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): December 14, 2018
 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

Commission File Number: 000-54377
 
Maryland
 
26-3335705
(State or other jurisdiction of   incorporation)
 
(IRS Employer   Identification No.)
 
Griffin Capital Plaza, 1520 E. Grand Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
(310) 469-6100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 

None
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[X] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

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


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


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


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 o
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. o






Item 1.01. Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement
Merger
On December 14, 2018, Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. (the “Registrant”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “GCEAR Operating Partnership”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. (“GCEAR II”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership II, L.P. (the “GCEAR II Operating Partnership”) and Globe Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GCEAR II (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Prior to execution of the Merger Agreement, on December 14, 2018, the Registrant entered into a series of transactions and became self-managed, as further described herein (the “Self Administration Transaction”).
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, (i) the Registrant will merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of GCEAR II (the “Company Merger”) and (ii) the GCEAR II Operating Partnership will merge with and into the GCEAR Operating Partnership (the “Partnership Merger” and, together with the Company Merger, the “Merger”), with the GCEAR Operating Partnership surviving the Partnership Merger. At such time, (x) in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the separate existence of the Registrant shall cease and (y) in accordance with the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, the separate existence of the GCEAR II Operating Partnership shall cease.
At the effective time of the Company Merger, each issued and outstanding share of the Registrant’s common stock (or fraction thereof), $0.001 par value per share (the “GCEAR Common Stock”), will be converted into the right to receive 1.04807 shares of newly created Class E common stock of GCEAR II, $0.001 par value per share (the “GCEAR II Class E Common Stock”), and each issued and outstanding share of the Registrant’s Series A cumulative perpetual convertible preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) will be converted into the right to receive one share of newly created Series A cumulative perpetual convertible preferred stock of GCEAR II.
At the effective time of the Partnership Merger, each GCEAR Operating Partnership unit (“OP Units”) outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Partnership Merger will convert into the right to receive 1.04807 Class E OP Units in the surviving partnership and each GCEAR II Operating Partnership unit outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Partnership Merger will convert into the right to receive one OP Unit of like class in the surviving partnership. The special limited partnership interest of the GCEAR II Operating Partnership will be automatically redeemed, canceled and retired as described in the Merger Agreement.
The combined company (the “Combined Company”) following the Merger will temporarily retain the name “Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc.” The Company Merger is intended to qualify as a “reorganization” under, and within the meaning of, Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
The Combined Company will have a total capitalization of approximately $4.75 billion, and will own 103 properties in 25 states, consisting of approximately 27.4 million square feet. On a pro forma basis, the Combined Company portfolio will be 96.5% occupied, on a weighted average basis, with a remaining weighted average lease term of 7.4 years. Approximately 66.9% of the Combined Company portfolio net rent, on a pro forma basis, will come from properties leased to tenants and/or guarantors who have, or whose non-guarantor parent companies have, investment grade or what management believes are generally equivalent ratings. In addition, no tenant will represent more than 4.2% of the net rents of the Combined Company, on a pro forma basis, with the top ten tenants comprising a collective 27.4% of the net rents of the Combined Company.
Agreement and Plan of Merger
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Company Merger, each share of GCEAR Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Company Merger will be automatically canceled and retired, and converted into the right to receive 1.04807 shares of newly created GCEAR II Class E Common Stock. 





Each share of GCEAR Common Stock, if any, then held by the Registrant or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries or held as the Registrant’s treasury stock or by GCEAR 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 GCEAR Common Stock in connection with or as a consequence of the Company Merger. 
The Merger Agreement contains customary covenants, including covenants prohibiting the Registrant, its subsidiaries and representatives, and GCEAR II, its subsidiaries and representatives from soliciting, providing information or entering into discussions concerning proposals relating to alternative business combination transactions, subject to certain limited exceptions. The Merger Agreement also provides that prior to the approval by the companies’ respective stockholders of the Company Merger, the respective board of directors of either the Registrant or GCEAR II may in certain circumstances make an Adverse Recommendation Change (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement), subject to complying with certain conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.
Immediately following the effective time of the Merger, the board of directors of the Combined Company will be increased to seven members, consisting of the five directors of GCEAR II’s board of directors and the two independent directors of the Registrant’s board of directors, Gregory M. Cazel and Ranjit M. Kripalani, each of whom will serve until the next annual meeting of the stockholders of the Combined Company (and until their successors are duly elected and qualify).
The Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, by either the Registrant or GCEAR II (in each case, with the prior approval of their respective special committees) if the Company Merger has not been consummated on or before 11:59 p.m. New York time on August 31, 2019, if a final and non-appealable order is entered permanently restraining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger, if the approval of the stockholders of the Registrant or GCEAR II (each, a “Stockholder Approval”) has not been obtained or upon a material uncured breach by the other party that would cause the closing conditions in the Merger Agreement not to be satisfied. In addition, the Registrant may terminate the Merger Agreement upon written notice to GCEAR II (i) if the Registrant has properly accepted a “Superior Proposal” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) at any time prior to receipt by the Registrant of the Stockholder Approval pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (ii) upon an Adverse Recommendation Change by GCEAR II, (iii) upon GCEAR II’s board of directors approving, adopting or publicly endorsing a Competing Proposal (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement), (iv) upon the failure of GCEAR II’s board of directors to recommend against acceptance of any tender offer for shares of GCEAR II’s common stock that constitutes a Competing Proposal, (v) upon the failure of GCEAR II’s board of directors to include its recommendation in favor of the Company Merger in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus to be distributed to GCEAR II’s stockholders or (vi) upon GCEAR II’s material violation of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement that has not been or cannot be cured.
GCEAR II may terminate the Merger Agreement upon written notice to the Registrant (i) if GCEAR II has properly accepted a Superior Proposal at any time prior to receipt by GCEAR II of the Stockholder Approval pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (ii) upon an Adverse Recommendation Change by the Registrant, (iii) upon the Registrant’s board of directors approving, adopting or publicly endorsing a Competing Proposal, (iv) upon the failure of the Registrant’s board of directors to recommend against acceptance of any tender offer for shares of GCEAR Common Stock that constitutes a Competing Proposal, (v) upon the failure of the Registrant’s board of directors to include its recommendation in favor of the Company Merger in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus to be distributed to the Registrant’s stockholders or (vi) upon the Registrant’s material violation of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement that has not been or cannot be cured.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated in connection with the Registrant’s acceptance of a Superior Proposal, approval of a Competing Proposal or making an Adverse Recommendation Change prior to receipt by the Registrant of the Stockholder Approval, then the Registrant must pay to GCEAR II a termination fee of $52,200,000. If the Merger Agreement is terminated in connection with GCEAR II’s acceptance of a Superior Proposal, approval of a Competing Proposal or making an Adverse Recommendation Change prior to receipt by GCEAR II of the Stockholder Approval, then GCEAR II must pay to the Registrant a termination fee of $52,200,000.
The Merger Agreement contains certain representations and warranties made by the parties thereto. The representations and warranties of the parties contained in the Merger Agreement are subject to certain important





