I, as contributee, entered into a Contribution and Exchange Agreement (the Contribution Agreement) with PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor (together, the Contributors) and PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings whereby OP I acquired 100% of the aggregate membership interests in PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings and substantially all of the operating assets and associated liabilities of PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings, including their 100% membership interests in (i) REIT Is advisor, (ii) REIT IIs advisor, (iii) REIT IIIs advisor, (iv) REIT Is property manager, (v) REIT IIs property manager and (vi) REIT IIIs property manager, as well as certain of the operating assets of those entities, including but not limited to (a) all personal property used in or necessary for the conduct of their business, (b) all intellectual property, goodwill, licenses and sublicenses granted and obtained with respect thereto and certain domain names, (c) certain continuing employees and the key persons who have executed employment agreements, and (d) certain other assets as set forth in the Contribution Agreement.
In addition to the OP I Common Units and the OP I Series A Preferred Units issued to the Contributors pursuant to the Contribution Agreement described above, OP I will pay Resource America (on behalf of and for distribution to PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor) deferred payments in cash of (i) $7,500,000 upon the earlier to occur of (A) the consummation of the REIT I Merger or (B) nine months following the effective date of the REIT I Merger Agreement, (ii) six monthly payments of $2,000,000, totaling $12,000,000, for the six months following the closing of the Self-Management Transaction and (iii) 12 monthly payments of $625,000, totaling $7,500,000, for the 12 months following the closing of the Self-Management Transaction.
As part of the Self-Management Transaction, OP I hired the workforce currently responsible for the management and day-to-day real estate and accounting operations of REIT I, REIT II and REIT III under the various agreements acquired.
The Contribution Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of OP I, PM Contributor, Advisor Contributor, Resource America, PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings.
The foregoing summary of the material terms of the Contribution Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Contribution Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
Transitional Services Agreement
On September 8, 2020, OP I entered into a Transitional Services Agreement with PM Contributor, Advisor Contributor and Resource America (the Transitional Services Agreement), pursuant to which, effective September 8, 2020, PM Contributor will provide, or cause to be provided, to OP I and its affiliates and subsidiaries certain services in order to ensure an orderly transition to OP I of the ownership of PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings and the continued conduct and operation of the advisory and property management business acquired by OP I in connection with the Self-Management Transaction. In connection with these services, OP I shall pay PM Contributor an agreed-upon monthly fee for each service provided, as well as reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by PM Contributor, Advisor Contributor or Resource America as a result of the provision of these services. The foregoing summary of the material terms of the Transitional Services Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Transitional Services Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated by reference herein.
Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement
On September 8, 2020, REIT I and RRE Opportunity Holdings, LLC entered into an Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of OP I (the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement), which amends and supersedes the Limited Partnership Agreement of OP I dated September 1, 2009. REIT I is the general partner of OP I, RRE Opportunity Holdings, LLC is the initial limited partner of OP I and, as a result of the Self-Management Transaction, the Contributors have been admitted as limited partners of OP I.
Operations
The Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement requires that OP I be operated in a manner that will enable it to (1) satisfy the requirements for being classified as a REIT for tax purposes, (2) avoid any federal income or excise tax liability, and (3) ensure that OP I will not be classified as a publicly-traded partnership for purposes of Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), which classification could result in OP I being taxed as a corporation, rather than as a partnership.
Capital Contributions and Issuances of Additional Partnership Units
The general partner is authorized to cause OP I to issue such additional units of partnership interest with such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, powers and duties as shall be determined by the general partner in its sole discretion, subject to Delaware law and any consent rights expressly provided to holders of preferred units of limited partnership interest (OP I Preferred Units). Each issuance of equity securities by REIT I shall be accompanied by a contribution of the proceeds to REIT I from such issuance of equity securities to OP I in exchange for units of partnership interests having designations, preferences and other rights such that the economic interests are substantially similar to those of the REIT I equity securities. In addition, the general partner is authorized to cause OP I to issue units of partnership interests for less than fair market value if the general partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the best interests of REIT I and OP I.
Distributions and Allocations of Profits and Losses
The Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement provides that, subject to priority allocations with respect to OP I Preferred Units, OP I generally will distribute cash available for distribution to its partners in accordance with their relative percentage interests on at least a quarterly basis in amounts as the general partner shall determine. The effect of these distributions will be that a holder of one OP I Common Unit will receive the same amount of cash distributions as the amount of cash distributions made to the holder of one share of REIT I common stock.
Similarly, the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement provides that profits and taxable income are allocated to the partners of OP I in accordance with their relative percentage interests. Subject to compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code and corresponding Treasury Regulations, the effect of these allocations will be that a holder of one operating partnership unit will be allocated, to the extent possible, taxable income for each taxable year in an amount equal to the amount of taxable income to be recognized by a holder of one of our shares. Losses, if any, will generally be allocated among the partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests in OP I.
If OP I liquidates, OP Is debts and other obligations must be satisfied before the partners may receive any distributions. Any distributions to partners then will be made to holders of OP I Preferred Units in order to satisfy any liquidation preference held by them, and then to the holders of OP I Common Units partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests in OP I.
Rights, Obligations and Powers of the General Partner
As OP Is general partner, REIT I generally has complete and exclusive discretion to manage and control OP Is business and to make all decisions affecting its assets. This authority generally includes, among other things, the authority to:
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acquire, purchase, own, operate, lease and dispose of any real property and any other property; |
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construct buildings and make other improvements on owned or leased properties; |
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authorize, issue, sell, redeem or otherwise purchase any debt or other securities; |
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borrow or lend money, or guarantee indebtedness; |
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make or revoke any tax election; |
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maintain insurance coverage in amounts and types as the general partner determines is necessary; |
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retain employees or other service providers; |
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form or acquire interests in joint ventures; and |
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merge, consolidate or combine OP I with another entity. |
In addition to the administrative and operating costs and expenses incurred by OP I in acquiring and operating real properties, OP I will pay or reimburse REIT I for administrative and operating costs and expenses, and such expenses will be treated as expenses of OP I. Such expenses will include:
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all expenses relating to the formation and continuity of OP Is existence; |
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all expenses relating to any offering or repurchase of securities of REIT I; |
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all expenses associated with the preparation and filing of any periodic reports by REIT I under federal, state or local laws or regulations; |
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all expenses associated with compliance by REIT I with applicable laws, rules and regulations; |
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all costs and expenses associated with any 401(k) plan, incentive plan, bonus plan or other plan providing for compensation of the employees of REIT I; |
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all costs and expenses relating to any issuance or redemption of partnership interests; and |
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all of our other operating or administrative costs incurred in the ordinary course of our business on behalf of OP I. |
Exchange Rights
The holders of OP I Common Units, including the Contributors, have the right to cause their operating partnership units to be redeemed by OP I or purchased by REIT I for cash. In either event, the cash amount to be paid will be equal to the cash value of the number of REIT I shares that would be issuable if the OP I Common Units were exchanged for shares of REIT I common stock based on the conversion ratio set forth in Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement. Alternatively, at REIT Is sole discretion, REIT I may elect to purchase the Common Units by issuing shares of REIT I common stock for the Common Units exchanged based on the conversion ratio set forth in the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement. The conversion ratio is initially one to one, but may be adjusted based on certain events including: (i) if REIT I declares or pays a distribution on its outstanding shares in shares of REIT I common stock, (ii) if REIT I subdivides its outstanding shares of common stock, or (iii) if REIT I combines its outstanding shares of common stock into a smaller number of shares of common stock. These exchange rights may not be exercised, however, if and to the extent that the delivery of shares upon exercise would (1) result in any person owning shares of REIT I common stock in excess of REIT Is aggregate stock ownership limit, (2) result in REIT Is shares of common stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons, (3) cause OP I to be closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, (4) cause REIT I to own, directly or constructively, 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code, (5) cause REIT I to violate the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), (6) require REIT I to register shares of its common stock pursuant to the Securities Act, (7) REIT I believes that OP I will be treated as a publicly traded partnership under Section 7704 of the Code, or if REIT I no longer qualifies as a REIT.
In general, holders of OP I Common Units may exercise their exchange rights at any time after one year following the date of issuance of their OP I Common Units; however, the Contributors may not exercise their exchange rights with respect to the OP I Common Units they hold until such OP I Common Units have been outstanding for at least two years. A holder of OP I Common Units may not deliver more than two exchange notices each calendar year and may not exercise an exchange right for less than 1,000 OP I Common Units, unless such limited partner holds less than 1,000 units, in which case, such limited partner must exercise its exchange right for all of its OP I Common Units.
Amendment of the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement
The consent of REIT I, as the general partner of OP I, is required for any amendment to the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement. Subject to any consent rights expressly provided to holders of OP I Preferred Units, REIT I, as the general partner of OP I, without the consent of any limited partner, may amend the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement in any respect or merge or consolidate OP I with or into any other partnership or business entity as set forth in the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement, provided, however, that the following amendments shall require the consent of a majority in interest of the OP I Common Units (a majority of which are owned indirectly by REIT I):
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any amendment affecting the operation of the exchange right in a manner adverse to the limited partners; |
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any amendment that would adversely affect the rights of the limited partners to receive the distributions payable to them pursuant to the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement (other than the issuance of additional limited partnership interests); |
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any amendment that would alter the allocations of profit and loss to the limited partners (other than the issuance of additional limited partnership interests); and |
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any amendment that would impose on the limited partners any obligation to make additional capital contributions to OP I. |
Term and Dissolution
OP I will have perpetual duration, unless it is dissolved earlier upon the first to occur of the following:
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the general partner declares bankruptcy or withdraws from the partnership, provided, however, that the remaining partners may decide to continue the business of OP I; |
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90 days after the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of OP I; |
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the exchange of all limited partnership interests (other than such interests held by the general partner or affiliates of the general partner); or |
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the election by the general partner that OP I should be dissolved. |
Transferability of Interests
In general, REIT I may not transfer all or any portion of its general partnership interest in OP I (except to a wholly owned subsidiary). In addition REIT I, as general partner of OP I, may not engage in any merger, consolidation or other combination, or sell all or substantially all of its assets unless (i) the holders of a majority of the Common Units approve such transaction, (ii) as a result of the transaction, the limited partners will receive for each Common Unit an amount of cash, securities or other property equal in value to the amount a holder of one share of REIT I common stock paid in the transaction, (iii) REIT I is the surviving entity in the transaction and either the holders of shares of REIT I common stock receive no consideration in the transaction or the limited partners receive for each Common Unit an amount of cash, securities or other property equal in value to the amount a holder of one share of REIT I common stock is paid in the transaction, or (iv) the surviving entity agrees to assume all obligations of the general partner set forth in the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement. Limited partners have no right to remove REIT I as general partner.
Series A Cumulative Participating Redeemable Preferred Units
The Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement sets forth the rights, powers, privileges, restrictions, qualifications and limitations of the OP I Series A Preferred Units.
With respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, distribution or winding up of OP I, the OP I Series A Preferred Units rank senior to all classes and series of OP I Common Units and any other class or series of OP I Preferred Units. Each OP I Series A Preferred Unit is entitled to a 7.00% per annum preferred priority return on the stated value of each OP I Series A Preferred Unit commencing on the date of issuance and ending on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance, and thereafter a 10.00% per annum preferred priority return on the stated value of each OP I Series A Preferred Unit (the Priority Return), as well as, with respect to such distribution period, the amount of distributions a holder of such OP I Series A Preferred Unit would be entitled to receive if such OP I Series A Preferred Units were treated as part of a single class of units with the Common Units with the right to participate in distributions pari passu with the Common Units (the Preferred Return). In addition, upon any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of OP I, the holders of OP I Series A Preferred Units are entitled to be paid out of the assets of OP I legally available for distribution, after payment or provision for OP Is debts and other liabilities, a liquidation preference equal to the state value per unit plus any accrued but unpaid Priority Return and any accrued but unpaid Preferred Return. Such liquidation preference shall be paid before OP I may pay any liquidating distributions to any holders of OP I Common Units.
Except as described below, the OP I Series A Preferred Units are not redeemable by OP I prior to the first anniversary of the date of issuance. Following such date, the holders of OP I Series A Preferred Units may elect to have up to 25% of the number of Series A Preferred Units originally issued to such holder redeemed by OP I each year for the following four years. Such redemption right shall be suspended at such time as REIT I applies to list its shares of common stock on a national securities exchange, and shall terminate at such time as the national securities exchange approves the REIT I common stock for listing. Upon the occurrence of a listing of the REIT I common stock on a national securities exchange, a change of control of REIT I, or the second anniversary of the date of issuance, OP I may at its option redeem for cash all or a portion of the then-outstanding OP I Series A Preferred Units. The redemption price to be paid in respect of a redemption of one OP I Series A Preferred Unit shall be an amount of cash equal to the stated value of such OP I Series A Preferred Unit, plus the value as of such date of one share of REIT I common stock (as may be adjusted), plus any accrued but unpaid Priority Return and any accrued but unpaid Preferred Return (the Redemption Price).
In the event that the redemption right described above is terminated in connection with a listing of the shares of REIT I common stock on a national securities exchange, beginning 180 days after the date of such listing, the holders of OP I Series A Preferred Units shall have the right to require REIT I to purchase the OP I Series A Preferred Units in exchange for a number of listed shares of REIT I common stock determined by dividing (i) the number of OP I Series A Preferred Units multiplied by the Redemption Price as of the date of the exchange by (ii) the volume-weighted average price of such listed shares over the 30-day period prior to the date of the exchange.
The OP I Series A Preferred Units generally will not have any voting rights; however, unless (i) fewer than 12.5% of the number of OP I Series A Preferred Units originally issued remain outstanding, (ii) the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding OP I Series A Preferred Units consent, or (iii) an additional class or series of OP I Preferred Units is being issued in connection with the full redemption of the OP I Series A Preferred Units, OP I shall not issue any class or series of OP I Preferred Units with distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, distribution or winding up of OP I senior to the OP I Series A Preferred Units.
The foregoing summary of the material terms of the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated by reference herein.
Amendment to Advisory Agreement
On September 8, 2020, REIT I and Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor, LLC, REIT Is advisor, entered into an Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement Amendment). The Advisory Agreement Amendment eliminates all limitations in the Fourth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement on REIT I acquiring its advisor or an affiliate of the advisor in order to become self-managed. The foregoing summary of the material terms of the Advisory Agreement Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Advisory Agreement Amendment, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated by reference herein. Except as modified by the Advisory Agreement Amendment, the material terms of the Fourth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement remain in full force and effect.
Investor Rights Agreement
On September 8, 2020, REIT I, OP I, PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor entered into an investor rights agreement (the Investor Rights Agreement). Pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement, PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor (or any successor holder) each have the right (i) with respect to Common Units of OP I, after September 8, 2022, and (ii) with respect to OP I Series A Preferred Units, after 180 days from the date REIT I lists its common stock on a national securities exchange (the Lock-Up Expiration), to request REIT I to register for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, all or part, but not less than 50%, of the shares of REIT Is common stock issued or issuable to such holder. REIT I will use commercially reasonable efforts to file a registration statement on Form S-3 within 30 days of such request and within 60 days of such request in the case of a registration statement on Form S-11 or such other appropriate form. REIT I will cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. The Investor Rights Agreement also grants PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor (or any successor holder) certain piggyback registration rights after the Lock-Up Expiration.
In addition, the Investor Rights Agreement grants PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor (or any successor holder) the right, together, to designate one individual to be included on the slate of directors to be voted on by the stockholders of REIT I (the Investor Nominee). Until PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 12.5% of the OP I Series A Preferred Units issued by OP I in connection with the Contribution Agreement, PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor, together, shall have the right to designate the Investor Nominee, subject to approval of REIT Is board of directors, or any committee of REIT Is board of directors authorized to approve board of directors nominees. The parties to the Investor Rights Agreement acknowledged and agreed that the term of the Investor Nominee designated pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement is intended to automatically expire immediately on the date on which PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor, together, own less than 12.5% of OP I Series A Preferred Units and that the board of directors of REIT I may take actions deemed necessary and appropriate to implement such intention.
The foregoing summary of the material terms of the Investor Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Investor Rights Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5 and incorporated by reference herein.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Officer Resignation
On September 8, 2020, George Carleton resigned as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Registrant.
Officer Transitions and Appointments
In connection with the Self-Management Transaction, on September 20, 2020, the board of directors made certain changes to the officers of the Registrant. Alan Feldman was appointed President following the resignation of George Carleton and will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer.
Steven Saltzman was appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President and Thomas Elliott was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Shelle Weisbaum continues as Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and Secretary. Information about Mr. Elliott, the newly appointed officer of the Registrant, is included below.
Thomas Elliott, 47. In addition to serving as the Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of REIT I, Mr. Elliott was appointed to the same positions for REIT II and REIT III effective September 8, 2020. Since June 2020, he also serves on the board of directors of Exantas Capital Corp. Mr. Elliott has previously held various officer positions at Resource America, all of which he resigned effective as of September 8, 2020: Chief Financial Officer since December 2009, Executive Vice President since September 2016 and Senior Vice President since 2005. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice PresidentFinance and Operations of Resource America from 2006 to December 2009; Senior Vice PresidentFinance from 2005 to 2006 and Vice PresidentFinance from 2001 to 2005. Since February 2017, Mr. Elliott was Executive Vice PresidentFinance and Operations of Exantas Capital Corp. and was its Senior Vice PresidentFinance and Operations from September 2006 to February 2017 and, prior to that, was its Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer from September 2005 to June 2006. He was also Senior Vice PresidentAssets and Liabilities Management of Exantas Capital Corp. from June 2005 until September 2005 and, before that, served as its Vice PresidentFinance from March 2005. Prior to joining Resource America in 2001, Mr. Elliott was a Vice President at Fidelity Leasing, Inc., a former equipment leasing subsidiary of Resource America, where he managed all capital market functions, including the negotiation of all securitizations and credit and banking facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Elliott also oversaw the financial controls and budgeting departments.
Employment Agreements
Alan F. Feldman
In connection with Mr. Feldmans appointment as Chief Executive Officer and President of REIT I, on September 8, 2020, REIT I entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Feldman to serve as REIT Is Chief Executive Officer and President (the Feldman Employment Agreement). The Feldman Employment Agreement has an initial term continuing until December 31, 2023 and will automatically renew for additional one-year periods thereafter, unless either REIT I or Mr. Feldman provides advance written notice of its or his intent not to renew or unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms thereof (the Term).
Pursuant to the terms of the Feldman Employment Agreement, Mr. Feldman is entitled to, among other things:
|
Beginning September 8, 2020, an annual base salary of $700,000, subject to annual review for increase (but not decrease) by REIT Is board of directors or a committee thereof; |
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Beginning September 8, 2020, earn an annual cash bonus opportunity (Incentive Bonus) based upon specified corporate and individual performance as determined by REIT Is board of directors or a committee thereof. The amount of the annual cash bonus payable will be determined at the discretion of REIT Is board of directors or a committee thereof; provided, such annual cash bonus for 2020 shall not be less than $1,000,000. In establishing the performance criteria for each fiscal year, REIT Is board of directors or a committee thereof shall set forth a maximum, target and threshold annual bonus amount, in each case, expressed as a percentage of Mr. Feldmans annual base salary at the rate in effect at the beginning of the relevant fiscal year; |
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Equity awards as follows: |
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Mr. Feldman will receive an initial equity grant with a fair market value of $2,750,000 to be awarded in the form of restricted stock of REIT I as described under 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan Initial Grants below; |
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In addition to the initial equity grant, with respect to each calendar year during the Term beginning after calendar year 2020, Mr. Feldman shall be eligible to receive an annual long-term equity incentive award. For the equity incentive award granted in 2021, 70% of such award shall vest in substantially equal installments over a period of three years based solely on the passage of time and the remaining 30% shall vest based on performance criteria established in the sole discretion of REIT Is board of directors or a committee thereof. Eligibility for, and the terms and vesting conditions applicable to, each such annual grant, if any, shall be determined by REIT Is board of directors or a committee thereof in its sole discretion; and |
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Payments and benefits upon termination of employment as follows: |
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Death or Disability (as defined in the Feldman Employment Agreement): (i) base salary earned but not paid as of the termination date, reimbursement for unpaid expenses to which Mr. Feldman is entitled to reimbursement, and any accrued vacation time or other vested compensation or benefits to which Mr. Feldman is entitled under any benefits plans (collectively, the Accrued Amounts); (ii) any Incentive Bonus earned by Mr. Feldman for the prior calendar year but not yet paid, and (iii) the Incentive Bonus for the calendar year in which the termination occurs, pro-rated for the amount of time Mr. Feldman was employed during such calendar year, assuming target performance; |
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Termination by REIT I without Cause or termination by Mr. Feldman with Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Feldman Employment Agreement) or termination by REIT I due to the expiration of the term of the Feldman Employment Agreement: (i) the Accrued Amounts; (ii) any Incentive Bonus earned by Mr. Feldman for the prior calendar year but not yet paid; (iii) the Incentive Bonus for the calendar year in which the termination occurs, pro-rated for the amount of time Mr. Feldman was employed during such calendar year, assuming target performance; (iv) any unvested equity incentive awards that vest solely based on the passage of time shall immediately vest; (v) a pro-rated portion of any performance-based equity incentive awards shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the performance period, based on the number of days during the performance period that Mr. Feldman was employed; (vi) a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of (A) the base salary then in effect plus (B) the average of the Incentive Bonus paid to Mr. Feldman for the prior three calendar years preceding the year in which such termination occurs (or, (1) if Mr. Feldman was eligible to earn a bonus for only two fiscal years completed prior to the date of termination, the amount of such average Incentive Bonus deemed to have been earned, if any, for the prior two fiscal years, (2) if Mr. Feldman was eligible to earn a bonus for only one fiscal year completed prior to the date of termination, the amount of such bonus, if any, deemed to have been earned for such fiscal year, or (3) if Mr. Feldman has not been employed long enough to be eligible to earn an Incentive Bonus, then the amount of Mr. Feldmans target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the date of termination occurs); and (vii) continued health coverage under REIT Is health plan for a period of 18 months following the date of termination. |
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Termination by REIT I for Cause or termination by Mr. Feldman without Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Feldman Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Feldman upon the expiration of the term of the Feldman Employment Agreement: the Accrued Amounts. |
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Termination by REIT I within twelve months following the consummation of a Change in Control other than for Cause, Death or Disability, or termination by Mr. Feldman for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Feldman Employment Agreement) or if REIT I or REIT Is successor terminates Mr. Feldmans employment due to expiration of the term of the Feldman Employment Agreement: all of the benefits and payments described in the paragraph Termination by REIT I without Cause or termination by Mr. Feldman with Good Reason or termination by REIT I due to the expiration of the term of the Feldman Employment Agreement above, except that the health coverage will cover 18 months. |
The Feldman Employment Agreement also provides that Mr. Feldman will be subject to customary non-compete, non-solicitation and other restrictive covenants.
The above description of the terms of the Feldman Employment Agreement is not complete and is qualified by reference to the complete document, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.6 and incorporated herein by reference.
Other Officers
On September 8, 2020, REIT I also entered into employment agreements with each of Thomas C. Elliott in connection with Mr. Elliotts appointment as REIT Is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (the Elliott Employment Agreement) and Michele (Shelle) R. Weisbaum in connection with Ms. Weisbaums appointment as REIT Is Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer (the Weisbaum Employment Agreement). Each of such employment agreements (collectively, the Employment Agreements) is substantially similar to the material terms of the Feldman Employment Agreement except as noted below:
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Beginning September 8, 2020, Mr. Elliott is entitled to an annual base salary of $500,000, subject to annual review for increase (but not decrease) by REIT Is board of directors or a committee thereof, and an annual cash bonus for 2020 of not less than $750,000; |
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Mr. Elliott will receive an initial equity grant with a fair market value of $1,550,000 to be awarded in the form of restricted stock of REIT I as described under 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan Initial Grants below; |
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Beginning September 8, 2020, Ms. Weisbaum is entitled to an annual base salary of $300,000, subject to annual review for increase (but not decrease) by REIT Is board of directors or a committee thereof, and an annual cash bonus for 2020 of not less than $115,000; and |
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Ms. Weisbaum will receive an initial equity grant with a fair market value of $500,000 to be awarded in the form of restricted stock of REIT I as described under 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan Initial Grants below. |
The above description of the terms of the Elliott Employment Agreement and the Weisbaum Employment Agreement is not complete and is qualified by reference to the complete Elliott Employment Agreement and the complete Weisbaum Employment Agreement, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.7 and 10.8, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan
On September 8, 2020, the board of directors of REIT I adopted the Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2020 LTIP).
The purpose of the 2020 LTIP is to advance the interests of REIT I and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain, and reward certain eligible persons performing services for REIT I and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of REIT I. The 2020 LTIP allows for grants to REIT Is employees, consultants, and directors of stock options (non-statutory and incentive), restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash-based awards, and other stock-based awards. The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock of REIT I that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2020 LTIP is 3,500,000.
The 2020 LTIP is administered by the conflicts committee of the board of directors. Subject to the terms of the 2020 LTIP, the conflicts committee has the authority to determine the individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, awards are made, the size of each award, and the other terms and conditions of each award. The board of directors also has the authority to make all determinations that are in the boards judgment necessary or desirable for the administration of the plan. The boards construction and interpretation of the terms and provisions of the 2020 LTIP are final and conclusive.
The board of directors may at any time modify or amend the 2020 LTIP in any respect, provided that no such modification or amendment may materially adversely affect the rights of a participant under an existing stock award that has been previously granted except as expressly provided in the 2020 LTIP. Unless sooner terminated in accordance with its terms, the 2020 LTIP will terminate on the date that is ten years following the date on which the 2020 LTIP was adopted by the board of directors.
A copy of the 2020 LTIP is attached as Exhibit 10.9 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference. The foregoing is a summary of the 2020 LTIP, does not purport to be complete, and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 2020 LTIP.
Initial Grants
On September 8, 2020, the board of directors granted awards of restricted stock (the REIT I Restricted Stock) under the 2020 LTIP to the executives in the chart below with respect to the number of shares next to their name in the chart below. The grant of REIT I Restricted Stock is subject to vesting in two tranches 40% of the total number of shares will vest upon the consummation of the REIT I Merger and 60% of the total number of shares will vest upon a Liquidity Event (as defined below) so long as the executive remains continuously employed through each such vesting date. If the executives employment terminates for any reason before the vesting date, all unvested shares will be immediately forfeited.
Executive Officer |
Number of Shares Subject
to Award |
|||
Alan F. Feldman, Chief Executive Officer and President |
250,912 | |||
Thomas C. Elliott, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer |
141,423 | |||
Steven R. Saltzman, Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President |
27,372 | |||
Michele R. Weisbaum, Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President |
45,620 |
For purposes of these awards:
Liquidity Event means (i) a listing of the common stock of REIT II, on a national securities exchange, (ii) a sale, merger or other transaction in which the stockholders of REIT II either receive, or have the option to receive, cash, securities redeemable for cash, and/or securities of a publicly traded company, or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of REIT IIs assets where stockholders either receive, or have the option to receive, cash or the securities of a publicly traded company.
Pursuant to the terms of the REIT I Merger Agreement, REIT II has agreed to assume and continue the 2020 LTIP as its own, and the awards of REIT I Restricted Stock thereunder. Pursuant to the terms of the REIT I Merger Agreement, each share of REIT I Restricted Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the REIT I Company Merger will be automatically cancelled and extinguished and converted into the right to receive 1.22423 shares of REIT II Common Stock and will continue to be have and be subject to the same terms and conditions (including vesting terms) set forth in the 2020 LTIP and the related restricted stock agreements.
A copy of the form of restricted stock agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.10 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference. The foregoing is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the award agreement.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure
On September 11, 2020, REIT I, along with REIT II and REIT III, is sending a letter to its stockholders regarding the proposed transactions. A copy of the stockholder letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 7.01 disclosure.
In addition, on September 11, 2020, the Registrant posted to its website (http://www.resourcereit.com/) an investor presentation prepared by REIT I and REIT II containing certain information related to the REIT I Merger. A copy of the investor presentation is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 7.01 disclosure.
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), the information in this Item 7.01 disclosure, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 and information set forth therein, is deemed to have been furnished and shall not be deemed to be filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Item 8.01. Other Events
Suspension of Share Redemption Program
In connection with the transactions contemplated herein, on September 8, 2020, the board of directors of the Registrant approved the full suspension of its share redemption program (SRP), which has been suspended since March 20, 2020, with exception for redemptions sought upon a stockholders death, qualifying disability or confinement to a long-term care facility (collectively, special redemptions). The SRP suspension will take effect immediately. While the SRP is suspended, currently pending and new redemption requests submitted in connection with a special redemption will be retained and considered upon the determination by the board of directors to resume the SRP with respect to special redemptions, all other redemption requests will not be retained, but will be cancelled with the ability to resubmit when the SRP is open to redemptions other than special redemptions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER
In connection with the REIT I Merger, REIT II will prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus jointly prepared by REIT II and REIT I, and other related documents. The Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus will be mailed to REIT Is stockholders and will contain important information about the merger and related matters. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY REIT II AND REIT I WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REIT II, REIT I AND THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and stockholders of REIT II and REIT I may obtain free copies of the registration statement, the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus and other relevant documents filed by REIT II and REIT I with the SEC (if and when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, these materials will also be available free of charge by accessing REIT IIs website (http://www.resourcereit2.com/), or by accessing REIT Is website (http://www.resourcereit.com/).
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
PARTICIPANTS IN SOLICITATION RELATING TO THE MERGER
REIT II and REIT I and their respective directors and officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger. Information regarding REIT IIs directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2020 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC by REIT II on April 29, 2020 in connection with its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders; information regarding REIT Is directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2020 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC by REIT I on April 29, 2020 in connection with its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders. Certain directors and executive officers of REIT II and/or REIT I and other persons may have direct or indirect interests in the merger due to securities holdings, pre-existing or future indemnification arrangements and rights to severance payments and retention bonuses if their employment is terminated prior to or following the merger. If and to the extent that any of the
participants will receive any additional benefits in connection with the merger, the details of those benefits will be described in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the merger. Investors and security holders may obtain additional information regarding the direct and indirect interests of REIT II and REIT I and their respective executive officers and directors in the merger by reading the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the merger when it becomes available. These documents are available free of charge on the SECs website and from REIT II or REIT I, as applicable, using the sources indicated above.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements, as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These statements are based on managements current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements; no assurance can be given that these expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk that the proposed merger will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreements; the inability of REIT I to obtain stockholder approval of the merger or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to completion of the merger; risks related to disruption of managements attention from the ongoing business operations due to the proposed merger; the potential adverse impact of the ongoing pandemic related to COVID-19 and the related measures put in place to help control the spread of the virus on the operations of REIT II and REIT I and their tenants, which impact remains highly uncertain; availability of suitable investment opportunities; changes in interest rates; the availability and terms of financing; general economic conditions; market conditions; legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business of REIT II and REIT I; and other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of REIT IIs and REIT Is most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as updated by the subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and filed with the SEC, and other reports filed by REIT II and REIT I with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SECs website, www.sec.gov. REIT II and REIT I undertake no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this communication, except as required by law.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
10.4 |
Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2020 between REIT I and Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor, LLC | |
10.5 |
Investor Rights Agreement dated September 8, 2020 by and among REIT I, OP I , PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor | |
10.6 |
Employment Agreement dated September 8, 2020 between REIT I and Mr. Feldman | |
10.7 |
Employment Agreement dated September 8, 2020 between REIT I and Mr. Elliott | |
10.8 |
Employment Agreement dated September 8, 2020 between REIT I and Ms. Weisbaum | |
10.9 |
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan | |
10.10 |
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement | |
99.1 |
Stockholder Letter | |
99.2 |
Investor Presentation dated September 11, 2020 | |
* Schedules omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. REIT II agrees to furnish a supplemental copy of any omitted schedule to the SEC upon request. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC. | ||||||
Dated: September 11, 2020 | By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
||||
Alan F. Feldman | ||||||
Chief Executive Officer and President | ||||||
(Principal Executive Officer) |
EXHIBIT 2.1
EXECUTION COPY
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT II, INC.,
RRE OPPORTUNITY OP II, LP,
REVOLUTION I MERGER SUB, LLC,
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.
AND
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP
DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I |
DEFINITIONS |
4 | ||||
Section 1.1 |
Definitions |
4 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Interpretation and Rules of Construction |
15 | ||||
ARTICLE II |
THE MERGERS |
17 | ||||
Section 2.1 |
The Mergers |
17 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
Closing |
17 | ||||
Section 2.3 |
Effective Times |
17 | ||||
Section 2.4 |
Organizational Documents of the Surviving Entity and the Surviving Partnership |
18 | ||||
Section 2.5 |
Managers of the Surviving Entity |
18 | ||||
Section 2.6 |
Tax Treatment of Mergers |
18 | ||||
Section 2.7 |
Subsequent Actions |
19 | ||||
ARTICLE III |
EFFECTS OF THE MERGERS |
19 | ||||
Section 3.1 |
Effects of the Mergers |
19 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Exchange Procedures; Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares |
21 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Withholding Rights |
22 | ||||
Section 3.4 |
Dissenters Rights |
22 | ||||
Section 3.5 |
General Effects of the Mergers |
23 | ||||
ARTICLE IV |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE REIT I PARTIES |
23 | ||||
Section 4.1 |
Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries |
24 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Authority; Approval Required |
25 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents |
26 | ||||
Section 4.4 |
Capital Structure |
27 | ||||
Section 4.5 |
SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements; Investment Company Act; Anti-Corruption Laws |
28 | ||||
Section 4.6 |
Absence of Certain Changes or Events |
30 | ||||
Section 4.7 |
No Undisclosed Liabilities |
31 | ||||
Section 4.8 |
Permits; Compliance with Law |
31 | ||||
Section 4.9 |
Litigation |
31 | ||||
Section 4.10 |
Properties |
32 | ||||
Section 4.11 |
Environmental Matters |
32 | ||||
Section 4.12 |
Material Contracts |
33 | ||||
Section 4.13 |
Taxes |
36 | ||||
Section 4.14 |
Intellectual Property |
39 | ||||
Section 4.15 |
Information Privacy & Security |
39 | ||||
Section 4.16 |
Insurance |
40 | ||||
Section 4.17 |
Employee Matters |
40 |
i
Section 4.18 |
Related-Party Transactions |
43 | ||||
Section 4.19 |
Brokers |
43 | ||||
Section 4.20 |
Opinion of Financial Advisor |
43 | ||||
Section 4.21 |
Takeover Statutes |
43 | ||||
Section 4.22 |
Information Supplied |
43 | ||||
Section 4.23 |
No Other Representations and Warranties |
44 | ||||
ARTICLE V |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE REIT II PARTIES |
44 | ||||
Section 5.1 |
Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries |
45 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Authority; Approval Required |
46 | ||||
Section 5.3 |
No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents |
47 | ||||
Section 5.4 |
Capital Structure |
48 | ||||
Section 5.5 |
SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements; Investment Company Act; Anti-Corruption Laws |
49 | ||||
Section 5.6 |
Absence of Certain Changes or Events |
52 | ||||
Section 5.7 |
No Undisclosed Liabilities |
52 | ||||
Section 5.8 |
Permits; Compliance with Law |
52 | ||||
Section 5.9 |
Litigation |
53 | ||||
Section 5.10 |
Properties |
53 | ||||
Section 5.11 |
Environmental Matters |
54 | ||||
Section 5.12 |
Material Contracts |
55 | ||||
Section 5.13 |
Taxes |
57 | ||||
Section 5.14 |
Intellectual Property |
60 | ||||
Section 5.15 |
Information Privacy & Security |
61 | ||||
Section 5.16 |
Insurance |
61 | ||||
Section 5.17 |
Benefit Plans |
62 | ||||
Section 5.18 |
Related-Party Transactions |
62 | ||||
Section 5.19 |
Brokers |
62 | ||||
Section 5.20 |
Opinion of Financial Advisor |
62 | ||||
Section 5.21 |
Takeover Statutes |
62 | ||||
Section 5.22 |
Ownership of Merger Sub; No Prior Activities |
63 | ||||
Section 5.23 |
Information Supplied |
63 | ||||
Section 5.24 |
No Other Representations and Warranties |
63 | ||||
ARTICLE VI |
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGERS |
64 | ||||
Section 6.1 |
Conduct of Business by REIT I |
64 | ||||
Section 6.2 |
Conduct of Business by REIT II |
68 | ||||
Section 6.3 |
No Control of Other Parties Business |
73 | ||||
ARTICLE VII |
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS |
73 | ||||
Section 7.1 |
Preparation of the Form S-4 and the REIT I Proxy Statement; Stockholder Approval |
73 | ||||
Section 7.2 |
Access to Information; Confidentiality |
75 | ||||
Section 7.3 |
No Solicitation of Transactions; Change in Recommendation |
76 |
ii
Section 7.4 |
Public Announcements |
80 | ||||
Section 7.5 |
Appropriate Action; Consents; Filings |
80 | ||||
Section 7.6 |
Notification of Certain Matters; Transaction Litigation |
82 | ||||
Section 7.7 |
Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance |
82 | ||||
Section 7.8 |
Dividends |
84 | ||||
Section 7.9 |
Takeover Statutes |
85 | ||||
Section 7.10 |
Obligations of the Parties |
85 | ||||
Section 7.11 |
Certain Transactions |
85 | ||||
Section 7.12 |
Tax Matters |
86 | ||||
Section 7.13 |
REIT II Board |
86 | ||||
Section 7.14 |
REIT II Share Redemption Program |
86 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII |
CONDITIONS |
87 | ||||
Section 8.1 |
Conditions to Each Partys Obligation to Effect the Mergers |
87 | ||||
Section 8.2 |
Conditions to Obligations of the REIT I Parties |
87 | ||||
Section 8.3 |
Conditions to Obligations of the REIT II Parties |
89 | ||||
ARTICLE IX |
TERMINATION, FEES AND EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER |
90 | ||||
Section 9.1 |
Termination |
90 | ||||
Section 9.2 |
Effect of Termination |
92 | ||||
Section 9.3 |
Fees and Expenses |
93 | ||||
Section 9.4 |
Amendment |
95 | ||||
ARTICLE X |
GENERAL PROVISIONS |
96 | ||||
Section 10.1 |
Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties and Certain Covenants |
96 | ||||
Section 10.2 |
Notices |
96 | ||||
Section 10.3 |
Severability |
97 | ||||
Section 10.4 |
Counterparts |
97 | ||||
Section 10.5 |
Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries |
97 | ||||
Section 10.6 |
Extension; Waiver |
97 | ||||
Section 10.7 |
Governing Law; Venue |
98 | ||||
Section 10.8 |
Assignment |
98 | ||||
Section 10.9 |
Specific Performance |
98 | ||||
Section 10.10 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
99 | ||||
Section 10.11 |
Authorship |
99 |
iii
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of September 8, 2020 (this Agreement), is made and entered into by and among Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II, Inc., a Maryland corporation (REIT II), RRE Opportunity OP II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of REIT II (REIT II Operating Partnership), Revolution I Merger Sub, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of REIT II (Merger Sub), Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (REIT I) and Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of REIT I (REIT I Operating Partnership). Each of REIT II, REIT II Operating Partnership, Merger Sub, REIT I and REIT I Operating Partnership is sometimes referred to herein as a Party and collectively as the Parties. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in Article I.
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to effect a business combination in which (i) REIT I will be merged with and into Merger Sub (the REIT Merger), with Merger Sub being the surviving company, and each share of REIT I Common Stock (as defined herein) and REIT I Convertible Stock (as defined herein) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time (as defined herein) will be converted into the right to receive the REIT Merger Consideration (as defined herein), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL) and the Maryland Limited Liability Company Act (MLLCA), and (ii) REIT I Operating Partnership will be merged with and into REIT II Operating Partnership (the Partnership Merger and, together with the REIT Merger, the Mergers), with REIT II Operating Partnership being the surviving entity, and each REIT I OP Unit (as defined herein) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time (as defined herein) will be converted into the right to receive the Partnership Merger Consideration (as defined herein), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the DRULPA);
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, REIT II, REIT II Operating Partnership and Revolution III Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, entered into a merger agreement with Resource Apartment REIT III, Inc., a Maryland corporation (REIT III), and Resource Apartment REIT III OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, pursuant to which REIT III will merge into Revolution III Merger Sub, LLC and Resource Apartment REIT III OP, LP will merge into REIT II Operating Partnership (collectively, the REIT III Merger);
WHEREAS, the Mergers are not conditioned on the REIT III Merger or vice versa;
WHEREAS, prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, REIT I Operating Partnership entered into and consummated a contribution and exchange agreement (the Contribution Agreement) pursuant to which, among other things, REIT I acquired REIT I Advisor, REIT II Advisor (as defined herein) and REIT III Advisor (as defined herein) such that REIT I has become self-managed and REIT II and REIT III have become indirectly managed by REIT I (the REIT I Internalization Transaction);
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WHEREAS, prior to the REIT I Internalization Transaction, REIT I and Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and external adviser to REIT I (the REIT I Advisor), entered into an amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement between REIT I and REIT I Advisor (the REIT I Advisory Agreement Amendment) providing for, among other things, the elimination of any limitations on REIT I becoming self-managed;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, REIT II and Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and external adviser to REIT II (the REIT II Advisor) entered into an amended and restated advisory agreement (the Amended and Restated REIT II Advisory Agreement) providing for, among other things, the elimination of any limitations on REIT II becoming self-managed;
WHEREAS, the Parties have conditioned the Merger on approval by the stockholders of REIT I of an amendment of the charter of REIT I, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the REIT I Charter Amendment), which provides for the elimination of limitations on roll-up transactions;
WHEREAS, the Parties desire an amendment and restatement of the limited partnership agreement of REIT II Operating Partnership, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement), which shall become effective upon the REIT Merger Effective Time;
WHEREAS, the REIT Merger is conditioned upon the receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval (as defined herein), which includes the approval of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of REIT I Convertible Stock;
WHEREAS, immediately prior to the REIT I Internalization Transaction, Resource Real Estate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (RRE), acquired all of the REIT I Convertible Stock then held by the REIT I Advisor;
WHEREAS, the shares of REIT I Convertible Stock held by RRE, coupled with the shares held by Mr. Alan Feldman, represent more than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of REIT I Convertible Stock;
WHEREAS, RRE and Mr. Feldman have each agreed to enter into a voting agreement (collectively, the Voting Agreements) whereby they will vote their shares of REIT I Convertible Stock in favor of the REIT Merger;
WHEREAS, on the recommendation of the special committee (the REIT I Special Committee) of the Board of Directors of REIT I (the REIT I Board), the REIT I Board has (a) determined that this Agreement, the Mergers, the Contribution Agreement, the REIT I Advisory Agreement Amendment, the REIT I Charter Amendment and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of REIT I and that this Agreement, the Mergers, the Contribution Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fair and reasonable to REIT I and are on terms and conditions no less favorable to REIT I than those available from unaffiliated third parties, (b) authorized and approved this
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Agreement, the Mergers, the Contribution Agreement, the REIT I Advisory Agreement Amendment and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (c) directed that the REIT Merger and the REIT I Charter Amendment be submitted for consideration at the REIT I Stockholders Meeting (as defined herein) and (d) recommended the approval of the REIT Merger and the REIT I Charter Amendment by the REIT I stockholders;
WHEREAS, on the recommendation of the special committee (the REIT II Special Committee) of the Board of Directors of REIT II (the REIT II Board), the REIT II Board has (a) determined that this Agreement, the Mergers, the Amended and Restated REIT II Advisory Agreement, the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement, the Voting Agreements and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of REIT II and that this Agreement, the Mergers, the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement, the Voting Agreements and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fair and reasonable to REIT II and are on terms and conditions no less favorable to REIT II than those available from unaffiliated third parties and (b) authorized and approved this Agreement, the Mergers, the Amended and Restated REIT II Advisory Agreement, the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement, the Voting Agreements and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is intended that (i) the REIT Merger shall qualify as a reorganization under, and within the meaning of, Section 368(a) of the Code, and this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of reorganization for the REIT Merger for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code and (ii) the Partnership Merger shall be treated as a transfer by REIT I Operating Partnership of its assets and liabilities to REIT II Operating Partnership in exchange for REIT II OP Units followed by the distribution of such units to REIT II and REIT I Operating Partnership Minority Owner in a complete liquidation of REIT I Operating Partnership, the exchange and distribution being respectively described in Section 721 of the Code and Section 731 of the Code pursuant to the REIT Merger; and
WHEREAS, each of the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Mergers, and to prescribe various conditions to the Mergers.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement:
Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement means a confidentiality agreement that contains provisions that are no less favorable in the aggregate to REIT I than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement.
Action means any claim, action, cause of action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, mediation, interference, audit, assessment, hearing, or other legal proceeding (whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise, whether civil or criminal and whether brought, conducted, tried or heard by or before any Governmental Authority).
Affiliate of a specified Person means a Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the REIT II Parties and their respective subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of the REIT I Parties and (ii) the REIT I Parties and their respective subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of the REIT II Parties.
Anti-Corruption Laws means (i) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) any anti-bribery, anti-corruption or similar applicable Law of any other jurisdiction.
Book-Entry Share means, with respect to any Party, a book-entry share registered in the transfer books of such Party.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banks located in New York, New York are authorized or required to be closed.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Confidentiality Agreement means the non-disclosure agreement dated as of January 9, 2020 between REIT I and REIT II.
Contract means any written or oral contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, instrument, lease, conditional sales contract, mortgage, license, guaranty, binding commitment or other agreement.
Debt Facilities means, with respect to REIT I, any Contract set forth in Section 4.12(a)(vi) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter and with respect to REIT II, any Contract set forth in Section 5.12(a)(vi) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter.
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Employee Benefit Plan means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), nonqualified deferred compensation plan (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), or employment, severance, change-in-control, bonus, incentive, equity or equity-based compensation, health, welfare, fringe benefit, retirement, and any other compensatory or employee benefit plan, contract or arrangement of any kind (whether or not subject to ERISA, written or oral, qualified or nonqualified, funded or unfunded, foreign or domestic, currently effective or terminated).
Environmental Law means any Law (including common law) relating to the pollution (or cleanup thereof) or protection of the natural resources, endangered or threatened species, or environment (including ambient air, soil, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface land), or human health or safety (as such matters relate to Hazardous Substances), including Laws relating to the use, handling, presence, transportation, treatment, generation, processing, recycling, remediation, storage, disposal, release or discharge of Hazardous Substances.
Environmental Permit means any permit, approval, license, exemption, action, consent or other authorization issued, granted, given, authorized by or required under any applicable Environmental Law.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
ERISA Affiliate means, with respect to an entity (the Referenced Entity), any other entity, which, together with the Referenced Entity, would be treated as a single employer under Code Section 414 or ERISA Section 4001.
Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Expense Reimbursement Payment means payment in an amount equal to the documented Expenses of the Party that is entitled to receive such payment pursuant to Section 9.3; provided, that such payment shall not exceed $2,000,000.
Expenses means all expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants to a Party and its Affiliates) incurred by a Party or on its behalf in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the other agreements and documents contemplated hereby, the preparation, printing, filing and mailing of the REIT I Proxy Statement (with respect to REIT I), the preparation, printing and filing of the Form S-4 and all SEC and other regulatory filing fees incurred in connection with the REIT I Proxy Statement, the solicitation of stockholder approval, engaging the services of the Transfer Agent, obtaining any third-party consents, making any other filings with the SEC and all other matters related to the Closing and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Fundamental Representations means the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.1 (Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries); Section 4.2 (Authority; Approval Required); Section 4.3(a) (No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents); Section 4.4(a) (Capital
5
Structure); Section 5.1 (Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries); Section 5.2 (Authority; Approval Required); Section 5.3(a) (No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents) and Section 5.4(a) (Capital Structure).
GAAP means the United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Governmental Authority means the United States (federal, state or local) government or any foreign government, or any other governmental or quasi-governmental regulatory, judicial or administrative authority, instrumentality, board, bureau, agency, commission, self-regulatory organization, arbitration panel or similar entity.
Hazardous Substances means (i) those materials, substances, chemicals, wastes, products, compounds, solid, liquid, gas, minerals in each case, whether naturally occurred or man-made, that is listed in, defined in or regulated under any Environmental Law, including the following federal statutes and their state and local counterparts, as each may be amended from time to time, and all regulations thereunder, including: the Comprehensive, Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.; the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, as amended, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11001 et seq.; the Clean Air Act of 1966, as amended by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq.; and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 651 et seq.; (ii) petroleum and petroleum-derived products, including crude oil and any fractions thereof; and (iii) polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, mold, methane, asbestos in any form, radioactive materials or wastes and radon.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person and without duplication, (i) the principal of and premium (if any) of all indebtedness, notes payable, accrued interest payable or other obligations for borrowed money, whether secured or unsecured, (ii) all obligations under conditional sale or other title retention agreements, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by such Person, (iii) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price for any property or assets, (iv) all obligations under capital leases, (v) all obligations in respect of bankers acceptances or letters of credit, (vi) all obligations under interest rate cap, swap, collar or similar transaction or currency hedging transactions (valued at the termination value thereof), (vii) any guarantee of any of the foregoing, whether or not evidenced by a note, mortgage, bond, indenture or similar instrument and (viii) any agreement to provide any of the foregoing.
Information Privacy and Security Laws means applicable legal requirements concerning the use, ownership, maintenance, storage, collection, transfer, processing, controlling, privacy and/or security of Personal Information.
Intellectual Property means all United States and foreign (i) patents, patent applications, invention disclosures, and all related continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, reissues, re-
6
examinations, substitutions and extensions thereof, (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, corporate names, Internet domain names, design rights and other source identifiers, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iii) registered and unregistered copyrights and copyrightable works, (iv) confidential and proprietary information, including trade secrets, know-how, ideas, formulae, models, algorithms and methodologies, (v) all rights in the foregoing and in other similar intangible assets and (vi) all applications and registrations for the foregoing.
Intervening Event means a change in circumstances or development occurring or arising after the date of this Agreement that materially affects the business, assets or operations of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that was not known to or reasonably foreseeable by the REIT I Board prior to the execution of this Agreement, which change in circumstances or development becomes known to the REIT I Board prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time; provided, however, that in no event shall (i) the receipt, existence or terms of a Competing Proposal or any matter relating thereto or consequence thereof constitute an Intervening Event and (ii) any event, change, effect, development or occurrence that would fall within any of the exceptions to the definition of a REIT I Material Adverse Effect be deemed to contribute to or otherwise be taken into account in determining whether there has been an Intervening Event.
Investment Company Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency.
IT Asset means any company-owned information, system or hardware that is used in the course of business activities.
Knowledge means (i) with respect to any REIT I Party, the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of the persons named in Schedule A to the REIT I Disclosure Letter and (ii) with respect to any REIT II Party, the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of the persons named in Schedule A to the REIT II Disclosure Letter.
Law means any and all domestic (federal, state or local) or foreign laws, rules, regulations and Orders promulgated by any Governmental Authority.
Lien means any mortgage, deed of trust, claim, condition, covenant, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, preferential arrangement, option or other third party right (including right of first refusal or first offer), restriction, right of way, easement, or title defect or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, including any restriction on the use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or other exercise of any attributes of ownership, excluding any restrictions on transfer of equity securities arising under applicable securities Laws.
Material Contract means any REIT II Material Contract or any REIT I Material Contract, as applicable.
7
Merger Sub Governing Documents means the articles of organization and limited liability company operating agreement of Merger Sub, as in effect on the date hereof.
Order means a judgment, injunction, order or decree of any Governmental Authority.
Permitted Encumbrances means any of the following: (i) Encumbrances for Taxes or governmental assessments, charges or claims of payment not yet due, being contested in good faith or for which adequate accruals or reserves have been established; (ii) mechanics and materialmens Encumbrances for amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and which are not yet due and payable or are being contested in good faith or such Encumbrances which have been filed of record but which have been bonded over or otherwise insured against; (iii) with respect to any real property, post-closing escrow agreements, leases, license agreements and similar occupancy agreements, contribution and tax protection agreements, bottom dollar guarantees, terms and provisions of any joint venture agreements existing at the date of this Agreement, Encumbrances that are zoning regulations, entitlements (including associated security instruments encumbering any land for which REIT I or REIT II has an option to purchase) or other land use or environmental regulations by any Governmental Authority; (iv) with respect to REIT II, Encumbrances that are disclosed on Section 1.1(b) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter (together with associated documentation which evidences or secures such Encumbrances, including, without limitation, notes, mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments of leases and rents, guarantees, pledge agreements and similar documentation), and with respect REIT I, Encumbrances that are disclosed on Section 1.1(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter (together with associated documentation which evidences or secures such Encumbrances, including, without limitation, notes, mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments of leases and rents, guarantees, pledge agreements and similar documentation); (v) with respect to REIT II, Encumbrances that are disclosed on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of REIT II, or notes thereto (or securing liabilities reflected on such balance sheet), and with respect to REIT I, Encumbrances that are disclosed on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of REIT I, or notes thereto (or securing liabilities reflected on such balance sheet); (vi) with respect to REIT II or REIT I, Encumbrances arising pursuant to any Material Contracts of such Party; (vii) with respect to any real property of REIT II or REIT I, Encumbrances that are disclosed on existing title policies made available to the other Party prior to the date hereof; or (viii) with respect to REIT II or REIT I, Encumbrances that were incurred in the ordinary course of business since December 31, 2019, and that do not materially interfere with the use, operation or transfer of, or any of the benefits of ownership of, the property of such Party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Person or person means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, group (including a person as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), trust, association or other entity or organization (including any Governmental Authority or a political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a Governmental Authority).
Personal Information means data or other information relating, directly or indirectly, to an identified or identifiable natural person.
REIT means a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.
8
REIT I Benefit Plan means each Employee Benefit Plan which is sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or required to be contributed to by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has or may have any liability or obligation.
REIT I Bylaws means the Bylaws of REIT I, as amended and in effect on the date hereof.
REIT I Charter means the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of REIT I dated January 20, 2010, as amended or supplemented and in effect on the date hereof.
REIT I Common Stock means the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of REIT I.
REIT I Common OP Units means REIT I OP Units that are not REIT I Preferred OP Units.
REIT I DRP means the distribution reinvestment plan of REIT I.
REIT I Governing Documents means the REIT I Bylaws, the REIT I Charter, the certificate of limited partnership of REIT I Operating Partnership and the REIT I Partnership Agreement.
REIT I Holdco means RRE Opportunity Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
REIT I Long-Term Incentive Plan means the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan of REIT I, as amended.
REIT I Material Adverse Effect means any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence that individually or in the aggregate, (i) would have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) would prevent or materially impair the ability of the REIT I Parties to consummate the Mergers before the Outside Date; provided, that, for purposes of the foregoing clause (i), REIT I Material Adverse Effect shall not include any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence to the extent arising out of or resulting from (A) any changes in economic, market or business conditions generally in the U.S. or any other jurisdiction in which REIT I or the REIT I Subsidiaries operate or in the U.S. or global financial markets generally, including changes in interest or exchange rates, and including (for the avoidance of doubt) any such conditions related to or resulting from any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 virus) or any governmental or other response or reaction to any of the foregoing, (B) changes in general economic conditions in the industries in which REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries operate, (C) any changes in the legal, regulatory or political conditions in the United States or in any other country or region of the world, (D) the commencement, escalation or worsening of a war or armed hostilities or the occurrence of acts of terrorism or sabotage occurring after the date hereof, (E) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or the public announcement of the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (F) the taking of any action expressly required by this Agreement, or the taking of any action at the written request or with the prior written consent
9
of REIT II, (G) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, (H) changes in Law or GAAP (or the interpretation thereof), (I) pandemics, disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 virus) or other natural or manmade disasters or any governmental or other response or reaction to any of the foregoing, or (J) any Action made or initiated by any holder of REIT I Common Stock, including any derivative claims, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which in the case of each of clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (G) and (H) do not disproportionately affect REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, compared to other companies in the industry in which REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries operate.
REIT I Operating Partnership Minority Owner means, collectively, (i) C-III Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and (ii) RRE.
REIT I OP Units means the units of partnership interests in REIT I Operating Partnership.
REIT I Parties means REIT I and REIT I Operating Partnership.
REIT I Partnership Agreement means the Limited Partnership Agreement of REIT I Operating Partnership, dated as of September 1, 2009, as amended through the date hereof.
REIT I Preferred OP Units means the REIT I OP Units designated as Series A Cumulative Participating Redeemable Preferred Units in the REIT I Partnership Agreement.
REIT I Properties means each real property owned, or leased (including ground leased) as lessee or sublessee, by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary as of the date of this Agreement (including all buildings, structures and other improvements and fixtures located on or under such real property and all easements, rights and other appurtenances to such real property).
REIT I Proxy Statement means the proxy statement relating to the REIT I Stockholders Meeting, together with any amendments or supplements thereto.
REIT I Restricted Stock means any shares of REIT I Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time that are unvested. For purposes of this Agreement, a share of REIT I Common Stock shall be deemed unvested if such share is not vested or is subject to a repurchase option, risk of forfeiture or other condition under any applicable stock restriction agreement or other agreement with REIT I.
REIT I Share Redemption Program means the Second Amended and Restated Share Redemption Program of REIT I dated March 28, 2018, as amended and in effect as of the date of this Agreement.
REIT I Stockholder Approval means the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of REIT I Common Stock entitled to vote at the REIT I Stockholders Meeting on the REIT Merger and the REIT I Charter Amendment and the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of REIT I Convertible Stock entitled to vote at the REIT I Stockholders Meeting on the REIT Merger.
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REIT I Stockholders Meeting means the meeting of the holders of shares of REIT I Common Stock for the purpose of seeking the REIT I Stockholder Approval, including any postponement or adjournment thereof.
REIT I Subsidiary means (a) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities is, directly or indirectly, owned by REIT I, and (b) any partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity of which more than 50% of the total equity interest is, directly or indirectly, owned by REIT I or of which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a general partner, manager, managing member or the equivalent, including the REIT I Operating Partnership.
REIT II Advisor means Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
REIT II Bylaws means the Bylaws of REIT II, as amended and in effect on the date hereof.
REIT II Charter means the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of REIT II dated December 17, 2013, as amended or supplemented and in effect on the date hereof.
REIT II Common Stock means the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of REIT II.
REIT II Common OP Units means the REIT II OP Units that are not designated as REIT II Preferred OP Units.
REIT II DRP means the distribution reinvestment plan of REIT II.
REIT II Governing Documents means the REIT II Bylaws, the REIT II Charter, the certificate of limited partnership of REIT II Operating Partnership, and the REIT II Partnership Agreement.
REIT II Material Adverse Effect means any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, (i) would have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) would prevent or materially impair the ability of the REIT II Parties to consummate the Mergers before the Outside Date; provided, that, for purposes of the foregoing clause (i), REIT II Material Adverse Effect shall not include any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence to the extent arising out of or resulting from (A) any changes in economic, market or business conditions generally in the U.S. or any other jurisdiction in which REIT II or the REIT II Subsidiaries operate or in the U.S. or global financial markets generally, including changes in interest or exchange rates and including (for the avoidance of doubt) any such conditions related to or resulting from any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 virus) or any governmental or other response or reaction to any of the foregoing, (B) changes in general economic conditions in the industries in which REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries operate, (C) any changes in the legal, regulatory or political conditions in the United States or in any other country or region of the world, (D) the commencement, escalation or worsening of a war or armed
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hostilities or the occurrence of acts of terrorism or sabotage occurring after the date hereof, (E) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or the public announcement of the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (F) the taking of any action expressly required by this Agreement, or the taking of any action at the written request or with the prior written consent of REIT I, (G) the consummation of the REIT III Merger, (H) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, (H) changes in Law or GAAP (or the interpretation thereof), (I) pandemics, disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 virus) or other natural or manmade disasters or any governmental or other response or reaction to any of the foregoing, or (J) any Action made or initiated by any holder of REIT II Common Stock, including any derivative claims, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which in the case of each of clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (H) and (I) do not disproportionately affect REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, compared to other companies in the industry in which REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries operate.
REIT II OP Units means the units of partnership interests in REIT II Operating Partnership.
REIT II Parties means REIT II, Merger Sub and REIT II Operating Partnership.
REIT II Partnership Agreement means the Limited Partnership Agreement of the REIT II Operating Partnership, dated as of January 16, 2014, as amended through the date hereof.
REIT II Preferred OP Units means the REIT II OP Units designated as Series A Cumulative Participating Redeemable Preferred Units in the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement.
REIT II Properties means each real property owned, or leased (including ground leased) as lessee or sublessee, by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary as of the date of this Agreement (including all buildings, structures and other improvements and fixtures located on or under such real property and all easements, rights and other appurtenances to such real property).
REIT II Share Redemption Program means the Fourth Amended and Restated Share Redemption Program of REIT II, as amended and in effect as of the date of this Agreement.
REIT II Subsidiary means (a) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities is, directly or indirectly, owned by REIT II, and (b) any partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity of which more than 50% of the total equity interest is, directly or indirectly, owned by REIT II or of which REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is a general partner, manager, managing member or the equivalent, including REIT II Operating Partnership.
REIT III Advisor means Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and external adviser to REIT III.
REIT III Merger Agreement means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of the date hereof among REIT II, the REIT II Operating Partnership, Revolution III Merger Sub, LLC, Resource Apartment REIT III, Inc. and Resource Apartment REIT III OP, LP.
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Representative means, with respect to any Person, such Persons directors, officers, employees, advisors (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, investment bankers, and financial advisors), agents and other representatives.
SEC means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including the staff thereof).
Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Tax Return means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes filed or required to be filed with a Governmental Authority, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
Tax or Taxes means any United States federal, state, local and foreign income, gross receipts, capital gains, withholding, property, recording, stamp, transfer, sales, use, abandoned property, escheat, franchise, employment, payroll, excise, environmental and any other taxes, duties, assessments or similar governmental charges, together with penalties, interest or additions imposed with respect to such amounts by the U.S. or any Governmental Authority, whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or any other basis.
Termination Payment means $22,989,657, plus an amount (capped at $2 million) equal to the Expenses of REIT II.
Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary means any directly or indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of REIT I.
Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary means any directly or indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of REIT II.
(b) In addition to the terms defined in Section 1.1(a), the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth in the sections set forth below opposite such term:
Defined Term |
Location of Definition |
|
Acquisition Agreement | Section 7.3(d) | |
Agreement | Preamble | |
Amended and Restated REIT II Advisory Agreement | Recitals | |
Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement | Recitals | |
Articles of Merger | Section 2.3(a) | |
Charter Restrictions | Section 7.9 | |
Closing | Section 2.2 | |
Closing Date | Section 2.2 | |
Competing Proposal | Section 7.3(h)(i) | |
Contribution Agreement | Recitals | |
Contribution Documents | Section 8.3(g) | |
DE SOS | Section 2.3(b) | |
DRULPA | Recitals |
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Encumbrances | Section 4.10(a) | |
Escrow Agreement | Section 9.3(f) | |
Exchange Ratio | Section 3.1(a)(i) | |
FLSA | Section 4.17(i) | |
Form S-4 | Section 7.1(a) | |
Indemnified Parties | Section 7.7(a) | |
Interim Period | Section 6.1(a) | |
IRCA | Section 4.17(m) | |
Merger Effective Time | Section 2.3(a) | |
Merger Sub | Preamble | |
Mergers | Recitals | |
MGCL | Recitals | |
MLLCA | Recitals | |
Outside Date | Section 9.1(b)(i) | |
Partnership Certificate of Merger | Section 2.3(b) | |
Partnership Merger | Recitals | |
Partnership Merger Consideration | Section 3.1(b)(i) | |
Partnership Merger Effective Time | Section 2.3(b) | |
Party(ies) | Preamble | |
Qualified REIT Subsidiary | Section 4.1(c) | |
Registered Securities | Section 7.1(a) | |
REIT Merger Consideration | Section 3.1(a)(i) | |
REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change | Section 7.3(d) | |
REIT I Advisor | Recitals | |
REIT I Advisory Agreement Amendment | Recitals | |
REIT I Board | Recitals | |
REIT I Board Recommendation | Section 4.2(c) | |
REIT I Charter Amendment | Recitals | |
REIT I Convertible Stock | Section 4.4(a) | |
REIT I Designees | Section 7.13 | |
REIT I Disclosure Letter | Article IV | |
REIT I Insurance Policies | Section 4.16 | |
REIT I Internalization Transaction | Recitals | |
REIT I Management Agreement Documents | Section 4.12(d) | |
REIT I Material Contract | Section 4.12(b) | |
REIT I Operating Partnership | Preamble | |
REIT I Permits | Section 4.8(a) | |
REIT I Preferred Stock | Section 4.4(a) | |
REIT I SEC Documents | Section 4.5(a) | |
REIT I Special Committee | Recitals | |
REIT I Subsidiary Partnership | Section 4.13(h) | |
REIT I Tax Protection Agreements | Section 4.13(h) |
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REIT I Terminating Breach | Section 9.1(d)(i) | |
REIT I Voting Debt | Section 4.4(e) | |
REIT II | Preamble | |
REIT II Board | Recitals | |
REIT II Convertible Stock | Section 5.4(a) | |
REIT II Disclosure Letter | Article V | |
REIT II Insurance Policies | Section 5.16 | |
REIT II Management Agreement Documents | Section 5.12(d) | |
REIT II Material Contract | Section 5.12(b) | |
REIT II Operating Partnership | Preamble | |
REIT II Permits | Section 5.8(a) | |
REIT II Preferred Stock | Section 5.4(a) | |
REIT II Related Party Agreements | Section 5.18 | |
REIT II SEC Documents | Section 5.5(a) | |
REIT II Special Committee | Recitals | |
REIT II Subsidiary Partnership | Section 5.13(h) | |
REIT II Tax Protection Agreements | Section 5.13(h) | |
REIT II Terminating Breach | Section 9.1(c)(i) | |
REIT II Voting Debt | Section 5.4(d) | |
REIT III | Recitals | |
REIT III Advisor | Recitals | |
REIT III Merger | Recitals | |
REIT Merger | Recitals | |
REIT Merger Effective Time | Section 2.3(a) | |
RRE | Recitals | |
Sarbanes-Oxley Act | Section 4.5(a) | |
SDAT | Section 2.3(a) | |
Superior Proposal | Section 7.3(g)(ii) | |
Surviving Entity | Section 2.1(a) | |
Surviving Partnership | Section 2.1(b) | |
Takeover Statutes | Section 4.21 | |
Taxable REIT Subsidiary | Section 4.1(c) | |
Transfer Agent | Section 3.2(a) | |
Transfer Taxes | Section 7.12(d) | |
Voting Agreements | Recitals | |
WARN Act | Section 4.17(l) |
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Section 1.2 Interpretation and Rules of Construction. In this Agreement, except to the extent otherwise provided or that the context otherwise requires:
(a) when a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference is to an Article or Section of, or Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated;
(b) the table of contents and headings for this Agreement are for reference purposes only and do not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement;
(c) whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they are deemed to be followed by the words without limiting the generality of the foregoing unless expressly provided otherwise;
(d) or shall be construed in the inclusive sense of and/or;
(e) the words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, except to the extent otherwise specified;
(f) all references herein to $ or dollars shall refer to United States dollars;
(g) no specific provision, representation or warranty shall limit the applicability of a more general provision, representation or warranty;
(h) it is the intent of the Parties that each representation, warranty, covenant, condition and agreement contained in this Agreement shall be given full, separate, and independent effect and that such provisions are cumulative;
(i) the phrase ordinary course of business shall be deemed to be followed by the words consistent with past practice and, as used in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2, similar in nature and magnitude to actions customarily taken without any authorization by the board of directors in the course of normal day-to-day operations, whether or not such words actually follow such phrase;
(j) references to a Person are also to its successors and permitted assigns;
(k) any reference in this Agreement to a date or time shall be deemed to be such date or time in the City of New York, New York, U.S.A., unless otherwise specified;
(l) all terms defined in this Agreement have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto, unless otherwise defined therein; and
(m) the definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms.
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ARTICLE II
THE MERGERS
Section 2.1 The Mergers.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the MGCL and MLLCA, at the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT I shall be merged with and into Merger Sub, whereupon the separate existence of REIT I will cease, with Merger Sub surviving the REIT Merger (Merger Sub, as the surviving entity in the REIT Merger, sometimes being referred to herein as the Surviving Entity), such that following and as a result of the REIT Merger, the Surviving Entity will be a wholly owned subsidiary of REIT II. The REIT Merger shall have the effects provided in this Agreement and the Articles of Merger, and as specified in the applicable provisions of the MGCL and MLLCA.
(b) Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DRULPA, at the Partnership Merger Effective Time, REIT I Operating Partnership shall be merged with and into REIT II Operating Partnership, with REIT II Operating Partnership surviving the Partnership Merger (the Surviving Partnership). The Partnership Merger shall have the effects set forth in the applicable provisions of the DRULPA and this Agreement.
Section 2.2 Closing. The closing of the Mergers (the Closing) will take place (a) by electronic exchange of documents and signatures at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time on the third Business Day after all the conditions set forth in Article VIII (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver of such conditions at the Closing) shall have been satisfied or validly waived by the Party entitled to the benefit of such condition (subject to applicable Law), or (b) such other place or date as may be agreed in writing by REIT II and REIT I. The date on which the Closing actually takes place is referred to herein as the Closing Date.
Section 2.3 Effective Times.
(a) On the Closing Date, REIT II, REIT I and Merger Sub shall (i) cause articles of merger with respect to the REIT Merger to be duly executed and filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the SDAT) in accordance with the MGCL and the MLLCA (the Articles of Merger) and (ii) make any other filings, recordings or publications required to be made by REIT I or the Surviving Entity under the MGCL or MLLCA in connection with the REIT Merger. The REIT Merger shall become effective at such time as the Articles of Merger are accepted for record by the SDAT or on such other date and time (not to exceed 30 days after the Articles of Merger are accepted for record by the SDAT) as specified in the Articles of Merger (such date and time, the REIT Merger Effective Time and together with the Partnership Merger Effective Time, the Merger Effective Time), it being understood and agreed that the Parties shall cause the REIT Merger Effective Time to occur on the Closing Date and before the Partnership Merger Effective Time. The Articles of Merger shall provide that the name of the Surviving Entity shall be Revolution I Merger Sub, LLC.
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(b) On the Closing Date, REIT II Operating Partnership and REIT I Operating Partnership shall (i) cause a certificate of merger with respect to the Partnership Merger to be duly executed and filed with the Delaware Secretary of State (the DE SOS) in accordance with the DRULPA (the Partnership Certificate of Merger) and (ii) make any other filings, recordings or publications required to be made by REIT II Operating Partnership, REIT I Operating Partnership or the Surviving Partnership under the DRULPA in connection with the Partnership Merger. The Partnership Merger shall become effective at the time set forth in the Partnership Certificate of Merger (such date and time, the Partnership Merger Effective Time), it being understood and agreed that the Parties shall cause the Partnership Merger Effective Time to occur on the Closing Date after the REIT Merger Effective Time.
Section 2.4 Organizational Documents of the Surviving Entity and the Surviving Partnership.
(a) From and after the REIT Merger Effective Time, the charter of REIT II shall remain in effect as the charter of REIT II until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law and the applicable provisions of the charter of REIT II.
(b) At the REIT Merger Effective Time and by virtue of the REIT Merger, the articles of organization and operating agreement of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, shall be the articles of organization and operating agreement of the Surviving Entity, until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law and the applicable provisions of such articles of organization and operating agreement.
(c) At the Partnership Merger Effective Time, (i) the certificate of limited partnership of REIT II Operating Partnership shall be the certificate of limited partnership of the Surviving Partnership and (ii) the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement will be the limited partnership agreement of the Surviving Partnership, until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law and the applicable provisions of such agreement.
Section 2.5 Managers of the Surviving Entity. At the REIT Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger, the member of Merger Sub shall manage the Surviving Entity.
Section 2.6 Tax Treatment of Mergers
(a) The Parties intend that, for United States federal income tax purposes (and, where applicable, state and local income tax purposes), the REIT Merger shall qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and this Agreement shall be, and is hereby adopted as, a plan of reorganization for purposes of Section 354 and 361 of the Code. Unless otherwise required by a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or a similar determination under applicable state of local Law), all Parties shall file all United States federal, state and local Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the intended tax treatment of the REIT Merger described in this Section 2.6(a), and no Party shall take a position inconsistent with such treatment.
(b) The Parties intend that, for United States federal income tax purposes (and, where applicable, state and local income tax purposes), the Partnership Merger shall be treated as a
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transfer by REIT I Operating Partnership of all of its assets and liabilities to REIT II Operating Partnership in exchange for REIT II OP Units followed by the distribution of such units to REIT II and REIT I Operating Partnership Minority Owner in a complete liquidation of REIT I Operating Partnership, the exchange and distribution being respectively described in Section 721 of the Code and Section 731 of the Code pursuant to the REIT Merger. Unless otherwise required by a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or a similar determination under applicable state of local Law), all Parties shall file all United States federal, state and local Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the intended tax treatment of the Partnership Merger described in this Section 2.6(b), and no Party shall take a position inconsistent with such treatment.
Section 2.7 Subsequent Actions. If at any time after the Partnership Merger Effective Time the Surviving Partnership shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, that any actions are necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving Partnership its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights or properties of REIT I Operating Partnership acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving Partnership as a result of, or in connection with, the Partnership Merger or otherwise to carry out the intent of this Agreement, then the partners and officers of the Surviving Partnership shall be authorized to take all such actions as may be necessary or desirable to vest all right, title or interest in, to or under such rights or properties in the Surviving Partnership or otherwise to carry out this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
EFFECTS OF THE MERGERS
Section 3.1 Effects of the Mergers.
(a) The REIT Merger. At the REIT Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the REIT Merger and without any further action on the part of REIT I or Merger Sub or the holders of any securities of REIT II, REIT I or Merger Sub:
(i) Except as noted below, each share of (A) REIT I Common Stock, or fraction thereof, issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement 1.22423 shares (the Exchange Ratio) (upon the proper surrender of such Book-Entry Share) of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of REIT II Common Stock and (B) REIT I Convertible Stock, or fraction thereof, issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive $0.02 in cash (without interest) (upon the proper surrender of such Book-Entry Share) (collectively, the REIT Merger Consideration) in accordance with Section 3.2 and subject to Section 3.1(a)(ii), Section 3.1(a)(iii), Section 3.1(c), Section 3.3 and the next sentence of this Section 3.1(a)(i). The REIT Merger Consideration payable to each holder of REIT I Common Stock with respect to their shares of REIT I Common Stock will be aggregated and each such holder shall be entitled to receive such number of shares of REIT II Common Stock, including any fraction thereof (which fraction shall be rounded up to the nearest 1/1,000th of a share), consistent with the Exchange Ratio. From and after the REIT Merger Effective Time, all shares of REIT I Common Stock and REIT I Convertible Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist,
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and each holder of a share of REIT I Common Stock or REIT I Convertible Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except for the right to receive the REIT Merger Consideration therefor in accordance with Section 3.2.
(ii) Each share of REIT I Restricted Stock that is issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time shall be cancelled and extinguished and shall be converted automatically into the right to receive, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement a number of shares of REIT II Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares of REIT II Common Stock (upon the proper surrender of such Book-Entry Share). Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, each share of REIT II Common Stock issued pursuant to this Section 3.1(a)(ii) shall continue to have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions (including vesting terms) set forth in the REIT I Long-Term Incentive Plan, if applicable, and the restricted stock agreements relating thereto, as in effect immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time.
(iii) Each share of REIT I Common Stock or REIT I Convertible Stock, if any, then held by any REIT I Subsidiary shall automatically be retired and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be paid, nor shall any right inure or be made with respect thereto in connection with or as a consequence of the REIT Merger.
(iv) Each share of REIT I Common Stock or REIT I Convertible Stock, if any, then held by REIT II or any Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be retired and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be paid, nor shall any right inure or be made with respect thereto in connection with or as a consequence of the REIT Merger.
(v) Each membership interest of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time shall remain the only issued and outstanding membership interests of Merger Sub, and REIT II shall remain the sole member of Merger Sub.
(b) The Partnership Merger. At the Partnership Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Partnership Merger and without any further action on the part of REIT II Operating Partnership or REIT I Operating Partnership or the holders of any securities of REIT II Operating Partnership or REIT I Operating Partnership:
(i) Each REIT I OP Unit outstanding and held by Merger Sub and REIT I Holdco as of immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time (which will occur after the REIT Merger Effective Time as specified in Section 2.3) will be converted in the aggregate into the right to receive, in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement (upon the proper surrender of such REIT I OP Unit) the number of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable REIT II OP Units specified in the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement as being held by Merger Sub and REIT I Holdco as of the Partnership Merger Effective Time.
(ii) Each REIT I Common OP Unit outstanding and held by REIT I Operating Partnership Minority Owner as of immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
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the Exchange Ratio (upon the proper surrender of such REIT I Common OP Unit) of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable REIT II Common OP Units, and each REIT I Preferred OP Unit outstanding and held by REIT I Operating Partnership Minority Owner as of immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (upon the proper surrender of such REIT I Preferred OP Unit), one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable REIT II Preferred OP Unit (collectively, the Partnership Merger Consideration). The REIT II Common OP Units payable to REIT I Operating Partnership Minority Owner will be aggregated and REIT I Operating Partnership Minority Owner shall be entitled to receive such number of REIT II Common OP Units, including any fraction thereof (which fraction shall be rounded up to the nearest 1/1,000th of a unit), consistent with the Exchange Ratio. From and after the Partnership Merger Effective Time, all such REIT I OP Units shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and REIT I Operating Partnership Minority Owner shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except for the right to receive the Partnership Merger Consideration therefor in accordance with Section 3.2; and
(iii) REIT II will be the general partner of the Surviving Partnership.
(c) Adjustment of the REIT Merger Consideration and Partnership Merger Consideration. Between the date of this Agreement and the applicable Merger Effective Time, if any of REIT I, REIT I Operating Partnership, REIT II or REIT II Operating Partnership should split, combine or otherwise reclassify the REIT I Common Stock, the REIT I OP Units, the REIT II Common Stock or the REIT II OP Units, or make a dividend or other distribution in shares of the REIT I Common Stock, the REIT I OP Units, the REIT II Common Stock or the REIT II OP Units (including any dividend or other distribution of securities convertible into REIT I Common Stock, REIT I OP Units, REIT II Common Stock or REIT II OP Units), or engages in a reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or exchange or other like change, then (without limiting any other rights of the Parties hereunder), the Exchange Ratio shall be ratably adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any such change, and thereafter all references to the Exchange Ratio shall be deemed to be the Exchange Ratio as so adjusted.
(d) Transfer Books. From and after the REIT Merger Effective Time, the share transfer books of REIT I and REIT I Operating Partnership shall be closed, and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of REIT I Common Stock, REIT I Convertible Stock or REIT I OP Units. From and after the Merger Effective Time, Persons who held REIT I Common Stock, REIT I Convertible Stock or REIT I OP Units outstanding immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time shall cease to have rights with respect to such shares or units, except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement or by applicable Law.
Section 3.2 Exchange Procedures; Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares.
(a) As soon as practicable following the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT II shall cause its transfer agent, DST Systems (or any successor transfer agent for REIT II, the Transfer Agent) to record the issuance on the stock records of REIT II of the amount of REIT II Common Stock that is issuable to each holder of shares of REIT I Common Stock (including any fractional shares thereof), pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(i). Shares of REIT II Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Section 3.2(a) in exchange for shares of REIT I Common Stock shall be in book-entry form.
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(b) As soon as reasonably practicable after the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT II shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to provide the former holders of REIT I Convertible Stock with the REIT Merger Consideration therefor, subject to the receipt of such evidence of surrender or transfer as REIT II shall reasonably require.
(c) After the REIT Merger Effective Time, there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of REIT I Common Stock or REIT I Convertible Stock. If, after the REIT Merger Effective Time, shares are presented to the Surviving Entity or the Transfer Agent, they shall be canceled and exchanged for the REIT Merger Consideration provided for, and in accordance with the procedures set forth, in this Article III.
(d) None of REIT II, REIT II Operating Partnership, the Surviving Entity, the Surviving Partnership or the Transfer Agent or any other Person shall be liable to any holder of REIT I Common Stock or REIT I Convertible Stock for any REIT Merger Consideration or other amounts delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or other similar Law. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by holders of shares of REIT I Common Stock or REIT I Convertible Stock immediately prior to the time at which such amounts would otherwise escheat to, or become property of, any Governmental Authority shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of REIT II free and clear of any claims or interest of such holders or their successors, assigns or personal representatives previously entitled thereto.
(e) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Partnership Merger Effective Time, REIT II and the Surviving Partnership shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to provide the former holders of REIT I OP Units with the Partnership Merger Consideration therefor, subject to the receipt of customary representations from such holders.
Section 3.3 Withholding Rights. Each and any REIT I Party, REIT II Party, the Surviving Entity, the Surviving Partnership or the Transfer Agent, as applicable, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the REIT Merger Consideration, the Partnership Merger Consideration and any other amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of REIT I Common Stock, REIT I Convertible Stock or REIT I OP Units, such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to such payments under the Code or any other provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. Any such amounts so deducted and withheld shall be paid over to the applicable Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.
Section 3.4 Dissenters Rights. No dissenters or appraisal rights shall be available with respect to the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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Section 3.5 General Effects of the Mergers.
(a) At the REIT Merger Effective Time, the effect of the REIT Merger shall be as set forth in this Agreement and as provided in the applicable provisions of the MGCL and MLLCA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the REIT Merger Effective Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of REIT I and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Entity, and all debts, liabilities and duties of REIT I and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Entity.
(b) At the Partnership Merger Effective Time, the effect of the Partnership Merger shall be as set forth in this Agreement and as provided in the applicable provisions of the DRULPA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Partnership Merger Effective Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of REIT II Operating Partnership and REIT I Operating Partnership shall vest in the Surviving Partnership, and all debts, liabilities and duties of REIT II Operating Partnership and REIT I Operating Partnership shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Partnership.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE REIT I PARTIES
Except (a) as set forth in the disclosure letter prepared by the REIT I Parties and delivered by the REIT I Parties to the REIT II Parties at or prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the REIT I Disclosure Letter) (it being acknowledged and agreed that disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the REIT I Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosed with respect to the section or subsection of this Agreement to which it corresponds and any other section or subsection of this Agreement to the extent the applicability of such disclosure to such other section or subsection of this Agreement is reasonably apparent on its face (it being understood that to be so reasonably apparent on its face, it is not required that the other section or subsection of this Agreement be cross-referenced), provided, that no disclosure shall qualify any Fundamental Representation unless it is set forth in the specific section or subsection of the REIT I Disclosure Letter corresponding to such Fundamental Representation, provided, further, that nothing in the REIT I Disclosure Letter is intended to broaden the scope of any representation or warranty of the REIT I Parties made herein) or (b) as disclosed in the REIT I SEC Documents publicly available, filed with, or furnished to, as applicable, the SEC on or after December 31, 2019 and prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding any information or documents incorporated by reference therein, or filed as exhibits thereto, and excluding any disclosures contained in such documents under the headings Risk Factors or Forward Looking Statements or any other disclosures contained or referenced therein to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), and then only to the extent that the relevance of any disclosed event, item or occurrence in such REIT I SEC Documents to a matter covered by a representation or warranty set forth in this Article IV is reasonably apparent on its face, provided, that the disclosures in the REIT I SEC Documents shall not be deemed to qualify (i) any Fundamental Representations, which matters shall only be qualified by specific disclosure in the respective corresponding section of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, and (ii) the representations and warranties made in Section 4.3 (No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents), Section 4.5(a) through (c) (SEC Documents;
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Financial Statements), Section 4.6 (Absence of Certain Changes or Events), Section 4.7 (No Undisclosed Liabilities), Section 4.19 (Brokers) and Section 4.20 (Opinion of Financial Advisor), the REIT I Parties hereby, jointly and severally, represent and warrant, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to another date (in which case as of such other date)), to the REIT II Parties that:
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.
(a) REIT I is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. REIT I is duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, operated or leased by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each REIT I Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent applicable) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, and has the requisite organizational power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each REIT I Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, operated or leased by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Section 4.1(c) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of the REIT I Subsidiaries and their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the jurisdictions in which REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries are qualified or licensed to do business, and the type of and percentage of interest held, directly or indirectly, by REIT I in each REIT I Subsidiary, including a list of each REIT I Subsidiary that is a qualified REIT subsidiary within the meaning of Section 856(i)(2) of the Code (each a Qualified REIT Subsidiary) or a taxable REIT subsidiary within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code (each, a Taxable REIT Subsidiary) and each REIT I Subsidiary that is an entity taxable as a corporation which is neither a Qualified REIT Subsidiary nor a Taxable REIT Subsidiary.
(d) Except as set forth in Section 4.1(d) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary directly or indirectly owns any equity interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any Person (other than in the REIT I Subsidiaries and investments in short-term investment securities).
(e) REIT I has made available to REIT II complete and correct copies of the REIT I Governing Documents. Each of REIT I and REIT I Operating Partnership is in compliance with the terms of its REIT I Governing Documents in all material respects. True and complete copies of REIT Is minute book have been made available by REIT I to REIT II.
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(f) REIT I has not exempted any Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or the Common Stock Ownership Limit or established or increased an Excepted Holder Limit, as such terms are defined in the REIT I Charter, which exemption or Excepted Holder Limit is currently in effect.
Section 4.2 Authority; Approval Required.
(a) Each of the REIT I Parties has the requisite corporate or limited partnership power and authority, as applicable, to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Mergers. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the REIT I Parties and the consummation by the REIT I Parties of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate and limited partnership action, and no other corporate or limited partnership proceedings on the part of the REIT I Parties are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Mergers or to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject, (i) with respect to the REIT Merger, to receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval, the filing of Articles of Amendment relating to the REIT I Charter Amendment with, and acceptance for record of such Articles of Amendment, by the SDAT and the filing of the Articles of Merger with, and acceptance for record of the Articles of Merger by, the SDAT and (ii) with respect to the Partnership Merger, to the filing of the Partnership Certificate of Merger with, and acceptance for record of the Partnership Certificate of Merger by, the DE SOS.
(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the REIT I Parties, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the REIT II Parties, constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of the REIT I Parties enforceable against the REIT I Parties in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(c) On the recommendation of the REIT I Special Committee, the REIT I Board (including a majority of directors not otherwise interested in the Mergers) has (i) determined that the terms of this Agreement, the Mergers, the Contribution Agreement, the REIT I Advisory Agreement Amendment, the REIT I Charter Amendment and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best interest of REIT I and that this Agreement, the Mergers, the Contribution Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fair and reasonable to REIT I and are on terms and conditions no less favorable to REIT I than those available from unaffiliated third parties, (ii) authorized and approved this Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the REIT I Advisory Agreement Amendment, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) directed that the REIT Merger and the REIT I Charter Amendment be submitted to a vote of the holders of REIT I Common Stock and (iv) except as may be permitted pursuant to Section 7.3, resolved to include in the REIT I Proxy Statement the recommendation of the REIT I Board to holders of REIT I Common Stock and REIT I Convertible Stock to vote in favor of approval of the REIT Merger and the recommendation of the REIT I Board to holders of REIT I Common Stock to vote in favor of the REIT I Charter
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Amendment (such recommendation, the REIT I Board Recommendation), which resolutions remain in full force and effect and have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way, except as may be permitted after the date hereof by Section 7.3.
(d) The REIT I Stockholder Approval is the only vote of the holders of securities of REIT I or REIT I Operating Partnership required to approve the Mergers.
Section 4.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the REIT I Parties do not, and the performance of this Agreement and its obligations hereunder will not, (i) assuming receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval, conflict with or violate any provision of (A) the REIT I Governing Documents or (B) any equivalent organizational or governing documents of any other REIT I Subsidiary, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations and permits described in Section 4.3(b) have been obtained, all filings and notifications described in Section 4.3(b) have been made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, conflict with or violate any Law applicable to REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is bound, or (iii) except as set forth in Section 4.3(a)(iii) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, require any consent or approval (except as contemplated by Section 4.3(b)) under, result in any breach of any obligation or any loss of any benefit or material increase in any cost or obligation of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary under, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to any other Person any right of termination, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice or the lapse of time or both) of, or give rise to any right of purchase, first offer or forced sale under or result in the creation of a Lien on any property or asset of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary pursuant to, any Contract or Permit to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party, except, as to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the REIT I Parties do not, and the performance of this Agreement by each of the REIT I Parties will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority by such REIT I Parties, except (i) the filing with the SEC of (A) the REIT I Proxy Statement, (B) the Form S-4 and the declaration of effectiveness of the Form S-4, and (C) such reports under, and other compliance with, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with, and the acceptance for record of the Articles of Merger by, the SDAT pursuant to the MGCL and the MLLCA, (iii) the filing of the Partnership Certificate of Merger with, and the acceptance for record of the Partnership Certificate of Merger by, the DE SOS pursuant to the DRULPA, (iv) such filings and approvals as may be required by any applicable state securities or blue sky Laws, (v) the consents, authorizations, orders or approvals of each Governmental Authority or Agency listed in Section 8.1(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, and (vi) where failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 4.4 Capital Structure.
(a) The authorized capital stock of REIT I consists of 1,000,000,000 shares of REIT I Common Stock, 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (REIT I Preferred Stock), and 50,000 shares of convertible stock, $0.01 par value per share (REIT I Convertible Stock). As of the date hereof, (i) 69,919,882 shares of REIT I Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) no shares of REIT I Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding and (iii) 49,935 shares of REIT I Convertible Stock were issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of REIT I are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in this Section 4.4, there is no other outstanding capital stock of REIT I.
(b) Section 4.4(b) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter sets forth for all holders of REIT I Restricted Stock, the name of the holder thereof, the date of the issuance thereof and the vesting schedule therefor (including whether the vesting of such REIT I Restricted Stock is subject to acceleration as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other events).
(c) Except as set forth on Section 4.4(c) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, all the REIT I OP Units are held by REIT I or a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances and free of preemptive rights. All of the REIT I OP Units are duly authorized and validly issued.
(d) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the REIT I Subsidiaries that is a corporation are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All equity interests in each of the REIT I Subsidiaries that is a partnership or limited liability company are duly authorized and validly issued. All shares of capital stock of (or other ownership interests in) each of the REIT I Subsidiaries which may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options or exchange rights are duly authorized and, upon issuance will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. REIT I or REIT I Operating Partnership owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock and other ownership interests of each of the REIT I Subsidiaries, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances, and free of preemptive rights.
(e) There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having general voting rights (or convertible into securities having such rights) of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary (REIT I Voting Debt) issued and outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 4.4(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, there are no outstanding subscriptions, securities options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, convertible securities (other than REIT I OP Units and REIT I Convertible Stock), preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments of any kind to which REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries to (i) issue, transfer or sell or create, or cause to be issued, transferred or sold or created any additional shares of capital stock or other equity interests or phantom stock or other contractual rights the value of which is determined in whole or in part by the value of any equity security of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or equity interests, (ii) issue, grant, extend or enter into any such subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation
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rights, phantom stock, convertible securities or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments or (iii) except as provided under the REIT I Share Redemption Program or the Contribution Documents, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any such shares of capital stock, REIT I Voting Debt or other equity interests.
(f) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any Contracts concerning the voting (including voting trusts and proxies) of any capital stock of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries. Except as set forth at Section 4.4(f) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has granted any registration rights on any of its capital stock. No REIT I Common Stock is owned by any REIT I Subsidiary.
(g) REIT I does not have a poison pill or similar stockholder rights plan.
(h) All dividends or other distributions on the shares of REIT I Common Stock and any material dividends or other distributions on any securities of any REIT I Subsidiary which have been authorized or declared prior to the date hereof have been paid in full (except to the extent such dividends have been publicly announced and are not yet due and payable).
Section 4.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements; Investment Company Act; Anti-Corruption Laws.
(a) REIT I has timely filed with, or furnished (on a publicly available basis) to, the SEC all forms, documents, statements, schedules and reports required to be filed by REIT I under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (together with all certifications required pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act)) since December 31, 2016 (the forms, documents, statements and reports filed with the SEC since December 31, 2016 and those filed with the SEC since the date of this Agreement, if any, including any amendments thereto, the REIT I SEC Documents). As of their respective filing dates (or the date of their most recent amendment, supplement or modification, in each case, to the extent filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement), the REIT I SEC Documents (i) complied, or with respect to REIT I SEC Documents filed after the date hereof, will comply, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and (ii) did not, or with respect to REIT I SEC Documents filed after the date hereof, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the REIT I SEC Documents is, to the Knowledge of REIT I, the subject of ongoing SEC review and REIT I does not have any outstanding and unresolved comments from the SEC with respect to any REIT I SEC Documents. There are no internal investigations, any SEC inquiries or investigations or other governmental inquiries or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened. None of the REIT I SEC Documents is the subject of any confidential treatment request by REIT I.
(b) REIT I has made available to REIT II complete and correct copies of all written correspondence between the SEC, on one hand, and REIT I, on the other hand, since December 31, 2016. At all applicable times, REIT I has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
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(c) The consolidated audited and unaudited financial statements of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries included, or incorporated by reference, in the REIT I SEC Documents, including the related notes and schedules (as amended, supplemented or modified by later REIT I SEC Documents, in each case, to the extent filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement), (i) have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared from, are in accordance with, and accurately reflect the books and records of REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries in all material respects, (ii) complied or will comply, as the case may be, as of their respective dates in all material respects with the then-applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (iii) have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto, or, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, for normal and recurring year-end adjustments and as may be permitted by the SEC on Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, Regulation S-X or any successor or like form under the Exchange Act, which such adjustments are not, in the aggregate, material to REIT I) and (iv) fairly present, in all material respects (subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for normal and recurring year-end adjustments, none of which is material), the consolidated financial position of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of their respective dates and the consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries for the periods presented therein. There are no internal investigations, any SEC inquiries or investigations or other governmental inquiries or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened, in each case regarding any accounting practices of REIT I.
(d) Since December 31, 2016, (A) REIT I has designed and maintained disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by REIT I in the reports that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to REIT Is management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of REIT I required under the Exchange Act with respect to such reports, and (B) such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting REIT Is management to material information required to be included in REIT Is periodic reports required under the Exchange Act (if REIT I was required to file such reports). REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries have designed and maintained a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances (i) regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorizations, (iii) that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements and to maintain asset accountability, (iv) that access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization, (v) that the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences and (vi) accounts, notes and other
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receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis. REIT I has disclosed to REIT Is auditors and audit committee (and made summaries of such disclosures available to REIT II) (1) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect REIT Is ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (2) any fraud, to the Knowledge of REIT I, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in internal control over financial reporting.
(e) REIT I is not and none of the REIT I Subsidiaries are, a party to, and none of REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract, including any Contract relating to any transaction or relationship between or among REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or Person, on the other hand, or any off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC), where the result, purpose or effect of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary or REIT Is or such REIT I Subsidiarys audited financial statements or other REIT I SEC Documents.
(f) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
(g) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary nor, to the Knowledge of REIT I, any director, officer or Representative of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee or (iii) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, in each case, in violation in any material respect of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received any written communication that alleges that REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, or any of their respective Representatives, is, or may be, in violation of, or has, or may have, any liability under, any Anti-Corruption Law.
Section 4.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth in Section 4.6 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, since December 31, 2019 through the date of this Agreement, (a) REIT I and all REIT I Subsidiaries have conducted their respective business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business, (b) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has taken any action that would have been prohibited by Section 6.1(b) (Conduct of Business by REIT I) if taken from and after the date of this Agreement and (c) there has not been any REIT I Material Adverse Effect or any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, circumstances, changes, effects, developments, conditions or occurrences, would reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (a) as disclosed, reflected or reserved against on the balance sheet of REIT I dated as of June 30, 2020 (including the notes thereto), (b) for liabilities or obligations incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (c) for liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business since June 30, 2020, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has any liabilities or obligations or Indebtedness (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) that either alone or when combined with all other liabilities of a type not described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.8 Permits; Compliance with Law.
(a) REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary is in possession of all authorizations, licenses, permits, certificates, approvals, variances, exemptions, orders, franchises, certifications and clearances of any Governmental Authority necessary for REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties or to carry on its respective business substantially as they are being conducted (the REIT I Permits), and all such REIT I Permits are valid and in full force and effect, except where the failure to be in possession of, or the failure to be valid or in full force and effect of, any of the REIT I Permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred with respect to any of the REIT I Permits which permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both would permit, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any other material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such REIT I Permits. To the Knowledge of REIT I, there is not pending any applicable petition, objection or other pleading with any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction or authority over the operations of REIT I or the REIT I Subsidiaries that impairs the validity of any REIT I Permit or which would reasonably be expected, if accepted or granted, to result in the revocation of any REIT I Permit, except where the impairment or revocation of any such REIT I Permit, individually, or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is, and for the past three years has been, in conflict with, or in default or violation of (i) any Law applicable to REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of REIT I or any other REIT I Subsidiary is bound, or (ii) any REIT I Permits, except, in each case, for any such conflicts, defaults or violations that have been cured, or that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.9 Litigation. There is no material Action or investigation to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party (either as plaintiff or defendant) pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened before any Governmental Authority, and, to the Knowledge of REIT I, there is no basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or investigation. None of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries has been permanently or temporarily enjoined by any Order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority from engaging in or continuing to conduct the business of REIT I or the REIT I Subsidiaries. No Order of any Governmental Authority has been issued in any proceeding to which REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries is or was a party, or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, in any other proceeding, that enjoins or requires REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries to take action of any kind with respect to its businesses, assets or properties. Since
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December 31, 2019, none of REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary or any Representative of the foregoing has received or made any settlement offer for any Action to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party or potentially could be a party (in each case, either as plaintiff or defendant), other than settlement offers that do not exceed $100,000 individually.
Section 4.10 Properties.
(a) Section 4.10(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter lists the REIT I Properties, and sets forth the REIT I Party or applicable REIT I Subsidiary owning such property. Except as disclosed in title insurance policies and reports (and the documents or surveys referenced in such policies and reports) copies of which policies and reports were made available for review to REIT II: (A) REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary owns fee simple title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, the REIT I Properties, free and clear of Liens, mortgages or deeds of trust, claims against title, charges which are liens, security interests or other encumbrances on title (Encumbrances), except for Permitted Encumbrances; (B) except as has not had and would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received written notice of any violation of any Law affecting any portion of any of the REIT I Properties issued by any Governmental Authority; and (C) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received notice to the effect that there are (1) condemnation or rezoning proceedings that are pending or threatened with respect to any of the REIT I Properties or (2) zoning, building or similar Laws, codes, ordinances, orders or regulations that are or will be violated by the continued maintenance, operation or use of any buildings or other improvements on any of the REIT I Properties or by the continued maintenance, operation or use of the parking areas.
(b) REIT I has not received written notice of, nor does REIT I have any Knowledge of, any latent defects or adverse physical conditions affecting any of the REIT I Properties or the improvements thereon, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
(c) REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or a valid and enforceable leasehold interest in, all material personal property owned, used or held for use by them. Neither REIT Is, nor the REIT I Subsidiaries, ownership of any such personal property is subject to any Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
(d) A policy of title insurance has been issued for each REIT I Property insuring, as of the effective date of such insurance policy, (i) fee simple title interest held by REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary and (ii) to the Knowledge of REIT I, such insurance policies are in full force and effect, and no material claim has been made against any such policy that remains outstanding as of the date hereof.
Section 4.11 Environmental Matters. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect: (i) no notification, demand, directive, request for information, citation, summons, notice of violation or order has been received, no complaint has been filed, no penalty has been asserted or assessed and no investigation, action, suit or proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, is threatened relating to any of the REIT I Parties, any of the REIT I Subsidiaries or any of their respective
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properties, and relating to or arising out of any Environmental Law, any Environmental Permit or Hazardous Substance; (ii) the REIT I Parties, the other REIT I Subsidiaries and their respective properties are and have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws and all applicable Environmental Permits; (iii) each of the REIT I Parties and each other REIT I Subsidiary is in possession of all Environmental Permits necessary for REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties or to carry on its respective business substantially as they are being conducted as of the date hereof, and all such Environmental Permits are valid and in full force and effect with all necessary applications for renewal thereof having been timely filed, except where the failure to be in possession of, or the failure to be valid or in full force and effect of, any of the Environmental Permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect; (iv) any and all Hazardous Substances disposed of by REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary was done so in accordance with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (v) REIT I Parties, any of the REIT I Subsidiaries and their respective properties are not subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award by any Governmental Authority pursuant to any Environmental Laws, any Environmental Permit or Hazardous Substance; and (vi) except as set forth on Section 4.11 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, there are no liabilities or obligations (and no asserted liability or obligations) of the REIT I Parties or any of the other REIT I Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise arising under or relating to any Environmental Law or any Hazardous Substance (including liability or responsibility for the costs of enforcement proceedings, investigations, cleanup, governmental response, removal or remediation, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, medical monitoring, penalties, contribution, indemnification and injunctive relief) and there is no condition, situation or set of circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in any such liability or obligation.
Section 4.12 Material Contracts.
(a) REIT I has made available to REIT II a true, correct and complete copy of each Contract (other than a REIT I Benefit Plan) in effect as of the date hereof to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party or by which any of its properties or assets are bound that:
(i) is required to be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to REIT Is Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2019 or any subsequent current or periodic report;
(ii) is required to be described pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act;
(iii) obligates the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary to make non-contingent aggregate annual expenditures (other than principal or interest payments or the deposit of other reserves with respect to debt obligations) in excess of $500,000 and is not cancelable within 90 days without material penalty to the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary;
(iv) contains any non-compete or exclusivity provisions with respect to any line of business or geographic area that restricts the business of the REIT I Parties or any other
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REIT I Subsidiary, including upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that otherwise restricts the lines of business conducted by the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary or the geographic area in which the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary may conduct business;
(v) is a Contract that obligates the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary to indemnify any past or present directors, officers, or employees of the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary pursuant to which the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary is the indemnitor;
(vi) constitutes (A) an Indebtedness obligation of the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary with a principal amount as of the date hereof greater than $500,000 or (B) a Contract under which (1) any Person including REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary, has directly or indirectly guaranteed Indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of REIT I or REIT I Subsidiary or (2) REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary has directly or indirectly guaranteed Indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any Person, including REIT I or another REIT I Subsidiary (in each case other than endorsements for the purpose of collection in the ordinary course of business);
(vii) requires the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary to dispose of or acquire assets or properties that (together with all of the assets and properties subject to such requirement in such Contract) have a fair market value in excess of $500,000, or involves any pending or contemplated merger, consolidation or similar business combination transaction;
(viii) constitutes an interest rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap or other Contract relating to a swap or other hedging transaction of any type;
(ix) constitutes a loan to any Person (other than a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary) by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary in an amount in excess of $500,000;
(x) sets forth the operational terms of a joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or strategic alliance of the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary with a third party;
(xi) prohibits the pledging of the capital stock of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or prohibits the issuance of guarantees by any REIT I Subsidiary;
(xii) contains covenants expressly limiting, in any material respect, the ability of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary to sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any material assets or business of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary;
(xiii) contains restrictions on the ability of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions (other than pursuant to the organizational documents of REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries);
(xiv) is with a Governmental Authority;
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(xv) has continuing earn-out or other similar contingent purchase price payment obligations, in each case that could result in payments, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $500,000;
(xvi) is an employment Contract or consulting Contract;
(xvii) is a collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor organization, union or association;
(xviii) is a Contract with any professional employer organization, staffing agency, temporary employee agency, or similar company or service provider;
(xix) provides severance, retention, or transaction bonus payments, change-of-control payments, or similar compensation;
(xx) is a settlement agreement or release of claims with any current employee or with any former employee within the past five years;
(xxi) is a lease, sublease, license or other rental agreement or occupancy agreement (written or verbal) which grants any possessory interest in and to any space situated on or in the REIT I Properties or otherwise gives rights with regard to use of the REIT I Properties, other than third-party residential tenant leases or ancillary retail leases; or
(xxii) is both (A) not made in the ordinary course of business and (B) material to REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(b) Each Contract in any of the categories set forth in Section 4.12(a) to which the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound as of the date hereof is referred to herein as a REIT I Material Contract.
(c) Each REIT I Material Contract is legal, valid, binding and enforceable on the REIT I Parties and each other REIT I Subsidiary that is a party thereto and, to the Knowledge of REIT I, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at Law). The REIT I Parties and each other REIT I Subsidiary has performed all obligations required to be performed by it prior to the date hereof under each REIT I Material Contract and, to the Knowledge of REIT I, each other party thereto has performed all obligations required to be performed by it under such REIT I Material Contract prior to the date hereof. None of the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary, nor, to the Knowledge of REIT I, any other party thereto, is in breach or violation of, or default under, any REIT I Material Contract, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a violation, breach or default under any REIT I Material Contract, except where in each case such breach, violation or default, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect. None of the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary has received notice of any violation or default under, or currently owes any termination, cancellation or other similar fees or any liquidated damages with respect to,
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any REIT I Material Contract, except for violations, defaults, fees or damages that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2019, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received any written notice of the intention of any party to cancel, terminate, materially change the scope of rights under or fail to renew any REIT I Material Contract.
(d) Section 4.12(d) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter lists each management agreement pursuant to which any third party manages or operates any of the REIT I Properties on behalf of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, and describes the property that is subject to such management agreement, REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary that is a party, the date of such management agreement and each material amendment, guaranty or other agreement binding on REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary and relating thereto (collectively, the REIT I Management Agreement Documents). The true, correct and complete copies of all REIT I Management Agreement Documents have been made available to REIT II. Each REIT I Management Agreement Document is valid, binding and in full force and effect as against REIT I or the applicable REIT I Subsidiary and, to the Knowledge of REIT I, as against the other party thereto. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary owes any termination, cancellation or other similar fees or any liquidated damages to any third-party manager or operator.
Section 4.13 Taxes.
(a) Each REIT I Party and each other REIT I Subsidiary has timely filed with the appropriate Governmental Authority all United States federal income Tax Returns and all other material Tax Returns required to be filed, taking into account any extensions of time within which to file such Tax Returns, and all such Tax Returns were complete and correct in all material respects. Each REIT I Party and each other REIT I Subsidiary has duly paid (or there has been paid on its behalf), or made adequate provisions in accordance with GAAP for, all material Taxes required to be paid by them, whether or not shown on any Tax Return. True and materially complete copies of all United States federal income Tax Returns that have been filed with the IRS by REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary with respect to the taxable years ending on or after REIT Is formation have been made available to REIT II. No written claim has been proposed by any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction where REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary do not file Tax Returns that REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is or may be subject to Tax by such jurisdiction.
(b) Beginning with its initial taxable year ending on December 31, 2010, and through and including the Closing Date (determined as if REIT Is current taxable year ended immediately prior to Closing), REIT I (i) has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements to qualify as a REIT under the Code and the current and proposed method of operation for REIT I is expected to enable REIT I to continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT through and including the Closing Date, and (ii) has not taken or omitted to take any action which would reasonably be expected to result in REIT Is failure to qualify as a REIT, and no challenge to REIT Is status as a REIT is pending or threatened in writing. No REIT I Subsidiary is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, other than a corporation that qualifies as a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or as a Taxable REIT Subsidiary. REIT Is dividends paid deduction, within the meaning of Section 561 of the Code, for each taxable year, taking into account any dividends subject to Sections 857(b)(8) or 858 of the Code, has not been less than the
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sum of (i) REIT Is REIT taxable income, as defined in Section 857(b)(2) of the Code, determined without regard to any dividends paid deduction for such year and (ii) REIT Is net capital gain for such year.
(c) (i) There are no audits, investigations by any Governmental Authority or other proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened with regard to any material Taxes or Tax Returns of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary; (ii) no material deficiency for Taxes of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has been claimed, proposed or assessed in writing or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened, by any Governmental Authority, which deficiency has not yet been settled except for such deficiencies which are being contested in good faith or with respect to which the failure to pay, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect; (iii) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has, waived any statute of limitations with respect to the assessment of material Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to any material Tax assessment or deficiency for any open tax year; (iv) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any material Tax Return; and (v) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has entered into any closing agreement as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax Law).
(d) Each REIT I Subsidiary that is a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company and that has not elected to be a Taxable REIT Subsidiary has been since its formation treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a partnership, disregarded entity, or a Qualified REIT Subsidiary, as the case may be, and not as a corporation, an association taxable as a corporation whose separate existence is respected for federal income tax purposes, or a publicly traded partnership within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7704(a) of the Code. At all times since its formation through and including the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT I Holdco is and will be disregarded as an entity separate from REIT I for federal tax purposes.
(e) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary holds any asset the disposition of which would be subject to Treasury Regulation Section 1.337(d)-7, nor have they disposed of any such asset during its current taxable year.
(f) Since its inception, REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries have not incurred (i) any liability for Taxes under Sections 857(b)(1), 857(b)(4), 857(b)(5), 857(b)(6)(A), 857(b)(7), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code, (ii) any liability for Taxes under Sections 857(b)(5) (for income test violations), 856(c)(7)(C) (for asset test violations), or 856(g)(5)(C) (for violations of other qualification requirements applicable to REITs) and (iii) REIT I has not, and none of the REIT I Subsidiaries have, incurred any material liability for Tax other than (A) in the ordinary course of business, or (B) transfer or similar Taxes arising in connection with sales of property. No event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of REIT I no condition or circumstances exists, which presents a material risk that any material liability for Taxes described in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence or any liability for Taxes described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence will be imposed upon REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary.
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(g) REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, and to the Knowledge of REIT I, any predecessor employers of the foregoing, have complied, in all material respects, with all applicable Laws relating to the payment and withholding of Taxes (including withholding of Taxes pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445, 1446 and 3402 of the Code or similar provisions under any state and foreign Laws) and have duly and timely withheld and, in each case, have paid over to the appropriate taxing authorities all material amounts required to be so withheld and paid over on or prior to the due date thereof under all applicable Laws.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 4.13(h) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, there are no REIT I Tax Protection Agreements (as hereinafter defined) in force at the date of this Agreement, and, as of the date of this Agreement, no person has raised in writing, or to the Knowledge of REIT I threatened to raise, a material claim against REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary for any breach of any REIT I Tax Protection Agreements. As used herein, REIT I Tax Protection Agreements means any written agreement to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party pursuant to which: (i) any liability to holders of limited partnership interests in a REIT I Subsidiary Partnership (as hereinafter defined) relating to Taxes may arise, whether or not as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (ii) in connection with the deferral of income Taxes of a holder of limited partnership interests or limited liability company in a REIT I Subsidiary Partnership, REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has agreed to (A) maintain a minimum level of debt, continue a particular debt or provide rights to guarantee debt, (B) retain or not dispose of assets, (C) make or refrain from making Tax elections, or (D) only dispose of assets in a particular manner. As used herein, REIT I Subsidiary Partnership means a REIT I Subsidiary that is a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.
(i) There are no Tax Encumbrances upon any property or assets of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary except Encumbrances for Taxes not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP.
(j) There are no Tax allocation or sharing agreements or similar arrangements with respect to or involving REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, and after the Closing Date neither REIT I nor any other REIT I Subsidiary shall be bound by any such Tax allocation agreements or similar arrangements or have any liability thereunder for amounts due in respect of periods prior to the Closing Date.
(k) Except as set forth in Section 4.13(k) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has requested or received any written ruling of a Governmental Authority or entered into any written agreement with a Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes, and neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is subject to written ruling of a Governmental Authority.
(l) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary (i) has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax or (ii) has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than any REIT I Subsidiary) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise.
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(m) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has participated in any reportable transaction within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).
(n) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has constituted either a distributing corporation or a controlled corporation (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (i) in the two (2) years prior to the date of this Agreement or (ii) in a distribution which could otherwise constitute part of a plan or series of related transactions (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(o) Except as set forth in Section 4.13(o) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, no written power of attorney that has been granted by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary (other than to REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary) currently is in force with respect to any matter relating to Taxes.
(p) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has taken any action or failed to take any action which action or failure would reasonably be expected to jeopardize, nor to the Knowledge of REIT I is there any other fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent, the REIT Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(q) REIT I is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.
Section 4.14 Intellectual Property. Except as set forth on Section 4.14 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary: (a) owns any registered trademarks, patents or copyrights, or (b) has any pending applications or registrations for any trademarks, patents or copyrights. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, to the Knowledge of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, (i) no Intellectual Property owned by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary infringes or is alleged to infringe any Intellectual Property rights of any third party, (ii) to the Knowledge of REIT I, no Person is misappropriating, infringing or otherwise violating any Intellectual Property of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, and (iii) REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries own or are licensed to use, or otherwise possess valid rights to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct the business of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries as it is currently conducted. To the Knowledge of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, since December 31, 2019, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received any written or verbal complaint, claim or notice alleging misappropriation, infringement or violation of any Intellectual Property rights of any third party.
Section 4.15 Information Privacy & Security. REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary has adopted written policies and procedures with respect to privacy, data protection, security and the collection and use of Personal Information gathered or accessed in the course of the operations of REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary, those policies and procedures are commercially reasonable and comply with applicable Information Privacy and Security Laws and contracts, and REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary is in compliance with such policies and procedures. REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary has disaster recovery plans, procedures and facilities in place that are appropriate to minimize the disruption of its business in the event of any material failure of any of the IT Assets
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in accordance with applicable legal requirements and customer contracts. REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary has not experienced any data security breach of any IT Assets, that would constitute a breach for which notification to individuals, third parties and/or any Governmental Authority. REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary has taken reasonable actions and measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of its Personal Information and all of its IT Assets, against any unauthorized use, access, interruption, modification or corruption.
Section 4.16 Insurance. Section 4.16 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of all material insurance policies and all material fidelity bonds or other material insurance Contracts providing coverage for REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries (the REIT I Insurance Policies), which REIT I Insurance Policies are of the type and in the amounts customarily carried by Persons conducting businesses or owning assets similar to those of REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries and sufficient to allow each to replace any of its assets that might be damaged or destroyed. Each REIT I Insurance Policy is in full force and effect. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, all premiums due and payable under all REIT I Insurance Policies have been paid, and REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries have otherwise complied in all material respects with the terms and conditions of all REIT I Insurance Policies and all claims, events and occurrences that may be covered under any REIT I Insurance Policy have been noticed pursuant to the conditions in such policy. No written notice of cancellation, termination or increase in premium has been received by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary with respect to any such policy which has not been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation. REIT I has made available to REIT II true and correct copies of all REIT I Insurance Policies. No REIT I Insurance Policies are written on retrospective, audited or similar premium basis.
Section 4.17 Employee Matters.
(a) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has ever (i) been a party to any collective bargaining agreement; (ii) had any application or petition for an election, or for certification, of a collective bargaining agent pending; (iii) had pending, existing, or threatened, any strike, slowdown, picketing or work stoppage or employee grievance process involving REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary; or (iv) been subject to any Action or threatened Action relating to the alleged violation of any Law pertaining to labor relations, including any charge or complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board. REIT I, and the REIT I Subsidiaries are, and in the three years preceding the date of this Agreement have been, in compliance with all applicable Laws and Orders regarding the terms and conditions of employment or other labor related matters, and the payment and withholding of Taxes with respect to their employees, and there are no Actions relating to any such violation pending or threatened against REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, nor have there been any such actual or threatened Actions in the three years preceding the date of this Agreement.
(b) Section 4.17(b) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of each REIT I Benefit Plan and its sponsoring entity or entities. Other than the REIT I Benefit Plans listed on Section 4.17(b) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries do not and are not required to, and have not and have never been required to, maintain, sponsor or contribute to, and do not have any liability (contingent or otherwise) with respect to, any Employee Benefit Plans. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has any contract, plan or commitment, whether or not legally binding, to create any REIT I Benefit Plan.
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(c) None of REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has ever maintained, contributed to, or participated in, or otherwise has any obligation or liability in connection with: (i) a pension plan under Section 3(2) of ERISA that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code, (ii) a multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), (iii) a multiple employer welfare arrangement (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA), or (iv) a multiple employer plan (as defined in Section 413(c) of the Code). No REIT I Benefit Plan promises or provides retiree medical or other retiree welfare benefits to any Person other than pursuant to COBRA (whether company paid or not) or other applicable legal requirements.
(d) Each REIT I Benefit Plan has been established, administered, and maintained in all material respects in accordance with its terms and in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable Laws. With respect to each REIT I Benefit Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of a qualified plan under Code Section 401(a), the REIT I Benefit Plan has received and is entitled to rely on a determination from the Internal Revenue Service that such REIT I Benefit Plan is so qualified (or if it is a prototype plan, it has a favorable opinion letter; or if it is a volume submitter, it has a favorable advisory letter), and REIT I, the REIT I Subsidiary, or their respective ERISA Affiliate (as applicable) has properly adopted such REIT I Benefit Plan. No event or documentation defect with respect to any REIT I Benefit Plan has occurred which would could cause such REIT I Benefit Plan to become disqualified for purposes of Section 401(a) of the Code or which could cause REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary to incur any monetary penalty or other liability. No audits, investigations, actions, suits, or claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course of business) are pending or threatened with respect to any REIT I Benefit Plan.
(e) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not constitute a triggering event that will result (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent event) in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise) becoming due, any parachute payment as defined in Section 280G of the Code, any increase in payment, or accelerate the time of payment or vesting of compensation due to any current or former employee, independent contractor, officer or director (or dependents of such Persons). Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is a party to or has any obligation to compensate any Person for excise taxes payable pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code or for additional taxes payable pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. Any REIT I Benefit Plan which is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan as defined in Section 409A of the Code has been maintained and operated in compliance with Section 409A of the Code or an available exemption therefrom.
(f) All premiums for, contributions to, and payments from, any REIT I Benefit Plans have been timely made or timely accrued by REIT I and/or the REIT I Subsidiaries in the consolidated audited and unaudited financial statements of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries.
(g) None of REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, nor any of their respective directors, officers or employees, nor, to the Knowledge of
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REIT I, any other disqualified person or party in interest (as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code and Section 3(14) of ERISA, respectively) has engaged in any transaction, act or omission to act in connection with any REIT I Benefit Plan that could result in the imposition of a penalty or fine pursuant to Section 502 of ERISA, damages pursuant to Section 409 of ERISA or a tax pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code.
(h) No event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that could subject REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary, or any REIT I Benefit Plan to penalties or excise taxes under Sections 4980D, 4980H, or 4980I of the Code.
(i) All current and former employees of REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary who have been classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (the FLSA) have been properly classified and treated as such, and all current and former employees of REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary have been properly compensated for all time worked in accordance with the FLSA. All Persons who have provided services to REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary as independent contractors or consultants have been properly classified as independent contractors, rather than employees, for purposes of all applicable Laws and REIT I Benefit Plans.
(j) Section 4.17(j) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter contains a true, accurate and complete list of all employees of REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary, specifying each employees name and title. The current year annual base salary or hourly wage of each such employee has been separately provided to REIT II, and shall be deemed to be part of Section 4.17(j) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter.
(k) There are not any oral or informal arrangements, commitments or promises between REIT I, nor any REIT I Subsidiary, and any employees, independent contractors or consultants thereof that have not been documented as part of the formal written agreements between any such Persons and REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary. There are no agreements or understandings between REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary and any employee, independent contractor or consultant that the term of their employment or engagement will be for any particular period.
(l) In the three years preceding the date of this Agreement, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has failed to provide advance notice of any plant closing, layoff, termination or reduction in hours as required by, or incurred any liability under, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, and including any similar foreign, state, or local Law (the WARN Act), and as of the date of this Agreement, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has taken any action that would reasonably be expected to cause the REIT II Parties to incur any liability or obligation under WARN following the Closing.
(m) REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary has complied in all material respects with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and all regulations promulgated thereunder (IRCA). Neither REIT I, nor any REIT I Subsidiary, has employed individuals not authorized to work in the United States. Neither REIT I, nor any REIT I Subsidiary, has received any written notice of any inspection or investigation relating to its alleged noncompliance with or violation of IRCA, nor has it been warned, fined or otherwise penalized by reason of any failure to comply with IRCA.
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Section 4.18 Related-Party Transactions. Except as described in REIT I SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC on or after December 31, 2017 and prior to the date hereof (the REIT I Related-Party Agreements), no agreements, arrangements or understandings between any of the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary (or binding on any of their respective properties or assets), on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other hand (other than those exclusively among REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries), are in existence that are not, but are required to be, disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
Section 4.19 Brokers. No broker, investment banker or other Person (other than the Persons listed in Section 4.19 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, each in a fee amount not to exceed the amount set forth in Section 4.19 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, pursuant to the terms of the engagement letter between REIT I and such Person, true, correct and complete copies of which have been provided to REIT II prior to the date hereof) is entitled to any brokers, finders or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary.
Section 4.20 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The REIT I Special Committee has received the oral opinion of Robert A. Stanger & Co., Inc. (which was confirmed in writing, as of the date of this Agreement), to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based on and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions set forth in its written opinion, each of the REIT Merger Consideration to be paid to holders of the REIT I Common Stock and the REIT I Convertible Stock, and the Partnership Merger Consideration to be paid to holders of REIT I OP Units, is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of shares of the REIT I Common Stock and the REIT I Convertible Stock and to the holders of REIT I OP Units (other than REIT II and its Affiliates). REIT I will deliver to REIT II a complete and correct copy of such opinion promptly after receipt thereof by the REIT I Special Committee solely for informational purposes. REIT I acknowledges that the opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. contemplated by Section 5.20 is for the benefit of the REIT II Special Committee and that REIT I shall not be entitled to rely on that opinion for any purpose.
Section 4.21 Takeover Statutes. None of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is, nor at any time during the last two years has been, an interested stockholder of REIT II as defined in Section 3-601 of the MGCL. The REIT I Board has taken all action necessary to render inapplicable to the REIT Merger the restrictions on business combinations contained in Subtitle 6 of Title 3 of the MGCL. The restrictions on control share acquisitions contained in Subtitle 7 of Title 3 of the MGCL are not applicable to the REIT Merger. No other business combination, control share acquisition, fair price, moratorium or other takeover or anti-takeover statute or similar federal or state Law (collectively, Takeover Statutes) are applicable to this Agreement, the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No dissenters, appraisal or similar rights are available to the holders of REIT I Common Stock with respect to the REIT Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.22 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied in writing on or behalf of the REIT I Parties or any REIT I Subsidiary for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (a) REIT I Proxy Statement will, at the time it is first mailed to the REIT I
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stockholders, at the time of the REIT I Stockholders Meeting, at the time the Form S-4 is declared effective by the SEC or at the REIT Merger Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, or (b) the Form S-4 will, at the time such document is declared effective by the SEC, contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. All documents that REIT I is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent relating to REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries (or other information supplied by or on behalf of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiaries for inclusion therein) will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; provided, that no representation is made as to statements made or incorporated by reference by or on behalf of the REIT II Parties.
Section 4.23 No Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the representations or warranties expressly set forth in this Article IV or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, none of the REIT I Parties or any other Person on behalf of a REIT I Party has made any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary, their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, future operating or financial results, estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects) or the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, none of the REIT I Parties or any other Person on behalf of a REIT I Party makes or has made any representation or warranty to any REIT II Party or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives with respect to, except for the representations and warranties made by the REIT I Parties in this Article IV or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, any oral or written information presented to the REIT II Parties or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives in the course of their due diligence of the REIT I Parties, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the REIT I Parties acknowledge and agree that none of the REIT II Parties or any other Person on behalf of a REIT II Party has made or is making any representations or warranties relating to the REIT II Parties whatsoever, express or implied, beyond those expressly given by the REIT II Parties in Article V or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, including any implied representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding any REIT II Party furnished or made available to the REIT I Parties or any of their respective Representatives.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE REIT II PARTIES
Except (a) as set forth in the disclosure letter prepared by the REIT II Parties and delivered by the REIT II Parties to the REIT I Parties at or prior to the execution and delivery of this
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Agreement (the REIT II Disclosure Letter) (it being acknowledged and agreed that disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the REIT II Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosed with respect to the section or subsection of this Agreement to which it corresponds and any other section or subsection of this Agreement to the extent the applicability of such disclosure to such other section or subsection of this Agreement is reasonably apparent on its face (it being understood that to be so reasonably apparent on its face, it is not required that the other section or subsection of this Agreement be cross-referenced), provided, that no disclosure shall qualify any Fundamental Representation unless it is set forth in the specific section or subsection of the REIT II Disclosure Letter corresponding to such Fundamental Representation, provided, further, that nothing in the REIT II Disclosure Letter is intended to broaden the scope of any representation or warranty of the REIT II Parties made herein), (b) as required pursuant to the REIT III Merger Agreement or in connection with the REIT III Merger, or (c) as disclosed in the REIT II SEC Documents publicly available, filed with, or furnished to, as applicable, the SEC on or after December 31, 2019 and prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding any information or documents incorporated by reference therein, or filed as exhibits thereto, and excluding any disclosures contained in such documents under the headings Risk Factors or Forward Looking Statements or any other disclosures contained or referenced therein to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), and then only to the extent that the relevance of any disclosed event, item or occurrence in such REIT II SEC Documents to a matter covered by a representation or warranty set forth in this Article V is reasonably apparent on its face, provided, that the disclosures in the REIT II SEC Documents shall not be deemed to qualify (i) any Fundamental Representations, which matters shall only be qualified by specific disclosure in the respective corresponding section of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, and (ii) the representations and warranties made in Section 5.3 (No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents), Section 5.5(a) through (c) (SEC Documents; Financial Statements), Section 5.6 (Absence of Certain Changes or Events), Section 5.7 (No Undisclosed Liabilities), Section 5.19 (Brokers) and Section 5.20 (Opinion of Financial Advisor), the REIT II Parties hereby, jointly and severally, represent and warrant, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to another date (in which case as of such other date)), to the REIT I Parties that:
Section 5.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.
(a) REIT II is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Merger Sub is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has the requisite limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each of REIT II and Merger Sub is duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, operated or leased by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) Each REIT II Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent applicable) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, and has the requisite organizational power and authority to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each REIT II Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, operated or leased by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Section 5.1(c) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of the REIT II Subsidiaries and their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the jurisdictions in which REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries are qualified or licensed to do business, and the type of and percentage of interest held, directly or indirectly, by REIT II in each REIT II Subsidiary, including a list of each REIT II Subsidiary that is a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary and each REIT II Subsidiary that is an entity taxable as a corporation which is neither a Qualified REIT Subsidiary nor a Taxable REIT Subsidiary.
(d) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary directly or indirectly owns any equity interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any Person (other than in the REIT II Subsidiaries and investments in short-term investment securities).
(e) REIT II has made available to REIT I complete and correct copies of the REIT II Governing Documents. Each of REIT II and REIT II Operating Partnership is in compliance with the terms of its REIT II Governing Documents in all material respects. True and complete copies of REIT IIs minute book have been made available by REIT II to REIT I.
(f) REIT II has not exempted any Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or the Common Stock Ownership Limit or established or increased an Excepted Holder Limit, as such terms are defined in the REIT II Charter, which exemption or Excepted Holder Limit is currently in effect.
Section 5.2 Authority; Approval Required.
(a) Each of the REIT II Parties has the requisite corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership power and authority, as applicable, to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Mergers. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the REIT II Parties and the consummation by the REIT II Parties of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate and limited partnership action, and no other corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership proceedings on the part of the REIT II Parties are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Mergers or to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject, (i) with respect to the REIT Merger, to the filing of the Articles of Merger with, and acceptance for record of the Articles of Merger by, the SDAT and (ii) with respect to the Partnership Merger, to the filing of the Partnership Certificate of Merger with, and acceptance for record of the Partnership Certificate of Merger by, the DE SOS.
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(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the REIT II Parties, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the REIT I Parties, constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of the REIT II Parties enforceable against the REIT II Parties in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(c) On the recommendation of the REIT II Special Committee, the REIT II Board (including a majority of directors not otherwise interested in the Mergers) has (i) determined that the terms of this Agreement, the Mergers, the Amended and Restated REIT II Advisory Agreement, the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement, the Voting Agreements and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best interest of REIT II and that this Agreement, the Mergers, the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement, the Voting Agreements and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fair and reasonable to REIT II and on terms and conditions no less favorable to REIT II than those available from unaffiliated third parties and (ii) authorized and approved this Agreement, the Mergers, the Amended and Restated REIT II Advisory Agreement, the Amended and Restated REIT II OP Agreement, the Voting Agreements and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which resolutions remain in full force and effect and have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way.
(d) REIT II, as the sole member of Merger Sub, has approved this Agreement and the REIT Merger.
Section 5.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the REIT II Parties do not, and the performance of this Agreement and its obligations hereunder will not, (i) conflict with or violate any provision of (A) the REIT II Governing Documents or Merger Sub Governing Documents or (B) any equivalent organizational or governing documents of any other REIT II Subsidiary, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations and permits described in Section 5.3(b) have been obtained, all filings and notifications described in Section 5.3(b) have been made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, conflict with or violate any Law applicable to REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is bound, or (iii) except as set forth in Section 5.3(a)(iii) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter require any consent or approval (except as contemplated by Section 5.3(b)) under, result in any breach of any obligation or any loss of any benefit or material increase in any cost or obligation of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary under, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to any other Person any right of termination, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice or the lapse of time or both) of, or give rise to any right of purchase, first offer or forced sale under or result in the creation of a Lien on any property or asset of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary
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pursuant to, any Contract or Permit to which REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is a party, except, as to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the REIT II Parties do not, and the performance of this Agreement by each of the REIT II Parties will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority by such REIT II Parties, except (i) the filing with the SEC of (A) the Form S-4 and the declaration of effectiveness of the Form S-4, and (B) such reports under, and other compliance with, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with, and the acceptance for record of the Articles of Merger by, the SDAT pursuant to the MGCL and the MLLCA, (iii) the filing of the Partnership Certificate of Merger with, and the acceptance for record of the Partnership Certificate of Merger by, the DE SOS pursuant to the DRULPA, (iv) such filings and approvals as may be required by any applicable state securities or blue sky Laws, (v) the consents, authorizations, orders or approvals of each Governmental Authority or Agency listed in Section 8.1(a) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter and (vi) where failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.4 Capital Structure.
(a) The authorized capital stock of REIT II consists of 1,000,000,000 shares of REIT II Common Stock, 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (REIT II Preferred Stock) and 50,000 shares of convertible stock, $0.01 par value per share (REIT II Convertible Stock). As of the date hereof, (i) 60,206,508 shares of REIT II Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) no shares of REIT II Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding and (iii) 50,000 shares of REIT II Convertible Stock were issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of REIT II are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and all shares of REIT II Common Stock to be issued in connection with the REIT Merger, when so issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in this Section 5.4(a), there is no other outstanding capital stock of REIT II.
(b) All the REIT II OP Units are held by REIT II or a Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances and free of preemptive rights. All of the REIT II OP Units are duly authorized and validly issued.
(c) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the REIT II Subsidiaries that is a corporation are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All equity interests in each of the REIT II Subsidiaries that is a partnership or limited liability company are duly authorized and validly issued. All shares of capital stock of (or other ownership interests in) each of the REIT II Subsidiaries which may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options or exchange rights are duly authorized and, upon issuance will be validly issued, fully paid
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and nonassessable. REIT II or REIT II Operating Partnership owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock and other ownership interests of each of the REIT II Subsidiaries, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances, and free of preemptive rights.
(d) There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having general voting rights (or convertible into securities having such rights) of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary (REIT II Voting Debt) issued and outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 5.4(d) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, there are no outstanding subscriptions, securities options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, convertible securities (other than REIT II OP Units and REIT II Convertible Stock), preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments of any kind to which REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries to (i) issue, transfer or sell or create, or cause to be issued, transferred or sold or created any additional shares of capital stock or other equity interests or phantom stock or other contractual rights the value of which is determined in whole or in part by the value of any equity security of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or equity interests, (ii) issue, grant, extend or enter into any such subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, convertible securities or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments or (iii) except as provided under the REIT II Share Redemption Program, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any such shares of capital stock, REIT II Voting Debt or other equity interests.
(e) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any Contracts concerning the voting (including voting trusts and proxies) of any capital stock of REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries. Except as set forth at Section 4.4(e) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has granted any registration rights on any of its capital stock. No REIT II Common Stock is owned by any REIT II Subsidiary.
(f) REIT II does not have a poison pill or similar stockholder rights plan.
(g) All dividends or other distributions on the shares of REIT II Common Stock and any material dividends or other distributions on any securities of any REIT II Subsidiary which have been authorized or declared prior to the date hereof have been paid in full (except to the extent such dividends have been publicly announced and are not yet due and payable).
Section 5.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements; Investment Company Act; Anti-Corruption Laws.
(a) REIT II has timely filed with, or furnished (on a publicly available basis) to, the SEC all forms, documents, statements, schedules and reports required to be filed by REIT II under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (together with all certifications required pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act since December 31, 2016 (the forms, documents, statements and reports filed with the SEC since December 31, 2016 and those filed with the SEC since the date of this Agreement, if any, including any amendments thereto, the REIT II SEC Documents). As of their respective filing dates (or the date of their most recent amendment, supplement or
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modification, in each case, to the extent filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement), the REIT II SEC Documents (i) complied, or with respect to REIT II SEC Documents filed after the date hereof, will comply, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and (ii) did not, or with respect to REIT II SEC Documents filed after the date hereof, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the REIT II SEC Documents is, to the Knowledge of REIT II, the subject of ongoing SEC review and REIT II does not have any outstanding and unresolved comments from the SEC with respect to any REIT II SEC Documents. There are no internal investigations, any SEC inquiries or investigations or other governmental inquiries or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT II, threatened. None of the REIT II SEC Documents is the subject of any confidential treatment request by REIT II.
(b) REIT II has made available to REIT I complete and correct copies of all written correspondence between the SEC, on one hand, and REIT II, on the other hand, since December 31, 2016. At all applicable times, REIT II has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(c) The consolidated audited and unaudited financial statements of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries included, or incorporated by reference, in the REIT II SEC Documents, including the related notes and schedules (as amended, supplemented or modified by later REIT II SEC Documents, in each case, to the extent filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement), (i) have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared from, are in accordance with, and accurately reflect the books and records of REIT II and REIT II Subsidiaries in all material respects, (ii) complied or will comply, as the case may be, as of their respective dates in all material respects with the then-applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (iii) have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto, or, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, for normal and recurring year-end adjustments and as may be permitted by the SEC on Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, Regulation S-X or any successor or like form under the Exchange Act, which such adjustments are not, in the aggregate, material to REIT II) and (iv) fairly present, in all material respects (subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for normal and recurring year-end adjustments, none of which is material), the consolidated financial position of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of their respective dates and the consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries for the periods presented therein. There are no internal investigations, any SEC inquiries or investigations or other governmental inquiries or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT II, threatened, in each case regarding any accounting practices of REIT II.
(d) Since December 31, 2016, (A) REIT II has designed and maintained disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by REIT II in the
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reports that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to REIT IIs management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of REIT II required under the Exchange Act with respect to such reports, and (B) such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting REIT IIs management to material information required to be included in REIT IIs periodic reports required under the Exchange Act (if REIT II was required to file such reports). REIT II and REIT II Subsidiaries have designed and maintained a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances (i) regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorizations, (iii) that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements and to maintain asset accountability, (iv) that access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization, (v) that the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences and (vi) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis. REIT II has disclosed to REIT IIs auditors and audit committee (and made summaries of such disclosures available to REIT I) (1) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect REIT IIs ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (2) any fraud, to the Knowledge of REIT II, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in internal control over financial reporting.
(e) REIT II is not and none of the REIT II Subsidiaries are, a party to, and none of REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract, including any Contract relating to any transaction or relationship between or among REIT II and any REIT II Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or Person, on the other hand, or any off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC), where the result, purpose or effect of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, REIT II, any REIT II Subsidiary or REIT IIs or such REIT II Subsidiarys audited financial statements or other REIT II SEC Documents.
(f) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
(g) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary nor, to the Knowledge of REIT II, any director, officer or Representative of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee or (iii) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, in each case, in violation in
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any material respect of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law. Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has received any written communication that alleges that REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary, or any of their respective Representatives, is, or may be, in violation of, or has, or may have, any liability under, any Anti-Corruption Law.
Section 5.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth in Section 5.6 of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, since December 31, 2019 through the date of this Agreement, (a) REIT II and all REIT II Subsidiaries have conducted their respective business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business, (b) neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has taken any action that would have been prohibited by Section 6.2(b) (Conduct of Business by REIT II) if taken from and after the date of this Agreement and (c) there has not been any REIT II Material Adverse Effect or any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, circumstances, changes, effects, developments, conditions or occurrences, would reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (a) as disclosed, reflected or reserved against on the balance sheet of REIT II dated as of June 30, 2020 (including the notes thereto), (b) for liabilities or obligations incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (c) for liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business since June 30, 2020, neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has any liabilities or obligations or Indebtedness (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) that either alone or when combined with all other liabilities of a type not described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.8 Permits; Compliance with Law.
(a) REIT II and each REIT II Subsidiary is in possession of all authorizations, licenses, permits, certificates, approvals, variances, exemptions, orders, franchises, certifications and clearances of any Governmental Authority necessary for REIT II and each REIT II Subsidiary to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties or to carry on its respective business substantially as they are being conducted (the REIT II Permits), and all such REIT II Permits are valid and in full force and effect, except where the failure to be in possession of, or the failure to be valid or in full force and effect of, any of the REIT II Permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred with respect to any of the REIT II Permits which permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both would permit, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any other material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such REIT II Permits. To the Knowledge of REIT II, there is not pending any applicable petition, objection or other pleading with any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction or authority over the operations of REIT II or the REIT II Subsidiaries that impairs the validity of any REIT II Permit or which would reasonably be expected, if accepted or granted, to result in the revocation of any REIT II Permit, except where the impairment or revocation of any such REIT II Permit, individually, or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary is, and for the past three years has been, in conflict with, or in default or violation of (i) any Law applicable to REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of REIT II or any other REIT II Subsidiary is bound, or (ii) any REIT II Permits, except, in each case, for any such conflicts, defaults or violations that have been cured, or that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.9 Litigation. There is no material Action or investigation to which REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is a party (either as plaintiff or defendant) pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT II, threatened before any Governmental Authority, and, to the Knowledge of REIT II, there is no basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or investigation. None of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries has been permanently or temporarily enjoined by any Order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority from engaging in or continuing to conduct the business of REIT II or the REIT II Subsidiaries. No Order of any Governmental Authority has been issued in any proceeding to which REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries is or was a party, or, to the Knowledge of REIT II, in any other proceeding, that enjoins or requires REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries to take action of any kind with respect to its businesses, assets or properties. Since December 31, 2019, none of REIT II, any REIT II Subsidiary or any Representative of the foregoing has received or made any settlement offer for any Action to which REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is a party or potentially could be a party (in each case, either as plaintiff or defendant), other than settlement offers that do not exceed $100,000 individually.
Section 5.10 Properties.
(a) Section 5.10(a) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter lists the REIT II Properties, and sets forth the REIT II Party or applicable REIT II Subsidiary owning such property. Except as disclosed in title insurance policies and reports (and the documents or surveys referenced in such policies and reports) copies of which policies and reports were made available for review to REIT I: (A) REIT II or a REIT II Subsidiary owns fee simple title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, the REIT II Properties, free and clear of Encumbrances, except for Permitted Encumbrances; (B) except as has not had and would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect, neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has received written notice of any violation of any Law affecting any portion of any of the REIT II Properties issued by any Governmental Authority; and (C) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect, neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has received notice to the effect that there are (1) condemnation or rezoning proceedings that are pending or threatened with respect to any of the REIT II Properties or (2) zoning, building or similar Laws, codes, ordinances, orders or regulations that are or will be violated by the continued maintenance, operation or use of any buildings or other improvements on any of the REIT II Properties or by the continued maintenance, operation or use of the parking areas.
(b) REIT II has not received written notice of, nor does REIT II have any Knowledge of, any latent defects or adverse physical conditions affecting any of the REIT II Properties or the improvements thereon, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
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(c) REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or a valid and enforceable leasehold interest in, all material personal property owned, used or held for use by them. Neither REIT IIs, nor the REIT II Subsidiaries, ownership of any such personal property is subject to any Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
(d) A policy of title insurance has been issued for each REIT II Property insuring, as of the effective date of such insurance policy, (i) fee simple title interest held by REIT II or the applicable REIT II Subsidiary and (ii) to the Knowledge of REIT II, such insurance policies are in full force and effect, and no material claim has been made against any such policy that remains outstanding as of the date hereof.
Section 5.11 Environmental Matters. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect: (i) no notification, demand, directive, request for information, citation, summons, notice of violation or order has been received, no complaint has been filed, no penalty has been asserted or assessed and no investigation, action, suit or proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT II, is threatened relating to any of the REIT II Parties, any of the REIT II Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, and relating to or arising out of any Environmental Law, any Environmental Permit or Hazardous Substance; (ii) the REIT II Parties, the other REIT II Subsidiaries and their respective properties are and have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws and all applicable Environmental Permits; (iii) each of the REIT II Parties and each other REIT II Subsidiary is in possession of all Environmental Permits necessary for REIT II and each REIT II Subsidiary to own, lease and, to the extent applicable, operate its properties or to carry on its respective business substantially as they are being conducted as of the date hereof, and all such Environmental Permits are valid and in full force and effect with all necessary applications for renewal thereof having been timely filed, except where the failure to be in possession of, or the failure to be valid or in full force and effect of, any of the Environmental Permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect; (iv) any and all Hazardous Substances disposed of by REIT II and each REIT II Subsidiary was done so in accordance with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (v) REIT II Parties, any of the REIT II Subsidiaries and their respective properties are not subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award by any Governmental Authority pursuant to any Environmental Laws, any Environmental Permit or Hazardous Substance; and (vi) except as set forth on Section 5.11 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, there are no liabilities or obligations (and no asserted liability or obligations) of the REIT II Parties or any of the other REIT II Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise arising under or relating to any Environmental Law or any Hazardous Substance (including liability or responsibility for the costs of enforcement proceedings, investigations, cleanup, governmental response, removal or remediation, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, medical monitoring, penalties, contribution, indemnification and injunctive relief) and there is no condition, situation or set of circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in any such liability or obligation.
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Section 5.12 Material Contracts.
(a) REIT II has made available to REIT I a true, correct and complete copy of each Contract (other than an Employee Benefit Plan) in effect as of the date hereof to which REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is a party or by which any of its properties or assets are bound that:
(i) is required to be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to REIT IIs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2019 or any subsequent current or periodic report;
(ii) is required to be described pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act;
(iii) obligates the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary to make non-contingent aggregate annual expenditures (other than principal or interest payments or the deposit of other reserves with respect to debt obligations) in excess of $500,000 and is not cancelable within 90 days without material penalty to the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary;
(iv) contains any non-compete or exclusivity provisions with respect to any line of business or geographic area that restricts the business of the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary, including upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that otherwise restricts the lines of business conducted by the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary or the geographic area in which the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary may conduct business;
(v) is a Contract that obligates the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary to indemnify any past or present directors, officers, or employees of the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary pursuant to which the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary is the indemnitor;
(vi) constitutes (A) an Indebtedness obligation of the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary with a principal amount as of the date hereof greater than $500,000 or (B) a Contract under which (1) any Person including REIT II or a REIT II Subsidiary, has directly or indirectly guaranteed Indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of REIT II or REIT II Subsidiary or (2) REIT II or a REIT II Subsidiary has directly or indirectly guaranteed Indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any Person, including REIT II or another REIT II Subsidiary (in each case other than endorsements for the purpose of collection in the ordinary course of business);
(vii) requires the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary to dispose of or acquire assets or properties that (together with all of the assets and properties subject to such requirement in such Contract) have a fair market value in excess of $500,000, or involves any pending or contemplated merger, consolidation or similar business combination transaction;
(viii) constitutes an interest rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap or other Contract relating to a swap or other hedging transaction of any type;
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(ix) constitutes a loan to any Person (other than a Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary) by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary in an amount in excess of $500,000;
(x) sets forth the operational terms of a joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or strategic alliance of the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary with a third party;
(xi) prohibits the pledging of the capital stock of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary or prohibits the issuance of guarantees by any REIT II Subsidiary;
(xii) contains covenants expressly limiting, in any material respect, the ability of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary to sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any material assets or business of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary;
(xiii) contains restrictions on the ability of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions (other than pursuant to the organizational documents of REIT II and REIT II Subsidiaries);
(xiv) is with a Governmental Authority;
(xv) has continuing earn-out or other similar contingent purchase price payment obligations, in each case that could result in payments, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $500,000;
(xvi) is an employment Contract or consulting Contract;
(xvii) is a collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor organization, union or association;
(xviii) is a Contract with any professional employer organization, staffing agency, temporary employee agency, or similar company or service provider;
(xix) provides severance, retention, or transaction bonus payments, change-of-control payments, or similar compensation;
(xx) is a settlement agreement or release of claims with any current employee or with any former employee within the past five years;
(xxi) is a lease, sublease, license or other rental agreement or occupancy agreement (written or verbal) which grants any possessory interest in and to any space situated on or in the REIT II Properties or otherwise gives rights with regard to use of the REIT II Properties, other than third-party residential tenant leases or ancillary retail leases; or
(xxii) is both (A) not made in the ordinary course of business and (B) material to REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
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(b) Each Contract in any of the categories set forth in Section 5.12(a) to which the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound as of the date hereof is referred to herein as a REIT II Material Contract.
(c) Each REIT II Material Contract is legal, valid, binding and enforceable on the REIT II Parties and each other REIT II Subsidiary that is a party thereto and, to the Knowledge of REIT II, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at Law). The REIT II Parties and each other REIT II Subsidiary has performed all obligations required to be performed by it prior to the date hereof under each REIT II Material Contract and, to the Knowledge of REIT II, each other party thereto has performed all obligations required to be performed by it under such REIT II Material Contract prior to the date hereof. None of the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary, nor, to the Knowledge of REIT II, any other party thereto, is in breach or violation of, or default under, any REIT II Material Contract, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a violation, breach or default under any REIT II Material Contract, except where in each case such breach, violation or default, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect. None of the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary has received notice of any violation or default under, or currently owes any termination, cancellation or other similar fees or any liquidated damages with respect to, any REIT II Material Contract, except for violations, defaults, fees or damages that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2019, neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has received any written notice of the intention of any party to cancel, terminate, materially change the scope of rights under or fail to renew any REIT II Material Contract.
(d) Section 5.12(d) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter lists each management agreement pursuant to which any third party manages or operates any of the REIT II Properties on behalf of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary, and describes the property that is subject to such management agreement, REIT II or the applicable REIT II Subsidiary that is a party, the date of such management agreement and each material amendment, guaranty or other agreement binding on REIT II or the applicable REIT II Subsidiary and relating thereto (collectively, the REIT II Management Agreement Documents). The true, correct and complete copies of all REIT II Management Agreement Documents have been made available to REIT I. Each REIT II Management Agreement Document is valid, binding and in full force and effect as against REIT II or the applicable REIT II Subsidiary and, to the Knowledge of REIT II, as against the other party thereto. Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary owes any termination, cancellation or other similar fees or any liquidated damages to any third party manager or operator.
Section 5.13 Taxes.
(a) Each REIT II Party and each other REIT II Subsidiary has timely filed with the appropriate Governmental Authority all United States federal income Tax Returns and all other material Tax Returns required to be filed, taking into account any extensions of time within which to file such Tax Returns, and all such Tax Returns were complete and correct in all material
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respects. Each REIT II Party and each other REIT II Subsidiary has duly paid (or there has been paid on its behalf), or made adequate provisions in accordance with GAAP for, all material Taxes required to be paid by them, whether or not shown on any Tax Return. True and materially complete copies of all United States federal income Tax Returns that have been filed with the IRS by REIT II and each REIT II Subsidiary with respect to the taxable years ending on or after REIT IIs formation have been made available to REIT I. No written claim has been proposed by any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction where REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary do not file Tax Returns that REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is or may be subject to Tax by such jurisdiction.
(b) Beginning with its initial taxable year ending on December 31, 2014, and through and including the Closing Date (determined as if REIT IIs current taxable year ended immediately prior to Closing), REIT II (i) has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements to qualify as a REIT under the Code and the current and proposed method of operation for REIT II is expected to enable REIT II to continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT through and including the Closing Date, without regard, however, to the distribution requirement described in Section 857(a) of the Code with respect to the taxable year, including the Closing, and (ii) has not taken or omitted to take any action which would reasonably be expected to result in REIT IIs failure to qualify as a REIT, and no challenge to REIT IIs status as a REIT is pending or threatened in writing. No REIT II Subsidiary is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, other than a corporation that qualifies as a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or as a Taxable REIT Subsidiary. REIT IIs dividends paid deduction, within the meaning of Section 561 of the Code, for each taxable year (other than the taxable year, including the Closing), taking into account any dividends subject to Sections 857(b)(8) or 858 of the Code, has not been less than the sum of (i) REIT IIs REIT taxable income, as defined in Section 857(b)(2) of the Code, determined without regard to any dividends paid deduction for such year and (ii) REIT IIs net capital gain for such year.
(c) (i) There are no audits, investigations by any Governmental Authority or other proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT II, threatened with regard to any material Taxes or Tax Returns of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary; (ii) no material deficiency for Taxes of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary has been claimed, proposed or assessed in writing or, to the Knowledge of REIT II, threatened, by any Governmental Authority, which deficiency has not yet been settled except for such deficiencies which are being contested in good faith or with respect to which the failure to pay, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect; (iii) neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has, waived any statute of limitations with respect to the assessment of material Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to any material Tax assessment or deficiency for any open tax year; (iv) neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any material Tax Return; and (v) neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has entered into any closing agreement as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax Law).
(d) Each REIT II Subsidiary that is a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company and that has not elected to be a Taxable REIT Subsidiary has been since its formation treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a partnership, disregarded
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entity, or a Qualified REIT Subsidiary, as the case may be, and not as a corporation, an association taxable as a corporation whose separate existence is respected for federal income tax purposes, or a publicly traded partnership within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7704(a) of the Code.
(e) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary holds any asset the disposition of which would be subject to Treasury Regulation Section 1.337(d)-7, nor have they disposed of any such asset during its current taxable year.
(f) Since its inception, REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries have not incurred (i) any liability for Taxes under Sections 857(b)(1), 857(b)(4), 857(b)(5), 857(b)(6)(A), 857(b)(7), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code, (ii) any liability for Taxes under Sections 857(b)(5) (for income test violations), 856(c)(7)(C) (for asset test violations), or 856(g)(5)(C) (for violations of other qualification requirements applicable to REITs) and (iii) REIT II has not, and none of the REIT II Subsidiaries have, incurred any material liability for Tax other than (A) in the ordinary course of business, or (B) transfer or similar Taxes arising in connection with sales of property. No event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of REIT II no condition or circumstances exists, which presents a material risk that any material liability for Taxes described in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence or any liability for Taxes described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence will be imposed upon REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary.
(g) REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries have complied, in all material respects, with all applicable Laws relating to the payment and withholding of Taxes (including withholding of Taxes pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445, 1446 and 3402 of the Code or similar provisions under any state and foreign Laws) and have duly and timely withheld and, in each case, have paid over to the appropriate taxing authorities all material amounts required to be so withheld and paid over on or prior to the due date thereof under all applicable Laws.
(h) There are no REIT II Tax Protection Agreements (as hereinafter defined) in force at the date of this Agreement, and, as of the date of this Agreement, no person has raised in writing, or to the Knowledge of REIT II threatened to raise, a material claim against REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary for any breach of any REIT II Tax Protection Agreements. As used herein, REIT II Tax Protection Agreements means any written agreement to which REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is a party pursuant to which: (i) any liability to holders of limited partnership interests in a REIT II Subsidiary Partnership (as hereinafter defined) relating to Taxes may arise, whether or not as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (ii) in connection with the deferral of income Taxes of a holder of limited partnership interests or limited liability company in a REIT II Subsidiary Partnership, REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary has agreed to (A) maintain a minimum level of debt, continue a particular debt or provide rights to guarantee debt, (B) retain or not dispose of assets, (C) make or refrain from making Tax elections, or (D) only dispose of assets in a particular manner. As used herein, REIT II Subsidiary Partnership means a REIT II Subsidiary that is a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.
(i) There are no Tax Encumbrances upon any property or assets of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary except Encumbrances for Taxes not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP.
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(j) There are no Tax allocation or sharing agreements or similar arrangements with respect to or involving REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary, and after the Closing Date neither REIT II nor any other REIT II Subsidiary shall be bound by any such Tax allocation agreements or similar arrangements or have any liability thereunder for amounts due in respect of periods prior to the Closing Date.
(k) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has requested or received any written ruling of a Governmental Authority or entered into any written agreement with a Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes, and neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary is subject to written ruling of a Governmental Authority.
(l) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary (i) has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax or (ii) has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than any REIT II Subsidiary) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise.
(m) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has participated in any reportable transaction within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).
(n) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has constituted either a distributing corporation or a controlled corporation (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (i) in the two (2) years prior to the date of this Agreement or (ii) in a distribution which could otherwise constitute part of a plan or series of related transactions (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(o) No written power of attorney that has been granted by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary (other than to REIT II or a REIT II Subsidiary) currently is in force with respect to any matter relating to Taxes.
(p) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has taken any action or failed to take any action which action or failure would reasonably be expected to jeopardize, nor to the Knowledge of REIT II is there any other fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent, the REIT Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(q) REIT II is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.
Section 5.14 Intellectual Property. Except as set forth on Section 5.14 of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary: (a) owns any registered trademarks, patents or copyrights, or (b) has any pending applications or registrations for any trademarks,
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patents or copyrights. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect, to the Knowledge of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, (i) no Intellectual Property owned by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary infringes or is alleged to infringe any Intellectual Property rights of any third party, (ii) to the Knowledge of REIT II, no Person is misappropriating, infringing or otherwise violating any Intellectual Property of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary, and (iii) REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries own or are licensed to use, or otherwise possess valid rights to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct the business of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries as it is currently conducted. To the Knowledge of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, since December 31, 2019, neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has received any written or verbal complaint, claim or notice alleging misappropriation, infringement or violation of any Intellectual Property rights of any third party.
Section 5.15 Information Privacy & Security. REIT II and any REIT II Subsidiary has adopted written policies and procedures with respect to privacy, data protection, security and the collection and use of Personal Information gathered or accessed in the course of the operations of REIT II and any REIT II Subsidiary, those policies and procedures are commercially reasonable and comply with applicable Information Privacy and Security Laws and contracts, and REIT II and any REIT II Subsidiary is in compliance with such policies and procedures. REIT II and any REIT II Subsidiary has disaster recovery plans, procedures and facilities in place that are appropriate to minimize the disruption of its business in the event of any material failure of any of the IT Assets in accordance with applicable legal requirements and customer contracts. REIT II and any REIT II Subsidiary has not experienced any data security breach of any IT Assets, that would constitute a breach for which notification to individuals, third parties and/or any Governmental Authority. REIT II and any REIT II Subsidiary has taken reasonable actions and measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of its Personal Information and all of its IT Assets, against any unauthorized use, access, interruption, modification or corruption.
Section 5.16 Insurance. Section 5.16 of the REIT II Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of all material insurance policies and all material fidelity bonds or other material insurance Contracts providing coverage for REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries (the REIT II Insurance Policies), which REIT II Insurance Policies are of the type and in the amounts customarily carried by Persons conducting businesses or owning assets similar to those of REIT II and REIT II Subsidiaries and sufficient to allow each to replace any of its assets that might be damaged or destroyed. Each REIT II Insurance Policy is in full force and effect. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect, all premiums due and payable under all REIT II Insurance Policies have been paid, and REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries have otherwise complied in all material respects with the terms and conditions of all REIT II Insurance Policies and all claims, events and occurrences that may be covered under any REIT I Insurance Policy have been noticed pursuant to the conditions in such policy. No written notice of cancellation, termination or increase in premium has been received by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary with respect to any such policy which has not been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation. REIT II has made available to REIT I true and correct copies of all REIT II Insurance Policies. No REIT II Insurance Policies are written on retrospective, audited or similar premium basis.
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Section 5.17 Benefit Plans. Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has, or has ever had, any employees. None of REIT II, any REIT II Subsidiary, nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has, or has ever, sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or been required to contribute to, or has or has ever had any liability or obligation with respect to any Employee Benefit Plans.
Section 5.18 Related-Party Transactions. Except as described in the REIT II SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC on or after December 31, 2017 and prior to the date hereof (the REIT II Related Party Agreements), no agreements, arrangements or understandings between any of the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary (or binding on any of their respective properties or assets), on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other hand (other than those exclusively among REIT II and REIT II Subsidiaries), are in existence that are not, but are required to be, disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
Section 5.19 Brokers. No broker, investment banker or other Person (other than the Persons listed in Section 5.19 of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, each in a fee amount not to exceed the amount set forth in Section 5.19 of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, pursuant to the terms of the engagement letter between REIT II and such Person, true, correct and complete copies of which have been provided to REIT I prior to the date hereof) is entitled to any brokers, finders or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary.
Section 5.20 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The REIT II Special Committee has received the oral opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. prior to execution of this Agreement (which, if initially rendered verbally, has been or will be confirmed by a written opinion, dated the same date), to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based on and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications, conditions and other matters considered in connection with the preparation of such opinion, the Exchange Ratio in the REIT Merger, taken together with the Exchange Ratio in the OP Merger, pursuant to this Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to REIT II. REIT II will deliver to REIT I a complete and correct copy of such opinion promptly after receipt thereof by the REIT II Special Committee solely for informational purposes. REIT II acknowledges that the opinion of Robert A. Stanger & Co., Inc. contemplated by Section 4.20 is for the benefit of the REIT I Special Committee and that REIT II shall not be entitled to rely on that opinion for any purpose.
Section 5.21 Takeover Statutes. None of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is, nor at any time during the last two years has been, an interested stockholder of REIT I as defined in Section 3-601 of the MGCL. The REIT II Board has taken all action necessary to render inapplicable to the REIT Merger the restrictions on business combinations contained in Subtitle 6 of Title 3 of the MGCL. The restrictions on control share acquisitions contained in Subtitle 7 of Title 3 of the MGCL are not applicable to the REIT Merger. No other Takeover Statutes are applicable to this Agreement, the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No dissenters, appraisal or similar rights are available to the holders of REIT II Common Stock with respect to the REIT Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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Section 5.22 Ownership of Merger Sub; No Prior Activities.
(a) Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. All of the limited liability company membership interests of Merger Sub are owned, directly or indirectly, by REIT II.
(b) Except for the obligations or liabilities incurred in connection with its organization and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other documents, agreements, certificates and other instruments contemplated hereby, Merger Sub has not, and will not have prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, incurred, any obligations or liabilities or engaged in any business activities of any type or kind whatsoever.
Section 5.23 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied in writing on or behalf of the REIT II Parties or any REIT II Subsidiary for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (a) the REIT I Proxy Statement will, at the time it is first mailed to the REIT I stockholders, at the time of the REIT I Stockholders Meeting, at the time the Form S-4 is declared effective by the SEC or at the REIT Merger Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, or (b) the Form S-4 will, at the time such document is declared effective by the SEC, contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. All documents that REIT II is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent relating to REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries (or other information supplied by or on behalf of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiaries for inclusion therein) will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; provided, that no representation is made as to statements made or incorporated by reference by or on behalf of the REIT I Parties.
Section 5.24 No Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the representations or warranties expressly set forth in this Article V or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, none of the REIT II Parties or any other Person on behalf of a REIT II Party has made any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary, their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, future operating or financial results, estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects) or the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, none of the REIT II Parties or any other Person on behalf of a REIT II Party makes or has made any representation or warranty to any REIT I Party or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives with respect to, except for the representations and warranties made by the REIT II Parties in this Article V or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, any oral or written information presented to the REIT I Parties or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives in the course of their due diligence of the REIT II Parties, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of
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the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the REIT II Parties acknowledge and agree that none of the REIT I Parties or any other Person on behalf of a REIT I Party has made or is making any representations or warranties relating to the REIT I Parties whatsoever, express or implied, beyond those expressly given by the REIT I Parties in Article IV or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, including any implied representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding any REIT I Party furnished or made available to the REIT II Parties or any of their respective Representatives.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGERS
Section 6.1 Conduct of Business by REIT I.
(a) REIT I covenants and agrees that, between the date of this Agreement and the earlier to occur of the REIT Merger Effective Time and the date, if any, on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.1 (the Interim Period), except (1) to the extent required by Law, (2) as may be consented to in advance in writing by the REIT II Special Committee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (3) as may be expressly contemplated, expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement, or (4) as set forth in Section 6.1(b) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, each of the REIT I Parties shall, and shall cause each of the other REIT I Subsidiaries to, (i) conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past practices, and (ii) use all reasonable efforts to (A) preserve intact its current business organization, goodwill, ongoing businesses and significant relationships with third parties and (B) maintain the status of REIT I as a REIT.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, REIT I covenants and agrees that, during the Interim Period, except (1) to the extent required by Law, (2) as may be consented to in advance in writing by the REIT II Special Committee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (3) as may be expressly contemplated, expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement, or (4) as set forth in Section 6.1(b) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, the REIT I Parties shall not, and shall not cause or permit any other REIT I Subsidiary to, do any of the following:
(i) (A) amend or propose to amend the REIT I Governing Documents, (B) amend or propose to amend such equivalent organizational or governing documents of any REIT I Subsidiary material to REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, (C) amend the REIT I DRP or the REIT I Share Redemption Program in a manner material to REIT I, or (D) waive the stock ownership limit or create an Excepted Holder Limit (as defined in the REIT I Charter) under the REIT I Charter;
(ii) adjust, split, combine, reclassify or subdivide any shares of stock or other equity securities or ownership interests of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary (other than any Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary);
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(iii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend on or make any other actual, constructive or deemed distributions (whether in cash, stock, property or otherwise) with respect to shares of capital stock of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or other equity securities or ownership interests in REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or otherwise make any payment to its or their stockholders or other equity holders in their capacity as such, except for (A) the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to REIT I by any Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary and (B) distributions by any REIT I Subsidiary that is not wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by REIT I, in accordance with the requirements of the organizational documents of such REIT I Subsidiary; provided, that, notwithstanding the restriction on dividends and other distributions in this Section 6.1(b), REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary shall be permitted to make distributions, including under Sections 858 or 860 of the Code, reasonably necessary for REIT I to maintain its status as a REIT under the Code and avoid or reduce the imposition of any entity level income or excise Tax under the Code;
(iv) except as required under the Contribution Documents and Section 8.3(g) hereof, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests of REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary; provided, that, after the filing of the Form S-4, REIT I may effect redemptions upon a stockholders death, qualifying disability or confinement to a long-term care facility in accordance with the REIT I Share Redemption Program;
(v) except for transactions among REIT I and one or more Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiaries or among one or more Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiaries, issue, sell, pledge, dispose, encumber or grant any shares of capital stock of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries capital stock (including the REIT I OP Units) or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of capital stock of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries capital stock or other equity interests;
(vi) acquire or agree to acquire any material assets, except (A) acquisitions by REIT I or any Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary of or from an existing Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary, (B) acquisitions described in Section 6.1(b)(vi) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter and (C) other acquisitions of personal property for a purchase price of less than $2,000,000 in the aggregate;
(vii) except as described in Section 6.1(b)(vii) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter or as permitted by clause (viii) below, sell, mortgage, pledge, lease, assign, transfer, dispose of or encumber, or effect a deed in lieu of foreclosure with respect to, any property or assets, except in the ordinary course of business, provided that any sale, mortgage, pledge, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or deed in connection with (x) the satisfaction of any margin call or (y) the posting of collateral in connection with any Contract to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party shall be considered to be done in the ordinary course of business;
(viii) incur, create, assume, guarantee, refinance, replace or prepay any Indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or materially amend the terms of any Indebtedness of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries, except (A) Indebtedness incurred under REIT Is existing Debt Facilities in the ordinary course of business (including to the extent necessary to pay
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dividends permitted by Section 6.1(b)(iii)), (B) funding any transactions permitted by this Section 6.1(b), (C) Indebtedness that does not, in the aggregate, exceed $1,000,000; and (D) refinancing of existing Indebtedness (provided, that the terms of such new Indebtedness shall not be materially more onerous on REIT I compared to the existing Indebtedness and the principal amount of such replacement Indebtedness shall not be materially greater than the Indebtedness it is replacing);
(ix) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, Affiliates, agents or consultants), make any change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, other than by REIT I or a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary to REIT I or a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary;
(x) other than in the ordinary course of business, enter into, renew, modify, amend or terminate, or waive, release, compromise or assign any rights or claims under, any REIT I Material Contract (or any Contract that, if existing as of the date hereof, would be a REIT I Material Contract), other than (A) any termination or renewal in accordance with the terms of any existing REIT I Material Contract that occurs automatically without any action (other than notice of renewal) by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or (B) as may be reasonably necessary to comply with the terms of this Agreement;
(xi) make any payment, direct or indirect, of any liability of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary before the same comes due in accordance with its terms, other than (A) in the ordinary course of business or (B) in connection with dispositions or refinancings of any Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder;
(xii) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any Action, other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that (A) with respect to the payment of monetary damages, involve only the payment of monetary damages (excluding any portion of such payment payable under an existing property-level insurance policy) (x) equal to or less than the amounts specifically reserved with respect thereto on the most recent balance sheet of REIT I made available to REIT II prior to the date of this Agreement or (y) that do not exceed $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate, (B) do not involve the imposition of injunctive relief against REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or the Surviving Entity, (C) do not provide for any admission of material liability by REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries and (D) with respect to any Action involving any present, former or purported holder or group of holders of REIT I Common Stock comply with Section 7.6(c) (excluding in each case any such matter related to Taxes (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be covered by Section 6.1(b)(xviii));
(xiii) (A) hire or, except where due to cause, terminate any officer of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, (B) increase in any manner the amount, rate or terms of compensation or benefits, in each case in any material respect, of any of REIT Is directors, officers or employees except for increases in annual compensation or wage rate in the ordinary course of business or as set forth in such individuals Contract or as may be required to comply with applicable Law, or (C) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any employment, bonus, severance or retirement Contract or Employee Benefit Plan or other compensation or employee benefits arrangement, except in the ordinary course in conjunction with annual Employee Benefit Plan renewals or as may be required to comply with applicable Law;
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(xiv) fail to maintain all financial books and records in all material respects in accordance with GAAP or make any material change to its methods of accounting in effect at December 31, 2019, except as required by a change in GAAP or in applicable Law, or make any change with respect to accounting policies, principles or practices unless required by GAAP or the SEC;
(xv) enter into any new line of business;
(xvi) form any new funds, joint ventures or non-traded real estate investment trusts or other pooled-investment vehicles;
(xvii) fail to duly and timely file all material reports and other material documents required to be filed with any Governmental Authority, subject to extensions permitted by Law;
(xviii) enter into or modify in a manner adverse to REIT I any REIT I Tax Protection Agreement, make, change or rescind any material election relating to Taxes, change a material method of Tax accounting, file or amend any material Tax Return, settle or compromise any material federal, state, local or foreign Tax liability, audit, claim or assessment, enter into any material closing agreement related to Taxes, or knowingly surrender any right to claim any material Tax refund or give or request any waiver of a statute of limitation with respect to any material Tax Return except, in each case, (A) to the extent required by Law or (B) to the extent necessary (x) to preserve REIT Is qualification as a REIT under the Code or (y) to qualify or preserve the status of any REIT I Subsidiary as a disregarded entity or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes or as a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be;
(xix) take any action that would, or fail to take any action, the failure of which to be taken would, reasonably be expected to cause REIT I to fail to qualify as a REIT or any REIT I Subsidiary to cease to be treated as any of (A) a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes or (B) a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be;
(xx) make or commit to make any capital expenditures other than in the ordinary course of business or to address obligations under existing Contracts or for emergency repairs;
(xxi) adopt a plan of merger, complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such merger, liquidation or a dissolution, consolidation, recapitalization or bankruptcy reorganization, except in connection with any transaction permitted by Section 6.1(b)(vi) or Section 6.1(b)(vii) in a manner that would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to REIT I or to prevent or impair the ability of the REIT I Parties to consummate the Mergers;
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(xxii) amend or modify the engagement letters entered into with the Persons listed on Section 4.19 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, in a manner adverse to REIT I or engage other financial advisers in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(xxiii) permit any Encumbrances, except Permitted Encumbrances;
(xxiv) materially modify or reduce the amount of any insurance coverage provided by the REIT I Insurance Policies;
(xxv) take any action (or fail to take any action) that would make dissenters, appraisal or similar rights available to the holders of the REIT I Common Stock with respect to the Merger;
(xxvi) enter into any transaction disclosable under item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act except in the ordinary course of business or as provided for in this Agreement; or
(xxvii) authorize, or enter into any Contract to do any of the foregoing.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit REIT I from taking any action, at any time or from time to time, that in the reasonable judgment of the REIT I Board, upon advice of counsel to REIT I, is reasonably necessary (i) for REIT I to avoid or to continue to avoid incurring entity level income or excise Taxes under the Code or to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Code for any period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time or (ii) to establish or maintain any exemption from or otherwise avoid the imposition of any requirement that REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, including in the case of clause (i) only, making dividend or any other actual, constructive or deemed distribution payments to stockholders of REIT I in accordance with this Agreement or otherwise as permitted pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii).
Section 6.2 Conduct of Business by REIT II.
(a) REIT II covenants and agrees that, during the Interim Period, except (1) to the extent required by Law, (2) as may be consented to in advance in writing by the REIT I Special Committee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (3) as may be expressly contemplated, expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement, (4) as may be required by the REIT III Merger Agreement, or (5) as set forth in Section 6.2(b) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, each of the REIT II Parties shall, and shall cause each of the other REIT II Subsidiaries to, (i) conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past practices, and (ii) use all reasonable efforts to (A) preserve intact its current business organization, goodwill, ongoing businesses and significant relationships with third parties and (B) maintain the status of REIT II as a REIT.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, REIT II covenants and agrees that, during the Interim Period, except (1) to the extent required by Law, (2) as may be consented to in advance
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in writing by the REIT I Special Committee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (3) as may be expressly contemplated, expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement or the REIT III Merger Agreement, or (4) as set forth in Section 6.2(b) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, the REIT II Parties shall not, and shall not cause or permit any other REIT II Subsidiary to, do any of the following:
(i) (A) amend or propose to amend the REIT II Governing Documents, (B) amend or propose to amend such equivalent organizational or governing documents of any REIT II Subsidiary material to REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, (C) amend the REIT II DRP or the REIT II Share Redemption Program in a manner material to REIT II, or (D) waive the stock ownership limit or create an Excepted Holder Limit (as defined in the REIT II Charter) under the REIT II Charter;
(ii) adjust, split, combine, reclassify or subdivide any shares of stock or other equity securities or ownership interests of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary (other than any Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary);
(iii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend on or make any other actual, constructive or deemed distributions (whether in cash, stock, property or otherwise) with respect to shares of capital stock of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary or other equity securities or ownership interests in REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary or otherwise make any payment to its or their stockholders or other equity holders in their capacity as such, except for (A) the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to REIT II by any Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary, and (B) distributions by any REIT II Subsidiary that is not wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by REIT II, in accordance with the requirements of the organizational documents of such REIT II Subsidiary; provided, that, notwithstanding the restriction on dividends and other distributions in this Section 6.2(b), REIT II and any REIT II Subsidiary shall be permitted to make distributions, including under Sections 858 or 860 of the Code, reasonably necessary for REIT II to maintain its status as a REIT under the Code and avoid or reduce the imposition of any entity level income or excise Tax under the Code;
(iv) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests of REIT II or a REIT II Subsidiary; provided, that, after the filing of the Form S-4, REIT II may effect redemptions upon a stockholders death, qualifying disability or confinement to a long-term care facility in accordance with the REIT II Share Redemption Program;
(v) except for transactions among REIT II and one or more Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiaries or among one or more Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiaries, issue, sell, pledge, dispose, encumber or grant any shares of capital stock of REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries capital stock (including the REIT II OP Units) or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of capital stock of REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries capital stock or other equity interests;
(vi) acquire or agree to acquire any material assets, except (A) acquisitions by REIT II or any Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary of or from an existing Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary, (B) acquisitions described in Section 6.2(b)(vi) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, and (C) other acquisitions of personal property for a purchase price of less than $2,000,000 in the aggregate;
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(vii) except as described in Section 6.2(b)(vii) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter or as permitted by clause (viii) below, sell, mortgage, pledge, lease, assign, transfer, dispose of or encumber, or effect a deed in lieu of foreclosure with respect to, any property or assets, except in the ordinary course of business, provided that any sale, mortgage, pledge, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or deed in connection with (x) the satisfaction of any margin call or (y) the posting of collateral in connection with any Contract to which REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is a party shall be considered to be done in the ordinary course of business;
(viii) incur, create, assume, guarantee, refinance, replace or prepay any Indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or materially amend the terms of any Indebtedness of REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries, except (A) Indebtedness incurred under REIT IIs existing Debt Facilities in the ordinary course of business (including to the extent necessary to pay dividends permitted by Section 6.2(b)(iii)), (B) funding any transactions permitted by this Section 6.2(b), (C) Indebtedness that does not, in the aggregate, exceed $1,000,000; and (D) refinancing of existing Indebtedness (provided, that the terms of such new Indebtedness shall not be materially more onerous on REIT II compared to the existing Indebtedness and the principal amount of such replacement Indebtedness shall not be materially greater than the Indebtedness it is replacing);
(ix) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, Affiliates, agents or consultants), make any change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, other than by REIT II or a Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary to REIT II or a Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary;
(x) other than in the ordinary course of business, enter into, renew, modify, amend or terminate, or waive, release, compromise or assign any rights or claims under, any REIT II Material Contract (or any Contract that, if existing as of the date hereof, would be a REIT II Material Contract), other than (A) any termination or renewal in accordance with the terms of any existing REIT II Material Contract that occurs automatically without any action (other than notice of renewal) by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary or (B) as may be reasonably necessary to comply with the terms of this Agreement;
(xi) make any payment, direct or indirect, of any liability of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary before the same comes due in accordance with its terms, other than (A) in the ordinary course of business or (B) in connection with dispositions or refinancings of any Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder;
(xii) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any Action, other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that (A) with respect to the payment of monetary damages, involve only the payment of monetary damages (excluding any portion of such payment payable under an existing property-level insurance policy) (x) equal to or less than the amounts specifically reserved with respect thereto on the most recent balance sheet of REIT II made available to REIT I prior to the date of this Agreement or (y) that do not exceed $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate, (B) do not involve the imposition of injunctive relief
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against REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary or the Surviving Entity, (C) do not provide for any admission of material liability by REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries and (D) with respect to any Action involving any present, former or purported holder or group of holders of REIT II Common Stock, comply with Section 7.6(c) (excluding in each case any such matter related to Taxes (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be covered by Section 6.2(b)(xviii));
(xiii) (A) hire or, except where due to cause, terminate any officer of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary, (B) materially increase in any manner the compensation or benefits of any of REIT IIs directors or officers, or (C) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any employment, bonus, severance or retirement Contract or Employee Benefit Plan or other compensation or employee benefits arrangement, except as may be required to comply with applicable Law;
(xiv) fail to maintain all financial books and records in all material respects in accordance with GAAP or make any material change to its methods of accounting in effect at December 31, 2019, except as required by a change in GAAP or in applicable Law, or make any change with respect to accounting policies, principles or practices unless required by GAAP or the SEC;
(xv) enter into any new line of business;
(xvi) form any new funds, joint ventures or non-traded real estate investment trusts or other pooled-investment vehicles;
(xvii) fail to duly and timely file all material reports and other material documents required to be filed with any Governmental Authority, subject to extensions permitted by Law;
(xviii) enter into or modify in a manner adverse to REIT II any REIT II Tax Protection Agreement, make, change or rescind any material election relating to Taxes, change a material method of Tax accounting, file or amend any material Tax Return, settle or compromise any material federal, state, local or foreign Tax liability, audit, claim or assessment, enter into any material closing agreement related to Taxes, or knowingly surrender any right to claim any material Tax refund or give or request any waiver of a statute of limitation with respect to any material Tax Return except, in each case, (A) to the extent required by Law or (B) to the extent necessary (x) to preserve REIT IIs qualification as a REIT under the Code or (y) to qualify or preserve the status of any REIT II Subsidiary as a disregarded entity or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes or as a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be;
(xix) take any action that would, or fail to take any action, the failure of which to be taken would, reasonably be expected to cause REIT II to fail to qualify as a REIT or any REIT II Subsidiary to cease to be treated as any of (A) a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes or (B) a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be;
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(xx) make or commit to make any capital expenditures other than in the ordinary course of business or to address obligations under existing Contracts or for emergency repairs;
(xxi) adopt a plan of merger, complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such merger, liquidation or a dissolution, consolidation, recapitalization or bankruptcy reorganization, except in connection with any transaction permitted by Section 6.2(b)(vi) or Section 6.2(b)(vii) in a manner that would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to REIT II or to prevent or impair the ability of the REIT II Parties to consummate the Mergers;
(xxii) amend or modify the engagement letters entered into with the Persons listed on Section 5.19 of the REIT II Disclosure Letter in a manner adverse to REIT II or engage other financial advisers in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(xxiii) permit any Encumbrances, except Permitted Encumbrances;
(xxiv) materially modify or reduce the amount of any insurance coverage provided by the REIT II Insurance Policies
(xxv) take any action (or fail to take any action) that would make dissenters, appraisal or similar rights available to the holders of the REIT II Common Stock with respect to the Merger;
(xxvi) enter into any transaction disclosable under item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act except in the ordinary course of business or as provided for in this Agreement; or
(xxvii) authorize, or enter into any Contract to do any of the foregoing.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit REIT II from taking any action, at any time or from time to time, that in the reasonable judgment of the REIT II Board, upon advice of counsel to REIT II, is reasonably necessary (i) for REIT II to avoid or to continue to avoid incurring entity level income or excise Taxes under the Code or to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Code for any period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time or (ii) to establish or maintain any exemption from or otherwise avoid the imposition of any requirement that REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, including in the case of clause (i) only, making dividend or any other actual, constructive or deemed distribution payments to stockholders of REIT II in accordance with this Agreement or otherwise as permitted pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(iii).
(d) For the avoidance of doubt, any material amendment of the REIT III Merger Agreement shall require the prior approval of REIT I, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. If the REIT III Merger Agreement is not entered into concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, REIT II shall not, without the prior written approval of REIT I, alter the economic terms of the REIT III Merger Agreement.
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Section 6.3 No Control of Other Parties Business. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give (a) REIT I, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiarys operations prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, or (b) REIT II, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiarys operations prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time. Prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, (i) REIT II shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and the REIT II Subsidiaries respective operations and (ii) REIT I shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and the REIT I Subsidiaries respective operations.
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
Section 7.1 Preparation of the Form S-4 and the REIT I Proxy Statement; Stockholder Approval.
(a) As promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, (i) REIT I shall prepare and cause to be filed with the SEC the REIT I Proxy Statement in preliminary form with respect to the REIT I Stockholders Meeting, and (ii) REIT II shall prepare (with REIT Is reasonable cooperation) and cause to be filed with the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act (the Form S-4), which will include the REIT I Proxy Statement, to register under the Securities Act the shares of REIT II Common Stock to be issued in the REIT Merger (the Registered Securities). Each of REIT II and REIT I shall use its reasonable best efforts to (A) have the Form S-4 declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing, (B) ensure that the Form S-4 complies in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act and (C) keep the Form S-4 effective for so long as necessary to permit the REIT II Common Stock to be issued in the REIT Merger, unless this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article IX. Each of REIT II and REIT I shall furnish all information concerning itself, its Affiliates and the holders of its capital stock to such other Party and provide such other assistance as may be reasonably requested in connection with the preparation, filing and distribution of the Form S-4 and the REIT I Proxy Statement and shall provide to their and each others counsel such representations as reasonably necessary to render the opinions required to be filed therewith. The Form S-4 and the REIT I Proxy Statement shall include all information reasonably requested by such other Party to be included therein. Each of REIT I and REIT II shall promptly notify the other Party upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC or any request from the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Form S-4 or the REIT I Proxy Statement, and shall, as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof, provide the other Party with copies of all correspondence between it and its Representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC, on the other hand, and all written comments with respect to the Form S-4 or the REIT I Proxy Statement received from the SEC and advise the other Party of any oral comments with respect to the Form S-4 or the REIT I Proxy Statement received from the SEC. Each of REIT I and REIT II shall use its reasonable best efforts to respond as
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promptly as practicable to any comments from the SEC with respect to the Form S-4 or the REIT I Proxy Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to filing the Form S-4 (or any amendment or supplement thereto) with the SEC or responding to any comments of the SEC with respect thereto, each of REIT I and REIT II shall cooperate and provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such document or response (including the proposed final version of such document or response) and shall give due consideration to all reasonable comments provided by the other Party. REIT II shall notify REIT I, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time of effectiveness of the Form S-4, the issuance of any stop order relating thereto or the suspension of the qualification for offering or sale in any jurisdiction of the Registered Securities, and REIT II and REIT I shall use their reasonable best efforts to have any such stop order or suspension lifted, reversed or otherwise terminated. REIT II shall also use its reasonable best efforts to take any other action required to be taken under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any applicable foreign or state securities or blue sky Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder in connection with the issuance of the Registered Securities, and REIT I shall furnish all information concerning REIT I and its stockholders as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such actions.
(b) If, at any time prior to the receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval, any information relating to REIT I or REIT II, as the case may be, or any of their respective Affiliates, should be discovered by REIT I or REIT II which, in the reasonable judgment of REIT I or REIT II, should be set forth in an amendment of, or a supplement to, any of the Form S-4 or the REIT I Proxy Statement, so that any of such documents would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Party that discovers such information shall promptly notify the other Parties, and REIT I and REIT II shall cooperate in the prompt filing with the SEC of any necessary amendment of, or supplement to, the Form S-4 or the REIT I Proxy Statement and, to the extent required by Law, in disseminating the information contained in such amendment or supplement to stockholders of REIT I and REIT II. Nothing in this Section 7.1(b) shall limit the obligations of any Party under Section 7.1(a). For purposes of Section 5.24, Section 4.23 and this Section 7.1, any information concerning or related to REIT II or its Affiliates will be deemed to have been provided by REIT II, and any information concerning or related to REIT I, its Affiliates or the REIT I Stockholders Meeting will be deemed to have been provided by REIT I.
(c) As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, REIT I shall, in accordance with applicable Law and the REIT I Governing Documents, establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the REIT I Stockholders Meeting for the purpose of obtaining the REIT I Stockholder Approval (and other matters that shall be submitted to the holders of REIT I Common Stock at such meeting); provided, that such record date shall not be more than 90 days prior to the date of the REIT I Stockholders Meeting. REIT I shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the definitive REIT I Proxy Statement to be mailed to REIT Is stockholders entitled to vote at the REIT I Stockholders Meeting and to hold the REIT I Stockholders Meeting as soon as practicable after the Form S-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act. REIT I shall, through the REIT I Board, recommend to its stockholders that they give the REIT I Stockholder Approval, include the REIT I Board Recommendation in the REIT I Proxy Statement and solicit and use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the REIT I Stockholder
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Approval, except to the extent that the REIT I Board shall have made a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change as permitted by Section 7.3(d); provided, however, that REIT Is obligation to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the REIT I Stockholders Meeting shall be unconditional unless this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms and shall not be affected by any REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.1(c), if, on a date for which the REIT I Stockholders Meeting is scheduled, REIT I has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares of REIT I Common Stock to obtain the REIT I Stockholder Approval, whether or not a quorum is present, REIT I shall have the right to make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the REIT I Stockholders Meeting (provided, however, that the REIT I Stockholders Meeting shall not be postponed or adjourned to a date that is (i) more than 30 days after the date for which the REIT I Stockholders Meeting was originally scheduled (excluding any adjournments or postponements required by applicable Law) or (ii) more than 120 days from the record date for the REIT I Stockholders Meeting); provided, further, the REIT I Stockholders Meeting may not be postponed or adjourned on the date the REIT I Stockholders Meeting is scheduled if REIT I shall have received proxies in respect of an aggregate number of shares of REIT I Common Stock, which have not been withdrawn, such that REIT I Stockholder Approval would be obtained at such meeting.
Section 7.2 Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement to and including the REIT Merger Effective Time, each of the Parties shall, and shall cause each of their respective subsidiaries to, afford to the other Parties and to their respective Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice to all of their respective properties, offices, books, Contracts, personnel and records and, during such period, each of the Parties shall, and shall cause each of their respective subsidiaries to and shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause its Representatives to, furnish reasonably promptly to the other Parties (i) any information concerning such Party or its respective subsidiaries (including with respect to any pending or threatened Action) as the other Party may reasonably request and (ii) a copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities Laws. In connection with such reasonable access to information, each of the Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause its respective Representatives to participate in meetings and telephone conferences with the other Parties and their Representatives prior to the mailing of any REIT I Proxy Statement, prior to the REIT I Stockholders Meeting and at such other times as may be reasonably requested. No investigation under this Section 7.2(a) or otherwise shall affect any of the representations and warranties of the Parties contained in this Agreement or any condition to the obligations of the Parties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Parties shall be required by this Section 7.2(a) to provide the other Parties or their respective Representatives with access to or to disclose information (A) that is subject to the terms of a confidentiality agreement with a third party entered into prior to the date of this Agreement or entered into after the date of this Agreement in the ordinary course of business in accordance with this Agreement (provided, however, that the withholding Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the required consent of such third party to such access or disclosure), (B) the disclosure of which would violate any Law applicable to such Party or any of its Representatives (provided, however, that the withholding Party shall
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use its reasonable best efforts to make appropriate substitute arrangements to permit reasonable disclosure not in violation of any Law or duty), (C) that is subject to any attorney-client, attorney work product or other legal privilege (provided, however, that the withholding Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to allow for such access or disclosure to the maximum extent that does not result in a loss of any such attorney-client, attorney work product or other legal privilege, including by means of entry into a customary joint defense agreement that would alleviate the loss of such privilege) or (D) for the purpose of allowing Parties or their respective Representatives to collect samples of soil, air, water, groundwater or building materials. The Parties will use their reasonable best efforts to minimize any disruption to the businesses of the other Parties and any of their respective subsidiaries that may result from the requests for access, data and information hereunder. Prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, the Parties shall not, and shall cause their respective Representatives and Affiliates not to, contact or otherwise communicate with parties with which any of the other Parties or any other of their respective subsidiaries has a business relationship regarding the business of the other Parties and their respective subsidiaries or this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written consent of such other Party (provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 7.2(a) shall be deemed to restrict the Parties from contacting such parties in pursuing the business of the Parties operating in the ordinary course).
(b) Each Party will hold, and will cause its respective Representatives and Affiliates to hold, any nonpublic information, including any information exchanged pursuant to this Section 7.2, in confidence to the extent required by and in accordance with, and will otherwise comply with, the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect pursuant to the terms thereof notwithstanding the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the termination thereof.
Section 7.3 No Solicitation of Transactions; Change in Recommendation.
(a) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 7.3, during the Interim Period, REIT I shall (i) immediately cease any solicitation, encouragement, discussions or negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to a Competing Proposal, or any inquiry or proposal that may be reasonably expected to lead to a Competing Proposal, and immediately terminate all physical and electronic dataroom access granted to any such Person or its Representatives and (ii) not, directly or indirectly, (A) solicit, initiate or knowingly facilitate or encourage, provide any nonpublic information to, or take any other action for the purpose of facilitating, any inquiry or the making of any proposal which constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Competing Proposal, (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person information in connection with or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, a Competing Proposal or (C) enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle or other agreement with respect to a Competing Proposal.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7.3, (i) if at any time on or after the date of this Agreement and prior to obtaining the REIT I Stockholder Approval, REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives receives an unsolicited written Competing Proposal from any Person or group of Persons that the REIT I Board
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determines in good faith, after consultation with REIT Is outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a Superior Proposal, which Competing Proposal was made in circumstances not otherwise involving a breach of this Agreement, and (ii) the REIT I Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with REIT Is outside legal counsel, that a failure to take action with respect to such Competing Proposal would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of REIT I under applicable Maryland Law, REIT I may or may cause its respective Representatives to, in response to such Competing Proposal, and subject to compliance with this Section 7.3(b), (A) contact such Person or group of Persons to clarify the terms and conditions thereof, (B) furnish, pursuant to an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement, information (including non-public information) with respect to REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries to the Person or group of Persons who has made such Competing Proposal, provided that REIT I shall prior to or concurrently with the time such information is provided to such Person or group of Persons provide to REIT II any non-public information concerning REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries that is provided to any Person given such access which was not previously provided to REIT II or its Representatives and (C) engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with the Person or group of Persons making such Competing Proposal regarding such Competing Proposal.
(c) REIT I shall promptly, and in any event no later than 24 hours after receipt of any Competing Proposal or request for non-public information in connection therewith, as applicable, (i) advise REIT II in writing of the receipt of such Competing Proposal and any request for confidential information in connection with such Competing Proposal, the material terms of such Competing Proposal or request for confidential information and the identity of the Person or group of Persons making such Competing Proposal or request for confidential information and (ii) keep REIT II promptly advised of all material developments (including all changes to the material terms of any Competing Proposal), discussions or negotiations regarding any Competing Proposal and the status of such Competing Proposal. REIT I agrees that it and the REIT I Subsidiaries will not enter into any confidentiality agreement with any Person subsequent to the date hereof which prohibits it or a REIT I Subsidiary from providing any information required to be provided to REIT II in accordance with this Section 7.3(c) within the time periods contemplated hereby.
(d) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 7.3(d), the REIT I Board shall not (i)(A) fail to recommend to its stockholders that the REIT I Stockholder Approval be given or fail to include the REIT I Board Recommendation in the REIT I Proxy Statement, (B) change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, or publicly propose to change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, the REIT I Board Recommendation, (C) take any formal action or make any recommendation or public statement in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer other than a recommendation against such offer or a temporary stop, look and listen communication by the REIT I Board pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) of the Exchange Act or (D) adopt, approve or recommend, or publicly propose to adopt, approve or recommend to the stockholders of REIT I a Competing Proposal (actions described in this clause (i) being referred to as a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change) or (ii) authorize, cause or permit REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries to enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle or other agreement with respect to a Competing Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement) (each, an Acquisition Agreement). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, prior to the time the REIT I
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Stockholder Approval is obtained, the REIT I Board, may make (but in each case, subject to compliance with this Section 7.3(d) and Sections 7.3(a)-(c)), a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change and/or terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(ii) (Superior Proposal) to enter into a definitive Acquisition Agreement that constitutes a Superior Proposal, if and only if, (A) a written Competing Proposal that was not solicited in violation of this Section 7.3 is made to REIT I by a third party and such Competing Proposal is not withdrawn, and (B) prior to taking such action, the REIT I Board has determined in good faith (y) after consultation with REIT Is outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of REIT I under applicable Maryland Law and (z) after consultation with REIT Is outside legal counsel and outside financial advisors, that such Competing Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that in connection with any such Competing Proposal (1) REIT I has given REIT II at least five Business Days prior written notice of its intention to take such action (which notice shall include the information with respect to such Superior Proposal that is specified in Section 7.3(c) as well as a copy of any proposal, agreement and all material documentation providing for such Superior Proposal), (2) REIT II and REIT I have negotiated, and have caused their respective Representatives to negotiate, in good faith during such notice period to enable REIT II to propose in writing revisions to the terms of this Agreement such that it would cause such Superior Proposal to no longer constitute a Superior Proposal, (3) following the end of such notice period, the REIT I Board shall have considered in good faith any proposed revisions to this Agreement proposed in writing by REIT II and shall have determined that, after consultation with the REIT Is outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, the Competing Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal if such revisions were to be given effect and (4) in the event of any change to the material terms of such Superior Proposal, REIT I shall, in each case, have delivered to REIT II an additional notice consistent with that described in subclause (1) above and the notice period shall have recommenced. Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with Section 9.1(c)(ii), the REIT I Board shall submit the REIT Merger to its stockholders even if the REIT I Board shall have effected a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change, and the REIT I Board may not submit to the vote of their stockholders any Competing Proposal other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) At any time prior to receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval and subject to Section 7.1(c), the REIT I Board may, if the REIT I Board determines in good faith, after consultation with REIT Is outside legal counsel, that the failure to do so would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of REIT I under applicable Maryland Law, make a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change in response to an Intervening Event.
(f) Except to the extent expressly provided in this Section 7.3, nothing in this Section 7.3 shall prohibit the REIT I Board from: (i) taking and disclosing to the stockholders of REIT I, a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act, if failure to do so would violate applicable Law or (ii) making any stop, look and listen communication to the stockholders of REIT I pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, in either case, if the REIT I Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of REIT I under applicable Maryland Law; provided that any disclosure (other than those made pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 7.3(f)) permitted under this Section 7.3(f) that is not an express rejection of any applicable Competing Proposal or
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an express reaffirmation of the REIT I Board Recommendation shall be deemed a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change and; provided, further, that the REIT I Board shall not, except as expressly permitted by Section 7.3(d), effect a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change.
(g) REIT I agrees that in the event any REIT I Subsidiary or any Representative of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary takes any action, that if taken by REIT I would constitute a material violation of this Section 7.3, then REIT I shall be deemed to be in violation of this Section 7.3 for all purposes of this Agreement.
(h) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) Competing Proposal means, any proposal or offer, whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions, relating to any (1) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary that would constitute a significant subsidiary (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) and representing 20% or more of the consolidated assets of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (2) sale or other disposition, by merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction, of any assets of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries representing 20% or more of the consolidated assets of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (3) issue, sale or other disposition by REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries of (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction) securities (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, such securities) representing 20% or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of REIT I Common Stock, (4) tender offer or exchange offer in which any Person or group (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) shall acquire beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, of 20% or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of REIT I Common Stock, (5) recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other similar type of transaction with respect to REIT I in which a third party shall acquire beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of REIT I Common Stock, or (6) transaction that is similar in form, substance or purpose to any of the foregoing transactions; provided, however, that the term Competing Proposal shall not include (i) the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) any merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction solely among REIT I and one or more of the REIT I Subsidiaries or solely among the REIT I Subsidiaries.
(ii) Superior Proposal means a written Competing Proposal made by a third party (except for purposes of this definition, the references in the definition of Competing Proposal to 20% shall be replaced with 50%) which the REIT I Board (based on the recommendation of the REIT I Special Committee) determines in its good faith judgment (after consultation with its legal and financial advisors and after taking into account (A) all of the terms and conditions of the Competing Proposal and this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by REIT II) and (B) the feasibility and certainty of consummation of such Competing Proposal on the terms proposed (taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such Competing Proposal and conditions to consummation thereof) to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the stockholders of REIT I (in their capacities as stockholders) than the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by REIT II)).
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Section 7.4 Public Announcements. Except with respect to any REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change or any action taken pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 7.1 or Section 7.3, so long as this Agreement is in effect, the Parties shall consult with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statements or filings with respect to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and none of the Parties shall issue any such press release or make any such public statement or filing prior to obtaining the other Parties consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); provided, that a Party may, without obtaining the other Parties consent, issue such press release or make such public statement or filing as may be required by Law or Order if it is not possible to consult with the other Party before making any public statement with respect to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Parties have agreed upon the form of a joint press release announcing the Mergers and the execution of this Agreement, and shall make such joint press release no later than one Business Day following the date on which this Agreement is signed.
Section 7.5 Appropriate Action; Consents; Filings.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the REIT I Parties and each of the REIT II Parties shall and shall cause the other REIT I Subsidiaries and the other REIT II Subsidiaries, respectively, and their respective Affiliates to use reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other Party in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law or pursuant to any Contract to consummate and make effective, as promptly as practicable, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (i) taking all actions necessary to cause the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VIII to be satisfied, (ii) preparing and filing any applications, notices, registrations and requests as may be required or advisable to be filed with or submitted to any Governmental Authority in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) obtaining all necessary or advisable actions or nonactions, waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Authorities or other Persons necessary in connection with the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the making of all necessary or advisable registrations and filings (including filings with Governmental Authorities, if any) and the taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary or advisable to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any Governmental Authority or other Persons necessary in connection with the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) subject to Section 7.6(c), defending any lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other Governmental Authority vacated or reversed, the avoidance of each and every impediment under any antitrust, merger control, competition or trade regulation Law that may be asserted by any Governmental Authority with respect to the Mergers so as to enable the Closing to occur as soon as reasonably possible, and (v) executing and delivering any additional instruments necessary or advisable to consummate the
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Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement; provided, that neither Party will have any obligation (A) to propose, negotiate, commit to or effect, by consent decree, hold separate order or otherwise, the sale, divestiture or disposition of any assets or businesses of such Party, any of its subsidiaries (including subsidiaries of REIT II after the Closing) or their Affiliates or (B) otherwise to take or commit to take any actions that would limit the freedom of such Party, its subsidiaries (including subsidiaries of REIT II after the Closing) or their Affiliates with respect to, or their ability to retain, one or more of their businesses, product lines or assets.
(b) In connection with and without limiting the foregoing Section 7.5(a), each of the Parties shall give (or shall cause their respective Affiliates to give) any notices to third parties, and each of the Parties shall use, and cause each of their respective Affiliates to use, its reasonable best efforts to obtain any third-party consents that are necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Parties will, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, furnish to the other such necessary information and reasonable assistance as the other may request in connection with the preparation of any required applications, notices, registrations and requests as may be required or advisable to be filed with any Governmental Authority and will cooperate in responding to any inquiry from a Governmental Authority, including promptly informing the other Party of such inquiry, consulting in advance before making any presentations or submissions to a Governmental Authority, and supplying each other with copies of all material correspondence, filings or communications between either Party and any Governmental Authority with respect to this Agreement. To the extent reasonably practicable, the Parties or their Representatives shall have the right to review in advance and each of the Parties will consult the others on, all the information relating to the other and each of their Affiliates that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any Governmental Authority in connection with the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except that confidential competitively sensitive business information may be redacted from such exchanges. To the extent reasonably practicable, neither Party shall, nor shall they permit their respective Representatives to, participate independently in any meeting or engage in any substantive conversation with any Governmental Authority in respect of any filing, investigation or other inquiry without giving the other Party prior notice of such meeting or conversation and, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, without giving the other Party the opportunity to attend or participate (whether by telephone or in person) in any such meeting with such Governmental Authority.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in connection with obtaining any approval or consent from any Person (other than any Governmental Authority) with respect to the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, none of the Parties or any of their respective Representatives shall be obligated to pay or commit to pay to such Person whose approval or consent is being solicited any cash or other consideration, make any accommodation or commitment or incur any liability or other obligation to such Person other than commercially reasonable processing and consent fees in connection with obtaining the consent or approval of any lender with respect to an Indebtedness set forth at Section 4.3(b)(iii) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter and Section 5.3(b)(iii) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter. Subject to the immediately foregoing sentence, the Parties shall cooperate with respect to reasonable accommodations that may be requested or appropriate to obtain such consents.
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Section 7.6 Notification of Certain Matters; Transaction Litigation.
(a) The REIT I Parties and their Representatives shall give prompt notice to the REIT II Parties, and the REIT II Parties and their Representatives shall give prompt notice to the REIT I Parties, of any notice or other communication received by such Party from any Governmental Authority in connection with this Agreement, the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) The REIT I Parties and their Representatives shall give prompt notice to the REIT II Parties, and the REIT II Parties and their Representatives shall give prompt notice to the REIT I Parties, if (i) any representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement becomes untrue or inaccurate such that it would be reasonable to expect that the applicable closing conditions would be incapable of being satisfied by the Outside Date or (ii) it fails to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement; provided, that no such notification shall affect the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the Parties or the conditions to the obligations of the Parties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the failure by the REIT I Parties, the REIT II Parties or their respective Representatives to provide such prompt notice under this Section 7.6(b) shall not constitute a breach of covenant for purposes of Section 8.2(b), Section 8.3(b), Section 9.1(c)(i) (REIT II Terminating Breach), or Section 9.1(d)(i) (REIT I Terminating Breach).
(c) The REIT I Parties and their Representatives shall give prompt notice to the REIT II Parties, and the REIT II Parties and their Representatives shall give prompt notice to the REIT I Parties, of any Action commenced or, to such Partys Knowledge, threatened against, relating to or involving such Party or any REIT I Subsidiary or REIT II Subsidiary, respectively, or any of their respective directors, officers or partners that relates to this Agreement, the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The REIT I Parties and their respective Representatives shall give REIT II the opportunity to reasonably participate in the defense and settlement of any stockholder litigation against the REIT I Parties or their directors, officers or partners relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no such settlement shall be agreed to without REIT IIs prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). The REIT II Parties and their respective Representatives shall give the REIT I Parties the opportunity to reasonably participate in the defense and settlement of any litigation against the REIT II Parties and/or their directors, officers or partners relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no such settlement shall be agreed to without REIT Is prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).
Section 7.7 Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance.
(a) Without limiting or being limited by the provisions of Section 7.7(b) and to the extent permitted by applicable Law and the REIT II Governing Documents, during the period commencing as of the REIT Merger Effective Time and ending on the sixth anniversary of the
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REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT II shall (and shall cause the Surviving Entity to): (i) indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Indemnified Party against and from any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any Action to the extent such Action arises out of or pertains to any action or omission or alleged action or omission in such Indemnified Partys capacity as a manager, director, officer, partner, member, or trustee of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries, including such alleged acts or omissions with respect to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Mergers; and (ii) pay in advance of the final disposition of any such Action the expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and any expenses incurred by any Indemnified Party in connection with enforcing any rights with respect to indemnification) of any Indemnified Party without the requirement of any bond or other security, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Law, but subject to REIT IIs or the Surviving Entitys receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, REIT II or the Surviving Entity, as applicable, (i) shall not settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment or otherwise seek termination with respect to any claim, action, suit or proceeding against or investigation of any Indemnified Party for which indemnification may be sought under this Section 7.7(a) without the Indemnified Partys prior written consent (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, (ii) shall not be liable for any settlement effected without their prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) and (iii) shall not have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine in a final and non-appealable order that such indemnification is prohibited by applicable Law, in which case the Indemnified Party shall promptly refund to REIT II or the Surviving Entity the amount of all such expenses theretofore advanced pursuant hereto.
(b) To the extent permitted by applicable Law, the Surviving Entity shall, and REIT II agrees to cause the Surviving Entity to, during the period commencing as of the REIT Merger Effective Time and ending on the sixth anniversary of the REIT Merger Effective Time, honor all rights to indemnification, advancement and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time now existing in favor of the current or former managers, directors, officers, partners, members and trustees of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries (the Indemnified Parties) as currently provided in (i) the REIT I Governing Documents and (ii) indemnification agreements between REIT I and any Indemnified Party as scheduled on Section 7.7(b) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter. For a period of six years following the REIT Merger Effective Time, the REIT II Governing Documents and the equivalent governing or organizational documents of any applicable REIT II Subsidiary or REIT I Subsidiary shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years following the REIT Merger Effective Time in any manner that would adversely modify these rights, unless such modification shall be required by applicable Law and then only to the minimum extent required by Law.
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(c) REIT I and REIT II shall (i) ensure that the current D&O insurance policies shared by REIT I and REIT II will continue in full force through the Mergers, including as to alleged acts or omissions occurring after the Closing; and (ii) take no action to cancel or terminate coverage under the six year D&O insurance tail policies purchased at the time of the REIT I Internalization Transaction.