qualifications and limitations set forth in confidential disclosure letters delivered by each of the Registrant and GCEAR II. Moreover, the representations and warranties are subject to a contractual standard of materiality that may be different from what may be viewed as material to stockholders.
The obligation of each party to consummate the Merger is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt by each party of the Stockholder Approval, receipt of regulatory approvals, delivery of certain documents and consents, the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of the parties, subject to the materiality standards contained in the Merger Agreement, the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed by GCEAR II to register the shares of the GCEAR II Class E Common Stock to be issued as consideration in the Company Merger, and the absence of a material adverse effect with respect to either the Registrant or GCEAR II.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is only a summary, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Merger Agreement has been included to provide stockholders with information regarding its terms and is not intended to provide any factual information about the Registrant or GCEAR II. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement have been made solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, and are not intended as statements of fact to be relied upon by the Registrant’s stockholders, but rather as a way of allocating the risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement in the event the statements therein prove to be inaccurate. Statements made in the Merger Agreement have been modified or qualified by certain confidential disclosures that were made between the parties in connection with the negotiation of the Merger Agreement, which disclosures are not reflected in the Merger Agreement attached hereto. Moreover, such statements may no longer be true as of a given date and may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by stockholders. Accordingly, stockholders should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Registrant or GCEAR II. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Registrant’s public disclosures. The Registrant acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K not misleading.
Self Administration Transaction
As mentioned above, on December 14, 2018, the Registrant and the GCEAR Operating Partnership entered into the Self Administration Transaction with Griffin Capital Company, LLC (“GCC”) and Griffin Capital, LLC (“GC LLC”), pursuant to which GCC and GC LLC contributed to the GCEAR Operating Partnership all of the membership interests in Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC (“GRECO”) and certain assets related to the business of GRECO, in exchange for 20,438,684 OP Units as described in detail below. As a result of the Self Administration Transaction, the Registrant is now self-managed and succeeds to the advisory, asset management and property management arrangements formerly in place for both the Registrant and GCEAR II. Accordingly, the sponsor of GCEAR II changed from GCC to the GCEAR Operating Partnership. As part of the Self Administration Transaction, the Registrant entered into a series of agreements and amendments to existing agreements as further described below.
Contribution Agreement
On December 14, 2018, the GCEAR Operating Partnership, as contributee, and the Registrant, as the general partner of the GCEAR Operating Partnership, entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”) with GCC and GC LLC, as contributors, whereby, the GCEAR Operating Partnership acquired 100% of the membership interests in GRECO and substantially all of GRECO’s operating assets, including its 100% membership interests in (i) the Registrant’s advisor, (ii) GCEAR II’s advisor, (iii) Griffin Capital Property Management, LLC, (iv) Griffin Capital Essential Asset Property Management, LLC, the property manager for the Registrant and (v) Griffin Capital Essential Asset Property Management II, LLC, the property manager for GCEAR II, as well as certain of GCC’s operating assets which are for the sole, exclusive use of GRECO, including but not limited to (a) all personal property used in or necessary for the conduct of GRECO’s business (except for furniture and fixtures located at the El Segundo headquarters and leased to the GCEAR Operating Partnership), (b) all





intellectual property, goodwill, licenses and sublicenses granted and obtained with respect thereto (including all rights to the “Essential Asset” brand and related trademark) 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 exchange for 20,438,684 OP Units.

In addition, the GCEAR Operating Partnership will pay GC LLC in OP Units earn-out consideration, which will be the amount in excess of $3,000,000 received by GCEAR II’s advisor as a performance distribution attributable to all of the real estate or real estate-related assets owned by GCEAR II as of the closing date, until the earlier to occur of (A) the date that is five (5) years following the date of the Contribution Agreement and (B) the date that the total earn-out consideration paid equals $25,000,000; provided, however, that if the Company Merger is consummated prior to the occurrence of (A) or (B), then upon completion of the Company Merger, the GCEAR Operating Partnership will pay to GC LLC earn-out consideration in the form of OP Units having an aggregate value of $25,000,000. Except for payment in the event of the Company Merger (which will be due and payable upon the completion of the Company Merger), payments of earn-out consideration will commence upon the date that is one year following the date of the Contribution Agreement and will be made annually thereafter until GC LLC is no longer entitled to receive the earn-out consideration in accordance with the Contribution Agreement.

Upon consummation of the Company Merger, the GCEAR Operating Partnership will pay GCC in cash earn-out consideration equal to (i) 37.25% of the amounts received by GCEAR II’s advisor as advisory fees pursuant to the GCEAR II advisory agreement with respect to the incremental common equity invested in GCEAR II’s follow-on public offering from the closing of the Company Merger through the termination of GCEAR II’s follow-on public offering, plus (ii) 37.25% of the amounts that would have been received by the GCEAR II advisor as performance distributions pursuant to the operating partnership agreement of GCEAR II, with respect to assets acquired by GCEAR II from the closing date of the Company Merger through the termination of the follow-on public offering. Such cash earn-out consideration will accrue on an ongoing basis and be paid quarterly; provided that such cash earn-out consideration will in no event exceed an amount equal to 2.5% of the aggregate dollar amount of common equity invested in GCEAR II pursuant to its follow-on public offering from the closing of the Company Merger through the termination of such follow-on public offering.
As part of the Self Administration Transaction, the Registrant, through GRECO, hired the workforce currently responsible for the management and day to day real estate and accounting operations of the Registrant and GCEAR II under the various agreements acquired.
The Contribution Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Registrant, the GCEAR Operating Partnership, GCC and GC LLC.
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 2.2 and incorporated by reference herein.
Administrative Services Agreement
On December 14, 2018, the Registrant entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with the GCEAR Operating Partnership, GCC, GC LLC, GRECO and Griffin Capital Essential Asset TRS, Inc. (“TRS”) (the “Administrative Services Agreement”), pursuant to which, effective January 1, 2019, GCC and GC LLC will continue to provide certain operational and administrative services at cost to the Registrant, the GCEAR Operating Partnership, TRS, and GRECO, which may include, without limitation, the shared information technology, human resources, legal, due diligence, marketing, events, operations, accounting and administrative support services set forth in the Administrative Services Agreement. The foregoing summary of the material terms of the Administrative Services Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Administrative Services Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement and Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement
On December 14, 2018, the Registrant entered into (i) a Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the GCEAR Operating Partnership (the “Operating Partnership Agreement”), which amends and





supersedes the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (the “Former OP Agreement”), and (ii) a Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement (the “Limited Partner Interest Redemption Agreement”) with the Registrant’s advisor and the GCEAR Operating Partnership, pursuant to which the GCEAR Operating Partnership will redeem all of the limited partnership interests held by the Registrant’s advisor in the GCEAR Operating Partnership.
As a result of the entry into the above-described Limited Partner Interest Redemption Agreement and the Operating Partnership Agreement, (1) references to the limited partner interests previously held by the Registrant’s advisor in the GCEAR Operating Partnership have been removed from the Operating Partnership Agreement, in connection with the redemption of such interests pursuant to the Limited Partner Interest Redemption Agreement,(2) provisions related to the subordinated incentive distributions payable to the Registrant’s advisor pursuant to the limited partnership interests have been removed from the Operating Partnership Agreement, and (3) provisions related to the authorization of the Series A Preferred Units and designation of the rights, powers, privileges, restrictions, qualifications and limitations of the Series A Preferred Units have been added. Accordingly, the Registrant and the GCEAR Operating Partnership will no longer have any obligation to make the Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution, Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Extraordinary Transaction or Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Termination (each as defined in the Former OP Agreement). The foregoing summary of the material terms of the Operating Partnership Agreement and Limited Partner Interest Redemption Agreement is qualified in its entirety by references to the Operating Partnership Agreement and Limited Partner Interest Redemption Agreement, as applicable, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein.
Registration Rights Agreement
On December 14, 2018, the Registrant, the GCEAR Operating Partnership and GC LLC entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, GC LLC (or any successor holder) has the right after November 30, 2020 (the “Lock-Up Expiration”) to request the Registrant to register for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shares of the Registrant’s common stock issued or issuable to such holder. The Registrant 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.  The Registrant will cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. The Registration Rights Agreement also grants GC LLC (or any successor holder) certain “piggyback” registration rights after the Lock-Up Expiration.  If the Company Merger is consummated, it is anticipated that this obligation will be assumed by GCEAR II as the successor company.
The foregoing summary of the material terms of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Registration Rights Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated by reference herein.
Indemnification Agreements
On and effective as of December 14, 2018, the Registrant entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and the continuing executive officers (each, an “Indemnitee”), each in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5. The indemnification agreements obligate the Registrant, if an Indemnitee is or is threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, any proceeding by reason of such Indemnitee’s status as a present or former director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Registrant, or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, member, fiduciary, employee or agent of another entity that the Indemnitee served in such capacity at the Registrant’s request, to indemnify such Indemnitee, and advance expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, unless it has been established that:
  *
 
 
the act or omission of the Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;
 
  *
 
 
the Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or
 





  *
 
 
with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
In addition, except as described below, an Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification pursuant to the indemnification agreement:
  *
 
 
if the proceeding was one brought by the Registrant or on its behalf and the Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable to the Registrant;
 
  *
 
 
if the Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received in a proceeding charging improper personal benefit to the Indemnitee; or
 
  *
 
 
if the Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received in a proceeding charging improper personal benefit to the Indemnitee; or