(d) If REIT II or the Surviving Entity or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges with or into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation, partnership or other entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) liquidates, dissolves or winds-up, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of REIT II or the Surviving Entity, as applicable, assume the obligations set forth in this Section 7.7.
(e) REIT II shall cause the Surviving Entity to pay all reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees, that may be incurred by any Indemnified Party in enforcing the obligations provided in this Section 7.7.
(f) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are intended to be for the express benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party (who are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Section 7.7), his or her heirs and his or her personal representatives, shall be binding on all successors and assigns of REIT I, REIT II and the Surviving Entity.
Section 7.8 Dividends.
(a) In the event that a distribution with respect to the shares of REIT I Common Stock permitted under the terms of this Agreement has a record date prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time and has not been paid prior to the Closing Date, such distribution shall be paid to the holders of such shares of REIT I Common Stock on the Closing Date immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time. In the event that a distribution with respect to the shares of REIT II Common Stock permitted under the terms of this Agreement has a record date prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time and has not been paid prior to the Closing Date, such distribution shall be paid to the holders of such shares of REIT II Common Stock on the Closing Date immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time. After the signing of this Agreement and before the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT I shall coordinate with REIT II with respect to the declaration of, and the setting of record dates and payment dates for dividends on REIT I Common Stock so that holders of REIT I Common Stock do not receive both a dividend permitted by the proviso to Section 6.1(b)(iii) on REIT I Common Stock and a dividend permitted by the proviso to Section 6.2(b)(iii) on REIT II Common Stock received in the REIT Merger or fail to receive either a dividend permitted by the proviso to Section 6.1(b)(iii) on REIT I Common Stock or a dividend permitted by the proviso to Section 6.2(b)(iii) on REIT II Common Stock received in the REIT Merger.
(b) In the event that REIT I shall declare or pay any dividend or other distribution that is expressly permitted pursuant to the proviso at the end of Section 6.1(b)(iii), it shall notify REIT II at least 20 days prior to the Closing Date, and REIT II shall be entitled to declare a dividend per share payable to holders of REIT II Common Stock, in an amount per share
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of REIT II Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the dividend declared by REIT I with respect to each share of REIT I Common Stock by (y) the Exchange Ratio. In the event that REIT II shall declare or pay any dividend or other distribution that is expressly permitted pursuant to the proviso at the end of Section 6.2(b)(iii), it shall notify REIT I at least 20 days prior to the Closing Date, and REIT I shall be entitled to declare a dividend per share payable to holders of REIT I Common Stock, in an amount per share of REIT I Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by multiplying (x) the dividend declared by REIT II with respect to each share of REIT II Common Stock by (y) the Exchange Ratio. The record date and time and payment date and time for any dividend payable pursuant to this Section 7.8(b) shall be prior to the Closing Date.
Section 7.9 Takeover Statutes. The Parties shall use their respective reasonable best efforts (a) to take all action necessary so that no Takeover Statute is or becomes applicable to the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (b) if any such Takeover Statute is or becomes applicable to any of the foregoing, to take all action necessary so that the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to eliminate or minimize the effect of such Takeover Statute or the restrictions in the REIT I Charter or the REIT II Charter (Charter Restrictions) on the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No Party shall take any action to exempt any Person (other than the other Parties or their respective Affiliates) from any Takeover Statute of any jurisdiction or Charter Restrictions that may purport to be applicable to the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise cause any restrictions in any Takeover Statute or Charter Restrictions not to apply to any such Person.
Section 7.10 Obligations of the Parties. REIT I shall take all actions necessary to cause the other REIT I Parties to perform their obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Mergers on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. REIT II shall take all actions necessary to (a) cause the REIT II Parties to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Mergers on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and (b) ensure that, prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, Merger Sub shall not conduct any business or make any investments or incur or guarantee any indebtedness other than as specifically contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 7.11 Certain Transactions. Except as set forth in Section 7.11 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, REIT I shall cause all contracts (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the REIT I Related-Party Agreements) between any former, current or future officers, directors, partners, stockholders, managers, members, affiliates or agents of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, on the one hand, and REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, on the other hand, to be settled or terminated on or prior to the Closing, without any further obligations, liability or payments (other than customary indemnification obligations) by or on behalf of REIT I as of the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not require the settlement or termination of an agreement that is solely between REIT I and/or any entities that will remain REIT I Subsidiaries after the Closing.
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Section 7.12 Tax Matters.
(a) Each of REIT I and REIT II shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the REIT Merger to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, including by executing and delivering the officers certificates referred to herein and reporting consistently for all federal, state, and local income Tax or other purposes. None of REIT I, REIT II or any REIT I Subsidiary or REIT II Subsidiary shall take any action, or fail to take any action, that would reasonably be expected to cause the REIT Merger to fail to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(b) REIT I shall (i) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain, or cause to be provided, the opinions of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, and (ii) deliver to Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP tax representation letters, dated as of the Closing Date and signed by an officer of REIT I and REIT I Operating Partnership, containing representations of REIT I and REIT I Operating Partnership reasonably necessary or appropriate to enable Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP to render the tax opinions described in Section 8.2(f) and Section 8.3(e).
(c) REIT II shall (i) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain, or cause to be provided, the opinions of DLA Piper LLP (US), and (ii) deliver to DLA Piper LLP (US) tax representation letters, dated as of the Closing Date and signed by an officer of REIT II and REIT II Operating Partnership, containing representations of REIT II and REIT II Operating Partnership reasonably necessary or appropriate to enable DLA Piper LLP (US) to render the tax opinions described in Section 8.2(e) and Section 8.3(f).
(d) REIT I and REIT II shall reasonably cooperate in the preparation, execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires, applications or other documents regarding any real property transfer or gains, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer or stamp taxes, any transfer, recording, registration and other fees and any similar taxes that become payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (together with any related interest, penalties or additions to such taxes, Transfer Taxes), and shall reasonably cooperate in attempting to minimize the amount of Transfer Taxes.
Section 7.13 REIT II Board. The REIT II Board shall take or cause to be taken such action as may be necessary, in each case, to be effective as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, to cause the individuals set forth on Section 7.13 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter (the REIT I Designees) to be elected to the REIT II Board effective as of the REIT Merger Effective Time. If a REIT I Designee is not able or willing to serve on the REIT II Board, as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT I shall select, within a reasonable period of time prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, a replacement, and the REIT II Board shall appoint such replacement as a member of the REIT II Board, as of the REIT Merger Effective Time.
Section 7.14 REIT II Share Redemption Program. From and after the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT II shall take all such steps as may be required to cause the REIT II Share Redemption Program or any similar redemption program then in effect (as each may be amended from time to time) to provide for all purposes thereunder (including, without limitation, any holding period requirement or redemption price determination) that each share of REIT II Common Stock issued to REIT I stockholders in the Merger will be treated as having been outstanding from the date such stockholder acquired the corresponding share of REIT I Common Stock that was exchange in the Merger.
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ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS
Section 8.1 Conditions to Each Partys Obligation to Effect the Mergers. The respective obligations of the Parties to effect the Mergers and to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the Closing Date are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by Law, waiver by each of the Parties at or prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time of the following conditions:
(a) Regulatory Authorizations. All consents, authorizations, orders or approvals of each Governmental Authority necessary for the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement set forth in Section 8.1(a) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter and Section 8.1(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter shall have been obtained and any applicable waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been terminated.
(b) Stockholder Approval. The REIT I Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained in accordance with applicable Law and the REIT I Charter and REIT I Bylaws. The REIT I Charter Amendment shall have become effective pursuant to the MGCL.
(c) No Injunctions or Restraints. No Order issued by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction prohibiting consummation of the Mergers shall be in effect, and no Law shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement that, in any case, prohibits, restrains, enjoins or makes illegal the consummation of the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have been declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form S-4 shall have been issued by the SEC and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated by the SEC that have not been withdrawn.
Section 8.2 Conditions to Obligations of the REIT I Parties. The obligations of the REIT I Parties to effect the Mergers and to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by Law, waiver by REIT I, at or prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, of the following additional conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties of the REIT II Parties set forth in the Fundamental Representations (except Section 5.4(a) (Capital Structure), shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.4(a) (Capital Structure) shall be true and correct in all but de minimis respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, and (iii) each of the other representations and warranties of the REIT II Parties contained in this Agreement shall be true and
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correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, except (A) in each case, representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date shall be true and correct only on and as of such date, and (B) in the case of clause (iii) where the failure of such representations or warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or REIT II Material Adverse Effect qualifications set forth therein), individually or in the aggregate, does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Performance of Covenants and Obligations of the REIT II Parties. The REIT II Parties shall have performed in all material respects all obligations, and complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants, required to be performed by them under this Agreement on or prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time.
(c) Absence of Material Adverse Change. On the Closing Date, no circumstance shall exist that constitutes a REIT II Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Delivery of Certificate. REIT II shall have delivered to REIT I a certificate, dated the date of the Closing and signed by its chief executive officer and chief financial officer on behalf of REIT II, certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a), Section 8.2(b), Section 8.2(c) and Section 8.2(g) have been satisfied.
(e) REIT Opinion. REIT I shall have received a written opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US), or other counsel to REIT II reasonably satisfactory to REIT I, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to REIT I, to the effect that, commencing with REIT IIs taxable year that ended on December 31, 2014, REIT II has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code and its actual method of operation has enabled REIT II to meet, through the Closing, the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, which opinion will be subject to customary exceptions, assumptions and qualifications and based on customary representations contained in an officers certificate executed by REIT II and REIT II Operating Partnership.
(f) Section 368 Opinion. REIT I shall have received a written opinion of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, or other counsel to REIT I reasonably satisfactory to REIT II, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to REIT I, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the REIT Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, which opinion will be subject to customary exceptions, assumptions and qualifications. In rendering such opinion, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP may rely upon the tax representation letters described in Section 7.12.
(g) Board Designees. The REIT I Designees shall have been elected to the REIT II Board effective as of the REIT Merger Effective Time.
(h) Consents. REIT II shall have received the written Consents identified on Section 8.2(h) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter in form and substance reasonably acceptable to REIT I.
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Section 8.3 Conditions to Obligations of the REIT II Parties. The obligations of the REIT II Parties to effect the Mergers and to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by Law, waiver by REIT II at or prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, of the following additional conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties of the REIT I Parties set forth in the Fundamental Representations (except Section 4.4(a) (Capital Structure)) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.4(a) (Capital Structure) shall be true and correct in all but de minimis respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, and (iii) each of the other representations and warranties of the REIT I Parties contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, as though made as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, except (A) in each case, representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date shall be true and correct only on and as of such date, and (B) in the case of clause (iii) where the failure of such representations or warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or REIT I Material Adverse Effect qualifications set forth therein), individually or in the aggregate, does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Performance of Covenants and Obligations of the REIT I Parties. The REIT I Parties shall have performed in all material respects all obligations, and complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants, required to be performed by them under this Agreement on or prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time.
(c) Absence of Material Adverse Change. On the Closing Date, no circumstance shall exist that constitutes a REIT I Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Delivery of Certificate. REIT I shall have delivered to REIT II a certificate, dated the date of the Closing and signed by its chief executive officer and chief financial officer on behalf of REIT I certifying to the effect that the factual conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a), Section 8.3(b), Section 8.3(c) and Section 8.3(g) have been satisfied.
(e) REIT Opinion. REIT II shall have received a written opinion of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, or other counsel to REIT I reasonably satisfactory to REIT II, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to REIT II, to the effect that, commencing with REIT Is taxable year that ended on December 31, 2010, REIT I has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code and its actual method of operation has enabled REIT I to meet, through the Closing, the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, which opinion will be subject to customary exceptions, assumptions and qualifications and based on customary representations contained in an officers certificate executed by REIT I and REIT I Operating Partnership.
(f) Section 368 Opinion. REIT II shall have received a written opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US), or other counsel to REIT II reasonably satisfactory to REIT I, dated as of the
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Closing Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to REIT II, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the REIT Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, which opinion will be subject to customary exceptions, assumptions and qualifications. In rendering such opinion, DLA Piper LLP (US) may rely upon the tax representation letters described in Section 7.12.
(g) Contribution Agreement. The Contribution Agreement and all ancillary documents or agreements contemplated thereunder (the Contribution Documents) shall continue to be legal, valid, binding obligations of and enforceable against, the parties thereto, and shall continue to be in full force and effect and shall have not been subsequently rescinded, supplemented, modified or amended or withdrawn in any way. Each party to the Contribution Documents shall have performed all obligations required to be performed by such party as of the Closing Date under each Contribution Document. None of the parties to the Contribution Documents shall be in breach or violation of, or default under, any Contribution Document, and no event shall have occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a violation, breach or default under any Contribution Document. None of the parties to the Contribution Documents shall have received notice of any violation or default under any Contribution Document and no party to the Contribution Documents shall have received any written notice of the intention of any party to cancel, terminate, or materially change the scope of rights under any Contribution Document. REIT I has received all consents, complied with all notice requirements and cured or obtained waivers of defaults with respect to any third Person required as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Contribution Agreement.
(h) Consents. REIT I shall have received the written Consents identified on Section 8.3(h) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter in form and substance reasonably acceptable to REIT II.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, FEES AND EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be abandoned at any time prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, notwithstanding receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval (except as otherwise specified in this Section 9.1):
(a) by mutual written consent of each of REIT I and REIT II;
(b) by either REIT I (with the prior approval of the REIT I Special Committee) or REIT II (with the prior approval of the REIT II Special Committee):
(i) if the REIT Merger shall not have occurred on or before 11:59 p.m. New York time on June 8, 2021 (the Outside Date); provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(b)(i) shall not be available to any Party if the failure of such Party (and (A) in the case of REIT I, including the failure of the other REIT I Parties, and
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(B) in the case of REIT II, including the failure of the other REIT II Parties) to perform or comply in all material respects with the obligations, covenants or agreements of such Party set forth in this Agreement shall have been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the REIT Merger to be consummated by the Outside Date;
(ii) if any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an Order permanently restraining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such Order shall have become final and nonappealable; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b)(ii) shall not be available to a Party if the issuance of such final, non-appealable Order was primarily due to the failure of such Party (and (A) in the case of REIT I, including the failure of the other REIT I Parties, and (B) in the case of REIT II, including the failure of the other REIT II Parties) to perform in all material respects any of its obligations, covenants or agreements under this Agreement; or
(iii) if the REIT I Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the REIT I Stockholders Meeting, duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or postponement thereof at which a vote on the approval of the REIT Merger and REIT I Charter Amendment was taken; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b)(iii) shall not be available to a Party if the failure to receive the REIT I Stockholder Approval was primarily due to the failure of a Party to perform in all material respects any of its obligations, covenants or agreements under this Agreement;
(c) by REIT I (with the prior approval of the REIT I Special Committee):
(i) if a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any obligation, covenant or agreement on the part of any of the REIT II Parties set forth in this Agreement has occurred that would cause any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 not to be satisfied (a REIT II Terminating Breach), which breach or failure to perform cannot be cured, or, if capable of cure, has not been cured by the earlier of 20 days following written notice thereof from REIT I to REIT II and two Business Days before the Outside Date; provided, that REIT I shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c)(i) if a REIT I Terminating Breach shall have occurred and be continuing at the time REIT I delivers notice of its election to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c)(i);
(ii) if REIT I has accepted a Superior Proposal at any time prior to receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.3(d); provided, however, that this Agreement may not be so terminated unless concurrently with the occurrence of such termination the payment required by Section 9.3(b) is made in full to REIT II and the definitive agreement relating to the Superior Proposal is entered into, and in the event that such definitive agreement is not concurrently entered into and such payment is not concurrently made, such termination shall be null and void; or
(iii) if (A) all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 have been and continue to be satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing), (B) on or after the date the Closing should have occurred, REIT I has delivered written notice to REIT II to the effect that all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their
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nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing) and the REIT I Parties are prepared to consummate the Closing, and (C) the REIT II Parties fail to consummate the Closing within three Business Days after delivery of the notice referenced in the preceding clause (B) (it being understood that during such three Business Day period, REIT II shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement); or
(d) by REIT II (with the prior approval of the REIT II Special Committee):
(i) if a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any obligation, covenant or agreement on the part of any of the REIT I Parties set forth in this Agreement has occurred that would cause any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 not to be satisfied (a REIT I Terminating Breach), which breach or failure to perform cannot be cured, or if capable of cure, has not been cured by the earlier of 20 days following written notice thereof from REIT II to REIT I and two Business Days before the Outside Date; provided, that REIT II shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(d)(i) if a REIT II Terminating Breach shall have occurred and be continuing at the time REIT II delivers notice of its election to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(d)(i);
(ii) if, at any time prior to receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval, (A) the REIT I Board or any committee thereof, for any reason, shall have effected a REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change; (B) the REIT I Board or any committee thereof shall have approved, adopted or publicly endorsed or recommended any Competing Proposal, (C) a tender offer or exchange offer for any shares of REIT I Common Stock that constitutes an Competing Proposal (other than by REIT II or any of its Affiliates) is commenced and the REIT I Board fails to recommend against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by the stockholders of REIT I and to publicly reaffirm the REIT I Board Recommendation within ten Business Days of being requested to do so by REIT II, (D) the REIT I Board or any committee thereof fails to include the REIT I Board Recommendation in the REIT I Proxy Statement, or (E) REIT I shall have materially violated any of its obligations under Section 7.3, or shall be deemed pursuant to Section 7.3(b) to have materially violated any of its obligations under Section 7.3 (other than any immaterial or inadvertent violations thereof that did not result in a Competing Proposal); or
(iii) if (A) all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 have been and continue to be satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing), (B) on or after the date the Closing should have occurred, REIT II has delivered written notice to REIT I to the effect that all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing) and the REIT II Parties are prepared to consummate the Closing, and (C) the REIT I Parties fail to consummate the Closing within three (3) Business Days after delivery of the notice referenced in the preceding clause (B) (it being understood that during such three Business Day period, REIT I shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement).
Section 9.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 9.1, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other Parties specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made, and this Agreement
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shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of the REIT I Parties or the REIT II Parties, except that the Confidentiality Agreement and the provisions of Section 7.4 (Public Announcements), this Section 9.2, Section 9.3 (Fees and Expenses), Section 9.4 (Amendment), and Article X (General Provisions) of this Agreement shall survive the termination hereof; provided, that no such termination shall relieve any Party from any liability or damages resulting from any fraud or willful and material breach of any of its covenants, obligations or agreements set forth in this Agreement.
Section 9.3 Fees and Expenses.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.3, all Expenses shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Mergers are consummated; provided that the Parties will share equally the Form S-4 filing fees as may be required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) In the event that this Agreement is terminated:
(i) (A)(x) by REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(i) (REIT I Terminating Breach), and after the date hereof and prior to the breach or failure to perform giving rise to such right of termination, a bona fide Competing Proposal (with, for all purposes of this Section 9.3(b)(i), all percentages included in the definition of Competing Proposal increased to 50%) has been publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to the REIT I Board or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make such a Competing Proposal or (y) by REIT II or REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i) (Outside Date) (and at the time of such termination REIT I would not have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iii) (REIT II Failure to Close)) or Section 9.1(b)(iii) (Failure to Obtain REIT I Stockholder Approval) and after the date of this Agreement but prior to the REIT I Stockholders Meeting, a Competing Proposal with respect to REIT I has been made to REIT I or publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to REIT Is stockholders (and not withdrawn) or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make such a Competing Proposal and (B) within 12 months after the date of such termination, a transaction in respect of a Competing Proposal with respect to REIT I is consummated or REIT I enters into a definitive agreement in respect of a Competing Proposal with respect to REIT I that is later consummated, REIT I shall pay to REIT II the Termination Payment;
(ii) (A) by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iii) (Failure to Close), then REIT II shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the Expense Reimbursement Payment, or (B) by REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(iii) (Failure to Close), then REIT I shall pay to REIT II an amount equal to the Expense Reimbursement Payment;
(iii) by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(ii) (Superior Proposal), then REIT I shall pay to REIT II an amount equal to the Termination Payment; or
(iv) by REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(ii) (Adverse Recommendation Change/No-Shop Violation), then REIT I shall pay to REIT II an amount equal to the Termination Payment.
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(c) REIT II agrees that in no event shall REIT I be required to pay a Termination Payment on more than one occasion. Payment of a Termination Payment shall be made by wire transfer of same day funds to the account or accounts designated by REIT II (i) prior to or concurrently at the time of consummation of any transaction contemplated by an Competing Proposal, in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(i), (ii) concurrently with termination in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(iii), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably practicable after termination (and, in any event, within two Business Days thereof), in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(iv).
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a Termination Payment becomes payable, then such payment shall be the REIT II Parties sole and exclusive remedy as liquidated damages for any and all losses or damages of any nature against REIT I and its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Representatives in respect of this Agreement, any agreement executed in connection herewith, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the termination of this Agreement, the failure of the Mergers to be consummated or for a breach or failure to perform hereunder (whether intentionally, unintentionally, or otherwise) or otherwise.
(e) REIT I acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 9.3 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that without these agreements, REIT II would not enter into this Agreement. In the event that REIT I shall fail to pay the Termination Payment when due, REIT I shall reimburse REIT II for all reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred or accrued by REIT II (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) in connection with the collection under and enforcement of this Section 9.3. Further, if REIT I fails to timely pay any amount due pursuant to this Section 9.3, and, in order to obtain the payment, REIT II commences a suit that results in a judgment against REIT I for the payment set forth in this Section 9.3, REIT I shall pay to REIT II its reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees) in connection with such suit, together with interest on such amount at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal in effect on the date such payment was required to be made through the date of payment.
(f) If REIT I becomes obligated to pay a Termination Payment under this Section 9.3, then REIT I shall deposit into escrow an amount in cash equal to the Termination Payment with an escrow agent reasonably selected by REIT II, after reasonable consultation with REIT I, and pursuant to a written escrow agreement (the Escrow Agreement) reflecting the terms set forth in this Section 9.3 and otherwise reasonably acceptable to each of the Parties and the escrow agent. The payment or deposit into escrow of the Termination Payment pursuant to this Section 9.3(f) shall be made by REIT I promptly after receipt of notice from REIT II that the Escrow Agreement has been executed by the parties thereto. The Escrow Agreement shall provide that the Termination Payment in escrow or the applicable portion thereof shall be released to REIT II on an annual basis based upon the delivery by REIT II to the escrow agent of any one (or a combination) of the following:
94
(i) a letter from REIT IIs independent certified public accountants indicating the maximum amount that can be paid by the escrow agent to REIT II without causing REIT II to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code for the applicable taxable year of REIT II determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute income described in Sections 856(c)(2)(A)-(H) or 856(c)(3)(A)-(I) of the Code (such income, Qualifying REIT Income), in which case the escrow agent shall release to REIT II such maximum amount stated in the accountants letter;
(ii) a letter from REIT IIs counsel indicating that REIT II received a private letter ruling from the IRS holding that the receipt by REIT II of the Termination Payment would either constitute Qualifying REIT Income or would be excluded from gross income within the meaning of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, in which case the escrow agent shall release to REIT II the remainder of the Termination Payment; or
(iii) a letter from REIT IIs counsel indicating that REIT II has received a tax opinion from REIT IIs outside counsel or accountant, respectively, to the effect that the receipt by REIT II of the Termination Payment should either constitute Qualifying REIT Income or should be excluded from gross income within the meaning of Section 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, in which case the escrow agent shall release to REIT II the remainder of the Termination Payment.
REIT I agrees to cooperate in good faith to amend this Section 9.3(f) at the reasonable request of REIT II in order to (A) maximize the portion of the Termination Payment that may be distributed to REIT II hereunder without causing REIT II to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, (B) improve REIT IIs chances of securing the favorable private letter ruling from the IRS described in this Section 9.3(f) or (C) assist REIT II in obtaining the favorable tax opinion from its outside counsel or accountant described in this Section 9.3(f). The Escrow Agreement shall provide that REIT II shall bear all costs and expenses under the Escrow Agreement and that any portion of the Termination Payment held in escrow for ten years shall be released by the escrow agent to REIT I. REIT I shall not be a party to the Escrow Agreement and shall not bear any liability, cost or expense resulting directly or indirectly from the Escrow Agreement (other than any Taxes imposed on REIT I in connection therewith). REIT II shall fully indemnify REIT I and hold REIT I harmless from and against any such liability, cost or expense.
Section 9.4 Amendment. Subject to compliance with applicable Law, this Agreement may be amended by mutual agreement of the Parties by action taken or authorized by the REIT I Board and the REIT II Board, respectively, at any time before or after receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval and prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time; provided, that after the REIT I Stockholder Approval has been obtained, there shall not be (i) any amendment of this Agreement that changes the amount or the form of the consideration to be delivered under this Agreement to the holders of REIT I Common Stock, or which by applicable Law requires the further approval of the stockholders of REIT I without such further approval of such stockholders, or (ii) any amendment or change not permitted under applicable Law. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the Parties.
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ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 10.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties and Certain Covenants. None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the REIT Merger Effective Time. The covenants to be performed prior to or at the Closing shall terminate at the Closing. This Section 10.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the Parties that by its terms contemplates performance after the REIT Merger Effective Time.
Section 10.2 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, consents, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the Parties or sent by facsimile or e-mail of an attachment in portable document form (providing confirmation of transmission) at the following addresses or facsimile numbers (or at such other address or facsimile number for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):
(a) if to a REIT II Party to:
The Special Committee of the Board of Directors
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II, Inc.
1845 Walnut Street, 17th Fl, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attn: Gary Lichtenstein, Chair
email: gslick180@aol.com
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Morrison and Foerster, LLP
3500 Lenox Road, N.E., Suite 1500
Atlanta, GA 30326
Attn: Heath D. Linsky
email: hlinsky@mofo.com
DLA Piper LLP (US)
4141 Parklake Ave., Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27612
Attn: Robert H. Bergdolt
Email: rob.bergdolt@dlapiper.com
(b) if to a REIT I Party to:
The Special Committee of the Board of Directors
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc.
1845 Walnut Street, 17th Fl, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attn: Andrew Ceitlin, Chair
email: aceitlin22@gmail.com
96
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
1600 Atlanta Financial Center
3343 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
Attention: Lauren Burnham Prevost
email: lprevost@mmmlaw.com
Section 10.3 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced under any present or future Law, or public policy, (a) such term or other provision shall be fully separable, (b) this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, and (c) all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable term or other provision or by its severance herefrom so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that transactions contemplated by this Agreement be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
Section 10.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall be deemed one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered (by telecopy, electronic delivery or otherwise) to the other Parties. Signatures to this Agreement transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in portable document form, or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature.
Section 10.5 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement (including the Exhibits, Schedules, the REIT I Disclosure Letter and the REIT II Disclosure Letter) and the Confidentiality Agreement (a) constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and, (b) except for the provisions of Article III and Section 7.14 (which, from and after the REIT Merger Effective Time, shall be for the benefit of holders of shares of REIT I Common Stock immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time) and Section 7.7 (which, from and after the REIT Merger Effective Time shall be for the benefit of the Indemnified Parties) are not intended to confer upon any Person other than the Parties hereto any rights or remedies.
Section 10.6 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Merger Effective Time, the Parties may, to the extent legally allowed and except as otherwise set forth herein, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Parties, (b) waive any
97
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other Party contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the requirements of applicable Law, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a Party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such Party. The failure of any Party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of those rights.
Section 10.7 Governing Law; Venue.
(a) Except to the extent that the Laws of the State of Delaware are mandatorily applicable to the Partnership Merger, this Agreement, and all claims or causes of actions (whether at Law, in contract or in tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or related to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to its conflicts of laws principles (whether the State of Maryland or any other jurisdiction that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland).
(b) All disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any Maryland state or federal court. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any such Maryland state or federal court, for the purpose of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any Party, (ii) agrees not to commence any such dispute except in such courts, (iii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such dispute may be heard and determined in any such Maryland state or federal court, (iv) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such dispute, (v) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such dispute and (vi) agrees, with respect to any Action filed in a Maryland state court, to jointly request an assignment to the Maryland Business and Technology Case Management Program. Each of the Parties agrees that a final judgment in any such dispute shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Each Party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.2. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.
Section 10.8 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or otherwise by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Parties. This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 10.9 Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached, and that monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy therefor. It is accordingly agreed that, prior to the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article IX, each Party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to
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prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and each Party hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such Party is entitled at Law or in equity.
Section 10.10 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.10.
Section 10.11 Authorship. The Parties agree that the terms and language of this Agreement are the result of negotiations between the Parties and their respective advisors and, as a result, there shall be no presumption that any ambiguities in this Agreement shall be resolved against any Party. Any controversy over construction of this Agreement shall be decided without regard to events of authorship or negotiation.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers, all as of the date first written above.
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Shelle Weisbaum |
|||
Shelle Weisbaum | ||||
Chief Legal Officer | ||||
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP | ||||
By: | RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC., as general partner | |||
By: |
/s/ Shelle Weisbaum |
|||
Shelle Weisbaum | ||||
Chief Legal Officer |
[Signature Page to the REIT I Merger Agreement]
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT II, INC. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|||
Alan F. Feldman | ||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||
RRE OPPORTUNITY OP II, LP | ||||
By: | RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT II, INC., as general partner | |||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|||
Alan F. Feldman | ||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||
REVOLUTION I MERGER SUB, LLC | ||||
By: | RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT II, INC., its sole member | |||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|||
Alan F. Feldman | ||||
Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to the REIT I Merger Agreement]
Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
CONTRIBUTION AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
By and Among
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP,
as Buyer
RESOURCE PM HOLDINGS LLC,
as PM Holdings, a Contributed Holding Company and a Contributed Company
RESOURCE NEWCO LLC,
as Advisor Holdings, a Contributed Holding Company and a Contributed Company
C-III CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC,
as PM Contributor, a Contributor and a Contributor Party
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE, LLC
as Advisor Contributor, a Contributor and a Contributor Party
and
RESOURCE AMERICA, INC.,
as Resource America, a Contributor Party and the Contributor Representative
Dated as of September 8, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
2 | |||||
ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE |
17 | |||||
2.1 |
Contribution and Exchange of the Contributed Securities |
17 | ||||
2.2 |
Purchase Price |
17 | ||||
2.3 |
Closing |
17 | ||||
2.4 |
Payments and Transactions at Closing |
17 | ||||
2.5 |
Deferred Payments |
18 | ||||
2.6 |
Pre-Closing and Post-Closing Adjustment |
19 | ||||
2.7 |
Reorganization |
21 | ||||
2.8 |
Withholding |
22 | ||||
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTED HOLDING COMPANIES |
22 | |||||
3.1 |
Organization and Qualification |
23 | ||||
3.2 |
Subsidiaries and Investments |
23 | ||||
3.3 |
Company Charter Documents |
24 | ||||
3.4 |
Authorization of Agreement |
24 | ||||
3.5 |
Capitalization Matters |
24 | ||||
3.6 |
No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents |
25 | ||||
3.7 |
Permits; Compliance with Laws |
26 | ||||
3.8 |
Financial Statements |
26 | ||||
3.9 |
Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities |
27 | ||||
3.10 |
Bank Accounts; Indebtedness |
27 | ||||
3.11 |
Accounts Receivable |
27 | ||||
3.12 |
Absence of Certain Changes or Events |
28 | ||||
3.13 |
Litigation |
30 | ||||
3.14 |
Employee Plans |
30 | ||||
3.15 |
Taxes |
32 | ||||
3.16 |
Properties |
34 | ||||
3.17 |
Sufficiency of Assets |
34 | ||||
3.18 |
Intellectual Property and Technology |
35 | ||||
3.19 |
Material Contracts |
38 | ||||
3.20 |
Environmental, Health and Safety |
41 | ||||
3.21 |
Insurance |
45 | ||||
3.22 |
Affiliate Transactions |
45 | ||||
3.23 |
Employment and Labor Matters |
45 | ||||
3.24 |
Significant Customers and Significant Suppliers |
46 | ||||
3.25 |
Certain Transactions and Payments |
46 | ||||
3.26 |
Brokers |
46 | ||||
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES |
47 | |||||
4.1 |
Organization and Qualification; Capacity |
47 | ||||
4.2 |
Authorization of Agreement |
47 | ||||
4.3 |
No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents |
47 | ||||
4.4 |
Litigation |
47 | ||||
4.5 |
Capitalization Matters |
48 |
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
4.6 |
Brokers |
47 | ||||
4.7 |
Securities Law Matters; Transfer Restrictions |
47 | ||||
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER |
48 | |||||
5.1 |
Organization and Qualification |
49 | ||||
5.2 |
Authorization of Agreement |
49 | ||||
5.3 |
No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents |
49 | ||||
5.4 |
Litigation |
49 | ||||
5.5 |
Investment Intent |
49 | ||||
5.6 |
Brokers |
49 | ||||
5.7 |
Tax Status of Buyer |
49 | ||||
5.8 |
REIT Status |
50 | ||||
ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS |
50 | |||||
6.1 |
Appropriate Actions; Consents; Filings |
50 | ||||
6.2 |
Confidentiality; Public Announcements |
50 | ||||
6.3 |
D&O Tail Policy |
50 | ||||
6.4 |
Access to Records and Personnel |
51 | ||||
6.5 |
Insurance Policies |
52 | ||||
6.6 |
Cooperation with Audit |
53 | ||||
6.7 |
Use of Business Marks |
53 | ||||
6.8 |
Further Assurances |
54 | ||||
6.9 |
Waiver of Notice & Certain Rights |
54 | ||||
6.10 |
Waiver of Contribution Rights |
54 | ||||
6.11 |
Release |
54 | ||||
6.12 |
Contributor Representative |
55 | ||||
ARTICLE VII TAX MATTERS |
55 | |||||
7.1 |
Tax Return Filings |
55 | ||||
7.2 |
Cooperation |
56 | ||||
7.3 |
Transfer Taxes |
56 | ||||
7.4 |
Agreed Tax Treatment |
56 | ||||
7.5 |
Section 704(c) Method |
56 | ||||
7.6 |
Purchase Price Allocation |
56 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII CLOSING DELIVERIES |
57 | |||||
8.1 |
Closing Deliveries of the Contributors |
57 | ||||
8.2 |
Closing Deliveries of Buyer |
59 | ||||
ARTICLE IX INDEMNIFICATION |
60 | |||||
9.1 |
Indemnification by Contributor Parties |
60 | ||||
9.2 |
Indemnification by Buyer |
61 | ||||
9.3 |
Survival, Time for Claims |
61 | ||||
9.4 |
Liability Limitations |
62 | ||||
9.5 |
Materiality |
63 | ||||
9.6 |
Special Rule for Bad Acts |
63 | ||||
9.7 |
Alternative Provisions |
63 | ||||
9.8 |
Calculation of Damages |
63 | ||||
9.9 |
Indemnification Claims Procedures |
64 | ||||
9.10 |
Satisfaction of Indemnification Claims; Right of Set-Off |
66 | ||||
9.11 |
Treatment of Indemnification Payments |
67 |
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
9.12 |
Clawback of Buyer Securities |
67 | ||||
9.13 |
Exclusive Remedy |
67 | ||||
ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS |
67 | |||||
10.1 |
Notices |
67 | ||||
10.2 |
Interpretation |
68 | ||||
10.3 |
Headings |
69 | ||||
10.4 |
Negotiation of Agreement |
69 | ||||
10.5 |
Severability |
69 | ||||
10.6 |
Amendment; Waiver |
69 | ||||
10.7 |
Entire Agreement |
69 | ||||
10.8 |
Fees and Expenses |
69 | ||||
10.9 |
Company Disclosure Schedule |
69 | ||||
10.10 |
Assignment |
70 | ||||
10.11 |
Parties in Interest |
70 | ||||
10.12 |
Specific Performance |
70 | ||||
10.13 |
Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver |
70 | ||||
10.14 |
No Recourse |
70 | ||||
10.15 |
Governing Law |
71 | ||||
10.16 |
Exclusive Jurisdiction and Venue |
71 | ||||
10.17 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
71 | ||||
10.18 |
Time of Essence |
71 | ||||
10.19 |
Counterparts |
71 |
-iii-
INDEX OF ANNEXES & EXHIBITS
Annex |
Description |
|||
Annex I | | Contributor Parties & Equity Interests | ||
Exhibit |
Description |
|||
Exhibit A | | PM Holdings LLC Agreement | ||
Exhibit B | | Advisor Holdings LLC Agreement | ||
Exhibit C | | Form of Buyer A&R LP Agreement | ||
Exhibit D | | PM Contribution Agreement | ||
Exhibit E | | Form of A&R PM Contributed Subsidiary LLC Agreement | ||
Exhibit F | | Advisor Contribution Agreement | ||
Exhibit G | | Form of A&R Advisor Contributed Subsidiary LLC Agreement | ||
Exhibit H | | Form of Employment Agreement | ||
Exhibit I | | Form of Acknowledgment and Agreement of Termination | ||
Exhibit J | | Form of Restrictive Covenants Agreement (Key Employees) | ||
Exhibit K | | Form of Restrictive Covenants Agreement (Contributor Assignor) | ||
Exhibit L | | Form of Transitional Services Agreement | ||
Exhibit M | | Form of Assignment of Lease Agreements | ||
Exhibit N | | Form of Sublease Agreement | ||
Exhibit O | | Form of Advisor I Amendment | ||
Exhibit P | | Form of Advisor II Amendment | ||
Exhibit Q | | Form of Investor Rights Agreement | ||
Exhibits R-1 and R-2 | | Form of Voting Agreement |
-iv-
CONTRIBUTION AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
THIS CONTRIBUTION AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is entered into as of September 8, 2020, by and among (a) Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Buyer), (b) Resource PM Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (PM Holdings), (c) Resource NewCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Advisor Holdings, and each of PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings also being referred to herein as a Contributed Holding Company and collectively, the Contributed Holding Companies), (d) C-III Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (PM Contributor), (e) Resource Real Estate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Advisor Contributor, and each of Advisor Contributor and PM Contributor also being referred to herein as a Contributor and collectively, the Contributors) and (f) Resource America, Inc., a Delaware corporation, in its capacity as a Contributor Party and the Contributor Representative (Resource America, and each of Resource America and the Contributors also being referred to herein as a Contributor Party and collectively, the Contributor Parties). Unless the context otherwise requires, each of Buyer, the Contributed Holding Companies and the Contributor Parties are referred to herein individually as a Party, and collectively, as the Parties. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to such terms in Article I (Definitions) and elsewhere throughout this Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, effective as of immediately prior to the Closing, the Contributed Companies and the Contributor Parties consummated the Reorganization in accordance with Section 2.7;
WHEREAS, concurrent with the consummation of the Reorganization, PM Holdings and PM Contributor entered into that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of PM Holdings (the PM Holdings LLC Agreement), dated as of August 5, 2020 and attached hereto as Exhibit A, in order to, among other things, set forth the rights and obligations of the members party thereto;
WHEREAS, concurrent with the consummation of the Reorganization, Advisor Holdings and Advisor Contributor entered into that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of Advisor Holdings (the Advisor Holdings LLC Agreement), dated as of June 22, 2020 and attached hereto as Exhibit B, in order to, among other things, set forth the rights and obligations of the members party thereto;
WHEREAS, as of immediately prior to the Closing, PM Contributor is the sole equityholder of PM Holdings and owns, beneficially and of record, 100% of the outstanding membership interest of PM Holdings as set forth opposite PM Contributors name on Annex I under the heading PM Holdings Securities (PM Holdings Securities), which membership interest constitutes 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of PM Holdings;
WHEREAS, as of immediately prior to the Closing, Advisor Contributor is the sole equityholder of Advisor Holdings and owns, beneficially and of record, 100% of the outstanding membership interest of Advisor Holdings as set forth opposite Advisor Contributors name on Annex I under the heading Advisor Holdings Securities (Advisor Holdings Securities, and each of Advisor Holdings Securities and PM Holdings Securities also being referred to herein as Contributed Securities), which membership interest constitutes 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of Advisor Holdings;
WHEREAS, at the Closing, each of PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor desire to contribute to Buyer, and Buyer desires to accept and acquire therefrom, all of the Contributed Securities, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Securities Liens), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement such that, immediately upon the Closing, Buyer shall own, beneficially and of record, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of each Contributed Company; and
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WHEREAS, Resource America is a direct Subsidiary of PM Contributor and an indirect equityholder of each of Advisor Contributor and Advisor Holdings and will benefit substantially from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises and representations set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
For all purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Accounting Firm has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(d).
Action means any suit, litigation, arbitration, mediation, claim, dispute, action, allegation, charge, demand, audit, investigation, assessment, examination, notice letter or other proceeding.
Actual Cash has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).
Actual Closing Balance Sheets has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).
Actual Indebtedness has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).
Actual Net Working Capital has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).
Actual Transaction Expenses has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).
Adjustment Amount means the amount equal to (a) Estimated Cash, minus (b) Estimated Indebtedness, minus (c) Estimated Transaction Expenses, plus (d) the Working Capital Adjustment Amount (provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjustment Amount may be a positive or negative number. If a positive number, such amount shall increase the amount payable hereunder, and if a negative number, such amount shall decrease the amount payable hereunder).
Advisor Contributed Assets has the meaning assigned to the term Contributed Assets in the Advisor Contribution Agreement.
Advisor Contributed Subsidiary has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a)(iii).
Advisor Contribution has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a)(iii).
Advisor Contributor has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Advisor Holdings has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Advisor Holdings LLC Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Advisor Holdings Securities has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
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Advisor I Amendment has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(k).
Advisor II Amendment has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(l).
Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person, including any general partner, managing member, director or officer of such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise, and the terms controlled and controlling have meanings correlative thereto.
Affiliate Transaction has the meaning set forth in Section 3.22(b).
Affiliated Group means any affiliated group within the meaning of Code Section 1504(a) (or any similar combined, consolidated, unitary or similar group defined under a similar Tax Law).
Acknowledgement of Termination has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(e).
Allocation Objections Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(a).
Allocation Review Period has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(a).
Allocation Schedule has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(a).
Agreed Adjustments has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(d).
Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Ancillary Agreements means, collectively, (a) the Reorganization Documents, the Employment Agreements, the Acknowledgments of Termination, the IP Assignment Agreements, the Transitional Services Agreement, the Assignment of Lease Agreements, the Sublease Agreement, the Advisor I Amendment, the Advisor II Amendment, the Restrictive Covenants Agreements, the Investor Rights Agreement, the Voting Agreements, the Buyer Charter Documents, and (b) any documents, agreements, certificates, schedules or other instruments contemplated to be delivered at or prior to the Closing pursuant to Article VIII of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement referred to in the foregoing clause (a).
Annual Financial Statements has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8.
Anti-Corruption Laws means any applicable Laws relating to bribery, fraud or corruption, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Applicable Survival Periods has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3(a)(i)(A).
Assets has the meaning set forth in Section 3.17(a).
Assignment of Lease Agreements has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(i).
Assumed Liability means, collectively, any Assumed Liability (as defined in the PM Contribution Agreement) and any Assumed Liability (as defined in the Advisor Contribution Agreement).
Assumption Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 9.9(a)(ii).
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A&R Advisor Contributed Subsidiary LLC Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a)(ii).
Books and Records has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(c).
Business means, collectively, (a) the business of any Contributor Party or any Subsidiary of any Contributor Party as conducted of providing (i) advisory services to multi-family, non-listed, publicly-offered REITs, including managing, operating, directing and supervising the operations and administration of any such REIT and its assets and properties and (ii) property management services for real estate properties or real estate debt or equity investments owned or controlled by multi-family, non-listed, publicly-offered REITs, including coordinating the leasing of and managing construction activities related to such properties and investments and (b) the business of any Contributed Company as conducted, including, with respect to PM Holdings and the PM Contributed Subsidiaries, the business of providing management services for real estate properties or real estate equity or debt investments owned or controlled by each of REIT I, REIT II or REIT III, including coordinating the leasing of and managing construction activities related to such properties and investments, and with respect to Advisor Holdings and the Advisor Contributed Subsidiaries, the business of providing advisory services to each of REIT I, REIT II or REIT III, including managing, operating, directing and supervising the operations and administration of such Persons and their assets and properties. For the avoidance of doubt, as used in this definition, conducted shall include the manner in which any business was conducted or services were provided, as applicable, prior to the Reorganization.
Business Day means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or New York, New York are authorized or obligated by Law or executive order to close.
Business Marks has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(a).
Business Marks Assignment has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(d).
Buyer has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Buyer A&R LP Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Buyer, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
Buyer Charter Documents means (a) the Governing Documents of Buyer, including the Buyer A&R LP Agreement and (b) any annexes, exhibits, schedules or attachments thereto.
Buyer Indemnified Party has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
Buyer Purchase Price Cap has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(e).
Buyer Securities means, collectively, (a) 6,158,759 Common Units of Buyer and (b) 319,965 Preferred Units of Buyer. As used in this Agreement, classes of Buyer Securities shall refer to Common Units and Preferred Units.
Calculation Time means as of immediately prior to the Closing.
Cash means the consolidated amount of cash and cash equivalents of the Contributed Companies (excluding restricted cash), as defined by and determined in accordance with GAAP.
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Claim Dispute Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 9.9(b).
Claims Made Policies has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a)(ii).
Claim Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 9.9(a)(i).
Closing has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
Closing Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Common Units has the meaning assigned to such term in the Buyer A&R LP Agreement.
Company Approvals means, collectively with any Company Governmental Approvals, any consent, license, permit, approval, waiver or authorization or order of, filing with or any notification to, any Person, required as a result of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by any Contributed Company or Contributor Party or the Ancillary Agreements by any Contributed Company or Contributor Party or the consummation of the Transactions by any Contributor Holding Company or Contributor, including those set forth or required to be set forth on Schedule 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
Company Benefits Plan has the meaning set forth in Section 3.14(a).
Company Disclosure Schedule has the meaning set forth in Article III (Representations and Warranties of the Contributed Holding Companies).
Company Governmental Approvals means any consent, license, permit, approval, waiver, authorization or order of, filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority required as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by any Contributed Company or Contributor Party or the consummation of the Transactions by any Contributed Company or Contributor Party, including those set forth or required to be set forth on Schedule 3.6(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
Company Health Plan has the meaning set forth in Section 3.14(i).
Company Intellectual Property means any Intellectual Property Rights that are used or held for use by, owned or purported to be owned by, any Contributed Company in, or reasonably necessary or reasonably required for, the ownership or operation of the Business.
Company Material Adverse Effect means any event, effect, fact, occurrence, circumstance, condition, development or change (collectively, Events) that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or has a materially adverse effect upon: (a) the Business; (b) the assets, properties, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Contributed Companies, taken as a whole; or (c) the ability of any Contributed Company or Contributor Party to consummate the Transactions; provided, however, that the following and the effects of the following shall not be deemed, either alone or in combination, to constitute, and none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) general economic, capital market, financial, political or regulatory conditions, worldwide or in any particular region; (ii) an occurrence, outbreak, escalation or material worsening of war, armed hostilities, acts of terrorism, political instability or other national or international calamity, crisis or emergency, or any governmental or other response or reaction to any of the foregoing (including, for clarity, the COVID-19 pandemic); (iii) any earthquake, natural disaster or other force majeure event; and (iv) any changes in GAAP or applicable Law; provided that, with respect to an Event described in the foregoing clause (i) through clause (iv), such Event shall only be excluded to the extent such Event does not adversely affect any Contributed Company or any Contributor Party, individually or taken as a whole, disproportionately relative to other companies engaged, or providing advisory services or property management services to issuers, in the multi-family, publicly-offered, non-listed REIT industry.
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Company Owned Intellectual Property means any Intellectual Property Rights owned or purported to be owned by a Contributed Company.
Company Permits has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a).
Contract means any contract, agreement, lease, sublease, license, note, bond, mortgage, pledge, security interest, guarantee, letter of intent, offer letter, document or other instrument, commitment, obligation or arrangement of any kind or nature, whether written or oral, together with any amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, which, in each case, is legally binding, but, as used in Article III and Section 4.6, excluding from this definition any Employee Plan referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) of the definition of Employee Plan.
Contributed Asset means, collectively, any Contributed Asset (as defined in the PM Contribution Agreement) and any Contributed Asset (as defined in the Advisor Contribution Agreement).
Contributed Companies means, collectively, PM Holdings, Advisor Holdings and each of their Subsidiaries.
Contributed Holding Company has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Contributed Securities has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Contributed Subsidiary means, collectively, each Subsidiary of a Contributed Holding Company.
Contributor shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Contributor Assignor means, collectively, PM Contributor, Advisor Contributor, Resource Capital Partners LLC, Resource Financial Fund Management, LLC and Resource America.
Contributor Deductible has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(a).
Contributor General Cap has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(c).
Contributor Indemnified Party has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2.
Contributor Insurance Policies has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a).
Contributor Mini-Basket has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(a).
Contributor Party has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Contributor Purchase Price Cap has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(d).
Contributor Related Party has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(d).
Contributor Representative has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Contributor Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.
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Current Assets means the consolidated amount of current assets of the Contributed Companies, as defined by and determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding (a) any Cash and (b) any current or deferred Tax assets).
Current Liabilities means the consolidated amount of current liabilities of the Contributed Companies, as defined by and determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding (a) any Indebtedness or Transaction Expenses, in each case, to the extent actually included in the calculation of the Final Adjustment Amount; and (b) any current or deferred Tax Liabilities).
D&O Tail Policy has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
Damages means (i) any loss, debt, deficiency, damage, disbursement, injury, judgement, Order, Action, Tax, interest, fine, penalty, payment or Liability of any kind, whether or not arising out of a Third Party Claim and (ii) any fee, cost or expense of investigating, defending, asserting, prosecuting, settling or collecting any of the foregoing (including interest, court or arbitration costs and fees and expenses of attorneys, advisors, expert witnesses or other professionals); provided, that, in no event shall this definition of Damages include any punitive damages, except to the extent awarded in connection with a Third Party Claim.
Deferred Payments means, collectively, the REIT I/II Merger Contingent Payment, the Oversight Management Deferred Payments and the TSA Deferred Payments.
Delaware Courts has the meaning set forth in Section 10.16.
Direct Claim has the meaning set forth in Section 9.9(b).
Distribution Schedule has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a)(i).
Employee Plan means any plan, program, policy, arrangement or contract, whether or not reduced to writing, and whether covering a single individual or a group of individuals, that is (a) an employee welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA, (b) an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA, (c) an equity bonus, equity purchase, equity option, restricted equity, equity appreciation right or similar equity-based plan or (d) any other deferred-compensation, retirement, severance, health, welfare, post-employment welfare, retention, change in control, reimbursement, bonus, profit-sharing, incentive, fringe benefit, long- or short-term disability, vacation, sick time or other paid time-off plan, employment agreement, consulting or independent contractor agreement, offer letter, or any other benefit plan, program or arrangement other than any plan, program, policy, arrangement or contract mandated by applicable Laws.
Employment Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(d).
Environmental Laws has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20.
Enforceability Exceptions has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.
Equity Interest means, with respect to any Person, (a) any share, unit, capital stock, partnership or membership interest, unit of participation, voting security, debt security or other similar ownership interest in such Person, (b) any equity, debt or other security or interest, directly or indirectly, convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any share, unit, capital stock, partnership or membership interest, unit of participation, voting security, debt security or other similar ownership interest in such Person, (c) any option, warrant, purchase right, conversion right, exchange right, profits interest, preemptive right or
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other Contract that would, directly or indirectly, entitle any other Person to subscribe for or acquire any such interest in such Person or otherwise entitle any other Person to share in the equity, profits, earnings, losses or gains of such Person (including equity appreciation, phantom equity, profit participation or other similar rights) and (d) any equity appreciation right, phantom equity right or other right the value of which is linked to the value of any security or interests referred to in clauses (a) through (c) above.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, which, together with such Person, would be treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.
Estimated Balance Sheets has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).
Estimated Cash has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).
Estimated Indebtedness has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).
Estimated Net Working Capital has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).
Estimated Transaction Expenses has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).
Excluded Agreements means, collectively, (a) the Reorganization Documents, the Employment Agreements, the Acknowledgements of Termination, the Transitional Services Agreement, the Sublease Agreement, the Advisor I Amendment, the Advisor II Amendment, the Restrictive Covenant Agreements, the Voting Agreements, the Investor Rights Agreement and the Buyer Charter Documents, and (b) any exhibits, annexes or schedules attached to any Excluded Agreement referred to in the foregoing clause (a).
Excluded Asset means, collectively, any Excluded Asset (as defined in the PM Contribution Agreement) and any Excluded Asset (as defined in the Advisor Contribution Agreement).
Excluded Liability means, collectively, any Excluded Liability (as defined in the PM Contribution Agreement) and any Excluded Liability (as defined in the Advisor Contribution Agreement).
Final Adjustment Amount has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(e).
Final Purchase Price has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(e).
Financial Statements has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(a).
FLSA has the meaning set forth in Section 3.23(b).
Fraud means with respect to the making of any representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements), or any certificate, schedule or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements), an act, committed by a Party (including, for clarity, a Person acting on such Partys behalf), with intent to deceive another Party, or to induce that Party to enter into this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements) and requires (i) a false representation of fact made in this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, certificate, schedule or instrument, (ii) with knowledge or belief of such representations falsity, (iii) with an intention to induce the Party to whom such representation is made to act or refrain from acting in reliance upon it, (iv) causing that Party, in justifiable reliance upon such false representation, to take or refrain from taking action, and (v) causing such Party to suffer damage by reason of such reliance.
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Fundamental Representations means (a) with respect to any Contributed Company, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.1 (Organization and Qualification), Section 3.2 (Subsidiaries and Investments), Section 3.3(a) (Company Charter Documents), Section 3.4 (Authorization of Agreement), Section 3.5 (Capitalization Matters), Section 3.6 (other than Section 3.6(c)) (No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents), Section 3.15 (Taxes), Section 3.22(a) (Affiliate Transactions) and Section 3.26 (Brokers) of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements); (b) with respect to any Contributor Party, the representations and warranties set forth Article IV (other than Section 4.4 (Litigation)) of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements); and (c) with respect to Buyer, the representations and warranties set forth in Article V (other than Section 5.4 (Litigation)) of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements).
GAAP means United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
General Survival Date has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3(a)(i)(A).
Governing Documents means, with respect to any Person (other than an individual), the (a) documents by which such Person establishes its legal existence or which govern its internal organizational affairs and (b) any stockholders agreement, operating agreement, partnership agreement, investor rights agreement, voting agreement, proxy or trust, right of first refusal or co-sale agreement, registration rights agreement or any other document, agreement or proxy comparable to those described in the foregoing clause (a) as may be applicable to such Person pursuant to applicable Law or by Contract, together with any amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto.
Governmental Authority means, whether domestic or foreign, any (i) federal, state, provincial, local, municipal or other government, (ii) governmental or quasi-governmental entity of any nature (including any authority, agency, commission, instrumentality, body, branch, department, official or entity and any court or other tribunal) or (iii) body, authority, agency, court, commission, instrumentality or tribunal exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, municipal, governmental or taxing authority or power of any nature, including any self-regulatory organization or arbitral tribunal.
Health Care Reform Laws has the meaning set forth in Section 3.19(i).
Indebtedness means, with regard to any Person and without duplication, any Liability of such Person arising under or in respect of: (a) indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) any note, bond, indenture, debenture or similar instrument; (c) the deferred purchase price of assets, property, goods or services (excluding trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business); (d) any capital (but not operating) lease obligation; (e) any Liability of any other Person that is guaranteed, directly or indirectly, as guarantor, surety or otherwise, by such Person or secured by, contingent or otherwise, any Lien on any asset or property (whether real, personal, tangible or intangible) of such Person; (f) any commitment, whether drawn or undrawn, by which such Person assures a creditor against any Liability (including letters of credit and contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to any performance bond, customs bond, surety bond, bankers acceptance, fidelity bond or similar credit transaction or facility); (g) any interest rate, foreign currency exchange, currency swap or similar rate protection or hedging transaction (valued at the termination value thereof); (h) any seller note, deferred purchase price, earn-out or similar payment obligation (such amount to be the maximum amount); (i) the factoring of accounts receivable or off-balance sheet financing; (j) deferred rent; (k) Taxes (not to be an amount less than zero or include any offsets or
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reductions with respect to Tax refunds or overpayments of Taxes); (l) the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of Equity Interests of such Person; (m) unpaid management, board or similar fees, costs or expenses due to any direct or indirect investor, board member or advisor of such Person or any of their Affiliates; (n)(i) any sale, transaction, success, change-of-control, retention, stay-around, transition, termination, severance, phantom equity, deferred compensation, profit sharing, bonus or incentive Contract, plan, arrangement, payment or obligation or other discretionary or compensatory amount, (ii) unfunded or underfunded employee pension benefit plans and any unsatisfied obligation for withdrawal liability to a multiemployer plan as such terms are defined under ERISA and (iii) the employers portion of any employment, unemployment, payroll or similar Tax and any amount paid or to be paid to offset or gross-up any Person for any excise Tax or income Tax imposed by any amount set forth in clause (i) or clause (ii); (o) any Cash overdraft; and (p) any accrued interest, prepayment premium or penalty, break fee or other fee, cost or expense arising from or attributable to any of the foregoing, including with respect to the unwinding, prepayment or termination thereof; provided, that, Indebtedness shall not include any Transaction Expenses to the extent actually included in the calculation of finally determined Transaction Expenses and resulting in a corresponding decrease to the Final Adjustment Amount.
Indemnified Taxes means, without duplication, any and all (a) Taxes (or the non-payment thereof) imposed on any Contributed Company (or any predecessor of any Contributed Company) with respect to any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing, (b) Taxes of any member of an Affiliated Group of which any Contributed Company (or any predecessor of any Contributed Company or the Business) is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date, including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar Tax Laws), (c) Taxes of any Person imposed on any Contributed Company (or any predecessor of any Contributed Company) as a transferee or successor, by contract, pursuant to any Laws or otherwise, which Taxes relate to transactions or events occurring on or prior to the Closing Date, (d) withholding Taxes with respect to any payments under or contemplated by this Agreement, (e) employment, unemployment, payroll or similar Taxes with respect to any payments under or contemplated by this Agreement and (f) Taxes of any Contributed Company arising (directly or indirectly) as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that, Indemnified Taxes shall not include any Indebtedness, Transaction Expenses or Current Liabilities to the extent actually included in the final determination thereof and resulting in a corresponding decrease to the Final Adjustment Amount.
Indemnified Party means a Buyer Indemnified Party or a Contributor Indemnified Party, as applicable.
Indemnifying Party means any Person required by Article IX to indemnify a party seeking indemnification.
Information Privacy and Security Laws means any applicable Laws or other legal requirements concerning the use, ownership, maintenance, storage, collection, transfer, processing, controlling, privacy or security of Personal Information.
Information Systems computers, networks, software, Technology, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, communication lines, and systems used in connection with the operation of the Business.
Insider means each of the following: (a) any Contributor Party; (b) any current director, manager, officer or employee of any Contributor Party or any Contributed Company; or (c) any Affiliate of any Person included in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b) (excluding any equityholder of such Persons).
Insurance Policies has the meaning set forth in Section 3.21.
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Intellectual Property Rights means any and all intellectual property and other proprietary rights, whether registered or unregistered, which may exist under the laws of any jurisdiction, including any and all rights: (a) arising out of, or associated with, copyrightable works and rights associated with works of authorship, including those arising under the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended, and any and all copyrights therefor, including any and all copyright registrations and renewals thereof and applications for registration of copyright therefor; (b) arising out of, or associated with, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), improvements to inventions, patents, design patents, industrial designs, patent applications and rights granted under the Patent Act of 1952, as amended, together with any reissuances, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions, or reexaminations of any such patent, design or patent application; (c) arising out of, or associated with, trademarks, words, names, symbols, designs or other designation, or a combination of any of the preceding items, used to uniquely identify the origin of goods, a group, a product or a service, or to indicate a form of certification, including logos, trade names, trade dress, trademarks, service marks, and corporate names, and rights granted under the Lanham Act of 1946, as amended, together with all goodwill relating thereto, registrations and renewals thereof and applications for registration therefor; (d) arising out of, or associated with, confidential information or Trade Secrets, including proprietary know-how, technical, marketing or pricing information, research and development, formulas, algorithms, data, customer and supplier lists, and inventions; (e) arising out of, or associated with a persons name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness, including rights of personality, privacy, and publicity; (f) of attribution and integrity and other moral rights of an author; (g) in internet domain names and websites, including all related internet protocol addresses, together with all goodwill relating thereto and all applications and registrations and renewals therefor; (h) in software (whether in general release or under development) and databases; and (i) to prosecute and perfect any of the foregoing through administrative prosecution, registration, recordation, or other proceeding, and all causes of action and rights to sue or seek other remedies arising from or relating to the foregoing, including for any past or ongoing infringement, misuse or misappropriation, anywhere in the world.
Interim Financial Statements has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8.
IRCA has the meaning set forth in Section 3.23(f).
IRS means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Knowledge of the Company to the Companys Knowledge, known to the Company or any similar phrase means, the actual or constructive knowledge of Alan Feldman, Thomas Elliott, Michele Weisbaum or, solely with respect to Section 3.15 (Taxes), Steven Saltzman, in each case, assuming each such Person engaged in a reasonable inquiry.
Latest Balance Sheet has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(a).
Latest Balance Sheet Date has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(a).
Law means any applicable federal, national, international, provincial, state, local, domestic, foreign or other (including the United States) statute, law (including common law), ordinance, regulation, rule, code, decree, judgment, writ, injunction, order or determination of any kind or other requirement, policy, rule of law, guideline or pronouncement of any Governmental Authority having the effect of law.
Leased Real Property has the meaning set forth in Section 3.16(a).
Leases has the meaning set forth in Section 3.16(a).
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Liabilities means any liability, debt, obligation, deficiency, interest, Tax, penalty, fine, demand, guarantee, endorsement, duty, judgment, cause of action or other loss, cost or expense of any kind, whether asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, known or unknown, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not foreseeable, and whether or not due.
Liens means any lien, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, license, security interest, charge, claim, easement, encumbrance, hypothecation, encroachment, restriction, option, proxy, right of first offer or refusal, defect in survey or title or other lien or encumbrance of any kind.
Malicious Code means any back door, time bomb, trojan horse, worm, drop dead device, virus or other software routines or hardware components that disrupt, harm, impede, permit unauthorized access or the unauthorized disablement or erasure of, any Information Systems or Personal Information.
Material Contract has the meaning set forth in Section 3.19(b).
Materiality Qualified Reps shall mean the representations or warranties subject to a Materiality Qualifier that are read and interpreted without regard to any Materiality Qualifier in accordance with Section 9.5 for purposes of Article IX (Indemnification) of this Agreement.
Net Working Capital means (a) Current Assets minus (b) Current Liabilities.
Non-Released Matters has the meaning set forth in Section 6.11.
Occurrence Basis Policies has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a)(i).
Objection has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(d).
Objection Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c).
Order means any judgment, writ, decree, award, compliance agreement, injunction or order (whether judicial, administrative or arbitral) and any determination of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator.
Oversight Management Deferred Payment has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).
Part(ies) has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Permits means any permits, franchises, grants, authorizations, declarations, orders, licenses, registrations, requirements, easements, variances, exemptions, consents, certificates, approvals, filings and similar rights of any kind obtained, or required to be obtained, by any Contributed Company, whether under applicable Law, by Contract or otherwise.
Permitted Licensee has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(e).
Permitted Liens means (i) Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or Taxes being contested in good faith by any appropriate proceeding and for which adequate reserves have been established in compliance with GAAP and set forth on Schedule 3.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule; (ii) statutory landlords, mechanics or other similar Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business and for amounts which are not delinquent and which are set forth on the face of the Latest Balance Sheet, (iii) liens created in connection with capitalized lease obligations, (iv) recorded easements, covenants and other restrictions of record (provided, that no such item described in this clause (iv) impairs the current use, occupancy, value or marketability of title of the property subject thereto), and (v) Permitted Securities Liens.
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Permitted Securities Liens means Liens to the extent arising under applicable state and federal securities Laws.
Person means an individual, entity or organization, including a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, or a Governmental Authority (or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof).
Personal Information means data or other information relating, directly or indirectly, to an identified or identifiable natural person or household, including any data regulated under applicable Privacy Laws, such as personally identifying information, protected health information, personal health information, biometric information, personal information, non-public personal information, personal data and other similar terms as they are used in applicable Privacy Laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.100, et seq.) and the General Data Protection Regulation (EU Regulation 2016/679) or otherwise subject to the requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and any data or other information associated with any of the foregoing that are or could reasonably be used to develop a profile or record of the activities of a natural Person across multiple websites or online services, to predict or infer the preferences, interests or other characteristics of a natural Person, or to target advertisements or other content to a natural Person.
PM Contributed Assets has the meaning assigned to the term Contributed Assets in the PM Contribution Agreement.
PM Contributed Subsidiary has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a)(i).
PM Contribution has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a)(i).
PM Contribution Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a)(i).
PM Contributor has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
PM Holdings has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
PM Holdings LLC Agreement has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.
PM Holdings Securities has the meaning set forth in the recital of this Agreement.
Post-Closing Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).
Pre-Closing Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a)(ii).
Preferred Units has the meaning assigned to such term in the Buyer A&R LP Agreement.
Pro Rata Portion means, with respect to each Contributor, the percentage set forth opposite such Contributors name in the Distribution Schedule under the heading Pro Rata Portion.
Process, Processes, or Processing means any operation performed upon Personal Information, including the creation, collection, use, storage, maintenance, processing, recording, distribution, transfer, transmission, receipt, import, export, protection, access, disposal or disclosure or other activity regarding data.
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Purchase Price has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
Registered Intellectual Property means all Intellectual Property Rights, that are the subject of an application, certificate, filing, registration, or other document issued by, filed with, or recorded by, any Governmental Authority at any time in any jurisdiction.
Regulation D has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(a).
REIT I means Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
REIT I/II Merger has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).
REIT I/II Merger Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).
REIT I/II Merger Contingent Payment has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).
REIT II means Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
REIT III means Resource Apartment REIT III, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
REIT Shares has the meaning assigned to such term in the Buyer A&R LP Agreement.
Released Claims has the meaning set forth in Section 6.11.
Releasee(s) has the meaning set forth in Section 6.11.
Reorganization has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.
Reorganization Documents has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b).
Representatives means, with respect to any Person, any officers, directors, managers, Affiliates, controlling persons, equityholders, partners, employees, advisors, accountants, consultants, legal counsel, agents, financing sources and other representatives of such Person.
Resolved Claim has the meaning set forth in Section 9.10(a).
Resource America has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
Restrictive Covenants Agreements means, collectively, the Restrictive Covenants Agreements (Key Employee) and the Restrictive Covenants Agreements (Contributor Assignor).
Restrictive Covenants Agreements (Key Employee) has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(f).
Restrictive Covenants Agreements (Contributor Assignor) has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(g).
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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Shared Contract means any (a) Contract to which any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party (other than a Contributed Company) is a party and which benefits or burdens both (i) the Business and (ii) any other business of any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party (other than a Contributed Company), including those Contracts set forth in Schedule 3.19(a)(xvii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or (b) any guaranty of any Liability of any Contributed Company by any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party (other than a Contributed Company).
Significant Customers has the meaning set forth in Section 3.24(a).
Significant Suppliers has the meaning set forth in Section 3.24(b).
Sublease Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(j).
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.
Target Net Working Capital means an amount equal to ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
Tax means any U.S. federal, state, local or municipal, foreign, provincial or other tax, including any income tax, franchise tax, capital gains tax, gross receipts tax, value-added tax, surtax, estimated tax, unemployment tax, escheat or unclaimed property tax, excise tax, ad valorem tax, transfer tax, stamp tax, goods and services harmonization tax, sales tax, use tax, real or personal property tax, business tax, profits tax, environmental tax, capital stock tax, severance tax, occupation tax, windfall profits tax, social security tax, disability tax, withholding tax or payroll tax, or any other Tax of any kind whatsoever and any fee, custom, impost, assessment, obligation, levy, tariff, charge or duty in the nature of a tax (including any fine, penalty, interest or addition to tax), whether disputed or not and including any obligation to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Tax Liability of another Person.
Tax Return means any return, form, declaration, claim for refund, information return, certificate, bill, document, declaration of estimated Taxes or other information (including any schedule, appendix or attachment thereto) and any amendment thereof, required or permitted to be filed with or supplied to any Governmental Authority in connection with the imposition, determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration, implementation or enforcement of or compliance with any Laws relating to any Tax.
Technology means all forms of technology, including any or all of the following: algorithms, APIs, databases, data collections, diagrams, inventions, methods and processes (whether or not patentable), network configurations and architectures, protocols, schematics, specifications, software, techniques, interfaces, URLs, websites, in each case whether or not registered with a Governmental Authority or embodied in any tangible form.
Third Party Claim means any Action made or brought by any Person who or that is not a party to this Agreement.
Third Party Technology has the meaning set forth in Section 3.18(d).
Third Party License Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(c).
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Third Party License Term has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(c).
Trade Secret means any and all information that qualifies as a trade secret under applicable Law.
Transactions means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including those contemplated by the Reorganization Documents.
Transaction Expenses means, without duplication, the aggregate amount of: (a) any fees, costs, expenses, disbursements or other amounts payable or reimbursable by any Contributed Company or for which any Contributed Company has any Liability arising from or in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or the process or consummation of the Transactions (including any marketing, auction or sale process and any discussions or negotiations with any other Person), including any fees, costs, expenses or other amounts in respect of (i) obtaining Company Approvals, (ii) releasing or terminating any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) and (iii) any counsel, advisor, investment banker, expert, consultant, accountant, auditor or other professional of any Contributed Company or any Contributor Party; (b) any Liability of any Contributed Company for any sale, transaction, success, change-of-control, retention, stay-around, transition, termination, severance, phantom equity, deferred compensation, profit sharing, bonus or incentive Contract, plan, arrangement, payment or obligation or other discretionary or compensatory amount triggered (in whole or in part and with or without a subsequent event) as a result of or in connection with the Transactions; and (c) the employers portion of any employment, unemployment, payroll or similar Tax and any amount paid or to be paid to offset or gross-up any Person for any excise Tax or income Tax for any other Transaction Expense; provided, that, Transaction Expenses shall not include any Indebtedness to the extent actually included in the calculation of Estimated Indebtedness or Actual Indebtedness and resulting in a corresponding decrease to the Final Adjustment Amount. For the purposes of clarity, in the event that any of the employees set forth (or required to be set forth) in Schedule 3.23(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or any Scheduled Employees (as defined in the Transitional Services Agreement) that accept employment with Buyer or Buyers Affiliate after the Closing resign on or prior to December 31, 2020, Transaction Expenses shall include any accrued vacation pay and sick leave payable to such employee as a result of such resignation. In the event that such resignation occurs after the finalization of the Final Adjustment Amount, each Contributor Party agrees that such amounts shall be payable promptly, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to the account designated by Buyer.
Transfer Taxes has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.
Transitional Services Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(h).
Treasury Regulations means the regulations (including temporary regulations) of the United States Treasury Department pertaining to the Code.
TSA Deferred Payment has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(c).
Union has the meaning set forth in Section 3.12(k).
WARN Act has the meaning set forth in Section 3.23(d).
Working Capital Adjustment Amount means (a) Estimated Net Working Capital, minus (b) Target Net Working Capital (which may be a positive or negative number). If Estimated Net Working Capital exceeds the Target Net Working Capital, the Working Capital Adjustment Amount shall be a positive number, and if Estimated Net Working Capital is less than Target Net Working Capital, the Working Capital Adjustment Amount shall be a negative number.
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ARTICLE II
PURCHASE AND SALE
2.1 Contribution and Exchange of the Contributed Securities. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Buyer Charter Documents, at the Closing, each Contributor shall contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Buyer, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Securities Liens), and Buyer shall accept from such Contributor, all of the Contributed Securities owned or held by such Contributor in exchange for the issuance of such Contributors Pro Rata Portion of each class of the Buyer Securities, as set forth in the Distribution Schedule.
2.2 Purchase Price. The consideration payable by Buyer for the contribution and exchange of the Contributed Securities (the Purchase Price) shall be an amount equal to:
(a) the aggregate value of the Buyer Securities as of the Closing (which the Parties acknowledge and agree is equal to $135,000,000.00);
(b) plus the Adjustment Amount (which may be a positive or negative number (if a positive number, such amount shall increase the Purchase Price, and if a negative number, such amount shall reduce the Purchase Price), which Adjustment Amount shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds on the Closing Date (as defined below));
(c) plus the Deferred Payments to the extent payable in accordance with Section 2.5.
2.3 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the consummation of the Transactions (the Closing) shall occur at the offices of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, 1600 Atlanta Financial Center, 3343 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30326 concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the exchange of the closing deliveries set forth in Article VIII or at such other time or place as the Contributor Representative and Buyer may mutually agree (the date on which the Closing actually occurs, the Closing Date).
2.4 Payments and Transactions at Closing.
(a) At least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing, the Contributors prepared and delivered to Buyer:
(i) a distribution schedule (the Distribution Schedule), setting forth, as of the Closing, the Contributors calculation of how the Purchase Price (including the Deferred Payments) is to be allocated, directly or indirectly, between each Contributor in accordance with this Agreement. Buyer and Buyers Affiliates (including the Contributed Companies from and after the Closing) shall be entitled to rely fully upon the Distribution Schedule for all purposes, including in making any payments to (whether in the form of cash, Equity Interests or otherwise) or exercising any rights of indemnification or recovery from, any Contributor Party pursuant to this Agreement. The Distribution Schedule shall include the following information:
(A) the (1) name of each Contributor Party; (2) address and e-mail address for each Contributor Party; (3) Pro Rata Portion of each Contributor; (4) number of PM Holdings Securities owned or held by PM Contributor as of the Closing; and (5) number of Advisor Holdings Securities owned or held by Advisor Contributor as of the Closing; and
(B) the number of each class of the Buyer Securities that each Contributor shall be entitled to receive at the Closing.
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(ii) a closing statement (the Pre-Closing Statement), setting forth, as of the Closing, the calculation of each component of the Purchase Price and payment information with respect to each Person receiving payments pursuant to this Section 2.4. Buyer and Buyers Affiliates (including the Contributed Companies from and after the Closing) shall be entitled to rely fully upon the Pre-Closing Statement for all purposes, including in making any payments to (whether in the form of cash, Equity Interests or otherwise) any Contributory Party pursuant to this Agreement. The Pre-Closing Statement shall include the following information:
(A) the (1) the Estimated Balance Sheet; (2) the calculations of Estimated Net Working Capital, Estimated Cash, Estimated Indebtedness and Estimated Transaction Expenses; (3) the Working Capital Adjustment Amount; and (4) the calculation of the Purchase Price and the components thereof (including the Adjustment Amount) based on such estimated calculations; and
(B) the (1) name of each Person receiving payments pursuant to this Section 2.4 and (2) each such payees wire information.
(b) At the Closing, Buyer shall make, or cause to be made, on behalf of the Contributed Companies, to the Persons account(s) and in the amounts specified in the Pre-Closing Statement, the aggregate amount of all Estimated Transaction Expenses, in accordance with the payment instructions set forth in the Pre-Closing Statement;
(c) At the Closing, Buyer shall issue to each Contributor such Contributors Pro Rata Portion of each class of the Buyer Securities as set forth for such Contributor in the Distribution Schedule in accordance with this Agreement and the Buyer Charter Documents; and
(d) At the Closing, (i) if the Adjustment Amount is a positive number, Buyer shall issue to each Contributor such Contributors Pro Rata Portion of the Adjustment Amount by wire transfer of immediately available funds; and (ii) if the Adjustment Amount is a negative number, each Contributor shall issue to Buyer its Pro Rata Portion of the Adjustment Amount by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
2.5 Deferred Payments.
(a) Subject to Buyers rights of reservation, holdback and setoff set forth in Article IX (including Section 9.10), after the Closing, in the event REIT I and REIT II enter into a legally-binding definitive agreement (the REIT I/II Merger Agreement) with respect to the merger of REIT I with REIT II (the REIT I/II Merger), then, on or prior to the earlier of (i) the consummation of the REIT I/II Merger in accordance with the REIT I/II Merger Agreement and (ii) the date that is nine (9) months following the effective date of the REIT/II Merger Agreement, Buyer shall pay to the Contributor Representative (on behalf of and for further distribution to the Contributors in accordance with their Pro Rata Portion), an amount in cash equal to $7,500,000 (the REIT I/II Merger Contingent Payment), by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by the Contributor Representative.
(b) Subject to Buyers rights of reservation, holdback and setoff set forth in Article IX (including Section 9.10), after the Closing, for a period of six (6) months, on or prior to the first (1st) Business Day of each month following the Closing Date, Buyer shall pay to the Contributor Representative (on behalf of and for further distribution to the Contributors in accordance with their Pro Rata Portion) six (6) equal payments of, an amount in cash equal to $2,000,000, totaling $12,000,000 in the aggregate (each, an Oversight Management Deferred Payment), by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by the Contributor Representative.
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(c) Subject to Buyers rights of reservation, holdback and setoff set forth in Article IX (including Section 9.10), after the Closing, for a period of twelve (12) months, on or prior to the first (1st) Business Day of each month following the Closing Date, Buyer shall pay to the Contributor Representative (on behalf of and for further distribution to the Contributors in accordance with their Pro Rata Portion) twelve (12) equal payments of, an amount in cash equal to $625,000, totaling $7,500,000 in the aggregate (each, an TSA Deferred Payment), by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by the Contributor Representative.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no interest shall accrue or be due and owing to any Contributor Party in any respect of or in connection with any Deferred Payment, including Buyers rights of reservation, holdback and setoff set forth in Article IX (including Section 9.10).
2.6 Pre-Closing and Post-Closing Adjustment. The Adjustment Amount shall be adjusted upward or downward, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, as set forth below:
(a) At least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing, the Contributors delivered to Buyer the Pre-Closing Statement providing (i) unaudited consolidated balance sheets of (A) PM Holdings and the PM Contributed Subsidiaries and (B) Advisor Holdings and the Advisor Contributed Subsidiaries, in each case, as of the Calculation Time, prepared in accordance with GAAP and without giving effect to the Transactions (collectively, the Estimated Balance Sheet), (ii) the Contributors good faith estimate, based on the Estimated Balance Sheet and in accordance with GAAP, of each of the following: (1) Net Working Capital as of the Calculation Time (Estimated Net Working Capital), (2) Cash as of the Calculation Time (Estimated Cash), (3) Indebtedness of the Contributed Companies as of the Calculation Time (Estimated Indebtedness) and (4) unpaid Transaction Expenses (Estimated Transaction Expenses) and (iii) the calculation of the Purchase Price and the components thereof (including the Adjustment Amount) based thereon. To the extent that (y) Estimated Net Working Capital exceeds the Target Net Working Capital, the Adjustment Amount shall be increased by the amount by which the Estimated Net Working Capital, exceeds the Target Net Working Capital or (z) the Estimated Net Working Capital, is less than the Target Net Working Capital, the Adjustment Amount shall be decreased by the amount by which Estimated Net Working Capital is less than Target Net Working Capital.
(b) On or prior to the day that is ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Contributor a certificate (the Post-Closing Statement) providing (i) unaudited consolidated balance sheets of (A) PM Holdings and its Subsidiaries and (B) Advisor Holdings and its Subsidiaries, in each case, as of the Calculation Time, prepared in accordance with GAAP and without giving effect to the Transactions (the Actual Closing Balance Sheets), (ii) Buyers calculation, based on the Actual Closing Balance Sheets and in accordance with GAAP, of each of the following: (1) Net Working Capital as of the Calculation Time (Actual Net Working Capital), (2) Cash as of the Calculation Time (Actual Cash), (3) Indebtedness of the Contributed Companies as of the Calculation Time (Actual Indebtedness) and (4) any unpaid Transaction Expenses (Actual Transaction Expenses), (iii) the amount, if any, by which the Adjustment Amount, calculated by replacing Estimated Net Working Capital, Estimated Cash, Estimated Indebtedness and Estimated Transaction Expenses with, respectively, Actual Net Working Capital, Actual Cash, Actual Indebtedness and Actual Transaction Expenses, is less than or greater than the calculation of Adjustment Amount at the Closing and (iv) the calculation of the Purchase Price and the components thereof (including the Adjustment Amount) based thereon. Each Contributor Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in the preparation of the Post-Closing Statement, as reasonably requested by Buyer.
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(c) On or prior to the day that is thirty (30) days following Buyers delivery of the Post-Closing Statement, the Contributor Representative may deliver a written notice to Buyer (an Objection Notice) stating in reasonable detail the Contributor Parties objections to and alternative calculations of Actual Net Working Capital, Actual Cash, Actual Indebtedness and Actual Transaction Expenses and the resulting Adjustment Amount. If the Contributor Representative does not timely deliver an Objection Notice within such thirty (30) day period, the Post-Closing Statement, including any amounts, determinations and calculations contained therein shall be conclusive and binding upon Buyer and the Contributor Parties and constitute the final determination of Actual Net Working Capital, Actual Cash, Actual Indebtedness, Actual Transaction Expenses and Adjustment Amount for purposes of this Section 2.6. Any amount, determination or calculation contained in a timely-delivered Post-Closing Statement and not specifically disputed in a timely delivered Objection Notice shall be deemed final, binding and conclusive upon Buyer and the Contributor Parties.
(d) If an Objection Notice is timely delivered by the Contributor Representative, Buyer and the Contributor Representative shall negotiate in good faith to resolve each dispute raised therein (each, an Objection, and any Objections actually resolved by mutual agreement of Buyer and the Contributor Representative, the Agreed Adjustments) for a period of thirty (30) days following Buyers receipt of such Objection Notice. Notwithstanding such good faith efforts, in the event that Buyer and the Contributor Representative fail to agree on any of the Contributor Representatives proposed adjustments set forth in the Objection Notice within such thirty (30) day period, Buyer and the Contributor Representative (on behalf of the Contributor Parties) shall jointly engage Grant Thornton LLP or such other accounting firm as may be agreed to by Buyer and the Contributor Representative (the Accounting Firm) and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Accounting Firm to resolve any Objections still in dispute (acting as an expert and not an arbitrator) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as soon as practicable (but in any event within thirty (30) days after the engagement of the Accounting Firm). Buyer and the Contributor Representative shall provide the Accounting Firm with their respective determinations of Actual Net Working Capital, Actual Cash, Actual Indebtedness and Actual Transaction Expenses, as well as all supporting documentation reasonably required by the Accounting Firm. The Accounting Firm shall render a written decision as to each Objection specifically disputed in a timely delivered Objection Notice (which did not subsequently become an Agreed Adjustment), including a statement in reasonable detail of the basis for its decision. In calculating any such Objections still in dispute, the Accounting Firm shall only address the Objections specifically disputed in a timely delivered Objection Notice (which did not subsequently become an Agreed Adjustment), and the Accounting Firm may not assign a value greater than the greatest value for any such item assigned by Buyer, on the one hand, or the Contributor Representative, on the other hand, or less than the lowest value for any such item assigned by Buyer, on the one hand, or the Contributor Representative, on the other hand. All Objections that are resolved between Buyer and the Contributor Representative or are determined by the Accounting Firm shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties and each of their Affiliates, successors and assigns, absent manifest error. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be allocated between Buyer and the Contributor Representative (on behalf of the Contributor Parties) so that the Contributor Representative shall be responsible for that portion of the fees and expenses equal to such fees and expenses multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate dollar value of issues in dispute submitted to the Accounting Firm that are resolved in a manner further from the position submitted to the Accounting Firm by the Contributor Representative and closer to the position submitted to the Accounting Firm by Buyer (as finally determined by the Accounting Firm), and the denominator of which is the total dollar value of the issues in dispute so submitted, and Buyer shall be responsible for the remainder of such fees and expenses. For example, if the Contributor Representative challenges the calculation of the Final Purchase Price by an amount of $100,000, but the Accounting Firm determines that the Contributor Representative has a valid claim for only $60,000, then Contributor Representative (on behalf of the Contributor Parties) shall be responsible for 40% of such fees and expenses and Buyer shall be responsible for the remaining 60% of such fees and expenses.
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(e) The Post-Closing Statement (including the calculation of the Final Adjustment Amount) shall be deemed final for the purposes of this Section 2.6 upon the earlier of (i) the failure of the Contributor Representative to issue an Objection Notice to Buyer within thirty (30) days of the Contributor Representatives receipt thereof, (ii) the resolution of all Objections pursuant to Section 2.6(d) by Buyer and the Contributor Representative (i.e., as Agreed Adjustments) and (iii) the resolution of all Objections still in dispute pursuant to Section 2.6(d) by the Accounting Firm (which, absent manifest error, shall constitute an arbitral award that is final, binding and non-appealable and upon which a judgment may be entered by a court having jurisdiction thereover). Following the final determination of the Actual Net Working Capital, Actual Cash, Actual Indebtedness and Actual Transaction Expenses, the Adjustment Amount shall be recalculated by replacing Estimated Net Working Capital, Estimated Cash, Estimated Indebtedness and Estimated Transaction Expenses with, respectively, Actual Net Working Capital, Actual Cash, Actual Indebtedness and Actual Transaction Expenses, in each case as finally determined in accordance with this Section 2.6 (the Final Adjustment Amount), and the Purchase Price shall be recalculated by replacing the Adjustment Amount with the Final Adjustment Amount (the Final Purchase Price).
(f) Upon the final determination of the Final Adjustment Amount:
(i) If the Final Adjustment Amount exceeds the Adjustment Amount calculated at the Closing, then Buyer shall pay an amount in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds equal to such excess to the Contributors in accordance with their Pro Rata Portion within five (5) Business Days after the date on which the Final Adjustment Amount is finally determined.
(ii) If the Final Adjustment Amount is less than the Adjustment Amount calculated at the Closing (the amount, if any, by which the Adjustment Amount calculated at the Closing is greater than the Final Adjustment Amount shall be referred to as, the Adjustment Shortfall), then the Contributor Parties, jointly and severally, shall pay, or cause to be paid, an amount equal to such Adjustment Shortfall to Buyer by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five (5) Business Days after the date on which the Final Adjustment Amount is finally determined.
(iii) If the Final Adjustment Amount equals the Adjustment Amount calculated at the Closing, there shall be no further adjustment to the Purchase Price.
2.7 Reorganization.
(a) Immediately prior to the Closing, the Contributor Parties effected, or caused to be effected, a reorganization (the Reorganization) consistent with the following (including with respect to the order and timing of each step of the Reorganization and the applicable Tax treatment):
(i) PM Contributor (A) formed PM Holdings as a new, wholly-owned Subsidiary, (B) entered into that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2020, by and among Contributor Assignors and PM Holdings attached hereto as Exhibit D (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including any exhibits, annexes or schedules thereto, collectively, the PM Contribution Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, the PM Contribution), pursuant to which, in exchange for the issuance of the membership interest in PM Holdings to PM Contributor, Contributor Assignors contributed all of the PM Contributed Assets to PM Holdings, including all of the outstanding Equity Interests of each of the following: (1) Resource Real Estate Opportunity Manager, LLC; (2) Resource Real Estate Opportunity Manager II, LLC; and (3) Resource Apartment Manager III, LLC (each Subsidiary of PM Holdings, including those set forth in the foregoing clause (1) through clause (3), a PM Contributed Subsidiary) and (C) entered into the PM Holdings LLC Agreement.
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(ii) Immediately following the consummation of the PM Contribution, PM Holdings amended and restated the limited liability company agreement of each PM Contributed Subsidiary, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, each an A&R PM Contributed Subsidiary LLC Agreement).
(iii) Advisor Contributor (A) formed Advisor Holdings as a new, wholly-owned Subsidiary and (B) entered into that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2020, by and among Contributor Assignors and Advisor Holdings attached hereto as Exhibit F (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including any exhibits, annexes or schedules thereto, collectively, the Advisor Contribution Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, the Advisor Contribution), pursuant to which, in exchange for the issuance of the membership interest in Advisor Holdings to Advisor Contributor, Contributor Assignors contributed all of the Advisor Contributed Assets to Advisor Holdings, including all of the outstanding Equity Interests of each of the following: (1) Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor, LLC; (2) Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor II, LLC; and (3) Resource REIT Advisor, LLC (each Subsidiary of Advisor Holdings, including those set forth in the foregoing clause (1) through clause (3), an Advisor Contributed Subsidiary) and (C) entered into the Advisor Holdings LLC Agreement.
(iv) Immediately following the consummation of the Advisor Contribution, Advisor Holdings amended and restated the limited liability company agreement of each Advisor Contributed Subsidiary, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, each an A&R Advisor Contributed Subsidiary LLC Agreement).
(b) The Contributor Parties provided to Buyer drafts of any Contracts, agreements, certificates, instruments, schedules or other documentation (other than ministerial formation documents) effectuating the Reorganization, including the PM Contribution Agreement, Advisor Contribution Agreement, PM Holdings LLC Agreement, Advisor Holdings LLC Agreement, the A&R PM Contributed Subsidiary LLC Agreements and the A&R Advisor Contributed Subsidiary LLC Agreements (collectively, the Reorganization Documents) for Buyers review and approval prior to the execution and finalization thereof, as well as final, executed copies of the Reorganization Documents no later than immediately prior to the Closing.
2.8 Withholding. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Party (and each Person acting on behalf of a Party) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from amounts otherwise payable in connection with the Transactions such Taxes as are required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or applicable Laws. Such deducted or withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTED HOLDING COMPANIES
Except as set forth on the applicable section or subsection in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Contributed Holding Companies and the Contributors to Buyer, dated as of the date of this Agreement (the Company Disclosure Schedule), each Contributed Holding Company, jointly and severally, hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that the statements contained in this Article III (Representations and Warranties of the Contributed Holding Companies) are true and correct as of the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the joint and several indemnification obligations of each Contributor Party under Article IX shall extend to any indemnifiable Losses resulting from, relating to or arising out of the representations and warranties of any Contributed Holding Company pursuant to this Article III, subject to the limitations provided in Article IX.
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3.1 Organization and Qualification.
(a) Each Contributed Company (i) is a limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) has the requisite limited liability company or other organizational power and authority necessary to own, lease, use and operate its properties and assets and to carry on the business conducted by it and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the ownership, use, leasing or operation of its properties and assets makes such qualification or license necessary (such jurisdictions, the Foreign Qualifications), except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each Contributed Holding Company: (i) has been (currently and any time in the past) a holding company; (ii) has never engaged in or facilitated (currently or at any time in the past), directly or indirectly, any business activity; (iii) has never owned, leased or used (currently or at any time in the past) any assets or properties of any type or kind (other than a Contributed Holding Companys direct ownership of the Contributed Subsidiaries); (iv) has never (currently or at any time in the past) held, entered into or become subject to or bound by (or committed to the foregoing) (A) any Contracts or Permits (other than this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party and Governing Documents incident to a Contributed Holding Companys formation) or (B) any Contracts or Permits assigned to it at Closing; or (v) has never (currently or at any time in the past) suffered, sustained, guaranteed, assumed or otherwise incurred, in whole or in part, any Liabilities (other than Liabilities under Governing Documents incident to a Contributed Holding Companys formation, this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party).
3.2 Subsidiaries and Investments.
(a) Schedule 3.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete list of the following: (i) for each Contributed Company, such entitys (A) name, jurisdiction of organization and registration number, (B) directors, officers and managers (however designated) and (C) Foreign Qualifications, if any; and (ii) further, for each Contributed Subsidiary, such Contributed Subsidiarys (1) authorized units, membership interests or other Equity Interests, (2) number of each class or type of issued and outstanding units, membership interests or other Equity Interests and (3) current record and beneficial owners of such units, membership interests or other Equity Interests.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Contributed Company (currently or at any time since September 8, 2016) owns or controls or has any rights to acquire (currently or at any time since September 8, 2016), directly or indirectly, any Equity Interests of any Person (other than each Contributed Holding Companys direct ownership of the Contributed Subsidiaries). No Contributed Company is (currently or any time since September 8, 2016): (i) party to or otherwise bound by any Contract, arrangement or commitment of any type or kind relating to the issuance, acquisition or sale of any Equity Interests of any Person; (ii) a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement; or (iii) obligated to, directly or indirectly, make any future investment in or capital contribution or similar advance to any Person. Except to the extent resulting in a corresponding decrease to accounts receivable in the Estimated Balance Sheet, no Cash has been paid or distributed since the Calculation Time.
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3.3 Company Charter Documents.
(a) Complete and correct copies of the Governing Documents of each Contributed Company, as amended or restated as of the Closing (collectively, the Company Charter Documents) have been made available to Buyer. No Contributed Company is (currently or at any time since September 8, 2016) in violation of or default under any material provision of such entitys Company Charter Documents.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Contributors have made available complete and correct copies of any Contracts, documents or agreements identified in the Company Disclosure Schedule and each of the following: (i) copies of the minute books containing records of all proceedings, consents, actions and meetings of any board(s) of directors, partners or managers, any committee(s) of such board(s) and equityholders of any Contributed Company; (ii) copies of the ledgers, journals and other records of each Contributed Company reflecting all grants, issuances, redemptions or transfers of Equity Interests of each Contributed Company; and (iii) any material Permits applied for or issued by any Governmental Authority with respect to any Contributed Company or any Equity Interests of any Contributed Company.
3.4 Authorization of Agreement. Each Contributed Holding Company has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements by each Contributed Company and the consummation by each Contributed Company of the Transactions have been duly authorized by all necessary action on their respective parts, and no other limited liability company or other organizational action or proceeding on the part of any Contributed Company is necessary to authorize or approve the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the consummation of the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Contributed Holding Company and each Ancillary Agreement to which any Contributed Company is a party shall be duly executed and delivered by such Contributed Company as of the Closing and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by Buyer, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the applicable Contributed Company, enforceable against such Contributed Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent such enforceability may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and by general equitable principles (the Enforceability Exceptions).
3.5 Capitalization Matters.
(a) (i) PM Contributor owns and holds, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding PM Holdings Securities as set forth opposite PM Contributors name on Annex I under the heading PM Holdings Securities and (ii) Advisor Contributor (A) owns and holds, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding Advisor Holdings Securities as set forth opposite Advisor Contributors name on Annex I under the heading Advisor Holdings Securities and (iii) each Contributor has sole and exclusive right, title and interest in, and good, valid and marketable title to, such Contributed Securities, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Securities Liens). All of the Contributed Securities have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (i) the PM Holdings Securities set forth opposite PM Contributors name on Annex I under the heading PM Holdings Securities and (ii) the Advisor Holdings Securities set forth opposite Advisor Contributors name on Annex I under the heading Advisor Holdings Securities (A) constitute all of the authorized, issued or outstanding Equity Interests of any Contributed Holding Company (including securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Interests of any Contributed Holding Company) and (B) are not
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subject to any Contracts or other rights or obligations of any kind that would entitle or require any Contributor or any other Person (contingent or otherwise), to issue, transfer, sell, repurchase, retire, redeem or otherwise acquire or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Contributed Securities. Upon the consummation of the Transactions, each Contributor shall contribute and transfer to Buyer good, valid and marketable title to the Contributed Securities, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Securities Liens).
(c) There are no authorized, issued or outstanding options, warrants, incentive units, phantom stock, put rights, call rights, commitments, Liabilities, Contracts or other rights or obligations of any kind, whether written or oral with respect to the issuance, transfer, sale, repurchase, retirement, redemption or otherwise acquisition or disposition of, directly or indirectly, of any Equity Interests of any Contributed Company. There are no outstanding or authorized equity appreciation, phantom equity, profit participation, or other similar rights or obligations of any kind, with respect to any Contributed Company. There are no registration rights, voting trusts, proxies, rights plans or any other Contracts to which any Contributed Company or other Person is a party or by which any of them are subject with respect to any Equity Interests of any Contributed Company. No current or former, direct or indirect, holder of any Equity Interests of any Contributed Company has any pending, or to the Companys Knowledge, threatened, Action against any Contributor Party or any Contributed Company that remains unresolved or to which any Contributor Party or any Contributed Company has or may have any material Liability.
3.6 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by any Contributed Company or Contributor Party nor the consummation of the Transactions by any Contributed Company or Contributor Party will (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company Charter Documents, (b) conflict with or violate any Law by which any Contributed Company or Contributor Party or any of their assets or properties is bound or subject, (c) conflict with or violate, constitute a default under (or an event that with or without notice, lapse of time or both could conflict with or violate or constitute a default under), require any consent, license, permit, approval, waiver, authorization, order, filing, registration, declaration or notice under or in connection with, result in or trigger any right of termination, modification, acceleration or cancellation of, or require any payment or performance obligation, pursuant to, any Contract, Permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which any Contributed Company or Contributor Party is a party or by which any of them or any of their assets or properties is bound or subject, (d) other than as explicitly set forth in this Agreement, the PM Contribution Agreement, the Advisor Contribution Agreement or the Transitional Services Agreement, result in or trigger any grant, license or assignment to any Person of any interest in or to or the modification or loss of any rights with respect to, any Company Intellectual Property or any Intellectual Property Rights owned by or licensed to Buyer, any Contributed Company or any of their Affiliates, (e) result in or give rise to Buyer, any Contributed Company or any of their Affiliates being (i) bound by or subject to any noncompete or licensing obligation, covenant not to sue, or other restriction on or modification of the current or contemplated operation or scope of any of their respective businesses or (ii) obligated to (A) pay any royalty, honoraria, fee, expense or other payment to any Person in excess of those due or payable prior to Closing, or (B) provide or offer any discount to, or other reduction in the payment or performance obligations of, any Person in excess of those provided to that Person prior to Closing, (f) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the properties or assets of any Contributed Company or Contributor Party or (g) require any Contributed Company or Contributor Party or any of their Affiliates to obtain any consent, license, permit, approval, waiver, authorization or order of, or to make any filing, registration or declaration with or provide notice to, any Governmental Authority or other Person, except with respect to clause (b), as would not, or would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Business.
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3.7 Permits; Compliance with Laws.
(a) Each Contributed Company is (currently and at any time since September 8, 2016) in possession of all Permits necessary to own, lease, maintain, use and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business, including the Business (the Company Permits). A true and complete list of the material Company Permits are set forth on Schedule 3.7(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. There is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened that has resulted in or with or without notice or lapse of time or both would reasonably be expected to result in, the revocation, suspension, modification, non-renewal, impairment, restriction, termination or cancellation of, or order of forfeiture or material fine with respect to, any Company Permit. Each Contributed Company has complied with each Company Permit, in all material respects, and no Contributed Company has received any notice or other communication from any Person regarding any actual or alleged violation of, or failure to comply with, any Company Permit.
(b) Each Contributed Company is (currently and at any time since September 8, 2016) in compliance in all material respects with each Law applicable to such Contributed Company and its business, assets and properties. No Contributed Company has received any notice or other communication, from any Person regarding any actual or alleged violation of, or failure to comply with, any applicable Law. No Contributed Company is subject to any adverse Action or other compliance or enforcement Action by any Governmental Authority.
(c) No Contributed Company has (currently or at any time since September 8, 2016) certified, represented, designated or otherwise indicated to any Person, that it is a woman- or minority-owned business, small business or any other designation that would entitle such entity to any preference or a favored status or benefits.
3.8 Financial Statements.
(a) Schedule 3.8(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth complete and accurate copies of the following: (i)(A) unaudited consolidated balance sheets of each of (1) the PM Contributed Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and (2) the Advisor Contributed Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019; and (B) the related unaudited consolidated statements of income of (y) the PM Contributed Subsidiaries for the six (6) month period ended as of December 31, 2019; and (z) the Advisor Contributed Subsidiaries for the twelve (12) month period ended as of as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 (including, in each case, any notes or supplementary information thereto) (clause (i), collectively, the Annual Financial Statements) and (ii)(A) unaudited consolidated balance sheets of each of (1) the PM Contributed Subsidiaries and (2) the Advisor Contributed Subsidiaries (collectively, the Latest Balance Sheet) as of June 30, 2020 (the Latest Balance Sheet Date) and (B) the related unaudited consolidated statements of income of each of the PM Contributed Subsidiaries and the Advisor Contributed Subsidiaries for the six (6) month period ended as of the Latest Balance Sheet Date (clause (ii), collectively, the Interim Financial Statements, and together with the Annual Financial Statements, the Financial Statements).
(b) All of the Financial Statements (including the notes or other information thereto) (i) are accurate and complete, in all material respects, (ii) are based upon and consistent with the books and records of the Contributed Companies and the Business (which books and records are, in turn, accurate and complete and have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices), (iii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied by or on behalf of the Contributed Companies in good faith and on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby (provided, that the Latest Balance Sheet is subject to immaterial and recurring year-end adjustments and the absence of notes) and (iv) fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Contributed Companies and the Business as of the dates therein indicated and for the periods therein specified.
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(c) The revenue recognition policies and methodologies of the Contributed Companies and the Business have been consistently applied in the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP for the periods therein specified. The Contributed Companies have maintained a standard system of accounting (established and administered in accordance with GAAP) and internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that transactions, receipts and expenditures of the Contributed Companies are (i) executed and made only in accordance with appropriate policies, procedures and authorizations of management and the Company Charter Documents and (ii) recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP. There are no material significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that are, or would reasonably be expected to, adversely affect any Contributed Companys ability to record, process, summarize or report financial information. To the Companys Knowledge, there is no fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees of any Contributed Company, Contributor Party or any of their Affiliates who have a material role in the internal controls, oversight or management of any Contributed Company with respect to financial reporting.
(d) No Contributed Company has (currently or at any time since January 1, 2018) maintained any off-the-book accounts or entered into any transactions for any off balance sheet activity. No financial statements of any Person are required by GAAP to be included in any Financial Statement (other than the Persons included in such Financial Statement).
3.9 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Contributed Company has any material Liabilities, other than: (a) Liabilities which are adequately reflected or reserved against on the face of the Latest Balance Sheet; (b) Liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since the Latest Balance Sheet Date (none of which (i) are material in nature or amount, individually or in the aggregate, or (ii) are a Liability resulting from, arising out of, relating to, in the nature of, or caused by any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, violation of law, environmental matter, claim or lawsuit); and (iii) Estimated Transaction Expenses.