  *
 
 
in any proceeding brought against the Registrant by the Indemnitee other than to enforce his or her rights under the indemnification agreement, and then only to the extent provided by the agreement, and except as may be expressly provided in the Registrant’s bylaws, a resolution of the Registrant’s board of directors or the Registrant’s stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or an agreement approved by the Registrant’s board of directors.
Notwithstanding the limitations on indemnification described above, on application by an Indemnitee to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the court may order indemnification of such Indemnitee if the court determines that such Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the Indemnitee (a) has met the standard of conduct set forth above, or (b) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit. Under Maryland law, any such indemnification is limited to the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee, or on his or her behalf, in connection with any proceeding by or on behalf of the Registrant or in which the Indemnitee was adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit. If the court determines that the Indemnitee is so entitled to indemnification, the Indemnitee will also be entitled to recover from the Registrant the expenses of securing such indemnification.
Notwithstanding, and without limiting, any other provision of the indemnification agreements, if an Indemnitee is made a party to any proceeding by reason of such Indemnitee’s status as a present or former director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Registrant, or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, member, fiduciary, employee or agent of another entity that the Indemnitee served in such capacity at the Registrant’s request, and such Indemnitee is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more (even if less than all) claims, issues or matters in such proceeding, the Registrant must indemnify such Indemnitee for all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter, including any claim, issue or matter in such a proceeding that is terminated by dismissal, with or without prejudice.
In addition, the indemnification agreements require the Registrant to advance reasonable expenses incurred by an Indemnitee within ten days of the receipt by the Registrant of a statement from the Indemnitee requesting the advance, provided the statement evidences the expenses and is accompanied by:
 
  *
 
 
a written affirmation of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification; and
 
 
a written undertaking to reimburse the Registrant if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.
The indemnification agreements also provide for procedures for the determination of entitlement to indemnification, including a requirement that such determination be made by independent counsel after a change of control of the Registrant.





The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Indemnification Agreement attached as Exhibit 10.5 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

The information provided in Item 1.01 regarding the Self Administration Transaction is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

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

Officer Transitions and Appointments     

On December 14, 2018, Mr. Kevin Shields was appointed Executive Chairman of the Registrant and thereby resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant. In addition, on December 14, 2018, Mr. Michael Escalante was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant and will continue in the role of President. Mr. Javier Bitar will continue in his roles of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Howard S. Hirsch was appointed Chief Legal Officer and Secretary and relinquished his positions as Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Mr. Louis K. Sohn was appointed Managing Director, Acquisitions & Corporate Finance and Mr. Scott Tausk was appointed Managing Director, Asset Management. Concurrently, Ms. Mary Higgins resigned as General Counsel, Secretary and Vice President of the Registrant but will continue her role with GCC as General Counsel, Real Estate; and Mr. David Rupert resigned as Executive Vice President of the Registrant but will continue his role with GCC as President.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Escalante

In connection with Mr. Escalante's appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, on December 14, 2018, the Registrant, GRECO and the GCEAR Operating Partnership entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Escalante to serve as the Registrant's Chief Executive Officer and President (the “Escalante Employment Agreement”). The Escalante Employment Agreement has an initial term of five years and will automatically renew for additional one year periods thereafter, unless either the Registrant or Mr. Escalante provide 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 Escalante Employment Agreement, Mr. Escalante is entitled to, among other things:
Beginning January 1, 2019, an annual base salary of $800,000, subject to annual review for increase (but not decrease) by the Registrant's board of directors or a committee thereof;
Beginning January 1, 2019, earn an annual cash bonus opportunity (“Incentive Bonus”) with threshold, target and maximum award opportunities of 175%, 250% and 325%, respectively, of the base salary actually paid for such year (subject to adjustment if the Registrant's common stock becomes listed on an established stock exchange). The entitlement to and payment of an annual Incentive Bonus is subject to the approval of the compensation committee of the Registrant's board of directors, except that for 2019 and 2020, Mr. Escalante is guaranteed to receive an Incentive Bonus equal to at least the applicable target level for each such year;
Equity awards as follows:
In the first quarter of 2019, Mr. Escalante will be granted a time-based equity award with respect to either shares of the Registrant's common stock or OP Units, in a form to be determined by the compensation committee of the Registrant's board of directors, which will vest ratably over four years (the “Initial Equity Award”). The Initial Equity Award will have a value of $7 million;
The Initial Equity Award will be the sole equity award granted to Mr. Escalante until January 2021, at which time, the Registrant will propose to grant Mr. Escalante an equity award with a target value of $3.5 million and which will be 100% time-vested if the Registrant's common





stock is not then listed on an established stock exchange, or will be a minimum of 40% time-vested if the Registrant's common stock is then listed on an established stock exchange, with the remainder subject to performance-based vesting (the “2021 Equity Award”). The 2021 Equity Award is subject to approval by the compensation committee of the Registrant's board of directors, which may approve a greater or lesser target value and will establish the terms and conditions applicable to the 2021 Equity Award; and
Payments and benefits upon termination of employment as follows:
Death or Disability (as defined in the Escalante Employment Agreement): (i) base salary earned but not paid as of the termination date, any Incentive Bonus earned by Mr. Escalante for the prior calendar year but not yet paid, reimbursement for unpaid expenses to which Mr. Escalante is entitled to reimbursement, and any accrued vacation time or other vested compensation or benefits to which Mr. Escalante is entitled under any benefits plans (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”); (ii) the Incentive Bonus for the calendar year in which the termination occurs, pro-rated for the amount of time Mr. Escalante was employed during such calendar year, assuming target performance; (iii) a lump sum payment equal to 24 months of Healthcare Benefits (as defined in the Escalante Employment Agreement); and (iv) the automatic vesting of (1) all outstanding equity awards held by Mr. Escalante as of immediately prior to his termination, assuming target performance for any performance period that has not yet ended (the “Equity Award Vesting”), and (2) Mr. Escalante's account under the Registrant's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, in full.
Without Cause or with Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Escalante Employment Agreement): (i) the Accrued Obligations; (ii) a pro-rated Incentive Bonus for the calendar year in which such termination occurs (assuming target individual performance and actual Registrant performance), pro-rated for the amount of time Mr. Escalante was employed during such calendar year; (iii) a lump sum payment equal to three (3) times the sum of (A) his base salary then in effect plus (B) the average of the Incentive Bonus paid to Mr. Escalante for the prior two calendar years preceding the year in which such termination occurs (or, in the event such termination date occurs prior to the end of two years after the effective date of the Escalante Employment Agreement, Mr. Escalante's target Incentive Bonus for any such years not yet elapsed); (iv) a lump sum payment equal to 24 months (or, if such termination occurs prior to December 31, 2020, 36 months) of Healthcare Benefits (as defined in the Escalante Employment Agreement); (v) the Equity Award Vesting; and (vi) the vesting in full of Mr. Escalante's account under the Registrant's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
Termination by the Registrant without Cause or by Mr. Escalante with Good Reason during the Term and within six months preceding, on or 12 months following a Change in Control (as defined in the Escalante Employment Agreement) of the Registrant: all of the benefits and payments described in the paragraph “Without Cause or with Good Reason” above, except that the Healthcare Benefits will be calculated to cover 36 months.

The Escalante Employment Agreement also provides that Mr. Escalante will be subject to customary non-compete, non-solicitation, non-disparagement and other restrictive covenants.

The above description of the terms of the Escalante 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.

Employment Agreements With Other Officers

On December 14, 2018, the Registrant also entered into employment agreements with each of Javier Bitar, Howard S. Hirsch, Louis K. Sohn and Scott Tausk. Each of such employment agreements (collectively, the “Employment Agreements”) is substantially similar to the material terms of the Escalante Employment Agreement except as noted below:






Javier Bitar . Mr. Bitar serves as the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. His initial base salary is $450,000 and his Incentive Bonus threshold, target and maximum award opportunities are 100%, 150%, and 200%, respectively. His Initial Equity Award will have a value of $1 million and he will be eligible to receive annual equity awards beginning in 2020. Upon termination for Death or Disability, the lump sum payment will be equal to 18 months of Healthcare Benefits. Upon termination Without Cause or with Good Reason, Mr. Bitar will receive a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times his base salary plus Incentive Bonus (as described above) and a lump sum payment equal to 18 months of Healthcare Benefits. Upon termination six months preceding or 12 months following a Change in Control, Mr. Bitar will receive a lump sum payment equal to 2.5 times his base salary plus Incentive Bonus and a lump sum payment equal to 30 months of Healthcare Benefits.