3.10 Bank Accounts; Indebtedness.
(a) Schedule 3.10(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule accurately lists each item of Indebtedness of any Contributed Company, including the Contract governing such Indebtedness, if any.
(b) Schedule 3.10(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the names and locations of all banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, brokerage firms and other financial institutions at which any Contributed Company or Affiliate of any Contributed Company in respect of the Business maintains accounts and the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon or make withdrawals therefrom.
(c) As of the Closing, except for the amounts included in the calculation of Estimated Transaction Expenses, there are no outstanding Transaction Expenses with respect to any Contributed Company.
3.11 Accounts Receivable. All of the accounts receivable reflected on the Latest Balance Sheet or included in the calculation of Estimated Net Working Capital are valid and bona fide receivables representing obligations for the total dollar amount thereof shown on the books and records of the Contributed Companies (and in the calculation of Estimated Net Working Capital), all of which are fully-collectible, arose from transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with the normal credit practices of the Contributed Companies and are not subject to claim of set-off or other defense or counter-claim (other than as specifically disclosed in the Latest Balance Sheet and the Estimated Balance Sheet), subject to an adequate reserve for bad debts shown on the Latest Balance Sheet and the Estimated Balance Sheet. No Person has any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on such receivables or any part thereof, and no agreement for deduction, free services or goods, discount or other deferred price or quantity adjustment shall have been made with respect to any such receivables.
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3.12 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, since January 1, 2020 (i) the Contributed Companies have conducted the Business in the ordinary course of business, (ii) no Event has occurred or exists which has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) no Contributed Company has:
(a) made any change in or amendment to any Company Charter Documents;
(b) (i) issued, transferred, granted or sold, or authorized for issuance, sale, transfer or grant to any Person any Equity Interests, any right to receive a payment based on the price or value of any Equity Interests or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for Equity Interests, or (ii) entered into any arrangement or Contract with respect to the issuance or sale of, any shares of any Equity Interests;
(c) split, combined, redeemed or reclassified, or purchased or otherwise acquired, any Equity Interests;
(d) declared, set aside or paid any dividend or distributed cash or other property to any Person with respect to any Equity Interests, redeemed or otherwise acquired any Equity Interests or warrants, options or other rights to acquire any Equity Interests, or made any other payments to any Person (other than compensatory payments made in the ordinary course of business to employees of any Contributed Company under an Employee Plan);
(e) (i) acquired, agreed to acquire (whether by merger or consolidation, the purchase of an equity interest or a material portion of the assets) or otherwise paid for the option to acquire any Equity Interests or material portion of the assets or property of any Person, (ii) made capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person, or (iii) merged or consolidated with any Person or adopted a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other equity reorganization;
(f) sold, assigned, licensed or otherwise transferred any of its assets (including Intellectual Property Rights);
(g) accelerated, terminated or materially modified (except with respect to renewals of customer Contracts in the ordinary course of business) any Contract (or series of related Contracts) to which any Contributed Company is a party or by which any Contributed Company is subject or otherwise bound either involving more than 25,000 or outside the ordinary course of business;
(h) suffered or imposed any Lien (except Permitted Liens) upon any of its assets or properties (including any Company Intellectual Property);
(i) settled or compromised any Action, right or claim (or series of related Actions, rights or claims) involving more than $25,000 or imposing any injunctive or other non-monetary relief;
(j) experienced any material damage or loss (whether or not covered by insurance) to any of its assets or properties;
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(k) entered into, renewed, renegotiated, materially modified the terms of or terminated any employment agreement with any employee whose annual salary or wages exceeds $50,000 (whether prior to or after the effectiveness of such agreement as renewed, renegotiated or modified), collective bargaining agreement or any agreement with a union, works council or labor organization (collectively, Union);
(l) has (i) failed to pay and discharge current liabilities in the ordinary course of business (except where disputed in good faith by appropriate proceedings), (ii) accelerated or delayed the collection of accounts receivable in advance of or beyond the dates when the same would have been collected in the ordinary course of business or (iii) offered any customer a discount or other inducement to accelerate billings and collections, other than discounts offered in the ordinary course of business;
(m) recorded any sales revenues pursuant to transactions in which the purchaser of such products has the right to return such products or services, including software-as-a-service, at a future date or has the right to elect early termination of such services and receive a refund of service fees paid, as applicable (other than pursuant to the terms and conditions of any Contributed Companys warranty terms or service level agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business);
(n) except in the ordinary course of business, (i) made any change in terms of distribution of products or services, (ii) made any change to its pricing, discount, allowance or return policies, (iii) granted any pricing, discount, allowance or return terms for any customer or vendor, including by modifying the manner in which it licenses or otherwise distributes its products, including making any material change in the proportion of fully paid-up and subscription-based licenses granted to customers, or (iv) decreased the amount of any subscription and support renewal fees due, directly or indirectly, to any Contributed Company from the amount of such subscription and support renewal fee payable to the Business during the preceding twelve-month period;
(o) made or granted any material bonus or any material wage or salary increase to any of its directors, officers, employees, or consultants, or made any other material change in employment terms with respect to any employee or terms with its consultants or other service providers;
(p) adopted, amended or terminated any Employee Plan, or collective bargaining agreement or otherwise materially increased (or otherwise agreed to materially increase) the benefits provided to any directors, officers, employees, consultants or other service providers (other than in the ordinary course of business);
(q) entered into or amended any settlement, conciliation or similar agreement with respect to any Action, the performance of which shall involve payment after the Closing of consideration in excess of $25,000 or impose any non-monetary obligations on any Contributed Company;
(r) made any loan to, or entered into any other transaction with, any of its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees whose annual salary or wages exceed $50,000, consultants or other service providers;
(s) has (i) billed for any agreement that would have been billed after the Closing in the ordinary course of business or (ii) offered any customer a discount or other inducement in order to accelerate billings associated with new Contracts and business;
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(t) increased, amended, adopted, or terminated in any material respect the coverage or benefits available under any severance pay, termination pay, vacation pay, company awards, salary continuation for disability, sick leave, deferred compensation, bonus or other incentive compensation, insurance, pension or other employee benefit plan, including any Company Benefits Plan, payment or arrangement, made to, for or with such current or former directors, officers, employees whose annual salary or wages exceeds $50,000 (whether prior to or after the effectiveness of such coverage or benefit as increased, amended or adopted), or other service providers, as applicable;
(u) made, changed, revoked or otherwise modified any Tax election affecting it, adopted or changed any accounting method with respect to Taxes, filed any amended Tax Return, entered into any closing agreement as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, non-U.S. or other law), entered into any Tax sharing, Tax indemnity, Tax allocation or similar agreement or Contract, settled any Tax claim or assessment, surrendered any right to claim a refund or credit of Taxes, incurred any liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business or consented to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment; and
(v) committed or agreed, whether orally or in writing, to do any of the foregoing.
3.13 Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, since September 8, 2016, there has been no Action, whether private, governmental or otherwise, pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened, whether written or oral, against or affecting any Contributed Company, any of its businesses, assets or properties or any current or former Insider (in their capacity as such). No Contributed Company is party or subject to or otherwise bound by any Order or any settlement agreement with, any Governmental Authority or other Person.
3.14 Employee Plans.
(a) Schedule 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Employee Plans that any Contributed Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Contributed Company sponsors or maintains, or to which any Contributed Company or ERISA Affiliate of any Contributed Company contributes or is obligated to contribute, or under which any Contributed Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Contributed Company has or may have any Liability, including any Liability that is, or was at any time, attributable to the Business (each, a Company Benefits Plan). With respect to each Company Benefits Plan, true and complete copies of each of the following have been made available to Buyer: (i) if the plan has been reduced to writing, the plan document together with all amendments thereto, (ii) if the plan has not been reduced to writing, a written summary of all material plan terms, (iii) if applicable, the most recent trust agreements, custodial agreements, insurance policies or Contracts, administrative agreements and similar agreements, and investment management or investment advisory agreements, fidelity bond, fiduciary liability insurance policies, (iv) if applicable, the most recent summary plan description and all subsequent summaries of material modifications thereto, employee handbook or similar employee communication, summary of benefits and coverage, and material employee communications with respect thereto, (v) in the case of any plan that is intended to be qualified under Code Section 401(a), the most recent determination, opinion, or advisory letter from the IRS and any related correspondence, and any pending request for determination with respect to the plans qualification, (vi) the most current non-discrimination and coverage testing performed on any Company Benefits Plan, (vii) in the case of any plan for which Forms 5500 are required to be filed, the most recently filed Forms 5500 (and all attachments and auditors reports thereto), (viii) any notices, letters or other correspondence from the IRS, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or the U.S. Department of Labor relating to such Company Benefits Plan, and (ix) if applicable, the most recent annual actuarial report.
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(b) No Contributed Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Contributed Company has maintained, contributed to or had any Liability with respect to a plan subject to Title IV of ERISA or Code Section 412, including any multiemployer plan as defined in Sections 3(37) and 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or Code Section 414(f), and no Event has occurred or exists that presents a risk to any Contributed Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Contributed Company of incurring Liability under Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 or Section 430 of the Code. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14(b), no Contributed Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Contributed Company has ever maintained, contributed to or had any Liability with respect to a multiple employer welfare arrangement within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA, a multiple employer plan as defined in Section 4063(a) of ERISA and Section 413 of the Code, or a funded welfare plan within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code.
(c) Each Company Benefits Plan that is intended to be qualified under Code Section 401(a) has received a favorable determination, opinion, or advisory letter from the IRS as to its tax-qualified status, and nothing has occurred since the date of the applicable determination, opinion, or advisory letter that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the tax-qualification of such Company Benefits Plan. Each Company Benefits Plan, including any associated trust or fund, has been administered and operated in all material respects in accordance with its terms and any applicable collective bargaining agreements and with applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code, and to the Knowledge of the Company, no Event has occurred or exists that could adversely affect the tax-qualification of such Company Benefits Plan or the tax-exempt status of its related trust. No Contributed Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Contributed Company has any Liability for any excise Tax imposed by Chapter 43 of the Code, and to the Knowledge of the Contributed Holding Companies, no Event has occurred or exists with respect to any Company Benefits Plan that could subject any Contributed Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Contributed Company to any such Liability.
(d) No Contributed Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Contributed Company has any Liability to compensate any individual for any Taxes which may be imposed under Sections 4999 or 409A of the Code, and no Company Benefits Plan would reasonably be expected to give rise to the payment of any amount that would not be deductible pursuant to Section 280G of the Code (as determined without regard to Section 280G(b)(4)).
(e) All required contributions to, and premium payments on account of, each Company Benefits Plan have been made in all material respects on a timely basis and all such contributions not yet due have been properly accrued and are shown on the Estimated Balance Sheet. Each Company Benefits Plan can be amended or terminated in accordance with applicable Law without any material Liability to any Contributed Company or Buyer.
(f) There is no pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened Action relating to a Company Benefits Plan, other than routine claims for benefits.
(g) Except as required under Section 601 et seq. of ERISA or similar Law, no Company Benefits Plan provides post-retirement or post-separation welfare benefits or coverage (including health, life or disability insurance) to any current or former director, officer, or key management employee, or any dependent, beneficiary or domestic partner of any such Person following such Persons retirement or other termination of service with any Contributed Company.
(h) Each nonqualified deferred compensation plan (as defined in Code Section 409A(d)(1) and applicable regulations) with respect to any current or former service provider to any Contributed Company or the Business and to which any Contributed Company is a party has been maintained and operated in compliance with, and the document(s) evidencing such arrangement comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A and regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder. No current or former service provider to any Contributed Company or to the Business has or would have income that would be subject to taxation under Code Section 409A.
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(i) Each Contributed Company and Company Benefits Plan that is a group health plan (within the meaning of Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, Part 7 of ERISA or Chapter 100 of the Code) (each, a Company Health Plan) (i) is in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111 148, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No.111 152, and all regulations and guidance issued thereunder (collectively, the Health Care Reform Laws) and (ii) has been in compliance with the Healthcare Reform Laws since the dates required by the Healthcare Reform Laws. No Event has occurred or exists, that could reasonably be expected to subject any Contributed Company or any Company Health Plan to penalties or excise Taxes under Sections 4980D, 4980H, or 4980I of the Code or any other provision of the Healthcare Reform Laws. No Contributed Company or Company Health Plan has received correspondence from the IRS regarding its compliance with the Healthcare Reform Laws, including annual reporting requirements.
(j) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.14(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution of this Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements nor the consummation of the Transactions (either together with or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events) shall constitute an event under any Company Benefits Plan that shall or may reasonably be expected to result in any payment (including severance or termination pay) or any acceleration, vesting, increase, funding (including the segregation of assets to fund) or provision of benefits thereunder, in each case, to any current or former employee, consultant, director, officer of the Business or any other individual (or any dependent or beneficiary thereof).
3.15 Taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule:
(a) Each Contributed Company is and has been properly classified as a disregarded entity within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3(b)(1)(ii) (and any corresponding or similar provisions of applicable Law) for all Tax purposes.
(b) Each Contributed Company has duly and timely filed (taking into account any valid extensions) all Tax Returns required to be filed by it. Each Tax Return filed by or on behalf of any Contributed Company is correct and complete, in all material respects, and was prepared in compliance with applicable Laws. Each Contributed Company has timely paid all material Taxes due and owing by any Contributed Company (whether or not shown or required to be shown on a Tax Return).
(c) No Contributed Company is currently a beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return that has not been filed. There is no power of attorney given by or binding upon any Contributed Company with respect to Taxes for any period for which the statute of limitations (including any waivers or extensions) has not yet expired.
(d) No Contributed Company has received any written notice or, to the Companys Knowledge, any other type of notice from any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where a Contributed Company does not file Tax Returns that a Contributed Company is or may be subject to Tax in that jurisdiction.
(e) There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Liens for Taxes that are Permitted Liens) upon any of the assets or properties of any Contributed Company.
(f) No Contributed Company is subject to any current, pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened Tax audit or examination, Tax claim or Tax proceeding. No Contributed Company has received from any Governmental Authority (including Governmental Authorities of jurisdictions where the Contributed Companies do not file Tax Returns) any (i) written notice indicating an intent to open an audit or other review, (ii) written request for information related to Tax matters, or (iii) written notice of deficiency or proposed adjustment for any amount of Tax from any Governmental Authority.
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(g) No Contributed Company has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time to assess or collect any Tax deficiency or assessment, which waiver or extension remains unexpired, and no request for any waiver or extension of statutes of limitation with respect to the Taxes or Tax Returns of any Contributed Company has been made by any Governmental Authority.
(h) No Contributor Party is a foreign person within the meaning of Code Section 1445(f)(3). No Contributor Party is subject to any withholding tax under Section 1446(f) of the Code with respect to a disposition of any interest in any Contributed Company.
(i) No Contributed Company (i) has been a member of an Affiliated Group or (ii) has any Liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar Law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, by operation of Law or otherwise.
(j) No Contributed Company is a party to or otherwise subject to or bound by any Tax sharing, indemnification or allocation or similar agreement or arrangement with respect to Taxes.
(k) Each Contributed Company has timely withheld and paid to the appropriate Governmental Authority in all material respects all Taxes required by applicable Laws to have been, withheld or paid by it in connection with amounts paid or owing to, or allocated to, any employee, former employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other equityholder or other Person, including any material state or local Taxes required to be withheld with respect to any distribution or any allocation of taxable income to any stockholder or other equityholder. Each Contributed Company has complied in all material respects (currently and at any time since September 8, 2016) with all reporting and record keeping requirements related thereto, including filing of Forms W-2 and 1099s (or other applicable forms).
(l) In accordance with and to the extent required by applicable Laws, each Contributed Company has properly collected and remitted all material sales, use and similar Taxes with respect to sales made to its customers.
(m) No Contributed Company has been (currently or at any time since September 8, 2016) a party or otherwise subject to any understanding or arrangement described in Section 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii) of the Code.
(n) No Contributed Company has been (currently or at any time since September 8, 2016) a party or otherwise subject to any listed transaction as defined in Code Section 6707A(c)(2) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) or reportable transaction as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(1).
(o) No Contributed Company has been (currently or at any time since September 8, 2016) a party or otherwise subject to any joint venture, partnership or other arrangement or Contract that is or could be treated as a partnership for Tax purposes.
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3.16 Properties.
(a) Each Contributed Company has good and marketable title to, or valid leasehold interest in, all of the material tangible properties and assets, real and personal, that it owns or purports to own or lease (including those reflected in the Latest Balance Sheet or acquired after the Latest Balance Sheet Date), free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens. All material equipment and other material tangible personal property used, owned or leased by any Contributed Company are (i) in good operating condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and (ii) not in need of renewal or replacement, except in the ordinary course of business. Each Contributed Company owns, or has a valid leasehold interest in, all tangible properties and assets which, in conjunction with and not including those services to be delivered pursuant to Exhibit A of the Transitional Services Agreement are used, held for use in, or related to the business of such Contributed Company and reasonably necessary or reasonably required to the Business applicable to such Contributed Party, as currently conducted and conducted immediately prior to the Reorganization.
(b) No Contributed Company has owned (currently or at any time since September 8, 2016) any real property. Schedule 3.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies each parcel of real property leased, subleased, used or occupied by any Contributed Company (the Leased Real Property) and sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all Contracts under which any Contributed Company uses or occupies or has the right to use or occupy any Leased Real Property (the Leases), the name of the lessor and lease under such lease, the address of such Leased Real Property, lease term, monthly rent and any security deposits and other amounts or instruments deposited by or on behalf of any Contributed Company thereunder. Correct and complete copies of each Lease have been made available to Buyer. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, with respect to each Lease: (i) such Lease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, against the applicable Contributor Party or Contributed Company, and to the Companys Knowledge, each other party thereto, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions; (ii) there are no disputes with respect to such Lease; (iii) no Contributor Party or Contributed Company or, to the Companys Knowledge, any other party to the Lease is in breach of or default under such Lease; (iv) to the Companys Knowledge, no Event has occurred or exists which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute such a breach of or default under, permit the termination or modification of, accelerate any rent or trigger any payment, penalty or fine under, such Lease; (v) no Contributor Party or Contributed Company has subleased or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy such Leased Real Property or any portion thereof; and (vi) no Contributor Party or Contributed Company has collaterally assigned or granted any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) in such Lease or any interest therein.
3.17 Sufficiency of Assets.
(a) Each Contributed Company has good and marketable title to or the valid and enforceable leasehold interest in, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens), all of the assets, properties, interests and rights (whether, real or personal, tangible or intangible and wherever located), including, for the avoidance of doubt, Contracts and Permits (collectively, the Assets), which, after taking into account any rights or licenses granted or services to be provided pursuant to Exhibit A of the Transitional Services Agreement (subject to the limitations set forth therein), are used, held for use in, or related to, and reasonably necessary or reasonably required for, the ownership or operation of the Business, as currently conducted and conducted immediately prior to the Reorganization. At or prior to the Closing, the Contributor Assignors, collectively, conveyed, or caused to be conveyed, to the Contributed Companies good and marketable title to, or the valid and enforceable leasehold interest in, all of the Assets used, held for use in, or related to, and reasonably necessary or reasonably required for, the ownership or operation of the Business, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), such that immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, the Contributed Companies have good and marketable title to, or the valid and enforceable right to use, any and all Assets, which after taking into account any rights or licenses granted or services to be provided pursuant to Exhibit A of the Transitional Services Agreement (subject to the limitations set forth therein), used, held for use in, or related to, and reasonably necessary or reasonably required for, the ownership or operation of the Business and allow the Contributed Companies to continue to own and operate the Business immediately after Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted by any Contributor Party or Affiliate of any Contributor Party as of the Closing and as of immediately prior to the Reorganization.
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(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Assets of the Contributed Companies and any rights or licenses granted or services to be provided pursuant to Exhibit A of the Transitional Services Agreement (subject to the limitations set forth therein) constitute all of the Assets that are used, held for use in, or related to, and reasonably necessary or reasonably required for, the ownership, conduct and operation of the Contributed Companies, including the Business, and are sufficient to own, conduct and operate the Contributed Companies and the Business, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice after the Closing on a standalone basis, in substantially the same manner as conducted by any Contributor Party or Contributed Company as of the Closing and as of immediately prior to the Reorganization.
3.18 Intellectual Property and Technology.
(a) Registered Intellectual Property. Schedule 3.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule is a complete and accurate list of (i) all Registered Intellectual Property in which any Contributed Company has or purports to have an ownership interest of any nature (whether exclusively, jointly with another Person or otherwise) and all unregistered trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, or corporate names used by any Contributed Company, (ii) the jurisdictions in which each such item of Registered Intellectual Property has been registered or filed, dates issued, the owners of record and the applicable registration or serial number, and (iii) any other Person that has an ownership interest in such item of Registered Intellectual Property and the nature of such ownership interest. Schedule 3.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule also lists all actions that are required to be taken by any Contributed Company within 120 days of the date hereof with respect to such Registered Intellectual Property in order to avoid prejudice to, impairment or abandonment of such Registered Intellectual Property. Each Contributed Company has taken, or caused to be taken, reasonable actions to maintain any Registered Intellectual Property. All registration, maintenance and renewal fees currently due in connection with such Registered Intellectual Property have been paid and all documents, recordations and certificates in connection with such Registered Intellectual Property currently required to be filed have been filed with the relevant patent, copyright, trademark or other authorities in the United States or foreign jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes of prosecuting, maintaining and perfecting such Registered Intellectual Property and recording the Contributed Companies ownership interests therein. To the Companys Knowledge, no Events have occurred and no facts, information or circumstances exist that would render any of the material Registered Intellectual Property invalid or unenforceable, or would affect any pending application for any material Registered Intellectual Property.
(b) Title to Intellectual Property. The Contributed Companies are the sole and exclusive owner of, and have good and marketable title to, all right, title, and interest in and to each item of Company Owned Intellectual Property, free and clear of any Liens. Each item of Company Owned Intellectual Property is valid, subsisting, and enforceable. To the extent that there is any Company Owned Intellectual Property, each Person who is or was an employee, officer, director, consultant, or contractor of any Contributed Company or Affiliate of any Contributed Company and who participated in the (or was engaged by any Contributed Company or any of its agents to) design, creation or development of Company Owned Intellectual Property, if any, (each, a Contributor) has signed an enforceable agreement containing an irrevocable present assignment to a Contributed Company or Contributor Party (and no other Person) of such Intellectual Property Rights and a covenant to maintain the confidentiality of such Technology or Intellectual Property Rights.
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(c) No Infringement by the Contributed Companies. Each Contributed Company, and the ownership and operation of the Business, including the design, development, use, import, branding, advertising, promotion, marketing, manufacture, sale and licensing out of any Company Products or Company Owned Intellectual Property, does not infringe, misappropriate, dilute or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property Rights of any Person, or constitute unfair competition or trade practices under the laws of any jurisdiction. No Contributed Company has received notice (including unsolicited offers to license or grants of other rights or immunities) from any Person claiming that any Company Owned Intellectual Property infringes, misappropriates, dilutes or otherwise violates any Intellectual Property Rights of any Person or constitutes unfair competition or trade practices under the laws of any jurisdiction.
(d) Third Party Technology. Schedule 3.18(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule is a complete and accurate list of all (i) third-party Technology (including any open source software) and Intellectual Property Rights that are material to the ownership or operation of Business, including any that are incorporated into, distributed with, or embodied in any Company Product (collectively, the Third Party Technology), and (ii) the corresponding Contract for each item listed in clause (i). Each Contributed Company has, and upon consummation of the Transactions will continue to have, all rights in and to any Third Party Technology listed or required to be listed in Schedule 3.18(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. The Company Owned Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Rights embodied in the Third Party Technology constitutes all of the Intellectual Property Rights that are used or held for use in, related to, or are necessary or reasonably required for, and are sufficient for, the ownership and operation of the Business, including the design, development, manufacture, use, marketing, import for resale, distribution, licensing out and sale of all Company Products. There are no problems, defects, or deficiencies in the Company Products or Third Party Technology that prevent such Company Products from operating in all material respects as described in their related documentation or specifications, or prevent such Company Products from operating in all material respects as warranted to any third party. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Transactions will cause the forfeiture or termination of, or give rise to a right of forfeiture or termination of, any Company Owned Intellectual Property or rights to the Third Party Technology.
(e) Third Party Rights. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Contributed Company has granted any third party ownership or joint ownership of, or any exclusive license to, any Company Owned Intellectual Property. No Contributed Company has developed or created any Technology or Intellectual Property Rights as a work made for hire or otherwise assigned or transferred any Technology or Intellectual Property Rights to any third party (including any customer or end user). To the Companys Knowledge, no employee of any Contributed Company is bound by or otherwise subject to any Contract restricting him or her from performing his or her duties for any Contributed Company.
(f) No Third Party Infringement. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (i) to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person is infringing, misappropriating, diluting or otherwise violating any Company Intellectual Property, and (ii) the Contributed Companies have the sole right to bring actions against any Person that is infringing, misappropriating, diluting or otherwise violating any Company Owned Intellectual Property Rights and to retain for the Contributed Companies any damages recovered in any such action. No Contributed Company has entered into any Contract granting any third party the right to bring infringement actions with respect to, or otherwise to enforce rights with respect to any Intellectual Property Right owned or held by, or exclusively licensed to, any Contributed Company. No Contributed Company has granted to any third party the right to file, or conduct prosecution of, any patents, copyrights, trademark applications, or any domain names with respect to such Intellectual Property Rights.
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(g) Malicious Code. Each Contributed Company has in place disaster recovery plans, procedures and facilities consistent with the customary practices of its respective industry and has implemented and maintains technical, physical and administrative measures and safeguards consistent with prevailing industry standards to (A) prevent the introduction of any Malicious Code into the Information Systems and maintain them free from Malicious Code, including the use of firewall protections, incident logging, and regular virus scans, and (B) protect Personal Information in its possession or control from unauthorized access by any Person, including any Contributed Companys employees and contractors, and to ensure compliance in all material respects with all applicable Privacy and Security Requirements.
(h) Information Systems. Each Contributed Company has obtained and possesses valid licenses to use all of the software programs present on the computers and other software-enabled electronic devices and Information Systems that it uses in connection with the Business. To the Knowledge of the Company, each Contributed Company is, in all material respects, in compliance with, and has paid in full, a sufficient number of licenses, consents or permissions for the operation of such Information Systems. To the Knowledge of the Company, all Information Systems currently operate and perform materially in accordance with their documentation, and are designed, implemented, operated and maintained in accordance with the Contributed Companies requirements, including with the respect to redundancy, reliability, scalability and security. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there have been no unauthorized intrusions or breaches of security with respect to Information Systems or unauthorized or unlawful access, acquisition, use, disclosure, modification, destruction, or loss of any Personal Information. Each Contributed Company has a policy of evaluating and determining whether to implement security patches or upgrades that are generally available for the Information Systems. Each Contributed Company uses reasonably reliable methods (including passwords) to ensure the correct identity of the users of their respective Information Systems. No Contributed Company has received any complaints, whether written or oral, from any governmental authority, data protection authority, private party or other Person regarding any Contributed Companys Processing of Personal Information or compliance with Information Privacy and Security Laws. No Event has occurred or exists that would, or would reasonably be expected to, require any Contributed Company to give notice to any Person of any actual or perceived data security breach or unauthorized access to Personal Information under Information Privacy and Security Laws. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, none of the Information Systems or Company Products contains any bug, defect, or error that materially and adversely affects the use, functionality, or performance of such Information Systems.
(i) Privacy & Security Compliance. Each Contributed Company has complied (currently and at any time since September 8, 2016) with Information Privacy and Security Laws, including as it relates to: (i) the privacy of users of the Contributed Company products and all internet websites owned, maintained or operated by any Contributed Company; or (ii) the use, collection, storage, disclosure or transfer of any Personal Information, including employee Personal Information, collected by or provided to any Contributed Company or by third parties having authorized access to the records of any Contributed Company. Each Contributed Companys practices are (currently and at any time since January 1, 2018 currently and at any time since September 8, 2016) in compliance with (i) any Contributed Companys then-current privacy policy, including the privacy policy posted on any Contributed Companys website, (ii) any Contributed Companys customers privacy policies and (iii) third party website terms, when required to do so by Contract or use. Each website of any Contributed Company and all materials distributed or marketed by any Contributed Company have at all times made all material disclosures to users or customers, and none of such disclosures made or contained in any website of any Contributed Company or in any such materials have been inaccurate, misleading or deceptive. Correct and complete copies of all privacy policies of any Contributed Company have been provided to Buyer, and each such privacy policy complies, in all material respects, with all Information Privacy and Security Laws. Each Contributed Company has provided (currently and at any time since September 8, 2016) accurate notice of any Company privacy policy then in effect to the users of its Company product, employees, third party vendors and representatives. Each Company privacy policy provides accurate and sufficient notice of any Contributed Companys then-current privacy practices relating to its subject matter. No Action (formal or informal) by
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any Person has been received by or asserted or threatened against any Contributed Company regarding a violation of any Information Privacy and Security Laws. No Action (formal or informal) by any Person, has been received by or asserted or threatened against any Contributed Company, with respect to the collection, use, retention, disclosure, transfer, storage, security, disposal or other processing of Personal Information. Each Contributed Company has made all registrations that it is required to have made in relation to the processing of data, and is in good standing with respect to such registrations, with all fees due within 90 days of the date hereof duly made. Each Contributed Company (A) maintains commercially reasonable backup and data recovery, disaster recovery and business continuity plans, procedures and facilities, (B) acts in compliance therewith and (C) tests such plans and procedures on a regular basis, and such plans and procedures have been proven effective and meet the Information Privacy and Security Laws in all material respects upon such testing, or have been appropriately remediated and proven effective in all material respects.
(j) Security Safeguards & Incidents. Each Contributed Company has implemented reasonable, physical, technical and administrative safeguards that comply with applicable Privacy and Security Requirements, Privacy Policies, and applicable Privacy Contracts and that otherwise provide reasonable protection to Personal Information in any Contributed Companys possession or control from unintended loss or destruction, unauthorized modification and unauthorized access by third Persons, including employees and contractors of any Contributed Company. No Contributed Company has received any complaints, whether written or oral, from any Governmental Authority, data protection authority, private party or other Person regarding any Contributed Companys Processing of Personal Information or compliance with applicable Privacy and Security Requirements. No Event has occurred or exists that would, or would reasonably be expected to, require any Contributed Company to give notice to any Person of any actual or perceived data security breach or unauthorized access to Personal Information under Privacy and Security Requirements. As required by applicable Privacy and Security Requirements, the Contributed Companies have executed a written Contract with any agents, vendors, or subcontractors that Processes Personal Information.
(k) Confidentiality. Each Contributed Company has taken all reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of and otherwise protect and enforce its rights in all Intellectual Property Rights that any Contributed Company holds or purports to hold as confidential or a Trade Secret, whether owned by, or provided to, any Contributed Company, and material to the ownership or operation of the Business, the value of which to any Contributed Company is contingent upon maintenance of the confidentiality thereof. No Trade Secret or confidential know-how owned or purported to be owned by any Contributed Company has been disclosed or authorized to be disclosed to any third party (other than employees or consultants of any Contributed Company who are bound by an agreement protecting the Contributed Companies proprietary interests in and to such Trade Secrets and confidential know-how) by any Contributed Company or any of its employees, or by any third party who received such Trade Secret or confidential know-how from any Contributed Company, other than pursuant to a non-disclosure agreement that protects the Contributed Companies proprietary interests in and to such Trade Secrets and confidential know-how and where such disclosure would not be materially adverse to the Business
3.19 Material Contracts.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19(a) (such Contracts responsive to any of the following subsections (whether or not actually set forth thereon), collectively, the Material Contracts), no Contributor Party in respect of or relating to the Business or any Contributed Company is a party to or otherwise subject to or bound by any Contract of the following types:
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(i) any Contract with any current or former director, manager, officer, individual employee, consultant, independent contractor or other Person on a full-time, part-time, consulting or other basis (other than (A) any at-will Contract that may be terminated by a Contributed Company upon thirty (30) days or less advance notice without liability or (B) under which the Contributed Companies do not have any further Liability or executory obligations) (1) with respect to employment with or the provision of services to the Contributed Companies, (2) related to any redundancy, severance, separation, settlement, release of claims or other post-termination benefits or (3) providing or granting any change in control, retention or transaction bonuses or similar arrangements required as a result of or triggered (in whole or in part) by the Transactions;
(ii) any Contract (A) related to Indebtedness of any Contributed Company (whether incurred, assumed, guaranteed or secured by any asset or properties of any Contributed Company), (B) subjecting any Contributed Company or any of its assets or properties to any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) or (C) guarantying any Liability of any other Person;
(iii) any Contract under which any Contributed Company (A) is lessee of or holds or operates any personal property owned by any other Person, except for any lease of personal property under which the aggregate annual rental payments do not exceed $10,000 or (B) is lessor of or permits any other Person to hold or operate any material personal property owned or controlled by it;
(iv) any Contract (A) under which any Contributed Company is a licensee of or is otherwise granted by any Person any rights to use any Intellectual Property Rights (other than non-exclusive licenses of (or agreements to provide software on a non-exclusive, hosted basis) commercially-available software used solely for the Contributed Companies internal use with a total replacement cost of less than $5,000) or (B) which provides for the development of any Intellectual Property Rights for any Contributed Company;
(v) any Contract under which any Contributed Company is a licensor or otherwise grants to any Person any rights to use any Intellectual Property Rights;
(vi) any Contract (A) granting a royalty, dividend or similar arrangement based on the revenues or profits of any Contributed Company or (B) with respect to any partnership, manufacturer, development, joint venture or similar relationship or arrangement that involves a sharing of revenues, profits, losses, costs or liabilities relating to any Contributed Company or any other Person;
(vii) any Contract with any professional employer organization, staffing agency, temporary employee agency or similar company or service;
(viii) any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any Union;
(ix) any Contract involving the settlement or compromise of any Action;
(x) any Contract related to any completed, pending or future (A) disposition, divestiture or acquisition (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) of the Business or any business or material portion of assets or properties by any Contributed Company or (B) any consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or other business combination with respect to the Business or any Contributed Company or (C) issuance of any Equity Interests of any Contributed Company;
(xi) any Contract pursuant to which any Contributed Company is granted or grants a lease in, a sublease in, or the right to use or occupy any land, building or other real property, including any Lease;
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(xii) any Contract or group of related Contracts that involves advisory, management, sub-management or similar services with respect to real estate or other assets or properties;
(xiii) any Contract or group of related Contracts that (A) involves future expenditure, payment or receipt of consideration in excess of $10,000 in any calendar year and (B) is not terminable by a Contributed Company without penalty on notice of thirty (30) days or less;
(xiv) any Contract (A) prohibiting, or purporting to limit or restrict, directly or indirectly, any Contributed Company from freely engaging in any business, including restrictions on any Contributed Companys ability to compete, freedom to solicit customers, solicit or hire any Person or to conduct their businesses in any geographical area or the type or line of business in which they may engage, (B) providing most favored nation or other provisions where the pricing, discounts or benefits to any customer of any Contributed Company changes based on the pricing, discounts or benefits offered to other customers, (C) granting a right of first refusal or right of first offer for any line of business, Equity Interests or material portion of any Contributed Companys assets or properties or (D) establishing an exclusive sale or purchase obligation with respect to any obligation or geographical area;
(xv) any Contract that provides for the indemnification of any current or former director, officer, employee, consultant or other service provider of any Contributed Company or other Person;
(xvi) any Contract providing for co-location or software hosting, data hosting or infrastructure hosting services to any Contributed Company;
(xvii) any Shared Contract;
(xviii) any Contract in respect of or relating to an Affiliate Transaction; or
(xix) any Contract with a Significant Customer or Significant Supplier.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, each Material Contract is in full force and effect and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Contributory Party or Contributed Company party thereto and to the Companys Knowledge, the other parties thereto, enforceable against such Contributor Party or Contributed Company party thereto and to the Companys Knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (i) each Contributor Party and Contributed Company has performed and complied, in all material respects, with all of their obligations under each Material Contract; (ii) no Contributor Party, Contributed Company or, to the Companys Knowledge, any other party thereto, is in breach of or default under, any Material Contract or has received any notice or other communication, whether written or oral, of any breach of or default under, or the cancellation, termination, modification or acceleration of any Material Contract; (iii) no Event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) will or could reasonably be expected to, (A) result in any breach of or default under (or give any Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under) any Material Contract, or (B) give any Person the right to (1) accelerate the maturity, payment or performance of any material grant, right or other Liability under a Material Contract or (2) cancel, terminate or adversely modify any Material Contract; and (iv) no Contributor Party, Contributed Company or, to the Companys Knowledge, any other party thereto, is threatening any cancellation, termination, acceleration, adverse modification or non-renewal of any Material Contract. There are no renegotiations of, attempts to renegotiate, or outstanding rights to renegotiate any material amounts paid or payable to any Contributor Party or Contributed Company under current or completed Material Contracts with any Person and no such Person has made demand for such renegotiation. Correct and complete copies of each written Material Contract, and summaries of the material terms of any oral Material Contract, have been made available to Buyer.
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3.20 Environmental, Health and Safety. Each Contributed Company has complied (currently and at any time in the past), in all material respects, with all applicable Laws of Governmental Authorities concerning pollution or protection of the environment, public health and safety, and employee health and safety (collectively Environmental Laws), including obtaining, maintaining and complying with any Permits required by Environmental Laws for the operation of its business or the use or occupancy of real property. No Action has been filed or commenced against or received by any Contributed Company from a Governmental Authority or any other Person alleging any material violation of or material Liability under any such Environmental Laws. No Contributed Company has assumed, undertaken, provided an indemnity with respect to, or otherwise become subject to, any material Liability of any other Person relating to any Environmental Laws. No Contributed Company has treated, stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled, released, or exposed any Person to, any substance, or owned, occupied, or operated any facility or property contaminated by substance, which would be reasonably expect to give rise to material Liabilities pursuant to Environmental Laws.
3.21 Insurance. Each insurance policy currently held by, or on behalf or for the benefit of, any Contributed Company or the Business (collectively, the Insurance Policies) is set forth on Schedule 3.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and complete copies of the Insurance Policies have been made available to Buyer. All premiums due and payable under such Insurance Policies have been timely paid, and the Contributed Companies (or the applicable holder(s) hereof) are in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Insurance Policies. The Insurance Policies are in full force and effect and are sufficient for compliance by the Contributed Companies with all Contracts to which any Contributed Company is a party or otherwise subject. No Contributed Company has received any notice, whether written or oral, of cancellation, termination, premium increase or revocation and, to the Companys Knowledge, there are no threatened terminations of, or premium increases with respect to, any of the Insurance Policies. There are no pending or former material claims under any Insurance Policy as to which coverage has been denied or disputed by the underwriters of such policy, and no claims have been filed against the Insurance Policies that could materially erode available policy limits.
3.22 Affiliate Transactions.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Contributor Party or controlled Affiliate of any Contributor Party, (a) has any direct or indirect ownership in, or any employment or consulting agreement with, any Person that competes with any Contributed Company (except with respect to any interest of less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding voting shares of any corporation whose stock is publicly traded), (b) is party or otherwise subject to or bound by any Contract to which any Contributed Company is a party or by which any Contributed Company is subject or bound (except for compensation for services as a director, officer, consultant or employee of any Contributed Company pursuant to a Material Contract listed in the Company Disclosure Schedule), (c) has, directly or indirectly, any interest in any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, used or held for use in, related to, or necessary or reasonably required for, the ownership or operation of the Business, or (d) has, directly or indirectly, a material interest in any Person that purchases from or sells, licenses or furnishes to any Contributed Company any goods, property, technology or intellectual or other property rights or services.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Insider (excluding any Contributor Party or controlled Affiliate of any Contributor Party) or, to the Companys Knowledge, any parent, sibling, child, grandchild, or spouse of any of any Insider, or any other Person in which any such Person or any Contributor Party or controlled Affiliate of any Contributor Party
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has a material economic interest, (a) has any direct or indirect ownership in, or any employment or consulting agreement with, any Person that competes or any Contributed Company (except with respect to any interest of less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding voting shares of any corporation whose stock is publicly traded), (b) is party or otherwise subject to or bound by any Contract to which any Contributed Company is a party or by which any Contributed Company is subject or bound (except for compensation for services as a director, officer, consultant or employee of any Contributed Company pursuant to a Material Contract listed in the Company Disclosure Schedule), (c) has, directly or indirectly, any interest in any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, used or held for use in, related to, or necessary or reasonably required for, the ownership or operation of the Business, or (d) has, directly or indirectly, a material interest in any Person that purchases from or sells, licenses or furnishes to any Contributed Company any goods, property, technology or intellectual or other property rights or services (such interests, Contracts or other transactions contemplated in this Section 3.22, collectively, Affiliate Transactions).
3.23 Employment and Labor Matters.
(a) Each Contributed Company and the operation of the Business have been (currently and at all times since January 1, 2018): (i) in compliance with all applicable Laws and its own agreements respecting employment or employment practices, independent contractor or consulting contracts, any collective bargaining obligation or agreement, discrimination, harassment, pay equity, overtime exemption classification, wages and hours, independent contractor classification, labor relations, plant closing notification, occupational health and safety, leave of absence requirements, privacy rights, retaliation, immigration, wrongful discharge, or other violation of the rights of current or former employees, current or former independent contractors, current or former consultants, or employment candidates, terms and conditions of employment or wages and hours commissions and bonuses, and is not liable for any arrears of wages or penalties with respect thereto; (ii) no Events have occurred or exist currently that have, or would reasonably give rise to, any claim by a current or former employee for compensation on termination of employment by any Contributed Company; (iii) all amounts that any Contributed Company is legally required to withhold from its employees wages and to pay to any Governmental Authority as required by applicable Law have been withheld and paid, and no Contributed Company has any outstanding obligation to make any such withholding or payment, other than with respect to an open payroll period; (iv) there has not been (currently and at any time since January 1, 2018) any Action pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened or reasonably anticipated, to be brought or filed by or against any Contributed Company (or its officers, directors or executives) relating to Section 3.23(a)(i) above; (v) each agent of any Contributed Company who has received employment discrimination or sexual harassment allegations of, or against, any employee of any Contributed Company has promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated all such allegations; (vi) when indicated by any Contributed Companys policies, each Contributed Company has taken prompt corrective action that is reasonably calculated to prevent further discrimination or harassment and no Contributed Company reasonably expects to incur any material liability with respect to any such allegations; and (vii) all compensation, including wages, commissions and bonuses, payable to all employees, independent contractors and consultants for services performed on or prior to the date hereof have been paid in full (or accrued in full on the Latest Balance Sheet) and there are no outstanding agreements, understandings or commitments of the Company with respect to any compensation, commissions or bonuses.
(b) Schedule 3.23(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a true, accurate and complete list of (i) all employees of any Contributed Company or the Business, specifying each employees name; title; employing entity; department; hire date; status (full-time/part-time/ seasonal/temporary); principal place of employment; classification as exempt or non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (the FLSA) or any similar applicable Laws; current year annual base salary or hourly wage; current year target incentive compensation (bonus or commission, as applicable); full, prior year actual incentive compensation (bonus or commission, as applicable); any other benefits; and whether the
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employee is subject to an employment agreement and (ii) all Persons engaged by any Contributed Company or the Business as independent contractors or consultants at any time during the past three (3) years, specifying each Persons name; entity with which the Person is or was engaged; start date; end date (if applicable); location; full, prior year total compensation (or, if prior year not available, current year to date total compensation); current year to date total compensation; compensation rate; whether the Person is subject to an independent contractor, consulting or related agreement; and whether the Person subcontracts or has subcontracted to other Persons in performing the work for any Contributed Company, or has otherwise used the services of other Persons to perform the work for any Contributed Company. All current and former employees of any Contributed Company or the Business who have been classified as exempt under the FLSA or any similar applicable Laws have been properly classified and treated as such and have been properly compensated for all time worked in accordance with the FLSA and similar Laws. All Persons who have provided services to any Contributed Company or the Business as independent contractors or consultants have been properly classified as independent contractors, rather than employees, of such Contributed Company, for purposes of all applicable Laws and Company Benefits Plans.
(c) Each employee, independent contractor and consultant of any Contributed Company or the Business is terminable at will, without payment of severance or other compensation or consideration, and without advance notice. There are no agreements or understandings between any Contributed Company and any of its employees, independent contractors or consultants that their employment or services will be for any particular period. None of the executives, officers, or employees of any Contributed Company having an annual salary of $150,000 or more has given written notice of any intent to terminate his or her employment with any Contributed Company, nor, to the Companys Knowledge, does any such employee intend to terminate his or her employment with any Contributed Company. Each Contributed Company is in compliance in all respects and, to the Companys Knowledge, each employee, independent contractor and consultant of any Contributed Company or the Business is in compliance in all respects, with the terms of any employment, independent contractor and consulting agreements between such Contributed Company and such individual. There are not any oral or informal arrangements, commitments or promises between any Contributed Company, on the one hand, and any employee, independent contractor or consultant of any Contributed Company, on the other hand, that have not been documented as part of the formal written agreements between any such individuals and any Contributed Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no employee of any Contributed Company is a party to any confidentiality, non-competition, proprietary rights or other such agreement between such employee and any other Person (other than a Contributed Company) that would be material to the performance of such employees employment duties, or the ability of any Contributed Company to conduct the Business. Correct and complete copies of all employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements, material employee manuals and handbooks, policy statements and other materials relating to the employment of employees of any Contributed Company or the Business transferring in connection with the Transactions have been made available to Buyer.
(d) No Contributed Company or Affiliate of any Contributed Company with respect to the Business has (currently and at any time since January 1, 2018): (i) failed to provide advance notice of any plant closing, layoff, termination or reduction in hours as required by, or incurred any Liability under, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, and including any similar foreign, state, or local Law (the WARN Act), and no such action is planned or anticipated; or (ii) taken any action that would reasonably be expected to cause Buyer or any Contributed Company to incur any Liability under the WARN Act following the Closing.
(e) No Contributed Company or Affiliate of any Contributed Company with respect to the Business: (i) has been a party, otherwise subject to, bound by, or had a duty to, negotiate any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a Union, employee representative, other labor organization or
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other Person purporting to act as the exclusive bargaining representative of any employee, independent contractor or consultant of any Contributed Company or the Business, and there has not been (currently or at any time since January 1, 2018) any Union representing or purporting to represent any employee, independent contractor or consultant of any Contributed Company or the Business; (ii) has experienced any actual or threatened strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout or other similar labor disruption or dispute affecting any Contributed Company or the Business or any employee, independent contractor or consultant of any Contributed Company or the Business, with respect to their work for any Contributed Company or the Business; (iii) must, pursuant to Law, notify, consult or negotiate with any Union, employee representative, other labor organization or other Person purporting to act as the exclusive bargaining representative of any employee, independent contractor or consultant of any Contributed Company or the Business in connection with the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has been (currently or at any time since January 1, 2018) the subject of any actual or threatened Action asserting that any Contributed Company has committed an unfair labor practice; and (v) has ever experienced (currently or at any time since January 1, 2018) any organizing effort or demand for recognition or certification or attempt to organize employees, independent contractors or consultants of any Contributed Company or the Business by any Union.
(f) Each Contributed Company and Affiliate of any Contributed Company with respect to the Business: (i) has complied (currently and at any time since January 1, 2018) in all material respects with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and all regulations promulgated thereunder (IRCA) with respect to the completion, maintenance and other documentary requirements of Forms I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Forms) for all employees of any Contributed Company or the Business and the re-verification of the employment status of any and all employees of any Contributed Company or the Business whose employment authorization documents indicated a limited period of employment authorization; (ii) has only employed Persons authorized to work in the United States; and (iii) has not received notice of any inspection or investigation relating to an alleged noncompliance with or violation of IRCA by such Contributed Company, nor has such Contributed Company been warned, fined or otherwise penalized by reason of any failure to comply with IRCA.
3.24 Significant Customers and Significant Suppliers.
(a) Schedule 3.24(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and correct list of the customers or clients of any Contributed Company (i) for the trailing twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 and (ii) as of the date of this Agreement ((i) and (ii), collectively, the Significant Customers), including the amount of such revenue for each such Significant Customer as of such date. There are no pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened, disputes with any Significant Customer concerning any products or services of any Contributed Company, and no Event has occurred or exists that (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) could reasonably be expected to form the basis of any such dispute. No Contributor Party or Contributed Company has received any notice written, or to the Companys Knowledge, oral, or other communication from any Significant Customer that such customer has or intends to terminate, cancel, modify, cease doing business with, disengage, not renew or let lapse upon the expiration of its term or modify its Contract(s) (whether related to payment, price, services to be provided or otherwise) or relationship with any Contributed Company or reduce the rate or volume of products or services or the amount of business or payable to any Contributed Company for products and services.
(b) Schedule 3.24(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and correct list of the ten (10) largest suppliers, vendors, licensors, resellers, distributors, contractors, sub-contactors, sub-managers or other service providers of any Contributed Company (based upon amounts spent during such period) (i) for the trailing twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, and (ii) as of the date of this Agreement ((i) and (ii), collectively, the Significant Suppliers),
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including the amount of such purchases, fees or service costs for each such Significant Supplier as of such date. No Contributed Company has any pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened, disputes with any Significant Supplier concerning any products or services of such Significant Supplier, and no Event has occurred or exists that (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) could reasonably be expected to form the basis of any such dispute. No Contributor Party or Contributed Company has received any notice or other communication, whether written or oral, from any Significant Supplier that such supplier has or intends to terminate, cancel, modify, not renew or let lapse upon the expiration of its term or modify its Contract(s) (whether related to payment, price or otherwise) or relationship with any Contributed Company or stop or reduce the rate at which it supplies products or services to any Contributed Company.
3.25 Certain Transactions and Payments. None of the Contributed Companies or any Insider, has given, offered, paid, promised to pay or authorized payment of any money, any gift or anything of value, with the purpose of influencing any act or decision of the recipient in his or her official capacity or inducing the recipient to use his, her or its influence to affect an act or decision of a government official or employee that relates to the Business, to any (i) governmental official or employee, (ii) political party or candidate thereof, or (iii) other Person, while knowing that all or a portion of such money or thing of value would be given or offered to a governmental official or employee or political party or candidate thereof. None of the Contributed Companies, any Representative of any Contributed Company or any Contributor Party or to the Companys Knowledge, any agent or other third party representative acting on behalf of any Contributed Company, has (currently or at any time in the past) made any unlawful payment or given, offered, promised, or authorized or agreed to give, any money or thing of value, directly or indirectly, to any government official or other Person in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.
3.26 Brokers. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.25 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no broker, finder, investment banker or similar Person is entitled to any brokerage, finders or other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions, or any future acquisition or disposition by any Contributed Company, based upon arrangements made prior to the date hereof by or on behalf of any Contributed Company.
3.27 No Other Representations or Warranties. Buyer acknowledges that (a) none of the Contributor Parties, any Contributor Holding Company or any Contributed Company has made any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement as to the Contributed Securities, the Business or any of their respective assets, Liabilities, business, properties, financial condition, results of operations, future operating or financial results, estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or prospects or the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the foregoing furnished or made available to Buyer or any of its Affiliates and representatives in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in Article III or Article IV of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or any documents, agreements, certificates, schedules or other instruments contemplated hereby or thereby and (b) Buyer has not relied on any representation or warranty from any of the Contributor Parties, any Contributor Holding Company or any Contributed Company in determining to enter into this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements (other than the Excluded Agreements), except as expressly set forth in in Article III or Article IV of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or any documents, agreements, certificates, schedules or other instruments contemplated hereby or thereby. Buyer acknowledges that the acquisition of the Contributed Securities hereunder is without any representation or warranty as to merchantability or fitness thereof for any particular purpose, in an as is condition and on a where is basis, except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or any documents, agreements, certificates, schedules or other instruments contemplated hereby or thereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 3.27 shall (or shall be deemed to) apply to or limit or diminish Buyers, Buyers Affiliates or any other Persons rights, recovery or otherwise under or in respect of any Excluded Agreement or in the event of Fraud.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES
Except as set forth on the applicable section or subsection in the Company Disclosure Schedule, each Contributor Party, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to Buyer, solely as to such Contributor Party, that the statements contained in this Article IV (Representations and Warranties of the Contributor Parties) are true and correct as of the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the joint and several indemnification obligations of each Contributor Party under Article IX shall extend to any indemnifiable Damages resulting from, relating to or arising out of the representations and warranties of any Contributor Party pursuant to this Article IV, subject to the limitations provided in Article IX.
4.1 Organization and Qualification; Capacity. Such Contributor Party (i) is a legal entity, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its relevant jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has the requisite organizational power and authority necessary to own, lease, use and operate its properties and assets and to carry on the business conducted by it, (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the ownership, use, leasing or operation of its properties and assets makes such qualification or license necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect and (iv) has all requisite organizational power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Transactions.
4.2 Authorization of Agreement. The execution and delivery by such Contributor Party of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which such Contributor Party is a party and the consummation by such Contributor Party of the Transactions have been duly authorized by all necessary actions or proceedings, and no other actions or proceedings on the part of such Contributor Party are necessary to authorize or approve this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which such Contributor Party is a party or to consummate the Transactions. This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which such Contributor is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Contributor Party and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by Buyer, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Contributor Party, enforceable against such Contributor Party in accordance with its terms, except to the extent such enforcement may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.
4.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by such Contributor Party nor the consummation of the Transactions will (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the Governing Documents of such Contributor Party, (b) materially conflict with or violate any Law by which such Contributor Party or any of its assets or properties is bound or subject, (c) materially conflict with or violate, constitute a default under (or an event that with or without notice, lapse of time or both could conflict with or violate or constitute a default under), require any consent, license, permit, approval, waiver, authorization, order, filing, registration, declaration or notice under or in connection with, result in or trigger any right of termination, modification, acceleration or cancellation of, or require any payment or performance obligation pursuant to, any Contract, Permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which such Contributor Party is a party or by which it or any of its assets or properties is bound or subject, (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the properties or assets of such Contributor or (e) require such Contributor Party to obtain any consent, license, permit, approval, waiver, authorization or order of, or to make any filing, registration or declaration with or provide notice to, any Governmental Authority or other Person, other than as explicitly set forth on Schedule 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
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4.4 Litigation. There is no Action pending, or to the Companys Knowledge, threatened, against such Contributor Party or any of its assets, properties or rights, and such Contributor Party is not subject to any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of, or any settlement agreement with, any Governmental Authority or other Person, in each case, that challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay (or prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay, as applicable) the Transactions.
4.5 Capitalization Matters. Such Contributor Party, if a Contributor (a) owns and holds, beneficially and of record, the Equity Interests of Contributor (Contributor Securities) in the series or class and amounts set forth opposite such Contributor Partys name on Annex I under the heading Contributor Securities, (b) has sole and exclusive right, title and interest in, and good, valid and marketable title to, such Contributor Securities, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Securities Liens) or any other restrictions, voting rights, rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or similar rights or adverse claims, (c) has not granted or acknowledged to any Person any rights with respect to any Contributor Securities and (d) has sole voting power and power of disposition or conversion of such Contributor Securities and sole power to agree to and issue instructions with respect to the matters set forth in this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement to which its is a party or by which it is subject. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Contributor Securities set forth opposite such Contributor Partys name on Annex I under the heading Contributor Securities (i) constitute all of the Equity Interests of Contributor (including any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of Contributor) owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Contributor Party, (ii) are not subject to any Liabilities, Contracts or other rights or obligations of any kind that would entitle or require such Contributor Party or any other Person (contingent or otherwise), to issue, transfer, sell, repurchase, retire, redeem or otherwise acquire or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any such Contributor Securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no registration rights, voting trusts, proxies, rights plans, antitakeover plans or any other Contracts to which such Contributor Party or any of its Affiliates is a party or by which any of them are subject with respect to any Contributor Securities.
4.6 Deemed Representations. The representations and warranties set forth in the following sections of this Agreement are hereby made with respect to any Contributor Party or any controlled Affiliate of a Contributor Party (excluding, for clarity, any Contributed Company) in connection with the ownership or operation of the Business or otherwise related to the Contributed Assets or the Assumed Liabilities for which, in each case, any Buyer Indemnified Party (including any Contributed Company) or the Business has or may have any Liability: Section 3.7, Section 3.8(c), Section 3.8(d), Section 3.12, Section 3.14, Section 3.15(b), Section 3.15(d), Section 3.15(g), Section 3.15(k), Section 3.15(l), Section 3.16(b), Section 3.18(b), Section 3.18(c), Section 3.18(e) through Section 3.18(k), Section 3.19(b), Section 3.20, Section 3.23 and Section 3.25.
4.7 Brokers. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.26 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no broker, finder, investment banker or similar Person is entitled to any brokerage, finders or other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions, or any future acquisition or disposition by any Contributed Company, based upon arrangements made prior to the date hereof by or on behalf of such Contributor Party.
4.8 Securities Law Matters; Transfer Restrictions.
(a) Each Contributor Party acknowledges that: (i) Buyer intends the exchange and issuance of the Buyer Securities contemplated hereby be exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws by virtue of (A) the status of each Contributor as an accredited investor within the meaning of the federal securities Laws, and (B) Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act (Regulation D), and (B) Buyer is relying upon the representations and warranties of the Contributor Parties set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements in making the determination that the exchange and issuance of the Buyer Securities contemplated hereby qualify for exemption under Rule 506 of Regulation D as an exchange, offer, sale and issuance only to an accredited investor.
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(b) Each Contributor Party is an accredited investor within the meaning of the federal securities Law, including Regulation D.
(c) Each Contributor is acquiring the Buyer Securities for its own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.
(d) Each Contributor has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to enable such Contributor to evaluate the merits and risks of investment in the Buyer Securities. Each Contributor has the ability to bear the economic risk of acquiring the Buyer Securities. Each Contributor Party acknowledges that: (i) the Transactions involve complex Tax consequences for each Contributor Party; (ii) each Contributor Party is relying solely on the advice of such Contributor Partys own Tax advisors in evaluating such consequences; (iii) Buyer has not made (nor shall it be deemed to have made) any representation or warranty as to the Tax consequences of the Transaction to any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of any Contributor Party; (iv) references in this Agreement to the intended Tax effect of the Transactions shall not be deemed to imply any representation or warranty by Buyer as to a particular Tax effect that may be obtained by any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of any Contributor Party; and (v) each Contributor Party remains solely responsible for all Tax matters relating to any Contributor Party and any Affiliate of any Contributor Party.
(e) Each Contributor Party has had an opportunity to ask questions of, and has received sufficient information and answers from, Buyer and Buyers Affiliates concerning Buyer and Buyers Affiliates, the Buyer Securities and any Equity Interests into which the Buyer Securities may be exchanged pursuant to the Buyer Charter Documents, and to assess and evaluate any information supplied to such Contributor Party by Buyer and Buyers Affiliates.
(f) Each Contributor Party acknowledges that: (i) there are restrictions on the transferability of the Buyer Securities; (ii) the Buyer Securities shall not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities Laws; and (iii) the Contributor has no right to require that they be so registered. Each Contributor Party agrees that any Buyer Securities such Contributory Party or any Affiliate of any Contributor Party acquires shall not be sold in the absence of registration unless such sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws and in accordance with the Buyer Charter Documents as in effect from time to time.
(g) Each Contributor Party understands that there is no established public, private or other market for the Buyer Securities to be issued to any Contributor hereunder, and it is not anticipated that there will be any public, private or other market for such Buyer Securities in the foreseeable future.
(h) Each Contributor Party understands that Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act is not currently available with respect to the exchange and issuance of the Buyer Securities contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Contributor Parties that the statements contained in this Article V (Representations and Warranties of Buyer) are true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing:
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5.1 Organization and Qualification. Buyer is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under its relevant jurisdiction of organization.
5.2 Authorization of Agreement. Buyer has all requisite limited partnership or other organizational power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the Transactions. The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation by Buyer of the Transactions have been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership or other organizational action, and no other limited partnership or other organizational proceedings on the part of Buyer is necessary to authorize this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party or to consummate the Transactions. This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other Parties thereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement hereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.
5.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer does not, and the consummation of the Transactions by Buyer shall not (a) conflict with or violate the Buyer Charter Documents, (b) materially conflict with or violate any Laws applicable to Buyer or by which any of Buyers assets or properties are bound or subject, (c) result in any material breach of or constitute a material default (or an event that with or without notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, acceleration or cancellation of, or require payment under any of the properties or assets of Buyer pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, Contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which Buyer is a party or by or to which Buyer or its respective assets or properties are bound or subject or (d) require Buyer to obtain any consent, license, permit, approval, waiver, authorization or order of, or to make any filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority or third Person, except for compliance with and filings, notices, consents and approvals that may be required under the Securities Act or similar state securities Laws.
5.4 Litigation. There is no Action pending, or to the Companys Knowledge, threatened, against Buyer or any of its assets, properties or rights, and Buyer is not subject to any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of, or any settlement agreement with, any Governmental Authority or other Person, in each case, that challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay (or prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay, as applicable) the Transactions.
5.5 Investment Intent. Buyer understands that the Contributed Securities to be acquired by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement have not been, and shall not be, registered under the Securities Act, or under any state securities Laws, and are being offered and sold in reliance upon federal and state exemptions for transactions not involving any public offering. Buyer is acquiring the Contributed Securities solely for Buyers account, and not with a view to the distribution thereof.
5.6 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finders or other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Buyer.
5.7 Tax Status of Buyer. Buyer has been at all times during its existence properly classified as a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes and not as an association or publicly-traded partnership taxable as a corporation for such purposes.
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5.8 REIT Status. REIT I elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Code Section 856 for federal income tax purposes beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2010. Commencing with such taxable year, REIT I has at all times been organized and operated in such a manner so as to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust under the Code.
ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
6.1 Appropriate Actions; Consents; Filings. The Parties shall cooperate with each other in connection with, and the Contributor Parties and the Contributed Companies shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) take, or to cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under the Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements to which they are a party, applicable Law or otherwise to consummate and make effective the Transactions, (ii) obtain from any Governmental Authorities any consents, licenses, Permits, waivers, approvals, authorizations or Orders required to be obtained and to make any filings with or notifications or submissions to any Governmental Authority required to be made by such Governmental Authority in connection with this Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements to and the consummation of the Transactions, and (iii) make all necessary filings, notices and other required submissions, with respect to this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, that are necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law or otherwise are reasonably required to obtain the Company Approvals and to comply with applicable Law. Each of the Company Approvals shall be in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, and executed counterparts of such Company Approvals shall be delivered to Buyer promptly after receipt thereof, and copies of such notices shall be delivered to Buyer promptly after the making thereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, none of Buyer or its Affiliates shall be required to pay any amounts in connection with obtaining any Company Approvals or to provide any guarantees of the obligations of any Contributed Company, the Contributor Parties or any other Person.
6.2 Confidentiality; Public Announcements. Except to the extent disclosure is required by Law or any national or public securities exchange, each Party shall, and shall cause such Partys Affiliates to, continue to maintain the confidentiality of all Contracts, information, documents and materials relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Transactions (including the terms, conditions and other provisions hereof and thereof). In the event that any Party reasonably believes, after consultation with counsel, that it is required by Law to disclose any confidential information described in this Section 6.2, excluding, for clarity, disclosure to be included in a proxy statement or similar disclosure, solicitation or notice to Buyers or Buyers Affiliates shareholders or other equityholders, such Party shall: (a) provide the other Parties with prompt notice before such disclosure so that the notifying Party may attempt to obtain a protective order or other assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded such confidential information; and (b) cooperate with the other Parties and their Affiliates in attempting to obtain such order or assurance. Except to the extent disclosure is required by Law or any national or public securities exchange, no Party shall issue any press releases, public announcements or other public releases of information related to the subject matter of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the Transactions, without the written consent of Buyer and the Contributor Representative (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
6.3 D&O Tail Policy. Prior to the Closing Date, Buyer shall purchase and pay the premium in full for, a directors, managers and officers liability insurance policy providing tail coverage at a limit agreed to by the Contributor Representative and Buyer (which policy may be a continuation or extension of the Contributed Companies or the Businesss existing directors, managers and officers liability insurance policy(s)) (the D&O Tail Policy) for any Contributed Company and its officers, directors, managers and managing members (however designated), including the Persons listed on Schedule 6.3, and their respective successors and assigns.
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6.4 Access to Records and Personnel.
(a) Exchange of Information. From and after the Closing Date, until the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Closing Date, each Party shall provide, or cause to be provided, to each other, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor and at the requesting Partys sole expense, reasonable access (including using commercially reasonable efforts to give access to third parties possessing information), during normal business hours, to the other Partys Representatives and to any books, records, documents, files and correspondence in the possession or under the control of the other Party that the requesting Party reasonably needs (i) to comply with reporting, disclosure, filing or other requirements imposed on the requesting Party (including under applicable securities Laws) by a Governmental Authority, (ii) for use in any other judicial, regulatory, administrative or other proceeding or in order to satisfy audit, accounting, claims, regulatory, litigation or other similar requirements arising from or relating to the Transactions, (iii) for use in any proceeding relating to the infringement of the Intellectual Property Rights of another Person, or (iv) to comply with its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; provided, however, that no Party shall be required to provide access to or disclose information where such access or disclosure (y) is related to any claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 or any other claim against a Party or such Partys Affiliates (provided, that, the foregoing shall not excuse compliance with Article IX (Indemnification), including the indemnification procedures set forth therein) or (z) would violate any Law or agreement, or waive any attorney-client or other similar privilege, and each Party may redact information regarding itself or its Affiliates or otherwise not relating to the other Party and its Affiliates, and, in the event such provision of information could reasonably be expected to violate any Law or agreement or waive any attorney-client or other similar privilege, the Parties shall take all commercially reasonable measures to permit the compliance with such obligations in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.
(b) Ownership of Information. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, (i) any information owned by a Party that is provided to a requesting Party pursuant to this Section 6.4 shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Party and (ii) nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such information.
(c) Record Retention. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, each Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to retain the books, records, documents, instruments, accounts, correspondence, writings, evidences of title and other papers relating to the Business and any Contributed Company (the Books and Records) in such Partys respective possession or reasonable control for six (6) years following the Closing Date. Following the expiration of such period, each Party may destroy or otherwise dispose of any Books and Records, provided, that, prior to such destruction or disposal (i) such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide no less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other Party of any such proposed destruction or disposal (which notice shall specify in detail which of the Books and Records is proposed to be so destroyed or disposed of), and (ii) if the other Party requests in writing prior to the scheduled date for such destruction or disposal that any of the information proposed to be destroyed or disposed of be delivered to such recipient, such Party proposing the destruction or disposal shall, as promptly as practicable, arrange for the delivery of such of the Books and Records as was requested by the other Party (it being understood and agreed that any reasonable out-of-pocket costs associated with the delivery of the requested Books and Records shall be paid by the other Party).
(d) Limitation of Liability. Without limiting the indemnification obligations set forth in Article IX (including any inaccuracies in or breaches of any representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement), no Party shall have any Liability to any other Party in the event that any information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Section 6.4 is inaccurate.
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(e) Other Agreements Providing For Exchange of Information. From and after the Closing Date, to the extent that Buyer or any Affiliate of Buyer (including any Contributed Company after the Closing) receives any mail or packages addressed to any Contributor Party not relating to the Business, Buyer shall promptly deliver, or cause to be delivered, such mail or packages to the Contributor Representative. From and after the Closing Date, Buyer may deliver to the Contributor Representative any checks or drafts made payable to any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party that constitute payment in respect of the Business, and the Contributor Representative shall promptly deposit, or cause to be deposited, such checks or drafts, and, upon receipt of funds, reimburse Buyer within five (5) Business Days for the amounts of all such checks or drafts, or, if so requested by Buyer, endorse such checks or drafts to Buyer for collection. From and after the Closing Date, the extent any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party receives any mail or packages addressed to any Contributed Company or Contributor Party or Affiliate of a Contributor Party that relates to the Business or any Contributed Company, the Contributor Representative shall promptly deliver, or cause to be delivered, such mail or packages to Buyer.
6.5 Insurance Policies.
(a) All insurance policies of any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party (excluding any Contributed Company who shall continue to hold such rights in and to such policies) in effect at any time at or prior to the Closing Date (the Contributor Insurance Policies), together with all rights, benefits and privileges thereunder, shall be retained by the Contributor Parties from and after the Closing Date, and Buyer shall have no rights with respect to such policies, except that, to the extent permitted by such Contributor Insurance Policies and the applicable insurer, Buyer shall have the right to:
(i) assert claims (and the Contributor Parties shall assist Buyer in asserting claims) for any Liability with respect to the Business or any Contributed Company under such Contributor Insurance Policies that are occurrence basis policies which provide coverage with respect to the Business or any Contributed Company (Occurrence Basis Policies) arising out of insured incidents occurring from the date coverage thereunder first commenced until the Closing Date to the extent that the terms and conditions of any such Occurrence Basis Policies and any Contracts related to such policies so allow; and
(ii) continue to prosecute claims (and the Contributor Parties shall assist Buyer in connection therewith) for any Liability with respect to the Business or any Contributed Company properly asserted with the insurance carrier prior to the Closing Date under such Contributor Insurance Policies that are claims made basis policies and which provide coverage with respect to the Business or any Contributed Company (Claims Made Policies) arising out of insured incidents occurring from the date coverage thereunder first commenced until the Closing Date to the extent that the terms and conditions of any such Claims Made Policies and any Contracts related to such policies so allow.
(b) Buyer shall have the right to notify the Contributor Representative, on behalf of the Contributor Parties, of any claims related to the Business or any Contributed Company that would or may be subject to any Contributor Insurance Policy and based on Events that have occurred or exist at or prior to the Closing Date, and the Contributor Parties shall (i) not seek to change any rights and obligations of any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party under the Contributor Insurance Policies; and (ii) use their commercially reasonable efforts to timely file such claims with the applicable insurance carriers. Each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep each other Party advised of the status of (and any developments regarding) any such claims, and to cooperate with each other Party and any insurance carrier in connection with the investigation and defense of any such claims, all in accordance and consistent with the standard practices and procedures established from time to time by Company or any such insurance carrier. The Contributor Representative (on behalf of each Contributor Party) shall remit to Buyer within five (5) Business Days following receipt thereof all proceeds received by any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of any Contributory Party under the Contributor Insurance Policies with respect to such claims made in respect of the Business or the Contributed Companies pursuant to this provision.
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6.6 Cooperation with Audit. During the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date, each Contributor Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, use commercially reasonable efforts, upon reasonable advance notice by Buyer, to cooperate with Buyer and its Affiliates (including any Contributed Company after the Closing) and their Representatives reasonable requests for financial information concerning the Business generally or assistance with an audit of the financial statements of the Business or the Contributed Companies following the Closing Date or other financial or Tax matters relating to the Business or the Contributed Companies.
6.7 Use of Business Marks.
(a) Resource America hereby grants to Buyer and its Affiliates a non-exclusive license to the use of the service marks, names, trade names and trademarks set forth on Schedule 6.7 or substantially similar names and any service marks, trademarks, trade names, d/b/a names, fictitious names, identifying symbols, logos, emblems, signs or insignia related thereto or containing or comprising the foregoing, or otherwise relating to, used or held for use in, or reasonably required for the ownership or operation of the Business, including any name or mark confusingly similar thereto and the trademarks and service marks related thereto (collectively, the Business Marks).
(b) From and after the Closing, the Contributor Parties agree not to, and shall cause their controlled Affiliates (or otherwise consent to the actions of any non-Controlled Affiliate not to, (i) form a new Subsidiary or cause or permit the formation of any Affiliate, or change the name of any existing Subsidiary or Affiliate, the name of which (including by use of any d/b/a) bears any similarity to Resource, Resource Real Estate or any derivation thereof; (ii) use the Business Marks in connection with any new products, services, business or offerings; or (iii) sell, license, assign or otherwise transfer the Business Marks to any other Person.
(c) Buyer acknowledges that on June 19, 2020, Resource America entered into the agreement described on Schedule 6.7(c) (the Third Party License Agreement) pursuant to which Resource America granted a non-exclusive license to use the name Resource to an unaffiliated third party pursuant to the terms of the Third Party License Agreement for a period described on Schedule 6.7(c) (the Third Party License Term).
(d) Upon the expiration of the Third Party License Term, Resource America hereby assigns all of its right, title and interest in and to the Business Marks to Buyer (the Business Marks Assignment) and each Contributor Party, on behalf of such Contributor Party and such Contributor Partys Affiliates (other than any Contributed Company), and each of their respective successors, assigns, equityholders, officers, directors, managers, partners, next of kin, representatives, administrators, executors, agents and any other Person claiming by, through, or under any of the foregoing (each, a Contributor Related Party), hereby agrees that at such time, Buyer shall have the sole right to use the Business Marks except as provided in Section 6.7(e) below.
(e) Upon the effectiveness of the Business Marks Assignment, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, Buyer hereby grants to any existing Subsidiary of the Contributor Parties, the name of which (including by use of any d/b/a) bears any similarity to Resource, Resource Real Estate or any derivation thereof (the Permitted Licensees) a perpetual, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable and non-transferable license to continue to use the name Resource, Resource Real Estate or any derivation thereof (solely for purposes of operating such Permitted Licensees business (excluding the Business) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
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6.8 Further Assurances. From time to time after the Closing Date, each Party shall, upon the reasonable request of another Party, execute and deliver all additional conveyances, transfers, documents, instruments, assignments, applications, certifications, papers and other assurances necessary or desirable to carry out effectively the purpose and intent of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including the Contribution Agreement, and to transfer the Contributed Securities to Buyer.
6.9 Waiver of Notice & Certain Rights. Each Contributor Party, on behalf of such Contributor Party and any Contributor Related Party, hereby waives: (a) any notice or consent requirements with respect to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Transactions, except for post-closing notice obligations specifically contemplated hereby or thereby; and (b) any past, present or future right of first refusal or offer, put or call right, co-sale or tag-along right, pre-emptive, anti-dilution or other similar right of such Contributor Party or Contributor Related Party, that may be applicable to, or triggered by, this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, regardless of whether such requirement or right is pursuant to any Governing Document, Contract, Law or otherwise.
6.10 Waiver of Contribution Rights. Other than the rights expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, from and after the Closing, each Contributor Party, on behalf of itself, each other Contributor Related Party, hereby expressly waives and releases any rights of subrogation, offset, contribution, indemnification, advancement of expenses or other remedies or rights of recovery that such Contributor Party or any Contributor Related Party may be entitled to, whether existing at, prior to or after the Closing, against the Contributed Companies, REIT I, REIT II, REIT III or other Buyer Indemnified Party with respect to any Event that gives or reasonably may give rise to an indemnification obligation or similar liability of such Contributor Party or any Contributor Related Party under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
6.11 Release. Effective as of the Closing, each Contributor Party, on behalf of itself and each other Contributor Related Party, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges the Contributed Companies, Buyer, REIT I, REIT II, REIT III and each of their respective Subsidiaries, and each of their respective individual, joint or mutual, past, present and future directors, managers, partners, employees, advisors, agents, representatives, successors and assigns (individually, a Releasee and collectively, Releasees) from any and all claims, demands, Actions, causes of action and Orders that such Contributor Party or any Contributor Related Party now has, has ever had or may hereafter have against any Releasee, and from any and all obligations, Contracts, debts, Liabilities and obligations that any Releasee now has, has ever had or may hereafter have in favor of such Contributor Party or any Contributor Related Party, in each case, of any nature (whether absolute or contingent, asserted or unasserted, known or unknown, primary or secondary, direct or indirect, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether or not accrued or due) arising contemporaneously with or before the Closing or on account of or arising out of any matter, cause or Event occurring contemporaneously with or before the Closing, including any rights to indemnification, contribution, advancement of expenses or reimbursement, whether pursuant to any of their respective Governing Documents, Contract or otherwise and whether or not relating to claims pending on, or asserted after, the Closing (collectively, the Released Claims); provided, that the foregoing release shall not cover claims arising from the Non-Released Matters. Non-Released Matters shall mean (i) rights of the Contributor Party (A) under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any documents or instruments executed in connection herewith and therewith, and (B) to accrued fees due, and reimbursements owed, prior to the Closing under the Contracts set forth on Schedule 6.11; and (ii) obligations of Buyer and Buyers Affiliates arising under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any documents or instruments executed in connection herewith and therewith. Effective as of the Closing,
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each Contributor Party hereby irrevocably covenants to, and cause each Contributor Related Party to, refrain from, directly or indirectly, asserting any claim or demand, or commencing, instituting or causing to be commenced, any Action of any kind against any Releasee, based upon any Released Claim. Each Releasee is hereby made an express third party beneficiary of this Section 6.11.
6.12 Contributor Representative. For purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, each Contributor Party hereby agrees to the appointment of Resource America as the representative of each Contributor Party, as the attorney-in-fact for and on behalf of each Contributor Party, and the taking by the Contributor Representative of any and all actions and the making of any decisions required or permitted to be taken by them under or contemplated by this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the other documents, agreements, certificates, schedules or other instruments contemplated hereby or thereby, including the exercise of the power to (i) execute this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and any other documents, agreements, certificates, schedules or other instruments contemplated hereby or thereby, including all amendments to such documents, and take all actions required or permitted to be taken under such documents, (ii) authorize delivery to Buyer of the Purchase Price, or any portion thereof (including any Deferred Payment), in satisfaction of indemnification or other claims contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, (iii) agree to, negotiate, enter into settlements and compromises of and comply with orders of courts and awards of arbitrators with respect to such indemnification or other claims, (iv) resolve any indemnification or other claims, (v) receive and forward notices and communications pursuant to this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, and (vi) take all actions necessary in the judgment of the Contributor Representative for the accomplishment of the foregoing and all of the other terms, conditions and limitations of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and any other documents, agreements, certificates, schedules or other instruments contemplated hereby or thereby. Resource America hereby accepts his appointment as the Contributor Representative. The Contributor Representative is hereby authorized by each Contributor Party to act on its behalf as required hereunder and under the Ancillary Agreements and to disburse the Purchase Price (including any Deferred Payment). Each Contributor Party agrees to be bound by all actions taken and documents executed by the Contributor Representative in connection with is Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and any other documents, agreements, certificates, schedules or other instruments contemplated hereby or thereby, including this Section 6.12. Each Buyer Indemnified Party shall be entitled to rely on any action or decision of the Contributor Representative as the full and final decision of the Contributor Parties and shall be fully protected and indemnified for its reliance thereof. Each Contributor Party shall release and discharge the Buyer Indemnified Parties from and against any Liability arising out of or in connection with any action or decision of the Contributor Representative or the Contributor Representatives failure to distribute any amounts received by the Contributor Representative on behalf of, or for further distribution to, each Contributor Party. From and after the Closing, the Contributor Parties may appoint a new Contributor Representative by unanimous written consent by sending notice of such appointment to Buyer. Such appointment shall be effective upon the later of the date indicated in the notice or the date such notice is received by Buyer.
ARTICLE VII
TAX MATTERS
7.1 Tax Return Filings. The Contributor Representative (on behalf of the Contributor Parties) shall timely file or cause to be timely filed when due all Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Contributed Companies for all Tax periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date that are due on or prior to the Closing Date and shall pay or cause to be paid all Taxes shown due thereon. Buyer shall timely file or cause to be timely filed when due all Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Contributed Companies for all Tax periods beginning on or prior to the Closing Date that are due after the Closing Date (each, a Pre-Closing Tax Return), and the Contributor Representative (on behalf of the Contributor Parties) shall advance to Buyer any Taxes reflected on any Pre-Closing Tax Return at least five (5) Business Days prior to the due date of such Pre-Closing Tax Return. All such Tax Returns shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practice, except as otherwise required by applicable Law and on a basis consistent with this Agreement.
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7.2 Cooperation. Each Party shall cooperate, to the extent reasonably requested by any other Party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns and any audit, Action, or other proceeding involving Taxes. Cooperation shall include the retention and the provision of records and other information reasonably relevant to the preparation of a Tax Return or the conduct of an audit, litigation, or other proceeding in accordance with Section 6.4 and Section 6.6.
7.3 Transfer Taxes. The Contributors shall be liable for, and shall pay any transfer taxes customarily imposed on a contributor in an asset contribution transaction, and Buyer shall be liable for, and shall pay any transfer taxes customarily imposed on a contributee in an asset contribution transaction, that are imposed in connection with the transfer of the contributed assets pursuant to this Agreement and each shall timely file all Tax Returns required with respect thereto (the Transfer Taxes). Each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to avail itself of any available exemptions from any Transfer Taxes, and shall cooperate with the other Parties in timely providing any information and documentation, including resale certificates, that may be necessary to obtain such exemptions.
7.4 Agreed Tax Treatment. For federal income tax purposes, the acquisition of Contributed Securities from each Contributor by Buyer is intended to qualify as (i) a part tax-deferred contribution of property from such Contributor to Buyer in exchange for partnership interests under Code Section 721 to the extent of the Final Purchase Price received in Buyer Securities by such Contributor and (ii) a part sale of property from such Contributor to Buyer under Code Section 707 to the extent of the Final Purchase Price received by such Contributor in cash. Except upon a final determination by a Governmental Authority holding otherwise, each Party hereby agrees to report, and cause their Affiliates to report, the Transaction for all federal income tax purposes (including for purposes of reporting on any Tax Returns filed by Buyer, any Contributor Party or the Contributor Representative) in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of this Section 7.4 and no Party shall take, and shall cause their Affiliates to not take, any position (whether in audits, or Tax Returns or otherwise) that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 7.4.
7.5 Section 704(c) Method. Buyer shall report allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction (as computed for tax purposes) with respect to the property deemed contributed by a Contributor to Buyer for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Code Section 721 so as to take account of any built-in gain under Code Section 704(c) or the principles set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(a), as the case may be, using the traditional method without curative allocations, as specifically provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b). Buyer shall not transfer such property to RRE Opportunity OP II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (REIT II Operating Partnership), in connection with the REIT I/II Merger in a transaction that qualifies for the non-recognition of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless REIT II Operating Partnership agrees to the use of the traditional method without curative allocations with respect to the transferred property for purposes of allocations under Code Section 704(c) of the Code.
7.6 Purchase Price Allocation.
(a) Within sixty (60) days of the determination of the Final Adjustment Amount, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Contributor Representative a draft schedule (the Allocation Schedule) allocating the Final Purchase Price (and any liabilities considered assumed by Buyer that are treated as purchase consideration for Tax purposes) among the assets and properties of the Contributed Companies in accordance with the principles of Section 1060 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The Allocation Schedule shall be consistent with the Distribution Schedule. If Contributor
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Representative has any objections to the Allocation Schedule, then Contributor Representative shall deliver to Buyer a statement setting forth such objections (the Allocation Objections Statement) within fourteen (14) days following receipt of the Allocation Schedule (the Allocation Review Period). The Allocation Objections Statement must describe in reasonable detail the items contained in the Allocation Schedule that Contributor Representative disputes and the basis for such dispute. To the extent any items are not disputed in the Allocation Objections Statement they will be deemed to have been accepted by Contributor Representative. If an Allocations Objection Statement is not delivered to Buyer within the Allocation Review Period, then the Allocation Schedule shall be final, conclusive, and binding on the Parties and shall not be subject to judicial, arbitral or any other form of review. If an Allocation Objections Statement is delivered to Buyer within the Allocation Review Period, then Buyer and Contributor Representative shall negotiate in good faith to resolve any such objections. If Buyer and Contributor Representative do not reach a final resolution within fourteen (14) days after the delivery of the Allocation Objections Statement, then Buyer and Contributor Representative shall submit such dispute to the Accounting Firm which, acting as an expert and not an arbitrator, shall resolve the items in dispute with respect to the Allocation Schedule. The Accounting Firm shall only decide the specific items under dispute by the Parties. Buyer and Contributor Representative shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Accounting Firm to resolve all disagreements as soon as practicable. The resolution of the dispute by the Accounting Firm, or any written agreement of Buyer and Contributor Representative as to the resolution of the dispute, shall be final, conclusive, and binding on the Parties and shall not be subject to judicial, arbitral or any other form of review. The fees, costs and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne pro rata as between Contributor Representative, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, in proportion to the final allocation made by the Accounting Firm of the disputed items weighted in relation to the claims made by Contributor Representative, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, such that the prevailing party pays the lesser proportion of such fees, costs and expenses. The Parties agree that the procedure set forth in this Section 7.6 for resolving disputes with respect to the Allocation Schedule shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for resolving such disputes.
(b) The Parties shall file, or cause to be filed, all Tax Returns (including amended Tax Returns, claims for refund and information reports) in a manner consistent with the Allocation Schedule (as finalized) and shall not take any position contrary thereto unless otherwise required by applicable Law. In the event of any subsequent adjustment to the Purchase Price (or other relevant item for income Tax purposes), the Parties shall report, or cause to be reported, such adjustment in a manner consistent with the Purchase Price allocation. If any taxing authority disputes the Tax treatment pertaining to the Allocation Schedule, the Party receiving notice of the dispute shall promptly notify the other Parties of such dispute and the Parties shall cooperate in good faith in responding to such dispute to preserve the effectiveness of such allocation.
ARTICLE VIII
CLOSING DELIVERIES
8.1 Closing Deliveries of the Contributors. At the Closing, the Contributors shall or cause to be delivered to Buyer (unless the delivery thereof is waived in writing by Buyer) the following documents and other items, in form and substance acceptable to Buyer:
(a) Contributed Company Secretarys Certificate. A certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed on behalf of each Contributed Holding Company by its Secretary, certifying (i) the Company Charter Documents, (ii) the resolutions of the sole member of each Contributed Holding Company approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions and (iii) the action taken by written consent of the members of each Contributed Holding Company approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions.
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(b) Contributor Party Secretarys Certificate. A certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed on behalf of each Contributor Party by its Secretary, certifying (i) the Governing Documents of each Contributor Party, (ii) the resolutions of the board of directors or managers of each Contributor Party approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions and (iii) the action taken by written consent of the stockholders, members, board of directors or manager, as applicable, of each Contributor Party approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions.
(c) A&R Buyer LP Agreement. The A&R Buyer LP Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each Contributor, pursuant to which each Contributor shall become party and subject to the Buyer A&R LP Agreement immediately upon consummation of the Transactions.
(d) Employment Agreement. An Employment Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit H (each, an Employment Agreement), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each of Alan Feldman, Thomas Elliott and Michele Weisbaum.
(e) Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination. An Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (each, an Acknowledgement of Termination), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each of Alan Feldman, Thomas Elliott and Michele Weisbaum.
(f) Restrictive Covenant Agreements (Key Employee). A Restrictive Covenants Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit J (each, a Restrictive Covenants Agreement (Key Employee)), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each of Alan Feldman, Thomas Elliott and Michele Weisbaum.
(g) Restrictive Covenant Agreements (Contributor Assignor). A Restrictive Covenants Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit K (each, a Restrictive Covenant Agreement (Contributor Assignor)), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each Contributor Assignee.
(h) Transitional Services Agreement. A Transitional Services Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit L (the Transitional Services Agreement), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each Contributor Party.
(i) Assignment of Lease Agreements. An Assignment and Assumption Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit M-1, an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit M-2 and the Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit M-3 (collectively, the Assignment of Lease Agreements), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Resource America and PM Contributor.
(j) Sublease Agreement. A Sublease Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit N (the Sublease Agreement), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Resource America.
(k) Advisor I Amendment. A Waiver and Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit O (the Advisor I Amendment), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor, LLC.
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(l) Advisor II Amendment. A Second Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement , in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit P (the Advisor II Amendment), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor II, LLC.
(m) Pre-Closing Statement. The Pre-Closing Statement, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each Contributor.
(n) Distribution Schedule. The final Distribution Schedule, prepared in accordance with Section 2.4(a)(i).
(o) Good Standing Certificates. Certificates of the appropriate officials of each jurisdiction where any Contributed Company is, or is required to be, qualified to do business stating that such Contributed Company is in good standing, qualified to do business or the equivalent in such jurisdiction, certified on a date not greater than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.
(p) Termination of Contracts. Evidence of the termination of the Contracts set forth on Schedule 8.1(p).
(q) Required Consents. Copies of each Company Approval set forth on Schedule 8.1(q).
(r) Resignations. Resignations and releases, duly executed by each of the directors, managers, officers or managing members (however designated) of any Contributed Company set forth on Schedule 8.1(r).
(s) FIRPTA Certificates. An affidavit from each Contributor, dated as of the Closing Date, sworn under penalty of perjury and in form and substance required under the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 1445 of the Code stating that such Contributor is not a foreign person for purposes of Section 1445 of the Code.
(t) Assignments of Contributed Securities. Certificates representing any Contributed Securities (to the extent such Contributed Securities are certificated), together with any other appropriate instruments of transfer to convey the same to Buyer.
(u) Reorganization Documents. Copies of each Reorganization Document.
(v) Investor Rights Agreement. An Investor Rights Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit Q (the Investor Rights Agreement), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each Contributor Party and Buyer.
(w) Voting Agreement. A Voting Agreement, in substantially the forms attached hereto as Exhibit R-1 and Exhibit R-2 (each, a Voting Agreement), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by REIT II and each of Alan Feldman and Advisor Contributor, respectively.
8.2 Closing Deliveries of Buyer. At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Contributors (unless the delivery is waived in writing by the Contributors) the following documents and other items:
(a) A&R Buyer LP Agreement. The A&R Buyer LP Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by Buyer.
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(b) Transitional Services Agreement. The Transitional Services Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Buyer.
(c) Assignment of Lease Agreements. The Assignment of Lease Agreements, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by REIT I.
(d) Sublease Agreement. The Sublease Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Buyer.
ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
9.1 Indemnification by Contributor Parties. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article IX (Indemnification), upon the Closing of the Transactions, each of the Contributor Parties hereby, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer and Buyers Affiliates (including the Contributed Companies from and after the Closing), and each of their respective Affiliates, equityholders, partners, directors, managers, officers, employees, advisors, agents, representatives, successors and assigns (each, a Buyer Indemnified Party) from and against any and all Damages, without duplication, suffered, incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Buyer Indemnified Parties resulting from, related to or arising out of:
(a) any breach of or inaccuracy in any representation or warranty of any Contributed Company or any Contributor Party set forth in (i) this Agreement or (ii) any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements);
(b) any breach of or non-fulfillment of any covenant or agreement set forth in (i) this Agreement or (ii) any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements) required to be performed by any Contributed Company (at or prior to the Closing) or any Contributor Party;
(c) any Indemnified Taxes;
(d) any (i) Indebtedness of any Contributed Company or Transaction Expenses, in each case, to the extent not paid in full at the Closing or actually included in the calculation of the Final Adjustment Amount or (ii) any Adjustment Shortfall;
(e) any (i) actual errors, omissions or inaccuracies in the Distribution Schedule or (ii) error, omission or inaccuracy in the Distribution Schedule alleged by any Person (other than a Buyer Indemnified Party);
(f) any Action by any actual or alleged holder of any Equity Interests of any Contributed Company, including as a result of or in connection with the (i) determination of the vested and unvested status of such Equity Interests, (ii) termination, cancellation, exercise or net exercise of such Equity Interests, (iii) distribution of the Purchase Price pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; or (iv) actions or omissions (including any allegation of breach of fiduciary duty) of any Contributed Company, any Contributor Party or any Representative of any Contributed Company or Contributor Party in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the Transactions;
(g) any Excluded Liability; and
(h) any Excluded Asset, including the ownership, use and operation of any Excluded Asset after the Closing.
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9.2 Indemnification by Buyer. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article IX (Indemnification), upon the Closing of the Transactions, Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of the Contributor Parties and each of their respective Affiliates, equityholders, partners, directors, managers, officers, employees, advisors, agents, representatives, successors and assigns (each, a Contributor Indemnified Party), from and against any and all Damages, without duplication, suffered, incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Contributor Indemnified Parties resulting from, related to or arising out of:
(a) any breach of or inaccuracy in any representation or warranty of Buyer set forth in (i) this Agreement or in any (ii) Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements); and
(b) any breach of or non-fulfillment of any covenant or agreement contained in (i) this Agreement or (ii) any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements) required to be performed by Buyer.
9.3 Survival, Time for Claims. Subject to the terms and other provisions of this Agreement:
(a) Survival.
(i) All of the representations and warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements) delivered in connection with this Agreement shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect until expiration of the Applicable Survival Period set forth in this Section 9.3(a). No Indemnified Party shall be entitled to indemnification for any Damages pursuant to the terms of this Article IX (Indemnification) unless (A) Buyer, on behalf of the Buyer Indemnified Parties or (B) the Contributor Representative, on behalf of the Contributor Indemnified Parties, delivers a Claim Notice setting forth its claim for indemnification to the Contributor Representative (in the case of a Buyer Indemnified Party) or Buyer (in the case of a Contributor Indemnified Party) prior to expiration of the Applicable Survival Period, in which case, such claims and any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contemplated thereby shall survive expiration of the Applicable Survival Period until final resolution thereof that is not subject to appeal and any Damages resulting from, related to or arising out of such claim shall be fully-recoverable, subject to the limitations set forth herein.
(A) With respect to the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements), the term Applicable Survival Period shall be the period immediately following the Closing and ending at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date (the General Survival Date); provided that the Applicable Survival Period with respect to Damages arising from or as a result of a breach of or inaccuracy in: (1) any of the Fundamental Representations (excluding the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.15 (Taxes)) shall survive the Closing for a period of five (5) years; and (2) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.15 (Taxes) shall be the date which is thirty (30) days following the expiration of all applicable statute of limitations related to the underlying subject matter of such representation or warranty (taking into account any extensions or waivers thereof).
(B) With respect to the covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Excluded Agreements), the term Applicable Survival Period shall be the period immediately following the Closing and ending as of the time or on the date such covenant or agreement expressly terminates in accordance with its terms or if no such period is expressly provided, such covenant and agreement shall have no time limitation and shall continue in full force indefinitely; provided, that, the indemnification obligation set forth in Section 9.1(c) shall survive the Closing until the date which is thirty (30) days following the expiration of all applicable statute of limitations related to the underlying subject matter of such claim (taking into account any extensions or waivers thereof).
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(ii) Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.3(a)(i) to the contrary, in the event that any breach of, inaccuracy in, or non-fulfillment of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of any Party constitutes Fraud, the term Applicable Survival Period shall have no time limitation and such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement shall survive the Closing and continue in full force indefinitely.
(b) Time for Claims. It is the express intent of the Parties that, if the Applicable Survival Period is longer than the statute of limitations that would otherwise have been applicable to such item, then, by contract, the applicable statute of limitations with respect to such item shall automatically be increased to the extended survival period set forth in this Section 9.3. The Parties further acknowledge that the Applicable Survival Period set forth in this Section 9.3 for the assertion of claims under this Agreement are the result of an arms-length negotiation among the Parties and that the Parties intend for the time periods to be enforced as agreed by the Parties.
9.4 Liability Limitations. The rights of the Indemnified Parties to indemnification pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1 and Section 9.2 are subject to the following limitations:
(a) Contributor Mini-Basket. The Buyer Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to recover from any Contributor Party under Section 9.1(a)(i) unless and until the aggregate amount of Damages incurred, paid or accrued by the Buyer Indemnified Parties, individually or in the aggregate, arising from or related to an individual claim (or series of one or more claims arising from the same or substantially similar facts or circumstances) for any breach of or inaccuracy in any Materiality Qualified Rep, exceeds an amount equal to $13,500 (the Contributor Mini-Basket) (at which point such Damages shall be recoverable by the Buyer Indemnified Parties from the first dollar and count towards satisfaction of the Contributor Deductible).
(b) Contributor Deductible. The Buyer Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to recover from any Contributor Party under Section 9.1(a)(i) unless and until the aggregate amount of Damages incurred, paid or accrued by the Buyer Indemnified Parties, individually or in the aggregate, exceeds an amount equal to $675,000 (the Contributor Deductible) (at which point the Buyer Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to indemnification for any Damages in excess of the Contributor Deductible, subject to the Contributor General Cap); provided, that, neither the Contributor Mini-Basket nor the Contributor Deductible shall apply to any Damages arising from or as a result of any (i) action or inaction that constitutes Fraud or (ii) breach of or inaccuracy in the Fundamental Representations of any Contributed Company or any Contributor Party, and any such Damages shall be recoverable from the first dollar and count towards satisfaction of the Contributor Deductible.
(c) Contributor General Cap. The Buyer Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to recover from any Contributor Party under Section 9.1(a)(i) for more than an amount equal to $13,500,000 (the Contributor General Cap); provided, that, the Contributor General Cap shall not apply to any Damages arising from or as a result of any (i) action or inaction that constitutes Fraud (ii) breach of or inaccuracy in the Fundamental Representations of any Contributed Company or any Contributor Party, and any such Damages shall not count towards satisfaction of the Contributor General Cap.
(d) Contributor Purchase Price Cap. The maximum liability, in the aggregate, of the Contributor Parties, collectively, with respect to Damages indemnifiable under Section 9.1 shall be an amount equal to the Final Purchase Price (the Contributor Purchase Price Cap); provided, that, the Contributor Purchase Price Cap shall not apply to any Damages arising from or as a result of any action or inaction that constitutes Fraud, and any such Damages shall not count towards satisfaction of the Contributor Purchase Price Cap.
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(e) Buyer Purchase Price Cap. The maximum liability of Buyer, in the aggregate, with respect to Damages indemnifiable under Section 9.2(a) shall be an amount equal to $135,000,000 (the Buyer Purchase Price Cap).
9.5 Materiality. For purposes of determining whether there has been a breach or alleged breach of or inaccuracy in any representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and in calculating the amount of any Damages with respect to any such breach or inaccuracy, any qualifications in such representation or warranty (including in any definitions contained therein) referencing the terms substantial, material, material and adverse, materially, Company Material Adverse Effect, in all material respects or words of similar import or effect (each, a Materiality Qualifier) shall be disregarded.
9.6 Special Rule for Bad Acts. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any provision of this Agreement limit or restrict the rights or remedies of any Indemnified Party for Fraud by an Indemnifying Party arising from or relating to the subject matter of this Agreement or the Transactions. In the event of any breach of, inaccuracy in, or non-fulfilment of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by an Indemnifying Party arising from or relating to Fraud, such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect without any time, economic, procedural or any other limitation.
9.7 Alternative Provisions. If an Indemnified Partys claim under this Article IX may be brought under different one or more sections of Section 9.1 or Section 9.2, as applicable, then such Indemnified Party shall have the right to bring such claim under any applicable section it chooses in accordance with this Article IX.
9.8 Calculation of Damages. For purposes of calculating the amount of Damages incurred by an Indemnified Party for purposes of this Agreement, such amount shall:
(a) be reduced by the amount of any Tax benefit that results in a reduction in the amount of Taxes payable by the Indemnified Party (determined on a with and without basis) as a result of the economic loss with respect to which the Indemnified Party is being indemnified in accordance with this Article IX solely in the taxable year in which such economic loss is incurred (solely for purposes of this Section 9.8(a), Buyer shall be treated as being subject to federal income tax only, but not any state or local income tax, at the maximum statutory marginal rate of tax applicable to an individual, taking into account the deduction available under Section 199A of the Code and the character of income as long-term capital gain or ordinary income);
(b) be reduced by the amount of any insurance proceeds actually received by such Indemnified Party in respect of such Damages, net of any deductible amounts, any increased premiums and any fees, costs or expenses associated with obtaining such insurance proceeds; and
(c) not include any amounts actually taken into account as a Current Liability or Transaction Expense in the determination of Final Adjustment Amount and resulting in a corresponding decrease to the Purchase Price (it being understood and agreed that the intent of this Section 9.8(c) is to avoid double counting or duplicative recovery of the same amount of any Liability hereunder).
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9.9 Indemnification Claims Procedures.
(a) Third Party Claims.
(i) Notice of Third Party Claims. All claims for indemnification made under this Agreement resulting from, related to or arising out of a Third Party Claim against an Indemnified Party shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 9.9. An Indemnified Party shall give written notice (a Claim Notice) to the Indemnifying Party of any Third Party Claim giving rise to a claim for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party within thirty (30) days after the Indemnified Party receives written notice of the assertion of such Third Party Claim; provided, that the failure to notify or delay in notifying the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any of its obligations under this Agreement, except in the event (and only to the extent) the Indemnifying Party and the defense of such claim are actually and materially prejudiced as a result thereof. Such Claim Notice shall include a description in reasonable detail (to the extent known by the Indemnified Party) of the facts constituting the basis for such Third Party Claim and the amount of the Damages determinable at such time.
(ii) Assumption of Defense, etc. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of a Claim Notice with respect to any Third Party Claim (or sooner, if the nature of such Third Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party may assume the defense of such matter by providing written notice of such assumption (an Assumption Notice) to the Indemnified Party. Such Assumption Notice shall certify that the Indemnifying Party will be responsible for and indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against the entirety of any Damages resulting from, arising out of, relating to, in the nature of or caused by such Third Party Claim subject to any dollar limitation set forth in this Article IX (Indemnification) (e.g., any cap, basket, deductible, etc.) and any obligation of the Indemnified Party to seek recovery under any insurance policy or other right of recovery.
(iii) Limitations on Indemnifying Partys Assumption of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume control of the defense of such Third Party Claim if such claim (i) seeks (whether in whole or in part) any injunctive, equitable or other non-monetary relief, (ii) involves a criminal or quasi-criminal Action, (iii) could reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets or properties, or establish a precedent, custom or practice materially adverse to the continuing business interests, of the Indemnified Party or (iv) could result in Damages in excess of the Indemnified Partys right to recover from the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Article IX (Indemnification).
(iv) Limitations on Indemnifying Party Control. In the event the Indemnifying Party properly assumes the defense of the Third Party Claim in accordance with Section 9.9(a)(i), (i) the Indemnifying Party shall retain counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party and use commercially reasonable efforts to defend such Third Party Claim actively and diligently and (ii) the Indemnified Party may retain separate counsel of its own choice and participate in the defense of the Third Party Claim, at its own expense, unless the Indemnified Party reasonably determines that there is a material conflict of interest between or among the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party with respect to such Third Party Claim, in which case, the fees, costs and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party shall not permit a default or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to the matter or enter into any settlement or compromise with respect to the matter if (A) such default, entry, settlement or compromise involves any finding or admission of any violation of Law or otherwise contains or requires any admission of guilt, fault or Liability of any Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates, (B) does not cause each Indemnified Party to be fully and unconditionally released from all Liability with respect to such Third Party Claim, or (C) imposes any equitable remedies or non-monetary obligations on the Indemnified Party. Any default or entry of any judgement or settlement or compromise that does not comply with this Section 9.9(a)(i) shall not be determinative of the amount of
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Damages with respect to any related claims for indemnification pursuant to this Article IX (Indemnification). If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any Third Party Claim in accordance with this Section 9.9(a)(i), it will be deemed conclusively established for purposes of this Agreement that all claims asserted or alleged in such proceeding are within the scope of and are subject to the indemnification provisions set forth in this Article IX (Indemnification), and the Indemnifying Party shall not be permitted to contest the applicability of this Article IX (Indemnification) to such claims.