Howard S. Hirsch . Mr. Hirsch serves as the Registrant’s Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. His initial base salary is $400,000 and his Incentive Bonus threshold, target and maximum award opportunities are 75%, 100%, and 150%, respectively. His Initial Equity Award will have a value of $650,000 and he will be eligible to receive annual equity awards beginning in 2020. Upon termination for Death or Disability, the lump sum payment will be equal to 18 months of Healthcare Benefits. Upon termination Without Cause or with Good Reason, Mr. Hirsch will receive a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times his base salary plus Incentive Bonus (as described above) and a lump sum payment equal to 18 months of Healthcare Benefits. Upon termination six months preceding or 12 months following a Change in Control, Mr. Hirsch will receive a lump sum payment equal to 2.5 times his base salary plus Incentive Bonus and a lump sum payment equal to 30 months of Healthcare Benefits. In addition, the agreement provides that as part of his employment with the Registrant, Mr. Hirsch will also provide services to GCC and its affiliates pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement at cost.

Louis K. Sohn . Mr. Sohn serves as the Registrant’s Managing Director, Acquisitions & Corporate Finance. His initial base salary is $300,000 and his Incentive Bonus threshold, target and maximum award opportunities are 75%, 125%, and 175%, respectively. His Initial Equity Award will have a value of $500,000 and he will be eligible to receive annual equity awards beginning in 2020. Upon termination for Death or Disability, the lump sum payment will be equal to 18 months of Healthcare Benefits. Upon termination Without Cause or with Good Reason, Mr. Sohn will receive a lump sum payment equal to 1 times his base salary plus Incentive Bonus (as described above) and a lump sum payment equal to 1 year of Healthcare Benefits. Upon termination six months preceding or 12 months following a Change in Control, Mr. Sohn will receive a lump sum payment equal to 2 times his base salary plus Incentive Bonus and a lump sum payment equal to 24 months of Healthcare Benefits.

Scott Tausk . Mr. Tausk serves as the Registrant’s Managing Director, Asset Management. His initial base salary is $300,000 and his Incentive Bonus threshold, target and maximum award opportunities are 75%, 125%, and 175%, respectively. His Initial Equity Award will have a value of $500,000 and he will be eligible to receive annual equity awards beginning in 2020. Upon termination for Death or Disability, the lump sum payment will be equal to 18 months of Healthcare Benefits. Upon termination Without Cause or with Good Reason, Mr. Tausk will receive a lump sum payment equal to 1 times his base salary plus Incentive Bonus (as described above) and a lump sum payment equal to 1 year of Healthcare Benefits. Upon termination six months preceding or 12 months following a Change in Control, Mr. Tausk will receive a lump sum payment equal to 2 times his base salary plus Incentive Bonus and a lump sum payment equal to 24 months of Healthcare Benefits.

The above description of the terms of the Employment Agreements for the other officers is not complete and is qualified by reference to the complete Form of Employment Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.7 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure
Joint Press Release and Investor Presentation
On December 20, 2018, the Registrant and GCEAR II issued a joint press release announcing the Company Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Self Administration Transaction as described in detail in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K above. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 7.01 disclosure.





In addition, on December 20, 2018, the Registrant posted to its website (http://www.griffincapital.com) an investor presentation prepared by the Registrant and GCEAR II containing certain information related to the proposed 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.
Item 8.01. Other Events
Suspension of Distribution Reinvestment Plan and Share Redemption Program
In connection with the transactions contemplated herein, on December 12, 2018, the board of directors of the Registrant approved the temporary suspension of its distribution reinvestment plan and share redemption program (“SRP”). During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Registrant reached the 5% annual limitation of the SRP for 2018, and therefore, redemptions submitted for the fourth quarter of 2018 will not be processed, and the SRP shall be officially suspended as of January 19, 2019. The distribution reinvestment plan shall be officially suspended as of December 30, 2018. All December distributions will be paid in cash only. The distribution reinvestment plan and SRP shall remain suspended until such time, if any, as the board of directors of the Registrant may approve the resumption of the distribution reinvestment plan and SRP.
Declaration of Distributions

On December 12, 2018, the Registrant’s board of directors declared distributions in the amount of $0.001901096 per day per share on the outstanding shares of common stock payable to stockholders of record at the close of business on each day during the period from January 1, 2019 through the earlier of (a) March 31, 2019 or (b) the closing of the Merger. Such distributions payable to each stockholder of record during a month will be paid on such date of the following month as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer may determine.
Notice of Annual Meeting
On December 18, 2018, the Registrant’s board of directors set the Registrant’s annual meeting date for March 13, 2019. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER
In connection with the Merger, GCEAR 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 the Registrant and GCEAR II, and other related documents. The Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus will contain important information about the Merger and related matters. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY THE REGISTRANT AND GCEAR II WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRANT, GCEAR II AND THE MERGER. Investors and stockholders of the Registrant and GCEAR II may obtain free copies of the registration statement, the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus and other relevant documents filed by the Registrant and GCEAR II with the SEC (if and when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by the Registrant and GCEAR II with the SEC are also available free of charge on the Registrant’s and GCEAR II’s website at www.griffincapital.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
The Registrant, GCEAR II and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Registrant’s and GCEAR II’s stockholders in respect of the Merger. Information regarding the Registrant’s directors and executive officers can be found in the Registrant’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2018. Information regarding GCEAR II’s directors and executive officers can be found in GCEAR II’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2018. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger if and when they become available. These documents are available free of charge on the SEC’s website and from the Registrant or GCEAR II, 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 management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements; the Registrant can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Registrant’s expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Merger will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; the inability of the Registrant or GCEAR II to obtain the Stockholder Approval or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to completion of the Merger; risks related to disruption of management’s attention from the ongoing business operations due to the Merger; availability of suitable investment opportunities; changes in interest rates; the availability and terms of financing; general economic conditions; market conditions; legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business of the Registrant or GCEAR II; and other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Registrant’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as updated by the Registrant’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018 filed with the SEC, and other reports filed by the Registrant with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Registrant undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired
On November 7, 2018, the SEC, pursuant to its authority under Rule 3-13 of Regulation S-X, granted the Registrant a waiver from the requirements under Rule 3-05 and Article 11 of Regulation S-X to file the audited financial statements of GRECO and related pro forma financial information related to the Self Administration Transaction. The Registrant submitted a request for such waiver because, among other things, GRECO’s historical financial statements are not representative of the operations acquired by the Registrant and are not useful to investors given the significantly differing operations of GRECO from 2015 through 2017.  In addition, it would be burdensome and expensive to prepare separate audited financial statements of GRECO because GRECO does not prepare separate financial statements; rather it is consolidated into GCC’s financial statements. Further, even if provided, the audited financials do not provide relevant information of the operations of GRECO on a going forward basis and would be confusing to investors. Accordingly, such Item 9.01(a) and (b) financial information is omitted.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information
See above.
(d) Exhibits





Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

________________  
*
Schedules omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant agrees to furnish a supplemental copy of any omitted schedule to the SEC upon request.





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

 
 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.
 
 
 
Date: December 20, 2018
By:
/s/ Javier F. Bitar
 
 
Javier F. Bitar
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer



Exhibit 2.1 AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER BY AND AMONG GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT II, INC., GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP II, L.P., GLOBE MERGER SUB, LLC, GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC. AND GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. DATED AS OF DECEMBER 14, 2018


 
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS ...................................................................................................................... 2 Section 1.1 Definitions ............................................................................................................. 2 Section 1.2 Interpretation and Rules of Construction ............................................................. 14 ARTICLE 2 THE MERGERS ................................................................................................................. 15 Section 2.1 The Mergers; Other Transactions ........................................................................ 15 Section 2.2 Closing ................................................................................................................. 16 Section 2.3 Effective Times .................................................................................................... 16 Section 2.4 Organizational Documents of the Surviving Entity and the Surviving Partnership ........................................................................................................... 16 Section 2.5 Managers of the Surviving Entity ........................................................................ 17 Section 2.6 Tax Treatment of Mergers ................................................................................... 17 Section 2.7 Subsequent Actions .............................................................................................. 17 ARTICLE 3 EFFECTS OF THE MERGERS ....................................................................................... 18 Section 3.1 Effects of the Mergers .......................................................................................... 18 Section 3.2 Exchange Procedures; Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares ................................................................................................................... 20 Section 3.3 Withholding Rights .............................................................................................. 21 Section 3.4 Dissenters Rights ................................................................................................. 21 Section 3.5 General Effects of the Mergers ............................................................................ 21 ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE REIT I PARTIES ................. 21 Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries ...................................................... 22 Section 4.2 Authority; Approval Required ............................................................................. 23 Section 4.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents ....................................................... 24 Section 4.4 Capital Structure .................................................................................................. 24 Section 4.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements; Investment Company Act; Anti-Corruption Laws ............ 26 Section 4.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events ................................................................ 27 Section 4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities ................................................................................... 28 Section 4.8 Permits; Compliance with Law ............................................................................ 28 Section 4.9 Litigation .............................................................................................................. 28 Section 4.10 Properties ............................................................................................................. 29 Section 4.11 Environmental Matters ........................................................................................ 29 Section 4.12 Material Contracts ................................................................................................ 30 Section 4.13 Taxes .................................................................................................................... 32 Section 4.14 Intellectual Property ............................................................................................. 35 Section 4.15 Insurance .............................................................................................................. 35 Section 4.16 Employee Matters ................................................................................................ 35 Section 4.17 Related Party Transactions .................................................................................. 37 Section 4.18 Brokers ................................................................................................................. 37 Section 4.19 Opinion of Financial Advisor .............................................................................. 38 i


 
Section 4.20 Takeover Statutes ................................................................................................. 38 Section 4.21 Information Supplied ........................................................................................... 38 Section 4.22 No Other Representations and Warranties ........................................................... 39 ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE REIT II PARTIES ................ 39 Section 5.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries ...................................................... 40 Section 5.2 Authority; Approval Required. ............................................................................ 41 Section 5.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents ....................................................... 41 Section 5.4 Capital Structure .................................................................................................. 42 Section 5.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements; Investment Company Act; Anti-Corruption Laws ............ 43 Section 5.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events ................................................................ 45 Section 5.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities ................................................................................... 45 Section 5.8 Permits; Compliance with Law ............................................................................ 46 Section 5.9 Litigation .............................................................................................................. 46 Section 5.10 Properties ............................................................................................................. 46 Section 5.11 Environmental Matters ........................................................................................ 47 Section 5.12 Material Contracts ................................................................................................ 48 Section 5.13 Taxes .................................................................................................................... 50 Section 5.14 Intellectual Property ............................................................................................. 52 Section 5.15 Insurance .............................................................................................................. 53 Section 5.16 Benefit Plans ........................................................................................................ 53 Section 5.17 Related Party Transactions .................................................................................. 54 Section 5.18 Brokers ................................................................................................................. 54 Section 5.19 Opinion of Financial Advisor .............................................................................. 54 Section 5.20 Takeover Statutes ................................................................................................. 54 Section 5.21 Ownership of Merger Sub; No Prior Activities ................................................... 55 Section 5.22 Information Supplied ........................................................................................... 55 Section 5.23 No Other Representations and Warranties ........................................................... 55 ARTICLE 6 COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGERS ................................................................................................................................................ 56 Section 6.1 Conduct of Business by REIT I ........................................................................... 56 Section 6.2 Conduct of Business by REIT II .......................................................................... 59 Section 6.3 No Control of Other Parties’ Business................................................................. 63 ARTICLE 7 ADDITIONAL COVENANTS .......................................................................................... 63 Section 7.1 Preparation of the Form S-4 and the REIT I Proxy Statement; Stockholder Approval .......................................................................................... 63 Section 7.2 Access to Information; Confidentiality ................................................................ 65 Section 7.3 No Solicitation of Transactions; Change in Recommendation ............................ 66 Section 7.4 Public Announcements ........................................................................................ 72 Section 7.5 Appropriate Action; Consents; Filings ................................................................ 72 Section 7.6 Notification of Certain Matters; Transaction Litigation ...................................... 74 Section 7.7 Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance ........................................... 74 Section 7.8 Dividends ............................................................................................................. 76 Section 7.9 Takeover Statutes ................................................................................................. 77 Section 7.10 Obligations of the Parties ..................................................................................... 77 ii


 
Section 7.11 Certain Transactions ............................................................................................ 77 Section 7.12 Tax Matters .......................................................................................................... 78 Section 7.13 REIT II Board ...................................................................................................... 78 Section 7.14 Amendment of REIT II Charter. .......................................................................... 78 Section 7.15 Post-Closing Tender Offer; Share Redemption Program. ................................... 79 Section 7.16 DNAV Offering Recommencement. ................................................................... 79 Section 7.17 Management Agreements. ................................................................................... 79 ARTICLE 8 CONDITIONS ..................................................................................................................... 79 Section 8.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Mergers ............................. 79 Section 8.2 Conditions to Obligations of the REIT I Parties .................................................. 80 Section 8.3 Conditions to Obligations of the REIT II Parties ................................................. 81 ARTICLE 9 TERMINATION, FEES AND EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER ............. 83 Section 9.1 Termination .......................................................................................................... 83 Section 9.2 Effect of Termination ........................................................................................... 85 Section 9.3 Fees and Expenses ............................................................................................... 86 Section 9.4 Amendment .......................................................................................................... 89 ARTICLE 10 GENERAL PROVISIONS ............................................................................................... 89 Section 10.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties and Certain Covenants ............ 89 Section 10.2 Notices ................................................................................................................. 89 Section 10.3 Severability .......................................................................................................... 90 Section 10.4 Counterparts ......................................................................................................... 91 Section 10.5 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries ................................................ 91 Section 10.6 Extension; Waiver ................................................................................................ 91 Section 10.7 Governing Law; Venue ........................................................................................ 91 Section 10.8 Assignment .......................................................................................................... 92 Section 10.9 Specific Performance ........................................................................................... 92 Section 10.10 Waiver of Jury Trial ............................................................................................. 92 Section 10.11 Authorship ........................................................................................................... 92 EXHIBITS Exhibit A – Form of REIT I LPA Amendment Exhibit B – Form of REIT II Charter Amendment DISCLOSURE LETTERS REIT I Disclosure Letter REIT II Disclosure Letter iii


 
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of December 14, 2018 (this “Agreement”), is made and entered into by and among Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“REIT II”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of REIT II (“REIT II Operating Partnership”), Globe Merger Sub, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of REIT II (“Merger Sub”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“REIT I”) and Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P., 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 1. 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 Capital 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 II Operating Partnership will be merged with and into REIT I Operating Partnership (the “Partnership Merger” and, together with the REIT Merger, the “Mergers”), with REIT I Operating Partnership being the surviving entity, and each REIT I OP Unit (as defined herein) and each REIT II 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) therefor, 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, 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 and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of REIT I and its stockholders, (b) authorized and approved this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (c) directed that the REIT Merger be submitted for consideration at the REIT I Stockholders Meeting and (d) recommended the approval of the REIT Merger by the REIT I stockholders; WHEREAS, REIT I, as the sole general partner of REIT I Operating Partnership, has approved this Agreement, the Partnership Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and determined that this Agreement, the Partnership Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable, and REIT I has determined that the Partnership Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are in the best interests of the holders of REIT I OP Units (as defined herein); 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 and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of REIT II and its stockholders, (b) authorized and approved this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (c) directed that the REIT Merger be submitted for approval by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of REIT II Common Stock at a meeting


 
of such holders prior to the Closing (as defined herein) and (d) recommended approval of the REIT Merger by the holders of shares of REIT II Common Stock; WHEREAS, REIT II, in its capacity as the sole member of Merger Sub, has taken all actions required for the execution of this Agreement by Merger Sub and to adopt and approve this Agreement and to approve the consummation by Merger Sub of the REIT Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; WHEREAS, REIT II, as the sole general partner of REIT II Operating Partnership, has approved this Agreement, the Partnership Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and determined that this Agreement, the Partnership Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable, and REIT II has determined that the Partnership Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are in the best interests of the holders of REIT II OP Units; 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 tax free “assets over” form of partnership merger, with REIT I Operating Partnership as the “resulting partnership” under Treas. Reg. Section 1.708-1(c)(1); 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: ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS Section 1.1 Definitions. (a) For purposes of this Agreement: “Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement” means a confidentiality agreement that contains provisions that are no less favorable in the aggregate to REIT II or REIT I, as applicable, than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement. “Action” means any claim, action, cause of action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, mediation, interference, audit, assessment, hearing, or other legal proceeding (whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise, whether civil or criminal and whether brought, conducted, tried or heard by or before any Governmental Authority). “Affiliate” of a specified Person means a Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. “Anti-Corruption Laws” means (i) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) any anti-bribery, anti-corruption or similar applicable Law of any other jurisdiction. 2