(v) Indemnified Partys Control. In the event that the Indemnifying Party or the Contributor Representative, as applicable, elects not to assume or is not entitled to assume or fails to properly assume the defense of the Third Party Claim in accordance with Section 9.9(a)(i), the Indemnified Party the right to control the defense of such Third Party Claim and may defend against the matter in any manner that it reasonably may deem appropriate with counsel of its own choice, at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, and may consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to the matter or enter into any settlement with respect to matter without the consent of the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that (i) if such consent is not obtained, such settlement shall not be dispositive of the amount of or existence of any indemnifiable Damage hereunder; and (ii) the Indemnifying Party may retain separate counsel of its own choice and, upon reasonable request by Indemnifying Party and as commercially practicable, participate in the defense of the Third Party Claim, at its own expense, unless the Indemnified Party reasonably determines that there is a material conflict of interest between or among the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party with respect to such Third Party Claim.
(vi) Cooperation. Each Indemnifying Party shall (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in the defense, negotiation and settlement of any Third Party Claim in connection with this Section 9.9, (ii) make available witnesses in a timely manner to provide testimony through declarations, affidavits, depositions, or at hearing or trial and work with each other in preparation for such events consistent with deadlines dictated by the particular Third Party Claim, (iii) preserve any documents and materials reasonably required by litigation hold orders pending with respect to particular Third Party Claims, and (iv) provide such documents and materials as required by legal procedure or court order or consistent with deadlines dictated by a particular matter or requests by the Indemnified Party; provided, that such cooperation shall not require any waiver of any attorney-client or other privilege or the work product doctrine.
(b) Direct Claims. Any claim by an Indemnified Party on account of a Damage which does not result from a Third Party Claim (a Direct Claim) shall be asserted in a Claim Notice and delivered to the Indemnifying Party prior to the expiration of the Applicable Survival Period. Such Claim Notice shall include a description in reasonable detail (to the extent known by the Indemnified Party) of the facts constituting the basis for such Direct Claim and the amount of the Damages determinable at such time. If the Indemnifying Party in good faith objects to any claim made in a Claim Notice, then the Indemnifying Party shall deliver a written notice (a Claim Dispute Notice) to the Indemnified Party during the thirty (30) day period commencing following delivery by the Indemnified Party of the Claim Notice. The Claim Dispute Notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the principal basis for the dispute of any claim made in the Claim Notice. Each claim for indemnification set forth in such Claim Notice shall be deemed to have been conclusively determined in the Indemnified Partys favor for purposes of this Article IX (Indemnification) on the terms set forth in the Claim Notice upon the earlier of (i) notice that the Indemnifying Party agrees with the Direct Claims asserted in the Claim Notice or (ii) expiration of such thirty (30) day period if the Indemnifying Party does not deliver a Claim Dispute Notice to the Indemnified Party prior to the expiration of such thirty (30) day period. In such event, the Indemnified Party shall be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnified Party at the Indemnifying Partys expense pursuant to the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement.
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(c) Indemnification Objections. In the event the Indemnifying Party timely objects, in whole or in part, to a claim for indemnification under this Article IX (Indemnification), then such Indemnifying Party shall not be obligated to provide indemnification with respect to such properly disputed claim (or such disputed portion) unless and until (i) a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitration tribunal has determined that the Indemnifying Party is liable or responsible for such Damages in a final, non-appealable judgment or arbitration award or (ii) such matter has been finally resolved by written agreement of Buyer and the Contributor Representative.
9.10 Satisfaction of Indemnification Claims; Right of Set-Off; Reservation.
(a) (a) Subject to the provisions of this Article IX (Indemnification), including this Section 9.10, any Damages payable to any Contributor Indemnified Party from Buyer pursuant to this Article IX, shall be effected promptly (and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days after (i) a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitration tribunal has determined that the Indemnifying Party is liable or responsible for such Damages in a final, non-appealable judgment or arbitration award, (ii) such matter has been resolved by written agreement of Buyer and the Contributor Representative or (iii) if applicable, expiration of the applicable period for the delivery of a Claim Dispute Notice in respect of such Damages pursuant to Section 9.9(b) if the applicable Indemnifying Party does not deliver a Claim Dispute Notice in respect of such Damages prior to the expiration of such period, (each of clause (i), (ii) and (iii), a Resolved Claim)) in the Contributor Representatives sole discretion by (x) the cancellation or clawback of Buyer Securities pursuant to Section 9.10(c), (y) wire transfer of immediately available funds from the Contributor Parties, jointly and severally, to an account designated by the Indemnified Party (provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Contributor Parties fail to so timely pay, Buyer shall be entitled to cancel or clawback Buyer Securities or setoff against any Deferred Payment) or (z) by way of setoff against any Deferred Payment then due and payable.
(b) Subject to the time and economic limitations (including the Applicable Survival Periods, the Contributor Mini-Basket, and Contributor General Cap) of this Article IX, from and after the Closing, prior to payment on the applicable payment date for any Deferred Payment, Buyer may retain an amount (up to the total amount of such Deferred Payment payable, but in no event shall an aggregate amount of more than $13,500,000 be so retained) equal to the amount of indemnity claims under this Article IX (Indemnification) asserted in good faith by any Buyer Indemnified Party on or prior to the expiration of the Applicable Survival Period of such claim that remain unresolved (each, an Unresolved Claim). Any funds retained and reserved by Buyer for an Unresolved Claim shall be payable, within five (5) Business Days following the final resolution of such Unresolved Claim in accordance with this Article IX and paid (or the applicable portion thereof) (i) to the Buyer Indemnified Parties, if applicable, by way of setoff against the applicable Deferred Payment and (ii) to the Contributor Representative (on behalf of and for further distribution to the Contributors in accordance with their Pro Rata Portion) in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with wire instructions provided by the Contributor Representative, along with an amount of an interest equal to 5.0% per annum with respect to the amount so retained or reserved but is not payable to the Buyer Indemnified Parties pursuant to clause (i) calculated for the period beginning on the first day such amount was so retained or reserved but otherwise due to the Contributors and ending on the date on which the applicable amount is distributed to Contributor Representative.
(c) To the extent the Contributor Representative validly elects to pay Damages in respect of a Resolved Claim pursuant to Section 9.10(a) by (i) requiring the return and cancellation of Buyer Securities or (ii) wire transfer of immediately available funds but fails to timely pay, Buyer shall be entitled to cancel or clawback Buyer Securities, with the number of Buyer Securities to be so returned and cancelled equal to: (a) a number of Common Units equal to (A) one-half of the amount of Damages payable in respect of such Resolved Claim, divided by the product of (i) $10.96 and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is
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the number of Common Units issued at the Closing and the denominator of which is the number of Common Units at the time of such payment, as-adjusted for dividends/distributions in the form of Units, recapitalizations or similar actions with respect to such Units; and (b) a number of Preferred Units equal to (1) one-half of the amount of Damages payable in respect of such Resolved Claim, divided by the product of (i) $210.96 and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Preferred Units issued at the Closing and the denominator of which is the number of Preferred Units at the time of such payment, as-adjusted for dividends/distributions in the form of Units, recapitalizations or similar actions with respect to such Units. For purposes of effecting the foregoing, Buyer is hereby granted a power of attorney, coupled with an interest, to execute any assignment, transfer, stock power or other similar documentation, certificate or agreement for and on behalf of each Contributor Party reasonably necessary to cause the transfer and cancellation of any Buyer Securities.
9.11 Treatment of Indemnification Payments. All indemnification payments made pursuant to this Article IX shall be deemed to be adjustments to the Purchase Price (including, for the avoidance of doubt, for Tax purposes) to the extent permitted by applicable Law. No Party shall take any position on any Tax Return, or before any Governmental Authority, that is inconsistent with such treatment unless otherwise required by any applicable Law.
9.12 Exclusive Remedy. Except with respect to (i) the provisions of Section 2.6, (ii) remedies that cannot be waived as a matter of Law, (iii) Actions arising out of or relating to the Excluded Agreements, (iv) Actions involving specific performance, injunctive, equitable or provisional relief, or (v) Actions arising out of or relating to Fraud, indemnification pursuant to this Article IX (Indemnification) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy against any Party arising under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.1 Notices All Actions, notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given: (a) when delivered by hand to the address set forth below (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (return receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by facsimile or e-mail of a .pdf document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the third (3rd) day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10.1):
If to Buyer or any Contributed Company, to each of:
Special Committee of the Board of Directors Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. 1845 Walnut Street, 17th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 Attention: Andrew Ceitlin, Chairman Email: aceitlin22@gmail.com |
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with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP 1600 Atlanta Financial Center 3343 Peachtree Road, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30326 Attention: Lauren B. Prevost; Amie J. Singer Telephone: (404) 504-7744; (404) 495-3635 Facsimile: (404) 365-9532 Email: lbp@mmmlaw.com; asinger@mmmlaw.com |
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If to any Contributor Party, to:
Resource America, Inc. 717 Fifth Avenue, 18th Floor New York, NY 10022 Attention: Marc Levy and Larry Block Telephone: (212) 705-5060; (212) 705-5090 Email: mlevy@islecap.com; lblock@islecap.com |
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with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Baker & McKenzie LLP Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower 300 E Randolph St #5000 Chicago, Illinois 60601 Attention: Tom Hughes; Daniel Cullen Telephone: (312) 861-8634;(312) 861-8162 Email: thomas.hughes@bakermckenzie.com; daniel.cullen@bakermckenzie.com |
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10.2 Interpretation. Any reference to any federal, state, local or foreign statute or law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and vice versa. When used herein, the phrase ordinary course or ordinary course of business shall mean, with respect to an action or inaction of any Person, an action or inaction that (a) is consistent in nature, scope and magnitude in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of such Person and (b) does not require separate or special authorization or approval of any kind or nature, including by the board of directors or managers or equityholders of such Person. When used herein, the words notices or communications received by any Person or similar words or phrases shall mean notices or other communications, whether written or oral, and received by such Person or such Persons Affiliates or any of their Representatives. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation. The use of or is not intended to be exclusive and shall include and/or unless expressly indicated otherwise. When used herein, dollar or $ means the U.S. dollar. Made available, provided, furnished and words of similar import means the posting by or on behalf of the Contributed Companies and the Contributor Parties of materials to a virtual data room managed by the Contributor Parties and made accessible to Buyer at least one (1) Business Day prior to the execution of this Agreement or the physical delivery by or on behalf of the Contributor Parties of such materials to Buyer. To the extent that there is a conflict between any general provision of this Agreement and any provision specifically relating to Tax matters, the terms of the specific Tax provision shall control. For the avoidance of doubt, if
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any Damage entitles any Buyer Indemnified Party to bring a claim under Section 9.1(a)(i) with respect to a breach of or inaccuracy in any representation or warranty or another provision of Section 9.1, such Buyer Indemnified Party shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to assert such claim pursuant to either Section 9.1(a)(i) or such other provision of Section 9.1.
10.3 Headings. When reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Exhibit or a Section, such reference shall be to an Article, Exhibit or Section of this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
10.4 Negotiation of Agreement. Each Party has participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by each Party and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
10.5 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the Transactions are fulfilled.
10.6 Amendment; Waiver. Subject to applicable Law, this Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument signed in writing by Buyer, the Contributed Holding Companies and the Contributor Representative (on behalf of the Contributor Parties). Any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the Parties to be bound thereby.
10.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Exhibits and Annexes hereto, and the Company Disclosure Schedule) and the Ancillary Agreements constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein, and supersede all prior representation, warranties, agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties or between any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. Each Party agrees that prior drafts of this Agreement (together with the Exhibits and Annexes hereto and the Company Disclosure Schedule) shall be deemed not to provide any evidence as to the meaning of any provision hereof or thereof or the intent of the parties with respect hereto or thereto. Nothing in this Section 10.7 shall limit any claim based upon Fraud.
10.8 Fees and Expenses. Each Party shall bear its respective expenses and fees incurred with respect to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Transactions, including the expenses and fees of its own accountants, attorneys, investment bankers and other professionals and, with respect to Transaction Expenses, such amounts shall be paid in accordance with this Agreement.
10.9 Company Disclosure Schedule. In connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Contributors delivered to Buyer the Company Disclosure Schedule setting forth, among other things, if permitted, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either (a) in response to an express disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereof or (b) as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in Article III or Article IV. No exception to any representation or warranty disclosed in one section of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall constitute an exception to any other representation or warranty set forth in Article III or Article IV unless (i) a specific cross reference to
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a disclosure on another section of the Company Disclosure Schedule is made or (ii) it is reasonably apparent based on the face of such disclosure that such disclosure is applicable to another section of the Company Disclosure Schedule. The Company Disclosure Schedule constitutes an integral part of this Agreement and is attached hereto and is hereby incorporated herein. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in the Company Disclosure Schedule shall have the meanings given to such terms in this Agreement. Headings set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule are for convenience of reference only and do not affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the disclosures set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule.
10.10 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties named herein and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Parties; provided that Buyer may (i) assign any of its rights and interests hereunder to any Affiliate of Buyer or any successor to Buyer, any Contributed Company or the Business that agrees to or is otherwise responsible for Buyers obligations hereunder (whether by agreement, operation of law or otherwise) and (ii) assign its rights under this Agreement to any lender (or agent on behalf of such lenders) as collateral security for the obligations of Buyer to such lenders. Any assignment in violation of this Section 10.10 shall be void, ab initio.
10.11 Parties in Interest. Except as provided in Section 6.11, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
10.12 Specific Performance. Each Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that the failure of any Party to perform its agreements and covenants hereunder, including its failure to take all actions as are necessary on its part to the consummation of the Transactions, shall cause irreparable injury to the other Parties for which damages, even if available, shall not be an adequate remedy. Accordingly, each Party hereby consents to the issuance of injunctive relief by any court of competent jurisdiction to compel performance of such Partys obligations and to the granting by any court of the remedy of specific performance of its obligations hereunder in addition to any other rights and remedies existing in such Partys favor. Each Party agrees that it shall not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief on the basis that any other Party has an adequate remedy at law or that any award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or in equity. Any Party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction.
10.13 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of any Party in the exercise of any right hereunder shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of, or acquiescence in, any breach of any representation, warranty or agreement herein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right.
10.14 No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, each Party (and in the case of each Contributor Party, on behalf of itself and each Contributor Related Party), agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or Ancillary Agreement shall be had against any current or future director, officer, employee or member of Buyer, Advisor Contributor, PM Contributor or the Contributor Representative or of any Affiliate (including any Contributed Company after the Closing) or assignee thereof, as such, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable Law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any current or future officer, agent or employee of Buyer, Advisor
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Contributor, PM Contributor or the Contributor Representative or of any Affiliate (including any Contributed Company after the Closing) or assignee thereof or any current or future member of Buyer, Advisor Contributor, PM Contributor or the Contributor Representative or of any Affiliate (including any Contributed Company after the Closing) or assignee thereof or any current or future director, officer, employee or member of Buyer, Advisor Contributor, PM Contributor or the Contributor Representative or of any Affiliate (including any Contributed Company after the Closing) or assignee thereof, as such, for any obligation of Buyer or any Contributed Company under this Agreement or Ancillary Agreement for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.
10.15 Governing Law. This Agreement and any matters arising directly or indirectly from the subject matter hereof, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
10.16 Exclusive Jurisdiction and Venue. Each Party (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (unless the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, in which case, in any federal court within the State of Delaware and any federal appellate court therefrom) (together, the Delaware Courts), in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such Delaware Court and (iii) agrees not to bring any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court. Each Party waives any defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any action or proceeding so brought and waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of any other Party with respect thereto. Each Party agrees that service of summons and complaint or any other process that might be served in any action or proceeding may be made on such Party by sending or delivering a copy of the process to the Party to be served at the address of the Party and in the manner provided for the giving of notices in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Section 10.16, however, shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law. Each Party agrees that a final, non-appealable judgment in any action or proceeding so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.
10.17 Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties waive any right to a jury trial of any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the making, performance or interpretation thereof, including Fraud.
10.18 Time of Essence. With regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement, time is of the essence.
10.19 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The Agreement shall become effective when the Parties shall have executed this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Buyer, the Contributed Holding Companies, the Contributors and Resource America have caused this Agreement to be duly-executed, all as of the date first written above.
BUYER: | CONTRIBUTORS: | |||||||
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP | C-III CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC | |||||||
By: Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. | By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
||||||
Its: General Partner | Name: Marc W. Levy | |||||||
Title: Executive Managing Director | ||||||||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|||||||
Name: Alan F. Feldman | RESOURCE REAL ESTATE, LLC | |||||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
|||||||
Name: Marc W. Levy | ||||||||
Title: Executive Vice President | ||||||||
CONTRIBUTED HOLDING COMPANIES: | RESOURCE AMERICA: | |||||||
RESOURCE PM HOLDINGS LLC | RESOURCE AMERICA, INC. | |||||||
By: C-III Capital Partners LLC | ||||||||
Its: Sole Member | By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
||||||
Name: Marc W. Levy | ||||||||
Title: Executive Vice President | ||||||||
By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
|||||||
Name: Marc W. Levy | ||||||||
Title: Executive Managing Director | ||||||||
RESOURCE NEWCO LLC | ||||||||
By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
|||||||
Name: Marc W. Levy | ||||||||
Title: Executive Vice President |
[Signature Page to Contribution and Exchange Agreement]
EXHIBIT 10.2
TRANSITIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
by and among
C-III CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC,
RESOURCE AMERICA, INC.,
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE, LLC
and
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP
dated as of
September 8, 2020
TRANSITIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Transitional Services Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2020 (this Agreement), is entered into by and among (a) C-III Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (C-III), (b) Resource America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (RAI), (c) Resource Real Estate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (RRE, and together with C-III and RAI, individually and collectively, Provider), and (d) Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Resource OP), effective as of September 8, 2020 (the Effective Date). Capitalized terms used herein, or in any of the exhibits hereto, and not otherwise defined herein or therein, shall have the meanings ascribed to those terms in the Contribution Agreement.
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Resource OP, C-III, Resource PM Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (PM Holdings), Resource Newco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Advisor Holdings), Resource Real Estate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Advisor Contributor), and Resource America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Resource America), are entering into that certain Contribution and Exchange Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Contribution Agreement), pursuant to which, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement (the Closing), each of C-III (also referred to as PM Contributor under the Contribution Agreement) and Advisor Contributor is contributing to Resource OP all of the outstanding membership interests or other Equity Interests of PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings, respectively, free and clear of any Liens, in exchange for the Purchase Price in the form of certain Buyer Securities and deferred cash payments, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Contribution Agreement; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure an orderly transition to Resource OP of the ownership of PM Holdings and Advisor Holdings and the continued conduct and operation of the Business by Resource OP and any Affiliate or Subsidiary of Resource OP, as a condition to consummating the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the Parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which C-III will provide, or cause to be provided, to Resource OP and its Affiliates and Subsidiaries (collectively, the Recipient) certain services, in each case, on a transitional basis and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
SERVICES
1.01 Provision of Services.
(a) Beginning on the Effective Date, Provider agrees to provide, or to cause its Affiliates to provide, the services (each, a Service and collectively, the Services) set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (as such exhibit may be amended, restated, supplemented, modified or otherwise altered from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Service Exhibit) to Recipient or Recipients Affiliates (including the Contributed Companies), on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Service Exhibit. Provider shall remain responsible for actions or inactions of Providers Affiliates that it uses to provides Services as if such actions or inactions were Providers own.
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(b) The parties acknowledge the transitional nature of the Services and that the Services are to be used solely for the purpose of the orderly transition of the Business to Resource OP. Accordingly, Recipient shall use its best efforts to transition to having each Service provided by its own internal organization or by third-party service providers as promptly as practicable following the execution of this Agreement.
(c) Subject to Section 2.03 and Section 3.05, the obligations of Provider under this Agreement to provide Services will begin on the Effective Date and continue until the close of business on the one year anniversary of the Effective Date (the Initial Service Period), provided that if Resource OP desires to continue to obtain or procure any Service from Provider after the Initial Service Period and Provider is willing to continue to provide such Services, including for a price that compensates Provider for its or its subsidiaries costs for such performance (including the reasonable time of its employees and the expense of any third parties), then this Agreement shall be amended to reflect such terms and the length of any such extension period (the Extension Period). Any Service so performed by or on behalf of Provider during the Extension Period shall continue to constitute a Service under this Agreement and be subject in all respects to the provisions of this Agreement, as amended to reflect the terms and price for such Services for the duration of the Extension Period (the last day of the Initial Service Period, or if applicable, the Extension Period, is referred to as the End Date). The parties agree that Provider will not be obligated to perform any Service after the final End Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that Resource OP may determine from time to time that it does not require all the Services set out on the Service Exhibit or that it does not require such Services for the entire period up to the End Date. Accordingly, Resource OP may terminate any Service, in whole and not in part, upon 30 days prior notification to C-III in writing of any such determination and commencing on the first calendar day of the month commencing after the expiration of such 30-day period (for example, if a notice of termination of a Service is received on October 31, 2020, the Service would terminate on November 30, 2020; but if such notice is received on November 21, 2020, the termination of such Service would occur on January 1, 2021 (unless an earlier date is agreed by the Parties)), the Monthly Services Fee (as defined below) shall be adjusted to deduct the applicable fee for such terminated Service and if the number of employees of the IT Staff are reduced during the term of this Agreement, the Employee Cost amount on the Service Exhibit shall be adjusted to reflect this occurrence.
1.02 Standard of Service.
(a) Provider represents, warrants and agrees that the Services will be provided in good faith, in accordance with applicable law and, except as specifically provided in the Service Exhibit, in a manner generally consistent with the historical provision of the Services and with the same standard of care as historically provided. Subject to Section 1.03, Provider may, from time to time, reasonably supplement, modify or otherwise alter the Services provided by Provider in a manner that does not adversely affect the nature, quality, cost or availability of such Services, in any material respect; provided, however, that no such modification shall eliminate Providers obligation to provide the Services in accordance with this Agreement. Provider will provide Resource OP with reasonable advance written notice of any modification.
(b) Except as expressly set forth in Section 1.02(a) or in any contract entered into hereunder, no Provider makes any representations and warranties of any kind, implied or expressed, with respect to the Services, including, without limitation, no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, which are specifically disclaimed. Resource OP acknowledges and agrees, for itself and each Recipient, that this Agreement does not create a fiduciary relationship, partnership, joint venture or relationships of trust or agency between the parties and that all Services are provided by each Provider as an independent contractor.
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1.03 Third-Party Service Providers.
(a) It is understood and agreed that Provider has been retaining, and will continue to retain, third-party service providers to provide some of the Services. In addition, Provider will have the right to hire additional or replacement third-party subcontractors to provide all or part of any Service hereunder; provided, however, Seller will obtain the prior written consent of Buyer to hire any such additional or replacement subcontractors, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(b) Provider shall have the right to (i) designate which personnel it will assign to perform any Service and (ii) remove and replace such personnel at any time. Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate Provider to hire any additional employees or provide any incentives to employees or to retain the employment of any particular employee or retain the services of any particular consultant, contractor or agent. In performing their respective duties hereunder, all personnel of Provider shall be under its sole direction, control and supervision, and Provider shall have the sole right to exercise all authority with respect to the employment (including termination of employment), assignment and compensation of such personnel.
(c) In addition to and in conjunction with the Services, Recipient shall have the right to consult with certain individuals employed by Provider as of the date hereof as further set forth in, and pursuant to the terms of, Exhibit A2.
1.04 Access to Recipient Premises. In order to enable the provision of the Services by Provider, Recipient agrees that it will provide to the employees of Provider (or its subsidiaries) and any third-party subcontractors who provide Services, at no cost to Provider or such subcontractor, as applicable, access to the facilities, assets and books and records of Recipient, in all cases to the extent necessary for Provider to fulfill, or cause such third-party subcontractor to fulfill on its behalf, its obligations under this Agreement. The parties acknowledge and agree that any confidential or proprietary information provided as a result of such access will be deemed Confidential Information for purposes of Article IV.
ARTICLE II
COMPENSATION
2.01 Responsibility for Wages and Fees. For such time as any employees of Provider or any of its Affiliates are providing Services under this Agreement, (a) such employees will remain employees of Provider or such Affiliate, as applicable, and will not be deemed to be employees of any Recipient for any purpose, and (b) Provider or such Affiliate, as applicable, will be solely responsible for the payment and provision of all wages, bonuses and commissions, employee benefits, including severance and workers compensation, and the withholding and payment of applicable Taxes relating to such employment.
2.02 Terms of Payment and Related Matters.
(a) As consideration for provision of the Services, Resource OP will pay to C-III the monthly fee set forth on the Service Exhibit, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 1.01(c) above (the Monthly Services Fee). The cost provided for each Service on the Service Exhibit represents the agreed-upon monthly cost of each Service as of the date of this Agreement. In addition to such amount, except as otherwise specifically provided in the Service Exhibit, if Provider or any of its Affiliates (or any third-party subcontractor providing Services on Providers behalf) incurs out-of-pocket expenses in the provision of any Service, including, without limitation, travel expenses, license fees and payments to third-party service providers or subcontractors, but excluding payments made to employees of Provider or any of its Affiliates pursuant to Section 2.01 (such included expenses, collectively, Out-of-Pocket Costs), Recipient will remit to Provider the amount of all such Out-of-Pocket Costs that are invoiced in accordance with Section 2.02(b)). From and after the Initial Service Period, to the extent that the actual cost for Provider to deliver any of the Services materially shall increase above the amount attributable to such Service or Services, as
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set forth in the Service Agreement, Provider shall, in good faith, notify Recipient in writing of such increase and shall propose in writing an updated Monthly Services Fee for such Service, any increases in which shall be limited to the actual increased cost to Provider in connection with the delivery of such impacted Service or Services. Following the delivery of such written notice, Recipient shall, as soon as commercially reasonable, either shall agree to such updated Monthly Services Fee or terminate the provision of the affected Service or Services, as set forth herein.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Service Exhibit:
(i) Provider will provide Resource OP with monthly invoices (Invoices) setting forth in reasonable detail, with reasonable supporting documentation of the amounts payable under this Agreement; and
(ii) the amounts specified in each Invoice will be due and payable within 30 days after delivery of the Invoice; provided, however, that payments of the Monthly Service Fee pursuant to Exhibit A must be made on or before the third (3rd) Business Day of each month whether or not an Invoice for that amount has been delivered to Resource OP. In addition to any other remedies for non-payment, Provider reserves the right to charge interest on any amount due and payable hereunder which is more than 30 days past due and not subject to dispute pursuant to Section 2.04, at a rate equal to the prime lending rate (as quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the last business day of the month of such overdue Invoice), plus 5% per year.
(c) It is the intent of the parties that the compensation set forth in the Service Exhibit shall be not less than the cost of providing the Services, including allocable employee wages and compensation. If at any time Provider believes that the payments contemplated by the Service Exhibit are insufficient to compensate it for the cost of providing the Services it is obligated to provide hereunder, Provider will notify Resource OP, and the parties hereto will promptly and in good faith negotiate appropriate revised pricing for the applicable Services, covering periods before and after the re-pricing.
2.03 Terminated Services.
(a) Upon termination or expiration of any or all Services pursuant to this Agreement, or upon the termination of this Agreement in its entirety, Provider will have no further obligation to provide the applicable terminated Services and Resource OP will have no obligation to pay any future compensation relating to such Services (other than for or in respect of Services already provided prior to such termination)
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither the termination of any Services hereunder, nor the termination of this Agreement in its entirety, in accordance with the terms hereof, shall affect Resource OPs obligation to pay the monthly TSA Deferred Payment in accordance with the terms of the Contribution Agreement and such obligation shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
2.04 Invoice Disputes. In the event of an Invoice dispute, Recipient will deliver a written statement to Provider on or before the later of (i) 15 days after receipt of the disputed Invoice and (ii) 15 days prior to the date payment is due on the disputed Invoice, in each case listing all disputed items and providing a reasonably detailed description of each disputed item. Amounts not so disputed will be deemed accepted and will be paid, notwithstanding disputes on other items, within the period set forth in Section 2.02(b). The parties will seek to resolve all such disputes expeditiously and in good faith.
2.05 No Right of Setoff. Each of the parties hereby acknowledges that it will have no right under this Agreement to offset any amounts owed (or to become due and owing) to the other party, against any other amount owed (or to become due and owing) to it by the other party pursuant to this Agreement.
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ARTICLE III
TERMINATION
3.01 Termination of Agreement. Subject to Section 3.04, this Agreement will terminate in its entirety (i) on the date upon which Provider has no continuing obligation to perform any Services in accordance with Section 1.01(c), Section 2.03 or Section 3.02 or (ii) in accordance with Section 3.03.
3.02 Breach. Subject to Section 3.05, any party (the Non-Breaching Party) may terminate this Agreement with respect to any Service, in whole but not in part, at any time upon prior written notice to the other party (the Breaching Party) if the Breaching Party has failed to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement relating to such Service, and such failure has continued without cure for a period of 30 days after receipt by the Breaching Party of a written notice of such failure from the Non-Breaching Party seeking to terminate such service. For the avoidance of doubt, non-payment by Resource OP of amounts not subject to an Invoice dispute will be deemed a breach for purposes of this Section 3.02.
3.03 Insolvency. In the event that either party hereto (i) files a petition in bankruptcy, (ii) becomes or is declared insolvent, or becomes the subject of any proceedings (not dismissed within sixty (60) days) related to its liquidation, insolvency or the appointment of a receiver, (iii) makes an assignment on behalf of all or substantially all of its creditors, or (iv) takes any corporate action for its winding up or dissolution, then the other party will have the right to terminate this Agreement by written notice.
3.04 Effect of Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement in its entirety pursuant to Section 3.01, all obligations of the parties hereto will terminate, except for the provisions of Section 2.04, Section 2.05, Article IV, Article V and Article VI, which will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
3.05 Force Majeure. The obligations of Provider under this Agreement with respect to any Service will be suspended during the period and to the extent that Provider is prevented from or materially hindered in providing such Service to Recipient, due to any of the following causes beyond Providers reasonable control (such causes, Force Majeure Events): (i) acts of God, (ii) flood, fire or explosion, (iii) war, invasion, riot or other civil unrest, (iv) changes in applicable law, (v) actions, embargoes or blockades in effect on or after the date of this Agreement, (vi) action by any Governmental Authority, (vii) national or regional emergency, (viii) strikes, labor stoppages or slowdowns or other industrial disturbances, (ix) shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities, (x) earthquakes, hurricanes, other natural disasters; epidemics, pandemics or other disease outbreaks (including the COVID-19 virus) (not including any material hindrance suffered by Provider as of the date hereof as a result of such events, including the COVID-19 virus) or (xi) any other event which is beyond the reasonable control of such party. Provider will give notice of suspension as soon as reasonably practicable to Recipient stating the date and extent of such suspension and the cause thereof, and Provider will resume the performance of its obligations as soon as reasonably practicable after the removal of the cause. Provider will not be liable for the nonperformance or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement when such failure is due to a Force Majeure Event. The applicable End Date for any Service so suspended will be automatically extended for a period of time equal to the time lost by reason of the suspension; provided, however, that any such suspension shall not be more than 60 days beyond the scheduled expiration date of such Service set forth in the applicable Service Exhibit.
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ARTICLE IV
PROTECTIVE COVENANTS
4.01 Confidentiality.
(a) During the term of this Agreement and thereafter, the parties hereto will, and will instruct their respective Affiliates and Representatives to, maintain in confidence and not disclose the other partys financial, technical, sales, marketing, development, personnel, and other information, records, or data, including, without limitation borrower/customer information and data, customer lists, supplier lists, trade secrets, designs, product formulations, product specifications or any other proprietary or confidential information, however recorded or preserved, whether written or oral (any such information, Confidential Information). Each party hereto will use the same degree of care, but no less than reasonable care, to protect the other partys Confidential Information as it uses to protect its own Confidential Information of like nature. Unless otherwise authorized in any other agreement between the parties, any party receiving any Confidential Information of the other party (the Receiving Party) may use Confidential Information only for the purposes of fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement (the Permitted Purpose). Any Receiving Party may disclose such Confidential Information only to its Representatives who have a need to know such information for the Permitted Purpose and who have entered into written agreements that includes terms substantially similar to the terms of this Section 4.01 and the Receiving Party will be liable for any breach of these confidentiality provisions by such Persons; provided, however, that any Receiving Party may disclose such Confidential Information to the extent such Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by applicable law, rule or regulation, or if requested by any Governmental Authority (any such requirement or request, a Governmental Order), in which case the Receiving Party will promptly notify, to the extent possible, the disclosing party (the Disclosing Party), and take reasonable steps to assist in contesting such Governmental Order or in protecting the Disclosing Partys rights prior to disclosure, and in which case the Receiving Party will only disclose such Confidential Information that it is advised by its counsel in writing that it is legally bound to disclose under such Governmental Order.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information will not include any information that the Receiving Party can demonstrate: (i) was publicly known at the time of disclosure to it, or has become publicly known through no act of the Receiving Party or its Representatives in breach of this Section 4.01; (ii) was rightfully received from a third party without a duty of confidentiality; or (iii) was developed by it independently without any reliance on the Confidential Information.
(c) Upon demand by the Disclosing Party at any time, or upon expiration or termination of this Agreement with respect to any Service, the Receiving Party agrees to promptly return or destroy, at the Disclosing Partys option as set forth in a written request to the Receiving Party, all Confidential Information; provided, however, such Receiving Party will be permitted to retain all Confidential Information pursuant to and in accordance with the Receiving Partys then-current document retention policy or applicable legal requirements.
Section 4.02 Data Security.
(a) Each party shall not, and shall ensure no other Person under their respective control shall, (i) undertake any activities that could reasonably be expected to be harmful to, or interfere with the provision of the Services, any of Providers or Resource OPs (or their respective Affiliates) networks, systems or other technology, including knowingly uploading into Providers or Resource OPs (or their respective Affiliates) networks, systems or other technology, or any networks, systems or other technology shared by Provider or Resource OP (or their respective Affiliates), any software code, computer virus, worm, software bomb or any other code or hardware component designed to disrupt the operation of, permit unauthorized access to, or modify or damage any technology, networks or systems underlying the Services; (ii) use, transmit, disseminate, distribute or store via any of Providers or Resource OPs (or their respective Affiliates) networks, systems or other technology or any data, information or other material that infringes or otherwise violates any intellectual property or privacy right of any Person; (iii) use the Services, any of Providers or Resource OPs (or their respective Affiliates) networks, systems or other technology to further any unlawful purpose or (iv) violate or attempt to violate the security or integrity of any of Providers or Resource OPs (or their respective Affiliates) networks, systems or other technology.
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(b) Provider shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, maintain its security program in effect on the date hereof, without any material modification or amendment thereof, except for any modification or amendment which (i) is commercially reasonable; (ii) is consistent with the historical practice of Provider; or (iii) is intended to improve the program, that is required or recommended by applicable law (or changes thereto), including by regulatory and self-regulatory authorities, and in response to new security threat, until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 3.01, which: is designed to (i) provide adequate security and integrity of Resource OP and its Affiliates information, including Confidential Information (Resource Information); (ii) adequately protect against threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Resource Information; (iii) adequately prevent unauthorized access to Resource Information; and (iv) to detect patterns, practices or specific forms of activity that indicate the possible existence of an actual or attempted theft or misappropriation of Resource Information.
(c) Provider shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, maintain its data privacy compliance program in effect of the date hereof, without any material modification or amendment thereof, except for any modification or amendment which (i) is commercially reasonable; (ii) is consistent with the historical practice of Provider; or (iii) is intended to improve the program, that is required or recommended by applicable law (or changes thereto), including by regulatory and self-regulatory authorities, and in response to new security threat, until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 3.01, which is designed to: (i) implement appropriate access controls to limit access to Resource Information and (ii) utilize what it reasonably believes are reasonable standards in the industry for passwords, firewalls and anti-malware measures to protect Resource OP information and Confidential Information stored on computer systems.
(d) Provider shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, collect, retain, use, disclose, and otherwise process Resource Information solely to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement. Provider agrees that it shall comply with all applicable law in connection with the use of any Resource Information and any disclosure of any Resource Information to any entity engaged by Provider to assist it in processing the Resource Information in fulfillment of its obligations under an agreement with Provider (Sub-Processor) Provider shall remain responsible for the use of the Resource Information by such Sub-Processor, and shall cause such Sub-Processor to use such Resource Information consistent with the historic practice under this Agreement, applicable law and the terms of this Agreement.
(e) If Provider believes that, or has reason to believe that any unauthorized destruction, loss, alteration of or access to such Resource Information has occurred (Data Security Incident), Provider shall notify Resource OP as soon as reasonably practicable, , and no later thantwo (2) Business Days after discovery of the Data Security Incident, and shall respond to such Data Security Incident as set forth in the applicable Incident Reporting and Response Policy, a copy of which has been provided to Recipient in connection with this Agreement. In addition, Provider agrees that Recipient shall have the right to designate a representative to participate on the Incident Response Team as set forth in such Incident Reporting and Response Policy.
(f) Provider agrees that, except (i) as may be required by applicable Law, (ii) pursuant to the Incident Reporting and Response Policy or any agreement with a third party or (iii) as reasonably requested in connection with an ongoing investigation, it shall not inform any third party of any Data Security Incident without first obtaining Resource OPs prior written consent. Further, Provider agrees, to the extent directly related to Resource OP or the Resource Information, that it shall coordinate all media, law enforcement, or other Data Security Incident notifications with Resource OP in advance of such notification and consult with Resource OP regarding the contents of such notice, whether any type of remediation may be offered to affected persons, and the nature and extent of any such remediation, again to the extent such remediation is directly related to Resource OP or the Resource Information.
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(g) Provider shall maintain such disaster recovery and business continuity plan as is in effect on the date hereof, without any material modification or amendment thereof, except for any modification or amendment which (i) is commercially reasonable; (ii) is consistent with the historical practice of Provider; or (iii) is intended to improve the program, that is required or recommended by applicable law (or changes thereto), including by regulatory and self-regulatory authorities, and in response to new security threat, until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 3.01. Provider will test its disaster recovery/business continuity plan in accordance with its past practices.
Section 4.03 Compliance with Laws.
Each of Provider and Recipient shall comply in all material respects with all applicable laws relating to the provision of Services and other obligations of such party under this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY
5.01 Limitation on Liability. Except as may be awarded to a third party in connection with a third party claim, in no event will either party have any liability under any provision of this Agreement for any punitive, incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages, including loss of future revenue or income, loss of business reputation or opportunity relating to the breach or alleged breach of this Agreement, or diminution of value or any damages based on any type of multiple, whether based on statute, contract, tort or otherwise, and whether or not arising from the other partys sole, joint, or concurrent negligence, strict liability, criminal liability or other fault. Each party acknowledges that the Services to be provided to it hereunder are subject to, and that its remedies under this Agreement are limited by, the applicable provisions of Section 1.02 including the limitations on representations and warranties with respect to the Services. Except in the case of willful misconduct or fraud, each party further acknowledges that the aggregate amount of all damages for which each either party may be liable (whether in connection with third party claim(s), claims by Recipient Indemnified Parties or Provider Indemnified Parties, as applicable, or otherwise) under this Agreement (plus amounts recovered under insurance pursuant to Section 5.03), will in no event exceed $500,000 (the Cap).
5.02 Indemnification. Subject to Section 5.01, (i) Provider shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Recipients and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the Recipient Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all damages of the Recipient Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from: (a) any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of any Contributor Party set forth in this Agreement or the Service Exhibit; (b) any gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of the Contributor Group or any of their Affiliates or any third-party that provides any Service to the Recipient pursuant to Section 1.03 and (ii) Recipient shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Provider and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the Provider Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all Damages of the Provider Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from any breach of Recipient of Section 4.02(a) and Section 4.03. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.02 does not in any way limit, modify or amend the provisions of the Contribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement and the rights and remedies of the Parties under the Contribution Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement shall be in addition to its rights and remedies hereunder.
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5.03 Cyber-Security Insurance. Provider shall maintain, at its sole cost and expense, during the period that any Services are being provided under this Agreement and for a 6-month period thereafter (but in no event shall such required period extend beyond the one-year anniversary of the date of this Agreement), a cyber-security liability insurance policy providing coverage for the Services at a limit and policy coverage no less than currently in place (the Cyber-Security Policy), and shall use best efforts to, promptly after the date hereof, name Recipient as an additional insured under the Cyber-Security Policy. On or prior to the date hereof and from time to time upon the Recipients request, Provider shall provide certificates of insurance evidencing such coverage and a copy of the policy if so requested. In the event of any claim made by Recipient Indemnified Party with respect to a breach by Provider of Section 4.02, Provider shall make a claim therefor under, and use commercially reasonable efforts to seek recovery under, the Cyber-Security Policy with respect to such damages and shall remit to the applicable Recipient Indemnified Party within two (2) Business Days following receipt thereof all proceeds received by Provider under the Cyber-Security Policy with respect to such damages.
ARTICLE VI
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
6.01 Reservation of Rights. Other than as set forth in the Contribution Agreement and any Ancillary Agreements, Provider and Recipient retain all right, title and interest in and to any of their respective Intellectual Property Rights obtain prior to, on or after the Effective Date.
6.02 Intellectual Property Rights. To the extent that Provider modifies or prepares derivative works from the tangible embodiments (including but not limited to software and electronic materials) of any Intellectual Property Rights of Recipient as part of the Services provided hereunder (collectively, Developments), Recipient shall own all Developments and the Developments will be considered a work made for hire under applicable law. To the extent the Developments do not qualify as a work made for hire under applicable law, Provider hereby irrevocably assigns, conveys, and transfers to Recipient, in perpetuity and under all Intellectual Property Rights anywhere in the world, all of its right, title and interest in and to the Developments. Provider waives any non-assignable rights in the Developments and agrees to cooperate with Recipient in effectuating the intent of this Section.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS1
7.01 Notices. All Invoices, notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given: (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); or (c) on the date sent by e-mail of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient. Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as will be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 7.01):
(a) if to Provider:
C-III Capital Partners LLC
717 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Attention: Kim M. Klever
Email: kklever@c3cp.com
1 |
NTD: Provisions to be updated to generally conform to Contribution Agt. |
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With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
C-III Capital Partners LLC
717 Fifth Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Attention: Marc W. Levy and Larry Block
Email: mlevy@islecap.com; lblock@islecap.com
(b) if to Resource OP:
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc.
1845 Walnut Street, 17th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Shelle Weisbaum
Telephone: (215) 832-4187
Email: sweisbaum@resourcerei.com
7.02 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and will not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
7.03 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto will negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
7.04 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Service Exhibits and together with the Purchase Agreement, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. In the event and to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Purchase Agreement as it relates to the Services hereunder, the provisions of this Agreement will control.
7.05 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Resource OP may assign all or any portion of its right to receive Services to REIT II or any subsidiary thereof without C-IIIs prior written consent (but with written notice to C-III) in the event that REIT I merges with and into REIT II, with REIT II being the surviving entity (unless REIT II is the successor party to this Agreement by operation of law); provided, however, that REIT II shall receive such Services from Provider or such third-party subcontractors as applicable, in the same place and manner as described in the respective Service Exhibit as Resource OP would have received such Service. No assignment will relieve the assigning party of any of its obligations hereunder.
7.06 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or will confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement.
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7.07 Amendment and Modification; Waiver. This Agreement may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Agreement will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.
7.08 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD FOR ANY CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT OTHERWISE COULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
(b) EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE DELAWARE CHANCERY COURT SITTING IN THE COUNTY OF NEW CASTLE, OR ONLY IF SUCH COURT DECLINES TO ACCEPT JURISDICTION OVER A PARTICULAR MATTER, OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN DELAWARE, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT THEREOF, IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN SUCH COURTS (AND WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR ANY OTHER OBJECTION TO VENUE THEREIN OR JURISDICTION THEREOF); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH CONSENT TO JURISDICTION IS SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 6.08 AND SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE A GENERAL SUBMISSION TO THE JURISDICTION OF SAID COURTS OR IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE OTHER THAN FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
(c) Any and all process may be served in any action, suit or proceeding arising in connection with this Agreement by complying with the notice provisions of Section 7.01. Such service of process shall have the same effect as if the party being served were a resident in the State of Delaware and had been lawfully served with such process in such jurisdiction. The parties hereby waive all claims of error by reason of such service. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the other in any other jurisdiction to enforce judgments or rulings of the aforementioned courts.
7.09 Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
(b) EXCEPT IN CONNECTION WITH A THIRD PARTY CLAIM, EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT EXPRESSLY WAIVES AND FOREGOES ANY RIGHT TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, LOST PROFITS, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SIMILAR DAMAGES IN ANY LAWSUIT, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM ANY CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SERVICES CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THIS SECTION 7.09(B) SHALL NOT AFFECT ANY PARTYS RIGHT TO RECOVERY PURSUANT TO THE CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER ANCILLARY AGREEMENT.
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7.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission will be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.
7.11 Specific Performance. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and it is accordingly agreed that each party will be entitled to an injunction or other equitable relief (without the proof of actual damages) to enforce specifically the provisions of this Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law or in equity.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
RESOURCE OP: | C-III: | |||||||
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP | C-III CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC | |||||||
By: | Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. | By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
|||||
Its: | General Partner | Name: | Marc W. Levy | |||||
Title: | Executive Managing Director | |||||||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|||||||
Name: | Alan F. Feldman | |||||||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 10.3
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP
Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP (the Partnership) was formed as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware, pursuant to a Certificate of Limited Partnership filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 5, 2009. This Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (Agreement) is entered into effective as of September 8, 2020 among Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the General Partner), the Limited Partners set forth on Exhibit A hereto, and such additional Limited Partners party hereto from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in Article 1.
WHEREAS, the General Partner and RRE Opportunity Holdings, LLC, as the Initial Limited Partner, entered into a Limited Partnership Agreement of Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP dated as of September 1, 2009, pursuant to which the Partnership was formed (the Original Agreement);
WHEREAS, on September 8, 2020, pursuant to that certain Contribution and Exchange Agreement (the Contribution and Exchange Agreement) by and among the Partnership, Resource PM Holdings LLC (PM Holdings), Resource NewCo LLC (Advisor Holdings), C-III Capital Partners LLC (PM Contributor), Resource Real Estate, LLC (Advisor Contributor), and Resource America, Inc., PM Contributor and Advisor Contributor contributed certain assets to the Partnership, including all of PM Contributors right, title and interest in all of the membership interests in PM Holdings and all of Advisor Contributors right, title and interest in all of the membership interests in Advisor Holdings in exchange for a total of 6,158,759 Common Units, 319,965 Series A Preferred Units and other good and valuable consideration (the Contribution Transaction);
WHEREAS, the General Partner now desires to amend and restate the Original Agreement to reflect, among other things, the authorization of Preferred Units and to set forth the rights, powers, privileges, restrictions, qualifications, and limitations of the Series A Preferred Units, as specified in Exhibit C hereto, the issuance of Common Units and Series A Preferred Units pursuant to the Contribution Transaction, and to make other amendments deemed necessary or desirable by the General Partner;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of mutual covenants between the parties hereto, and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety and continue the Partnership as a limited partnership under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended from time to time, as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINED TERMS
The following defined terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified below:
Act means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as it may be amended from time to time.
Additional Funds has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
Additional Limited Partner means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof and who is shown as a Limited Partner on Exhibit A hereto.
Additional Securities means any additional REIT Shares (other than REIT Shares issued in connection with an exchange pursuant to Section 8.5 hereof) or other interests in the General Partner, or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities containing the right to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares or other interests in the General Partner, as set forth in Section 4.2(a)(iii).
Administrative Expenses means (i) all administrative and operating costs and expenses incurred by the Partnership, (ii) those administrative costs and expenses of the General Partner or its Affiliates, including any salaries or other payments to directors, officers or employees of the General Partner or its Affiliates, and any accounting and legal expenses of the General Partner or its Affiliates, which expenses, the Partners have agreed, are expenses of the Partnership and not the General Partner or such Affiliates, and (iii) to the extent not included in clause (ii) above, REIT Expenses.
Advisor Contributor has the meaning provided in the Recitals.
Advisor Holdings has the meaning provided in the Recitals.
Affiliate or Affiliated means, as to any Person, any of the following:
(a) |
any other Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with power to vote, 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such Person; |
(b) |
any other Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with power to vote, by such Person; |
(c) |
any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person; |
(d) |
any executive officer, director, manager, trustee or general partner of such Person; and |
(e) |
any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, manager, trustee or general partner. |
Agreed Value means the fair market value of a Partners non-cash Capital Contribution as of the date of contribution as agreed to by such Partner and the General Partner. The names and addresses of the General Partner and the Additional Limited Partners, the number of Partnership Units issued to each of them, and their respective Capital Contributions as of the date of contribution is set forth on Exhibit A.
Agreement means this Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires.
Articles of Incorporation means the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the General Partner filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
2
Book Value means with respect to any asset of the Partnership, the basis of such asset to the Partnership for federal income tax purposes; provided that if an asset is contributed to the Partnership or revalued in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), the Book Value of such asset shall be its fair market value as subsequently adjusted in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g).
Capital Account has the meaning provided in Section 4.4 hereof.
Capital Contribution means the total amount of cash, cash equivalents, and the Agreed Value of any Property or other asset (other than cash), net of liabilities assumed, contributed or agreed to be contributed, as the context requires, to the Partnership by each Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Any reference to the Capital Contribution of a Partner shall include the Capital Contribution made by a predecessor holder of the Partnership Interest of such Partner.
Cash Amount means an amount of cash equal to the product of the Value of one REIT Share and the REIT Shares Amount on the date of receipt by the General Partner of a Notice of Exchange.
Certificate means any instrument or document that is required under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any other jurisdiction in which the Partnership conducts business, to be signed and sworn to by the Partners of the Partnership (either by themselves or pursuant to the power-of-attorney granted to the General Partner in Section 8.2 hereof) and filed for recording in the appropriate public offices within the State of Delaware or such other jurisdiction to perfect or maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership, to effect the admission, withdrawal, or substitution of any Partner of the Partnership, or to protect the limited liability of the Limited Partners as limited partners under the laws of the State of Delaware or such other jurisdiction.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as hereafter amended from time to time. Reference to any particular provision of the Code shall mean that provision in the Code as of the date hereof and any successor provision thereto.
Common Unit means a Partnership Unit that is not a Preferred Unit.
Contribution Common Units means the Common Units issued in connection with the Contribution Transaction.
Contribution and Exchange Agreement has the meaning provided in the Recitals.
Contribution Transaction has the meaning provided in the Recitals.
Conversion Factor means 1.0, provided that, subject to Section 4.2(a)(ii), in the event that the General Partner (i) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares or makes a Distribution to all holders of its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares, (ii) subdivides its outstanding REIT Shares, or (iii) combines its outstanding REIT Shares into a smaller number of REIT Shares, the Conversion Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Conversion Factor by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination (assuming for such purpose that such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination has occurred as of such time) and the denominator of which shall be the actual number of REIT Shares (determined without the above assumption) issued and outstanding on such date and, provided further, that in the event that an entity other than an Affiliate of the General Partner shall
3
become General Partner pursuant to any merger, consolidation or combination of the General Partner with or into another entity (the Successor Entity), the Conversion Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Conversion Factor by the number of shares of the Successor Entity into which one REIT Share is converted pursuant to such merger, consolidation or combination, determined as of the date of such merger, consolidation or combination. Any adjustment to the Conversion Factor shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such event retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event; provided, however, that if the General Partner receives a Notice of Exchange after the record date, but prior to the effective date of such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination, the Conversion Factor shall be determined as if the General Partner had received the Notice of Exchange immediately prior to the record date for such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination.
Defaulting Limited Partner has the meaning provided in Section 5.2(b) hereof.
Distributions means any dividends or other distributions of money or other property paid by the General Partner to the holders of its REIT Shares or preferred stock, including distributions that may constitute a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.
Event of Bankruptcy as to any Person means the filing of a petition for relief as to such Person as debtor or bankrupt under the Bankruptcy Code of 1978 or similar provision of law of any jurisdiction (except if such petition is contested by such Person and has been dismissed within 90 days); insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person as finally determined by a court proceeding; the filing by such Person of a petition or application to accomplish the same or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee for such Person or a substantial part of his assets; the commencement of any proceedings relating to such Person as a debtor under any other reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, adjustment of debt or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now in existence or hereinafter in effect, either by such Person or by another, provided that if such proceeding is commenced by another, such Person indicates his approval of such proceeding, consents thereto or acquiesces therein, or such proceeding is contested by such Person and has not been finally dismissed within 90 days.
Exchange Right has the meaning provided in Section 8.5(a) hereof.
Exchanging Partner has the meaning provided in Section 8.5(a) hereof.
General Partner means Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and any Person who becomes a substitute or additional General Partner as provided herein, and any of their successors as General Partner.
General Partner Loan has the meaning provided in Section 5.2(b) hereof.
General Partnership Interest means a Partnership Interest held by the General Partner that is a general partnership interest. The number of Common Units held by the General Partner equal to one percent (1%) of all outstanding Common Units from time to time is hereby designated as the General Partnership Interest.
Indemnitee means (i) the General Partner or a director, officer or employee of the General Partner or Partnership, (ii) such other Persons (including Affiliates of the General Partner or the Partnership) as the General Partner may designate from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion.
4
Joint Venture or Joint Ventures means those joint venture, general partnership or similar arrangements in which the Partnership is a co-venturer or general partner, and which are established to acquire Properties.
Limited Partner means any Person named as a Limited Partner on Exhibit A attached hereto, and any Person who becomes a Substitute Limited Partner or Additional Limited Partner, in such Persons capacity as a Limited Partner in the Partnership. A Limited Partner may hold Common Units, Preferred Units, or both.
Limited Partnership Interest means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership at any particular time, including the right of such Limited Partner to any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner may be entitled as provided in this Agreement and in the Act, together with the obligations of such Limited Partner to comply with all the provisions of this Agreement and the Act.
Liquidation Preference means, with respect to any Preferred Unit as of any date of determination, the amount (including distributions accumulated, due, or payable through the date of determination) payable with respect to such Preferred Unit (as established by the instrument designating such Preferred Unit) upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution or winding up of the Partnership as a preference over distributions to Partnership Units ranking junior to such Preferred Unit.
Listing means the approval of the REIT Shares, issued by the General Partner pursuant to an effective registration statement, on a National Securities Exchange. Upon Listing, the shares shall be deemed Listed.
Loss has the meaning provided in Section 5.1(f) hereof.
National Securities Exchange means any securities exchange registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Net Asset Value Per REIT Share means the most recently determined net asset value per share of the REIT Shares as determined on a quarterly basis (or more or less frequently) and published by the General Partner in a filing with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Notice of Exchange means the Notice of Exercise of Exchange Right substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.
Offer has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b)(ii) hereof.
Offering means an offering of Stock that is either (a) registered with the SEC, or (b) exempt from such registration, excluding Stock offered under any employee benefit plan.
Opt-Out Election has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5(c) hereof.
Original Agreement has the meaning provided in the Recitals.
Partner means any General Partner or Limited Partner.
5
Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). A Partners share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5).
Partnership means Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Partnership Interest means an ownership interest in the Partnership held by either a Limited Partner or the General Partner and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Partnership Interest may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
Partnership Loan has the meaning provided in Section 5.2(b) hereof.
Partnership Minimum Gain has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(d). In accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(d), the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain is determined by first computing, for each Partnership nonrecourse liability, any gain the Partnership would realize if it disposed of the property subject to that liability for no consideration other than full satisfaction of the liability, and then aggregating the separately computed gains. A Partners share of Partnership Minimum Gain shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(1).
Partnership Record Date means the record date established by the General Partner for the distribution of cash pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, which record date shall be the same as the record date established by the General Partner for a Distribution to the Stockholders of some or all of its portion of such distribution.
Partnership Representative has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5(a) hereof.
Partnership Unit means a fractional, undivided share of the Partnership Interests of all Partners issued hereunder. Without limitation on the authority of the General Partner as set forth in Section 4.2 hereof, the General Partner may designate any Partnership Units, when issued, as Common Units or Preferred Units, may establish any other class of Partnership Units, and may designate one or more series of any class of Partnership Units. The allocation of Partnership Units among the Partners shall be as set forth on Exhibit A, as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time.
Partnership Year means the fiscal year of the Partnership, which shall be the calendar year.
Percentage Interest means, with respect to a Partner, (i) when referring to a specific class or series of Partnership Units, such Partners interest in such class or series of Partnership Units as determined by dividing the number of Partnership Units in such class or series held by such Partner by the total number of Partnership Units in such class or series then outstanding, (ii) when not referring to a specific class of series of Partnership Units, (A) the aggregate number of Common Units, Series A Preferred Units and any other Partnership Units of any class or series having participation rights equivalent to the rights of a Common Unit held by such Partner divided by (B) the total aggregate number of Common Units, Series A Preferred Units and such other Partnership Units of any class or series having participation rights equivalent to the rights of a Common Unit held by such Partner then outstanding.
Person means any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust or other entity.
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PM Contributor has the meaning provided in the Recitals.
PM Holdings has the meaning provided in the Recitals.
Preferred Unit means any Partnership Unit issued from time to time pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof that is specifically designated by the General Partner at the time of its issuance as a Preferred Unit. Each class or series of Preferred Units shall have such designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights, powers, and duties, including rights, powers and duties senior to the Common Units, all as determined by the General Partner, subject to compliance with the requirements of Section 4.2 hereof.
Profit has the meaning provided in Section 5.1(f) hereof.
Property or Properties means the real properties or real estate investments which are acquired by the Partnership either directly or through Joint Ventures, partnerships or other entities.
Push-out Election has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5(c) hereof.
Regulations means the federal income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended and as hereafter amended from time to time. Reference to any particular provision of the Regulations shall mean that provision of the Regulations as of the date hereof and any successor provision of the Regulations.
REIT means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.
REIT Expenses means (i) costs and expenses relating to the formation and continuity of existence and operation of the General Partner and any Subsidiaries thereof (which Subsidiaries shall, for purposes hereof, be included within the definition of General Partner), including taxes, fees and assessments associated therewith, any and all costs, expenses or fees payable to any director, officer, or employee of the General Partner, (ii) costs and expenses relating to any Offering and registration of securities or exemption from registration by the General Partner and all statements, reports, fees and expenses incidental thereto, including, without limitation, underwriting discounts and sales commissions applicable to any such Offering of securities, and any costs and expenses associated with any claims made by any holders of such securities or any underwriters or placement agents thereof, (iii) costs and expenses associated with any repurchase of any securities by the General Partner, (iv) costs and expenses associated with the preparation and filing of any periodic or other reports and communications by the General Partner under federal, state or local laws or regulations, including filings with the SEC, (v) costs and expenses associated with compliance by the General Partner with laws, rules and regulations promulgated by any regulatory body, including the SEC and any National Securities Exchange, (vi) costs and expenses associated with any 401(k) plan, incentive plan, bonus plan or other plan providing for compensation for the employees of the General Partner, (vii) costs and expenses incurred by the General Partner relating to any issuance or redemption of Partnership Interests or securities of the General Partner, and (viii) all other operating or administrative costs of the General Partner incurred in the ordinary course of its business on behalf of or in connection with the Partnership.
REIT Share means a share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, in the General Partner (or successor entity, as the case may be), the terms and conditions of which are set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.
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REIT Shares Amount means a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the number of Partnership Units offered for exchange or redemption, multiplied by the Conversion Factor as may be adjusted to and including the Specified Exchange Date or other applicable redemption or exchange date; provided that in the event the General Partner issues to all holders of REIT Shares rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the stockholders to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares, or any other securities or property (collectively, the rights), and the rights have not expired at the Specified Exchange Date or other applicable redemption or exchange date, then the REIT Shares Amount shall also include the rights issuable to a holder of the REIT Shares Amount of REIT Shares on the record date fixed for purposes of determining the holders of REIT Shares entitled to rights.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Series A Preferred Units has the meaning set forth in Exhibit C hereto.
Service means the Internal Revenue Service.
Specified Exchange Date means the first business day of the month that is at least 60 business days after the receipt by the General Partner of the Notice of Exchange.
Stock means shares of stock of the General Partner of any class or series, including REIT Shares, preferred stock or shares-in-trust.
Stockholders means the registered holders of the General Partners Stock.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.
Subsidiary Partnership means any partnership of which the partnership interests therein are owned by the General Partner or a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the General Partner.
Substitute Limited Partner means any Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof.
Successor Entity has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a)(ii) hereof.
Surviving General Partner has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(c) hereof.
Transaction has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b) hereof.
Transfer has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(a) hereof.
Value means, with respect to REIT Shares, the average of the daily market price of such REIT Share for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of such valuation. The market price for each such trading day shall be: (i) if the REIT Shares are Listed, the sale price, regular way, on such day, or if no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, on such day; (ii) if the REIT Shares are not Listed, the Net Asset Value Per REIT Share on such day; provided that if there are no bid and asked prices reported during the ten (10) days prior to the date in question, the value of the REIT Shares shall be determined by the General Partner acting in good
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faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate. In the event the REIT Shares Amount includes rights that a holder of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, then the value of such rights shall be determined by the General Partner acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate.
ARTICLE 2
PARTNERSHIP FORMATION AND IDENTIFICATION
2.1 Formation. The Partnership was formed as a limited partnership pursuant to the Act for the purposes and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2.2 Name, Office and Registered Agent. The name of the Partnership is Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP. The specified office and place of business of the Partnership shall be 1845 Walnut Street, 17th Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (telephone number (215) 231-7050). The General Partner may at any time change the location of such office, provided the General Partner gives notice to the Partners of any such change. The name and address of the Partnerships registered agent is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The sole duty of the registered agent as such is to forward to the Partnership any notice that is served on him as registered agent.
2.3 Partners.
(a) The General Partner of the Partnership is Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation. Its principal place of business is the same as that of the Partnership.
(b) The Limited Partners are those Persons identified as Limited Partners on Exhibit A hereto, as amended from time to time. The parties agree that Exhibit A will be confidential and maintained in the offices of the General Partner.
2.4 Term and Dissolution.
(a) The Partnership shall have perpetual duration, except that the Partnership shall be dissolved upon the first to occur of any of the following events:
(i) The occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to a General Partner or the dissolution, death, removal or withdrawal of a General Partner unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 7.3(b) hereof; provided that if a General Partner is on the date of such occurrence a partnership, the dissolution of such General Partner as a result of the dissolution, death, withdrawal, removal or Event of Bankruptcy of a partner in such partnership shall not be an event of dissolution of the Partnership if the business of such General Partner is continued by the remaining partner or partners, either alone or with additional partners, and such General Partner and such partners comply with any other applicable requirements of this Agreement;
(ii) The passage of 90 days after the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (provided that if the Partnership receives an installment obligation as consideration for such sale or other disposition, the Partnership shall continue, unless sooner dissolved under the provisions of this Agreement, until such time as such note or notes are paid in full);
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(iii) The exchange of all Limited Partnership Interests (other than any of such interests held by the General Partner or Affiliates of the General Partner) for REIT Shares or the securities of any other entity; or
(iv) The election by the General Partner that the Partnership should be dissolved.
(b) Upon dissolution of the Partnership (unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 7.3(b) hereof), the General Partner (or its trustee, receiver, successor or legal representative) shall amend or cancel the Certificate and liquidate the Partnerships assets and apply and distribute the proceeds thereof in accordance with Section 5.6 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner (or such trustee, receiver, successor or legal representative) may either (i) defer liquidation of, or withhold from distribution for a reasonable time, any assets of the Partnership (including those necessary to satisfy the Partnerships debts and obligations), or (ii) distribute the assets of the Partnership to the Partners in kind.
2.5 Filing of Certificate and Perfection of Limited Partnership. The General Partner shall execute, acknowledge, record and file at the expense of the Partnership, the Certificate any and all amendments thereto and all requisite fictitious name statements and notices in such places and jurisdictions as may be necessary to cause the Partnership to be treated as a limited partnership under, and otherwise to comply with, the laws of each state or other jurisdiction in which the Partnership conducts business.
2.6 Certificates Describing Partnership Units. At the request of a Limited Partner, the General Partner, at its option, may issue a certificate summarizing the terms of such Limited Partners interest in the Partnership, including the number and class or series of Partnership Units owned and the Percentage Interest represented by such Partnership Units as of the date of such certificate. Any such certificate (i) shall be in form and substance as approved by the General Partner, (ii) shall not be negotiable and (iii) shall bear a legend to the following effect:
THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE. THE PARTNERSHIP UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE GOVERNED BY AND TRANSFERABLE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.
ARTICLE 3
BUSINESS OF THE PARTNERSHIP
3.1 Purpose. The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership is (i) to conduct any business that may be lawfully conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Act, provided, however, that such business shall be limited to and conducted in such a manner as to permit the General Partner at all times to qualify as a REIT and in a manner such that the General Partner will not be subject to any taxes under Sections 856, 857 or 4981 of the Code to the greatest extent commercially reasonably possible, unless the General Partner otherwise ceases to qualify as a REIT, (ii) to enter into any partnership, joint venture or other similar arrangement to engage in any of the foregoing or
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to own interests in any entity engaged in any of the foregoing, and (iii) to do anything necessary or incidental to the foregoing. In connection with the foregoing, and without limiting the General Partners right in its sole and absolute discretion to cease qualifying as a REIT, the Partners acknowledge that the General Partners current status as a REIT and the avoidance of income and excise taxes on the General Partner inures to the benefit of all the Partners and not solely to the General Partner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Limited Partners agree that the General Partner may terminate its status as a REIT under the Code at any time to the full extent permitted under the Articles of Incorporation. The General Partner shall also be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary or prudent to ensure that the Partnership will not be classified as a publicly traded partnership for purposes of Section 7704 of the Code.
3.2 Powers. The Partnership is empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described herein and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership, including, without limitation, full power and authority, directly or through its ownership interest in other entities, to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, borrow money and issue evidences of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien, acquire, own, manage, improve and develop real property, and lease, sell, transfer and dispose of Real Estate Related Assets or other ownership interests; provided, however that nothing in this Section 3.2 is intended to eliminate or limit the rights of the Limited Partners included elsewhere in this Agreement.
3.3 Relationship with Partners. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed by the Partners that the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, waive or otherwise modify the application with respect to any Partner or assignee of any provision herein restricting, prohibiting or otherwise relating to (i) the transfer of a Limited Partner Interest or the Partnership Units evidencing the same, (ii) the admission of any Limited Partners and (iii) the redemption rights of such Partners, and that such waivers or modifications may be made by the General Partner at any time or from time to time, including, without limitation, concurrently with the issuance of any Partnership Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided, however that nothing in this Section 3.3 is intended to eliminate or limit the rights of the Limited Partners included elsewhere in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 4
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOUNTS
4.1 Capital Contributions. The General Partner and each Limited Partner has made a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for the Partnership Units set forth opposite such Partners name on Exhibit A, as amended from time to time by the General Partner to the extent necessary to accurately reflect sales, exchanges or other Transfers, redemptions, Capital Contributions, the issuance of additional Partnership Units or similar events having an effect on a Partners ownership of Partnership Units.
4.2 Additional Capital Contributions and Issuances of Additional Partnership Units. Except as provided in this Section 4.2 or in Section 4.3, the Partners shall have no right or obligation to make any additional Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership. The General Partner may contribute additional capital to the Partnership, from time to time, and receive additional Partnership Interests, in the form of Partnership Units, in respect thereof, in the manner contemplated in this Section 4.2.
(a) Issuances of Additional Partnership Units.
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(i) General. The General Partner is hereby authorized to cause the Partnership to issue such additional Partnership Interests, in the form of Partnership Units, for any Partnership purpose at any time or from time to time, to the Partners (including the General Partner) or to other Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion, all without the approval of any Limited Partner, including but not limited to, Partnership Units issued in connection with the issuance of REIT Shares or of other interests in the General Partner, Any additional Partnership Interests issued thereby may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, powers and duties, including rights, powers and duties senior to any Common Units, all as shall be determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion and without the approval of any Limited Partner (subject to any consent rights expressly provided to holders of Preferred Units), subject to Delaware law, including, without limitation: (i) the allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of Partnership Units; (ii) the right of each such class or series of Partnership Units to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights of each such class or series of Partnership Units upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) the voting rights, if any, of each such class or series of Partnership Units and (v) the conversion, redemption or exchange rights applicable to each such class or series of Partnership Units; provided, however, that no additional Partnership Units shall be issued to the General Partner unless:
(1) (A) the additional Partnership Units are issued in connection with an issuance of REIT Shares of, or other interests in, the General Partner, which shares or interests have designations, preferences and other rights, all such that the economic interests are substantially similar to the designations, preferences and other rights of the additional Partnership Units issued to the General Partner by the Partnership in accordance with this Section 4.2 and (B) the General Partner shall make a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in an amount equal to the net proceeds raised in connection with the issuance of such shares of stock of or other interests in the General Partner;
(2) the additional Partnership Units are issued in exchange for property owned by the General Partner with a fair market value, as determined by the General Partner, in good faith, equal to the value of the Partnership Units; or
(3) with respect to the class or series of Partnership Units so issued, additional Partnership Units are issued to all Partners holding Partnership Units in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests.
In addition, the General Partner may acquire Partnership Units from other Partners pursuant to this Agreement. In the event that the Partnership issues Partnership Units pursuant to this Section 4.2(a), the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Agreement, including amending Exhibit A, as are necessary to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Units and any special rights, powers, and duties associated therewith.
Without limiting the foregoing, the General Partner is expressly authorized to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Units (i) upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of any debt or other securities issued by the Partnership, (ii) for less than fair market value, so long as the General Partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is
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in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership and (iii) in connection with any merger of any other entity into the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership if the applicable merger agreement provides that entity or its owners are to receive Partnership Units in exchange for their interests in the entity merging into the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership.
(ii) Adjustment Events. In the event the General Partner (i) declares or pays a dividend on outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares or makes a distribution to all holders of its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares, (ii) subdivides its outstanding REIT Shares, or (iii) combines its outstanding REIT Shares into a smaller number of REIT Shares, then a corresponding adjustment to the number of outstanding Common Units necessary to maintain the proportionate relationship between the number of outstanding Common Units to the number of outstanding REIT Shares shall automatically be made. Additionally, in the event that any other entity shall become General Partner pursuant to any merger, consolidation, or combination of the General Partner with or into another entity (the Successor Entity), the number of outstanding Common Units shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by the number of shares of the Successor Entity into which one REIT Share is converted pursuant to such merger, consolidation, or combination, determined as of the date of such merger, consolidation, or combination. Any adjustment to the number of outstanding Common Units shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such event retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event; provided, however, that if the General Partner receives a Notice of Exchange after the record date, but prior to the effective date of such dividend, distribution, subdivision, or combination, or such merger, consolidation, or combination, the number of outstanding Common Units shall be determined as if the General Partner had received the Notice of Exchange immediately prior to the record date for such dividend, distribution, subdivision, or combination or such merger, consolidation, or combination. If the General Partner takes any other action affecting the REIT Shares other than actions specifically described above and, in the opinion of the General Partner such action would require an adjustment to the number of Common Units to maintain the proportionate relationship between the number of outstanding Partnership Units and the number of outstanding REIT Shares, the General Partner shall have the right to make such adjustment to the number of Common Units, to the extent permitted by law, in such manner and at such time as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may determine to be appropriate under the circumstances. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent any such adjustment is made pursuant to this Section 4.2(a)(ii), the Conversion Factor shall not be adjusted with respect to such Common Units in any manner that would result in a duplicative adjustment with respect to the relevant event.
(iii) Upon Issuance of Additional Securities. The General Partner shall not issue any Additional Securities other than to all holders of REIT Shares, unless (A) the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to issue to the General Partner, as the General Partner may designate, Partnership Units or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of the Partnership having designations, preferences and other rights, all such that the economic interests are substantially similar to those of the Additional Securities, and (B) the General Partner contributes the net proceeds from the issuance of such Additional Securities and from any exercise of rights contained in such Additional Securities, directly and through the General Partner, to the Partnership; provided, however, that the General Partner is allowed to issue Additional Securities in
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connection with an acquisition of Property to be held directly by the General Partner, but if and only if, such direct acquisition and issuance of Additional Securities have been approved and determined to be in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership by a majority of the board of directors of the General Partner. Without limiting the foregoing, the General Partner is expressly authorized to issue Additional Securities for less than fair market value, and to cause the Partnership to issue to the General Partner corresponding Partnership Units, so long as (x) the General Partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership, including without limitation, the issuance of REIT Shares, stock options, incentive awards and corresponding Partnership Units pursuant to an employee share purchase plan providing for employee purchases of REIT Shares at a discount from fair market value or employee stock options that have an exercise price that is less than the fair market value of the REIT Shares, either at the time of issuance or at the time of exercise, and (y) the General Partner contributes all proceeds from such issuance to the Partnership. For example, and without limiting the foregoing, in the event the General Partner issues REIT Shares for a cash purchase price and contributes all of the net proceeds of such issuance to the Partnership as required hereunder, the General Partner shall be issued a number of additional Partnership Units equal to the product of (A) the number of such REIT Shares issued by the General Partner, the proceeds of which were so contributed, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is 100%, and the denominator of which is the Conversion Factor in effect on the date of such contribution.
(b) Certain Deemed Contributions of Proceeds of Issuance of Interests in the General Partner. In connection with any and all issuances of REIT Shares, or other interests in the General Partner, the General Partner shall make Capital Contributions to the Partnership of the proceeds therefrom, provided that if the proceeds actually received and contributed by the General Partner are less than the gross proceeds of such issuance as a result of any underwriters discount or other expenses paid or incurred in connection with such issuance, then the General Partner shall be deemed to have made Capital Contributions to the Partnership in the aggregate amount of the gross proceeds of such issuance and the Partnership shall be deemed simultaneously to have paid such offering expenses in accordance with Section 6.5 hereof and in connection with the required issuance of additional Partnership Units to the General Partner for such Capital Contributions pursuant to Section 4.2(a) hereof. In connection with any and all issuances of REIT Shares pursuant to the General Partners distribution reinvestment plan, the General Partner shall be deemed to have made Capital Contributions to the Partnership in the aggregate amount of the distributions that have been reinvested in respect of the REIT Shares issued by the General Partner in return for an equal number of Common Units as the issued REIT Shares.
4.3 Additional Funding. If the General Partner determines that it is in the best interests of the Partnership to provide for additional Partnership funds (Additional Funds) for any Partnership purpose, the General Partner may (i) cause the Partnership to obtain such funds from outside borrowings, or (ii) elect to have the General Partner or any of its Affiliates provide such Additional Funds to the Partnership through loans or otherwise.
4.4 Capital Accounts. A separate capital account (a Capital Account) shall be established and maintained for each Partner in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). If (i) a new or existing Partner acquires an additional Partnership Interest in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution, (ii) the Partnership distributes to a Partner more than a de minimis amount of Partnership property as consideration for a Partnership Interest, (iii) the Partnership is liquidated within the meaning of
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Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) or (iv) a Partnership Interest (other than a de minimis interest) is granted as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership by an existing Partner acting in a partner capacity, or by a new Partner acting in a partner capacity in anticipation of being a Partner, the General Partner shall revalue the property of the Partnership to its fair market value (as determined by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, and taking into account Section 7701(g) of the Code) in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f). When the Partnerships property is revalued by the General Partner, the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and (g), which generally require such Capital Accounts to be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the unrealized gain or loss inherent in such property (that has not been reflected in the Capital Accounts previously) would be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 5.1 if there were a taxable disposition of such property for its fair market value (as determined by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, and taking into account Section 7701(g) of the Code) on the date of the revaluation.
4.5 Percentage Interests. If the number of outstanding Partnership Units increases or decreases during a taxable year, each Partners Percentage Interest shall be adjusted by the General Partner effective as of the effective date of each such increase or decrease to give effect to such increase or decrease. If the Partners Percentage Interests are adjusted pursuant to this Section 4.5, the Profits and Losses for the taxable year in which the adjustment occurs shall be allocated between the part of the year ending on the day when the Partnerships property is revalued by the General Partner and the part of the year beginning on the following day either (i) as if the taxable year had ended on the date of the adjustment or (ii) based on the number of days in each part. The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine which method shall be used to allocate Profits and Losses for the taxable year in which the adjustment occurs. The allocation of Profits and Losses for the earlier part of the year shall be based on the Percentage Interests before adjustment, and the allocation of Profits and Losses for the later part of the year shall be based on the adjusted Percentage Interests.
4.6 No Interest on Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contributions.
4.7 Return of Capital Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to withdraw any part of its Capital Contribution or its Capital Account or to receive any distribution from the Partnership, except as specifically provided in this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, there shall be no obligation to return to any Partner or withdrawn Partner any part of such Partners Capital Contribution for so long as the Partnership continues in existence.
4.8 No Third Party Beneficiary. No creditor or other third party having dealings with the Partnership shall have the right to enforce the right or obligation of any Partner to make Capital Contributions or loans or to pursue any other right or remedy hereunder or at law or in equity, it being understood and agreed that the provisions of this Agreement shall be solely for the benefit of, and may be enforced solely by, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. None of the rights or obligations of the Partners herein set forth to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership shall be deemed an asset of the Partnership for any purpose by any creditor or other third party, nor may such rights or obligations be sold, transferred or assigned by the Partnership or pledged or encumbered by the Partnership to secure any debt or other obligation of the Partnership or of any of the Partners. In addition, it is the intent of the parties hereto that no distribution to any Limited Partner shall be deemed a return of money or other property in violation of the Act. However, if any court of competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Limited Partner is obligated to return such money or property, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Limited Partner and not of the General Partner.
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless otherwise provided in a written agreement between the Partner and the Partnership, a deficit Capital Account of a Partner shall not be deemed to be a liability of such Partner nor an asset or property of the Partnership and upon a liquidation within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), if any Partner has a deficit Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions, allocations and other Capital Account adjustments for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), such Partner shall have no obligation to make any Capital Contribution to reduce or eliminate the negative balance of such Partners Capital Account.
ARTICLE 5
PROFITS AND LOSSES; DISTRIBUTIONS
5.1 Allocation of Profit and Loss.
(a) General Allocations.
(i) Profits. After making the special allocations set forth in Sections 5.1(b) and 5.1(c) and the priority allocation with respect to the Preferred Units in Section 5.1(d) below and subject to the application of Section 5.1(a)(ii), after adjusting for all Capital Contributions and distributions made during any Partnership Year (or portion thereof), the Partnerships Profits and Losses for such Partnership Year (or portion thereof) shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner such that, after such allocations have been made, the balance of each Partners Capital Account shall, to the extent possible, be equal to an amount that would be distributed to such Partner if (A) the Partnership were to sell its assets for their Book Values, (B) all Partnership liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Book Value of the assets encumbering such liability), and (C) the Partnership were to distribute the proceeds of sale in accordance with Section 5.6 and dissolve in accordance with Section 2.4, minus the sum of such Partners shares of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain.
(ii) Losses. Losses shall not be allocated to a Limited Partner to the extent that such allocation would cause a deficit in such Partners Capital Account (after reduction to reflect the items described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6)) to exceed the sum of such Partners shares of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Any Losses in excess of that limitation shall be allocated to the General Partner. After the occurrence of an allocation of Loss to the General Partner in accordance with this Section 5.1(a)(ii), to the extent permitted by Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), Profits shall first be allocated to the General Partner in an amount necessary to offset the Losses previously allocated to the General Partner under this Section 5.01(a)(ii).
(b) Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, (i) any expense of the Partnership that is a nonrecourse deduction within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1) shall be allocated in accordance with the Partners respective Percentage Interests, (ii) any expense of the Partnership that is a partner nonrecourse deduction within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2) shall be allocated to the Partner that bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the partner nonrecourse debt within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4) to which such partner nonrecourse deduction is attributable in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1), (iii) if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(1) for any Partnership Year
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(or other period), then, subject to the exceptions set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(2),(3), (4) and (5), items of gain and income shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and the ordering rules contained in Regulations Section 1.704-2(j), and (iv) if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) for any Partnership Year (or other period), then, subject to the exceptions set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-(2)(g), items of gain and income shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and the ordering rules contained in Regulations Section 1.704-2(j). A Partners interest in partnership profits for purposes of determining its share of the nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3) shall be such Partners Percentage Interest.
(c) Qualified Income Offset. If a Partner unexpectedly receives in any Partnership Year (or other period) an adjustment, allocation, or distribution described in subparagraphs (4), (5), or (6) of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) that causes or increases a deficit balance in such Partners Capital Account that exceeds the sum of such Partners shares of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, as determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i), such Partner shall be allocated specially for such Partnership Year or other period (and, if necessary, later Partnership Years or other periods) items of income and gain in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such deficit Capital Account balance as quickly as possible as provided in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d); provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.1(c) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit Capital Account balance after all other allocations provided for in Article 5 have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.1(c) were not in this Agreement. This Section 5.1(c) is intended to constitute a qualified income offset under Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(d) Priority Allocation With Respect to Preferred Units. Profits, and if necessary, items of Partnership gross income or gain for any Partnership Year, shall be specially allocated to Partners that own Series A Preferred Units in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the cumulative distributions received by such Partner for or with respect to the current Partnership Year and all prior Partnership Years with respect to the Series A Preferred Priority Return on such Series A Preferred Units (with a distribution made in a Partnership Year that relates to a Partnership Record Date occurring at the end of the preceding Partnership Year being treated as made with respect to such preceding Partnership Year) over (ii) the cumulative allocations of Partnership Profits, gross income and gain to such Partner under this Section 5.1(d) for all prior Partnership Years.
(e) Allocations Between Transferor and Transferee. If a Partner transfers any part or all of its Partnership Interest, the distributive shares of the various items of Profit and Loss allocable among the Partners during such Partnership Year shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee Partner either (i) as if the Partnerships taxable year had ended on the date of the transfer, or (ii) based on the number of days of such taxable year that each was a Partner without regard to the results of Partnership activities in the respective portions of such taxable year in which the transferor and the transferee were Partners. The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine which method shall be used to allocate the distributive shares of the various items of Profit and Loss between the transferor and the transferee Partner.
(f) Definition of Profit and Loss. Profit and Loss and any items of income, gain, expense, or loss referred to in this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles, as modified by Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), except
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that Profit and Loss shall not include items of income, gain and expense that are specially allocated pursuant to Sections 5.1(b), 5.1(c), or 5.1(d). All allocations of income, Profit, gain, Loss and expense (and all items contained therein) for federal income tax purposes shall be identical to all allocations of such items set forth in this Section 5.1, except as otherwise required by Section 704(c) of the Code and Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4). The General Partner shall have the sole and absolute authority to elect the method to be used by the Partnership for allocating items of income, gain, and expense as required by Section 704(c) of the Code including a method that may result in a Partner receiving a disproportionately larger share of the Partnership tax depreciation deductions, and such election shall be binding on all Partners; provided, however, the Partnership shall allocate items of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to the assets contributed to the Partnership pursuant to the Contribution and Exchange Agreement using the traditional method under Regulations Section 1.704-3(b).
(g) Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in Sections 5.1(b) and 5.1(c) of this Agreement (the Regulatory Allocations) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Regulations. The General Partner is authorized to offset all Regulatory Allocations either with other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items of Partnership income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this Section 5.1(g). Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.1 (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the General Partner shall make such offsetting special allocations of Partnership income, gain, loss or deduction in whatever manner it deems appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each Partners Capital Account is, to the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account balance such Partner would have had if the Regulatory Allocations were not part of this Agreement and all Partnership items were allocated pursuant to Sections 5.1(a), 5.1(d) and 5.1(e).
5.2 Distributions.
(a) Cash Available for Distribution. The Partnership shall distribute cash on a quarterly (or, at the election of the General Partner, more or less frequently) basis, in an amount determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion, to the Partners who are Partners on the Partnership Record Date with respect to such quarter (or other distribution period) in the following order of priority:
(i) first, to the holders of Preferred Units, in such amounts as is required for the Partnership to pay all distributions and any other amounts with respect to such Preferred Units accumulated, due or payable in accordance with the instruments designating such Preferred Units through the last day of such quarter or other distribution period (such distributions shall be made to such Partners in such order of priority and with such preferences as have been established with respect to such Preferred Units as of the last day of such quarter or other distribution period); and
(ii) thereafter, to the holders of the Common Units, including the General Partner, in amounts proportionate to their respective Percentage Interests in the Common Units on the applicable Partnership Record Date;
provided, however, that if a new or existing Partner acquires additional Partnership Units in exchange for a Capital Contribution on any date other than the next day after a Partnership Record Date, the cash distribution attributable to such additional Partnership Units (other than Partnership Units acquired by the General Partner in connection with the issuance of additional REIT Shares,
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or other interests in the General Partner) relating to the Partnership Record Date next following the issuance of such additional Partnership Units (or relating to the Partnership Record Date if such Partnership Units are acquired on a Partnership Record Date) shall be reduced in the proportion to (i) the number of days that such additional Partnership Units are held by such Partner bears to (ii) the number of days between such Partnership Record Date (inclusive of such Partnership Record Date) and the immediately preceding Partnership Record Date (exclusive of such immediately preceding Partnership Record Date).
(b) Withholding; Partnership Loans. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to cause the Partnership to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner or assignee (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), either (i) if the actual amount to be distributed to the Partner equals or exceeds the amount required to be withheld by the Partnership, the amount withheld shall be treated as a distribution of cash in the amount of such withholding to such Partner, or (ii) if the actual amount to be distributed to the Partner is less than the amount required to be withheld by the Partnership, the excess of the amount required to be withheld over the actual amount to be distributed shall be treated as a loan (a Partnership Loan) from the Partnership to the Partner on the day the Partnership pays over such amount to a taxing authority. A Partnership Loan shall be repaid through withholding by the Partnership with respect to subsequent distributions to the applicable Partner or assignee. In the event that a Limited Partner (a Defaulting Limited Partner) fails to pay any amount owed to the Partnership with respect to the Partnership Loan within 15 days after demand for payment thereof is made by the Partnership on the Limited Partner, the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may elect to make the payment to the Partnership on behalf of such Defaulting Limited Partner. In such event, on the date of payment, the General Partner shall be deemed to have extended a loan (a General Partner Loan) to the Defaulting Limited Partner in the amount of the payment made by the General Partner and shall succeed to all rights and remedies of the Partnership against the Defaulting Limited Partner as to that amount. Without limitation, the General Partner shall have the right to receive any distributions that otherwise would be made by the Partnership to the Defaulting Limited Partner until such time as the General Partner Loan has been paid in full, and any such distributions so received by the General Partner shall be treated as having been received by the Defaulting Limited Partner and immediately paid to the General Partner.
Any amounts treated as a Partnership Loan or a General Partner Loan pursuant to this Section 5.2(b) shall bear interest at the lesser of (i) the base rate on corporate loans at large United States money center commercial banks, as published from time to time in The Wall Street Journal, or (ii) the maximum lawful rate of interest on such obligation, such interest to accrue from the date the Partnership or the General Partner, as applicable, is deemed to extend the loan until such loan is repaid in full.
(c) Limitation on Distributions. In no event may a Partner receive a distribution of cash with respect to a Partnership Unit if such Partner is entitled to receive a cash distribution as the holder of record of a REIT Share for which all or part of such Partnership Unit has been or will be exchanged.
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5.3 REIT Distribution Requirements. The General Partner shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Partnership to distribute amounts sufficient to enable the General Partner to pay stockholder dividends that will allow the General Partner to (i) meet its distribution requirement for qualification as a REIT as set forth in Section 857 of the Code and (ii) avoid any federal income or excise tax liability imposed by the Code.
5.4 No Right to Distributions In Kind. No Partner shall be entitled to demand property other than cash in connection with any distributions by the Partnership.
5.5 Limitations of Return of Capital Contributions. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Article 5, no Partner shall have the right to receive and the General Partner shall not have the right to make, a distribution that includes a return of all or part of a Partners Capital Contributions, unless after giving effect to the return of a Capital Contribution, the sum of all Partnership liabilities, other than the liabilities to a Partner for the return of his Capital Contribution, does not exceed the fair market value of the Partnerships assets.
5.6 Distributions Upon Liquidation. Upon liquidation of the Partnership, after payment of, or adequate provision for, debts and obligations of the Partnership, including any Partner loans, any remaining assets of the Partnership shall be distributed to the Partners as follows:
(a) first, to the holders of Preferred Units, in such amounts as is required for them to receive the Liquidation Preference with respect to the Preferred Units held by them in accordance with the instruments designating such Preferred Units (such distributions shall be made to such Partners in such order of priority and with such preferences as have been established with respect to such Preferred Units);
(b) thereafter, to the holders of the Common Units, including the General Partner, in amounts proportionate to their respective Percentage Interests in the Common Units.
To the extent deemed advisable by the General Partner, appropriate arrangements (including the use of a liquidating trust) may be made to assure that adequate funds are available to pay any contingent debts or obligations.
5.7 Substantial Economic Effect. It is the intent of the Partners that the allocations of Profit and Loss under this Agreement have substantial economic effect, or be consistent with the Partners interests in the Partnership, within the meaning of Section 704(b) of the Code as interpreted by the Regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Article 5 and other relevant provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent.
ARTICLE 6
RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND
POWERS OF THE GENERAL PARTNER
6.1 Management of the Partnership.
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the General Partner shall have full, complete and exclusive discretion to manage and control the business of the Partnership for the purposes herein stated, and shall make all decisions affecting the business and assets of the Partnership. Subject to the restrictions specifically contained in this Agreement, the
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powers of the General Partner shall include, without limitation, the authority to take the following actions, as deemed necessary or desirable in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership (or any Subsidiary or Subsidiary Partnership):
(i) to acquire, purchase, own, operate, lease and dispose of (other than in a prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 857(b)(6)(B)(iii) of the Code) any real property and any other property or assets including, but not limited to, notes and mortgages, that the General Partner determines are necessary or appropriate or in the best interests of the business of the Partnership;
(ii) to construct buildings and make other improvements on the Properties owned or leased by the Partnership;
(iii) to authorize, issue, sell, redeem or otherwise purchase any Partnership Interests or any securities (including secured and unsecured debt obligations of the Partnership, debt obligations of the Partnership convertible into any class or series of Partnership Interests, or options, rights, warrants or appreciation rights relating to any Partnership Interests) of the Partnership;
(iv) to borrow or lend money for the Partnership, issue or receive evidences of indebtedness in connection therewith, refinance, increase the amount of, modify, amend or change the terms of, or extend the time for the payment of, any such indebtedness, and secure such indebtedness by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien on the Partnerships assets;
(v) to pay, either directly or by reimbursement, for all Administrative Expenses to third parties or to the General Partner or its Affiliates as set forth in this Agreement;
(vi) to guarantee or become a co-maker of indebtedness of the General Partner or any Subsidiary thereof, refinance, increase the amount of, modify, amend or change the terms of, or extend the time for the payment of, any such guarantee or indebtedness, and secure such guarantee or indebtedness by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien on the Partnerships assets;
(vii) to use assets of the Partnership (including, without limitation, cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with this Agreement, including, without limitation, payment, either directly or by reimbursement, of all Administrative Expenses of the General Partner, the Partnership or any Subsidiary of either, to third parties or to the General Partner as set forth in this Agreement;
(viii) to lease all or any portion of any of the Partnerships assets, whether or not the terms of such leases extend beyond the termination date of the Partnership and whether or not any portion of the Partnerships assets so leased are to be occupied by the lessee, or, in turn, subleased in whole or in part to others, for such consideration and on such terms as the General Partner may determine;
(ix) to prosecute, defend, arbitrate, or compromise any and all claims or liabilities in favor of or against the Partnership, on such terms and in such manner as the General Partner may reasonably determine, and similarly to prosecute, settle or defend litigation with respect to the Partners, the Partnership, or the Partnerships assets;
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(x) to file applications, communicate, and otherwise deal with any and all governmental agencies having jurisdiction over, or in any way affecting, the Partnerships assets or any other aspect of the Partnership business;
(xi) to make or revoke any election permitted or required of the Partnership by any taxing authority;
(xii) to maintain such insurance coverage for public liability, fire and casualty, and any and all other insurance for the protection of the Partnership, for the conservation of Partnership assets, or for any other purpose convenient or beneficial to the Partnership, in such amounts and such types, as it shall determine from time to time;
(xiii) to determine whether or not to apply any insurance proceeds for any Property to the restoration of such Property or to distribute the same;
(xiv) to establish one or more divisions of the Partnership, to hire and dismiss employees of the Partnership or any division of the Partnership, and to retain legal counsel, accountants, consultants, real estate brokers, and such other persons, as the General Partner may deem necessary or appropriate in connection with the Partnership business and to pay therefor such reasonable remuneration as the General Partner may deem reasonable and proper;
(xv) to retain other services of any kind or nature in connection with the Partnership business, and to pay therefor such remuneration as the General Partner may deem reasonable and proper;
(xvi) to negotiate and conclude agreements on behalf of the Partnership with respect to any of the rights, powers and authority conferred upon the General Partner;
(xvii) to maintain accurate accounting records and to file promptly all federal, state and local income tax returns on behalf of the Partnership;
(xviii) to distribute Partnership cash or other Partnership assets in accordance with this Agreement;
(xix) to form or acquire an interest in, and contribute property to, any further limited or general partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures or other relationships that it deems desirable (including, without limitation, the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, Subsidiaries of the Partnership and any other Person in which it has an equity interest from time to time);
(xx) to establish Partnership reserves for working capital, capital expenditures, contingent liabilities, or any other valid Partnership purpose;
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(xxi) to merge, consolidate or combine the Partnership with or into another Person, subject to any limitations set forth in this Agreement, including those set forth in Articles 7 and 12;
(xxii) to do any and all acts and things necessary or prudent to ensure that the Partnership will not be classified as a publicly traded partnership for purposes of Section 7704 of the Code;
(xxiii) to take any and all actions necessary to adopt or modify any distribution reinvestment plan of the Partnership or the General Partner;
(xxiv) to take any and all actions necessary to maintain the General Partners status as a REIT as set forth in Section 3.1; and
(xxv) to take such other action, execute, acknowledge, swear to or deliver such other documents and instruments, and perform any and all other acts that the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation and conduct of the business and affairs of the Partnership (including, without limitation, all actions consistent with allowing the General Partner at all times to qualify as a REIT unless the General Partner voluntarily terminates its REIT status) and to possess and enjoy all of the rights and powers of a general partner as provided by the Act.
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, to the extent the duties of the General Partner require expenditures of funds to be paid to third parties, the General Partner shall not have any obligations hereunder except to the extent that Partnership funds are reasonably available to it for the performance of such duties, and nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or require the General Partner, in its capacity as such, to expend its individual funds for payment to third parties or to undertake any individual liability or obligation on behalf of the Partnership.
6.2 Delegation of Authority. The General Partner may delegate any or all of its powers, rights and obligations hereunder, and may appoint, employ, contract or otherwise deal with any Person for the transaction of the business of the Partnership, which Person may, under supervision of the General Partner, perform any acts or services for the Partnership as the General Partner may approve.
6.3 Indemnification and Exculpation of Indemnitees.
(a) The Partnership shall indemnify to the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, an Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of the Partnership as set forth in this Agreement in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise.
Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.3 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership.
(b) The indemnification provided by this Section 6.3 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee or any other Person may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the Partners, as a matter of law or otherwise, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity.
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(c) The Partnership may purchase and maintain insurance, on behalf of the Indemnitees and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expenses that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Partnerships activities, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) For purposes of this Section 6.3, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute fines within the meaning of this Section 6.3; and actions taken or omitted by the Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose which is not opposed to the best interests of the Partnership.
(e) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(f) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 6.3 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(g) The provisions of this Section 6.3 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.
(h) Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 6.3, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Agreement inconsistent with this Section 6.3, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
6.4 Liability of the General Partner.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership or any Partners for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of errors in judgment or of any act or omission if the General Partner acted in good faith. The General Partner shall not be in breach of any duty that the General Partner may owe to the Limited Partners or the Partnership or any other Persons under this Agreement or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity provided the General Partner, acting in good faith, abides by the terms of this Agreement.
(b) The Limited Partners expressly acknowledge that the General Partner is acting on behalf of the Partnership, itself and its stockholders collectively, that the General Partner is under no obligation to consider the separate interests of the Limited Partners (including, without limitation, the tax consequences to Limited Partners or the tax consequences of some, but not all,
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of the Limited Partners) in deciding whether to cause the Partnership to take (or decline to take) any actions. In the event of a conflict between the interests of its stockholders on one hand and the Limited Partners on the other, the General Partner shall endeavor in good faith to resolve the conflict in a manner not adverse to either its stockholders or the Limited Partners; provided, however, that for so long as the General Partner directly owns a controlling interest in the Partnership, any such conflict that the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines cannot be resolved in a manner not adverse to either its stockholders or the Limited Partner shall be resolved in favor of the stockholders. The General Partner shall not be liable for monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred, or benefits not derived by Limited Partners in connection with such decisions, provided that the General Partner has acted in good faith.
(c) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 6.1 hereof, the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it under this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents. The General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by it in good faith.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or the Act, any action of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or any decision of the General Partner to refrain from acting on behalf of the Partnership, undertaken in the good faith belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order (i) to protect the ability of the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT or (ii) to prevent the General Partner from incurring any taxes under Section 857, Section 4981, or any other provision of the Code, is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners.
(e) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 6.4 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the General Partners liability to the Partnership and the Limited Partners under this Section 6.4 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when claims relating to such matters may arise or be asserted.
6.5 Reimbursement of General Partner.
(a) Except as provided in this Section 6.5 and elsewhere in this Agreement (including the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 regarding distributions, payments, and allocations to which it may be entitled), the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as general partner of the Partnership.
(b) REIT Expenses and Administrative Expenses shall be obligations of the Partnership and the General Partner shall be entitled to reimbursement for all REIT Expenses and Administrative Expenses incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership. Reimbursement of REIT Expenses and Administrative Expenses shall be treated as an expense of the Partnership and not as allocations of Partnership income or gain.
(c) The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine in its sole and absolute discretion, for all Administrative Expenses.
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6.6 Outside Activities. Subject to the Articles of Incorporation and any agreements entered into by the General Partner or its Affiliates with the Partnership or a Subsidiary, any officer, director, employee, agent, trustee, Affiliate or stockholder of the General Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities substantially similar or identical to those of the Partnership. Neither the Partnership nor any of the Limited Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any such business ventures, interest or activities. None of the Limited Partners nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby in any such business ventures, interests or activities, and the General Partner shall have no obligation pursuant to this Agreement to offer any interest in any such business ventures, interests and activities to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, even if such opportunity is of a character which, if presented to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, could be taken by such Person.
6.7 Employment or Retention of Affiliates.
(a) Any Affiliate of the General Partner may be employed or retained by the Partnership and may otherwise deal with the Partnership (whether as a buyer, lessor, lessee, manager, furnisher of goods or services, broker, agent, lender or otherwise) and may receive from the Partnership any compensation, price, or other payment therefor which the General Partner determines to be fair and reasonable.
(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to its Subsidiaries or other Persons in which it has an equity investment, and such Persons may borrow funds from the Partnership, on terms and conditions established in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner. The foregoing authority shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Subsidiary or any other Person.
(c) The Partnership may transfer assets to joint ventures, other partnerships, corporations or other business entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the General Partner deems are consistent with this Agreement and applicable law.
(d) Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any of its Affiliates shall sell, transfer or convey any property to, or purchase any property from, the Partnership, directly or indirectly, except pursuant to transactions that are on terms that are fair and reasonable to the Partnership.
6.8 General Partner Participation. The General Partner agrees that all business activities of the General Partner, including activities pertaining to the acquisition, development or ownership of Properties, shall be conducted through the Partnership or one or more Subsidiaries of the Partnership (including a taxable REIT subsidiary within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code); provided, however, that the General Partner is allowed to make a direct acquisition, but if and only if, such acquisition is made in connection with the issuance of Additional Securities, which direct acquisition and issuance have been approved and determined to be in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership by a majority of the board of directors of the General Partner.
6.9 Title to Partnership Assets. Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion
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thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine, including Affiliates of the General Partner. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which legal title is held in the name of the General Partner or any nominee or Affiliate of the General Partner shall be held by the General Partner for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use its best efforts to cause beneficial and record title to such assets to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Partnership assets is held.
6.10 Miscellaneous. In the event the General Partner redeems any REIT Shares (other than REIT Shares redeemed in accordance with the share redemption program of the General Partner through proceeds received from the General Partners distribution reinvestment plan, which proceeds so used shall not become a Capital Contribution of the General Partner), then the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to purchase from the General Partner an equivalent number of Common Units as determined based on the application of the Conversion Factor on the same terms that the General Partner redeemed such REIT Shares. Moreover, if the General Partner makes a cash tender offer or other offer to acquire REIT Shares, then the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to make a corresponding offer to the General Partner to acquire an equivalent number of Common Units held by the General Partner as determined based on the application of the Conversion Factor. In the event any REIT Shares are exchanged by the General Partner pursuant to such offer, the Partnership shall redeem an equivalent number of the General Partners Common Units as determined based on the application of the Conversion Factor for an equivalent purchase price.
6.11 Reliance by Third Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner has full power and authority, without consent or approval of any other Partner or Person, to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and take any and all actions on behalf of the Partnership and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner as if the General Partner were the Partnerships sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies which may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (i) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (ii) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (iii) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.
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ARTICLE 7
CHANGES IN GENERAL PARTNER
7.1 Transfer of the General Partners Partnership Interest.
(a) The General Partner shall not transfer all or any portion of its General Partnership Interest or withdraw as General Partner except as provided in or in connection with a transaction contemplated by Section 7.1(b), (c) or (d).
(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1(c) or (d) hereof, the General Partner shall not engage in any merger, consolidation or other combination with or into another Person or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, (other than in connection with a change in the General Partners state of incorporation or organizational form) in each case which results in a change of control of the General Partner (a Transaction), unless:
(i) the approval of the holders of a majority of the Common Units is obtained;
(ii) as a result of such Transaction all Limited Partners will receive for each Common Unit an amount of cash, securities, or other property equal to the product of the Conversion Factor and the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid in the Transaction to a holder of one REIT Share in consideration of one REIT Share, provided that if, in connection with the Transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer (Offer) shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding REIT Shares, each holder of Common Units shall be given the option to exchange its Common Units for the greatest amount of cash, securities, or other property which a Limited Partner would have received had it (A) exercised its Exchange Right and (B) sold, tendered or exchanged pursuant to the Offer the REIT Shares received upon exercise of the Exchange Right immediately prior to the expiration of the Offer; or
(iii) the General Partner is the surviving entity in the Transaction and either (A) the holders of REIT Shares do not receive cash, securities, or other property in the Transaction or (B) all Limited Partners (other than the General Partner or any Subsidiary of the General Partner) receive an amount of cash, securities, or other property (expressed as an amount per REIT Share) that is no less than the product of the Conversion Factor and the greatest amount of cash, securities, or other property (expressed as an amount per REIT Share) received in the Transaction by any holder of REIT Shares.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 7.1(b), the General Partner may merge with or into or consolidate with another entity if immediately after such merger or consolidation (i) substantially all of the assets of the successor or surviving entity (the Surviving General Partner), other than Partnership Units held by the General Partner, are contributed, directly or indirectly, to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution in exchange for Partnership Units with a fair market value equal to the value of the assets so contributed as determined by the Surviving General Partner in good faith and (ii) the Surviving General Partner expressly agrees to assume all obligations of the General Partner, as appropriate, hereunder. Upon such contribution and assumption, the Surviving General Partner shall have the right and duty to amend this Agreement as set forth in this Section 7.1(c). The Surviving General Partner shall in good faith arrive at a new method for the calculation of the Cash Amount, the REIT Shares Amount and Conversion Factor for a Partnership Unit after any such merger or consolidation so as to approximate the existing method for such calculation as
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closely as reasonably possible. Such calculation shall take into account, among other things, the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property that was receivable upon such merger or consolidation by a holder of REIT Shares or options, warrants or other rights relating thereto, and which a holder of Partnership Units could have acquired had such Partnership Units been exchanged immediately prior to such merger or consolidation. Such amendment to this Agreement shall provide for adjustment to such method of calculation, which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for with respect to the Conversion Factor. The Surviving General Partner also shall in good faith modify the definition of REIT Shares and make such amendments to Section 8.5 hereof so as to approximate the existing rights and obligations set forth in Section 8.5 as closely as reasonably possible. The above provisions of this Section 7.1(c) shall similarly apply to successive mergers or consolidations permitted hereunder.
In respect of any transaction described in the preceding paragraph, the General Partner is required to use its commercially reasonable efforts to structure such transaction to avoid causing the Limited Partners to recognize a gain for federal income tax purposes by virtue of the occurrence of or their participation in such transaction, provided such efforts are consistent with the exercise of the fiduciary duties of the board of directors of the General Partner to the Stockholders under applicable law.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 7.1(b),
(i) a General Partner may transfer all or any portion of its General Partnership Interest to (A) a wholly-owned Subsidiary of such General Partner or (B) the owner of all of the ownership interests of such General Partner, and following a transfer of all of its General Partnership Interest, may withdraw as General Partner; and
(ii) the General Partner may engage in Transactions not required by law or by the rules of any National Securities Exchange on which the REIT Shares are listed to be submitted to the vote of the holders of the REIT Shares.
7.2 Admission of a Substitute or Additional General Partner. A Person shall be admitted as a substitute or additional General Partner of the Partnership only if the following terms and conditions are satisfied:
(a) the Person to be admitted as a substitute or additional General Partner shall have accepted and agreed to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by executing a counterpart thereof and such other documents or instruments as may be required or appropriate in order to effect the admission of such Person as a General Partner, and a certificate evidencing the admission of such Person as a General Partner shall have been filed for recordation and all other actions required by Section 2.5 hereof in connection with such admission shall have been performed;
(b) if the Person to be admitted as a substitute or additional General Partner is a corporation or a partnership it shall have provided the Partnership with evidence satisfactory to counsel for the Partnership of such Persons authority to become a General Partner and to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement; and
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(c) counsel for the Partnership shall have rendered an opinion (relying on such opinions from other counsel and the state or any other jurisdiction as may be necessary) that the admission of the person to be admitted as a substitute or additional General Partner is in conformity with the Act, that none of the actions taken in connection with the admission of such Person as a substitute or additional General Partner will cause (i) the Partnership to be classified other than as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, or (ii) the loss of any Limited Partners limited liability.
7.3 Effect of Bankruptcy, Withdrawal, Death or Dissolution of a General Partner.
(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to a General Partner (and its removal pursuant to Section 7.4(a) hereof) or the death, withdrawal, removal or dissolution of a General Partner (except that, if a General Partner is on the date of such occurrence a partnership, the withdrawal, death, dissolution, Event of Bankruptcy as to, or removal of a partner in, such partnership shall be deemed not to be a dissolution of such General Partner if the business of such General Partner is continued by the remaining partner or partners), the Partnership shall be dissolved and terminated unless the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 7.3(b) hereof. The merger of the General Partner with or into any entity that is admitted as a substitute or successor General Partner pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof shall not be deemed to be the withdrawal, dissolution or removal of the General Partner.
(b) Following the occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to a General Partner (and its removal pursuant to Section 7.4(a) hereof) or the death, withdrawal, removal or dissolution of a General Partner (except that, if a General Partner is on the date of such occurrence a partnership, the withdrawal, death, dissolution, Event of Bankruptcy as to, or removal of a partner in, such partnership shall be deemed not to be a dissolution of such General Partner if the business of such General Partner is continued by the remaining partner or partners), the holders of Common Units, within 90 days after such occurrence, may elect to continue the business of the Partnership for the balance of the term specified in Section 2.4 hereof by selecting, subject to Section 7.2 hereof and any other provisions of this Agreement, a substitute General Partner by consent of a majority in interest of the Common Units. If the holders of Common Units elect to continue the business of the Partnership and admit a substitute General Partner, the relationship with the Partners and of any Person who has acquired an interest of a Partner in the Partnership shall be governed by this Agreement.
7.4 Removal of a General Partner.
(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to, or the dissolution of, a General Partner, such General Partner shall be deemed to be removed automatically; provided, however, that if a General Partner is on the date of such occurrence a partnership, the withdrawal, death, dissolution, Event of Bankruptcy as to or removal of a partner in such partnership shall be deemed not to be a dissolution of the General Partner if the business of such General Partner is continued by the remaining partner or partners. The Limited Partners may not remove the General Partner, with or without cause.
(b) If a General Partner has been removed pursuant to this Section 7.4 and the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof, such General Partner shall promptly transfer and assign its General Partnership Interest in the Partnership to the substitute General Partner approved by a majority in interest of the Limited Partners in accordance with Section 7.3(b) hereof and otherwise admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof. At the time of assignment, the removed General Partner shall be entitled to receive from the substitute General
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Partner the fair market value of the General Partnership Interest of such removed General Partner as reduced by any damages caused to the Partnership by such General Partner. Such fair market value shall be determined by an appraiser mutually agreed upon by the General Partner and a majority in interest of the Limited Partners within 10 days following the removal of the General Partner. In the event that the parties are unable to agree upon an appraiser, the removed General Partner and a majority in interest of the Limited Partners each shall select an appraiser. Each such appraiser shall complete an appraisal of the fair market value of the removed General Partners General Partnership Interest within 30 days of the General Partners removal, and the fair market value of the removed General Partners General Partnership Interest shall be the average of the two appraisals; provided, however, that if the higher appraisal exceeds the lower appraisal by more than 20% of the amount of the lower appraisal, the two appraisers, no later than 40 days after the removal of the General Partner, shall select a third appraiser who shall complete an appraisal of the fair market value of the removed General Partners General Partnership Interest no later than 60 days after the removal of the General Partner. In such case, the fair market value of the removed General Partners General Partnership Interest shall be the average of the two appraisals closest in value.
(c) The General Partnership Interest of a removed General Partner, during the time after default until transfer under Section 7.4(b), shall be converted to that of a special Limited Partner; provided, however, such removed General Partner shall not have any rights to participate in the management and affairs of the Partnership, and shall not be entitled to any portion of the income, expense, profit, gain or loss allocations or cash distributions allocable or payable, as the case may be, to the Limited Partners. Instead, such removed General Partner shall receive and be entitled only to retain distributions or allocations of such items that it would have been entitled to receive in its capacity as General Partner, until the transfer is effective pursuant to Section 7.4(b).
(d) All Partners shall have given and hereby do give such consents, shall take such actions and shall execute such documents as shall be legally necessary and sufficient to effect all the foregoing provisions of this Section.
ARTICLE 8
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE LIMITED PARTNERS
8.1 Management of the Partnership. The Limited Partners shall not participate in the management or control of Partnership business nor shall they transact any business for or on behalf of the Partnership, nor shall they have the power to sign for or bind the Partnership, such powers being vested solely and exclusively in the General Partner.
8.2 Power of Attorney. Each Limited Partner hereby irrevocably appoints the General Partner its true and lawful attorney-in-fact, who may act for each Limited Partner and in its name, place and stead, and for its use and benefit, to sign, acknowledge, swear to, deliver, file or record, at the appropriate public offices, any and all documents, certificates, and instruments as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the General Partner to carry out fully the provisions of this Agreement and the Act in accordance with their terms, which power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall survive the death, dissolution or legal incapacity of the Limited Partner, or the transfer by the Limited Partner of any part or all of its Partnership Interest.
8.3 Limitation on Liability of Limited Partners. No Limited Partner shall be liable for any debts, liabilities, contracts or obligations of the Partnership. A Limited Partner shall be liable to the Partnership only to make payments of its Capital Contribution, if any, as and when due hereunder. After its Capital Contribution is fully paid, no Limited Partner shall, except as otherwise required by the Act, be required to make any further Capital Contributions or other payments or lend any funds to the Partnership.
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8.4 Ownership by Limited Partner of Corporate General Partner or Affiliate. No Limited Partner shall at any time, either directly or indirectly, own any stock or other interest in the General Partner or in any Affiliate thereof, if such ownership by itself or in conjunction with other stock or other interests owned by other Limited Partners would, in the opinion of counsel for the Partnership, jeopardize the classification of the Partnership as a partnership for federal tax purposes. The General Partner shall be entitled to make such reasonable inquiry of the Limited Partners as is required to establish compliance by the Limited Partners with the provisions of this Section.
8.5 Exchange Right.
(a) Subject to Sections 8.5(b), 8.5(c), 8.5(d), 8.5(e), and 8.5(g) and the provisions of any agreements between the Partnership and one or more holders of Common Units with respect to Common Units held by them, each holder of Common Units shall have the right (the Exchange Right) to require the Partnership to redeem on a Specified Exchange Date all or a portion of the Common Units held by such Limited Partner at an exchange price equal to and in the form of the Cash Amount to be paid by the Partnership, provided that such Common Units shall have been outstanding for at least one year. The Exchange Right shall be exercised pursuant to a Notice of Exchange delivered to the Partnership (with a copy to the General Partner) by the Limited Partner who is exercising the Exchange Right (the Exchanging Partner); provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be obligated to satisfy such Exchange Right if the General Partner elects to purchase the Common Units subject to the Notice of Exchange pursuant to Section 8.5(b); and provided, further, that no holder of Common Units may deliver more than two Notices of Exchange during each calendar year. A Limited Partner may not exercise the Exchange Right for less than 1,000 Common Units or, if such Limited Partner holds less than 1,000 Common Units, all of the Common Units held by such Partner. The Exchanging Partner shall have no right, with respect to any Common Units so exchanged, to receive any distribution paid with respect to Common Units if the record date for such distribution is on or after the Specified Exchange Date.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.5(a), a Limited Partner that exercises the Exchange Right shall be deemed to have offered to sell the Common Units described in the Notice of Exchange to the General Partner, and the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to purchase directly and acquire such Common Units by paying to the Exchanging Partner either the Cash Amount or the REIT Shares Amount, as elected by the General Partner (in its sole and absolute discretion), on the Specified Exchange Date, whereupon the General Partner shall acquire the Common Units offered for exchange by the Exchanging Partner and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Common Units. If the General Partner shall elect to exercise its right to purchase Common Units under this Section 8.5(b) with respect to a Notice of Exchange, it shall so notify the Exchanging Partner within five business days after the receipt by the General Partner of such Notice of Exchange. Unless the General Partner (in its sole and absolute discretion) shall exercise its right to purchase Common Units from the Exchanging Partner pursuant to this Section 8.5(b), the General Partner shall have no obligation to the Exchanging Partner or the Partnership with respect to the Exchanging Partners exercise of the Exchange Right. In the event the General Partner shall exercise its right to purchase Common Units with respect to the exercise of an Exchange Right in the manner described in the first sentence of this Section 8.5(b), the Partnership shall have no obligation to pay any amount to the Exchanging Partner with respect to such Exchanging Partners exercise of such Exchange Right, and each of
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the Exchanging Partner, the Partnership, and the General Partner, as the case may be, shall treat the transaction between the General Partner, as the case may be, and the Exchanging Partner for federal income tax purposes as a sale of the Exchanging Partners Common Units to the General Partner, as the case may be. Each Exchanging Partner agrees to execute such documents as the General Partner may reasonably require in connection with the issuance of REIT Shares upon exercise of the Exchange Right, including an assignment of the Common Units, and if the General Partner is relying upon the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, provided by Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule, a document pursuant to which the Exchanging Partner makes a representation that it is an accredited investor; provided, however, that if the Exchanging Partner cannot make such representation, then the Exchanging Partner shall have no right to exercise its Exchange Right.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.5(a) and 8.5(b), a Limited Partner shall not be entitled to exercise the Exchange Right if the delivery of REIT Shares to such Partner on the Specified Exchange Date by the General Partner pursuant to Section 8.5(b) (regardless of whether or not the General Partner would in fact exercise its rights under Section 8.5(b)) would, in the determination of the General Partner (i) result in such Partner or any other person owning, directly or indirectly, shares of stock of the General Partner in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation and calculated in accordance therewith) or the Common Stock Ownership Limit (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation and calculated in accordance therewith), except as provided in the Articles of Incorporation, (ii) result in REIT Shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution), except as provided in the Articles of Incorporation, (iii) result in the General Partner being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, (iv) cause the General Partner to own, directly or constructively, 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code, (v) cause a violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, either for the exchange or other securities offerings, (vi) require such REIT Shares to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (vii) cause the General Partner to no longer qualify as a REIT, or (viii) cause the Partnership to be treated as a publicly traded partnership under Section 7704 of the Code. The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may waive the restriction on exchange set forth in this Section 8.5(c).
(d) Any Cash Amount to be paid to an Exchanging Partner pursuant to this Section 8.5 shall be paid on the Specified Exchange Date; provided, however, that the General Partner may elect to cause the Specified Exchange Date to be delayed for up to an additional 180 days to the extent required for the General Partner to cause additional REIT Shares to be issued to provide financing to be used to make such payment of the Cash Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the closing of the acquisition of exchanged Common Units hereunder to occur as quickly as reasonably possible.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner shall place appropriate restrictions on the ability of the Limited Partners to exercise their Exchange Rights as and if deemed necessary to ensure that the Partnership does not constitute a publicly traded partnership under Section 7704 of the Code. If and when the General Partner determines that imposing such restrictions is necessary, the General Partner shall give prompt written notice thereof to each of the Limited Partners, which notice shall state the restrictions the General Partner has instituted in order to avoid the Partnership being treated as a publicly traded partnership under Section 7704 of the Code.
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(f) Each Limited Partner covenants and agrees with the General Partner that all Common Units delivered for exchange shall be delivered to the Partnership or the General Partner, as the case may be, free and clear of all liens; and, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the General Partner nor the Partnership shall be under any obligation to acquire Common Units which are or may be subject to any liens. Each Limited Partner further agrees that, if any state or local property transfer tax is payable as a result of the transfer of its Common Units to the Partnership or the General Partner, such Limited Partner shall assume and pay such transfer tax.
(g) With respect to the Contribution Common Units, the Exchange Right provided for in this Article 8 shall not be exercisable or exercised by any holder of Contribution Common Units until such Contribution Common Units have been outstanding for at least two years.
(h) The exercise of an Exchange Right by a Limited Partner will be subject to compliance with securities laws applicable to the exchange and therefore the Exchange Right may not be exercisable in the absence of an effective registration statement or an available exemption from registration.
8.6 Outside Activities of Limited Partners. Subject to (i) any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or any of its Affiliates with the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, including those certain (A) Restrictive Covenants Agreements, by and among PM Holdings, Advisor Holdings, the Partnership and C-III Capital Partners LLC, dated as of September 8, 2020, (B) Restrictive Covenants Agreements, by and among PM Holdings, Advisor Holdings, the Partnership and each of Alan Feldman, Thomas Elliott and Michele Weisbaum, dated as of September 8, 2020, and (C) Employment Agreements, by and between Advisor Holdings and each of Alan Feldman, Thomas Elliott and Michele Weisbaum, dated as of September 8, 2020, and (ii) any fiduciary duty owed by a Limited Partner or any officer, director, employee, agent, representative, trustee, Affiliate, manager, member or stockholder of any such Limited Partner or assignee, to the General Partner by virtue of such Persons position as a director of the General Partner, any Limited Partner, any assignee of such Limited Partner admitted pursuant to Section 9.3, or any officer, director, employee, agent, representative, trustee, Affiliate, manager, member or stockholder of any such Limited Partner or assignee, as applicable, shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the General Partner, including business interests and activities that are in direct or indirect competition with the General Partner or that are enhanced by the activities of the General Partner. Neither the General Partner nor any Limited Partner shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or assignee admitted pursuant to Section 9.3. Subject to such agreements, none of the General Partner, Limited Partners nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any other Person (other than to the extent expressly provided herein), and such Person shall have no obligation pursuant to this Agreement, subject to any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or its Affiliates with the General Partner or its Affiliates to offer any interest in any such business ventures to the General Partner, any other Limited Partner, or any such other Person, even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the General Partner, any other Limited Partner or such other Person, could be taken by such Person.
8.7 Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the General Partner.
(a) In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by the Act, and subject to Section 8.7(c), the General Partner shall deliver to each Limited Partner a copy of any information mailed to all of the common stockholders of the General Partner as soon as practicable after such mailing.
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(b) The General Partner shall notify any Limited Partner, on request, of the then current Conversion Factor or any change made to the Conversion Factor.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8.7, the General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners (or any of them, individually), for such period of time as the General Partner determines to be reasonable, any information that (i) the General Partner believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes is not in its best interests or (ii) the General Partner is required by law or by agreement to keep confidential.
ARTICLE 9
TRANSFERS OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
9.1 Purchase for Investment.
(a) Each Limited Partner hereby represents and warrants to the General Partner and to the Partnership that the acquisition of its Partnership Interests is made as a principal for its account for investment purposes only and not with a view to the resale or distribution of such Partnership Interest.
(b) Each Limited Partner agrees that it will not sell, assign or otherwise transfer its Partnership Interest or any fraction thereof, whether voluntarily or by operation of law or at judicial sale or otherwise, to any Person who does not make the representations and warranties to the General Partner set forth in Section 9.1(a) above and similarly agree not to sell, assign or transfer such Partnership Interest or fraction thereof to any Person who does not similarly represent, warrant and agree.
9.2 Restrictions on Transfer of Limited Partnership Interests.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 9.2(b), (c) and (d), no Limited Partner may offer, sell, assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its Limited Partnership Interest, or any of such Limited Partners economic rights as a Limited Partner, whether voluntarily or by operation of law or at judicial sale or otherwise (collectively, a Transfer) without the consent of the General Partner, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld. Any such purported transfer undertaken without such consent shall be considered to be null and void ab initio and shall not be given effect. The General Partner may require, as a condition of any Transfer to which it consents, that the transferor assume all costs incurred by the Partnership in connection therewith.
(b) No Limited Partner may withdraw from the Partnership other than as a result of a permitted Transfer (i.e., a Transfer consented to as contemplated by clause (a) above or clause (c) below or a Transfer pursuant to Section 9.5 below) of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to this Article 9 or pursuant to an exchange of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to Section 8.5 or any instrument designating a Preferred Unit. Upon the permitted Transfer or redemption of all of a Limited Partners Partnership Interest, such Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner.
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(c) Subject to Sections 9.2(e), (f) and (g) below, a Limited Partner may Transfer, with the consent of the General Partner, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, all or a portion of its Partnership Units to (i) its Affiliate; (ii) a parent or parents spouse, natural or adopted descendant or descendants, spouse of such descendant, or brother or sister, or a trust created by such Limited Partner for the benefit of such Limited Partner and/or any such Person(s), of which trust such Limited Partner or any such Person(s) is a trustee, (iii) a corporation controlled by a Person or Persons named in (i) above, or (iv) if the Limited Partner is an entity, its beneficial owners.
(d) Subject to Sections 9.2(e), (f) and (g) below, a Limited Partner may Transfer, with the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be granted or withheld in its sole and absolute discretion, all or a portion of its Partnership Units to (i) any lender or lenders, or agents acting on their behalf, to whom any Partnership Unit Interest is transferred pursuant to (y) the formation of any secured pledge or (z) the exercise of remedies under a pledge; or (ii) any special purpose entities owned and used by the lenders or agents described in Section 9.2(d)(i) for the purpose of holding any such Partnership Unit.
(d) No Limited Partner may effect a Transfer of its Limited Partnership Interest, in whole or in part, if, in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, such proposed Transfer would otherwise violate any applicable federal or state securities or blue sky law (including investment suitability standards).
(e) No Transfer by a Limited Partner of its Partnership Units, in whole or in part, may be made to any Person if (i) in the opinion of the General Partner based on the advice of legal counsel for the Partnership, the transfer would result in the Partnerships being treated as an association taxable as a corporation (other than a qualified REIT subsidiary within the meaning of Section 856(i) of the Code), (ii) in the opinion of the General Partner based on the advice of legal counsel for the Partnership, it would adversely affect the ability of the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT or subject the General Partner to any additional taxes under Section 857 or Section 4981 of the Code, (iii) in the opinion of the General Partner, such transfer would cause any of the Partnership Units to be deemed to be traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof) within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code and the Regulations promulgated thereunder, (iv) would cause the Partnership to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA or to Section 4975 of the Code, a party-in-interest (as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA) or a disqualified person (as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code) or (v) would, in the belief of the General Partner, cause any portion of the assets of the Partnership to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to 29 CFR Section 2510.3-101.
(f) No transfer of any Partnership Units may be made to a lender to the Partnership or any Person who is related (within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-4(b)) to any lender to the Partnership whose loan constitutes a nonrecourse liability (within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2)), without the consent of the General Partner, which may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion, provided that as a condition to such consent the lender will be required to enter into an arrangement with the Partnership and the General Partner to exchange or redeem for the Cash Amount any Partnership Units in which a security interest is held simultaneously with the time at which such lender would be deemed to be a partner in the Partnership for purposes of allocating liabilities to such lender under Section 752 of the Code.
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(g) Any Transfer in contravention of any of the provisions of this Article 9 shall be void and ineffectual and shall not be binding upon, or recognized by, the Partnership.
(h) Prior to the consummation of any Transfer under this Article 9, the transferor and/or the transferee shall deliver to the General Partner such opinions, certificates and other documents as the General Partner shall request in connection with such Transfer.
9.3 Admission of Substitute Limited Partner.
(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Article 9, an assignee of the Limited Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner (which shall be understood to include any purchaser, transferee, donee, or other recipient of any disposition of such Limited Partnership Interest) shall be deemed admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership only with the consent of the General Partner and upon the satisfactory completion of the following:
(i) The assignee shall have accepted and agreed to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement by executing a counterpart or an amendment thereof, including a revised Exhibit A, and such other documents or instruments as the General Partner may require in order to effect the admission of such Person as a Limited Partner.
(ii) To the extent required, an amended Certificate evidencing the admission of such Person as a Limited Partner shall have been signed, acknowledged and filed for record in accordance with the Act.
(iii) The assignee shall have delivered a letter containing the representation set forth in Section 9.1(a) hereof and the agreement set forth in Section 9.1(b) hereof.
(iv) If the assignee is a corporation, partnership or trust, the assignee shall have provided the General Partner with evidence satisfactory to counsel for the Partnership of the assignees authority to become a Limited Partner under the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
(v) The assignee shall have executed a power of attorney containing the terms and provisions set forth in Section 8.2 hereof.
(vi) The assignee shall have paid all legal fees and other expenses of the Partnership and the General Partner and filing and publication costs in connection with its substitution as a Limited Partner.
(vii) The assignee shall have obtained the prior written consent of the General Partner to its admission as a Substitute Limited Partner, which consent may be given or denied in the exercise of the General Partners sole and absolute discretion.
(b) For the purpose of allocating Profits and Losses and distributing cash received by the Partnership, a Substitute Limited Partner shall be treated as having become, and appearing in the records of the Partnership as, a Partner upon the filing of the Certificate described in Section 9.3(a)(ii) hereof or, if no such filing is required, the later of the date specified in the transfer documents or the date on which the General Partner has received all necessary instruments of transfer and substitution.
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(c) The General Partner shall cooperate with the Person seeking to become a Substitute Limited Partner by preparing the documentation required by this Section and making all official filings and publications. The Partnership shall take all such action as promptly as practicable after the satisfaction of the conditions in this Article 9 to the admission of such Person as a Limited Partner of the Partnership.
9.4 Rights of Assignees of Partnership Interests.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 9.1 and 9.2 hereof, except as required by operation of law, the Partnership shall not be obligated for any purposes whatsoever to recognize the assignment by any Limited Partner of its Partnership Interest until the Partnership has received notice thereof.
(b) Any Person who is the assignee of all or any portion of a Limited Partners Limited Partnership Interest, but does not become a Substitute Limited Partner and desires to make a further assignment of such Limited Partnership Interest, shall be subject to all the provisions of this Article 9 to the same extent and in the same manner as any Limited Partner desiring to make an assignment of its Limited Partnership Interest.
9.5 Effect of Bankruptcy, Death, Incompetence or Termination of a Limited Partner. The occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to a Limited Partner, the death of a Limited Partner or a final adjudication that a Limited Partner is incompetent (which term shall include, but not be limited to, insanity) shall not cause the termination or dissolution of the Partnership, and the business of the Partnership shall continue if an order for relief in a bankruptcy proceeding is entered against a Limited Partner, the trustee or receiver of his estate or, if he dies, his executor, administrator or trustee, or, if he is finally adjudicated incompetent, his committee, guardian or conservator, shall have the rights of such Limited Partner for the purpose of settling or managing his estate property and such power as the bankrupt, deceased or incompetent Limited Partner possessed to assign all or any part of his Partnership Interest and to join with the assignee in satisfying conditions precedent to the admission of the assignee as a Substitute Limited Partner.
9.6 Joint Ownership of Interests. A Partnership Interest may be acquired by two individuals as joint tenants with right of survivorship, provided that such individuals either are married or are related and share the same personal residence. The written consent or vote of both owners of any such jointly held Partnership Interest shall be required to constitute the action of the owners of such Partnership Interest; provided, however, that the written consent of only one joint owner will be required if the Partnership has been provided with evidence satisfactory to the counsel for the Partnership that the actions of a single joint owner can bind both owners under the applicable laws of the state of residence of such joint owners. Upon the death of one owner of a Partnership Interest held in a joint tenancy with a right of survivorship, the Partnership Interest shall become owned solely by the survivor as a Limited Partner and not as an assignee. The Partnership need not recognize the death of one of the owners of a jointly-held Partnership Interest until it shall have received notice of such death. Upon notice to the General Partner from either owner, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership Interest to be divided into two equal Partnership Interests, which shall thereafter be owned separately by each of the former owners.
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ARTICLE 10
ADMISSION OF ADDITIONAL LIMITED PARTNERS
10.1 Admission of Additional Limited Partners. No Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner, which consent shall be given or withheld in the General Partners sole and absolute discretion. A Person who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement or who exercises an option to receive Partnership Units shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only with the consent of the General Partner and only upon furnishing to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 8.2 and (ii) such other documents or instruments as may be required in the discretion of the General Partner to effect such Persons admission as an Additional Limited Partner. The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded on the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission.
10.2 Allocations to Additional Limited Partners. If any Additional Limited Partner is admitted to the Partnership on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Profits, Losses, each item thereof and all other items allocable among Partners and assignees for such Partnership Year shall be allocated among such Additional Limited Partner and all other Partners and assignees by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with Section 706(d) of the Code, using the interim closing of the books method (unless the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, elects to adopt a daily, weekly or monthly proration method, in which event Profits, Losses, and each item thereof would be prorated based upon the applicable period selected by the General Partner). Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such item for the calendar month in which an admission of any Additional Limited Partner occurs shall be allocated among all the Partners and assignees including such Additional Limited Partner. All distributions by the Partnership with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such admission shall be made solely to Partners and assignees other than the Additional Limited Partner, and all distributions by the Partnership thereafter shall be made to all the Partners and assignees including such Additional Limited Partner.
10.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership. For the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Act to amend the records of the Partnership and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practical an amendment of this Agreement (including an amendment to Exhibit A) and, if required by law, shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate and may for this purpose exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof.
ARTICLE 11
BOOKS AND RECORDS; ACCOUNTING; TAX MATTERS; REPORTS
11.1 Books and Records. At all times during the continuance of the Partnership, the General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the Partnerships specified office true and complete books of account in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including: (a) a current list of the full name and last known business address of each Partner, (b) a copy of the Certificate and all certificates of amendment thereto, (c) copies of the Partnerships federal, state and local income tax returns and reports, (d) copies of this Agreement and amendments thereto and any financial statements of the Partnership for the three most recent Partnership Years and (e) all documents and information required under the Act. Any Partner or its duly authorized representative, upon paying the costs of collection, duplication and mailing, shall be entitled to inspect or copy such records during ordinary business hours.
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11.2 Custody of Partnership Funds; Bank Accounts.
(a) All funds of the Partnership not otherwise invested shall be deposited in one or more accounts maintained in such banking or brokerage institutions as the General Partner shall determine, and withdrawals shall be made only on such signature or signatures as the General Partner may, from time to time, determine.
(b) All deposits and other funds not needed in the operation of the business of the Partnership may be invested by the General Partner in investment grade instruments (or investment companies whose portfolio consists primarily thereof), government obligations, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and municipal notes and bonds, or other investments approved by the board of directors of the General Partner. The funds of the Partnership shall not be commingled with the funds of any other Person except for such commingling as may necessarily result from an investment in those investment companies permitted by this Section 11.2(b).
11.3 Fiscal and Taxable Year. The fiscal and taxable year of the Partnership shall be the calendar year.
11.4 Annual Tax Information and Report. Within 90 days after the end of each Partnership Year, the General Partner shall use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to each person who was a Limited Partner at any time during such Partnership Year the tax information necessary to file such Limited Partners individual tax returns as shall be reasonably required by law.
11.5 Partnership Representative; Tax Elections; Special Basis Adjustments.
(a) The General Partner is hereby designated as the partnership representative of the Partnership within the meaning of Section 6223(a) of the Code. If any state or local tax law provides for a partnership representative or person having similar rights, powers, authority or obligations, the person designated above shall also serve in such capacity (in any such federal, state or local capacity, the Partnership Representative). The General Partner may name a replacement Partnership Representative at any time; provided, however, that the designated Partnership Representative shall serve as the Partnership Representative until resignation, death, incapacity, or removal. In such capacity, the Partnership Representative shall have all of the rights, authority and power, and shall be subject to all of the obligations, of a partnership representative to the extent provided in the Code and the Regulations, and the Partners hereby agree to be bound by any actions taken by the Partnership Representative in such capacity. The Partnership Representative shall represent the Partnership in all tax matters to the extent allowed by law. Without limiting the foregoing, the Partnership Representative is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnerships expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnerships affairs by tax authorities, including administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Any decisions made by the Partnership Representative, including, without limitation, whether or not to settle or contest any tax matter, and the choice of forum for any such contest, and whether or not to extend the period of limitations for the assessment or collection of any tax, shall be made in the Partnership Representatives sole discretion. The Partnership Representative (i) shall have the sole authority to make any elections on behalf of the Partnership permitted to be made pursuant to the Code or the Regulations
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promulgated thereunder and (ii) may, in its sole discretion, make an election on behalf of the Partnership under Sections 6221(b) or 6226 of the Code, (iii) may request a modification to any assessment of an imputed underpayment, including a modification for any Partner who is a REIT or regulated investment company as defined in Section 851, based on such Partner making a deficiency dividend pursuant to Section 860, and a modification based on the tax-exempt status of a reviewed year Partner, and (iv) may take all actions the Partnership Representative deems necessary or appropriate in connection with the foregoing. The Partnership Representative shall be reimbursed and indemnified by the Partnership for all claims, liabilities, losses, costs, damages and expenses, and for reasonable legal and accounting fees, incurred in connection with the performance of its duties as Partnership Representative in accordance with the terms hereof, unless the actions of the Partnership Representative constitute gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
(b) Each Partner hereby covenants to cooperate with the Partnership Representative and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Partnership Representative with respect to examinations of the Partnerships affairs by tax authorities (including, without limitation, promptly filing amended tax returns and promptly paying any related taxes, including penalties and interest) and shall provide promptly and update as necessary at any times requested by the Partnership Representative, all information, documents, self-certifications, tax identification numbers, tax forms, and verifications thereof, that the Partnership Representative deems necessary in connection with (1) any information required for the Partnership to determine the application of Sections 6221 through 6235 of the Code to the Partnership; (2) an election by the Partnership under Section 6221(b) or 6226 of the Code, and (3) an audit of the Partnership or a final adjustment of a Partnership item by a tax authority. The Partnership and the Partners hereby agree and acknowledge that (i) the actions of the Partnership Representative in connection with examinations of the Partnerships affairs by tax authorities shall be binding on the Partnership and the Partners; and (ii) neither the Partnership nor the Partners have any right to contact the Service with respect to an examination of the Partnership or participate in an audit of the Partnership or proceedings under Sections 6221 through 6235 of the Code.
(c) The Partners acknowledge that the Partnership may elect the application of Section 6221(b) of the Code (the Opt-Out Election) for any Partnership Year in which it is eligible to make such election. The Partners further acknowledge that the Partnership may elect the application of Section 6226 of the Code (the Push-out Election) for any Partnership Year in which it is not eligible to make the Opt-Out Election. This acknowledgement applies to each Partner whether or not the Partner owns a Partnership Interest in both the reviewed year and the year of the tax adjustment. If the Partnership makes a Push-Out Election, the Partners shall take into account and report to the Service (or any other applicable tax authority) any adjustment to their tax items for the reviewed year of which they are notified by the Partnership in a written statement, in the manner provided in Section 6226(b) of the Code, whether or not any applicable Partner owns a Partnership Interest at such time. Any Partner that fails to report its share of such adjustments on its tax return, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, the General Partner, the Partnership Representative, and each of their Affiliates from and against any and all liabilities related to taxes (including penalties and interest) imposed on the Partnership as a result of the Partners failure. Each Partner acknowledges and agrees that no Partner shall have any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner, the Partnership Representative, or any of their Affiliates for any tax, penalties or interest resulting from the Partnership making a Push-Out Election.
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(d) If the Partnership does not make a Push-Out Election, the amount of any imputed underpayment assessed upon the Partnership, pursuant to Code Section 6232, attributable to a Partner (or former Partner), as reasonably determined by the Partnership Representative, shall be treated as a withholding tax with respect to such Partner. To the extent any portion of such imputed underpayment cannot be withheld from a current distribution, any such Partner (or former Partner) shall be liable to the Partnership for the amount that cannot be withheld and agrees to pay such amount to the Partnership. Any such amount withheld or any such payment shall not be treated as a Capital Contribution for purposes of any provision herein that affects distributions to the Partners and any amount not paid by any such Partner (or former Partner) at the time reasonably requested by the Partnership Representative shall accrue interest at the rate set by the Service for the underpayment of federal taxes, compounded quarterly, until paid.
(e) The provisions of this Section 11 shall survive the termination of the Partnership, the termination of this Agreement and, with respect to any Partner, the transfer or assignment of any portion of such Partners Partnership Interest.
(f) The Partnership Representative shall keep the Partners reasonably informed as to the status of any tax investigations, audits, lawsuits or other judicial or administrative tax proceedings and shall promptly copy all other Partners on any correspondence to or from the Service or applicable state, local or foreign tax authority relating to such proceedings. The Partnership Representative shall inform the Service, as promptly as possible upon the commencement of any examination or proceeding, of the tax-exempt status of any Partners and shall take any actions or refrain from taking any action to the extent necessary to preserve the tax-exempt status of such Partners and shall afford such Partners tax-free treatment, to the extent permissible under the Code. The Partnership Representative has an obligation to perform its duties as the Partnership Representative in good faith and in such manner as will serve the best interests of the Partnership and all of the Partners.
(g) The Partnership shall elect to deduct expenses, if any, incurred by it in organizing the Partnership as provided in Section 709 of the Code.
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) each Partner hereby agrees to release and hold harmless the Partnership Representative for all decisions and actions made or untaken, as applicable, by the Partnership Representative in its capacity as such, provided that no such Partner shall be required to release and hold harmless the Partnership Representative for any such decisions and actions made or untaken, as applicable, to the extent such decisions or actions give rise to any right of recovery by such Partner under any other agreements entered into by such Partner or any of its Affiliates with the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (including the terms of the Contribution and Exchange Agreement), and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership Representative for all costs, expenses, claims, liabilities, losses, damages and legal and accounting fees that are incurred by the Partnership Representative in connection with this Section 11.5(h).
11.6 Reports Made Available to Limited Partners.
(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal quarter (other than the last quarter of the Partnership Year), upon written request by a Limited Partner to the General Partner, the General Partner will make available, without cost, to each Limited Partner a quarterly report containing financial statements of the Partnership, or of the General Partner if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the General Partner, for such fiscal quarter, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting
42
principles. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the close of each Partnership Year, upon written request by a Limited Partner to the General Partner, the General Partner will make available, without cost, to each Limited Partner an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership, or of the General Partner if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the General Partner, for such fiscal year, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
(b) Any Partner shall further have the right to a private audit of the books and records of the Partnership at the expense of such Partner, provided such audit is made for Partnership purposes and is made during normal business hours.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may restrict receipt of the information identified in Section 11.1, if the General Partner reasonably believes that disclosure of such information is not in the best interest of the Partnership or could damage the Partnership or the General Partner or its business or the requesting Limited Partners reason for obtaining the applicable information is, in the General Partners sole discretion, related to the Limited Partners individual purposes and not for a Partnership purpose.
ARTICLE 12
AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT; MERGER
12.1 General. The General Partners consent shall be required for any amendment to this Agreement. Subject to any consent rights expressly provided to holders of Preferred Units in this Agreement, or any amendment hereto, the General Partner, without the consent of the Limited Partners, may amend this Agreement in any respect or merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into any other partnership or business entity (as defined in Section 17-211 of the Act) in a transaction pursuant to Section 7.1(b), (c) or (d) hereof; provided, however, that the following amendments and any other merger or consolidation of the Partnership shall require the consent of a majority in interest of the Common Units:
(a) any amendment affecting the operation of the Exchange Right (except as provided in Section 8.5(d) or 7.1(c) hereof) in a manner adverse to the Limited Partners;
(b) any amendment that would adversely affect the rights of the Limited Partners to receive the distributions payable to them hereunder, other than with respect to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof;
(c) any amendment that would alter the Partnerships allocations of Profit and Loss to the Limited Partners, other than with respect to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof; or
(d) any amendment that would impose on the Limited Partners any obligation to make additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership.
12.2 Amendment Without the Consent of the Limited Partners. The ability of the General Partner to amend this Agreement without the consent of the Limited Partners, pursuant to Section 12.1, includes, but is not limited to, any amendment to:
(a) add or modify a distribution reinvestment plan for the General Partner or the Partnership;
43
(b) modify the allocation provisions of the Agreement to comply with Code Section 704(b) or 704(c);
(c) add to the representations, duties, services or obligations of the General Partner or any Affiliates for the benefit of the Limited Partners;
(d) cure any ambiguity or mistake, correct or supplement any provision in the Agreement that may be inconsistent with any other provision, or make any other provision with respect to matters or questions arising under the Agreement that will not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Agreement;
(e) amend the Agreement to reflect the addition or substitution of Limited Partners or the reduction of the Capital Accounts upon the return of capital to the Limited Partners;
(f) minimize the adverse impact of, or comply with, any plan assets for ERISA purposes;
(g) execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments to effectuate the foregoing, including the execution, acknowledgment and delivery of any such instrument by the attorney-in-fact for the General Partner under a special or limited power of attorney and to take all such actions in connection therewith as the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate with the signature of the General Partner acting alone;
(h) change the name and/or principal place of business of the Partnership;
(i) decrease the rights and powers of the General Partner (so long as such decrease does not impair the ability of the General Partner to manage the Partnership and conduct its business affairs);
(j) sell preferred units and other securities and admit preferred limited partners and other limited partners to the Partnership, subject to any consent rights expressly provided to holders of Preferred Units in this Agreement, or any amendment thereto;
(k) make any changes necessary or advisable to enable the General Partner to qualify or maintain its status as a REIT;
(l) establish or amend exchange rights for the exchange of Units for an equivalent number of REIT Shares;
(m) establish or amend a Unit repurchase program; or
(n) make any changes necessary or advisable to satisfy concerns of the Commission, any state securities regulator or any stock exchange in connection with a securities offering by the General Partner or otherwise.
No amendment will be adopted pursuant to Sections 12.2(j) or 12.2(n) without the consent of the Limited Partners unless the adoption thereof (i) is for the benefit of and not adverse to the interests of the Limited Partners and (ii) does not affect the limited liability of the Limited Partners or the status of the Partnership as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
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ARTICLE 13
GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 Notices. All communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered personally or upon deposit in the United States mail, registered, postage prepaid return receipt requested, to the Partners at the addresses set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto; provided, however, that any Partner may specify a different address by notifying the General Partner in writing of such different address. Notices to the Partnership shall be delivered at or mailed to its specified office.
13.2 Survival of Rights. Subject to the provisions hereof limiting transfers, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Partners and the Partnership and their respective legal representatives, successors, transferees and assigns.
13.3 Additional Documents. Each Partner agrees to perform all further acts and execute, swear to, acknowledge and deliver all further documents which may be reasonable, necessary, appropriate or desirable to carry out the provisions of this Agreement or the Act.
13.4 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, then such provision shall be deemed to be severable from this Agreement (to the extent permitted by law) and in any event such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remainder hereof.
13.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and exhibits attached hereto constitute the entire Agreement of the Partners and supersede all prior written agreements and prior and contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13.6 Pronouns and Plurals. When the context in which words are used in the Agreement indicates that such is the intent, words in the singular number shall include the plural and the masculine gender shall include the neuter or female gender as the context may require.
13.7 Headings. The Article headings or sections in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in construing the scope of this Agreement or any particular Article.
13.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original copy and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all parties shall not have signed the same counterpart.
13.9 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware; provided, however, that causes of action for violations of federal or state securities laws shall not be governed by this Section 13.9.
13.10 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTNER HEREBY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.
13.11 Electronic Signatures. Any electronic signature of a party to this Agreement and of a party to take any action related to this Agreement or any agreement entered into by the Partnership shall be valid as an original signature and shall be effective and binding. Any such electronic signature (including the signature(s) to this Agreement) shall be deemed (i) to be written or in writing, (ii) to have been signed and (iii) to constitute a record established and maintained in the ordinary course of business and an original written record when printed from electronic files.
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13.12 Side Letter Agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Partners acknowledge and agree that the authority granted to the General Partner hereunder provides the General Partner with the authority to enter into agreements with any Limited Partner (a Side Letter) without the consent of any other Person (including, without limitation, any other Limited Partner), in connection with the relationship of such Limited Partner to the Partnership which may affect the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that the economic terms set forth in any such Side Letter shall not affect the economic rights or obligations of any other Limited Partner under any provision of this Agreement and the terms of such Side Letter shall be determined as to the relationship solely as between such Limited Partner and the General Partner.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunder affixed their signatures to this Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, all as of the 8th day of September, 2020.
GENERAL PARTNER: | ||
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|
Alan F. Feldman, Chief Executive Officer | ||
LIMITED PARTNERS: | ||
By: RRE OPPORTUNITY HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|
Alan F. Feldman, Chief Executive Officer | ||
C-III CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC: | ||
By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
|
Marc W. Levy, Executive Managing Director | ||
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE, LLC: | ||
By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
|
Marc W. Levy, Executive Vice President |
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EXHIBIT A
Name of each Partner |
Address |
# of
Common Units |
% of
Common Units |
# of
Preferred Units |
||||||||||
C-III CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC |
Corporation Trust Center 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington DE 19801 |
1,178,546.000 | 1.536 | % | 61,229.000 | |||||||||
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE, LLC |
Corporation Trust Center 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington DE 19801 |
4,980,213.000 | 6.491 | % | 258,736.000 | |||||||||
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. |
1845 Walnut Street, 17th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
70,565.408 | 0.092 | % | | |||||||||
RRE Opportunity Holdings, LLC |
1845 Walnut Street, 17th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
70,494,842.241 | 91.881 | % | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Totals |
76,724,166.649 | 100.000 | % | 319,965.000 |
A-1
EXHIBIT B
NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF EXCHANGE RIGHT
In accordance with Section 8.5 of the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (the Agreement) of Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, the undersigned hereby irrevocably (i) presents for exchange _______ Common Units in Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and the Exchange Right referred to in Section 8.5 thereof, (ii) surrenders such Common Units and all right, title and interest therein, and (iii) directs that the Cash Amount or REIT Shares Amount (as defined in the Agreement) as determined by the General Partner deliverable upon exercise of the Exchange Right be delivered to the address specified below, and if REIT Shares (as defined in the Agreement) are to be delivered, such REIT Shares be registered or placed in the name(s) and at the address(es) specified below.
Dated: ________________, ___________ |
|
(Name of Limited Partner) |
|
(Signature of Limited Partner) |
|
(Mailing Address) |
|
(City) (State) (Zip Code) |
Signature Guaranteed by: |
|
If REIT Shares are to be issued, issue to: |
Name: |
|
Social Security or Tax I.D. Number: |
|
B-1
EXHIBIT C
DESIGNATION OF THE RIGHTS, POWERS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS,
QUALIFICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE
SERIES A CUMULATIVE PARTICIPATING REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS
The following are the terms of the Series A Cumulative Participating Redeemable Preferred Units (the Series A Preferred Units) established pursuant to this Designation of Rights, Powers, Privileges, Restrictions, Qualifications and Limitations of the Series A Cumulative Participating Redeemable Preferred Units (the Designation of Rights). This Designation of Rights includes terms defined in the Agreement in addition to terms defined in this Designation of Rights. The following terms used in this Designation of Rights shall have the meanings specified below:
Original Issuance Date means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit, the date on which such Series A Preferred Unit was originally issued by the Partnership.
Redemption Date means, the date on which the Series A Preferred Units shall be redeemed, as set forth in Section 6 hereof.
Redemption Price means, as of any specified date with respect to a Series A Preferred Unit, an amount of cash equal to the sum of (i) the Series A Preferred Stated Value, (ii) the Series A Preferred Distribution Shortfall, and (iii) the product of the Value of one REIT Share and the REIT Shares Amount as of such date.
Reset Date means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit, the fifth anniversary of the Original Issuance Date of such Series A Preferred Unit.
Series A Preferred Capital means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit as of any particular date, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Series A Preferred Stated Value, and (ii) the Series A Preferred Distribution Shortfall.
Series A Preferred Distribution Date means the 15th day of each January, April, July and October of each year (or, if not a business day, the next succeeding business day).
Series A Preferred Distribution Period means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit, the period commencing on and including January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Distribution Period (other than the initial Distribution Period which shall commence on and include the Original Issuance Date of such Series A Preferred Unit and the Distribution Period during which such Series A Preferred Unit is redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership which shall end on and include the date of such redemption or acquisition).
Series A Preferred Distribution Shortfall means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit as of any particular date, the excess of (i) the sum of the Series A Preferred Priority Return and the Series A Preferred Return for such Series A Preferred Unit as of such date over (ii) the cumulative amount distributed in respect of such Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to Section 5.2(a)(i) of the Agreement.
C-1
Series A Preferred Priority Return means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit as of any particular date, an amount equal to (i) 7.00% per annum on the Series A Preferred Stated Value for the period commencing on the Original Issuance Date and ending on the day prior to the Reset Date and (ii) 10.00% per annum on the Series A Preferred Stated Value for the period commencing on the Reset Date. For any partial period of less than a year, the amount of the Series A Preferred Priority Return shall be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
Series A Preferred Return means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit as of any particular date, the amount of distributions to which a holder of such Series A Preferred Unit would be entitled to receive as of such date if the Series A Preferred Units were treated as part of a single class of units with the Common Units and the Series A Preferred Units shared in distributions with the Common Units pursuant to Section 5.2(a)(ii) and Section 5.6(b) proportionately based on the total number of outstanding Series A Preferred Units and Common Units.
Series A Preferred Stated Value means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit, an amount equal to $200 as adjusted pursuant to Section 11 of this Designation of Rights.
(1) Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Units, designated as the Series A Cumulative Participating Redeemable Preferred Units, is hereby established. The number of authorized Series A Preferred Units is 319,965.
(2) Maturity. The Series A Preferred Units have no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption.
(3) 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 classes and series of Common Units of the Partnership, and any other 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 (the Junior Units); (b) on a parity with any other class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking on 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 with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (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 or payment to the Partnerships existing and future indebtedness.
(4) Distributions.
(a) Pursuant to Section 5.2(a)(i) of the Agreement, and subject to the preferential rights of holders of any class or series of Senior Preferred Units, each holder 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, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit, an amount equal to such Series A Preferred Units Series A Preferred Distribution Shortfall as of the applicable Partnership Record Date for the respective Series A Preferred Distribution Period.
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(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 either 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, the Series A Preferred Priority Return will accrue and, to the extent not paid in cash, compound quarterly on each Series A Preferred Distribution Date, whether or not the restrictions referred to in Section 4(b) exist, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of distributions, and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any distribution on the Series A Preferred Units which may be in arrears. When distributions are not paid in full upon the Series A Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart), all distributions declared upon 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 accumulated distributions per Series A Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid distributions for prior distributions periods if such Parity Preferred Units do not have a cumulative distribution) bear to each other.
(d) Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless the Series A Preferred Distribution Shortfall for each Series A Preferred Unit has been or contemporaneously is (i) declared and paid in cash or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for such payment for all past Distribution Periods that have ended, no distributions (other than a distribution in Junior Units or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase any such Junior Units) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon the Junior Units or any Parity Preferred Units, nor shall any Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such Units) by the Partnership (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for Junior Units, (ii) the purchase of Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units in connection with a redemption of stock pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation to the extent necessary to preserve the General Partners qualification as a REIT or (iii) the purchase of Parity Preferred Units pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series A Preferred Units). Holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or units, in excess of the Series A Preferred Distribution Shortfall for the Series A Preferred Units as provided above.
(5) Liquidation Preference. Pursuant to Section 5.6(b) of the Agreement, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, the holders of Series A Preferred Units are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to its Partners, after payment of or provision for the Partnerships debts and other liabilities, an amount per Series A Preferred Unit that is equal to such Series A Preferred Units Series A Preferred Capital (the Liquidation Preference) before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Junior Units. If the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to Partners are insufficient to pay in full the Liquidation Preference on the Series A Preferred Units and the liquidation preference on any Parity Preferred Units, all
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assets distributed to the holders of the Series A Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per Series A Preferred Unit and per such Parity Preferred Unit shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the Liquidation Preference per Series A Preferred Unit and the liquidation preference per such Parity Preferred Unit bear to each other. Written notice of any distribution in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, 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 pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of the Series A Preferred Units at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the records of the Partnership. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Units will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Partnership. The consolidation or merger of the Partnership with or into another entity, a merger of another entity with or into the Partnership, a statutory exchange by the Partnership or a sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Partnerships property or business shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership. Notwithstanding the above, for purposes of determining the amount each holder of Series A Preferred Units is entitled to receive with respect to a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, no effect shall be given to 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 the Series A Preferred Units.
(6) Redemption.
(a) Except as provided for in this Section 6(a) or in Section 6(b) below, the Series A Preferred Units shall not be redeemable by the Partnership prior to the first anniversary of the Original Issuance Date. Following the first anniversary of the Original Issuance Date, the Partnership shall redeem, at the option of a holder of the Series A Preferred Units, a number of Series A Preferred Units as follows: (i) between the first and second anniversary of the Original Issuance Date, up to 25% of the number of Series A Preferred Units issued to the holder thereof on the Original Issuance Date; (ii) between the second and third anniversary of the Original Issuance Date, up to 50% of the number of Series A Preferred Units issued to the holder thereof on the Original Issuance Date (less the number of Series A Preferred Units previously redeemed); (iii) between the third and fourth anniversary of the Original Issuance Date, up to 75% of the number of Series A Preferred Units issued to the holder thereof on the Original Issuance Date (less the number of Series A Preferred Units previously redeemed); and (iv) following the fourth anniversary of the Original Issuance Date, up to 100% of the number of Series A Preferred Units issued to the holder thereof on the Original Issuance Date (less the number of Series A Preferred Units previously redeemed) (the Redemption Right). The Series A Preferred Units redeemed in accordance with this Section 6 shall be redeemed for cash at a per unit redemption amount equal to such Series A Preferred Units Redemption Price as of the Redemption Date; provided, however, that the Redemption Right provided under this Section 6 shall be suspended at such time that the General Partner (or any Successor Entity) applies to list REIT Shares (or the common stock of any Successor Entity) on a National Securities Exchange, and shall be terminated at such time as the National Securities Exchange approves such REIT Shares (or the common stock of any Successor Entity) for listing; provided further, that any payment pursuant to the Redemption Right shall be prohibited if the board of directors of the General Partner (or any Successor Entity) determines, in its reasonable discretion, that such redemption payment shall have a material adverse effect on the General Partner, including without limitation, effects on the General Partners cash available for operations or any restrictions set forth under any credit facility or loan agreements of the General Partner or the Partnership.
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(b) Upon the occurrence of a Listing or a Change of Control (as defined below), the Partnership may at its option redeem for cash the outstanding Series A Preferred Units, in whole or from time to time, in part, at the Redemption Price on the Redemption Date. Any notice sent by the Partnership with respect to a redemption upon a Listing or a Change of Control shall include (i) instructions as to the tender of the Series A Preferred Units, (ii) the Redemption Date; (iii) the place or places where any certificates representing such Series A Preferred Units, if any, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; (iv) the amount of the Redemption Price; and (v) in the case of a Change of Control, a description of the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control. For purposes of this Section 6(b), Change of Control shall mean (x) a merger or consolidation of the General Partner with or into any other business entity (except one in which the holders of capital stock or other equity interests of the General Partner immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to hold at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity), or (y) the acquisition by any person or any group of persons (other than the General Partner or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries) acting together in any transaction or related series of transactions, of such number of shares of the General Partners capital stock or other equity interests as causes such person, or group of persons, to own beneficially, directly or indirectly, as of the time immediately after such transaction or series of transactions, 50% or more of the combined voting securities of the General Partner.
(c) Following the second anniversary of the Original Issuance Date, the Partnership may, at its option, redeem the outstanding Series A Preferred Units, in whole or from time to time, in part, at the Redemption Price on the Redemption Date. The Redemption Date shall be selected by the Partnership and shall be no less than 30 days and no more than 60 days after the date on which the Partnership sends the notice of redemption to the holder or holders of the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed.
(d) A holder of Series A Preferred Units desiring to exercise its Redemption Right under Section 6(a) hereof must deliver a written redemption notice (the Redemption Exercise Notice) in the form approved by the Partnership, duly completed, to the Partnership by certified or express delivery mail postage prepaid to the Partnerships principal office c/o the General Partner. The Redemption Exercise Notice must state: (i) the number of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed by the Partnership; and (ii) that the Series A Preferred Units are to be redeemed pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof. The Redemption Date for the Series A Preferred Units properly tendered to the Partnership pursuant a Redemption Exercise Notice shall be the 90th day after receipt of the Redemption Exercise Notice (or, if not a business day, the next succeeding business day). Upon receipt of a Redemption Exercise Notice, the Partnership shall provide the holder of the Series A Preferred Units subject to the Redemption Exercise Notice with the following information: (i) instructions as to the tender of the Series A Preferred Units; (ii) the Redemption Date; (iii) the place or places where any certificates representing such Series A Preferred Units, if any, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; and (iv) the amount of the Redemption Price. The Partnership may elect to cause the Redemption Date to be delayed for up to an additional 90 days to the extent required for the General Partner to cause additional REIT Shares to be issued to provide financing to be used to make such payment of the Redemption Price. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Partnership agrees to use its best efforts to redeem the Series A Preferred Units properly tendered to the Partnership as quickly as reasonably possible.
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(e) On or after a Redemption Date, each holder of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed must present and surrender the certificates (or an affidavit of loss and indemnity satisfactory to the Partnership), if such units are certificated, representing the Series A Preferred Units to the Partnership to be redeemed at the place designated in the notice from the Partnership referenced in Sections 6(b) or 6(c) above, or the instructions from the Partnership referenced in Section 6(d) above, as the case may be, and thereupon the Redemption Price for such Series A Preferred Units, determined as of the Redemption Date, will be paid to or on the order of such holder by wire transfer pursuant to wire instructions provided by such holder and each surrendered certificate, if any, will be canceled. If the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed are certificated, then in the event that fewer than all the Series A Preferred Units are to be redeemed, a new certificate will be issued representing the unredeemed Series A Preferred Units.
(e) From and after a Redemption Date, all distributions on the Series A Preferred Units subject to such redemption will cease to accumulate and all rights of the holders thereof, except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof (and all accumulated and unpaid distributions to but excluding the Redemption Date), will cease and terminate and such Series A Preferred Units shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever, other than as provided in clause (f) below.
(f) In the event that the Partnership defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price for any Series A Preferred Units surrendered for redemption pursuant to Section 6(a), such Series A Preferred Units shall continue to be deemed to be outstanding for all purposes and to be owned by the respective holders, and the Partnership shall promptly return any surrendered certificates representing such Series A Preferred Units to such holders (although the failure of the Partnership to return any such certificates to such holders shall in no way affect the ownership of such Series A Preferred Units by such holders or their rights thereunder). Following such default, the Partnership shall remain obligated to deliver payment of the Redemption Price pursuant to clause (d) above as soon as reasonably practicable as determined by the board of directors of the General Partner.
(g) At its election, the Partnership, prior to a Redemption Date, may irrevocably deposit the Redemption Price of the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 6 in trust for the holders of the Series A Preferred Units with a bank or trust company, in which case the Partnership shall send a notice to the holders of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed which shall (i) state the date of such deposit, (ii) specify the office of such bank or trust company as the place of payment of the Redemption Price and (iii) require the holder of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed to surrender the certificates, if any, representing such Series A Preferred Units (or an affidavit of loss and indemnity satisfactory to the Partnership) at such place on or about the date fixed in the redemption notice (which may not be later than the Redemption Date) against payment of the Redemption Price. Any monies so deposited which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after the Redemption Date shall be returned by such bank or trust company to the Partnership.
(h) In the event any Series A Preferred Units have been redeemed by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 6, the Series A Preferred Units so redeemed shall become authorized but unissued Preferred Units without further designation as to class or series, available for future classification or reclassification by the General Partner and issuance by the Partnership.
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(7) Listing Exchange Right.
(a) In the event that the Redemption Right is terminated in accordance with Section 6(a), beginning 180 days after the date that the REIT Shares (or the common stock of any Successor Entity) are listed on a National Exchange (the Listed Shares), each holder of the Series A Preferred Units shall have the right to require the General Partner to purchase all or a portion of such holders Series A Preferred Units (the Listing Exchange Units) in exchange for a number of Listed Shares determined by dividing (i) the number of Listing Exchange Units tendered for purchase multiplied by the Redemption Price as of the Listing Exchange Date (as defined below) by (ii) the volume-weighted average price of the Listed Shares over the 30 day period prior to the Exchange Date (the Listing Exchange Right). In connection with the issuance of Listed Shares pursuant to this Listing Exchange Right, the General Partner shall issue a corresponding number of additional Partnership Units, to be held by the General Partner, as set forth in Section 4.2(a)(i). A holder of Series A Preferred Units desiring to exercise its Listing Exchange Right must deliver a written notice (the Listing Exchange Notice) in the form approved by the Partnership, duly completed, to the Partnership by certified or express delivery mail postage prepaid to the Partnerships principal office c/o the General Partner. The Listing Exchange Notice must state: (i) the number of Listing Exchange Units tendered for purchase by the General Partner; and (ii) that the Listing Exchange Units are to be purchased pursuant to this Section 7(a). The General Partner shall purchase the Listing Exchange Units properly tendered to the General Partner within 30 days after receipt of the Listing Exchange Notice (or, if not a business day, the next succeeding business day) (the Listing Exchange Date). Upon receipt of a Listing Exchange Notice, the General Partner shall provide the holder of the Listing Exchange Units subject to the Listing Exchange Notice with (i) instructions as to the tender of the Listing Exchange Units, (ii) the Listing Exchange Date; (iii) the place or places where any certificates representing such Listing Exchange Units are to be surrendered against payment of the Listed Shares; and (iv) the Redemption Price on the Listing Exchange Date. The Series A Preferred Units are not convertible or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Partnership except as provided in this Section 7(a).
(b) The Partnership, the General Partner and each holder of Series A Preferred Units that exercises its Listing Exchange Right, as the case may be, shall treat the transaction between the General Partner and such holder of Series A Preferred Units for federal income tax purposes as a sale of such holders Series A Preferred Units to the General Partner. Each holder of Series A Preferred Units that exercises its Listing Exchange Right agrees to execute such documents as the General Partner may reasonably require in connection with the issuance of REIT Shares upon exercise of the Listing Exchange Right.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7(a), a holder of Series A Preferred Units shall not be entitled to exercise the Listing Exchange Right if the delivery of REIT Shares to such Partner on the Listing Exchange Date by the General Partner pursuant to Section 7(a) would (i) result in such Partner or any other person owning, directly or indirectly, REIT Shares in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation and calculated in accordance therewith) or the Common Stock Ownership Limit (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation and calculated in accordance therewith), except as provided in the Articles of Incorporation, (ii) result in REIT Shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution), except as provided in the Articles of Incorporation, (iii) result in the General Partner being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or (iv) cause the General Partner to own, directly or constructively, 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code. The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may waive the restriction on exchange set forth in this Section 7(c).
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(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Designation of Rights, the General Partner shall place appropriate restrictions on the ability of the holders of Series A Preferred Units to exercise their Listing Exchange Rights as and if deemed necessary to ensure that the Partnership does not constitute a publicly traded partnership under Section 7704 of the Code. If and when the General Partner determines that imposing such restrictions is necessary, the General Partner shall give prompt written notice thereof to each holder of Series A Preferred Units, which notice shall be accompanied by a copy of an opinion of counsel to the Partnership which states that, in the opinion of such counsel, restrictions are necessary in order to avoid the Partnership being treated as a publicly traded partnership under Section 7704 of the Code.
(e) Each holder of Series A Preferred Units covenants and agrees with the Partnership and the General Partner that all Series A Preferred Units delivered for redemption or exchange pursuant to Sections 6 and 7 hereof shall be delivered to the Partnership or the General Partner, as the case may be, free and clear of all liens; and, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the General Partner nor the Partnership shall be under any obligation to acquire Series A Preferred Units which are or may be subject to any liens. Each holder of Series A Preferred Units further agrees that, if any state or local property transfer tax is payable as a result of the transfer of its Series A Preferred Units to the Partnership or the General Partner, such Limited Partner shall assume and pay such transfer tax.
(8) Voting Rights. Except as set forth in Article 12 of the Agreement and as provided in Section 9 of this Designation of Rights, holders of the Series A Preferred Units will not have any voting rights.
(9) Restrictions on New Issuances. Unless (i) fewer than 39,995.625 Series A Preferred Units (as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 12 below) remain issued and outstanding, (ii) the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Series A Preferred Units consent, or (iii) an additional class or series of Preferred Units is being issued in connection with a full redemption of the Series A Preferred Units in accordance with Section 6, the Partnership shall not issue any Senior Preferred Units. The holders of the Series A Preferred Units may deliver a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to the Partnership, and if the holders of the Series A Preferred Units entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the issuance of the Senior Preferred Units deliver such consent to the Partnership, the Partnership shall not be required to seek the consent of the remaining holders of Series A Preferred Units, if any. The Partnership must give notice of any consent granted pursuant to this Section 8 to each holder of Series A Preferred Units not later than 10 days after the effective time of such action.
(10) Record Holders. The Partnership and the transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Units may deem and treat the record holder of any Series A Preferred Units as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Partnership nor the transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
(11) No Preemptive Rights. No holder of the Series A Preferred Units will, as a holder of Series A Preferred Units, have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for Common Units or any other security of the Partnership (whether now or hereafter authorized).
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(12) Adjustment. If the number of Common Units is adjusted pursuant to Section 4.2(a)(ii) of the Agreement, then a corresponding adjustment to the number of Series A Preferred Units shall automatically be made. The number of issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Units immediately after such adjustment shall be equal to the number of issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Units immediately prior thereto multiplied by a fraction (the Adjustment Factor) the numerator of which is equal to the number of issued and outstanding Common Units as adjusted pursuant to Section 4.2(a)(ii) of the Agreement immediately after the corresponding Adjustment Event and the denominator of which is the number of issued and outstanding Common Units prior to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.2(a)(ii) in connection with such Adjustment Event. In connection with such adjustment to the number of Series A Preferred Units, the Series A Preferred Stated Value per Series A Preferred Unit shall also be adjusted by multiplying the applicable Series A Preferred Stated Value immediately prior to such adjustment by the Adjustment Factor.
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Exhibit 10.4
Execution Version
AMENDMENT TO
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT TO FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED ADVISORY AGREEMENT (this Amendment), dated September 8, 2020, is between Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and Resource Real Estate Opportunity Advisor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Advisor).
WHEREAS, the Company and the Advisor previously entered into that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement dated September 11, 2019 (the Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Advisor and Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of the Company (the Operating Partnership), desire to enter into a transaction pursuant to which, among other things, the Company, through the Operating Partnership, will acquire the Advisor such that the Company will become self-managed (the Internalization Transaction); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Advisor desire to further amend the Agreement to eliminate any limitations on the Internalization Transaction set forth therein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, do hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms. Any term used herein that is not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term as provided in the Agreement.
2. Amendment to Section 8.06. Pursuant to Section 17.05 of the Agreement, the Company and the Advisor hereby agree that Section 8.06 of the Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and shall be of no further force and effect.
3. Continuing Effect. Except as otherwise set forth in this Amendment, the terms of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and shall not be deemed to have otherwise been amended, modified, revised or altered.
4. Counterparts. The parties agree that this Amendment has been or may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
[SIGNATURES CONTAINED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment as of the date first written above.
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|
Name: | Alan F. Feldman | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY ADVISOR, LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Michele Weisbaum |
|
Name: | Michele Weisbaum | |
Title: | Chief Legal Officer |
[Signature Page to Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement]
EXHIBIT 10.5
INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of September 8, 2020, is made by and among RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC., a Maryland corporation (REIT I), RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Operating Partnership), C-III CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (C-III), and RESOURCE REAL ESTATE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (RRE).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Operating Partnership, C-III, RRE, Resource PM Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (PM Holdings), Resource NewCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Advisor Holdings), and Resource America, Inc., a Delaware limited liability company, have entered into a Contribution and Exchange Agreement entered into as of September 8, 2020 (the Contribution Agreement), pursuant to which C-III and RRE are contributing to the Operating Partnership, among other things, all of C-IIIs right, title and interest in all of the membership interest in PM Holdings and all of RREs right, title and interest in all of the membership interest in Advisor Holdings in exchange for the consideration described therein, including Common Units (the Common Units) and Series A Cumulative Participating Redeemable Preferred Units (the Preferred Units) of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (the Common Units and the Preferred Units referred to collectively as the OP Units);
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Operating Partnership entered into concurrently herewith, (as may be amended, the Operating Partnership Agreement), the OP Units will be exchangeable into shares of common stock of REIT I, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock); provided, however, the Common Units may not be exchanged for shares of Common Stock until September 8, 2022, and the Preferred Stock may not be exchanged for shares of Common Stock until 180days after REIT I has listed shares of Common Stock on a securities exchange registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 6 of the Exchange Act (each, a Lock-Up Period);
WHEREAS, as a condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, each of C-III and RRE has agreed to the Lock-Up Periods and REIT I has agreed to grant the registration rights set forth herein, after the expiration of the respective Lock-Up Period (the Lock-Up Expiration); and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to evidence the foregoing agreement of REIT I and the mutual covenants of the parties relating thereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby is acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. In this Agreement, the following terms have the following respective meanings:
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified. The term control (including the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with) means possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agreement means this Investor Rights Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Board means the board of directors of REIT I.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banks located in the State of New York are authorized or required to be closed for the conduct of regular banking business.
C-III has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.
Common Stock has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.
Contribution Agreement has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.
Demand Registration has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2(a).
End of Suspension Notice has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5(c).
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
FINRA means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Holder means each Person holding Registrable Shares, including (i) the undersigned and (ii) each Person holding Registrable Shares as a result of a transfer, distribution or assignment to that Person of Registrable Shares (other than pursuant to an effective Resale Registration Statement or Rule 144), provided, if applicable, such transfer, distribution or assignment is made in accordance with Section 11 of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Holder shall include any Person holding OP Units that are or have been issued pursuant to the Contribution Agreement even if such Person has not exchanged such OP Units for Common Stock. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a Holder, and the Registrable Shares shall be deemed to be in existence, whenever such Person has the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, such Registrable Shares (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person shall be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Registrable Shares hereunder; provided, however, a holder of Registrable Shares may only request that Registrable Shares in the form of Common Stock that is registered or to be registered as a class under Section 12 of the Exchange Act be registered pursuant to this Agreement.
Indemnified Party has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9(a).
Indemnifying Party has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9(c).
Investor Nominee has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(a).
Lock-Up Expiration has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.
Lock-Up Period has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.
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Losses has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9(a).
Maximum Number of Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2(b).
NYSE means the New York Stock Exchange.
OP Units has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.
Operating Partnership Agreement has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.
Person means any natural person, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, proprietorship, joint venture, other business organization, trust, union, association or any federal, state, municipal or local government, any instrumentality, subdivision, court, administrative or regulatory agency or commission or other authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental or private body exercising any regulatory, taxing, importing or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority.
Piggyback Registration has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4(a).
Prospectus means the prospectus included in any Resale Registration Statement (including a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Shares covered by such Resale Registration Statement and all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus. Prospectus shall also include any issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, relating to the Registrable Shares.
Registrable Shares means, with respect to any Holder, (i) the shares of Common Stock into which the OP units issued to such Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement are then exchanged under the terms of the Operating Partnership Agreement, and (ii) any additional shares of Common Stock issued as a dividend or distribution on, in exchange for, or otherwise in respect of, such shares of Common Stock; provided that shares of Common Stock shall cease to be Registrable Shares with respect to any Holder at the time (a) such shares have been sold pursuant to a Resale Registration Statement, or sold or eligible to be sold (without any volume or other limitations) pursuant to Rule 144, or sold to REIT I or any of its subsidiaries, or (b) such OP Units have been redeemed by the Operating Partnership for cash.
Registration Expenses means any and all expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including (i) all fees of the SEC, the NYSE or such other exchange on which the Registrable Shares are listed from time to time, and FINRA, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with federal or state securities or blue sky laws (including any registration, listing and filing fees and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the Registrable Shares and the preparation of a blue sky memorandum and compliance with the rules of FINRA and NYSE or other applicable exchange), (iii) expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, duplicating, printing, delivering and distributing any Resale Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, securities sales agreements, certificates and any other documents relating to the performance under and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing or inclusion of any of the Registrable Shares on the NYSE or other applicable exchange pursuant to Section 6(j), (v) the fees and disbursements of counsel for REIT I and of the independent public accountants of REIT I (including the
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expenses of any special audit, agreed upon procedures and cold comfort letters required by or incident to such performance), and (vi) any fees and disbursements customarily paid in issues and sales of securities (including the fees and expenses of any experts retained by REIT I in connection with any Resale Registration Statement); provided, however, that Registration Expenses will exclude brokers or underwriters discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Shares by a Holder and the fees and disbursements of any counsel to the Holders other than as provided for in clause (ii) above.
REIT I has the meaning set forth to it in the preamble hereof and includes REIT Is successors by merger, acquisition, reorganization or otherwise.
Renewal Deadline has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2(f).
Resale Registration Statement means any one or more registration statements of REIT I filed under the Securities Act, whether pursuant to a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or otherwise, covering the resale of any of the Registrable Shares pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statements, including post-effective amendments and new registration statements, in each case including the prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all materials and documents incorporated by reference therein.
RRE has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.
Rule 144 means Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Selling Expenses means, if any, all underwriting or broker fees, discounts and selling commissions or similar fees or arrangements, fees of counsel to the selling Holder(s) (other than as specifically provided in the definition of Registration Expenses above or required to be reimbursed by REIT I pursuant to Section 8) and transfer taxes allocable to the sale of the Registrable Shares included in the applicable offering.
Suspension Event has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5(c).
Suspension Notice has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5(c).
Section 2. Demand Registration Rights.
(a) Subject to the provisions hereof, each Holder at any time from and after the applicable Lock-Up Expiration, may request registration for resale under the Securities Act of all or part, but not less than 50%, of the then-outstanding Registrable Shares (a Demand Registration) of such Holder by giving written notice thereof to REIT I, which request will specify the number of shares of Registrable Shares to be offered by such Holder, whether the intended manner of sale will include or involve an underwritten offering and whether such Resale Registration Statement will be a shelf Resale Registration Statement under Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Holder may provide notice of its intent to request a Demand Registration up to 60 days prior to the Lock-Up Expiration, provided, however, that no such registration shall become effective until after the Lock-Up Expiration.
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Subject to Sections 2(b) and 2(d) below and the last sentence of this Section 2(a), REIT I will use commercially reasonable efforts (i) to file a Resale Registration Statement (which will be a shelf Resale Registration Statement under Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act if requested pursuant to the Holders request pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 2(a)) registering for resale such number of Registrable Shares as requested to be so registered within 30 days after such Holders request therefor in the case of a registration on Form S-3 (and 60 days in the case of a registration on Form S-11 or such other appropriate form), and (ii) to cause such Resale Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing and, subject to Section 2(b), REIT I will not be required to effect a registration pursuant to this Section 2(a) (i) with respect to securities that are not Registrable Shares; or (ii) within 180 days after the effective date of a prior Resale Registration Statement, and REIT I will not be required to effect more than two Demand Registrations in the aggregate. If permitted under the Securities Act, such Resale Registration Statement will be one that is automatically effective upon filing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2(a), if at the time REIT I receives a request for a Demand Registration, REIT I has an effective shelf registration statement, REIT I may include all or part of the Registrable Shares covered by such request in such registration statement, including by virtue of including the Registrable Shares in a prospectus supplement to such shelf registration statement and filing such prospectus supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b)(7) under the Securities Act (in which event, REIT I shall be deemed to have satisfied its registration obligation under this Section 2(a) with respect to such Demand Registration request and such shelf registration statement shall be deemed to be a Resale Registration Statement for purposes of this Agreement).
(b) If such Demand Registration is in respect of an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters of the requested Demand Registration advise REIT I and the Holders that in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriters the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in the Demand Registration exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock that can be sold in such underwritten offering without materially delaying or jeopardizing the success of the offering (including the offering price per share) (such maximum number of shares, the Maximum Number of Shares), REIT I will include in such Demand Registration only such number of shares of Common Stock that, in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriters, can be sold without materially delaying or jeopardizing the success of the offering (including the offering price per share), with such Maximum Number of Shares allocated (i) first, the number of Registrable Shares requested to be included therein by the Holders, pro rata among the Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Shares requested to be included by each such Holders, and (ii) second (and only to the extent that the number of Registrable Shares to be sold by the Holders is less than the Maximum Number of Shares), the shares of Common Stock requested to be included in such registration by other Persons, pro rata among such other Persons on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included by such Persons. If the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in the Demand Registration exceeds the Maximum Number of Shares, the limitations on the number and frequency of Demand Registrations in Section 2(a) shall be changed such that REIT I, at the request of the Holder, will be required one time to cause to be effected an additional Demand Registration as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date of a prior Resale Registration Statement (a Cutback Resale Registration Statement). Such Cutback Resale Registration Statement shall not count against the limit of two Demand Registrations in the aggregate set forth in Section 2(a)(ii). In no event shall REIT I be required to file or cause to be effected more than one Cutback Resale Registration Statement.
(c) If any of the Registrable Shares covered by a Demand Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, REIT I shall have the right to (i) select the underwriters (and their roles) in the offering, and (ii) determine the structure of the offering and negotiate the terms of any underwriting agreement as they relate to the Holders, including the number of shares to be sold (if not all shares offered can be sold at the highest price offered by the underwriters), the offering price and underwriting discount; provided that the identity of the underwriters and such structure and terms are reasonably acceptable to the Holders.
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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board determines in its good faith judgment that the filing of a Demand Registration would (i) be materially detrimental to REIT I in that such registration would interfere with a material corporate transaction, or (ii) require the disclosure of material non-public information concerning REIT I that at the time is not, in the good faith judgment of the Board, in the best interest of REIT I to disclose and is not, in the opinion of REIT Is counsel, otherwise required to be disclosed, then (x) REIT I will have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than 60 days after receipt of any demand by any Holder, and (y) REIT I will not exercise its right to defer a Demand Registration more than once in any 12-month period. REIT I will give written notice of its determination to the Holders to defer the filing and of the fact the purpose for such deferral no longer exists, in each case, promptly after the occurrence thereof.
(e) Upon the effectiveness of any Demand Registration, REIT I will use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Resale Registration Statement continuously effective until such time as all of the Registrable Shares covered by such Demand Registration have been sold pursuant to such Demand Registration.
(f) If, by the third anniversary (the Renewal Deadline) of the initial effective date of a Resale Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a), any of the Registrable Shares included on such registration statement remain unsold by any Holder, REIT I will file, if it has not already done so and is eligible to do so, a new Resale Registration Statement covering the Registrable Shares included on the prior Resale Registration Statement; if at the Renewal Deadline REIT I is not eligible to file an automatic shelf registration statement, REIT I will, if it has not already done so, file a new Resale Registration Statement and will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Resale Registration Statement to be declared effective within 180 days after the Renewal Deadline; and REIT I will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Registrable Shares to continue as contemplated in the expired Resale Registration Statement. References herein to Resale Registration Statement shall include such new shelf registration statement.
Section 3. Director Nomination Rights
(a) Until such date as (i) the Operating Partnership has redeemed, pursuant to the Operating Partnership Agreement, more than 87.5% of the Preferred Units that C-III and RRE (together, the C-III Entities) received on the date hereof in connection with the Contribution Agreement or (ii) the C-III Entities beneficially own less than 12.5% of the Preferred Units that the C-III Entities received on the date hereof in connection with the Contribution Agreement by virtue of the transfer by the C-III Entities of such Preferred Units to any Person that is not a Permitted Transferee (as defined in the Operating Partnership Agreement) or otherwise, the C-III Entities, together, shall have the right to designate one individual (the Investor Nominee), subject to the approval of such nomination by the Board or any committee of the Board authorized to approve Board nominees, to be included on the slate of director nominees to be voted on by the stockholders of REIT I, as set forth in this Section 3.
(b) To facilitate the nomination rights set forth above, REIT I will use commercially reasonable efforts to notify each of C-III and RRE in writing a reasonable period of time in advance of any action to be taken by REIT I or the Board for the purpose of nominating, electing or designating directors, which notice, in the case of a proxy statement, information statement or registration statement in which nominees for director would be named, shall be delivered by REIT I no later than 30 days prior to the anticipated mailing or filing date, as applicable. Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the nature
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of the action to be taken by REIT I or the Board, and the anticipated date thereof. Upon receipt of such notice, the C-III Entities will consult with REIT I to designate one Investor Nominee as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter; provided, however, that if the C-III Entities shall have failed to designate Investor Nominees in a timely manner, then any incumbent Investor Nominee shall be deemed to have been designated in a timely manner unless there is no remaining incumbent Investor Nominee or the incumbent Investor Nominee declines to serve, in which case the Board may designate for nomination another Person.
(c) The C-III Entities will provide REIT I with such information about each Investor Nominee as is reasonably requested by REIT I in order for the Board (or nominating committee thereof) to adequately vet the qualifications of the Investor Nominee, include information that will enable the Board to obtain third party background checks, as may be deemed necessary by the Board (or nominating committee thereof) of REIT I and to comply with applicable disclosure rules, including without limitation, any information that a stockholder of REIT I must provide to REIT I in order to nominate a director under the Bylaws of REIT I.
(d) In order to facilitate the nomination and approval of the Investor Nominee pursuant to this Section 3, the Persons listed on Exhibit A hereto shall be deemed to be approved as Investor Nominees by the Board (or a nominating committee thereof) of REIT I so long as such Persons remain employed with C-III at such time as such Person is designated by the C-III Entities as an Investor Nominee. The C-III Entities shall not be precluded from designating other individuals as Investor Nominees to be considered by the Board (or a nominating committee thereof) of REIT I. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3, nothing shall prevent the members of the Board from acting in accordance with their respective fiduciary duties, applicable law and stock exchange requirements.
(e) If a vacancy on the Board arises as a result of the death, disability or retirement, resignation or removal of an Investor Nominee, the C-III Entities shall be entitled to designate for nomination an Investor Nominee to fill such a vacancy subject to approval by the Board (or a nominating committee thereof).
(f) The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that the term of the Investor Nominee designated pursuant to this Section 3 shall automatically expire immediately on the date on which the C-III Entities own less than 12.5% of the Preferred Units (the Investor Nominee Term Expiration Date), and that the number of directors serving on the Board shall be automatically decreased by a corresponding number. The Board may take all actions it deems necessary and appropriate to achieve the purpose of this Section 3(f), including but not limited to, describing the term of any Investor Nominee in any proxy statement, information statement or registration statement in which nominees for director would be named as expiring on the Investor Nominee Term Expiration Date. The parties acknowledge that the Investor Nominee, upon election to the Board, will serve as a member of the Board and will be governed by the same protections and obligations regarding confidentiality, conflicts of interest, related party transactions, fiduciary duties, codes of conduct, trading and disclosure policies, director resignation policy, and other governance guidelines and policies of REIT I as other non-management directors (collectively, Company Policies) and shall be required to preserve the confidentiality of the Companys business and information, including discussions or matters considered in meetings of the Board or committees thereof in accordance with their respective fiduciary duties, applicable law and applicable Company Policies, if any, and shall have the same rights and benefits, including with respect to insurance, indemnification, compensation and fees, as are applicable to all non-management directors of REIT I. REIT I agrees that (i) it will not amend any Company Policies in any manner for the purpose of disqualifying any Investor Nominee and (ii) any changes to the Company Policies, or new Company Policies, will be adopted in good faith and not for the purpose of undermining or conflicting with the arrangements contemplated by this Agreement. The Company has made available to the C-III Entities copies of the Company Policies as in effect on the date of this Agreement prior to the date of this Agreement.
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Section 4. Piggyback Registration.
(a) If at any time REIT I has registered, or has determined to register, any of its securities for its own account or for the account of other security holders of REIT I on any registration form (other than Form S-4 or S-8) that permits the inclusion of the Registrable Shares (a Piggyback Registration), REIT I will give the Holders written notice thereof promptly (but in no event less than 20 days prior to the anticipated filing date) and, subject to Section 4(b), will include in such registration all Registrable Shares requested to be included therein pursuant to the written request of any Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, REIT I will not be required to include any Registrable Shares in any registration under this Section 4(a) prior to the applicable Lock-Up Expiration.
(b) If a Piggyback Registration is initiated as a primary underwritten offering on behalf of REIT I, and the managing underwriters advise REIT I that, in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriters, the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such registration exceeds the Maximum Number of Shares, REIT I will include in such registration, unless otherwise agreed by REIT I and the Holders, (i) first, the number of shares of Common Stock that REIT I proposes to sell, and (ii) second (to the extent the number of shares of Common Stock to be sold by REIT I is less that the Maximum Number of Shares), the number of Registrable Shares requested to be included in such registration by the Holders and the number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included in such registration by other Persons, pro rata among the Holders and other Persons on the basis of the number of Registrable Shares and other shares of Common Stock requested to be included by each such Holder and other Person, respectively.
(c) If a Piggyback Registration is initiated as an underwritten registration on behalf of a holder of shares of Common Stock other than under this Agreement, and the managing underwriters advise REIT I that, in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriters, the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such registration exceeds the Maximum Number of Shares, then REIT I will include in such registration, unless otherwise agreed by REIT I and the holders (including the Holders, if any), (i) first the number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included therein by the holder(s) requesting such registration, and (ii) second (to the extent the number of such shares of Common Stock to be sold by such other holders is less that the Maximum Number of Shares), the Registrable Shares requested to be included in such registration by the Holders and the shares of Common Stock requested to be included in such registration by other holders, pro rata among the Holders and other holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Shares and other shares of Common Stock requested to be included by each such Holder and other holder, respectively.
(d) If any Piggyback Registration is a primary or secondary underwritten offering, REIT I will have the right to select, in its sole discretion, the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer any such offering.
(e) REIT I will not grant to any Person the right to request REIT I to register any Common Stock in a Piggyback Registration unless such rights are consistent with the provisions of this Section 4.
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(f) Nothing in this Section 4 shall create any liability on the part of REIT I to the Holders if REIT I in its sole discretion decides not to file a registration statement previously proposed to be filed as described in Section 4(a) on which the Holders Piggyback Registration request was based or to withdraw such registration statement subsequent to its filing.
Section 5. Suspension.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 5 and a good faith determination by REIT I that it is in the best interests of REIT I to suspend the use of any Resale Registration Statement following the effectiveness of such Resale Registration Statement (and the filings with any U.S. federal or state securities commission), REIT I, by written notice to the Holders, may direct the Holders to suspend sales of the Registrable Shares pursuant to such Resale Registration Statement for such times as REIT I reasonably may determine is necessary and advisable (but in no event for more than 30 days in any 90-day period or 90 days in any 365-day period), if any of the following events will occur: (i) an underwritten public offering of Common Stock by REIT I if REIT I is advised by the underwriters that the concurrent resale of the Registrable Shares by the Holders pursuant to the Resale Registration Statement would have a material adverse effect on REIT Is offering, (ii) there is material non-public information regarding REIT I that (A) REIT I determines not to be in REIT Is best interest to disclose, (B) would, in the good faith determination of REIT I, require a revision to the Resale Registration Statement so that it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (C) REIT I is not otherwise required to disclose, or (iii) there is a significant bona fide business opportunity (including the acquisition or disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business), including any significant merger, consolidation, tender offer or other similar transaction) available to REIT I that REIT I determines not to be in REIT Is best interests to disclose.
(b) Upon the earlier to occur of (i) REIT I delivering to the Holders an End of Suspension Notice (as defined below), or (ii) the end of the maximum permissible suspension period, REIT I will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly amend or supplement the Resale Registration Statement so as to permit the Holders to resume sales of the Registrable Shares as soon as possible.
(c) In the case of an event that causes REIT I to suspend the use of a Resale Registration Statement (a Suspension Event), REIT I will give written notice (a Suspension Notice) to the Holders to suspend sales of the Registrable Shares, and such notice will state that such suspension will continue only for so long as the Suspension Event or its effect is continuing and REIT I is taking all reasonable steps to terminate suspension of the effectiveness of the Resale Registration Statement as promptly as possible. The Holders will not affect any sales of the Registrable Shares pursuant to such Resale Registration Statement (or such filings) at any time after it has received a Suspension Notice from REIT I prior to receipt of an End of Suspension Notice (as defined below). If so directed by REIT I, the Holders will deliver to REIT I (at the reasonable expense of REIT I) all copies other than permanent file copies then in the Holders possession of the Prospectus covering the Registrable Shares at the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. Any Holder may recommence effecting sales of the Registrable Shares pursuant to the Resale Registration Statement (or such filings) following further notice to such effect (an End of Suspension Notice) from REIT I, which End of Suspension Notice will be given by REIT I to the Holders in the manner described above promptly following the conclusion of any Suspension Event and its effect.
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Section 6. Registration Procedures. In connection with the obligations of REIT I with respect to any registration pursuant to this Agreement, REIT I will:
(a) use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the SEC, as specified in this Agreement, each Resale Registration Statement, which will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such filed Resale Registration Statement to become and remain effective as set forth in Section 2;
(b) subject to Section 5, (i) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each such Resale Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Resale Registration Statement effective for the period described in Section 2 hereof, (ii) cause each Prospectus contained therein to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 or any similar rule that may be adopted under the Securities Act, and (iii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by each Resale Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution specified by the Holders;
(c) furnish to the Holders, without charge, such number of copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as any such Holder may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Shares; REIT I hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, by the Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Shares covered by any such Prospectus;
(d) use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify, or obtain exemption from registration or qualification for, all Registrable Shares by the time the applicable Resale Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such domestic jurisdiction as any Holder may reasonably request in writing, keep each such registration or qualification or exemption effective during the period such Resale Registration Statement is required to be kept effective pursuant to Section 2 and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Holders to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Shares owned by the Holders;
(e) notify the Holders and, if requested, confirm such advice in writing (i) when such Resale Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become effective, (ii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Resale Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) of any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to such Resale Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information, and (iv) of the happening of any event during the period such Resale Registration Statement is effective as a result of which such Resale Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (which information will be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Resale Registration Statement and the Prospectus until the requisite changes have been made);
(f) during the period of time referred to in Section 2, use its best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or if issued, to obtain the withdrawal of, any order enjoining or suspending the use or effectiveness of a Resale Registration Statement or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Shares for sale in any jurisdiction, as promptly as practicable;
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(g) upon request, furnish to the Holders, without charge, at least one conformed copy of such Resale Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or supplement thereto (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);
(h) except as provided in Section 5, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 6(e)(iii), use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to a Resale Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Shares, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and, upon request, promptly furnish to the Holders a reasonable number of copies of each such supplement or post-effective amendment;
(i) enter into customary agreements and take all other action in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the distribution of the Registrable Shares included in such Resale Registration Statement (including, without limitation, making appropriate officers of REIT I available to participate in road shows, one-on-one meetings with institutional investors and other customary marketing activities);
(j) use commercially reasonable efforts (including seeking to cure REIT Is listing or inclusion application of any deficiencies cited by the exchange or market) to list or include all Registrable Shares on any securities exchange on which the Registrable Shares or, if not applicable, any similar securities issued by REIT I are then listed or included, and enter into such customary agreements including a supplemental listing application and indemnification agreement in customary form;
(k) prepare and file in a timely manner all documents and reports required by the Exchange Act and, to the extent REIT Is obligation to file such reports pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act expires prior to the expiration of the effectiveness period of the Resale Registration Statement as required by Section 2 hereof, REIT I will register the Registrable Shares under the Exchange Act and maintain such registration through the effectiveness period required by Section 2;
(l) (i) otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, (ii) make generally available to its stockholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, earnings statements (which need not be audited) covering at least 12 months that satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder, and (iii) delay filing any Resale Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement to such Resale Registration Statement or Prospectus to which the Holders will have reasonably objected on the grounds that such Resale Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Holders having been furnished with a copy thereof at least two Business Days prior to the filing thereof; provided, however, that REIT I may file such Resale Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement following such time as REIT I will have made a good faith effort to resolve any such issue with the Holders and will have advised the Holders in writing of its reasonable belief that such filing complies in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act;
(m) cause to be maintained a registrar and transfer agent for all Registrable Shares covered by any Resale Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Resale Registration Statement;
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(n) in connection with any sale or transfer of the Registrable Shares (whether or not pursuant to a Resale Registration Statement) that will result in the securities being delivered no longer constituting Registrable Shares, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Registrable Shares to be sold, which certificates will not bear any transfer restrictive legends arising under federal or state securities laws, and to enable such Registrable Shares to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders may request at least three Business Days prior to any sale of the Registrable Shares;
(o) in connection with a public offering of Registrable Shares, whether or not such offering is an underwritten offering, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a comfort letter from the independent public accountant for REIT I and any acquisition target of REIT I whose financial statements are required to be included or incorporated by reference in any Resale Registration Statement, in form and substance customarily given by independent certified public accountants in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the Holders;
(p) execute and deliver all instruments and documents (including an underwriting agreement or placement agent agreement, as applicable in customary form) and take such other actions and obtain such certificates and opinions as sellers of the Registrable Shares being sold reasonably request in order to effect a public offering of such Registrable Shares and in such connection, whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the offering is an underwritten offering, (i) make such representations and warranties to the Holders and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of REIT I and its subsidiaries, and the Resale Registration Statement and documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and, if true, confirm the same if and when requested, and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to the Holders and the underwriters of such Registrable Shares opinions and negative assurance letters of counsel to REIT I and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) will be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, if any, and counsels to the Holders), covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such counsel and any such underwriters; and
(q) upon reasonable request of any Holder, REIT I will file an amendment to any applicable Resale Registration Statement (or Prospectus supplement, as applicable), to update the information provided by such Holder in connection with such Holders disposition of Registrable Shares.
Section 7. Required Information.
(a) REIT I may require a Holder to furnish in writing to REIT I such information regarding such Holder and the proposed distribution of Registrable Shares by such Holder as REIT I may from time to time reasonably request in writing or as will be required to effect registration of the Registrable Shares. Each Holder further agrees to furnish promptly to REIT I in writing all information required from time to time to make the information previously furnished by such Holder not misleading.
(b) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from REIT I of the happening of any event of the kind described in Sections 6(e)(ii), 6(e)(iii) or 6(e)(iv) hereof, such Holder will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Shares pursuant to a Resale Registration Statement until (i) any such stop order is vacated, or (ii) if an event described in Sections 6(e)(iii) or 6(e)(iv) occurs, such Holders receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus. If so directed by REIT I, each Holder will deliver to REIT I (at the reasonable expense of REIT I) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holders possession, in its possession of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Shares current at the time of receipt of such notice.
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Section 8. Registration Expenses. REIT I will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration of the Registrable Shares pursuant to this Agreement and any other actions that may be taken in connection with the registration contemplated herein. Each Holder will bear all Selling Expenses incurred by such Holder and any other expense incurred by such Holder relating to a registration of Registrable Shares pursuant to this Agreement and any other Selling Expenses incurred by such Holder relating to the sale or disposition of such Holders Registrable Shares pursuant to any Resale Registration Statement.
Section 9. Indemnification.
(a) REIT I will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, each Person who controls each Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the officers, directors, members, managers, stockholders, partners, limited partners, agents and employees of each of them (each an Indemnified Party), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including reasonable attorneys fees) and expenses (collectively, Losses), as incurred, arising out of or relating to (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Resale Registration Statement or any Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary Prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or (ii) any violation or alleged violation by REIT I of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; in each case except to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is based upon (A) information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to REIT I by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein, or (B) information regarding such Holders proposed method of distribution of the Registrable Shares and was approved by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use in the Resale Registration Statement, such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto.
(b) Each Holder will indemnify and hold harmless REIT I, and the directors of REIT I, each officer of REIT I who will sign a Resale Registration Statement, each underwriter, broker or other Person acting on behalf of the holders of securities included in a Resale Registration Statement, and each Person who controls any of the foregoing Persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) against any Losses, as incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Resale Registration Statement or any Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary Prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is based upon (i) information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to REIT I by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein; or (ii) information regarding such Holders proposed method of distribution of the Registrable Shares and was approved by or on behalf of Holder expressly for the use in the Resale Registration Statement, such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto; provided that the obligation to indemnify shall be individual, not joint and several, for each Holder.
(c) Each Indemnified Party under this Section 9 will give notice to the party required to provide indemnification (the Indemnifying Party) promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, but the omission to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9 except to the extent of the actual damages suffered by such delay in notification. The
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Indemnifying Party will assume the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel to be chosen by the Indemnifying Party to be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and payment of expenses. The Indemnified Party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the legal fees and expenses of such counsel will be at the expense of the Indemnified Party, unless (i) the employment of such counsel will have been authorized in writing by the Indemnifying Party in connection with the defense of such action, (ii) the Indemnifying Party will not have employed counsel to take charge of the defense of such action or (iii) the Indemnified Party will have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party (in which case the Indemnifying Party will not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the Indemnified Party), in any of which events such fees and expenses will be borne by the Indemnifying Party. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, will, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement unless such judgment or settlement (i) includes an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation, and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable to a party that would have been an Indemnified Party under this Section 9 in respect of any expenses, claims, losses, damages and liabilities referred to herein, then each party that would have been an Indemnifying Party hereunder will, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such expenses, claims, losses, damages and liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and such Indemnified Party on the other in connection with the statement or omission which resulted in such 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 Indemnifying Party or such Indemnified Party and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. REIT I and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable consideration referred to above in this Section 9(d).
(e) No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) In no event will any Holder be liable for any expenses, claims, losses, damages or liabilities pursuant to this Section 9 in excess of the net proceeds to such Holder of any Registrable Shares sold by such Holder.
Section 10. Rule 144. REIT I shall, at REIT Is expense, for so long as any Holder holds any Registrable Shares, use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with such Holder, as may be reasonably requested by such Holder from time to time, to facilitate any proposed sale of Registrable Shares by the Holders in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144, including by using commercially reasonable efforts (i) to comply with the current public information requirements of Rule 144 and (ii) to provide opinions of counsel as may be reasonably necessary in order for the Holders to avail themselves of such rule to allow the Holders to sell such Registrable Shares without registration.
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Section 11. Transfer of Registration Rights. The rights and obligations of each of C-III and RRE under this Agreement may be transferred or otherwise assigned to a transferee or assignee of Registrable Shares, provided (i) such transferee or assignee becomes a party to this Agreement or agrees in writing to be subject to the terms hereof to the same extent as if such transferee or assignee were an original party hereunder, and (ii) REIT I is given written notice by C-III or RRE, as applicable, of such transfer or assignment stating the name and address of such transferee or assignee and identifying the securities with regard to which such rights and obligations are being transferred or assigned.
Section 12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related in any way to this Agreement, the relationship of the parties, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and/or the interpretation and enforcement of the rights and duties of the parties hereunder or related in any way to the foregoing, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Maryland or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland.
EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF THE SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH PARTY AGREES TO COMMENCE ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. EACH PARTY WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF IMPROPER VENUE OR INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING SO BROUGHT AND WAIVES ANY BOND, SURETY, OR OTHER SECURITY THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED OF ANY OTHER PARTY WITH RESPECT THERETO. ANY PARTY MAY MAKE SERVICE ON ANY OTHER PARTY BY SENDING OR DELIVERING A COPY OF THE PROCESS TO THE PARTY TO BE SERVED AT THE ADDRESS AND IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR THE GIVING OF NOTICES IN SECTION 12(E). NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 12(A), HOWEVER, WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AT EQUITY. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING SO BROUGHT WILL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW OR AT EQUITY.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. EACH OF THE PARTIES (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.
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(b) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Contribution Agreement, constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties with regard to the subject hereof.
(c) Interpretation and Usage. In this Agreement, unless there is a clear contrary intention: (i) when a reference is made to a section, an annex or a schedule, that reference is to a section, an annex or a schedule of or to this Agreement; (ii) the singular includes the plural and vice versa; (iii) reference to any agreement, document or instrument means that agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; (iv) reference to any statute, rule, regulation or other law means that statute, rule, regulation or law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference to any section or other provision of any law means that section or provision from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of that section or provision; (v) hereunder, hereof, hereto, and words of similar import will be deemed references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, section or other provision of this Agreement; (vi) including (and with correlative meaning include) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term; (vii) references to agreements, documents or instruments will be deemed to refer as well to all addenda, exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto; and (viii) the terms writing, written and words of similar import will be deemed to include communications and documents in e-mail, fax or any other similar electronic or documentary form.
(d) Amendment. No supplement, modification, waiver or termination of this Agreement will be binding unless executed in writing by REIT I and each of C-III and RRE; provided that no such amendment, modification or waiver that would materially and adversely affect a Holder in a manner materially different than any other Holder (provided that the accession by additional Holders to this Agreement pursuant to Section 12 shall not be deemed to adversely affect any Holder) shall be effective against such Holder without the consent of such Holder that is materially and adversely affected thereby.
(e) Notices, etc. Any notice or other communication hereunder must be given in writing and either (a) delivered in Person, (b) transmitted by electronic mail or facsimile or (c) mailed by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested as follows:
If to C-III or RRE, addressed to:
Resource America, Inc.
717 Fifth Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Attention: Marc Levy
Telephone: (212) 705-5060
Email: mlevy@islecap.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower
300 E Randolph St. #5000
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Attention: Tom Hughes; Daniel Cullen
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Telephone: (312) 861-8634; (312) 861-8162
Email: thomas.hughes@bakermckenzie.com;
daniel.cullen@bakermckenzie.com
If to REIT I, addressed to:
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc.
1845 Walnut Street, 17th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Alan Feldman
Email: AFeldman@Resourcerei.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30326
Attention: Lauren B. Prevost
Telephone: (404) 504-7744
Email: lprevost@mmmlaw.com
DLA Piper LLP (US)
4141 Parklake Ave., Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27612
Attn: Robert H. Bergdolt
Email: rbergdolt@dlapiper.com
or to such other address or to such other Person as each party shall have last designated by such notice to the other parties. Each such notice or other communication shall be effective (i) when delivered in Person, (ii) if given by telecommunication, when transmitted to the applicable number so specified in (or pursuant to) this Section 12(e) if sent during normal business hours of recipient and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient, and (iii) if given by mail, three (3) Business Days after delivery or the first attempted delivery.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile, and each of which shall be deemed an original of this Agreement, and all of which, when taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same Agreement.