 
“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 letter agreement dated as of November 9, 2018, 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. “Contribution Agreement” means the Contribution Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2018, by and among REIT I Operating Partnership, REIT I, GCC and GC LLC. “Debt Facilities” means, with respect to REIT I, any Contract set forth in Section 4.12(a)(iv) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter and with respect to REIT II, any Contract set forth in Section 5.12(a)(iv) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter. “Employee Benefit Plan” means, other than a REIT I Benefit Plan, any other 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), and any trust, escrow, insurance contract, or other funding mechanism related thereto now in effect or required in the future as a result of the transaction. “Environmental Law” means any Law (including common law) relating to the pollution (or cleanup thereof) or protection of the natural resources, endangered or threatened species, or environment (including ambient air, soil, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface land), or human health or safety (as such matters relate to Hazardous Substances), including Laws relating to the use, handling, presence, transportation, treatment, generation, processing, recycling, remediation, storage, disposal, release or discharge of Hazardous Substances. “Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, license, exemption, action, consent or other authorization issued, granted, given, authorized by or required under any applicable Environmental Law. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to an entity (the “Referenced Entity”), any other entity, which, together with the Referenced Entity, would be treated as a single employer under Code Section 414 or ERISA Section 4001. “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 3


 
“Expenses” means all expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants to a Party and its Affiliates) incurred by a Party or on its behalf in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the other agreements and documents contemplated hereby, the preparation, printing, filing and mailing of the REIT I Proxy Statement (with respect to REIT I) and the REIT II Proxy Statement (with respect to REIT II), the preparation, printing and filing of the Form S-4 and all SEC and other regulatory filing fees incurred in connection with the REIT I Proxy Statement (with respect to REIT I) and the REIT II Proxy Statement (with respect to REIT II), the solicitation of stockholder approval, engaging the services of the Transfer Agent, obtaining any third party consents, making any other filings with the SEC and all other matters related to the Closing and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. “Expense Reimbursement Payment” means payment in an amount equal to the documented Expenses of the Party that is entitled to receive such payment pursuant to Section 9.3; provided, that such payment shall not exceed $5,000,000. “Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.1 (Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries); Section 4.2 (Authority; Approval Required); Section 4.4 (Capital Structure); Section 4.5(f) (Investment Company Act); Section 5.1 (Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries); Section 5.2 (Authority; Approval Required); and Section 5.4 (Capital Structure). “GAAP” means the United States generally accepted accounting principles. “GCC” means Griffin Capital Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. “GC LLC” means Griffin Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. “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. “HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 4


 
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person and without duplication, (i) the principal of and premium (if any) of all indebtedness, notes payable, accrued interest payable or other obligations for borrowed money, whether secured or unsecured, (ii) all obligations under conditional sale or other title retention agreements, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by such Person, (iii) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price for any property or assets, (iv) all obligations under capital leases, (v) all obligations in respect of bankers acceptances or letters of credit, (vi) all obligations under interest rate cap, swap, collar or similar transaction or currency hedging transactions (valued at the termination value thereof), (vii) any guarantee of any of the foregoing, whether or not evidenced by a note, mortgage, bond, indenture or similar instrument and (viii) any agreement to provide any of the foregoing. “Intellectual Property” means all United States and foreign (i) patents, patent applications, invention disclosures, and all related continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, reissues, re- examinations, substitutions and extensions thereof, (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, corporate names, Internet domain names, design rights and other source identifiers, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iii) registered and unregistered copyrights and copyrightable works, (iv) confidential and proprietary information, including trade secrets, know-how, ideas, formulae, models, algorithms and methodologies, (v) all rights in the foregoing and in other similar intangible assets and (vi) all applications and registrations for the foregoing. “Intervening Event” means, (i) with respect to REIT I, a change in circumstances or development that materially affects the business, assets or operations of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, 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 and (ii) with respect to REIT II, a change in circumstances or development that materially affects the business, assets or operations of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that was not known to or reasonably foreseeable by the REIT II Board prior to the execution of this Agreement, which change in circumstances or development becomes known to the REIT II Board prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time; provided, however, that in no event shall the receipt, existence or terms of a Competing Proposal or any matter relating thereto or consequence thereof constitute 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. “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. 5


 
“Material Contract” means any REIT II Material Contract or any REIT I Material Contract, as applicable. “Merger Consideration” means the REIT Merger Consideration and the Partnership Merger Consideration. “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. “Partnership Merger Consideration” means, (i) in respect of each REIT I OP Unit, a number of REIT I OP Class E Units equal to the Exchange Ratio and (ii) in respect of each REIT II OP Unit, one (1) unit of limited partnership interest of the Surviving Partnership of like class. “Permitted Liens” means any of the following: (i) Liens for Taxes or governmental assessments, charges or claims of payment not yet due, being contested in good faith or for which adequate accruals or reserves have been established; (ii) mechanics and materialmen’s Liens for amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and which are not yet due and payable or are being contested in good faith or such Liens which have been filed of record but which have been bonded over or otherwise insured against; (iii) with respect to any real property, 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, Liens 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, Liens that are disclosed on Section 1.1(b) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter (together will associated documentation which evidences or secures such Liens, including, without limitation, notes, mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments of leases and rents, guarantees, pledge agreements and similar documentation), and with respect REIT I, Liens that are disclosed on Section 1.1(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter (together will associated documentation which evidences or secures such Liens, 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, Liens 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, Liens that are disclosed on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of REIT I, or notes thereto (or securing liabilities reflected on such balance sheet); (vi) with respect to REIT II or REIT I, arising pursuant to any Material Contracts of such Party; (vii) with respect to any real property of REIT II or REIT I, Liens that are disclosed on existing title policies made available to the other Party prior to the date hereof; or (viii) with respect to REIT II or REIT I, Liens that were incurred in the ordinary course of business since December 31, 2017, and that do not materially interfere with the use, operation or transfer of, or any of the benefits of ownership of, the property of such Party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. “Person” or “person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, group (including a “person” as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), trust, association or other entity or organization (including any Governmental Authority or a political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a Governmental Authority). “REIT” means a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. 6


 
“REIT Merger Consideration” means the Common Stock Merger Consideration and the Preferred Stock Merger Consideration. “REIT I Benefit Plan” means each (i) employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), (ii) nonqualified deferred compensation plan (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), or (iii) employment, severance, change-in-control, bonus, incentive, equity 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), and any trust, escrow, insurance contract, or other funding mechanism related thereto now in effect or required in the future as a result of the transaction, under which any present or former employee, independent contractor, officer or director of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has any present or future right to benefits, which is sponsored, maintained, or contributed to by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates. “REIT I Bylaws” means the Bylaws of REIT I, as amended and in effect on the date hereof. “REIT I Capital Stock” means the REIT I Common Stock and the REIT I Preferred Stock, collectively. “REIT I Charter” means the Fourth Articles of Amendment and Restatement of REIT I dated July 14, 2017, as amended or supplemented and in effect on the date hereof. “REIT I Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of REIT I. “REIT I DRP” means the distribution reinvestment plan of REIT I. “REIT I Equity Incentive Plan” means either the Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan or the Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan of Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. (including, as applicable, the REIT I Director Compensation Plan). “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 LPA Amendment” means the Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of REIT I Operating Partnership in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. “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 (except, in each case, to the extent having a disproportionate effect on REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, compared to other companies in the industry in which REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries operate), (B) changes in general economic conditions in the industries in which REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries operate, (C) any changes in the legal, regulatory or political conditions in the United States or in any other country or region of the world, (D) the commencement, escalation or worsening of a war or armed hostilities or the occurrence of acts of terrorism or sabotage 7


 
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 II, (G) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, (H) changes in Law or GAAP (or the interpretation thereof), or (I) any Action made or initiated by any holder of REIT I Common 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 OP Class A Units” means the REIT I OP Units classified as Class A Units pursuant to the REIT I LPA Amendment. “REIT I OP Class AA Units” means the REIT I OP Units classified as Class AA Units pursuant to the REIT I LPA Amendment. “REIT I OP Class AAA Units” means the REIT I OP Units classified as Class AAA Units pursuant to the REIT I LPA Amendment. “REIT I OP Class D Units” means the REIT I OP Units classified as Class D Units pursuant to the REIT I LPA Amendment. “REIT I OP Class E Units” means the REIT I OP Units classified as Class E Units pursuant to the REIT I LPA Amendment. “REIT I OP Class I Units” means the REIT I OP Units classified as Class I Units pursuant to the REIT I LPA Amendment. “REIT I OP Class S Units” means the REIT I OP Units classified as Class S Units pursuant to the REIT I LPA Amendment. “REIT I OP Class T Units” means the REIT I OP Units classified as Class T Units pursuant to the REIT I LPA Amendment. “REIT I OP Units” means the units of limited partnership interest in REIT I Operating Partnership, including, without limitation and subject to the effectiveness of the REIT I LPA Amendment, the REIT I OP Class A Units, the REIT I OP Class AA Units, the REIT I OP Class AAA Units, the REIT I OP Class D Units, the REIT I OP Class E Units, the REIT I OP Class I Units, the REIT I OP Class S Units and the REIT I OP Class T Units. “REIT I Parties” means REIT I and REIT I Operating Partnership. “REIT I Partnership Agreement” means the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of REIT I Operating Partnership, dated as of December 14, 2018, as amended through the date hereof. “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). 8


 
“REIT I Proxy Statement” means the proxy statement relating to the REIT I Stockholders Meeting, together with any amendments or supplements thereto. “REIT I Share Redemption Program” means the share redemption program of REIT I 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. “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 fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities is, directly or indirectly, owned by REIT I, and (b) any partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total equity interest is, directly or indirectly, owned by REIT I or of which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a general partner, manager, managing member or the equivalent. “REIT I Termination Payment” means an amount equal to $52,200,000. “REIT II Advisor” means Griffin Capital Essential Asset Advisor II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and external adviser to REIT II and REIT II Operating Partnership. “REIT II Advisory Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement among REIT II, REIT II Operating Partnership and REIT II Advisor, dated as of September 20, 2017. “REIT II Bylaws” means the Bylaws of REIT II, as amended and in effect on the date hereof. “REIT II Charter” means the First Articles of Amendment and Restatement of REIT II dated July 31, 2014, as amended or supplemented and in effect on the date hereof. “REIT II Charter Amendment” means the Articles Supplementary of REIT II in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. “REIT II Class A Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of REIT II. “REIT II Class AA Common Stock” means the Class AA Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of REIT II. “REIT II Class AAA Common Stock” means the Class AAA Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of REIT II. “REIT II Class D Common Stock” means the Class D Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of REIT II. “REIT II Class E Common Stock” means the REIT II Common Stock classified as Class E Common Stock pursuant to the REIT II Charter Amendment. 9


 
“REIT II Class I Common Stock” means the Class I Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of REIT II. “REIT II Class S Common Stock” means the Class S Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of REIT II. “REIT II Class T Common Stock” means the Class T Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of REIT II. “REIT II Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of REIT II, including, without limitation, the REIT II Class A Common Stock, the REIT II Class AA Common Stock, the REIT II Class AAA Common Stock, the REIT II Class D Common Stock, the REIT II Class E Common Stock, the REIT II Class I Common Stock, the REIT II Class S Common Stock and the REIT II Class T Common Stock. “REIT II DRP” means the distribution reinvestment plan of REIT II. “REIT II Equity Incentive Plan” means REIT II’s Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan (including REIT II’s Director Compensation Plan). “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 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 (except, in each case, to the extent having a disproportionate effect on 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), (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 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) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, (H) changes in Law or GAAP (or the interpretation thereof), or (I) any Action made or initiated by any holder of REIT 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), (G) and (H) 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 Class A Units” means the REIT II OP Units classified as Class A Units pursuant to the REIT II Partnership Agreement. 10


 
“REIT II OP Class AA Units” means the REIT II OP Units classified as Class AA Units pursuant to the REIT II Partnership Agreement. “REIT II OP Class AAA Units” means the REIT II OP Units classified as Class AAA Units pursuant to the REIT II Partnership Agreement. “REIT II OP Class D Units” means the REIT II OP Units classified as Class D Units pursuant to the REIT II Partnership Agreement. “REIT II OP Class I Units” means the REIT II OP Units classified as Class I Units pursuant to the REIT II Partnership Agreement. “REIT II OP Class S Units” means the REIT II OP Units classified as Class S Units pursuant to the REIT II Partnership Agreement. “REIT II OP Class T Units” means the REIT II OP Units classified as Class T Units pursuant to the REIT II Partnership Agreement. “REIT II OP Units” means the units of limited partnership interests in REIT II Operating Partnership (other than the REIT II Special Partnership Interests), including, without limitation, the REIT II OP Class A Units, the REIT II OP Class AA Units, the REIT II OP Class AAA Units, the REIT II OP Class D Units, the REIT II OP Class I Units, the REIT II OP Class S Units and the REIT II OP Class T Units. “REIT II Parties” means REIT II, Merger Sub and REIT II Operating Partnership. “REIT II Partnership Agreement” means the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2017, of REIT II Operating Partnership, as amended through the date hereof. “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 Property Management Agreement” means the Master Property Management, Leasing and Construction Management Agreement among REIT II, REIT II Operating Partnership and Griffin Capital Essential Asset Property Management II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated as of March 17, 2015. “REIT II Proxy Statement” means the proxy statement relating to the REIT II Stockholders Meeting, together with any amendments or supplements thereto. “REIT II Public Offering” means the registered public offering of shares of REIT II Common Stock pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-11 (Registration No. 333-217223). “REIT II Share Redemption Program” means the share redemption program of REIT II in effect as of the date of this Agreement. “REIT II Special Partnership Interests” means the partnership interests in REIT II Operating Partnership held by the special limited partner named in the REIT II Partnership Agreement. 11


 
“REIT II Stockholder Approval” means the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of REIT II Common Stock entitled to vote at the REIT II Stockholders Meeting on the REIT Merger. “REIT II Stockholders Meeting” means the meeting of the holders of shares of REIT II Common Stock for the purpose of seeking the REIT II Stockholder Approval, including any postponement or adjournment thereof. “REIT II Subsidiary” means (a) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (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 fifty percent (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 II Termination Payment” means an amount equal to $52,200,000. “Representative” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s directors, officers, employees, advisors (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, investment bankers, and financial advisors), agents and other representatives. “Restricted REIT I Share” means each restricted share of REIT I Common Stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time. “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, as applicable, the Expense Reimbursement Payment, the REIT I Termination Payment or the REIT II Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b). “Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary” means REIT I Operating Partnership and any wholly owned subsidiary of REIT I or REIT I Operating Partnership. “Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary” means REIT II Operating Partnership and any wholly owned subsidiary of REIT II or REIT II Operating Partnership. 12


 
(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 Articles of Merger Section 2.3(a) Charter Restrictions Section 7.9 Closing Section 2.2 Closing Date Section 2.2 Common Stock Merger Consideration Section 3.1(a)(i) Competing Proposal Section 7.3(m)(i) Contribution Documents Section 8.3(h) DE SOS Section 2.3(b) MLLCA Recitals DRULPA Recitals Encumbrances Section 4.10(a) Escrow Agreement Section 9.3(b) Exchange Ratio Section 3.1(a)(i) Form S-4 Section 7.1(a) Indemnified Parties Section 7.7(b) Interim Period Section 6.1(a) Merger Effective Time Section 2.3(a) Merger Sub Preamble Mergers Recitals MGCL Recitals Outside Date Section 9.1(b)(i) Partnership Certificate of Merger Section 2.3(b) Partnership Merger Recitals Partnership Merger Effective Time Section 2.3(b) Payor Section 9.3(d) Party(ies) Preamble Pdf Section 10.4 Post-Transaction Board of Directors Section 7.13 Preferred Stock Merger Consideration Section 3.1(a)(iv) Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement Section 8.3(i) Purchaser Section 8.3(i) Purchaser Group Section 8.3(i) Qualified REIT Subsidiary Section 4.1(c) Qualifying REIT Income Section 9.3(f)(i) Registered Securities Section 7.1(a) REIT I Preamble REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change Section 7.3(d) REIT I Board Recitals REIT I Board Recommendation Section 4.2(c) REIT I Designees Section 7.13 REIT I Disclosure Letter Article 4 REIT I Insurance Policies Section 4.15 REIT I Management Agreement Documents Section 4.12(d) REIT I Material Contract Section 4.12(b) 13