(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any governmental entity, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect; provided that the essential terms and conditions of this Agreement for all parties remain valid, binding and enforceable. In the event of any such determination, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement to fulfill as closely as possible the original intents and purposes hereof. To the extent permitted by law, the parties hereby to the same extent waive any provision of law that renders any provision hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.
(h) Section Titles. Section titles are for descriptive purposes only and will not control or alter the meaning of this Agreement as set forth in the text.
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(i) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and will inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. In the event that REIT I or any of its successors or permitted assigns (i) consolidates or amalgamates with or merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case a condition thereto, REIT I (or its successors or permitted assigns) shall cause such Person to assume the obligations of REIT I set forth in this Agreement, except for the right to designate an Investor Nominee set forth in Section 3 hereof. If any successor or permitted assignee of either of C-III or RRE will acquire Registrable Shares in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, (a) such successor or permitted assignee will be entitled to all of the benefits of C-III or RRE, as applicable, under this Agreement and (b) such Registrable Shares will be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Shares such Person will be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by all of the terms and provisions hereof.
(j) Remedies; No Waiver. Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties would be irreparably damaged in the event that the covenants set forth in this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each party hereto will be entitled to seek an injunction to specifically enforce the terms of this Agreement solely in the courts specified in Section 12(a), in addition to any other remedy to which such party may be entitled hereunder, at law or in equity.
No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right or remedy provided by law or under this Agreement will impair such right or remedy or operate or be construed as a waiver or variation of it or preclude its exercise at any subsequent time and no single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy will preclude any further exercise of it or the exercise of any other remedy.
(k) Changes in Securities Laws. In the event any amendment, repeal or other change in the securities laws will render the provisions of this Agreement inapplicable, REIT I will provide each Holder with substantially similar rights to those granted under this Agreement and use it good faith efforts to cause such rights to be as comparable as possible to the rights granted to such Holder hereunder.
[Signatures appear on next page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
C-III: | ||
C-III CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC | ||
a Delaware limited liability company |
||
By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
|
Name: Marc W. Levy |
||
Title: Executive Managing Director |
RRE: | ||
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE, LLC | ||
a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: |
/s/ Marc W. Levy |
|
Name: Marc W. Levy | ||
Title: Executive Vice President | ||
REIT I: | ||
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC. | ||
a Maryland corporation | ||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|
Name: Alan F. Feldman | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP: | ||
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY OP, LP, | ||
a Delaware limited partnership | ||
By: | RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC. | |
Its General Partner | ||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|
Name: Alan F. Feldman | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT 10.6
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the Agreement) is made and entered into by and between Resource NewCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company having its principal place of business at 1845 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (Advisor Holdings or the Company) and Alan F. Feldman (Executive). This Agreement is ancillary to the Contribution and Exchange Agreement, by and among Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Buyer), the Contributed Holding Companies, C-III Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (PM Contributor), Resource Real Estate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Advisor Contributor, and each of Advisor Contributor and PM Contributor also being referred to herein as a Contributor and collectively, the Contributors) and Resource America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Resource America, and each of Resource America and the Contributors also being referred to herein as a Contributor Party and collectively, the Contributor Parties) (the Contribution Agreement), and is effective as of, and contingent upon, (1) the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and (2) Executives execution of the Acknowledgment and Agreement of Termination (upon the occurrence of (1) and (2) collectively, the Effective Time). Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, Executive was employed by a Contributor Party or an Affiliate of a Contributor Party pursuant to that certain employment agreement dated September 24, 2019 (the Prior Agreement and together with any and all agreements relating to Executives employment, separation and/or termination of Executives employment with any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party including, without limitation, employment agreements, letter agreements, and bonus, commission, and compensation agreements and/or arrangements, each as amended from time to time, collectively, the Prior Agreements);
WHEREAS, in order to induce the parties to the Contribution Agreement to consummate the transactions contemplated thereunder, Executive is willing to enter into this Agreement with the Company and waive any and all rights pursuant to the Prior Agreements;
WHEREAS, the parties would not have entered into the Contribution Agreement without Executives agreement to enter into this Agreement with the Company; and
WHEREAS, Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive will receive substantial consideration or other benefits as a result of entering into this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the transactions contemplated in the Contribution Agreement, and the premises, agreements, and the mutual promises and covenants set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and Executive, hereby acknowledge and agree as follows:
1. Employment. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
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2. Duties; Exclusivity.
(a) Executive shall report to, and accept direction from, the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board). Executive shall serve the Company diligently, competently and to the best of Executives abilities. Executive will have such duties, functions, responsibilities and authority as are customarily associated with the position in which Executive serves, and shall also render such services as may reasonably be required of Executive to accomplish the business purposes of the Company, and such duties as may be assigned to Executive from time to time and which are appropriate for Executives position at the Company.
(b) Executive shall devote substantially all of Executives business time and attention to the business of the Company and its affiliates, and shall not undertake any other duties which conflict with these responsibilities. Executive represents and warrants that Executive is under no fiduciary, contractual or other legal obligation to another company, venture, business or employer that would prevent Executive from being employed by the Company as set forth herein. This provision shall not be construed to prevent Executive from engaging in community, charitable, teaching or educational activities, or managing Executives personal investments, provided that such activities do not materially conflict or interfere with Executives performance of Executives duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
3. Term. The term of Executives employment under this Agreement shall be the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on December 31, 2023, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 6 (such period, the Initial Term); provided that, on December 31, 2023 and each one (1)-year anniversary thereafter (such date and each one (1)-year anniversary thereof, a Renewal Date), the Agreement shall be automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions, for successive periods of one (1) year, unless either party provides written notice of such partys intention not to extend the term of the Agreement at least sixty (60) days prior to the applicable Renewal Date. The Initial Term and any renewal of such term are referred to herein as the Term, as applicable. Executives employment with the Company shall be on an at-will basis, nothing in this Agreement shall alter Executives at-will status with the Company, and either party may terminate this Agreement subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
4. Compensation.
(a) Base Compensation. During the Term, the Company shall pay to Executive an annual base compensation (Base Compensation) in the gross amount of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000), minus applicable withholdings. The Base Compensation will be payable in accordance with the general payroll practices by which the Company pays its executive officers, and the historical practice of the Companys compensation of Executive. It is understood that the Company, through the compensation committee of the Board (the Committee), will review Executives performance on an annual basis and may increase (but not decrease) such Base Compensation, based upon Executives performance.
(b) Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. During the Term, Executive may receive incentive compensation in the form of annual cash bonus payments based upon specified corporate and individual performance as determined by the Board or the Committee. The amount of the annual cash bonus payable to Executive will be determined at the discretion of the Board or the Committee; provided, such annual cash bonus for 2020 shall not be less than $1,000,000. In establishing the performance criteria for each fiscal year, the Board or Committee shall set forth a maximum, target, and threshold annual bonus amount, in each case, expressed as a percentage of Executives Base Compensation at the rate in effect at the beginning of the relevant fiscal year. For each fiscal year beginning after 2020 during the Term, if applicable performance goals are not attained at least at the threshold performance level, no annual bonus
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shall be payable. Payouts for in-between performance criteria will be calculated using straight-line interpolation. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the payment of annual incentive compensation amounts under this Section 4(b) is subject to Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable payment date in the following fiscal year which shall not be later than March 15 of the following fiscal year.
(c) Initial Equity Grant. Executive will receive an initial equity grant with a fair market value of $2,750,000 to be awarded in the form of restricted shares of Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (REIT I). Subject to Executives continued employment with the Company from the Effective Time through the consummation of the following events and the Boards determination of a successful integration and completion of such events, the restricted shares will vest as follows: (1) forty percent (40%) upon the consummation of the contemplated merger of REIT I with and into a subsidiary of Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II, Inc. (REIT II, and such merger, the REIT I/REIT II Merger) and (2) sixty percent (60%) upon a Liquidity Event of REIT II subsequent to the consummation of the REIT I/REIT II Merger. For purposes of this Section 4(c), a Liquidity Event of REIT II shall mean any of the following: (i) a listing of the common stock of REIT II on a national securities exchange, (ii) a sale, merger or other transaction in which the stockholders of REIT II either receive, or have the option to receive, cash, securities redeemable for cash, and/or securities of a publicly traded company, or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of REIT IIs assets where stockholders of REIT II either receive, or have the option to receive, cash or the securities of a publicly traded company.
(d) Annual Equity Incentive Compensation. In addition to the equity grant provided in Section 4(c), with respect to each calendar year during the Term beginning after calendar year 2020, Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual long-term equity incentive award. For the equity incentive award granted in the 2021 calendar year, such award shall be granted prior to March 15, 2021 and shall be based on the target award recommended by FPL Advisory in its proposed executive compensation program summary dated August 10, 2020. For the equity incentive award granted in 2021, seventy percent (70%) of each such award shall vest in substantially equal installments over a period of three (3) years based solely on the passage of time and the remaining thirty percent (30%) shall vest based on performance criteria established in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee. Except as otherwise provided herein, eligibility for, and the terms and vesting conditions applicable to, each such annual grant, if any, shall be determined by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion.
5. Benefits.
Executive shall be entitled to receive the following benefits from the Company independent of any other benefits which Executive may receive from the Company or otherwise:
(a) Participation in Plans. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all applicable incentive, savings, and retirement plans, practices, policies, and programs of the Company and in any group life, hospitalization or disability insurance plans, and health programs, in each case to the extent Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans or programs. The Company shall maintain group life insurance coverage for Executive in an amount at least equal to two (2) times Executives Base Compensation as in effect from time to time.
(b) Disability. Executive shall be eligible for any short and long term disability and any life insurance plans or programs that are available to other similarly situated executives of the Company in each case to the extent Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans or programs.
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(c) Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executives duties, including without limitation expenses incurred during business-related travel. Executive shall present to the Company, from time to time, an itemized account of such expenses in such form as may be required by the Company.
(d) Personal Time Off. Executive shall be entitled to a number of days of personal time off work during each calendar year which shall be no less than the amount set forth in the Companys company policies. This includes days used for vacation, illness or other personal matters but is exclusive of such office holidays as may be designated by the Company.
(e) Withholdings and Taxes. All compensation payable to Executive is subject to withholding for all applicable federal, state and local income taxes, and all applicable employment, occupational, Social Security and other similar taxes, and any other amounts as required by law.
(f) Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based compensation, or any other compensation, paid to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company, whether or not pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).
(g) Location. Executives principal place of employment shall be the offices of the Company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
6. Termination and Definitions.
Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, Executives employment and the Term hereunder shall terminate as follows:
(a) Death. Executives employment and the Term shall terminate automatically upon the death of Executive.
(b) Termination by the Company, for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Term for Cause. Cause shall encompass the following: (1) Executive has committed any act of fraud; (2) illegal conduct or gross misconduct by Executive, in either case that is willful and results in material and demonstrable damage to the business or reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates; (3) Executive is convicted of, or pleads nolo contendere to, a felony; (4) the continued failure of Executive substantially to perform Executives duties under this Agreement (other than as a result of physical or mental illness or injury), after the Company delivers to Executive a written demand for substantial performance that specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executives duties; or (5) Executive has failed to follow reasonable written directions of the Company which are consistent with Executives duties hereunder and not in violation of applicable law, provided that no termination shall occur pursuant to subsections (4) or (5) above unless the Company first gives Executive written notice of its intention to terminate and of the Cause for termination and Executive has not, within ten (10) business days after written notice, cured such Cause.
(c) Termination by the Company without Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Term without Cause upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to Executive.
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(d) Disability. The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Term if Executive becomes disabled by reason of physical or mental disability for more than one hundred eighty (180) days in the aggregate or a period of ninety (90) consecutive days during any 365-day period and the Board determines, in good faith and in writing, that Executive, by reason of such physical or mental disability, is rendered unable to perform Executives duties and services hereunder, with or without a reasonable accommodation (a Disability). A termination of Executives employment by the Company for Disability shall be communicated to Executive by written notice, and shall be effective on the thirtieth (30th) day after receipt of such notice by Executive (the Disability Effective Date), unless Executive returns to full-time and satisfactory performance of Executives duties, as determined in the Companys sole and absolute discretion, before the Disability Effective Date. Executive agrees to comply with any reasonable request(s) from the Company necessary to determine whether Executive can satisfactorily perform Executives duties and services, on a full-time basis.
(e) Termination by Executive for Good Reason. Executive may terminate Executives employment and the Term for Good Reason (as defined below) upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company, which notice shall set forth the grounds for such termination and the specific provision(s) of this Agreement on which Executive relies. The notice must be provided within two (2) months after the event giving rise to the termination for Good Reason occurs. The Company shall have a period of thirty (30) days during which it may cure any condition reasonably susceptible of cure. If the Company does not correct the grounds for termination during the thirty (30) day period following the notice of termination, Executives termination of employment for Good Reason must become effective within thirty (30) days after the end of the cure period, in order for such termination to be treated as a termination for Good Reason under this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph (e) Good Reason shall mean: (1) any action by the Company that results in a material diminution in Executives position, authority, duties, or responsibilities, other than an isolated, insubstantial, and inadvertent action that is not taken in bad faith and is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof from Executive; (2) any purported termination of Executives employment by the Company for a reason or in a manner not expressly permitted by this Agreement; (3) any failure by the Company to comply with Section 12(c) of this Agreement; (4) Executives required permanent relocation to a worksite location that is more than 35 miles from the location set forth in Section 5(g); or (5) any other breach of this Agreement by the Company that is not remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof from Executive. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive acknowledges and agrees the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the execution and entering into of this Agreement shall not result in, cause, or otherwise constitute an event of Good Reason hereunder, and that Executive hereby waives any right that Executive could have claimed to resign for Good Reason as a result of such events.
(f) Termination by the Company Due to Expiration of the Term. In the event that the Company gives written notice of its intention not to renew this Agreement in accordance with Section 3, then the Term and Executives employment with the Company will terminate automatically upon the expiration of the Term and such termination shall be considered an involuntary termination by the Company under Section 6(c) above for purposes of this Agreement (except for purposes of Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement).
(g) Termination by Executive Without Good Reason. Executive may terminate this Agreement and the Term for any reason other than those set forth in Section 6(e) (other than by such Executives death or Disability) upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Company.
(h) For purposes of Sections 6 and 7, the following additional definitions shall apply:
(1) Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) The acquisition (other than from the Company), by any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(c) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities;
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(ii) The individuals who, as of the Effective Time, are members of the Board (the Incumbent Board), cease for any reason during any twelve (12) month period to constitute at least a majority of the Board, unless the election, or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Board, and such new director shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board;
(iii) The closing of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar form of corporate transaction (each, a Business Combination) involving the Company if (A) the stockholders of the Company, immediately before such Business Combination, do not, as a result of such Business Combination, own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from such Business Combination in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately before such Business Combination or (B) immediately following the Business Combination, the individuals who comprised the Board immediately prior thereto do not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (or, if the entity resulting from such Business Combination is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof);
(iv) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(v) The consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities is acquired by (i) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one or more employee benefit plans maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) any corporation which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in the same proportion as their ownership of shares in the Company immediately prior to such acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur unless such transaction constitutes a change in control event within the meaning of section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that in no event shall the consummation of the REIT I/REIT II Merger (or any transaction or series of transactions of a similar intent consummated within the one (1) year period following the Effective Time) result in a Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement.
(2) Date of Termination means the date of Executives death, the Disability Effective Date, the date on which the termination of Executives employment by the Company for Cause or without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason is effective, or the applicable date on which Executives notice of termination of employment without Good Reason is effective, as the case may be. The Date of Termination shall be the last day of the Term.
7. Effect of Termination. Executives employment is at-will but the benefits, if any, Executive receives upon termination are dependent on the reason for termination and are described below in this Section 7.
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(a) Death. If Executives employment is terminated by reason of Executives death during the Term, a death benefit shall be paid to Executives designated beneficiaries (or, if there is no such beneficiary, to Executives estate or legal representative), in an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts: (1) any portion of Executives Base Compensation through the Date of Termination that has been earned but not yet been paid, (2) all benefits and reimbursements due through the Date of Termination, (3) any accrued but unpaid vacation pay through the Date of Termination (items (1),(2), and (3), collectively, the Accrued Amounts), (4) any unpaid annual cash bonus under Section 4(b) for the preceding fiscal year, and (5) a pro-rated annual cash bonus under Section 4(b) for the period of Executives employment during the fiscal year that includes the Date of Termination and through the Date of Termination, assuming target performance (items (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), collectively, the Termination Benefits). In the event of termination under this Section 7(a), all other benefits, payments or compensation to be provided to Executive hereunder shall terminate and Executives rights in any stock option or incentive plans shall be governed solely by the terms of the applicable plan and grant. The Termination Benefits shall be paid in a single lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, or at such other time prescribed by any applicable plan.
(b) Disability. Upon the termination of Executives employment pursuant to Section 6(d) hereof due to Executives Disability, Executive shall be paid the Termination Benefits, payable in such time and manner as provided in Section 7(a).
(c) By the Company for Cause; By Executive Upon Expiration of Term; By Executive Without Good Reason. If Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause during the Term, the Company shall pay Executive the Accrued Amounts. If Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Term, other than for Good Reason, or if Executive elects, effective as of any Renewal Date, not to continue the Term, the Company shall pay Executive the Accrued Amounts. In the event of termination under this Section 7(c), no other compensation or benefits shall be payable to Executive except as otherwise required under the terms of the Companys employee benefits plans and programs or applicable law. The Accrued Amounts payable under this Section 7(c) shall be paid in a single lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, or at such other time prescribed by any applicable plan.
(d) By the Company Other than for Cause, Death or Disability; By Executive for Good Reason; or By the Company due to Expiration of the Term. If the Company terminates Executives employment, other than for Cause, Death or Disability, during the Term, if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term, or if the Company terminates Executives employment due to expiration of the Term as provided in Section 6(f), then (1) Executive shall be paid the Accrued Benefits, payable in such time and manner as provided in Section 7(a), and any Termination Benefits that are not Accrued Benefits shall be paid as described in Section 7(f) below, (2) any unvested equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) that vest solely based on the passage of time shall immediately vest, and (3) a pro-rated portion of any performance-based equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the performance period, based on the number of days during the performance period that Executive was employed. In addition, the Company shall provide to Executive the benefits described below. All severance payments payable as provided in Section 7(d)(1) shall be paid as described in Section 7(f).
(1) Severance Payment. In lieu of any further compensation payments to Executive for periods subsequent to the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to 1.5 times (but 2.0 times if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term) the sum of (A) the Base Compensation as of the Date of Termination and (B) the Average Bonus Amount. The term Average Bonus Amount means Executives average annual bonus based on the amount of bonus, if any, deemed to be earned for the three (3) most recent fiscal years completed prior to the Date of Termination, provided that, if Executive was not eligible to earn an annual bonus for at least three (3) completed fiscal years prior to
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the Date of Termination, then the Average Bonus shall be (x) if Executive was eligible to earn a bonus for two (2) fiscal years completed prior to the Date of Termination, the amount of such average annual bonus deemed to have been earned, if any, for the prior two (2) fiscal years; (y) if Executive was eligible to earn a bonus for only one (1) fiscal year completed prior to the Date of Termination, the amount of such bonus, if any, deemed to have been earned for such fiscal year; and (c) if Executive has not been employed long enough to be eligible to earn an annual bonus, then the amount of Executives target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs. In the event a qualifying termination occurs following the completion of a fiscal year but prior to the date the amount of the bonus is determined by the Committee with respect to such fiscal year, the amount of such bonus shall not be used in determining the Average Bonus.
(2) Benefits.
(A) During a period of eighteen (18) months following Executives Date of Termination (the Separation Period), Executive may elect continued health coverage under the Companys health plan in which Executive participated at the Date of Termination, as in effect from time to time, provided that Executive shall be responsible for paying the full monthly cost of such coverage, which shall be equal to the premium (the COBRA Premium) determined for purposes of continued coverage under section 4980B(f)(4) of the Code in effect from time to time.
(B) The Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the COBRA Premium cost of continued health coverage under the Companys health plan for the Separation Period, less the premium charge that is paid by the Company employees for such coverage, as in effect on Executives Date of Termination. The cash payments under this subsection (B) shall be paid to Executive on the first day of the month immediately following the month in which Executive timely remits premium payment. Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (x) the end of the Separation Period; (y) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (z) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
The payments and benefits provided pursuant to this Section 7(d) are intended as liquidated damages for a termination of Executives employment by the Company other than for Cause, for the actions of the Company leading to a termination of Executives employment by Executive for Good Reason, or for a termination by the Company of Executives employment due to expiration of the Term as provided in Section 6(f), and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy therefor.
(e) Following a Change in Control. If, during the Term but within twelve (12) months following the consummation of a Change in Control, Executives employment is terminated by the Company or the Companys successor other than for Cause, Death or Disability; or Executive terminates employment for Good Reason; or if the Company or the Companys successor terminates Executives employment due to expiration of the Term as provided in Section 6(f), then (1) Executive shall be paid the Termination Benefits, payable in such time and manner as provided in Section 7(d), (2) any unvested equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) that vest solely based on the passage of time shall immediately vest, and (3) a pro-rated portion of any performance-based equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the performance period, based on the number of days during the performance period that Executive was employed. In addition, the Company shall provide to Executive the severance benefits described below. All severance payments payable as provided in Section 7(e)(1) shall be paid as described in Section 7(f).
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(1) Severance Payment. In lieu of any further compensation payments to Executive for periods subsequent to the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to 3.0 times the sum of (A) the Base Compensation as of the Date of Termination and (B) the Average Bonus Amount.
(2) Benefits.
(A) During a period of eighteen (18) months following Executives Date of Termination (the Change in Control Separation Period), Executive may elect continued health coverage under the Companys health plan in which Executive participated at the Date of Termination, as in effect from time to time, provided that Executive shall be responsible for paying the full monthly cost of such coverage, which shall be equal to the COBRA Premium in effect from time to time.
(B) The Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the COBRA Premium cost of continued health coverage under the Companys health plan for the Separation Period, less the premium charge that is paid by the Company employees for such coverage, as in effect on Executives Date of Termination. The cash payments under this subsection (B) shall be paid to Executive on the first day of the month immediately following the month in which Executive timely remits premium payment. Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (x) the end of the Change in Control Separation Period; (y) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (z) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
(f) Severance Payment Provisions.
(1) All severance amounts payable upon Executives termination of employment as described in Sections 7(d)(1) and 7(e)(1) shall be payable, respectively, in 18 (24 in the event that Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term under Section 7(d)(1)) or 36 equal monthly installment payments payable in accordance with the Companys normal payroll practices, which shall commence within sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination, subject to Executives delivery to the Company of an effective release of all claims against the Company and its affiliates in the standard form provided by the Company for employee terminations (Release) and Executives compliance with Sections 8, 9 and 10 below, and provided the Release has become final and irrevocable by that time. The first installment payment shall include all severance payments that would have otherwise been paid to Executive during the period beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on the first payment date if no delay had been imposed as a result of the execution of the Release. In the event that the period of time during which Executive may sign the Release begins in one calendar year and ends in another calendar year, payment shall not be made until the beginning of the second calendar year.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, all payments that are subject to the section 409A six-month delay shall be postponed as described in Section 14 below.
8. Confidential Information. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 13(a), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, reverse engineer, divulge, sell, exchange, furnish, give away, transfer or otherwise reveal in any way, any Confidential Information to any person, natural or legal, except as required in the course of performing Executives duties under this Agreement or as authorized in writing by the Company. Executives obligations under this Agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other obligations Executive has to protect Confidential Information (including obligations arising under applicable law), and such obligations will continue for so long as the information in question continues to constitute Confidential Information, but shall not apply to any information which is or becomes publicly available otherwise than by any breach of this Section 8. As used herein, Confidential Information means
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all information of the Company in any form that relates to the past, present and future business affairs of the Company or a person not a party to this Agreement whose information the Company has in its possession under obligations of confidentiality, which has value to the Company or, if owned by someone else, has value to that third party, and is not generally known to the Companys competitors. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, (a) methods of operation, (b) price lists, (c) financial information and projections, (d) personnel data, (e) past, present or future business plans, (f) the composition, description, schematic or design of products or equipment of the Company or any third party, (g) advertising or marketing plans, (h) information regarding the Companys independent contractors or employees, (i) information regarding customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, issuer, originator, investor or other business relation of the Company, (j) information regarding any third party, and (k) all writings, works of authorship, technology, designs, specifications, schematics, tests, test results, manufacturing techniques, manufacturing documentation, inventions, discoveries, ideas and other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived or reduced to practice by Executive individually or jointly with others during the period of Executives employment by the Company and relating in any way to the business or demonstrably contemplated business, research or development of the Company and all printed, physical and electronic copies, all improvements, rights and claims related to the foregoing, and other tangible embodiments thereof. Confidential Information also includes trade secrets (as defined under applicable law) as well as information that does not rise to the level of a trade secret, information that has been entrusted to the Company by a third party under an obligation of confidentiality, and other such confidential or proprietary information, whether such information is developed in whole or in part by Executive, by others in the Company or obtained by the Company from third parties, and irrespective of whether such information has been identified by the Company as secret or confidential.
9. Covenant Not to Solicit. Executive shall not, during the Term and for a period ending on the date one (1) year from Executives termination of employment, directly or indirectly through another person or entity (a) induce or attempt to induce any officer or employee of the Company or its affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or such affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company and any of its affiliates and any officer or employee thereof, (b) hire any person who was an officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates within 180 days after such person ceased to be an officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or (c) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, issuer, originator, investor or other business relation of the Company or any of its affiliates to cease doing business with the Company or such affiliate for purposes of selling or providing any products or services competitive with those sold or provided by the Company or such affiliate or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, issuer, originator, investor or business relation and the Company or any of its affiliates. For purposes of this Agreement, products and services shall be considered competitive with those sold or provided by the Company or any of its affiliates if such products or services are of the type conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company or such affiliate within one (1) year prior to the Date of Termination.
10. Covenant not to Compete. Executive shall not, during the Term and for a period ending on the date eighteen (18) months from Executives termination of employment,1 directly or indirectly, whether through Executive or through another person or entity, engage in the Prohibited Activities in the Territory for or on behalf of Executive or any other business entity that is a Competitive Business; provided, that this covenant shall not prohibit Executives passive ownership of up to 1% of the equity securities of any Competitive Business. The parties acknowledge and agree that, if necessary to determine the reasonable geographic scope of this restraint, the Company may rely on appropriate documentation and evidence outside the provisions of this Agreement.
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For the avoidance of doubt, Executives post-employment non-solicit and non-compete obligations under Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement begin after the period of Executives employment by the Company or a Third Party Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or through assignment of this Agreement. |
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(a) For purposes of this Agreement, Prohibited Activities means owning, managing, operating, controlling, being employed by, serving as an officer or director of, consulting or assisting with, or participating in the ownership, management, operation or control of, any business that engages in activities that are the same as or similar to any aspect of a Competitive Business (as defined below) as conducted by Executive for or on behalf of the Company within the two (2) years preceding the date of Executives termination of employment (or in the preceding two (2) years if Executive is still employed by the Company).
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, Competitive Business means (i) providing advisory services, including managing, operating, directing and supervising the operations and administration of any business that is principally engaged in the ownership and/or management of multifamily real estate properties, including coordinating the leasing of and managing construction activities related to such properties and investments, (ii) any similar activities conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company within one (1) year preceding the date of Executives termination of employment (or in the preceding one (1) year if Executive is still employed by the Company), or proposed to be conducted as of the date of Executives termination of employment, and (iii) any other business being conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company during the Term or proposed to be conducted as of the date of Executives termination of employment.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, Territory means the geographic area where, within the one (1) year preceding the date of Executives termination of employment (or in the preceding one (1) year if Executive is still employed by the Company), Executive worked, represented the Company, had responsibilities on behalf of the Company or had contact with the Companys customers, clients, investors, actively sought prospective customers, clients, investors, and other material business relations of the Company. It is understood that the Territory currently includes the following geographic areas: the United States of America. The parties acknowledge that the Territory may expand to include additional geographic areas not listed in the immediately preceding sentence to the extent that Executives work location or duties and responsibilities change over time. Such additional geographic areas will be automatically deemed to be part of the Territory.
11. Remedies in Case of Breach of Certain Covenants.
(a) The Company and Executive agree that the damages that may result to the Company from misappropriation of confidential information or solicitation or competition as prohibited by Sections 8, 9 and 10 could be estimated only by conjecture and not by any accurate standard, and, therefore, any breach by Executive of the provisions of such Sections, in addition to giving rise to monetary damages, will entitle the Company to obtain specific performance and injunctive relief, without posting bond or other security unless required by a court of competent jurisdiction, to enforce such Sections.
(b) Each of the covenants set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement shall be construed as an agreement independent of (i) any other agreements, or (ii) any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, regardless of who was at fault and regardless of any claims that either Executive or the Company may have against the other, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement. The Company shall not be barred from enforcing any of the covenants set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement by reason of any breach of (iii) any other part of this Agreement, or (iv) any other agreement with Executive.
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12. Assignment.
(a) This Agreement is personal to Executive and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executives legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, and the Company may assign this Agreement to any company in which the Company has an interest.
(c) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would have been required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Company shall mean both Resource NewCo LLC and any such successor that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.
13. Miscellaneous.
(a) Protected Rights; Defend Trade Secrets Act.
(1) Nothing in this Agreement shall limit Executives ability to (A) file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency or commission (collectively, Government Agencies), (B) communicate with any Government Agencies, or (C) otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company; provided, however, that in making any such disclosures or communications, Executive shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any Confidential Information to parties other than the relevant Government Agencies.
(2) Executive is hereby notified that under the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016: (A) no individual shall be held criminally or civilly liable under federal or state law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is: (x) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and made solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (y) made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal so that it is not made public; and (B) an individual who pursues a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of the law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except as permitted by court order.
(b) Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any provision is determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions and any partially enforceable provisions shall remain in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision. Further, if any part on any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction by reason of the extent, duration or geographical scope thereof, or otherwise, then the parties agree that the court making such determination may reduce such extent, duration or geographical scope, or other provisions thereof, and in its reduced form such part or provision shall then be enforceable in the manner contemplated hereby.
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(c) Modification of Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified in whole or in part by any oral agreement, either expressed or implied, and all modifications thereof shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any restrictive covenant set forth in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(d) Survival. Any obligations under this Agreement which by their terms extend beyond or survive the termination of the Term (whether or not specifically provided) shall not be affected or diminished in any way by the termination of the Term and shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason and shall thereafter be enforceable whether or not such termination is claimed or found to be wrongful or to constitute or result in a breach of any contract or of any other duty owed or claimed to be owed to Executive by the Company.
(e) Waiver. The waiver of any right under this Agreement by any of the parties hereto shall not be construed as a waiver of the same right at a future time or as a waiver of any other rights under this Agreement. The waiver by one party hereto of any breach of this Agreement by another of the parties hereto shall not act as a waiver of any other breach.
(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, along with the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement, constitutes the entire and only agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, the Acknowledgemcment and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement. The terms set forth in this Agreement, the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement supersede any prior communications, agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, between the parties concerning the subject matters set forth in this Agreement, the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement.
(g) Third Party Beneficiaries. The parties acknowledge and agree that Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP a Delaware limited partnership, REIT I, REIT II, and REIT III, and each of their Affiliates and Successors (excluding, for clarity, any Contributor Party or any Contributor Partys affiliates) is an intended third party beneficiary of this Agreement, with full rights to enforce this Agreement. Except as stated in the preceding sentence, this Agreement does not confer any rights or remedies upon any person or entity other than the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(h) Construction. In the event that an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointed by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, or is used in the inclusive sense of and/or; including means including without limitation; and, where the context so permits, terms used in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural, and vice versa.
(i) Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed, and governed by and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, irrespective of its choice-of-law rules. Any and all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executives employment with the Company, or Executives cessation of employment with the Company shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts with jurisdiction over Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Executive consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts, and hereby waives (1) any objection to jurisdiction or venue, or (2) any defense claiming lack of jurisdiction or improper venue, in any action brought in such courts.
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(j) Notices. Any notice to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and mailed by certified or registered mail, postage-prepaid, to the addresses listed below, or to such other address as either party may notify the other of in accordance with this Section.
If to the Company:
Resource NewCo LLC
1845 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attn: General Counsel
If to Executive:
Alan F. Feldman
Last address on file with the Company
(k) Duplicate Originals and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of duplicate originals or counterparts or facsimile or scanned signature counterparts, each of such duplicate original or counterpart or facsimile or scanned signature counterpart shall be deemed to be an original and all taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
14. Section 280G
(a) 280G Payments. If any of the payments or benefits received or to be received by Executive (including, without limitation, any payment or benefits received in connection with a Change in Control or Executives termination of employment) (all such payments collectively referred to herein as the 280G Payments) constitute parachute payments within the meaning of section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 14, be subject to the excise tax imposed under section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then prior to making the 280G Payments, a calculation shall be made comparing (1) the Net Benefit (as defined below) to Executive of the 280G Payments after payment of the Excise Tax to (2) the Net Benefit to Executive if the 280G Payments are limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. Only if the amount calculated under (1) above is less than the amount under (2) above will the 280G Payments be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the 280G Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. For purposes of this Section 14, Net Benefit shall mean the present value of the 280G Payments net of all federal, state, local, foreign income, employment, and excise taxes. Any reduction made pursuant to this Section 14 shall be made in a manner determined by the Company that is consistent with the requirements of section 409A.
(b) 280G Calculations. All calculations and determinations under this Section 14 shall be made by an independent accounting firm or independent tax counsel appointed by the Company (the Tax Counsel) whose determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Executive for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 14, the Tax Counsel may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of section 280G and section 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive shall furnish the Tax Counsel with such information and documents as the Tax Counsel may reasonably request in order to make its determinations under this Section 14. The Company shall bear all costs the Tax Counsel may reasonably incur in connection with its services.
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15. Section 409A.
(a) Payment Delay. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is a specified employee of a publicly traded corporation under section 409A of the Code and if payment of any amount under this Agreement is required to be delayed for a period of six (6) months after separation from service pursuant to section 409A of the Code, payment of such amount shall be delayed as required by section 409A of the Code, and the accumulated postponed amount, with interest (if applicable), shall be paid in a lump sum payment within ten (10) days after the end of the six-month period. If Executive dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of postponed amount, the amounts withheld on account of section 409A of the Code, with interest (if applicable), shall be paid to the personal representative of Executives estate within sixty (60) days after the date of Executives death. A specified employee shall mean an employee who, at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on the identification date, is a specified employee under section 409A of the Code, as determined by the Board. The determination of specified employees, including the number and identity of persons considered specified employees and the identification date, shall be made by the Board in accordance with the provisions of sections 416(i) and 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder.
(b) Section 409A Compliance. This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, and shall in all respects be administered in accordance with section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, distributions may only be made under the Agreement upon an event and in a manner permitted by section 409A of the Code or an applicable exemption. All payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon a separation from service under section 409A. For purposes of section 409A of the Code, the right to a series of payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of a payment. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, including, where applicable, the requirement that (1) any reimbursement shall be for expenses incurred during Executives lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (2) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (3) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (4) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused to be executed this Agreement as of the date that includes the Effective Time.
COMPANY: | ||
RESOURCE NEWCO LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Michele R. Weisbaum |
|
Name: Michele R. Weisbaum | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
EXECUTIVE: | ||
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
||
Alan F. Feldman | ||
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EXHIBIT 10.7
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the Agreement) is made and entered into by and between Resource NewCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company having its principal place of business at 1845 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (Advisor Holdings or the Company) and Thomas C. Elliott (Executive). This Agreement is ancillary to the Contribution and Exchange Agreement, by and among Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Buyer), the Contributed Holding Companies, C-III Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (PM Contributor), Resource Real Estate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Advisor Contributor, and each of Advisor Contributor and PM Contributor also being referred to herein as a Contributor and collectively, the Contributors) and Resource America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Resource America, and each of Resource America and the Contributors also being referred to herein as a Contributor Party and collectively, the Contributor Parties) (the Contribution Agreement), and is effective as of, and contingent upon, (1) the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and (2) Executives execution of the Acknowledgment and Agreement of Termination (upon the occurrence of (1) and (2) collectively, the Effective Time). Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, Executive was employed by a Contributor Party or an Affiliate of a Contributor Party pursuant to that certain employment agreement dated May 22, 2016, as amended by agreement dated December 12, 2018 (the Prior Agreement and together with any and all agreements relating to Executives employment, separation and/or termination of Executives employment with any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party including, without limitation, employment agreements, letter agreements, and bonus, commission, and compensation agreements and/or arrangements, each as amended from time to time, collectively, the Prior Agreements);
WHEREAS, in order to induce the parties to the Contribution Agreement to consummate the transactions contemplated thereunder, Executive is willing to enter into this Agreement with the Company and waive any and all rights pursuant to the Prior Agreements;
WHEREAS, the parties would not have entered into the Contribution Agreement without Executives agreement to enter into this Agreement with the Company; and
WHEREAS, Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive will receive substantial consideration or other benefits as a result of entering into this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the transactions contemplated in the Contribution Agreement, and the premises, agreements, and the mutual promises and covenants set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and Executive, hereby acknowledge and agree as follows:
1. Employment. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
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2. Duties; Exclusivity.
(a) Executive shall report to, and accept direction from, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and from the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board). Executive shall serve the Company diligently, competently and to the best of Executives abilities. Executive will have such duties, functions, responsibilities and authority as are customarily associated with the position in which Executive serves, and shall also render such services as may reasonably be required of Executive to accomplish the business purposes of the Company, and such duties as may be assigned to Executive from time to time and which are appropriate for Executives position at the Company.
(b) Executive shall devote substantially all of Executives business time and attention to the business of the Company and its affiliates, and shall not undertake any other duties which conflict with these responsibilities. Executive represents and warrants that Executive is under no fiduciary, contractual or other legal obligation to another company, venture, business or employer that would prevent Executive from being employed by the Company as set forth herein. This provision shall not be construed to prevent Executive from engaging in community, charitable, or educational activities, or managing Executives personal investments, provided that such activities do not materially conflict or interfere with Executives performance of Executives duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
3. Term. The term of Executives employment under this Agreement shall be the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on December 31, 2023, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 6 (such period, the Initial Term); provided that, on December 31, 2023 and each one (1)-year anniversary thereafter (such date and each one (1)-year anniversary thereof, a Renewal Date), the Agreement shall be automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions, for successive periods of one (1) year, unless either party provides written notice of such partys intention not to extend the term of the Agreement at least sixty (60) days prior to the applicable Renewal Date. The Initial Term and any renewal of such term are referred to herein as the Term, as applicable. Executives employment with the Company shall be on an at-will basis, nothing in this Agreement shall alter Executives at-will status with the Company, and either party may terminate this Agreement subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
4. Compensation.
(a) Base Compensation. During the Term, the Company shall pay to Executive an annual base compensation (Base Compensation) in the gross amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), minus applicable withholdings. The Base Compensation will be payable in accordance with the general payroll practices by which the Company pays its executive officers, and the historical practice of the Companys compensation of Executive. It is understood that the Company, through the compensation committee of the Board (the Committee), will review Executives performance on an annual basis and may increase (but not decrease) such Base Compensation, based upon Executives performance.
(b) Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. During the Term, Executive may receive incentive compensation in the form of annual cash bonus payments based upon specified corporate and individual performance as determined by the Board or the Committee. The amount of the annual cash bonus payable to Executive will be determined at the discretion of the Board or the Committee; provided, such annual cash bonus for 2020 shall not be less than $750,000. In establishing the performance criteria for each fiscal year, the Board or Committee shall set forth a maximum, target, and threshold annual bonus amount, in each case, expressed as a percentage of Executives Base Compensation at the rate in effect at the beginning of the relevant fiscal year. For each fiscal year beginning after 2020 during the Term, if applicable performance goals are not attained at least at the threshold performance level, no annual bonus
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shall be payable. Payouts for in-between performance criteria will be calculated using straight-line interpolation. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the payment of annual incentive compensation amounts under this Section 4(b) is subject to Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable payment date in the following fiscal year which shall not be later than March 15 of the following fiscal year.
(c) Initial Equity Grant. Executive will receive an initial equity grant with a fair market value of $1,550,000 to be awarded in the form of restricted shares of Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (REIT I). Subject to Executives continued employment with the Company from the Effective Time through the consummation of the following events and the Boards determination of a successful integration and completion of such events, the restricted shares will vest as follows: (1) forty percent (40%) upon the consummation of the contemplated merger of REIT I with and into a subsidiary of Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II, Inc. (REIT II, and such merger, the REIT I/REIT II Merger) and (2) sixty percent (60%) upon a Liquidity Event of REIT II subsequent to the consummation of the REIT I/REIT II Merger. For purposes of this Section 4(c), a Liquidity Event of REIT II shall mean any of the following: (i) a listing of the common stock of REIT II on a national securities exchange, (ii) a sale, merger or other transaction in which the stockholders of REIT II either receive, or have the option to receive, cash, securities redeemable for cash, and/or securities of a publicly traded company, or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of REIT IIs assets where stockholders of REIT II either receive, or have the option to receive, cash or the securities of a publicly traded company.
(d) Annual Equity Incentive Compensation. In addition to the equity grant provided in Section 4(c), with respect to each calendar year during the Term beginning after calendar year 2020, Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual long-term equity incentive award. For the equity incentive award granted in the 2021 calendar year, such award shall be granted prior to March 15, 2021 and shall be based on the target award recommended by FPL Advisory in its proposed executive compensation program summary dated August 10, 2020. For the equity incentive award granted in 2021, seventy percent (70%) of each such award shall vest in substantially equal installments over a period of three (3) years based solely on the passage of time and the remaining thirty percent (30%) shall vest based on performance criteria established in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee. Except as otherwise provided herein, eligibility for, and the terms and vesting conditions applicable to, each such annual grant, if any, shall be determined by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion.
5. Benefits.
Executive shall be entitled to receive the following benefits from the Company independent of any other benefits which Executive may receive from the Company or otherwise:
(a) Participation in Plans. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all applicable incentive, savings, and retirement plans, practices, policies, and programs of the Company and in any group life, hospitalization or disability insurance plans, and health programs, in each case to the extent Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans or programs. The Company shall maintain group life insurance coverage for Executive in an amount at least equal to two (2) times Executives Base Compensation as in effect from time to time.
(b) Disability. Executive shall be eligible for any short and long term disability and any life insurance plans or programs that are available to other similarly situated executives of the Company in each case to the extent Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans or programs.
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(c) Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executives duties, including without limitation expenses incurred during business-related travel. Executive shall present to the Company, from time to time, an itemized account of such expenses in such form as may be required by the Company.
(d) Personal Time Off. Executive shall be entitled to a number of days of personal time off work during each calendar year which shall be no less than the amount set forth in the Companys company policies. This includes days used for vacation, illness or other personal matters but is exclusive of such office holidays as may be designated by the Company.
(e) Withholdings and Taxes. All compensation payable to Executive is subject to withholding for all applicable federal, state and local income taxes, and all applicable employment, occupational, Social Security and other similar taxes, and any other amounts as required by law.
(f) Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based compensation, or any other compensation, paid to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company, whether or not pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).
(g) Location. Executives principal place of employment shall be the offices of the Company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
6. Termination and Definitions.
Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, Executives employment and the Term hereunder shall terminate as follows:
(a) Death. Executives employment and the Term shall terminate automatically upon the death of Executive.
(b) Termination by the Company, for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Term for Cause. Cause shall encompass the following: (1) Executive has committed any act of fraud; (2) illegal conduct or gross misconduct by Executive, in either case that is willful and results in material and demonstrable damage to the business or reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates; (3) Executive is convicted of, or pleads nolo contendere to, a felony; (4) the continued failure of Executive substantially to perform Executives duties under this Agreement (other than as a result of physical or mental illness or injury), after the Company delivers to Executive a written demand for substantial performance that specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executives duties; or (5) Executive has failed to follow reasonable written directions of the Company which are consistent with Executives duties hereunder and not in violation of applicable law, provided that no termination shall occur pursuant to subsections (4) or (5) above unless the Company first gives Executive written notice of its intention to terminate and of the Cause for termination and Executive has not, within ten (10) business days after written notice, cured such Cause.
(c) Termination by the Company without Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Term without Cause upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to Executive.
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(d) Disability. The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Term if Executive becomes disabled by reason of physical or mental disability for more than one hundred eighty (180) days in the aggregate or a period of ninety (90) consecutive days during any 365-day period and the Board determines, in good faith and in writing, that Executive, by reason of such physical or mental disability, is rendered unable to perform Executives duties and services hereunder, with or without a reasonable accommodation (a Disability). A termination of Executives employment by the Company for Disability shall be communicated to Executive by written notice, and shall be effective on the thirtieth (30th) day after receipt of such notice by Executive (the Disability Effective Date), unless Executive returns to full-time and satisfactory performance of Executives duties, as determined in the Companys sole and absolute discretion, before the Disability Effective Date. Executive agrees to comply with any reasonable request(s) from the Company necessary to determine whether Executive can satisfactorily perform Executives duties and services, on a full-time basis.
(e) Termination by Executive for Good Reason. Executive may terminate Executives employment and the Term for Good Reason (as defined below) upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company, which notice shall set forth the grounds for such termination and the specific provision(s) of this Agreement on which Executive relies. The notice must be provided within two (2) months after the event giving rise to the termination for Good Reason occurs. The Company shall have a period of thirty (30) days during which it may cure any condition reasonably susceptible of cure. If the Company does not correct the grounds for termination during the thirty (30) day period following the notice of termination, Executives termination of employment for Good Reason must become effective within thirty (30) days after the end of the cure period, in order for such termination to be treated as a termination for Good Reason under this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph (e) Good Reason shall mean: (1) any action by the Company that results in a material diminution in Executives position, authority, duties, or responsibilities, other than an isolated, insubstantial, and inadvertent action that is not taken in bad faith and is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof from Executive; (2) any purported termination of Executives employment by the Company for a reason or in a manner not expressly permitted by this Agreement; (3) any failure by the Company to comply with Section 12(c) of this Agreement; (4) Executives required permanent relocation to a worksite location that is more than 35 miles from the location set forth in Section 5(g); or (5) any other breach of this Agreement by the Company that is not remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof from Executive. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive acknowledges and agrees the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the execution and entering into of this Agreement shall not result in, cause, or otherwise constitute an event of Good Reason hereunder, and that Executive hereby waives any right that Executive could have claimed to resign for Good Reason as a result of such events.
(f) Termination by the Company Due to Expiration of the Term. In the event that the Company gives written notice of its intention not to renew this Agreement in accordance with Section 3, then the Term and Executives employment with the Company will terminate automatically upon the expiration of the Term and such termination shall be considered an involuntary termination by the Company under Section 6(c) above for purposes of this Agreement (except for purposes of Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement).
(g) Termination by Executive Without Good Reason. Executive may terminate this Agreement and the Term for any reason other than those set forth in Section 6(e) (other than by such Executives death or Disability) upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Company.
(h) For purposes of Sections 6 and 7, the following additional definitions shall apply:
(1) Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
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(i) The acquisition (other than from the Company), by any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(c) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities;
(ii) The individuals who, as of the Effective Time, are members of the Board (the Incumbent Board), cease for any reason during any twelve (12) month period to constitute at least a majority of the Board, unless the election, or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Board, and such new director shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board;
(iii) The closing of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar form of corporate transaction (each, a Business Combination) involving the Company if (A) the stockholders of the Company, immediately before such Business Combination, do not, as a result of such Business Combination, own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from such Business Combination in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately before such Business Combination or (B) immediately following the Business Combination, the individuals who comprised the Board immediately prior thereto do not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (or, if the entity resulting from such Business Combination is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof);
(iv) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(v) The consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities is acquired by (i) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one or more employee benefit plans maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) any corporation which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in the same proportion as their ownership of shares in the Company immediately prior to such acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur unless such transaction constitutes a change in control event within the meaning of section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that in no event shall the consummation of the REIT I/REIT II Merger (or any transaction or series of transactions of a similar intent consummated within the one (1) year period following the Effective Time) result in a Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement.
(2) Date of Termination means the date of Executives death, the Disability Effective Date, the date on which the termination of Executives employment by the Company for Cause or without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason is effective, or the applicable date on which Executives notice of termination of employment without Good Reason is effective, as the case may be. The Date of Termination shall be the last day of the Term.
7. Effect of Termination. Executives employment is at-will but the benefits, if any, Executive receives upon termination are dependent on the reason for termination and are described below in this Section 7.
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(a) Death. If Executives employment is terminated by reason of Executives death during the Term, a death benefit shall be paid to Executives designated beneficiaries (or, if there is no such beneficiary, to Executives estate or legal representative), in an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts: (1) any portion of Executives Base Compensation through the Date of Termination that has been earned but not yet been paid, (2) all benefits and reimbursements due through the Date of Termination, (3) any accrued but unpaid vacation pay through the Date of Termination (items (1),(2), and (3), collectively, the Accrued Amounts), (4) any unpaid annual cash bonus under Section 4(b) for the preceding fiscal year, and (5) a pro-rated annual cash bonus under Section 4(b) for the period of Executives employment during the fiscal year that includes the Date of Termination and through the Date of Termination, assuming target performance (items (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), collectively, the Termination Benefits). In the event of termination under this Section 7(a), all other benefits, payments or compensation to be provided to Executive hereunder shall terminate and Executives rights in any stock option or incentive plans shall be governed solely by the terms of the applicable plan and grant. The Termination Benefits shall be paid in a single lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, or at such other time prescribed by any applicable plan.
(b) Disability. Upon the termination of Executives employment pursuant to Section 6(d) hereof due to Executives Disability, Executive shall be paid the Termination Benefits, payable in such time and manner as provided in Section 7(a).
(c) By the Company for Cause; By Executive Upon Expiration of Term; By Executive Without Good Reason. If Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause during the Term, the Company shall pay Executive the Accrued Amounts. If Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Term, other than for Good Reason, or if Executive elects, effective as of any Renewal Date, not to continue the Term, the Company shall pay Executive the Accrued Amounts. In the event of termination under this Section 7(c), no other compensation or benefits shall be payable to Executive except as otherwise required under the terms of the Companys employee benefits plans and programs or applicable law. The Accrued Amounts payable under this Section 7(c) shall be paid in a single lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, or at such other time prescribed by any applicable plan.
(d) By the Company Other than for Cause, Death or Disability; By Executive for Good Reason; or By the Company due to Expiration of the Term. If the Company terminates Executives employment, other than for Cause, Death or Disability, during the Term, if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term, or if the Company terminates Executives employment due to expiration of the Term as provided in Section 6(f), then (1) Executive shall be paid the Accrued Benefits, payable in such time and manner as provided in Section 7(a), and any Termination Benefits that are not Accrued Benefits shall be paid as described in Section 7(f) below, (2) any unvested equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) that vest solely based on the passage of time shall immediately vest, and (3) a pro-rated portion of any performance-based equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the performance period, based on the number of days during the performance period that Executive was employed. In addition, the Company shall provide to Executive the benefits described below. All severance payments payable as provided in Section 7(d)(1) shall be paid as described in Section 7(f).
(1) Severance Payment. In lieu of any further compensation payments to Executive for periods subsequent to the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to 1.5 times (but 2.0 times if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term) the sum of (A) the Base Compensation as of the Date of Termination and (B) the Average Bonus
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Amount. The term Average Bonus Amount means Executives average annual bonus based on the amount of bonus, if any, deemed to be earned for the three (3) most recent fiscal years completed prior to the Date of Termination, provided that, if Executive was not eligible to earn an annual bonus for at least three (3) completed fiscal years prior to the Date of Termination, then the Average Bonus shall be (x) if Executive was eligible to earn a bonus for two (2) fiscal years completed prior to the Date of Termination, the amount of such average annual bonus deemed to have been earned, if any, for the prior two (2) fiscal years; (y) if Executive was eligible to earn a bonus for only one (1) fiscal year completed prior to the Date of Termination, the amount of such bonus, if any, deemed to have been earned for such fiscal year; and (c) if Executive has not been employed long enough to be eligible to earn an annual bonus, then the amount of Executives target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs. In the event a qualifying termination occurs following the completion of a fiscal year but prior to the date the amount of the bonus is determined by the Committee with respect to such fiscal year, the amount of such bonus shall not be used in determining the Average Bonus.
(2) Benefits.
(A) During a period of eighteen (18) months following Executives Date of Termination (the Separation Period), Executive may elect continued health coverage under the Companys health plan in which Executive participated at the Date of Termination, as in effect from time to time, provided that Executive shall be responsible for paying the full monthly cost of such coverage, which shall be equal to the premium (the COBRA Premium) determined for purposes of continued coverage under section 4980B(f)(4) of the Code in effect from time to time.
(B) The Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the COBRA Premium cost of continued health coverage under the Companys health plan for the Separation Period, less the premium charge that is paid by the Company employees for such coverage, as in effect on Executives Date of Termination. The cash payments under this subsection (B) shall be paid to Executive on the first day of the month immediately following the month in which Executive timely remits premium payment. Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (x) the end of the Separation Period; (y) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (z) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
The payments and benefits provided pursuant to this Section 7(d) are intended as liquidated damages for a termination of Executives employment by the Company other than for Cause, for the actions of the Company leading to a termination of Executives employment by Executive for Good Reason, or for a termination by the Company of Executives employment due to expiration of the Term as provided in Section 6(f), and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy therefor.
(e) Following a Change in Control. If, during the Term but within twelve (12) months following the consummation of a Change in Control, Executives employment is terminated by the Company or the Companys successor other than for Cause, Death or Disability; or Executive terminates employment for Good Reason; or if the Company or the Companys successor terminates Executives employment due to expiration of the Term as provided in Section 6(f), then (1) Executive shall be paid the Termination Benefits, payable in such time and manner as provided in Section 7(d), (2) any unvested equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) that vest solely based on the passage of time shall immediately vest, and (3) a pro-rated portion of any performance-based equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the performance period, based on the number of days during the performance period that Executive was employed. In addition, the Company shall provide to Executive the severance benefits described below. All severance payments payable as provided in Section 7(e)(1) shall be paid as described in Section 7(f).
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(1) Severance Payment. In lieu of any further compensation payments to Executive for periods subsequent to the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to 3.0 times the sum of (A) the Base Compensation as of the Date of Termination and (B) the Average Bonus Amount.
(2) Benefits.
(A) During a period of eighteen (18) months following Executives Date of Termination (the Change in Control Separation Period), Executive may elect continued health coverage under the Companys health plan in which Executive participated at the Date of Termination, as in effect from time to time, provided that Executive shall be responsible for paying the full monthly cost of such coverage, which shall be equal to the COBRA Premium in effect from time to time.
(B) The Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the COBRA Premium cost of continued health coverage under the Companys health plan for the Separation Period, less the premium charge that is paid by the Company employees for such coverage, as in effect on Executives Date of Termination. The cash payments under this subsection (B) shall be paid to Executive on the first day of the month immediately following the month in which Executive timely remits premium payment. Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (x) the end of the Change in Control Separation Period; (y) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (z) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
(f) Severance Payment Provisions.
(1) All severance amounts payable upon Executives termination of employment as described in Sections 7(d)(1) and 7(e)(1) shall be payable, respectively, in 12 (18 in the event that Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term under Section 7(d)(1)) or 36 equal monthly installment payments payable in accordance with the Companys normal payroll practices, which shall commence within sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination, subject to Executives delivery to the Company of an effective release of all claims against the Company and its affiliates in the standard form provided by the Company for employee terminations (Release) and Executives compliance with Sections 8, 9 and 10 below, and provided the Release has become final and irrevocable by that time. The first installment payment shall include all severance payments that would have otherwise been paid to Executive during the period beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on the first payment date if no delay had been imposed as a result of the execution of the Release. In the event that the period of time during which Executive may sign the Release begins in one calendar year and ends in another calendar year, payment shall not be made until the beginning of the second calendar year.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, all payments that are subject to the section 409A six-month delay shall be postponed as described in Section 14 below.
8. Confidential Information. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 13(a), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, reverse engineer, divulge, sell, exchange, furnish, give away, transfer or otherwise reveal in any way, any Confidential Information to any person, natural or legal, except as required in the course of performing Executives duties under this Agreement or as authorized in writing by the Company. Executives obligations under this Agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other obligations Executive has to protect Confidential Information (including obligations arising under
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applicable law), and such obligations will continue for so long as the information in question continues to constitute Confidential Information, but shall not apply to any information which is or becomes publicly available otherwise than by any breach of this Section 8. As used herein, Confidential Information means all information of the Company in any form that relates to the past, present and future business affairs of the Company or a person not a party to this Agreement whose information the Company has in its possession under obligations of confidentiality, which has value to the Company or, if owned by someone else, has value to that third party, and is not generally known to the Companys competitors. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, (a) methods of operation, (b) price lists, (c) financial information and projections, (d) personnel data, (e) past, present or future business plans, (f) the composition, description, schematic or design of products or equipment of the Company or any third party, (g) advertising or marketing plans, (h) information regarding the Companys independent contractors or employees, (i) information regarding customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, issuer, originator, investor or other business relation of the Company, (j) information regarding any third party, and (k) all writings, works of authorship, technology, designs, specifications, schematics, tests, test results, manufacturing techniques, manufacturing documentation, inventions, discoveries, ideas and other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived or reduced to practice by Executive individually or jointly with others during the period of Executives employment by the Company and relating in any way to the business or demonstrably contemplated business, research or development of the Company and all printed, physical and electronic copies, all improvements, rights and claims related to the foregoing, and other tangible embodiments thereof. Confidential Information also includes trade secrets (as defined under applicable law) as well as information that does not rise to the level of a trade secret, information that has been entrusted to the Company by a third party under an obligation of confidentiality, and other such confidential or proprietary information, whether such information is developed in whole or in part by Executive, by others in the Company or obtained by the Company from third parties, and irrespective of whether such information has been identified by the Company as secret or confidential.
9. Covenant Not to Solicit. Executive shall not, during the Term and for a period ending on the date one (1) year from Executives termination of employment, directly or indirectly through another person or entity (a) induce or attempt to induce any officer or employee of the Company or its affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or such affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company and any of its affiliates and any officer or employee thereof, (b) hire any person who was an officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates within 180 days after such person ceased to be an officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or (c) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, issuer, originator, investor or other business relation of the Company or any of its affiliates to cease doing business with the Company or such affiliate for purposes of selling or providing any products or services competitive with those sold or provided by the Company or such affiliate or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, issuer, originator, investor or business relation and the Company or any of its affiliates. For purposes of this Agreement, products and services shall be considered competitive with those sold or provided by the Company or any of its affiliates if such products or services are of the type conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company or such affiliate within one (1) year prior to the Date of Termination.
10. Covenant not to Compete. Executive shall not, during the Term and for a period ending on the date eighteen (18) months from Executives termination of employment,1 directly or indirectly, whether through Executive or through another person or entity, engage in the Prohibited Activities in the Territory for or on behalf of Executive or any other business entity that is a Competitive Business; provided, that this covenant shall not prohibit Executives passive ownership of up to 1% of the equity securities of any Competitive Business. The parties acknowledge and agree that, if necessary to determine the reasonable geographic scope of this restraint, the Company may rely on appropriate documentation and evidence outside the provisions of this Agreement.
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For the avoidance of doubt, Executives post-employment non-solicit and non-compete obligations under Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement begin after the period of Executives employment by the Company or a Third Party Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or through assignment of this Agreement. |
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(a) For purposes of this Agreement, Prohibited Activities means owning, managing, operating, controlling, being employed by, serving as an officer or director of, consulting or assisting with, or participating in the ownership, management, operation or control of, any business that engages in activities that are the same as or similar to any aspect of a Competitive Business (as defined below) as conducted by Executive for or on behalf of the Company within the two (2) years preceding the date of Executives termination of employment (or in the preceding two (2) years if Executive is still employed by the Company).
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, Competitive Business means (i) providing advisory services, including managing, operating, directing and supervising the operations and administration of any business that is principally engaged in the ownership and/or management of multifamily real estate properties, including coordinating the leasing of and managing construction activities related to such properties and investments, (ii) any similar activities conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company within one (1) year preceding the date of Executives termination of employment (or in the preceding one (1) year if Executive is still employed by the Company), or proposed to be conducted as of the date of Executives termination of employment, and (iii) any other business being conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company during the Term or proposed to be conducted as of the date of Executives termination of employment.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, Territory means the geographic area where, within the one (1) year preceding the date of Executives termination of employment (or in the preceding one (1) year if Executive is still employed by the Company), Executive worked, represented the Company, had responsibilities on behalf of the Company or had contact with the Companys customers, clients, investors, actively sought prospective customers, clients, investors, and other material business relations of the Company. It is understood that the Territory currently includes the following geographic areas: the United States of America. The parties acknowledge that the Territory may expand to include additional geographic areas not listed in the immediately preceding sentence to the extent that Executives work location or duties and responsibilities change over time. Such additional geographic areas will be automatically deemed to be part of the Territory.
11. Remedies in Case of Breach of Certain Covenants.
(a) The Company and Executive agree that the damages that may result to the Company from misappropriation of confidential information or solicitation or competition as prohibited by Sections 8, 9 and 10 could be estimated only by conjecture and not by any accurate standard, and, therefore, any breach by Executive of the provisions of such Sections, in addition to giving rise to monetary damages, will entitle the Company to obtain specific performance and injunctive relief, without posting bond or other security unless required by a court of competent jurisdiction, to enforce such Sections.
(b) Each of the covenants set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement shall be construed as an agreement independent of (i) any other agreements, or (ii) any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, regardless of who was at fault and regardless of any claims that either Executive or the Company may have against the other, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement. The Company shall not be barred from enforcing any of the covenants set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement by reason of any breach of (iii) any other part of this Agreement, or (iv) any other agreement with Executive.
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12. Assignment.
(a) This Agreement is personal to Executive and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executives legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, and the Company may assign this Agreement to any company in which the Company has an interest.
(c) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would have been required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Company shall mean both Resource NewCo LLC and any such successor that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.
13. Miscellaneous.
(a) Protected Rights; Defend Trade Secrets Act.
(1) Nothing in this Agreement shall limit Executives ability to (A) file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency or commission (collectively, Government Agencies), (B) communicate with any Government Agencies, or (C) otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company; provided, however, that in making any such disclosures or communications, Executive shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any Confidential Information to parties other than the relevant Government Agencies.
(2) Executive is hereby notified that under the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016: (A) no individual shall be held criminally or civilly liable under federal or state law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is: (x) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and made solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (y) made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal so that it is not made public; and (B) an individual who pursues a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of the law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except as permitted by court order.
(b) Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any provision is determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions and any partially enforceable provisions shall remain in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision. Further, if any part on any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction by reason of the extent, duration or geographical scope thereof, or otherwise, then the parties agree that the court making such determination may reduce such extent, duration or geographical scope, or other provisions thereof, and in its reduced form such part or provision shall then be enforceable in the manner contemplated hereby.
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(c) Modification of Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified in whole or in part by any oral agreement, either expressed or implied, and all modifications thereof shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any restrictive covenant set forth in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(d) Survival. Any obligations under this Agreement which by their terms extend beyond or survive the termination of the Term (whether or not specifically provided) shall not be affected or diminished in any way by the termination of the Term and shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason and shall thereafter be enforceable whether or not such termination is claimed or found to be wrongful or to constitute or result in a breach of any contract or of any other duty owed or claimed to be owed to Executive by the Company.
(e) Waiver. The waiver of any right under this Agreement by any of the parties hereto shall not be construed as a waiver of the same right at a future time or as a waiver of any other rights under this Agreement. The waiver by one party hereto of any breach of this Agreement by another of the parties hereto shall not act as a waiver of any other breach.
(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, along with the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement, constitutes the entire and only agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement. The terms set forth in this Agreement, the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement supersede any prior communications, agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, between the parties concerning the subject matters set forth in this Agreement, the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement.
(g) Third Party Beneficiaries. The parties acknowledge and agree that Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, REIT I, REIT II, and REIT III, and each of their Affiliates and Successors (excluding, for clarity, any Contributor Party or any Contributor Partys affiliates) is an intended third party beneficiary of this Agreement, with full rights to enforce this Agreement. Except as stated in the preceding sentence, this Agreement does not confer any rights or remedies upon any person or entity other than the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(h) Construction. In the event that an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointed by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, or is used in the inclusive sense of and/or; including means including without limitation; and, where the context so permits, terms used in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural, and vice versa.
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(i) Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed, and governed by and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, irrespective of its choice-of-law rules. Any and all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executives employment with the Company, or Executives cessation of employment with the Company shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts with jurisdiction over Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Executive consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts, and hereby waives (1) any objection to jurisdiction or venue, or (2) any defense claiming lack of jurisdiction or improper venue, in any action brought in such courts.
(j) Notices. Any notice to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and mailed by certified or registered mail, postage-prepaid, to the addresses listed below, or to such other address as either party may notify the other of in accordance with this Section.
If to the Company:
Resource NewCo LLC
1845 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attn: General Counsel
If to Executive:
Thomas C. Elliott
Last address on file with the Company
(k) Duplicate Originals and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of duplicate originals or counterparts or facsimile or scanned signature counterparts, each of such duplicate original or counterpart or facsimile or scanned signature counterpart shall be deemed to be an original and all taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
14. Section 280G
(a) 280G Payments. If any of the payments or benefits received or to be received by Executive (including, without limitation, any payment or benefits received in connection with a Change in Control or Executives termination of employment) (all such payments collectively referred to herein as the 280G Payments) constitute parachute payments within the meaning of section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 14, be subject to the excise tax imposed under section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then prior to making the 280G Payments, a calculation shall be made comparing (1) the Net Benefit (as defined below) to Executive of the 280G Payments after payment of the Excise Tax to (2) the Net Benefit to Executive if the 280G Payments are limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. Only if the amount calculated under (1) above is less than the amount under (2) above will the 280G Payments be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the 280G Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. For purposes of this Section 14, Net Benefit shall mean the present value of the 280G Payments net of all federal, state, local, foreign income, employment, and excise taxes. Any reduction made pursuant to this Section 14 shall be made in a manner determined by the Company that is consistent with the requirements of section 409A.
(b) 280G Calculations. All calculations and determinations under this Section 14 shall be made by an independent accounting firm or independent tax counsel appointed by the Company (the Tax Counsel) whose determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Executive for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 14, the Tax Counsel may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of section 280G and section 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive shall furnish the Tax Counsel with such information and documents as the Tax Counsel may reasonably request in order to make its determinations under this Section 14. The Company shall bear all costs the Tax Counsel may reasonably incur in connection with its services.
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15. Section 409A.
(a) Payment Delay. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is a specified employee of a publicly traded corporation under section 409A of the Code and if payment of any amount under this Agreement is required to be delayed for a period of six (6) months after separation from service pursuant to section 409A of the Code, payment of such amount shall be delayed as required by section 409A of the Code, and the accumulated postponed amount, with interest (if applicable), shall be paid in a lump sum payment within ten (10) days after the end of the six-month period. If Executive dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of postponed amount, the amounts withheld on account of section 409A of the Code, with interest (if applicable), shall be paid to the personal representative of Executives estate within sixty (60) days after the date of Executives death. A specified employee shall mean an employee who, at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on the identification date, is a specified employee under section 409A of the Code, as determined by the Board. The determination of specified employees, including the number and identity of persons considered specified employees and the identification date, shall be made by the Board in accordance with the provisions of sections 416(i) and 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder.
(b) Section 409A Compliance. This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, and shall in all respects be administered in accordance with section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, distributions may only be made under the Agreement upon an event and in a manner permitted by section 409A of the Code or an applicable exemption. All payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon a separation from service under section 409A. For purposes of section 409A of the Code, the right to a series of payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of a payment. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, including, where applicable, the requirement that (1) any reimbursement shall be for expenses incurred during Executives lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (2) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (3) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (4) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused to be executed this Agreement as of the date that includes the Effective Time.
COMPANY: | ||
RESOURCE NEWCO LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|
Name: Alan F. Feldman | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
EXECUTIVE: | ||
/s/ Thomas C. Elliott |
||
Thomas C. Elliott |
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EXHIBIT 10.8
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the Agreement) is made and entered into by and between Resource NewCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company having its principal place of business at 1845 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (Advisor Holdings or the Company) and Michele R. Weisbaum (Executive). This Agreement is ancillary to the Contribution and Exchange Agreement, by and among Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Buyer), the Contributed Holding Companies, C-III Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (PM Contributor), Resource Real Estate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Advisor Contributor, and each of Advisor Contributor and PM Contributor also being referred to herein as a Contributor and collectively, the Contributors) and Resource America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Resource America, and each of Resource America and the Contributors also being referred to herein as a Contributor Party and collectively, the Contributor Parties) (the Contribution Agreement), and is effective as of, and contingent upon, (1) the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and (2) Executives execution of the Acknowledgment and Agreement of Termination (upon the occurrence of (1) and (2) collectively, the Effective Time). Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, Executive was employed by a Contributor Party or an Affiliate of a Contributor Party. For purposes of this Agreement, Prior Agreement means and refers to any and all agreements relating to Executives employment, separation and/or termination of Executives employment with any Contributor Party or any Affiliate of a Contributor Party including, without limitation, employment agreements, letter agreements, and bonus, commission, and compensation agreements and/or arrangements, each as amended from time to time, collectively, the Prior Agreements;
WHEREAS, in order to induce the parties to the Contribution Agreement to consummate the transactions contemplated thereunder, Executive is willing to enter into this Agreement with the Company and waive any and all rights pursuant to the Prior Agreements;
WHEREAS, the parties would not have entered into the Contribution Agreement without Executives agreement to enter into this Agreement with the Company; and
WHEREAS, Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive will receive substantial consideration or other benefits as a result of entering into this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the transactions contemplated in the Contribution Agreement, and the premises, agreements, and the mutual promises and covenants set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and Executive, hereby acknowledge and agree as follows:
1. Employment. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Company.
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2. Duties; Exclusivity.
(a) Executive shall report to, and accept direction from, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and from the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board). Executive shall serve the Company diligently, competently and to the best of Executives abilities. Executive will have such duties, functions, responsibilities and authority as are customarily associated with the position in which Executive serves, and shall also render such services as may reasonably be required of Executive to accomplish the business purposes of the Company, and such duties as may be assigned to Executive from time to time and which are appropriate for Executives position at the Company.
(b) Executive shall devote substantially all of Executives business time and attention to the business of the Company and its affiliates, and shall not undertake any other duties which conflict with these responsibilities. Executive represents and warrants that Executive is under no fiduciary, contractual or other legal obligation to another company, venture, business or employer that would prevent Executive from being employed by the Company as set forth herein. This provision shall not be construed to prevent Executive from engaging in community, charitable, or educational activities, or managing Executives personal investments, provided that such activities do not materially conflict or interfere with Executives performance of Executives duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
3. Term. The term of Executives employment under this Agreement shall be the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on December 31, 2023, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 6 (such period, the Initial Term); provided that, on December 31, 2023 and each one (1)-year anniversary thereafter (such date and each one (1)-year anniversary thereof, a Renewal Date), the Agreement shall be automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions, for successive periods of one (1) year, unless either party provides written notice of such partys intention not to extend the term of the Agreement at least sixty (60) days prior to the applicable Renewal Date. The Initial Term and any renewal of such term are referred to herein as the Term, as applicable. Executives employment with the Company shall be on an at-will basis, nothing in this Agreement shall alter Executives at-will status with the Company, and either party may terminate this Agreement subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
4. Compensation.
(a) Base Compensation. During the Term, the Company shall pay to Executive an annual base compensation (Base Compensation) in the gross amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000), minus applicable withholdings. The Base Compensation will be payable in accordance with the general payroll practices by which the Company pays its executive officers, and the historical practice of the Companys compensation of Executive. It is understood that the Company, through the compensation committee of the Board (the Committee), will review Executives performance on an annual basis and may increase (but not decrease) such Base Compensation, based upon Executives performance.
(b) Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. During the Term, Executive may receive incentive compensation in the form of annual cash bonus payments based upon specified corporate and individual performance as determined by the Board or the Committee. The amount of the annual cash bonus payable to Executive will be determined at the discretion of the Board or the Committee; provided, such annual cash bonus for 2020 shall not be less than $115,000. In establishing the performance criteria for each fiscal year, the Board or Committee shall set forth a maximum, target, and threshold annual bonus amount, in each case, expressed as a percentage of Executives Base Compensation at the rate in effect at the beginning of the relevant fiscal year. For each fiscal year beginning after 2020 during the Term, if applicable performance goals are not attained at least at the threshold performance level, no annual bonus
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shall be payable. Payouts for in-between performance criteria will be calculated using straight-line interpolation. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the payment of annual incentive compensation amounts under this Section 4(b) is subject to Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable payment date in the following fiscal year which shall not be later than March 15 of the following fiscal year.
(c) Initial Equity Grant. Executive will receive an initial equity grant with a fair market value of $500,000 to be awarded in the form of restricted shares of Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (REIT I). Subject to Executives continued employment with the Company from the Effective Time through the consummation of the following events and the Boards determination of a successful integration and completion of such events, the restricted shares will vest as follows: (1) forty percent (40%) upon the consummation of the contemplated merger of REIT I with and into a subsidiary of Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II, Inc. (REIT II, and such merger, the REIT I/REIT II Merger) and (2) sixty percent (60%) upon a Liquidity Event of REIT II subsequent to the consummation of the REIT I/REIT II Merger. For purposes of this Section 4(c), a Liquidity Event of REIT II shall mean any of the following: (i) a listing of the common stock of REIT II on a national securities exchange, (ii) a sale, merger or other transaction in which the stockholders of REIT II either receive, or have the option to receive, cash, securities redeemable for cash, and/or securities of a publicly traded company, or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of REIT IIs assets where stockholders of REIT II either receive, or have the option to receive, cash or the securities of a publicly traded company.
(d) Annual Equity Incentive Compensation. In addition to the equity grant provided in Section 4(c), with respect to each calendar year during the Term beginning after calendar year 2020, Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual long-term equity incentive award. For the equity incentive award granted in the 2021 calendar year, such award shall be granted prior to March 15, 2021 and shall be based on the target award recommended by FPL Advisory in its proposed executive compensation program summary dated August 10, 2020. For the equity incentive award granted in 2021, seventy percent (70%) of each such award shall vest in substantially equal installments over a period of three (3) years based solely on the passage of time and the remaining thirty percent (30%) shall vest based on performance criteria established in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee. Except as otherwise provided herein, eligibility for, and the terms and vesting conditions applicable to, each such annual grant, if any, shall be determined by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion.
5. Benefits.
Executive shall be entitled to receive the following benefits from the Company independent of any other benefits which Executive may receive from the Company or otherwise:
(a) Participation in Plans. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all applicable incentive, savings, and retirement plans, practices, policies, and programs of the Company and in any group life, hospitalization or disability insurance plans, and health programs, in each case to the extent Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans or programs. The Company shall maintain group life insurance coverage for Executive in an amount at least equal to two (2) times Executives Base Compensation as in effect from time to time.
(b) Disability. Executive shall be eligible for any short and long term disability and any life insurance plans or programs that are available to other similarly situated executives of the Company in each case to the extent Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans or programs.
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(c) Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executives duties, including without limitation expenses incurred during business-related travel. Executive shall present to the Company, from time to time, an itemized account of such expenses in such form as may be required by the Company.
(d) Personal Time Off. Executive shall be entitled to a number of days of personal time off work during each calendar year which shall be no less than the amount set forth in the Companys company policies. This includes days used for vacation, illness or other personal matters but is exclusive of such office holidays as may be designated by the Company.
(e) Withholdings and Taxes. All compensation payable to Executive is subject to withholding for all applicable federal, state and local income taxes, and all applicable employment, occupational, Social Security and other similar taxes, and any other amounts as required by law.
(f) Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based compensation, or any other compensation, paid to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company, whether or not pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).
(g) Location. Executives principal place of employment shall be the offices of the Company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
6. Termination and Definitions.
Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, Executives employment and the Term hereunder shall terminate as follows:
(a) Death. Executives employment and the Term shall terminate automatically upon the death of Executive.
(b) Termination by the Company, for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Term for Cause. Cause shall encompass the following: (1) Executive has committed any act of fraud; (2) illegal conduct or gross misconduct by Executive, in either case that is willful and results in material and demonstrable damage to the business or reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates; (3) Executive is convicted of, or pleads nolo contendere to, a felony; (4) the continued failure of Executive substantially to perform Executives duties under this Agreement (other than as a result of physical or mental illness or injury), after the Company delivers to Executive a written demand for substantial performance that specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executives duties; or (5) Executive has failed to follow reasonable written directions of the Company which are consistent with Executives duties hereunder and not in violation of applicable law, provided that no termination shall occur pursuant to subsections (4) or (5) above unless the Company first gives Executive written notice of its intention to terminate and of the Cause for termination and Executive has not, within ten (10) business days after written notice, cured such Cause.
(c) Termination by the Company without Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Term without Cause upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to Executive.
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(d) Disability. The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Term if Executive becomes disabled by reason of physical or mental disability for more than one hundred eighty (180) days in the aggregate or a period of ninety (90) consecutive days during any 365-day period and the Board determines, in good faith and in writing, that Executive, by reason of such physical or mental disability, is rendered unable to perform Executives duties and services hereunder, with or without a reasonable accommodation (a Disability). A termination of Executives employment by the Company for Disability shall be communicated to Executive by written notice, and shall be effective on the thirtieth (30th) day after receipt of such notice by Executive (the Disability Effective Date), unless Executive returns to full-time and satisfactory performance of Executives duties, as determined in the Companys sole and absolute discretion, before the Disability Effective Date. Executive agrees to comply with any reasonable request(s) from the Company necessary to determine whether Executive can satisfactorily perform Executives duties and services, on a full-time basis.
(e) Termination by Executive for Good Reason. Executive may terminate Executives employment and the Term for Good Reason (as defined below) upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company, which notice shall set forth the grounds for such termination and the specific provision(s) of this Agreement on which Executive relies. The notice must be provided within two (2) months after the event giving rise to the termination for Good Reason occurs. The Company shall have a period of thirty (30) days during which it may cure any condition reasonably susceptible of cure. If the Company does not correct the grounds for termination during the thirty (30) day period following the notice of termination, Executives termination of employment for Good Reason must become effective within thirty (30) days after the end of the cure period, in order for such termination to be treated as a termination for Good Reason under this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph (e) Good Reason shall mean: (1) any action by the Company that results in a material diminution in Executives position, authority, duties, or responsibilities, other than an isolated, insubstantial, and inadvertent action that is not taken in bad faith and is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof from Executive; (2) any purported termination of Executives employment by the Company for a reason or in a manner not expressly permitted by this Agreement; (3) any failure by the Company to comply with Section 12(c) of this Agreement; (4) Executives required permanent relocation to a worksite location that is more than 35 miles from the location set forth in Section 5(g); or (5) any other breach of this Agreement by the Company that is not remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof from Executive. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive acknowledges and agrees the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the execution and entering into of this Agreement shall not result in, cause, or otherwise constitute an event of Good Reason hereunder, and that Executive hereby waives any right that Executive could have claimed to resign for Good Reason as a result of such events.
(f) Termination by the Company Due to Expiration of the Term. In the event that the Company gives written notice of its intention not to renew this Agreement in accordance with Section 3, then the Term and Executives employment with the Company will terminate automatically upon the expiration of the Term and such termination shall be considered an involuntary termination by the Company under Section 6(c) above for purposes of this Agreement (except for purposes of Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement).
(g) Termination by Executive Without Good Reason. Executive may terminate this Agreement and the Term for any reason other than those set forth in Section 6(e) (other than by such Executives death or Disability) upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Company.
(h) For purposes of Sections 6 and 7, the following additional definitions shall apply:
(1) Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
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(i) The acquisition (other than from the Company), by any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(c) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities;
(ii) The individuals who, as of the Effective Time, are members of the Board (the Incumbent Board), cease for any reason during any twelve (12) month period to constitute at least a majority of the Board, unless the election, or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Board, and such new director shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board;
(iii) The closing of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar form of corporate transaction (each, a Business Combination) involving the Company if (A) the stockholders of the Company, immediately before such Business Combination, do not, as a result of such Business Combination, own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from such Business Combination in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately before such Business Combination or (B) immediately following the Business Combination, the individuals who comprised the Board immediately prior thereto do not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (or, if the entity resulting from such Business Combination is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof);
(iv) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(v) The consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities is acquired by (i) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one or more employee benefit plans maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) any corporation which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in the same proportion as their ownership of shares in the Company immediately prior to such acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur unless such transaction constitutes a change in control event within the meaning of section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that in no event shall the consummation of the REIT I/REIT II Merger (or any transaction or series of transactions of a similar intent consummated within the one (1) year period following the Effective Time) result in a Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement.
(2) Date of Termination means the date of Executives death, the Disability Effective Date, the date on which the termination of Executives employment by the Company for Cause or without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason is effective, or the applicable date on which Executives notice of termination of employment without Good Reason is effective, as the case may be. The Date of Termination shall be the last day of the Term.
7. Effect of Termination. Executives employment is at-will but the benefits, if any, Executive receives upon termination are dependent on the reason for termination and are described below in this Section 7.
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(a) Death. If Executives employment is terminated by reason of Executives death during the Term, a death benefit shall be paid to Executives designated beneficiaries (or, if there is no such beneficiary, to Executives estate or legal representative), in an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts: (1) any portion of Executives Base Compensation through the Date of Termination that has been earned but not yet been paid, (2) all benefits and reimbursements due through the Date of Termination, (3) any accrued but unpaid vacation pay through the Date of Termination (items (1),(2), and (3), collectively, the Accrued Amounts), (4) any unpaid annual cash bonus under Section 4(b) for the preceding fiscal year, and (5) a pro-rated annual cash bonus under Section 4(b) for the period of Executives employment during the fiscal year that includes the Date of Termination and through the Date of Termination, assuming target performance (items (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), collectively, the Termination Benefits). In the event of termination under this Section 7(a), all other benefits, payments or compensation to be provided to Executive hereunder shall terminate and Executives rights in any stock option or incentive plans shall be governed solely by the terms of the applicable plan and grant. The Termination Benefits shall be paid in a single lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, or at such other time prescribed by any applicable plan.
(b) Disability. Upon the termination of Executives employment pursuant to Section 6(d) hereof due to Executives Disability, Executive shall be paid the Termination Benefits, payable in such time and manner as provided in Section 7(a).
(c) By the Company for Cause; By Executive Upon Expiration of Term; By Executive Without Good Reason. If Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause during the Term, the Company shall pay Executive the Accrued Amounts. If Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Term, other than for Good Reason, or if Executive elects, effective as of any Renewal Date, not to continue the Term, the Company shall pay Executive the Accrued Amounts. In the event of termination under this Section 7(c), no other compensation or benefits shall be payable to Executive except as otherwise required under the terms of the Companys employee benefits plans and programs or applicable law. The Accrued Amounts payable under this Section 7(c) shall be paid in a single lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, or at such other time prescribed by any applicable plan.
(d) By the Company Other than for Cause, Death or Disability; By Executive for Good Reason; or By the Company due to Expiration of the Term. If the Company terminates Executives employment, other than for Cause, Death or Disability, during the Term, if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term, or if the Company terminates Executives employment due to expiration of the Term as provided in Section 6(f), then (1) Executive shall be paid the Accrued Benefits, payable in such time and manner as provided in Section 7(a), and any Termination Benefits that are not Accrued Benefits shall be paid as described in Section 7(f) below, (2) any unvested equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) that vest solely based on the passage of time shall immediately vest, and (3) a pro-rated portion of any performance-based equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the performance period, based on the number of days during the performance period that Executive was employed. In addition, the Company shall provide to Executive the benefits described below. All severance payments payable as provided in Section 7(d)(1) shall be paid as described in Section 7(f).
(1) Severance Payment. In lieu of any further compensation payments to Executive for periods subsequent to the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to 1.0 times (but 1.5 times if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term) the sum of (A) the Base Compensation as of the Date of Termination and (B) the Average Bonus
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Amount. The term Average Bonus Amount means Executives average annual bonus based on the amount of bonus, if any, deemed to be earned for the three (3) most recent fiscal years completed prior to the Date of Termination, provided that, if Executive was not eligible to earn an annual bonus for at least three (3) completed fiscal years prior to the Date of Termination, then the Average Bonus shall be (x) if Executive was eligible to earn a bonus for two (2) fiscal years completed prior to the Date of Termination, the amount of such average annual bonus deemed to have been earned, if any, for the prior two (2) fiscal years; (y) if Executive was eligible to earn a bonus for only one (1) fiscal year completed prior to the Date of Termination, the amount of such bonus, if any, deemed to have been earned for such fiscal year; and (c) if Executive has not been employed long enough to be eligible to earn an annual bonus, then the amount of Executives target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs. In the event a qualifying termination occurs following the completion of a fiscal year but prior to the date the amount of the bonus is determined by the Committee with respect to such fiscal year, the amount of such bonus shall not be used in determining the Average Bonus.
(2) Benefits.
(A) During a period of twelve (12) months (but 18 months if Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term) following Executives Date of Termination (the Separation Period), Executive may elect continued health coverage under the Companys health plan in which Executive participated at the Date of Termination, as in effect from time to time, provided that Executive shall be responsible for paying the full monthly cost of such coverage, which shall be equal to the premium (the COBRA Premium) determined for purposes of continued coverage under section 4980B(f)(4) of the Code in effect from time to time.
(B) The Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the COBRA Premium cost of continued health coverage under the Companys health plan for the Separation Period, less the premium charge that is paid by the Company employees for such coverage, as in effect on Executives Date of Termination. The cash payments under this subsection (B) shall be paid to Executive on the first day of the month immediately following the month in which Executive timely remits premium payment. Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (x) the end of the Separation Period; (y) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (z) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
The payments and benefits provided pursuant to this Section 7(d) are intended as liquidated damages for a termination of Executives employment by the Company other than for Cause, for the actions of the Company leading to a termination of Executives employment by Executive for Good Reason, or for a termination by the Company of Executives employment due to expiration of the Term as provided in Section 6(f), and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy therefor.
(e) Following a Change in Control. If, during the Term but within twelve (12) months following the consummation of a Change in Control, Executives employment is terminated by the Company or the Companys successor other than for Cause, Death or Disability; or Executive terminates employment for Good Reason; or if the Company or the Companys successor terminates Executives employment due to expiration of the Term as provided in Section 6(f), then (1) Executive shall be paid the Termination Benefits, payable in such time and manner as provided in Section 7(d), (2) any unvested equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) that vest solely based on the passage of time shall immediately vest, and (3) a pro-rated portion of any performance-based equity incentive awards granted pursuant to Section 4(d) shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the performance period, based on the number of days during the performance period that Executive was employed. In addition, the Company shall provide to Executive the severance benefits described below. All severance payments payable as provided in Section 7(e)(1) shall be paid as described in Section 7(f).
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(1) Severance Payment. In lieu of any further compensation payments to Executive for periods subsequent to the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to 2.0 times the sum of (A) the Base Compensation as of the Date of Termination and (B) the Average Bonus Amount.
(2) Benefits.
(A) During a period of eighteen (18) months following Executives Date of Termination (the Change in Control Separation Period), Executive may elect continued health coverage under the Companys health plan in which Executive participated at the Date of Termination, as in effect from time to time, provided that Executive shall be responsible for paying the full monthly cost of such coverage, which shall be equal to the COBRA Premium in effect from time to time.
(B) The Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the COBRA Premium cost of continued health coverage under the Companys health plan for the Separation Period, less the premium charge that is paid by the Company employees for such coverage, as in effect on Executives Date of Termination. The cash payments under this subsection (B) shall be paid to Executive on the first day of the month immediately following the month in which Executive timely remits premium payment. Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (x) the end of the Change in Control Separation Period; (y) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (z) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
(f) Severance Payment Provisions.
(1) All severance amounts payable upon Executives termination of employment as described in Sections 7(d)(1) and 7(e)(1) shall be payable, respectively, in 12 (18 in the event that Executive terminates employment for Good Reason during the Term under Section 7(d)(1)) or 36 equal monthly installment payments payable in accordance with the Companys normal payroll practices, which shall commence within sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination, subject to Executives delivery to the Company of an effective release of all claims against the Company and its affiliates in the standard form provided by the Company for employee terminations (Release) and Executives compliance with Sections 8, 9 and 10 below, and provided the Release has become final and irrevocable by that time. The first installment payment shall include all severance payments that would have otherwise been paid to Executive during the period beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on the first payment date if no delay had been imposed as a result of the execution of the Release. In the event that the period of time during which Executive may sign the Release begins in one calendar year and ends in another calendar year, payment shall not be made until the beginning of the second calendar year.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, all payments that are subject to the section 409A six-month delay shall be postponed as described in Section 14 below.
8. Confidential Information. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 13(a), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, reverse engineer, divulge, sell, exchange, furnish, give away, transfer or otherwise reveal in any way, any Confidential Information to any person, natural or legal, except as required in the course of performing Executives duties under this Agreement or as authorized in writing by the Company. Executives obligations under this Agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any
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other obligations Executive has to protect Confidential Information (including obligations arising under applicable law), and such obligations will continue for so long as the information in question continues to constitute Confidential Information, but shall not apply to any information which is or becomes publicly available otherwise than by any breach of this Section 8. As used herein, Confidential Information means all information of the Company in any form that relates to the past, present and future business affairs of the Company or a person not a party to this Agreement whose information the Company has in its possession under obligations of confidentiality, which has value to the Company or, if owned by someone else, has value to that third party, and is not generally known to the Companys competitors. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, (a) methods of operation, (b) price lists, (c) financial information and projections, (d) personnel data, (e) past, present or future business plans, (f) the composition, description, schematic or design of products or equipment of the Company or any third party, (g) advertising or marketing plans, (h) information regarding the Companys independent contractors or employees, (i) information regarding customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, issuer, originator, investor or other business relation of the Company, (j) information regarding any third party, and (k) all writings, works of authorship, technology, designs, specifications, schematics, tests, test results, manufacturing techniques, manufacturing documentation, inventions, discoveries, ideas and other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived or reduced to practice by Executive individually or jointly with others during the period of Executives employment by the Company and relating in any way to the business or demonstrably contemplated business, research or development of the Company and all printed, physical and electronic copies, all improvements, rights and claims related to the foregoing, and other tangible embodiments thereof. Confidential Information also includes trade secrets (as defined under applicable law) as well as information that does not rise to the level of a trade secret, information that has been entrusted to the Company by a third party under an obligation of confidentiality, and other such confidential or proprietary information, whether such information is developed in whole or in part by Executive, by others in the Company or obtained by the Company from third parties, and irrespective of whether such information has been identified by the Company as secret or confidential.
9. Covenant Not to Solicit. Executive shall not, during the Term and for a period ending on the date one (1) year from Executives termination of employment, directly or indirectly through another person or entity (a) induce or attempt to induce any officer or employee of the Company or its affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or such affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company and any of its affiliates and any officer or employee thereof, (b) hire any person who was an officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates within 180 days after such person ceased to be an officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or (c) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, issuer, originator, investor or other business relation of the Company or any of its affiliates to cease doing business with the Company or such affiliate for purposes of selling or providing any products or services competitive with those sold or provided by the Company or such affiliate or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, issuer, originator, investor or business relation and the Company or any of its affiliates. For purposes of this Agreement, products and services shall be considered competitive with those sold or provided by the Company or any of its affiliates if such products or services are of the type conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company or such affiliate within one (1) year prior to the Date of Termination.
10. Covenant not to Compete. Executive shall not, during the Term and for a period ending on the date eighteen (18) months from Executives termination of employment,1 directly or indirectly, whether through Executive or through another person or entity, engage in the Prohibited Activities in the Territory for or on behalf of Executive or any other business entity that is a Competitive Business; provided,
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For the avoidance of doubt, Executives post-employment non-solicit and non-compete obligations under Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement begin after the period of Executives employment by the Company or a Third Party Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or through assignment of this Agreement. |
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that this covenant shall not prohibit Executives passive ownership of up to 1% of the equity securities of any Competitive Business. The parties acknowledge and agree that, if necessary to determine the reasonable geographic scope of this restraint, the Company may rely on appropriate documentation and evidence outside the provisions of this Agreement.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, Prohibited Activities means owning, managing, operating, controlling, being employed by, serving as an officer or director of, consulting or assisting with, or participating in the ownership, management, operation or control of, any business that engages in activities that are the same as or similar to any aspect of a Competitive Business (as defined below) as conducted by Executive for or on behalf of the Company within the two (2) years preceding the date of Executives termination of employment (or in the preceding two (2) years if Executive is still employed by the Company).
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, Competitive Business means (i) providing advisory services, including managing, operating, directing and supervising the operations and administration of any business that is principally engaged in the ownership and/or management of multifamily real estate properties, including coordinating the leasing of and managing construction activities related to such properties and investments, (ii) any similar activities conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company within one (1) year preceding the date of Executives termination of employment (or in the preceding one (1) year if Executive is still employed by the Company), or proposed to be conducted as of the date of Executives termination of employment, and (iii) any other business being conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company during the Term or proposed to be conducted as of the date of Executives termination of employment.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, Territory means the geographic area where, within the one (1) year preceding the date of Executives termination of employment (or in the preceding one (1) year if Executive is still employed by the Company), Executive worked, represented the Company, had responsibilities on behalf of the Company or had contact with the Companys customers, clients, investors, actively sought prospective customers, clients, investors, and other material business relations of the Company. It is understood that the Territory currently includes the following geographic areas: the United States of America. The parties acknowledge that the Territory may expand to include additional geographic areas not listed in the immediately preceding sentence to the extent that Executives work location or duties and responsibilities change over time. Such additional geographic areas will be automatically deemed to be part of the Territory.
11. Remedies in Case of Breach of Certain Covenants.
(a) The Company and Executive agree that the damages that may result to the Company from misappropriation of confidential information or solicitation or competition as prohibited by Sections 8, 9 and 10 could be estimated only by conjecture and not by any accurate standard, and, therefore, any breach by Executive of the provisions of such Sections, in addition to giving rise to monetary damages, will entitle the Company to obtain specific performance and injunctive relief, without posting bond or other security unless required by a court of competent jurisdiction, to enforce such Sections.
(b) Each of the covenants set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement shall be construed as an agreement independent of (i) any other agreements, or (ii) any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, regardless of who was at fault and regardless of any claims that either Executive or the Company may have against the other, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement. The Company shall not be barred from enforcing any of the covenants set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement by reason of any breach of (iii) any other part of this Agreement, or (iv) any other agreement with Executive.
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12. Assignment.
(a) This Agreement is personal to Executive and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executives legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, and the Company may assign this Agreement to any company in which the Company has an interest.
(c) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would have been required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Company shall mean both Resource NewCo LLC and any such successor that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.
13. Miscellaneous.
(a) Protected Rights; Defend Trade Secrets Act.
(1) Nothing in this Agreement shall limit Executives ability to (A) file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency or commission (collectively, Government Agencies), (B) communicate with any Government Agencies, or (C) otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company; provided, however, that in making any such disclosures or communications, Executive shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any Confidential Information to parties other than the relevant Government Agencies.
(2) Executive is hereby notified that under the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016: (A) no individual shall be held criminally or civilly liable under federal or state law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is: (x) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and made solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (y) made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal so that it is not made public; and (B) an individual who pursues a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of the law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except as permitted by court order.
(b) Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any provision is determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions and any partially enforceable provisions shall remain in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision. Further, if any part on any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction by reason of the extent, duration or geographical scope thereof, or otherwise, then the parties agree that the court making such determination may reduce such extent, duration or geographical scope, or other provisions thereof, and in its reduced form such part or provision shall then be enforceable in the manner contemplated hereby.
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(c) Modification of Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified in whole or in part by any oral agreement, either expressed or implied, and all modifications thereof shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any restrictive covenant set forth in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(d) Survival. Any obligations under this Agreement which by their terms extend beyond or survive the termination of the Term (whether or not specifically provided) shall not be affected or diminished in any way by the termination of the Term and shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason and shall thereafter be enforceable whether or not such termination is claimed or found to be wrongful or to constitute or result in a breach of any contract or of any other duty owed or claimed to be owed to Executive by the Company.
(e) Waiver. The waiver of any right under this Agreement by any of the parties hereto shall not be construed as a waiver of the same right at a future time or as a waiver of any other rights under this Agreement. The waiver by one party hereto of any breach of this Agreement by another of the parties hereto shall not act as a waiver of any other breach.
(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, along with the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement, constitutes the entire and only agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement. The terms set forth in this Agreement, the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement supersede any prior communications, agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, between the parties concerning the subject matters set forth in this Agreement, the Acknowledgement and Agreement of Termination and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement.
(g) Third Party Beneficiaries. The parties acknowledge and agree that Resource Real Estate Opportunity OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, REIT I, REIT II, and REIT III, and each of their Affiliates and Successors (excluding, for clarity, any Contributor Party or any Contributor Partys affiliates) is an intended third party beneficiary of this Agreement, with full rights to enforce this Agreement. Except as stated in the preceding sentence, this Agreement does not confer any rights or remedies upon any person or entity other than the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(h) Construction. In the event that an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointed by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, or is used in the inclusive sense of and/or; including means including without limitation; and, where the context so permits, terms used in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural, and vice versa.
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(i) Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed, and governed by and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, irrespective of its choice-of-law rules. Any and all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executives employment with the Company, or Executives cessation of employment with the Company shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts with jurisdiction over Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Executive consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts, and hereby waives (1) any objection to jurisdiction or venue, or (2) any defense claiming lack of jurisdiction or improper venue, in any action brought in such courts.
(j) Notices. Any notice to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and mailed by certified or registered mail, postage-prepaid, to the addresses listed below, or to such other address as either party may notify the other of in accordance with this Section.
If to the Company:
Resource NewCo LLC
1845 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
If to Executive:
Michele R. Weisbaum
Last address on file with the Company
(k) Duplicate Originals and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of duplicate originals or counterparts or facsimile or scanned signature counterparts, each of such duplicate original or counterpart or facsimile or scanned signature counterpart shall be deemed to be an original and all taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
14. Section 280G
(a) 280G Payments. If any of the payments or benefits received or to be received by Executive (including, without limitation, any payment or benefits received in connection with a Change in Control or Executives termination of employment) (all such payments collectively referred to herein as the 280G Payments) constitute parachute payments within the meaning of section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 14, be subject to the excise tax imposed under section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then prior to making the 280G Payments, a calculation shall be made comparing (1) the Net Benefit (as defined below) to Executive of the 280G Payments after payment of the Excise Tax to (2) the Net Benefit to Executive if the 280G Payments are limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. Only if the amount calculated under (1) above is less than the amount under (2) above will the 280G Payments be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the 280G Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. For purposes of this Section 14, Net Benefit shall mean the present value of the 280G Payments net of all federal, state, local, foreign income, employment, and excise taxes. Any reduction made pursuant to this Section 14 shall be made in a manner determined by the Company that is consistent with the requirements of section 409A.
(b) 280G Calculations. All calculations and determinations under this Section 14 shall be made by an independent accounting firm or independent tax counsel appointed by the Company (the Tax Counsel) whose determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Executive for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 14, the Tax Counsel may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of section 280G and section 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive shall furnish the Tax Counsel with such information and documents as the Tax Counsel may reasonably request in order to make its determinations under this Section 14. The Company shall bear all costs the Tax Counsel may reasonably incur in connection with its services.
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15. Section 409A.
(a) Payment Delay. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is a specified employee of a publicly traded corporation under section 409A of the Code and if payment of any amount under this Agreement is required to be delayed for a period of six (6) months after separation from service pursuant to section 409A of the Code, payment of such amount shall be delayed as required by section 409A of the Code, and the accumulated postponed amount, with interest (if applicable), shall be paid in a lump sum payment within ten (10) days after the end of the six-month period. If Executive dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of postponed amount, the amounts withheld on account of section 409A of the Code, with interest (if applicable), shall be paid to the personal representative of Executives estate within sixty (60) days after the date of Executives death. A specified employee shall mean an employee who, at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on the identification date, is a specified employee under section 409A of the Code, as determined by the Board. The determination of specified employees, including the number and identity of persons considered specified employees and the identification date, shall be made by the Board in accordance with the provisions of sections 416(i) and 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder.
(b) Section 409A Compliance. This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, and shall in all respects be administered in accordance with section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, distributions may only be made under the Agreement upon an event and in a manner permitted by section 409A of the Code or an applicable exemption. All payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon a separation from service under section 409A. For purposes of section 409A of the Code, the right to a series of payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of a payment. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, including, where applicable, the requirement that (1) any reimbursement shall be for expenses incurred during Executives lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (2) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (3) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (4) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused to be executed this Agreement as of the date that includes the Effective Time.
COMPANY: | ||
RESOURCE NEWCO LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Alan F. Feldman |
|
Name: Alan F. Feldman | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
EXECUTIVE: | ||
/s/ Michele R. Weisbaum |
||
Michele R. Weisbaum |
16
Exhibit 10.9
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.
2020 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
1. Establishment, Purpose and Term of Plan |
1 | |||
1.1 Establishment |
1 | |||
1.2 Purpose |
1 | |||
1.3 Term of Plan |
1 | |||
2. Definitions and Construction |
1 | |||
2.1 Definitions |
1 | |||
2.2 Construction |
9 | |||
3. Administration |
9 | |||
3.1 Administration by the Committee |
9 | |||
3.2 Authority of Officers |
9 | |||
3.3 Administration with Respect to Insiders |
10 | |||
3.4 Powers of the Committee |
10 | |||
3.5 Option or SAR Repricing |
11 | |||
3.6 Indemnification |
11 | |||
4. Shares Subject to Plan |
12 | |||
4.1 Maximum Number of Shares Issuable |
12 | |||
4.2 Share Counting |
12 | |||
4.3 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure |
12 | |||
4.4 Assumption or Substitution of Awards |
13 | |||
5. Eligibility, Participation and Award Limitations |
13 | |||
5.1 Persons Eligible for Awards |
13 | |||
5.2 Participation in the Plan |
13 | |||
5.3 Incentive Stock Option Limitations |
13 | |||
5.4 Nonemployee Director Award Limit |
14 | |||
5.5 Minimum Vesting |
14 | |||
6. Stock Options |
15 | |||
6.1 Exercise Price |
15 | |||
6.2 Exercisability and Term of Options |
15 | |||
6.3 Payment of Exercise Price |
15 | |||
6.4 Effect of Termination of Service |
16 | |||
6.5 Transferability of Options |
17 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||
7. Stock Appreciation Rights |
18 | |||
7.1 Types of SARs Authorized |
18 | |||
7.2 Exercise Price |
18 | |||
7.3 Exercisability and Term of SARs |
18 | |||
7.4 Exercise of SARs |
19 | |||
7.5 Deemed Exercise of SARs |
19 | |||
7.6 Effect of Termination of Service |
19 | |||
7.7 Transferability of SARs |
19 | |||
8. Restricted Stock Awards |
20 | |||
8.1 Types of Restricted Stock Awards Authorized |
20 | |||
8.2 Purchase Price |
20 | |||
8.3 Purchase Period |
20 | |||
8.4 Payment of Purchase Price |
20 | |||
8.5 Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer |
20 | |||
8.6 Voting Rights; Dividends and Distributions |
21 | |||
8.7 Effect of Termination of Service |
21 | |||
8.8 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Award Rights |
21 | |||
9. Restricted Stock Units |
22 | |||
9.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards |
22 | |||
9.2 Purchase Price |
22 | |||
9.3 Vesting |
22 | |||
9.4 Voting Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions |
22 | |||
9.5 Effect of Termination of Service |
23 | |||
9.6 Settlement of Restricted Stock Unit Awards |
23 | |||
9.7 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Unit Awards |
23 | |||
10. Performance Awards |
24 | |||
10.1 Types of Performance Awards Authorized |
24 | |||
10.2 Initial Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units |
24 |
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||
10.3 Establishment of Performance Period, Performance Goals and Performance Award Formula |
24 | |||
10.4 Measurement of Performance Goals |
24 | |||
10.5 Settlement of Performance Awards |
26 | |||
10.6 Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions |
27 | |||
10.7 Effect of Termination of Service |
28 | |||
10.8 Nontransferability of Performance Awards |
28 | |||
11. Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards |
29 | |||
11.1 Grant of Cash-Based Awards |
29 | |||
11.2 Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards |
29 | |||
11.3 Value of Cash-Based and Other Stock-Based Awards |
29 | |||
11.4 Payment or Settlement of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards |
29 | |||
11.5 Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions |
30 | |||
11.6 Effect of Termination of Service |
30 | |||
11.7 Nontransferability of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards |
30 | |||
12. Standard Forms of Award Agreement |
30 | |||
12.1 Award Agreements |
30 | |||
12.2 Authority to Vary Terms |
31 | |||
13. Change in Control |
31 | |||
13.1 Effect of Change in Control on Awards |
31 | |||
13.2 Effect of Change in Control on Nonemployee Director Awards |
32 | |||
13.3 Federal Excise Tax Under Section 4999 of the Code |
33 | |||
14. Compliance with Securities Law |
33 | |||
15. Compliance with Section 409A |
34 | |||
15.1 Awards Subject to Section 409A |
34 | |||
15.2 Deferral and/or Distribution Elections |
34 | |||
15.3 Subsequent Elections |
35 | |||
15.4 Payment of Section 409A Deferred Compensation |
35 | |||
16. Tax Withholding |
37 | |||
16.1 Tax Withholding in General |
37 | |||
16.2 Withholding in or Directed Sale of Shares |
37 |
-iii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||
17. Amendment, Suspension or Termination of Plan |
38 | |||
18. Miscellaneous Provisions |
38 | |||
18.1 Repurchase Rights |
38 | |||
18.2 Forfeiture Events |
39 | |||
18.3 Provision of Information |
39 | |||
18.4 Rights as Employee, Consultant or Director |
39 | |||
18.5 Rights as a Stockholder |
39 | |||
18.6 Delivery of Title to Shares |
39 | |||
18.7 Fractional Shares |
40 | |||
18.8 Retirement and Welfare Plans |
40 | |||
18.9 Beneficiary Designation |
40 | |||
18.10 Severability |
40 | |||
18.11 No Constraint on Corporate Action |
40 | |||
18.12 Unfunded Obligation |
40 | |||
18.13 Choice of Law |
41 |
-iv-
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc.
2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan
1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN.
1.1 Establishment. The Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan) is hereby established effective as of _________, 2020, the date of its approval by the Board (the Effective Date).
1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Participating Company Group and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Participating Company Group and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Participating Company Group. The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards.
1.3 Term of Plan. The Plan shall continue in effect until its termination by the Committee; provided, however, that all Awards shall be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the Effective Date.
2. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
2.1 Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:
(a) Affiliate means (i) a parent entity, other than a Parent Corporation, that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediary entities, controls the Company or (ii) a subsidiary entity, other than a Subsidiary Corporation, that is controlled by the Company directly or indirectly through one or more intermediary entities. For this purpose, the terms parent, subsidiary, control and controlled by shall have the meanings assigned such terms for the purposes of registration of securities on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
(b) Award means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Purchase Right, Restricted Stock Bonus, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
(c) Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to an Award.
(d) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) Cash-Based Award means an Award denominated in cash and granted pursuant to Section 11.
(f) Cashless Exercise means a Cashless Exercise as defined in Section 6.3(b)(i).
(g) Cause means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined by the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and a Participating Company applicable to an Award, any of the following: (i) the Participants theft, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any Participating Company documents or records; (ii) the Participants material failure to abide by a Participating Companys code of conduct or other policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct); (iii) the Participants unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of a Participating Company (including, without limitation, the Participants improper use or disclosure of a Participating Companys confidential or proprietary information); (iv) any intentional act by the Participant which has a material detrimental effect on a Participating Companys reputation or business; (v) the Participants repeated failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from a Participating Company of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (vi) any material breach by the Participant of any employment, service, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other similar agreement between the Participant and a Participating Company, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement; or (vii) the Participants conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or moral turpitude, or which impairs the Participants ability to perform his or her duties with a Participating Company.
(h) Change in Control means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined by the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Participant and a Participating Company applicable to an Award, the occurrence of any one or a combination of the following:
(i) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total Fair Market Value or total combined voting power of the Companys then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if such degree of beneficial ownership results from any of the following: (A) an acquisition by any person who on the Effective Date is the beneficial owner of more than fifty percent (50%) of such voting power, (B) any acquisition directly from the Company, including, without limitation, pursuant to or in connection with a public offering of securities, (C) any acquisition by the Company, (D) any acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary under an employee benefit plan of a Participating Company or (E) any acquisition by an entity owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the voting securities of the Company; or
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(ii) an Ownership Change Event or series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, a Transaction) in which the stockholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors or, in the case of an Ownership Change Event described in Section 2.1(ff)(iii), the entity to which the assets of the Company were transferred (the Transferee), as the case may be; or
(iii) a date specified by the Committee following approval by the stockholders of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
provided, however, that a Change in Control shall be deemed not to include a transaction described in subsections (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.1(h) in which a majority of the members of the board of directors of the continuing, surviving or successor entity, or parent thereof, immediately after such transaction is comprised of Incumbent Directors.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company or the Transferee, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities. The Committee shall determine whether multiple events described in subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2.1(h) are related and to be treated in the aggregate as a single Change in Control, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
(i) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable regulations and administrative guidelines promulgated thereunder.
(j) Committee means the Compensation Committee and such other committee or subcommittee of the Board, if any, duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers in each instance as shall be specified by the Board. If, at any time, there is no committee of the Board then authorized or properly constituted to administer the Plan, the Board shall exercise all of the powers of the Committee granted herein, and, in any event, the Board may in its discretion exercise any or all of such powers.
(k) Company means Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and any successor corporation thereto.
(l) Consultant means a person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to a Participating Company, provided that the identity of such person, the nature of such services or the entity to which such services are provided would not preclude the Company from offering or selling securities to such person pursuant to the Plan in reliance on registration on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
(m) Director means a member of the Board.
(n) Disability means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined by the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Participant and a Participating Company applicable to an Award, the permanent and total disability of the Participant, within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
3
(o) Dividend Equivalent Right means the right of a Participant, granted at the discretion of the Committee or as otherwise provided by the Plan, to receive a credit for the account of such Participant in an amount equal to the cash dividends paid on one share of Stock for each share of Stock represented by an Award held by such Participant.
(p) Employee means any person treated as an employee (including an Officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the records of a Participating Company and, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a Directors fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the Plan. The Company shall determine in good faith and in the exercise of its discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased to be an Employee and the effective date of such individuals employment or termination of employment, as the case may be. For purposes of an individuals rights, if any, under the terms of the Plan as of the time of the Companys determination of whether or not the individual is an Employee, all such determinations by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive as to such rights, if any, notwithstanding that the Company or any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary determination as to such individuals status as an Employee.
(q) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(r) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of a share of Stock or other property as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:
(i) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, if, on such date, the Stock is listed or quoted on a national or regional securities exchange or quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock as quoted on the national or regional securities exchange or quotation system constituting the primary market for the Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Company deems reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on such securities exchange or quotation system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be established shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded or quoted prior to the relevant date, or such other appropriate day as shall be determined by the Committee, in its discretion.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, determine the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the basis of the opening, closing, or average of the high and low sale prices of a share of Stock on such date or the preceding trading day, the actual sale price of a share of Stock received by a Participant, any other reasonable basis using actual transactions in the Stock as reported on a national or regional securities exchange or quotation system, or on any other basis consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. The Committee may also determine the Fair Market Value upon the average selling price of the Stock during a specified period that is within thirty (30) days before or thirty (30) days after such date, provided that, with respect to the grant of an Option or SAR, the commitment to grant such Award based on such valuation method must be irrevocable before the beginning of the specified period. The Committee may vary its method of determination of the Fair Market Value as provided in this Section for different purposes under the Plan to the extent consistent with the requirements of Section 409A.
4
(iii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed or quoted on a national or regional securities exchange or quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Committee in good faith without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse, and in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A.
(s) Full Value Award means any Award settled in Stock, other than (i) an Option, (ii) a Stock Appreciation Right, or (iii) a Restricted Stock Purchase Right or an Other Stock-Based Award under which the Company will receive monetary consideration equal to the Fair Market Value (determined on the effective date of grant) of the shares subject to such Award.
(t) Good Reason means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined by the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and a Participating Company applicable to an Award, any of the following with respect to a particular Participant without the Participants informed written consent: (i) a material diminution of the Participants authority, duties or responsibilities causing the Participants authority, duties or responsibilities to be of materially lesser rank within the Company or an equivalent business unit of its parent, as measured against the Participants authority, duties and responsibilities immediately prior to such diminution; (ii) a material reduction by the Company of the Participants base salary or annual bonus opportunity, other than any such material reduction that occurs in connection with a reduction that is imposed on all Participants at the time of such reduction; (iii) the relocation of the Participants work place for the Company to a location that increases the Participants regular one-way commute distance between the Participants residence and work place by more than thirty-five (35) miles. The existence of Good Reason shall not be affected by the Participants temporary incapacity due to physical or mental illness not constituting a Disability. The Participants continued employment for a period not exceeding six (6) months following the initial occurrence of any condition constituting Good Reason shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, such condition.
(u) Incentive Stock Option means an Option intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.
(v) Incumbent Director means a director who either (i) is a member of the Board as of the Effective Date or (ii) is elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but excluding a director who was elected or nominated in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company).
5
(w) Insider means an Officer, a Director or other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(x) Involuntary Termination means, as to a particular Participant, the occurrence of any of the following upon or within a period of time established by the Committee (not exceeding twenty-four (24) months) following a Change in Control: (i) the Participants Service is terminated without Cause or (ii) the Participant terminates his or her Service for Good Reason; provided the Participant has given the Company written notice of the existence of a condition constituting Good Reason within sixty (60) days following the initial occurrence of such condition, the Company fails to remedy such condition within thirty (30) days following such written notice, and the Participants resignation from Service is effective no later than six (6) months following the initial occurrence of such condition. Involuntary Termination shall not include any termination of the Participants Service which is (i) for Cause, (ii) a result of the Participants death or Disability, or (iii) a result of the Participants voluntary termination of Service other than for Good Reason.
(y) Net Exercise means a Net Exercise as defined in Section 6.3(b)(iii).
(z) Nonemployee Director means a Director who is not an Employee.
(aa) Nonemployee Director Award means any Award granted to a Nonemployee Director.
(bb) Nonstatutory Stock Option means an Option not intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) or which does not qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.
(cc) Officer means any person designated by the Board as an officer of the Company.
(dd) Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(ee) Other Stock-Based Award means an Award denominated in shares of Stock and granted pursuant to Section 11.
(ff) Ownership Change Event means the occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or series of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party; or (iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (other than a sale, exchange or transfer to one or more subsidiaries of the Company).
6
(gg) Parent Corporation means any present or future parent corporation of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(hh) Participant means any eligible person who has been granted one or more Awards.
(ii) Participating Company means the Company or any Parent Corporation, Subsidiary Corporation or Affiliate.
(jj) Participating Company Group means, at any point in time, the Company and all other entities collectively which are then Participating Companies.
(kk) Performance Award means an Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units.
(ll) Performance Award Formula means, for any Performance Award, a formula or table established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.3 which provides the basis for computing the value of a Performance Award at one or more levels of attainment of the applicable Performance Goal(s) measured as of the end of the applicable Performance Period.
(mm) Performance Goal means a performance goal established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.3.
(nn) Performance Period means a period established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.3 at the end of which one or more Performance Goals are to be measured.
(oo) Performance Share means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10 to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Share, as determined by the Committee, based upon attainment of applicable Performance Goal(s).
(pp) Performance Unit means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10 to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Unit, as determined by the Committee, based upon attainment of applicable Performance Goal(s).
(qq) Performance-Vesting Award means an Award granted to a Participant, the vesting or earning of which is conditioned in whole or in part upon the achievement of one or more performance goals (including, without limitation, Performance Goals established pursuant to Section 10.3), notwithstanding that the vesting or earning of such Award may also be conditioned upon the continued Service of the Participant.
(rr) Restricted Stock Award means an Award of a Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right.
(ss) Restricted Stock Bonus means Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.
7
(tt) Restricted Stock Purchase Right means a right to purchase Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.
(uu) Restricted Stock Unit means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9 to receive on a future date or occurrence of a future event a share of Stock or cash in lieu thereof, as determined by the Committee.
(vv) Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.
(ww) SAR or Stock Appreciation Right means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7 to receive payment, for each share of Stock subject to such Award, of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the Award over the exercise price thereof.
(xx) Section 409A means Section 409A of the Code.
(yy) Section 409A Deferred Compensation means compensation provided pursuant to an Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A.
(zz) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(aaa) Service means a Participants employment or service with the Participating Company Group, whether as an Employee, a Director or a Consultant. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a Participants Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders Service or a change in the Participating Company for which the Participant renders Service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participants Service. Furthermore, a Participants Service shall not be deemed to have been interrupted or terminated if the Participant takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company. However, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, if any such leave taken by a Participant exceeds three (3) months, then on the first (1st) day following the end of such three-month period the Participants Service shall be deemed to have terminated, unless the Participants right to return to Service is guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Company or required by law, an unpaid leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining vesting under the Participants Award Agreement. A Participants Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Service or upon the business entity for which the Participant performs Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, the Company, in its discretion, shall determine whether the Participants Service has terminated and the effective date of and reason for such termination.
(bbb) Stock means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 4.3.
(ccc) Stock Tender Exercise means a Stock Tender Exercise as defined in Section 6.3(b)(ii).
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(ddd) Subsidiary Corporation means any present or future subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
(eee) Ten Percent Owner means a Participant who, at the time an Option is granted to the Participant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a Participating Company (other than an Affiliate) within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.
(fff) Time-Vesting Award means any Award granted to a Participant, the vesting or earning of which is based solely upon the continued Service of the Participant over a specified period of time.
(ggg) Trading Compliance Policy means the written policy of the Company pertaining to the purchase, sale, transfer or other disposition of the Companys equity securities by Directors, Officers, Employees or other service providers who may possess material, nonpublic information regarding the Company or its securities.
(hhh) Vesting Conditions mean those conditions established in accordance with the Plan prior to the satisfaction of which an Award or shares subject to an Award remain subject to forfeiture or a repurchase option in favor of the Company exercisable for the Participants monetary purchase price, if any, for such shares upon the Participants termination of Service or failure of a performance condition to be satisfied.
2.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term or is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
3.1 Administration by the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. All questions of interpretation of the Plan, of any Award Agreement or of any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the Plan or of any Award shall be determined by the Committee, and such determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Award, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Committee in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or Award Agreement or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest therein. All expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company.
3.2 Authority of Officers. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election that is the responsibility of or that is allocated to the Company herein, provided that the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may, in its discretion, delegate to a
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committee comprised of one or more Officers the authority to grant one or more Awards, without further approval of the Committee, to any Employee, other than a person who, at the time of such grant, is an Insider, and to exercise such other powers under the Plan as the Committee may determine; provided, however, that (a) the Committee shall fix the maximum number of shares subject to Awards that may be granted by such Officers, (b) each such Award shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the appropriate standard form of Award Agreement approved by the Board or the Committee and shall conform to the provisions of the Plan, and (c) each such Award shall conform to such other limits and guidelines as may be established from time to time by the Committee.
3.3 Administration with Respect to Insiders. With respect to participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3.
3.4 Powers of the Committee. In addition to any other powers set forth in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the full and final power and authority, in its discretion:
(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock, units or monetary value to be subject to each Award;
(b) to determine the type of Award granted;
(c) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or other property;
(d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Award (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise or purchase price of shares pursuant to any Award, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased pursuant to any Award, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with any Award, including by the withholding or delivery of shares of Stock, (iv) the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability or vesting of any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto, (v) the Performance Measures, Performance Period, Performance Award Formula and Performance Goals applicable to any Award and the extent to which such Performance Goals have been attained, (vi) the time of expiration of any Award, (vii) the effect of any Participants termination of Service on any of the foregoing, and (viii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to any Award or shares acquired pursuant thereto not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;
(e) to determine whether an Award will be settled in shares of Stock, cash, other property or in any combination thereof;
(f) to approve one or more forms of Award Agreement;
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(g) to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Award or to waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto, provided that no such amendment or waiver shall accelerate the vesting of any Award unless the power of the Committee to accelerate the vesting of such Award is expressly provided by another provision of the Plan;
(h) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability or vesting of any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto, including with respect to the period following a Participants termination of Service;
(i) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt sub-plans or supplements to, or alternative versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Committee deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy, accounting principles or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose residents may be granted Awards; and
(j) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement and to make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any Award as the Committee may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or applicable law.
3.5 Option or SAR Repricing. Without the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Stock cast in person or by proxy at a meeting of the stockholders of the Company at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding shares of Stock is present or represented by proxy, the Committee shall not approve a program providing for either (a) the cancellation of outstanding Options or SARs having exercise prices per share greater than the then Fair Market Value of a share of Stock (Underwater Awards) and the grant in substitution therefor of new Options or SARs having a lower exercise price, Full Value Awards or payments in cash, or (b) the amendment of outstanding Underwater Awards to reduce the exercise price thereof. This Section shall not be construed to apply to (i) issuing or assuming a stock option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) applies, within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code, (ii) adjustments pursuant to the assumption of or substitution for an Option or SAR in a manner that would comply with Section 409A, or (iii) an adjustment pursuant to Section 4.3.
3.6 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or the Committee or as officers or employees of the Participating Company Group, to the extent permitted by applicable law, members of the Board or the Committee and any officers or employees of the Participating Company Group to whom authority to act for the Board, the Committee or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.
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4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN.
4.1 Maximum Number of Shares Issuable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 4.2, 4.2 and 4.3, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be equal to three million five hundred thousand (3,500,000) shares, and such shares shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Stock or any combination thereof.
4.2 Share Counting. If an outstanding Award for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled without having been exercised or settled in full, or if shares of Stock acquired pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited or repurchased by the Company for an amount not greater than the Participants purchase price, the shares of Stock allocable to the terminated portion of such Award or such forfeited or repurchased shares of Stock shall again be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares of Stock shall not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash or to the extent that shares are withheld or reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations pursuant to Section 16.2. Upon payment in shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of an SAR, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the SAR is exercised. If the exercise price of an Option is paid by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Participant, or by means of a Net Exercise, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the Option is exercised. Shares purchased in the open market with proceeds from the exercise of Options shall not be added to the limit set forth in Section 4.1. Shares withheld or reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations pursuant to the exercise or settlement of Options or SARs pursuant to Section 16.2 shall not again be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares withheld or reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations pursuant to the vesting or settlement of Full Value Awards pursuant to Section 16.2 shall again become available for issuance under the Plan.
4.3 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company and the requirements of Sections 409A and 424 of the Code to the extent applicable, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting regular, periodic cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and kind of shares subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Awards, the Award limits set forth in Section 5.3, and in the exercise or purchase price per share under any outstanding Award in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants rights under the Plan. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of
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any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as effected without receipt of consideration by the Company. If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding Awards are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) shares of another corporation (the New Shares), the Committee may unilaterally amend the outstanding Awards to provide that such Awards are for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise or purchase price per share of, the outstanding Awards shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Committee, in its discretion. Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number and the exercise or purchase price per share shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. In no event may the exercise or purchase price, if any, under any Award be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to such Award. The Committee in its discretion, may also make such adjustments in the terms of any Award to reflect, or related to, such changes in the capital structure of the Company or distributions as it deems appropriate, including modification of Performance Goals, Performance Award Formulas and Performance Periods. The adjustments determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section shall be final, binding and conclusive.
4.4 Assumption or Substitution of Awards. The Committee may, without affecting the number of shares of Stock reserved or available hereunder, authorize the issuance or assumption of benefits under this Plan in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, subject to compliance with Section 409A and any other applicable provisions of the Code. In addition, subject to compliance with applicable laws, and listing requirements, shares available for grant under a stockholder approved plan of an acquired company (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) may be used for awards under the Plan to individuals who were not Employees or Directors of the Participating Company Group prior to the transaction and shall not reduce the number of shares otherwise available for issuance under the Plan.
5. ELIGIBILITY, PARTICIPATION AND AWARD LIMITATIONS.
5.1 Persons Eligible for Awards. Awards may be granted only to Employees, Consultants and Directors.
5.2 Participation in the Plan. Awards are granted solely at the discretion of the Committee. Eligible persons may be granted more than one Award. However, eligibility in accordance with this Section shall not entitle any person to be granted an Award, or, having been granted an Award, to be granted an additional Award.
5.3 Incentive Stock Option Limitations.
(a) Maximum Number of Shares Issuable Pursuant to Incentive Stock Options. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed three million five hundred thousand (3,500,000) shares. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to all Awards other than Incentive Stock Options shall be the number of shares determined in accordance with Section 4.1, subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 4.2, 4.2 and 4.3.
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(b) Persons Eligible. An Incentive Stock Option may be granted only to a person who, on the effective date of grant, is an Employee of the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary Corporation (each being an ISO-Qualifying Corporation). Any person who is not an Employee of an ISO-Qualifying Corporation on the effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may be granted only a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
(c) Fair Market Value Limitation. To the extent that options designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) become exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year for stock having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a limitation different from that set forth in this Section, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Upon exercise of the Option, shares issued pursuant to each such portion shall be separately identified.
5.4 Nonemployee Director Award Limit. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the aggregate grant date fair value (computed as of the date of grant in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States) of all Awards granted to any Nonemployee Director during any fiscal year of the Company, taken together with any cash compensation paid to such Nonemployee Director during such fiscal year, shall not exceed $250,000.
5.5 Minimum Vesting. Except with respect to five percent (5%) of the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan, as provided in Section 4, no Award which vests on the basis of the Participants continued Service shall vest earlier than one year following the date of grant of such Award; provided, however, that such limitations shall not preclude the acceleration of vesting of such Award upon the death or disability of the Participant, or in connection with a Change in Control, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
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6. STOCK OPTIONS.
Options shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
6.1 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each Option shall be established in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option and (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner shall have an exercise price per share less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option (whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be granted with an exercise price less than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner that would qualify under the provisions of Section 409A or Section 424(a) of the Code.
6.2 Exercisability and Term of Options. Subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 5.5, Options shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however, that (a) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner shall be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of grant of such Option and (c) no Option granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of such Option (except in the event of such Employees death, disability or retirement, upon a Change in Control, or as otherwise permitted by the Worker Economic Opportunity Act). Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the grant of an Option, each Option shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.
6.3 Payment of Exercise Price.
(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check or in cash equivalent; (ii) if permitted by the Committee and subject to the limitations contained in Section 6.3(b), by means of (1) a Cashless Exercise, (2) a Stock Tender Exercise or (3) a Net Exercise; (iii) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (iv) by any combination thereof. The Committee may at any time or from time to time grant Options which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.
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(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.
(i) Cashless Exercise. A Cashless Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed notice of exercise together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Companys sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise, including with respect to one or more Participants specified by the Company notwithstanding that such program or procedures may be available to other Participants.
(ii) Stock Tender Exercise. A Stock Tender Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed exercise notice accompanied by a Participants tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, in a form acceptable to the Company of whole shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. A Stock Tender Exercise shall not be permitted if it would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Companys stock. If required by the Company, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for a period of time required by the Company (and not used for another option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.
(iii) Net Exercise. A Net Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed exercise notice followed by a procedure pursuant to which (1) the Company will reduce the number of shares otherwise issuable to a Participant upon the exercise of an Option by the largest whole number of shares having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised, and (2) the Participant shall pay to the Company in cash the remaining balance of such aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued.
6.4 Effect of Termination of Service.
(a) Option Exercisability. Subject to earlier termination of the Option as otherwise provided by this Plan and unless otherwise provided by the Committee, an Option shall terminate immediately upon the Participants termination of Service to the extent that it is then unvested and shall be exercisable after the Participants termination of Service to the extent it is then vested only during the applicable time period determined in accordance with this Section and thereafter shall terminate.
(i) Disability. If the Participants Service terminates because of the Disability of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participants Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participants guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participants Service terminated, but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Options term as set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option (the Option Expiration Date).
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(ii) Death. If the Participants Service terminates because of the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participants Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participants legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participants death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participants Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Participants Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Participant dies within three (3) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the Participants termination of Service.
(iii) Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the Participants Service is terminated for Cause or if, following the Participants termination of Service and during any period in which the Option otherwise would remain exercisable, the Participant engages in any act that would constitute Cause, the Option shall terminate in its entirety and cease to be exercisable immediately upon such termination of Service or act.
(iv) Other Termination of Service. If the Participants Service terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participants Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration of three (3) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participants Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
(b) Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than termination of Service for Cause, if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6.4(a) is prevented by the provisions of Section 14 below, the Option shall remain exercisable until the later of (i) thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions or (ii) the end of the applicable time period under Section 6.4(a), but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
6.5 Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of the Participant, an Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participants guardian or legal representative. An Option shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option, an Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to the applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, only as permitted by applicable regulations under Section 421 of the Code in a manner that does not disqualify such Option as an Incentive Stock Option. An Option may not be transferred to a third-party financial institution for value without the approval of the stockholders.
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7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
Stock Appreciation Rights shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
7.1 Types of SARs Authorized. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or any portion of a related Option (a Tandem SAR) or may be granted independently of any Option (a Freestanding SAR). A Tandem SAR may only be granted concurrently with the grant of the related Option.
7.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each SAR shall be established in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share subject to a Tandem SAR shall be the exercise price per share under the related Option and (b) the exercise price per share subject to a Freestanding SAR shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an SAR may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such SAR is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another stock appreciation right in a manner that would qualify under the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
7.3 Exercisability and Term of SARs.
(a) Tandem SARs. Tandem SARs shall be exercisable only at the time and to the extent, and only to the extent, that the related Option is exercisable, subject to such provisions as the Committee may specify where the Tandem SAR is granted with respect to less than the full number of shares of Stock subject to the related Option. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Tandem SAR that such SAR may not be exercised without the advance approval of the Company and, if such approval is not given, then the Option shall nevertheless remain exercisable in accordance with its terms. A Tandem SAR shall terminate and cease to be exercisable no later than the date on which the related Option expires or is terminated or canceled. Upon the exercise of a Tandem SAR with respect to some or all of the shares subject to such SAR, the related Option shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the Tandem SAR was exercised. Upon the exercise of an Option related to a Tandem SAR as to some or all of the shares subject to such Option, the related Tandem SAR shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the related Option was exercised.
(b) Freestanding SARs. Subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 5.5, Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR; provided, however, that (i) no Freestanding SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such SAR and (ii) no Freestanding SAR granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of such SAR (except in the event of such Employees death, disability or retirement, upon a Change in Control, or as otherwise permitted by the Worker Economic Opportunity Act). Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the grant of a Freestanding SAR, each Freestanding SAR shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the SAR, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.
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7.4 Exercise of SARs. Upon the exercise (or deemed exercise pursuant to Section 7.5) of an SAR, the Participant (or the Participants legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the SAR by reason of the Participants death) shall be entitled to receive payment of an amount for each share with respect to which the SAR is exercised equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the exercise price. Payment of such amount shall be made (a) in the case of a Tandem SAR, solely in shares of Stock in a lump sum upon the date of exercise of the SAR and (b) in the case of a Freestanding SAR, in cash, shares of Stock, or any combination thereof as determined by the Committee, in a lump sum upon the date of exercise of the SAR. When payment is to be made in shares of Stock, the number of shares to be issued shall be determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR. For purposes of Section 7, an SAR shall be deemed exercised on the date on which the Company receives notice of exercise from the Participant or as otherwise provided in Section 7.5.
7.5 Deemed Exercise of SARs. If, on the date on which an SAR would otherwise terminate or expire, the SAR by its terms remains exercisable immediately prior to such termination or expiration and, if so exercised, would result in a payment to the holder of such SAR, then any portion of such SAR which has not previously been exercised shall automatically be deemed to be exercised as of such date with respect to such portion.
7.6 Effect of Termination of Service. Subject to earlier termination of the SAR as otherwise provided herein and unless otherwise provided by the Committee, an SAR shall be exercisable after a Participants termination of Service only to the extent and during the applicable time period determined in accordance with Section 6.4 (treating the SAR as if it were an Option) and thereafter shall terminate.
7.7 Transferability of SARs. During the lifetime of the Participant, an SAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participants guardian or legal representative. An SAR shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award, a Tandem SAR related to a Nonstatutory Stock Option or a Freestanding SAR shall be assignable or transferable subject to the applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
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8. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
Restricted Stock Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying whether the Award is a Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right and the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
8.1 Types of Restricted Stock Awards Authorized. Restricted Stock Awards may be granted in the form of either a Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right. Restricted Stock Awards may be granted upon such conditions as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals described in Section 10.4. If either the grant of or satisfaction of Vesting Conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award is to be contingent upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals, the Committee shall follow procedures substantially equivalent to those set forth in Sections 10.3 through 10.5(a).
8.2 Purchase Price. The purchase price for shares of Stock issuable under each Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be established by the Committee in its discretion. No monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding) shall be required as a condition of receiving shares of Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Bonus, the consideration for which shall be services actually rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable state corporate law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the shares of Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award.
8.3 Purchase Period. A Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be exercisable within a period established by the Committee, which shall in no event exceed thirty (30) days from the effective date of the grant of the Restricted Stock Purchase Right.
8.4 Payment of Purchase Price. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the purchase price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be made (a) in cash, by check or in cash equivalent, (b) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (c) by any combination thereof.
8.5 Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer. Subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 5.5, Shares issued pursuant to any Restricted Stock Award may (but need not) be made subject to Vesting Conditions based upon the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 10.4, as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. During any period in which shares acquired pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award remain subject to Vesting Conditions, such shares may not be sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise disposed of other than pursuant to an Ownership Change Event or as provided in Section 8.8. The Committee, in its discretion, may provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Award that, if the satisfaction of Vesting Conditions with respect to any shares subject to such Restricted Stock Award would otherwise occur on a day on which the sale of such shares would violate the provisions of the Trading Compliance Policy, then satisfaction of the Vesting Conditions automatically shall be determined on the next trading day on which the sale of such shares would not violate the Trading Compliance Policy. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.
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8.6 Voting Rights; Dividends and Distributions. Except as provided in this Section, Section 8.5 and any Award Agreement, during any period in which shares acquired pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award remain subject to Vesting Conditions, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company holding shares of Stock, including the right to vote such shares and to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares; provided, however, that if so determined by the Committee and provided by the Award Agreement, such dividends and distributions shall be subject to the same Vesting Conditions as the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which such dividends or distributions were paid, and otherwise shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year in which such dividends or distributions are paid to stockholders (or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the date such dividends or distributions are paid to stockholders). In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.3, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant is entitled by reason of the Participants Restricted Stock Award shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions as the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which such dividends or distributions were paid or adjustments were made.
8.7 Effect of Termination of Service. If a Participants Service terminates for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (other than upon the Participants death or disability or in connection with a Change in Control if so provided by the Committee), then (a) the Company shall have the option to repurchase for the purchase price paid by the Participant any shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to a Restricted Stock Purchase Right which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participants termination of Service and (b) the Participant shall forfeit to the Company any shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to a Restricted Stock Bonus which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participants termination of Service. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.
8.8 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Award Rights. Rights to acquire shares of Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, except transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to a Restricted Stock Award granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participants guardian or legal representative.
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9. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
9.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted Stock Unit Awards may be granted upon such conditions as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals described in Section 10.4. If either the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award or the Vesting Conditions with respect to such Award is to be contingent upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals, the Committee shall follow procedures substantially equivalent to those set forth in Sections 10.3 through 10.5(a).
9.2 Purchase Price. No monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding, if any) shall be required as a condition of receiving a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the consideration for which shall be services actually rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable state corporate law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the shares of Stock issued upon settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit Award.
9.3 Vesting. Subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 5.5, Restricted Stock Unit Awards may (but need not) be made subject to Vesting Conditions based upon the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 10.4, as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award.
9.4 Voting Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no voting or dividend rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Restricted Stock Units until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Restricted Stock Unit Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock during the period beginning on the date such Award is granted and ending, with respect to each share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date the Award is settled or the date on which it is terminated. Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be paid by crediting the Participant with a cash amount or with additional whole Restricted Stock Units as of the date of payment of such cash dividends on Stock, as determined by the Committee. The number of additional Restricted Stock Units (rounded to the nearest whole number), if any, to be credited shall be determined by dividing (a) the amount of cash dividends paid on the dividend payment date with respect to the number of shares of Stock represented by the Restricted Stock Units previously credited to the Participant by (b) the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on such date. If so determined by the Committee and provided by the Award Agreement, such cash amount or additional Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions and shall be settled in the same manner and at the same time as
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the Restricted Stock Units originally subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.3, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participants Restricted Stock Unit Award so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of the Award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions as are applicable to the Award.
9.5 Effect of Termination of Service. If a Participants Service terminates for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (other than upon the Participants death or disability or in connection with a Change in Control if so provided by the Committee), then the Participant shall forfeit to the Company any Restricted Stock Units pursuant to the Award which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participants termination of Service.
9.6 Settlement of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The Company shall issue to a Participant on the date on which Restricted Stock Units subject to the Participants Restricted Stock Unit Award vest or on such other date determined by the Committee in compliance with Section 409A, if applicable, and set forth in the Award Agreement one (1) share of Stock (and/or any other new, substituted or additional securities or other property pursuant to an adjustment described in Section 9.4) for each Restricted Stock Unit then becoming vested or otherwise to be settled on such date, subject to the withholding of applicable taxes, if any. The Committee, in its discretion, may provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Unit Award that if the settlement date with respect to any shares issuable upon vesting of Restricted Stock Units would otherwise occur on a day on which the sale of such shares would violate the provisions of the Trading Compliance Policy, then the settlement date shall be deferred until the next trading day on which the sale of such shares would not violate the Trading Compliance Policy but in any event no later than the 15th day of the third calendar month following the year in which such Restricted Stock Units vest. If permitted by the Committee, the Participant may elect, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, to defer receipt of all or any portion of the shares of Stock or other property otherwise issuable to the Participant pursuant to this Section, and such deferred issuance date(s) and amount(s) elected by the Participant shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide for settlement of any Restricted Stock Unit Award by payment to the Participant in cash of an amount equal to the Fair Market Value on the payment date of the shares of Stock or other property otherwise issuable to the Participant pursuant to this Section.
9.7 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The right to receive shares pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit Award granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participants guardian or legal representative.
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10. PERFORMANCE AWARDS.
Performance Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
10.1 Types of Performance Awards Authorized. Performance Awards may be granted in the form of either Performance Shares or Performance Units. Each Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award shall specify the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units subject thereto, the Performance Award Formula, the Performance Goal(s) and Performance Period applicable to the Award, and the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award.
10.2 Initial Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in granting a Performance Award, each Performance Share shall have an initial monetary value equal to the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, on the effective date of grant of the Performance Share, and each Performance Unit shall have an initial monetary value established by the Committee at the time of grant. The final value payable to the Participant in settlement of a Performance Award determined on the basis of the applicable Performance Award Formula will depend on the extent to which Performance Goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period established by the Committee.
10.3 Establishment of Performance Period, Performance Goals and Performance Award Formula. In granting each Performance Award, the Committee shall establish in writing the applicable Performance Period (subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 5.5), Performance Award Formula and one or more Performance Goals which, when measured at the end of the Performance Period, shall determine on the basis of the Performance Award Formula the final value of the Performance Award to be paid to the Participant. The Company shall notify each Participant granted a Performance Award of the terms of such Award, including the Performance Period, Performance Goal(s) and Performance Award Formula.
10.4 Measurement of Performance Goals. Performance Goals shall be established by the Committee on the basis of targets to be attained (Performance Targets) with respect to one or more measures of business or financial performance or other criteria established by the Committee (each, a Performance Measure), subject to the following:
(a) Performance Measures. Performance Measures based on objective criteria shall be calculated in accordance with the Companys financial statements, or, if such measures are not reported in the Companys financial statements, they shall be calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, a method used generally in the Companys industry, or in accordance with a methodology established by the Committee prior to the grant of the Performance Award. Performance Measures based on subjective criteria shall be determined on the basis established by the Committee in granting the Award. As specified by the Committee, Performance Measures may be calculated with respect to the Company and each
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Subsidiary Corporation consolidated therewith for financial reporting purposes, one or more Subsidiary Corporations or such division or other business unit of any of them selected by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee prior to the grant of the Performance Award, the Performance Measures applicable to the Performance Award shall be calculated prior to the accrual of expense for any Performance Award for the same Performance Period and excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) on the Performance Measures of any change in accounting standards or any unusual or infrequently occurring event or transaction, as determined by the Committee, occurring after the establishment of the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Award. Each such adjustment, if any, shall be made solely for the purpose of providing a consistent basis from period to period for the calculation of Performance Measures in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the Participants rights with respect to a Performance Award. Performance Measures may be based upon one or more of the following, without limitation, as determined by the Committee:
(i) revenue;
(ii) sales;
(iii) expenses;
(iv) operating income;
(v) gross margin;
(vi) operating margin;
(vii) earnings before any one or more of: stock-based compensation expense, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;
(viii) pre-tax profit;
(ix) net operating income;
(x) net income;
(xi) economic value added;
(xii) free cash flow;
(xiii) operating cash flow;
(xiv) balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities;
(xv) stock price;
(xvi) earnings per share;
(xvii) return on stockholder equity;
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(xviii) return on capital;
(xix) return on assets;
(xx) return on investment;
(xxi) total stockholder return;
(xxii) employee satisfaction;
(xxiii) employee retention;
(xxiv) market share;
(xxv) customer satisfaction;
(xxvi) product development;
(xxvii) research and development expenses;
(xxviii) completion of an identified special project;
(xxix) completion of a joint venture or other corporate transaction and
(xxx) personal performance objectives established for an individual Participant or group of Participants.
(b) Performance Targets. Performance Targets may include a minimum, maximum, target level and intermediate levels of performance, with the final value of a Performance Award determined under the applicable Performance Award Formula by the Performance Target level attained during the applicable Performance Period. A Performance Target may be stated as an absolute value, an increase or decrease in a value, or as a value determined relative to an index, budget or other standard selected by the Committee.
10.5 Settlement of Performance Awards.
(a) Determination of Final Value. As soon as practicable following the completion of the Performance Period applicable to a Performance Award, the Committee shall determine the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been attained and the resulting final value of the Award earned by the Participant and to be paid upon its settlement in accordance with the applicable Performance Award Formula.
(b) Discretionary Adjustment of Award Formula. In its discretion, the Committee may, either at the time it grants a Performance Award or at any time thereafter, provide for the positive or negative adjustment of the Performance Award Formula applicable to a Performance Award to reflect such Participants individual performance in his or her position with the Company or such other factors as the Committee may determine.
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(c) Effect of Leaves of Absence. Unless otherwise required by law or a Participants Award Agreement, payment of the final value, if any, of a Performance Award held by a Participant who has taken in excess of thirty (30) days in unpaid leaves of absence during a Performance Period shall be prorated on the basis of the number of days of the Participants Service during the Performance Period during which the Participant was not on an unpaid leave of absence.
(d) Notice to Participants. As soon as practicable following the Committees determination in accordance with Sections 10.5(a) and (b), the Company shall notify each Participant of the determination of the Committee.
(e) Payment in Settlement of Performance Awards. As soon as practicable following the Committees determination in accordance with Sections 10.5(a) and (b), but in any event within the Short-Term Deferral Period described in Section 15.1 (except as otherwise provided below or consistent with the requirements of Section 409A), payment shall be made to each eligible Participant (or such Participants legal representative or other person who acquired the right to receive such payment by reason of the Participants death) of the final value of the Participants Performance Award. Payment of such amount shall be made in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award, payment shall be made in a lump sum. If permitted by the Committee, the Participant may elect, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, to defer receipt of all or any portion of the payment to be made to the Participant pursuant to this Section, and such deferred payment date(s) elected by the Participant shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. If any payment is to be made on a deferred basis, the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to, provide for the payment during the deferral period of Dividend Equivalent Rights or interest.
(f) Provisions Applicable to Payment in Shares. If payment is to be made in shares of Stock, the number of such shares shall be determined by dividing the final value of the Performance Award by the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock determined by the method specified in the Award Agreement. Shares of Stock issued in payment of any Performance Award may be fully vested and freely transferable shares or may be shares of Stock subject to Vesting Conditions as provided in Section 8.5. Any shares subject to Vesting Conditions shall be evidenced by an appropriate Award Agreement and shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 8.5 through 8.8 above.
10.6 Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no voting or dividend rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Performance Share Awards until the date of the issuance of such shares, if any (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Performance Share Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock during the period beginning on the date the Award is granted and ending, with respect to each share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date on which the Performance Shares are settled or the date on which they are forfeited. Such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be credited to the Participant either in cash or in the form of additional whole Performance Shares as of the date of
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payment of such cash dividends on Stock, as determined by the Committee. The number of additional Performance Shares (rounded to the nearest whole number), if any, to be so credited shall be determined by dividing (a) the amount of cash dividends paid on the dividend payment date with respect to the number of shares of Stock represented by the Performance Shares previously credited to the Participant by (b) the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on such date. Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be accumulated and paid to the extent that the related Performance Shares become nonforfeitable. Settlement of Dividend Equivalent Rights may be made in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee, and may be paid on the same basis as settlement of the related Performance Share as provided in Section 10.5. Dividend Equivalent Rights shall not be paid with respect to Performance Units. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.3, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participants Performance Share Award so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of the Performance Share Award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be immediately subject to the same Performance Goals as are applicable to the Award.
10.7 Effect of Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award, the effect of a Participants termination of Service on the Performance Award shall be as follows:
(a) Death or Disability. If the Participants Service terminates because of the death or Disability of the Participant before the completion of the Performance Period applicable to the Performance Award, the final value of the Participants Performance Award shall be determined by the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been attained with respect to the entire Performance Period and shall be prorated based on the number of months of the Participants Service during the Performance Period. Payment shall be made following the end of the Performance Period in any manner permitted by Section 10.5.
(b) Other Termination of Service. If the Participants Service terminates for any reason except death or Disability before the completion of the Performance Period applicable to the Performance Award, such Award shall be forfeited in its entirety; provided, however, that in the event of an involuntary termination of the Participants Service, the Committee, in its discretion, may waive the automatic forfeiture of all or any portion of any such Award and determine the final value of the Performance Award in the manner provided by Section 10.7(a). Payment of any amount pursuant to this Section shall be made following the end of the Performance Period in any manner permitted by Section 10.5.
10.8 Nontransferability of Performance Awards. Prior to settlement in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, no Performance Award shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to a Performance Award granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participants guardian or legal representative.
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11. CASH-BASED AWARDS AND OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.
Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
11.1 Grant of Cash-Based Awards. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Cash-Based Awards to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions, including the achievement of performance criteria, as the Committee may determine.
11.2 Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted securities, stock-equivalent units, stock appreciation units, securities or debentures convertible into common stock or other forms determined by the Committee) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. Other Stock-Based Awards may be made available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock-Based Awards may involve the transfer of actual shares of Stock to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Stock and may include, without limitation, Awards designed to comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions other than the United States.
11.3 Value of Cash-Based and Other Stock-Based Awards. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a monetary payment amount or payment range as determined by the Committee. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of shares of Stock or units based on such shares of Stock, as determined by the Committee. Subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 5.5, the Committee may require the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 10.4, as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish performance criteria, the final value of Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance criteria are met.
11.4 Payment or Settlement of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Payment or settlement, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award or an Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash, shares of Stock or other securities or any combination thereof as the Committee determines. To the extent applicable, payment or settlement with respect to each Cash-Based Award and Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A.
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11.5 Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no voting or dividend rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Other Stock-Based Awards until the date of the issuance of such shares of Stock (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), if any, in settlement of such Award. However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Other Stock-Based Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock during the period beginning on the date such Award is granted and ending, with respect to each share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date the Award is settled or the date on which it is terminated. Such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be paid in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 9.4. Dividend Equivalent Rights shall not be granted with respect to Cash-Based Awards. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.3, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participants Other Stock-Based Award so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of such Award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions and performance criteria, if any, as are applicable to the Award.
11.6 Effect of Termination of Service. Each Award Agreement evidencing a Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain such Award following termination of the Participants Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination, subject to the requirements of Section 409A, if applicable.
11.7 Nontransferability of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Prior to the payment or settlement of a Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award, the Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may impose such additional restrictions on any shares of Stock issued in settlement of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such shares of Stock are then listed and/or traded, or under any state securities laws or foreign law applicable to such shares of Stock.
12. STANDARD FORMS OF AWARD AGREEMENT.
12.1 Award Agreements. Each Award shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the appropriate form of Award Agreement approved by the Committee and as amended from time to time. No Award or purported Award shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a fully executed Award Agreement, which execution may be evidenced by electronic means.
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12.2 Authority to Vary Terms. The Committee shall have the authority from time to time to vary the terms of any standard form of Award Agreement either in connection with the grant or amendment of an individual Award or in connection with the authorization of a new standard form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new, revised or amended standard form or forms of Award Agreement are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.
13. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
13.1 Effect of Change in Control on Awards. In the event of a Change in Control, outstanding Awards shall be subject to the definitive agreement entered into by the Company in connection with the Change in Control. Subject to the requirements and limitations of Section 409A, if applicable, the Committee may provide pursuant to such agreement for any one or more of the following:
(a) Assumption, Continuation or Substitution. In the event of a Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the Acquiror), may, without the consent of any Participant, assume or continue the Companys rights and obligations under each or any Award or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control or substitute for each or any such outstanding Award or portion thereof a substantially equivalent award with respect to the Acquirors stock, as applicable. For purposes of this Section, if so determined by the Committee in its discretion, an Award denominated in shares of Stock shall be deemed assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, for each share of Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stock); provided, however, that if such consideration is not solely common stock of the Acquiror, the Committee may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise or settlement of the Award, for each share of Stock subject to the Award, to consist solely of common stock of the Acquiror equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Stock pursuant to the Change in Control. Any Award or portion thereof which is neither assumed or continued by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised or settled as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control.
(b) Cash-Out of Outstanding Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion and without the consent of any Participant, determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each or any Award denominated in shares of Stock or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control and not previously exercised or settled shall be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to each vested share of Stock subject to such canceled Award in (i) cash, (ii) stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the Change in Control, or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control, reduced (but not below zero) by the exercise or purchase price per share, if any, under such Award. In the event such
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determination is made by the Committee, an Award having an exercise or purchase price per share equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control may be canceled without payment of consideration to the holder thereof. Payment pursuant to this Section (reduced by applicable withholding taxes, if any) shall be made to Participants in respect of the vested portions of their canceled Awards as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control.
(c) Accelerated Vesting of Time-Vesting Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide that if either:
(i) the Acquiror will not assume or continue the Time-Vesting Award or substitute a substantially equivalent award pursuant to Section 13.1(b), in each case for equity securities of the Acquiror which are or promptly will be registered under the Securities Act and tradable on an established United States securities exchange, or
(ii) the Acquiror has so assumed, continued or substituted for the Time-Vesting Award, but the Participants Service terminates as a result of Involuntary Termination,
then the exercisability, vesting and/or settlement of the Time-Vesting Award and shares acquired pursuant thereto will accelerate in full or in part to such extent as the Committee determines.
(d) Accelerated or Pro Rata Settlement of Performance-Vesting Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide that if either:
(i) the Acquiror will not assume or continue the Performance-Vesting Award or substitute a substantially equivalent award pursuant to Section 13.1(b), in each case for equity securities of the Acquiror which are or promptly will be registered under the Securities Act and tradable on an established United States securities exchange, or
(ii) the Acquiror has so assumed, continued or substituted for the Performance-Vesting Award, but the Participants Service terminates as a result of Involuntary Termination,
then the exercisability, vesting and/or settlement of the Performance-Vesting Award and shares acquired pursuant thereto will be determined, as specified by the Committee, either (A) based upon the actual achievement of the applicable performance goals(s) under the terms of the Performance-Vesting Award through the date of the Change in Control or the Involuntary Termination, as applicable or (B) to such extent as would occur under the terms of the Performance-Vesting Award had 100% of the target level of the applicable performance goals(s) been achieved but with the result prorated based on the period of the Participants actual Service during the applicable full performance period.
13.2 Effect of Change in Control on Nonemployee Director Awards. Subject to the requirements and limitations of Section 409A, if applicable, including as provided by Section 15.4(f), in the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Nonemployee Director Award shall become immediately exercisable and vested in full and, except to the extent assumed, continued or substituted for pursuant to Section 13.1(b), shall be settled effective immediately prior to the time of consummation of the Change in Control.
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13.3 Federal Excise Tax Under Section 4999 of the Code.
(a) Excess Parachute Payment. If any acceleration of vesting pursuant to an Award and any other payment or benefit received or to be received by a Participant would subject the Participant to any excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code due to the characterization of such acceleration of vesting, payment or benefit as an excess parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, then, provided such election would not subject the Participant to taxation under Section 409A, the Participant may elect to reduce the amount of any acceleration of vesting called for under the Award in order to avoid such characterization.
(b) Determination by Tax Firm. To aid the Participant in making any election called for under Section 13.3(a), no later than the date of the occurrence of any event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in an excess parachute payment to the Participant as described in Section 13.3(a), the Company shall request a determination in writing by the professional firm engaged by the Company for general tax purposes, or, if the tax firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the Acquiror, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required by this Section (the Tax Firm). As soon as practicable thereafter, the Tax Firm shall determine and report to the Company and the Participant the amount of such acceleration of vesting, payments and benefits which would produce the greatest after-tax benefit to the Participant. For the purposes of such determination, the Tax Firm may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Participant shall furnish to the Tax Firm such information and documents as the Tax Firm may reasonably request in order to make its required determination. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses the Tax Firm charges in connection with its services contemplated by this Section.
14. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW.
The grant of Awards and the issuance of shares of Stock pursuant to any Award shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities and the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Award may be exercised or shares issued pursuant to an Award unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of such exercise or issuance be in effect with respect to the shares issuable pursuant to the Award, or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable pursuant to the Award may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Companys legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares under the Plan shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to issuance of any Stock, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
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15. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A.
15.1 Awards Subject to Section 409A. The Company intends that Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall either be exempt from or comply with Section 409A, and the Plan shall be so construed. The provisions of this Section 15 shall apply to any Award or portion thereof that constitutes or provides for payment of Section 409A Deferred Compensation. Such Awards may include, without limitation:
(a) A Nonstatutory Stock Option or SAR that includes any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the later of (i) the exercise or disposition of the Award or (ii) the time the stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Award first becomes substantially vested.
(b) Any Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Award, Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award that either (i) provides by its terms for settlement of all or any portion of the Award at a time or upon an event that will or may occur later than the end of the Short-Term Deferral Period (as defined below) or (ii) permits the Participant granted the Award to elect one or more dates or events upon which the Award will be settled after the end of the Short-Term Deferral Period.
Subject to the provisions of Section 409A, the term Short-Term Deferral Period means the 21⁄2 month period ending on the later of (i) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Participants taxable year in which the right to payment under the applicable portion of the Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or (ii) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Companys taxable year in which the right to payment under the applicable portion of the Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. For this purpose, the term substantial risk of forfeiture shall have the meaning provided by Section 409A.
15.2 Deferral and/or Distribution Elections. Except as otherwise permitted or required by Section 409A, the following rules shall apply to any compensation deferral and/or payment elections (each, an Election) that may be permitted or required by the Committee pursuant to an Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation:
(a) Elections must be in writing and specify the amount of the payment in settlement of an Award being deferred, as well as the time and form of payment as permitted by this Plan.
(b) Elections shall be made by the end of the Participants taxable year prior to the year in which services commence for which an Award may be granted to the Participant.
(c) Elections shall continue in effect until a written revocation or change in Election is received by the Company, except that a written revocation or change in Election must be received by the Company prior to the last day for making the Election determined in accordance with paragraph (b) above or as permitted by Section 15.3.
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15.3 Subsequent Elections. Except as otherwise permitted or required by Section 409A, any Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation which permits a subsequent Election to delay the payment or change the form of payment in settlement of such Award shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) No subsequent Election may take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the subsequent Election is made.
(b) Each subsequent Election related to a payment in settlement of an Award not described in Section 15.4(a)(ii), 15.4(a)(iii) or 15.4(a)(vi) must result in a delay of the payment for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date on which such payment would otherwise have been made.
(c) No subsequent Election related to a payment pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(iv) shall be made less than twelve (12) months before the date on which such payment would otherwise have been made.
(d) Subsequent Elections shall continue in effect until a written revocation or change in the subsequent Election is received by the Company, except that a written revocation or change in a subsequent Election must be received by the Company prior to the last day for making the subsequent Election determined in accordance the preceding paragraphs of this Section 15.3.
15.4 Payment of Section 409A Deferred Compensation.
(a) Permissible Payments. Except as otherwise permitted or required by Section 409A, an Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation must provide for payment in settlement of the Award only upon one or more of the following:
(i) The Participants separation from service (as defined by Section 409A);
(ii) The Participants becoming disabled (as defined by Section 409A);
(iii) The Participants death;
(iv) A time or fixed schedule that is either (i) specified by the Committee upon the grant of an Award and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award or (ii) specified by the Participant in an Election complying with the requirements of Section 15.2 or 15.3, as applicable;
(v) A change in the ownership or effective control or the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 409A; or
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(vi) The occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency (as defined by Section 409A).
(b) Installment Payments. It is the intent of this Plan that any right of a Participant to receive installment payments (within the meaning of Section 409A) shall, for all purposes of Section 409A, be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
(c) Required Delay in Payment to Specified Employee Pursuant to Separation from Service. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, except as otherwise permitted by Section 409A, no payment pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(i) in settlement of an Award providing for Section 409A Deferred Compensation may be made to a Participant who is a specified employee (as defined by Section 409A) as of the date of the Participants separation from service before the date (the Delayed Payment Date) that is six (6) months after the date of such Participants separation from service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participants death. All such amounts that would, but for this paragraph, become payable prior to the Delayed Payment Date shall be accumulated and paid on the Delayed Payment Date.
(d) Payment Upon Disability. All distributions of Section 409A Deferred Compensation payable pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(ii) by reason of a Participant becoming disabled shall be paid in a lump sum or in periodic installments as established by the Participants Election. If the Participant has made no Election with respect to distributions of Section 409A Deferred Compensation upon becoming disabled, all such distributions shall be paid in a lump sum upon the determination that the Participant has become disabled.
(e) Payment Upon Death. If a Participant dies before complete distribution of amounts payable upon settlement of an Award subject to Section 409A, such undistributed amounts shall be distributed to his or her beneficiary under the distribution method for death established by the Participants Election upon receipt by the Committee of satisfactory notice and confirmation of the Participants death. If the Participant has made no Election with respect to distributions of Section 409A Deferred Compensation upon death, all such distributions shall be paid in a lump sum upon receipt by the Committee of satisfactory notice and confirmation of the Participants death.
(f) Payment Upon Change in Control. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any amount constituting Section 409A Deferred Compensation would become payable under this Plan by reason of a Change in Control, such amount shall become payable only if the event constituting a Change in Control would also constitute a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A. Any Award which constitutes Section 409A Deferred Compensation and which would vest and otherwise become payable upon a Change in Control as a result of the failure of the Acquiror to assume, continue or substitute for such Award in accordance with Section 13.1(b) shall vest to the extent provided by such Award but shall be converted automatically at the effective time of such Change in Control into a right to receive, in cash on the date or dates such award would have been settled in accordance with its then existing settlement schedule (or as required by Section 15.4(c)), an amount or amounts equal in the aggregate to the intrinsic value of the Award at the time of the Change in Control.
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(g) Payment Upon Unforeseeable Emergency. The Committee shall have the authority to provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Award providing for Section 409A Deferred Compensation for payment pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(vi) in settlement of all or a portion of such Award in the event that a Participant establishes, to the satisfaction of the Committee, the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency. In such event, the amount(s) distributed with respect to such unforeseeable emergency cannot exceed the amounts reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of such distribution(s), after taking into account the extent to which such emergency need is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Participants assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship) or by cessation of deferrals under the Award. All distributions with respect to an unforeseeable emergency shall be made in a lump sum upon the Committees determination that an unforeseeable emergency has occurred. The Committees decision with respect to whether an unforeseeable emergency has occurred and the manner in which, if at all, the payment in settlement of an Award shall be altered or modified, shall be final, conclusive, and not subject to approval or appeal.
(h) Prohibition of Acceleration of Payments. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, this Plan does not permit the acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment under an Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation, except as permitted by Section 409A.
(i) No Representation Regarding Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company makes no representation that Awards shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A. No Participating Company shall be liable for any tax, penalty or interest imposed on a Participant by Section 409A.
16. TAX WITHHOLDING.
16.1 Tax Withholding in General. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any and all payments made under the Plan, or to require the Participant, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, to make adequate provision for, the federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including social insurance), if any, required by law to be withheld by any Participating Company with respect to an Award or the shares acquired pursuant thereto. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock, to release shares of Stock from an escrow established pursuant to an Award Agreement, or to make any payment in cash under the Plan until the Participating Company Groups tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by the Participant.
16.2 Withholding in or Directed Sale of Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable to a Participant upon the exercise or settlement of an Award, or to accept from the Participant the tender of, a number of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all or any part of the tax withholding obligations of any Participating Company. The Fair Market
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Value of any shares of Stock withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates (or the maximum individual statutory withholding rates for the applicable jurisdiction if use of such rates would not result in adverse accounting consequences or cost). The Company may require a Participant to direct a broker, upon the vesting, exercise or settlement of an Award, to sell a portion of the shares subject to the Award determined by the Company in its discretion to be sufficient to cover the tax withholding obligations of any Participating Company and to remit an amount equal to such tax withholding obligations to such Participating Company in cash.
17. AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF PLAN.
The Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. However, without the approval of the Companys stockholders, there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of Sections 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that would require approval of the Companys stockholders under any applicable law, regulation or rule, including the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Stock may then be listed or quoted. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall affect any then outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Committee. Except as provided by the next sentence, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan may have a materially adverse effect on any then outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the consent of any Participant, amend the Plan or any Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as it deems necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the Plan or such Award Agreement to any present or future law, regulation or rule applicable to the Plan, including, but not limited to, Section 409A.
18. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
18.1 Repurchase Rights. Shares issued under the Plan may be subject to one or more repurchase options, or other conditions and restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time the Award is granted. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.
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18.2 Forfeiture Events.
(a) The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participants rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of Service for Cause or any act by a Participant, whether before or after termination of Service, that would constitute Cause for termination of Service, or any accounting restatement due to material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirements of securities laws as a result of which, and to the extent that, such reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment is required by applicable securities laws. In addition, to the extent that claw-back or similar provisions applicable to Awards are required by applicable law, listing standards and/or policies adopted by the Company, Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to such provisions.
(b) If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, any Participant who knowingly or through gross negligence engaged in the misconduct, or who knowingly or through gross negligence failed to prevent the misconduct, and any Participant who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, shall reimburse the Company for (i) the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award received by such Participant during the twelve- (12-) month period following the first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever first occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement, and (ii) any profits realized by such Participant from the sale of securities of the Company during such twelve- (12-) month period.
18.3 Provision of Information. Each Participant shall be given access to information concerning the Company equivalent to that information generally made available to the Companys common stockholders.
18.4 Rights as Employee, Consultant or Director. No person, even though eligible pursuant to Section 5, shall have a right to be selected as a Participant, or, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Participant. Nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall confer on any Participant a right to remain an Employee, Consultant or Director or interfere with or limit in any way any right of a Participating Company to terminate the Participants Service at any time. To the extent that an Employee of a Participating Company other than the Company receives an Award under the Plan, that Award shall in no event be understood or interpreted to mean that the Company is the Employees employer or that the Employee has an employment relationship with the Company.
18.5 Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by an Award until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such shares are issued, except as provided in Section 4.3 or another provision of the Plan.
18.6 Delivery of Title to Shares. Subject to any governing rules or regulations, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued the shares of Stock acquired pursuant to an Award and shall deliver such shares to or for the benefit of the Participant by means of one or more of the following: (a) by delivering to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Stock credited to the account of the Participant, (b) by depositing such shares of Stock for the benefit of the Participant with any broker with which the Participant has an account relationship, or (c) by delivering such shares of Stock to the Participant in certificate form.
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18.7 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise or settlement of any Award.
18.8 Retirement and Welfare Plans. Neither Awards made under this Plan nor shares of Stock or cash paid pursuant to such Awards may be included as compensation for purposes of computing the benefits payable to any Participant under any Participating Companys retirement plans (both qualified and non-qualified) or welfare benefit plans unless such other plan expressly provides that such compensation shall be taken into account in computing a Participants benefit. In addition, unless a written employment agreement or other service agreement specifically references Awards, a general reference to benefits or a similar term in such agreement shall not be deemed to refer to Awards granted hereunder.
18.9 Beneficiary Designation. Subject to local laws and procedures, each Participant may file with the Company a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any benefit under the Plan to which the Participant is entitled in the event of such Participants death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participants lifetime. If a married Participant designates a beneficiary other than the Participants spouse, the effectiveness of such designation may be subject to the consent of the Participants spouse. If a Participant dies without an effective designation of a beneficiary who is living at the time of the Participants death, the Company will pay any remaining unpaid benefits to the Participants legal representative.
18.10 Severability. If any one or more of the provisions (or any part thereof) of this Plan shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be modified so as to make it valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (or any part thereof) of the Plan shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
18.11 No Constraint on Corporate Action. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to: (a) limit, impair, or otherwise affect the Companys or another Participating Companys right or power to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or assets; or (b) limit the right or power of the Company or another Participating Company to take any action which such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.
18.12 Unfunded Obligation. Participants shall have the status of general unsecured creditors of the Company. Any amounts payable to Participants pursuant to the Plan shall be considered unfunded and unsecured obligations for all purposes, including, without limitation, Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. No Participating Company shall be required to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or establish any special accounts with respect to such obligations. The Company shall
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retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment obligations hereunder. Any investments or the creation or maintenance of any trust or any Participant account shall not create or constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Committee or any Participating Company and a Participant, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial interest in any Participant or the Participants creditors in any assets of any Participating Company. The Participants shall have no claim against any Participating Company for any changes in the value of any assets which may be invested or reinvested by the Company with respect to the Plan.
18.13 Choice of Law. Except to the extent governed by applicable federal law, the validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict of law rules.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Secretary of the Company certifies that the foregoing sets forth the Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan as duly adopted by the Board on _____________, 2020.
/s/ |
, Secretary |
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PLAN HISTORY AND NOTES TO COMPANY
________, 2020 | Board adopts Plan with a reserve of ______ shares (subject to increases and other adjustments as provided by the Plan), subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company. | |
_______, 2020 | Plan approved by the stockholders of the Company. |
Exhibit 10.10
FORM OF RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.
NOTICE OF GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK
(For U.S. Participants)
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the Company) has granted to the Participant an award (the Award) of certain shares of Stock (the Shares) pursuant to the Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan), as follows:
By their signatures below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, the Company and the Participant agree that the Award is governed by this Grant Notice and by the provisions of the Restricted Stock Agreement and the Plan, both of which are made a part of this document, and by the Superseding Agreement, if any. The Participant acknowledges that copies of the Plan, the Restricted Stock Agreement and the prospectus for the Plan are available on the Companys internal web site and may be viewed and printed by the Participant for attachment to the Participants copy of this Grant Notice. The Participant represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with the provisions of the Restricted Stock Agreement and the Plan, and hereby accepts the Award subject to all of their terms and conditions.
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC. | PARTICIPANT | |||||||
By: |
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[officer name] | Signature | |||||||
[officer title] |
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Date | ||||||||
Address: |
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Address | ||||||||
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ATTACHMENTS: | 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended to the Date of Grant; Restricted Stock Agreement; Assignment Separate from Certificate; form of Section 83(b) Election. |
2
RESOURCE REAL ESTATE OPPORUNITY REIT, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT PERFORMANCE
(For U.S. Participants)
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the Company) has granted to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock (the Grant Notice) to which this Restricted Stock Agreement (the Agreement) is attached an Award consisting of Shares subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement. The Award has been granted pursuant to and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan), as amended to the Date of Grant, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing the Grant Notice, the Participant: (a) acknowledges receipt of and represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with the Grant Notice, this Agreement, and the Plan and a prospectus for the Plan prepared in connection with the registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Shares (the Plan Prospectus), (b) accepts the Award subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan and (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under the Grant Notice, this Agreement or the Plan.
1. |
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION. |
1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Grant Notice or the Plan.
1.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term or is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
2. |
ADMINISTRATION. |
All questions of interpretation concerning the Grant Notice, this Agreement, the Plan or any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the Plan or the Award shall be determined by the Committee. All such determinations by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Award, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Committee in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or the Award or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Award. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.
3. |
THE AWARD. |
3.1 Grant and Issuance of Shares. On the Date of Grant, the Participant shall acquire and the Company shall issue, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, a number of Shares equal to the Total Number of Shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9. As a condition to the issuance of the Shares, the Participant shall execute and deliver the Grant Notice to the Company, and, if required by the Company, an Assignment Separate from Certificate duly endorsed (with date and number of shares blank) in the form provided by the Company.
3.2 No Monetary Payment Required. The Participant is not required to make any monetary payment (other than to satisfy applicable tax withholding, if any, with respect to the issuance or vesting of the Shares) as a condition to receiving the Shares, the consideration for which shall be past services actually rendered or future services to be rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the Shares issued pursuant to the Award.
3.3 Beneficial Ownership of Shares; Certificate Registration. To the extent certificated, the Participant hereby authorizes the Company, in its sole discretion, to deposit the Shares with the Companys transfer agent, including any successor transfer agent, to be held in book entry form during the term of the Escrow pursuant to Section 6. Furthermore, the Participant hereby authorizes the Company, in its sole discretion, to deposit, following the term of such Escrow, for the benefit of the Participant with any broker with which the Participant has an account relationship of which the Company has notice any or all Shares which are no longer subject to such Escrow. Except as provided by the foregoing and to the extent certificated, a certificate for the Shares shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Participant. Uncertificated Shares shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or the Companys transfer agent shall have given to the participant by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the participant, at the participants last known address on file with the Company, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic book entry records).
3.4 Issuance of Shares in Compliance with Law. The issuance of the Shares shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. No Shares shall be issued hereunder if their issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Companys legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Shares shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the issuance of the Shares, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company. Uncertificated Shares shall be accompanied by a notation on the records of the Company or the transfer agent to the effect that they are subject to forfeiture until such Shares are vested as provided herein.
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4. |
VESTING OF SHARES. |
Shares acquired pursuant to this Agreement shall become Vested Shares as provided in the Grant Notice. For purposes of determining the number of Vested Shares following an Ownership Change Event, credited Service shall include all Service with any corporation which is a Participating Company at the time the Service is rendered, whether or not such corporation is a Participating Company both before and after the Ownership Change Event.
5. |
COMPANY REACQUISITION RIGHT. |
5.1 Grant of Company Reacquisition Right. Except to the extent otherwise provided by the Superseding Agreement, if any, in the event that (a) the Participants Service terminates for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, or (b) the Participant, the Participants legal representative, or other holder of the Shares, attempts to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (other than pursuant to an Ownership Change Event), including, without limitation, any transfer to a nominee or agent of the Participant, any Shares which are not Vested Shares (Unvested Shares), the Participant shall forfeit and the Company shall automatically reacquire the Unvested Shares, and the Participant shall not be entitled to any payment therefor (the Company Reacquisition Right).
5.2 Ownership Change Event, Non-Cash Dividends, Distributions and Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of an Ownership Change Event, a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company paid in shares of Stock or other property, or any other adjustment upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 9, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends paid on Stock pursuant to the Companys dividend policy) to which the Participant is entitled by reason of the Participants ownership of Unvested Shares shall be immediately subject to the Company Reacquisition Right and included in the terms Shares, Stock and Unvested Shares for all purposes of the Company Reacquisition Right with the same force and effect as the Unvested Shares immediately prior to the Ownership Change Event, dividend, distribution or adjustment, as the case may be. For purposes of determining the number of Vested Shares following an Ownership Change Event, dividend, distribution or adjustment, credited Service shall include all Service with any corporation which is a Participating Company at the time the Service is rendered, whether or not such corporation is a Participating Company both before and after any such event.
5.3 Cash Dividends and Distributions. Cash dividends payable with respect to Unvested Shares shall be accumulated and paid upon, or as soon as practicable after, the vesting of the underlying Shares. The Participant shall, at the discretion of the Company, be obligated to promptly repay to the Company upon termination of the Participants Service any dividends and other distributions paid to the Participant in cash with respect to Unvested Shares reacquired by the Company pursuant to the Company Reacquisition Right.
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6. |
ESCROW. |
6.1 Appointment of Agent. To ensure that Shares (including and any cash dividends or distributions as provided by Section 5.3) subject to the Company Reacquisition Right will be available for reacquisition, the Participant and the Company hereby appoint the Secretary of the Company, or any other person designated by the Company, as their agent and as attorney-in-fact for the Participant (the Agent) to hold any and all Unvested Shares and to sell, assign and transfer to the Company any such Unvested Shares reacquired by the Company pursuant to the Company Reacquisition Right. The Participant understands that appointment of the Agent is a material inducement to make this Agreement and that such appointment is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable. The Agent shall not be personally liable for any act the Agent may do or omit to do hereunder as escrow agent, agent for the Company, or attorney in fact for the Participant while acting in good faith and in the exercise of the Agents own good judgment, and any act done or omitted by the Agent pursuant to the advice of the Agents own attorneys shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith. The Agent may rely upon any letter, notice or other document executed by any signature purporting to be genuine and may resign at any time.
6.2 Establishment of Escrow. The Participant authorizes the Company to deposit the Unvested Shares with the Companys transfer agent to be held in book entry form, as provided in Section 3.3, and the Participant agrees to deliver to and deposit with the Agent each certificate, if any, evidencing the Shares and, if required by the Company, an Assignment Separate from Certificate with respect to such book entry shares and each such certificate duly endorsed (with date and number of Shares blank) in the form attached to this Agreement, to be held by the Agent under the terms and conditions of this Section 6 (the Escrow). Upon the occurrence of an Ownership Change Event, a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company paid in shares of Stock or other property (other than regular, periodic dividends paid on Stock pursuant to the Companys dividend policy) or any other adjustment upon a change in the capital structure of the Company, as described in Section 9, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property to which the Participant is entitled by reason of his or her ownership of the Shares that remain, following such Ownership Change Event, dividend, distribution or change described in Section 9, subject to the Company Reacquisition Right shall be immediately subject to the Escrow to the same extent as the Shares immediately before such event. The Company shall bear the expenses of the Escrow.
6.3 Delivery of Shares to Participant. The Escrow shall continue with respect to any Shares for so long as such Shares remain subject to the Company Reacquisition Right. Upon termination of the Company Reacquisition Right with respect to Shares, the Company shall so notify the Agent and direct the Agent to deliver such number of Shares (and any related cash dividends or distributions payable with respect to such Shares) to the Participant. As soon as practicable after receipt of such notice, the Agent shall cause the Shares (and any related cash dividends or distributions payable with respect to such Shares) specified by such notice to be delivered to the Participant, and the Escrow shall terminate with respect to such Shares.
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7. |
TAX MATTERS. |
7.1 Tax Withholding.
(a) In General. At the time the Grant Notice is executed, or at any time thereafter as requested by a Participating Company, the Participant hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for, any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax (including any social insurance) withholding obligations of the Participating Company, if any, which arise in connection with the Award, including, without limitation, obligations arising upon (a) the transfer of Shares to the Participant, (b) the lapsing of any restriction with respect to any Shares, (c) the filing of an election to recognize tax liability, or (d) the transfer by the Participant of any Shares. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver the Shares or to release any Shares from the Escrow established pursuant to Section 6 until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company have been satisfied by the Participant.
(b) Assignment of Sale Proceeds. Subject to compliance with applicable law and the Companys Trading Compliance Policy, if permitted by the Company, the Participant may satisfy the Participating Companys tax withholding obligations in accordance with procedures established by the Company providing for delivery by the Participant to the Company or a broker approved by the Company of properly executed instructions, in a form approved by the Company, providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale with respect to some or all of the shares becoming Vested Shares on a Vesting Date as provided in the Grant Notice.
(c) Withholding in Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Participant to satisfy all or any portion of a Participating Companys tax withholding obligations by withholding a number of whole, Vested Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant or by the Participants tender to the Company of a number of whole, Vested Shares or vested shares acquired otherwise than pursuant to the Award having, in any such case, a fair market value, as determined by the Company as of the date on which the tax withholding obligations arise, not in excess of the amount of such tax withholding obligations determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates if required to avoid liability classification of the Award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
7.2 Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code.
(a) The Participant understands that Section 83 of the Code taxes as ordinary income the difference between the amount paid for the Shares, if anything, and the fair market value of the Shares as of the date on which the Shares are substantially vested, within the meaning of Section 83. In this context, substantially vested means that the right of the Company to reacquire the Shares pursuant to the Company Reacquisition Right has lapsed. The Participant understands that he or she may elect to have his or her taxable income determined at the time he or she acquires the Shares rather than when and as the Company Reacquisition Right lapses by filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with the Internal Revenue Service no later than thirty (30) days after the date of acquisition of the Shares. The Participant understands that failure to make a timely filing under Section 83(b) will result in his or her recognition of ordinary income, as the Company Reacquisition Right lapses, on the difference between the purchase price, if anything, and the fair market value of the Shares at the time such restrictions lapse. The Participant further understands, however, that if Shares with respect to which an election under Section 83(b) has been made are forfeited to the Company pursuant to its Company
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Reacquisition Right, such forfeiture will be treated as a sale on which there is realized a loss equal to the excess (if any) of the amount paid (if any) by the Participant for the forfeited Shares over the amount realized (if any) upon their forfeiture. If the Participant has paid nothing for the forfeited Shares and has received no payment upon their forfeiture, the Participant understands that he or she will be unable to recognize any loss on the forfeiture of the Shares even though the Participant incurred a tax liability by making an election under Section 83(b).
(b) The Participant understands that he or she should consult with his or her tax advisor regarding the advisability of filing with the Internal Revenue Service an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, which must be filed no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the acquisition of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement. Failure to file an election under Section 83(b), if appropriate, may result in adverse tax consequences to the Participant. The Participant acknowledges that he or she has been advised to consult with a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences to the Participant of the acquisition of Shares hereunder. ANY ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) THE PARTICIPANT WISHES TO MAKE MUST BE FILED NO LATER THAN 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE PARTICIPANT ACQUIRES THE SHARES. THIS TIME PERIOD CANNOT BE EXTENDED. THE PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TIMELY FILING OF A SECTION 83(b) ELECTION IS THE PARTICIPANTS SOLE RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN IF THE PARTICIPANT REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO FILE SUCH ELECTION ON HIS OR HER BEHALF.
(c) The Participant will notify the Company in writing if the Participant files an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. The Company intends, in the event it does not receive from the Participant evidence of such filing, to claim a tax deduction for any amount which would otherwise be taxable to the Participant in the absence of such an election.
8. |
EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL. |
In the event of a Change in Control, the Award shall be subject to the definitive agreement entered into by the Company in connection with the Change in Control. Except to the extent that the Committee determines to cash out the Award in accordance with Section 13.1(b) of the Plan, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the Acquiror), may, without the consent of the Participant, assume or continue in full force and effect the Companys rights and obligations under the Award or substitute for the Award a substantially equivalent award for the Acquirors stock. For purposes of this Section, the Award shall be deemed assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares acquired pursuant to the Award prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of this Agreement except as otherwise provided herein.
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9. |
ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE. |
Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (other than regular, periodic cash dividends paid on Stock pursuant to the Companys dividend policy) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and kind of shares of stock or other property subject to the Award, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the Participants rights under the Award. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as effected without receipt of consideration by the Company. Any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends paid on Stock pursuant to the Companys dividend policy, subject to Section 5.3) to which Participant is entitled by reason of ownership of shares acquired pursuant to this Award will be immediately subject to the provisions of this Award on the same basis as all shares originally acquired hereunder. Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Such adjustments shall be determined by the Committee, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
10. |
RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT. |
The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to the Award until the date of the issuance of the Shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 9. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Participant shall exercise all rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company with respect to Shares deposited in the Escrow pursuant to Section 6, including the right to vote such Shares and to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares, subject to Section 5.3. If the Participant is an Employee, the Participant understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Participant, the Participants employment is at will and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Participants Service at any time.
11. |
LEGENDS. |
Participant understands that the Shares have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the securities commission of any state and accordingly may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an effective registration statement or in a transaction exempt from registration. The Company may at any time place legends referencing the Company Reacquisition Right and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing the Shares. The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly
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present to the Company any and all certificates representing the Shares in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, each certificate or book entry representing the Shares will bear a legend that includes, but shall not be limited to, the following form:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THIS CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR HIS PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION.
12. |
TRANSFERS IN VIOLATION OF AGREEMENT. |
No Shares may be sold, exchanged, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, including by operation of law, in any manner which violates any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except pursuant to an Ownership Change Event, until the date on which such shares become Vested Shares, and any such attempted disposition shall be void. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any Shares which will have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such Shares will have been so transferred. In order to enforce its rights under this Section, the Company shall be authorized to give a stop transfer instruction with respect to the Shares to the Companys transfer agent.
13. |
ACCREDITED INVESTOR |
The Participant represents that he or she (i) is an accredited investor as such term is defined under the Securities Act. The Participant understands and has fully considered the risks of this investment and understands that (i) this investment is suitable only for an investor who is able to bear the economic consequences of losing his or her entire investment, (ii) an investment in the Shares is a speculative investment which involves a high degree of risk of loss by the Participant of his or her entire investment, and (iii) there are substantial restrictions on the transferability of, and there will (for the foreseeable future) be no public market for, the Shares, and accordingly, it may not be possible for an indeterminate period of time to liquidate his or her investment in the Shares (if ever). Furthermore, the Participant represents that he or she has sufficient liquid assets so that the lack of liquidity associated with this investment will not cause any undue financial difficulties or affect the ability of the Participant to provide for his or her current needs and possible financial contingencies. The Participant further represents that he or she is sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Shares.
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14. |
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. |
14.1 Termination or Amendment. The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan or this Agreement at any time; provided, however, that no such termination or amendment may have a materially adverse effect on the Participants rights under this Agreement without the consent of the Participant unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law or government regulation. No amendment or addition to this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.
14.2 Nontransferability of the Award. The right to acquire Shares pursuant to the Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to the Award shall be exercisable during the Participants lifetime only by the Participant or the Participants guardian or legal representative.
14.3 Further Instruments. The parties hereto agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.
14.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, be binding upon the Participant and the Participants heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
14.5 Delivery of Documents and Notices. Any document relating to participation in the Plan or any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such notice) upon personal delivery, electronic delivery at the e-mail address, if any, provided for the Participant by a Participating Company, or upon deposit in the U.S. Post Office or foreign postal service, by registered or certified mail, or with a nationally recognized overnight courier service, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address of such party set forth in the Grant Notice or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
(a) Description of Electronic Delivery and Signature. The Plan documents, which may include but do not necessarily include: the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement, the Plan Prospectus, and any reports of the Company provided generally to the Companys stockholders, may be delivered to the Participant electronically. In addition, if permitted by the Company, the parties may deliver electronically any notices called for in connection with the Escrow and the Participant may deliver electronically the Grant Notice to the Company or to such third party involved in administering the Plan as the Company may designate from time to time. Such means of electronic delivery may include but do not necessarily include the delivery of a link to a Company intranet or the Internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such other means of electronic delivery specified by the Company. Any and all such documents and notices may be electronically signed.
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(b) Consent to Electronic Delivery and Signature. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has read Section 14.5(a) of this Agreement and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan documents and, if permitted by the Company, the delivery of the Grant Notice and notices in connection with the Escrow, as described in Section 14.5(a). The Participant agrees that any and all such documents requiring a signature may be electronically signed and that such electronic signature shall have the same effect as handwritten signature for the purposes of validity, enforceability and admissibility. The Participant acknowledges that he or she may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost to the Participant by contacting the Company by telephone or in writing. The Participant further acknowledges that the Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. Similarly, the Participant understands that the Participant must provide the Company or any designated third party administrator with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. The Participant may revoke his or her consent to the electronic delivery of documents described in Section 14.5(a) or may change the electronic mail address to which such documents are to be delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address) at any time by notifying the Company of such revoked consent or revised e-mail address by telephone, postal service or electronic mail. Finally, the Participant understands that he or she is not required to consent to electronic delivery of documents described in Section 14.5(a).
14.6 Integrated Agreement. The Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan, together with the Superseding Agreement, if any, shall constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein and supersede any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to such subject matter. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan shall survive any settlement of the Award and shall remain in full force and effect.
14.7 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland as such laws are applied to agreements between Maryland residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Maryland.
14.8 Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned does hereby sell, assign and transfer unto ( ) shares of the Capital Stock of Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. standing in the undersigneds name on the books of said corporation represented by Certificate No. herewith and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of said corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: | ||||||
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Signature | ||||||
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Print Name |
Instructions: Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature line. The purpose of this assignment is to enable the Company to exercise its Company Reacquisition Right set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreement without requiring additional signatures on the part of the Participant.
SAMPLE
Internal Revenue Service | ||
[IRS Service Center where Form 1040 is Filed] |
Re: |
Section 83(b) Election |
Dear Sir or Madam:
The following information is submitted pursuant to section 1.83-2 of the Treasury Regulations in connection with this election by the undersigned under section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
1. | The name, address and taxpayer identification number of the taxpayer are: | |||||
Name: |
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Address: |
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Social Security Number: |
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2. | The following is a description of each item of property with respect to which the election is made: | |||||
shares of common stock of Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the Shares), acquired from Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the Company) pursuant to a restricted stock grant. |
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3. | The property was transferred to the undersigned on: | |||||
Restricted stock grant date: |
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The taxable year for which the election is made is: | ||||||
Calendar Year |
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4. | The nature of the restriction to which the property is subject: | |||||
The Shares are subject to automatic forfeiture to the Company upon the occurrence of certain events. This forfeiture provision lapses with regard to a portion of the Shares based upon the continued performance of services by the taxpayer over time. |
5. | The following is the fair market value at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will never lapse) of the property with respect to which the election is made: | |||||
$ ( Shares at $ per Share). |
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The property was transferred to the taxpayer pursuant to the grant of an award of restricted stock. |
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6. | The following is the amount paid for the property: | |||||
No monetary consideration was provided in exchange for the Shares. |
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7. | A copy of this election has been furnished to the Company, the corporation for which the services were performed by the undersigned. |
Please acknowledge receipt of this election by date or received-stamping the enclosed copy of this letter and returning it to the undersigned. A self-addressed stamped envelope is provided for your convenience.
Very truly yours,
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Date: |
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Enclosures
cc: Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc.
Exhibit 99.1
Dear stockholder,
We are pleased to share exciting news regarding your investment(s) in Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (REIT I), Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II, Inc. (REIT II), and Resource Apartment REIT III, Inc. (REIT III, collectively the REITs).
On September 8, 2020, Resource Real Estate, LLC (Resource), the REITs sponsor, announced that the REITs have entered into definitive agreements pursuant to which REIT II would acquire REIT I and REIT III in separate stock-for-stock transactions. The mergers will combine three highly complementary portfolios of suburban apartment communities in targeted markets with proven income and employment growth. This should significantly improve scale, operating efficiencies, geographic diversification and access to capital, and create future options for stockholder liquidity.
Following the acquisition of its external advisors from C-III Capital Partners LLC on September 8, 2020, REIT I announced that it became self-administered. As part of the same transaction, REIT I also acquired the external advisors of REIT II and REIT III. It will continue to advise and manage REIT II and REIT III until the mergers are completed. Self-administration provides immediate benefits to REIT I stockholders, including a considerable reduction in the operating expenses of REIT I. These benefits will also extend to the stockholders of REIT II and REIT III following the completion of the mergers.
As a result of the transactions:
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The combined company will be renamed Resource REIT |
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The senior management team will include Resource senior executives that have been working together for the past 16 years |
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REIT I stockholders are expected to receive 1.224230 shares of REIT II valued at $11.12 per share1 |
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REIT III stockholders are expected to receive 0.925862 shares of REIT II valued at $8.41 per share1 |
Despite the unprecedented global health crisis that has impacted each and every one of us, our REITs have performed remarkably well; across all three REITs, the current portfolio is approximately 94% occupied, and rent collections have consistently averaged approximately 98% of historical collections over the past five months. This is a testament to the resiliency of the asset class, the specific communities owned, and our keen focus on operations and management.
These transactions are a result of diligent analysis by the special committees of each REIT, comprised of independent directors who worked with their own legal firms and financial advisors. The Boards of Directors of REIT I, REIT II and REIT III have approved these transactions upon the unanimous recommendation of each REITs respective special committees. Joint proxy statements/prospectuses will describe the proposed transactions in more detail, and will be filed on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The closings of the proposed mergers are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020 and are subject to the satisfaction of various customary closing conditions, including the approval of stockholders of REIT I and REIT III, and cannot be assured. The merger transactions are expected to close concurrently but are not conditioned on the consummation of each other. Stockholders seeking additional information should read the Form 8-K and Investor Presentation filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2020, which can be found at www.resourcereit.com, www.resourcereit2.com, www.resourcereit3.com or www.sec.gov.
We are truly excited about the future and believe we are well-positioned to increase value and create opportunity as a stronger company. Thank you for your investment(s) in and support of the Resource REITs.
Sincerely,
Alan Feldman
Chief Executive Officer
REIT I, REIT II and REIT III
1 |
Based on REIT IIs most recently estimated NAV per share of $9.08 as of 12/31/19 and does not reflect developments in the portfolio since that time. For a full description of the methodologies and assumptions used to value REIT IIs assets and liabilities in connection with the calculation of its estimated value per share, see Part II, Item 5, Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Market Information of REIT IIs annual report on Form 10-k for the year ended December 31, 2019. |
Additional Information and Where to Find It:
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the federal securities laws.
In connection with the proposed transaction, REIT II will prepare and file with the SEC two Registration Statements on Form S-4. One registration statement will contain a proxy statement of REIT I and also constitute a prospectus for REIT II. The other registration statement will contain a proxy statement of REIT III and also constitute a prospectus for REIT II. The applicable proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to REIT Is and REIT IIIs respective stockholders. WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE APPLICABLE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY REIT I, REIT II AND REIT III IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REIT I, REIT II, REIT III AND THE PROPOSED MERGER. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY. Investors will be able to obtain these materials and other documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, these materials will also be available free of charge by accessing REIT Is website (http://www.resourcereit.com/), by accessing REIT IIs website (http://www.resourcereit2.com/), or by accessing REIT IIIs website (http://www.resourcereit3.com/).
Participants in the Proxy Solicitation:
REIT I, REIT II and REIT III and their respective directors and officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transactions. Information regarding REIT Is directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2020 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC by REIT I on April 29, 2020 in connection with its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders; information regarding REIT IIs directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2020 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC by REIT II on April 29, 2020 in connection with its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders; information regarding REIT IIIs directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2020 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC by REIT III on April 29, 2020 in connection with its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders. Certain directors and executive officers of REIT I and/or REIT II and/or REIT III and other persons may have direct or indirect interests in the merger due to securities holdings, pre-existing or future indemnification arrangements and rights to severance payments and retention bonuses if their employment is terminated prior to or following the merger. If and to the extent that any of the participants will receive any additional benefits in connection with the merger, the details of those benefits will be described in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the merger. Investors and security holders may obtain additional information regarding the direct and indirect interests of REIT I, REIT II, and REIT III and their respective executive officers and directors in the merger by reading the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the merger when it becomes available.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This communication contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements, as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These statements are based on managements current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements; no assurance can be given that these expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk that the proposed mergers will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the inability of REIT I or REIT III to obtain stockholder approval of the respective mergers or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to completion of the mergers; risks related to disruption of managements attention from the ongoing business operations due to the proposed mergers; the potential adverse impact of the ongoing pandemic related to COVID-19 and the related measures put in place to help control the spread of the virus on the operations of the REITs and their tenants, which impact remains highly uncertain; availability of suitable investment opportunities; changes in interest rates; the availability and terms of financing; general economic conditions; market conditions; legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business of REIT I, REIT II or REIT III. In addition, with respect to the estimated NAV per share for REIT II, the appraisal methodology for REIT IIs real estate properties assumes the properties realize the projected net operating income and expected exit cap rates and that investors would be willing to invest in such properties at yields equal to the expected discount rates. Though the appraisals of the real estate properties, by Duff & Phelps, LLC, and the valuation estimates used in calculating the estimated NAV per share as of December 2019, by Duff & Phelps, LLC, the REIT II advisor and REIT II, are the respective partys best estimates as of December 31, 2019, REIT II can give no assurance in this regard. Even modest changes to these assumptions could result in significant differences in the appraised values of REIT IIs real estate properties, the December 2019 estimated value per share and the related estimated value of the merger consideration for REIT I and REIT III stockholders. Actual events may cause the value and returns on REIT IIs
investments to be materially less than that used for purposes of the December 2019 estimated NAV per share which does not reflect the impact of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operations of REIT II or its tenants. The forward-looking statements also depend on other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of REIT Is, REIT IIs and REIT IIIs most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as updated by the subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and filed with the SEC, and other reports filed by REIT I, REIT II and REIT III with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SECs website, www.sec.gov. Resource undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this communication, except as required by law.
Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT (“REIT I”) Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II (“REIT II”) Resource Apartment REIT III (“REIT III”) Proposed Merger & Self-administration Transaction September 2020 Exhibit 99.2
Disclosures No Offer or Solicitation This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Important Additional Information In connection with the proposed transaction, Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT II, Inc. (“REIT II”) will file two Registration Statements on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). One registration statement will contain a proxy statement of Resource Real Estate Opportunity REIT, Inc. (“REIT I”) and also constitute a prospectus for REIT II. The other registration statement will contain a proxy statement of Resource Apartment REIT III, Inc. (“REIT III”) and also constitute a prospectus of REIT II. The applicable proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to REIT I’s and REIT III’s respective stockholders. WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE APPLICABLE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY REIT I, REIT II AND REIT III, AS APPLICABLE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REIT I, REIT II AND REIT III AND THE PROPOSED MERGERS. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY. Investors will be able to obtain these materials and other documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). In addition, these materials will also be available free of charge by accessing REIT I’s website (www.resourcereit.com), by accessing REIT II’s website (www.resourcereit2.com), or by accessing REIT III’s website (www.resourcereit3.com). Participants in the Solicitation REIT I, REIT II, REIT III and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information about REIT I’s directors and executive officers is available in REIT I’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2020. Information about REIT II’s directors and executive officers is available in REIT II’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2020. Information about REIT III’s directors and executive officers is available in REIT III’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2020. Other information regarding the participants in the solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the applicable proxy statement/prospectus for REIT I, REIT II and REIT III and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction when they become available. Investors should read the applicable proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of the applicable documents from REIT I, REIT II and REIT III as indicated above. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. REIT I, REIT II and REIT III can give no assurances that their expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from REIT I’s, REIT II’s and REIT III’s expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk that the proposed mergers will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreements; the inability to obtain the stockholder approvals with respect to REIT I and REIT III or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to completion of the proposed mergers; risks related to disruption of management’s attention from the ongoing business operations due to the proposed mergers; availability of suitable investment opportunities; changes in interest rates; the availability and terms of financing; general economic conditions; market conditions; legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business of REIT I, REIT II and REIT III; and other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of REIT I’s, REIT II’s and REIT III’s most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and other reports filed by REIT I, REIT II and REIT III with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. REIT I, REIT II and REIT III undertake no obligations to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this communication, except as required by law.
Overview Multifamily focus Leverage neutral Merger Agreements Signed September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020 Shareholder Voting Process Anticipated Closing of Mergers SEC Proxy Filings Self-administration Transaction Completed
1Based on REIT II’s most recently estimated NAV per share of $9.08 as of 12/31/19 and does not reflect developments in the portfolio since that time. For a full description of the methodologies and assumptions used to value REIT II’s assets and liabilities in connection with the calculation of its estimated value per share, see Part II, Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities – Market Information” of REIT II’s annual report on Form 10-k for the year ended December 31, 2019. Transaction Overview REIT I and REIT III to merge with REIT II, creating a $3 Billion, self-managed REIT REIT II will be the surviving entity and renamed Resource REIT 100% stock-for-stock mergers The exchange ratio was determined by the REIT Special Committees REIT I stockholders to receive 1.224230 shares of REIT II valued at $11.12 per share1 REIT III stockholders to receive 0.925862 shares of REIT II valued at $8.41 per share1 Mergers expected to be tax-deferred to stockholders
Transaction Overview Self-administration Transaction REIT I acquired the advisory contracts for REIT I, REIT II and REIT III, and simultaneously hired the management team from the advisor REIT I operating partnership issued $135 MM of equity securities to C-III Capital Partners consisting of $67.5 MM of preferred units and $67.5 MM of common units and will pay a total of $27 MM in cash for various services over the next 12 months
Strategic Rationale and Benefits* Shareholder Benefits *Statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties. See Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements. Scale and diversification Reduced overhead Aligned management Access to capital Liquidity options
Strategic Rationale and Benefits* *Statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties. See Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements. 1By 2019 appraised value. 2By MSA population. $3 billion portfolio of ~15,000 apartments 51 properties in 15 states Highly desirable “recession resistant” Class B multifamily properties 70% of assets1 located in top 20 markets2 High barrier to entry submarkets Scale and diversification Improves efficiencies by reducing overhead costs Aligns management and shareholder interests Expands access to debt and equity capital Enhances liquidity options for shareholders
Strategic Rationale and Benefits* *Statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties. See Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements. 1Excludes $4.5 million of stock based compensation, and any common and preferred distributions paid to C-III Capital Partners. Expected annual operational synergies of $24 million1 Fixed G&A costs spread over a larger asset base Pricing power with contractors and vendors Scale and diversification Reduced overhead Aligns management and shareholder interests Expands access to debt and equity capital Enhances liquidity options for shareholders
Strategic Rationale and Benefits* *Statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties. See Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements. All employees 100% focused on the company’s profitability Senior management team 16-year average tenure at Resource Knowledge of the existing portfolio Proven track record Relationships with industry participants Scale and diversification Reduced overhead Aligned management Expands access to debt and equity capital Enhances liquidity options for shareholders
Strategic Rationale and Benefits* *Statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties. See Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements. Bigger balance sheet offers more flexibility and access to better borrowing terms Opportunity to lock in low fixed rate debt at ~2.5% Self-managed REITs more attractive to institutional investors Scale and diversification Reduced overhead Aligned management Access to capital Enhances liquidity options for shareholders
Strategic Rationale and Benefits* *Statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties. See Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements. Sufficient scale for public listing Internally managed REITs are generally viewed more favorably than externally managed REITs in the public markets More attractive candidate for strategic private recapitalization Scale and diversification Reduced overhead Aligned management Access to capital Liquidity options
Multifamily – the Right Asset Class Over the last 30 years, multifamily has achieved high-risk adjusted returns Multifamily is a recession resistant asset class COVID-19 has impacted other sectors more dramatically Source: NCREIF Property Indices. The NCREIF Property Index is a quarterly time series composite total rate of return measure of investment performance of a large pool of individual commercial real estate properties acquired for investment purposes only as of 3/31/2020. Total Return is calculated by NCREIF and reflects an annualized measure of investment return that takes into account the effects of compounding. Risk (beta) is a measure of the volatility of a portfolio compared to the NCREIF U.S. Property Index (NPI) as a whole.
Apartment Demand & Supply 1Information provided by Green Street Advisors, LLC (“GSA”) and is copyrighted and proprietary to GSA. Any reproduction or distribution of this information without GSA’s written consent is forbidden. This information is solely for use by subscribing customer. GSA assumes no fiduciary or other legal duty to any other person or entity who may rely upon it. 2CoStar, Q2 2020. Annual US Multifamily Completions2 Forecast Homeownership Rate & Renters1 U.S. Homeownership Rate remains low, while the number of renters continues to climb Near-term new multifamily completions expected to remain low
Why Workforce Housing Strong demand: A family earning the median income in the U.S. can afford rent of ~$1,450/month New construction, Class A apartments typically rent for $2,000+/month Downside protection: In recessions, renters seek affordable, renovated apartments Median Household Income of ~$62,000 obtained from US Census Bureau; assumes a family spends 30% of its pre-tax income on rent plus a $100 monthly utility allowance. Renovated Class B: $1,450 Class A: $2,000 - $3,000
REIT I REIT II REIT III1 Illustrative Combination2 Equity Value ($ BN)3 $0.77 $0.55 $0.10 $1.40 Net Debt ($ BN)4 $0.76 $0.51 $0.12 $1.38 Enterprise Value ($ BN)5 $1.53 $1.06 $0.22 $2.78 Leverage 49% 48% 53% 50% Avg. Effective Rent6 $1,274 $1,357 $1,249 $1,300 Total Units 8,487 5,159 1,349 14,995 Top Five States7 TX GA CA FL CO TX IL OR CO GA FL GA TX NC VA TX GA IL CO FL Combined Company Portfolio 1 Excludes Payne Place due to 1Q 2020 sale. 2 Includes estimated transaction costs related to merger and internalization of management. 3 Equity Value is calculated as 12/31/2019 NAV/Share x 12/31/2019 Outstanding Shares. REIT III Equity Value has been reduced by $4.2 MM, which reflects deferred O&O and G&A expense as of 12/31/2019. 4 Mortgage Notes Payable less unrestricted cash as of 12/31/2019. 5 Enterprise Value is calculated as Equity Value plus Net Debt. . 6Gross Rent less Concessions/Number of Units as of 6/30/2020. 7 Ranked by number of units.
Estimated Value & Cumulative Distributions Per Share Illustrative Stockholder Value as of 12/31/19 1Initial offering price. REIT III’s initial offering price is the weighted average of A, T, I, and R shares. 2Cumulative distributions per share include the time period from the date the first cash distributions were declared through 12/31/19. Distributions were paid beginning in May 2012 for REIT I, August 2014 for REIT II, and October 2016 for REIT III. 3Based on REIT II’s most recently estimated NAV per share of $9.08 as of 12/31/19, REIT I stockholders will receive 1.224230 shares of REIT II, and REIT III stockholders will receive 0.925862 shares of REIT II. Does not include any impact of the internalization transaction or mergers. Estimated Value Per Share3 Cumulative Distributions Per Share2 Cost Per Share1 $15.14 $12.04 $9.82
Combined Investment Portfolio Assets owned as of 1/21/2020. 1Calculated based on trailing 12-month NOI as of May 2020. Dallas-Fort Worth: 16.4% Houston: 2.7% Austin: 4.0% Denver: 9.4% Phoenix: 5.4% Southern California: 7.3% Portland: 4.7% Minneapolis: 4.9% Chicago: 10.0% Durham: 2.6% Washington D.C.: 1.3% Orlando: 2.0% Charlotte: 1.3% Atlanta: 12.7%
Management Resource Leadership Team Alan F. Feldman Chief Executive Officer Resource REIT Marshall P. Hayes Managing Director Resource Management, LLC Yvana L. Rizzo Senior Vice President Resource Management, LLC Tom Elliott Chief Financial Officer Resource REIT Shelle Weisbaum Chief Legal Officer Resource REIT Peggy L. Gold Executive Vice President Resource Management, LLC
Special Committee Process Each REIT formed a Special Committee of independent directors which retained its own advisors to assist in the transaction. Robert A. Stanger & Company acted as financial advisor to the REIT I Special Committee and Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP acted as legal advisor to the REIT I Special Committee Houlihan Lokey acted as financial advisor to the REIT II Special Committee and Morrison & Forester LLP and DLA Piper acted as legal advisors to the REIT II Special Committee TRUIST Securities acted as financial advisor to the REIT III Special Committee and Miles & Stockbridge P. C. acted as legal advisor to the REIT III Special Committee The REIT I, REIT II and REIT III Special Committees each approved the Mergers after considering many strategic options over 11 months. Fairness opinions for the transaction were delivered by the financial advisors of each Committee. The Boards of Directors of REITs I, II and III have unanimously determined that the transaction is in the best interests of their shareholders.