 
Defined Term Location of Definition REIT I Operating Partnership Preamble REIT I Permits Section 4.8(a) REIT I Preferred Stock Section 4.4(a) REIT I Related Party Agreements Section 4.17 REIT I SEC Documents Section 4.5(a) REIT I Special Committee Recitals REIT I Subsidiary Partnership Section 4.13(h) REIT I Tax Protection Agreements Section 4.13(h) REIT I Terminating Breach Section 9.1(d)(i) REIT I Voting Debt Section 4.4(d) REIT II Preamble REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change Section 7.3(j) REIT II Board Recitals REIT II Board Recommendation Section 5.2(c) REIT II Disclosure Letter Article 5 REIT II Insurance Policies Section 5.15 REIT II Management Agreement Documents Section 5.12(d) REIT II Material Contract Section 5.12(b) REIT II Operating Partnership Recitals REIT II Permits Section 5.8(a) REIT II Preferred Stock Section 5.4(a) REIT II Related Party Agreements Section 5.17 REIT II Special Committee Recitals REIT II SEC Documents Section 5.5(a) 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 Merger Recitals REIT Merger Effective Time Section 2.3(a) Restricted REIT I Share Award Section 3.1(e) Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 4.5(a) SDAT Section 2.3(a) Superior Proposal Section 7.3(m)(ii) Surviving Award Section 3.1(e) Surviving Entity Section 2.1(a) Surviving Partnership Section 2.1(b) Surviving Partnership Agreement Section 2.4(c) Takeover Statutes Section 4.20 Taxable REIT Subsidiary Section 4.1(c) Transfer Agent Section 3.2(a) Transfer Taxes Section 7.12(d) 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; 14


 
(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” 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. ARTICLE 2 THE MERGERS Section 2.1 The Mergers; Other Transactions. (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. 15


 
(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 II Operating Partnership shall be merged with and into REIT I Operating Partnership, with REIT I 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 (3rd) Business Day after all the conditions set forth in Article 8 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver of such conditions at the Closing) shall have been satisfied or validly waived by the Party entitled to the benefit of such condition (subject to applicable Law), or (b) such other place or date as may be agreed in writing by 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, Merger Sub 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 thirty (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 “Globe Merger Sub, LLC”. (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, as amended or supplemented by the REIT II Charter Amendment, 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, as amended. (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 16


 
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 certificate of organization and operating agreement. (c) At the Partnership Merger Effective Time, (i) the certificate of limited partnership of REIT I Operating Partnership shall be the certificate of limited partnership of the Surviving Partnership and (ii) the REIT I Partnership Agreement, as amended by the REIT I LPA Amendment, shall be the limited partnership agreement of the Surviving Partnership (the “Surviving Partnership Agreement”), until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law and the applicable provisions of the Surviving Partnership 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 qualify as and constitute an “assets-over” form of merger governed by Treasury Regulations Section 1.708-1(c)(3)(i) pursuant to which REIT II Operating Partnership contributes all of its assets and liabilities to REIT I Operating Partnership in exchange for the Partnership Merger Consideration in a transaction qualifying under Section 721(a) of the Code and immediately thereafter, REIT II Operating Partnership distributes such Partnership Merger Consideration to the holders of the REIT II Partnership Units, with REIT I Operating Partnership being the “resulting partnership” and a continuation of REIT I Operating Partnership pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(1). 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 II 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. 17


 
ARTICLE 3 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) Each share of REIT I Common Stock, or fraction thereof, issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time (including each Restricted REIT I Share) will be converted into the right to receive, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement 1.04807 shares (the “Exchange Ratio”) (upon the proper surrender of such Book-Entry Share) of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of REIT II Class E Common Stock (the “Common Stock 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 Merger Consideration payable to each holder of REIT I Common Stock (including Restricted REIT I Shares) will be aggregated and each such holder shall be entitled to receive such number of shares of REIT II Class E Common Stock, including any fraction thereof (which fraction shall be rounded down to the nearest 1/10,000th), consistent with the Exchange Ratio. From and after the REIT Merger Effective Time, all such shares of REIT I Common Stock (including Restricted REIT I Shares) shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a share of REIT I Common Stock, including any Restricted REIT I Share, shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except for the right to receive the Merger Consideration therefor in accordance with Section 3.2. (ii) Each share of REIT I Common Stock, if any, then held by any Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary shall automatically be retired and shall cease to exist, and no REIT Merger Consideration shall be paid, nor shall any other payment or right inure or be made with respect thereto in connection with or as a consequence of the REIT Merger. (iii) Each share of REIT I Common 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 REIT Merger Consideration shall be paid, nor shall any other payment or right inure or be made with respect thereto in connection with or as a consequence of the REIT Merger. (iv) Each share of REIT I Preferred 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 (upon the proper surrender of the certificate representing such share) one (1) validly newly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share (including any fraction thereof) of REIT II Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock Merger Consideration”) in accordance with Section 3.2 and subject to Section 3.1(c) and Section 3.3. From and after the REIT Merger Effective Time, all such shares of REIT I Preferred Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a share of REIT I Preferred Stock, shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except for the right to receive the equivalent number of shares of REIT II Preferred Stock (including the equivalent fraction thereof) in accordance with Section 3.2. (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. 18


 
(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 II OP Unit outstanding as of immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive (upon the proper surrender of such REIT II OP Unit) the Partnership Merger Consideration therefor, and shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a REIT II OP Unit shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except for the right to receive the Partnership Merger Consideration therefor; (ii) The REIT II Special Partnership Interest will be automatically redeemed, cancelled and retired in exchange for an amount of cash determined in accordance with the REIT II Partnership Agreement; provided, that if the holder of the REIT II Special Partnership Interest elects in writing, prior to the Closing Date, to receive REIT I OP Units, in lieu of cash, for the redemption of the REIT II Special Partnership Interest, then the REIT II Special Partnership Interest will be automatically redeemed, cancelled and retired in exchange for a number of REIT I OP Class E Units equal to (A) the quotient of (1) the amount of cash determined in accordance with the REIT II Partnership Agreement that otherwise would have been paid for the redemption of the REIT II Special Limited Partnership Interest, divided by (2) $10.03, multiplied by (B) the Exchange Ratio; (iii) Subject to Section 3.1(c), each REIT I OP Unit outstanding as of immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time will be automatically converted without any action on the part of the holder thereof into the Partnership Merger Consideration therefor; and (iv) REIT II will be the general partner of the Surviving Partnership. (c) Adjustment of the 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, any class of the REIT II Common Stock or any class of the REIT II OP Units, or makes 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, but not including shares of REIT I Common Stock issued pursuant to the REIT I DRP or shares of REIT II Common Stock issued pursuant to the REIT II DRP), or engages in a reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or exchange or other like change, then (without limiting any other rights of the Parties hereunder), the Exchange Ratio shall be ratably adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any such change, and thereafter all references to the Exchange Ratio shall be deemed to be the Exchange Ratio as so adjusted. (d) Transfer Books. From and after the REIT Merger Effective Time, the share or unit 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 Preferred Stock or REIT I OP Units. From and after the REIT Merger Effective Time, Persons who held REIT I Common Stock (including Restricted REIT I Shares), REIT I Preferred 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. (e) Restricted REIT I Shares. 19


 
(i) As of the REIT Merger Effective Time, each Restricted REIT I Share granted under the REIT I Equity Incentive Plan on which restrictions have not yet lapsed and which is outstanding immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time (“Restricted REIT I Share Award”) shall cease, at the REIT Merger Effective Time, to represent any rights with respect to shares of REIT I Common Stock and shall be converted, without any action on the part of the holder thereof, into a restricted stock award under the REIT II Equity Incentive Plan (“Surviving Award”), on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the REIT I Equity Incentive Plan and applicable Restricted REIT I Share Award agreement (provided that to the extent that restrictions on such Restricted REIT I Share Award lapse as of or prior to the REIT I Effective Time under the terms of the applicable REIT I Equity Incentive Plan or the related Restricted REIT I Share Award agreement by reason of the REIT Merger, the holder thereof shall be entitled to the Common Stock Merger Consideration as set forth in Section 3.1(a) and shall not be subject to this Section 3.1(e)(i)). The number of shares of REIT II Common Stock subject to each such Surviving Award shall be equal to the product of (x) the total number of shares of REIT I Common Stock subject to the Restricted REIT I Share Award multiplied by (y) the Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest 1/10,000th share of REIT II Common Stock. REIT I or REIT II, as applicable, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold such amounts as may be required to be deducted and withheld under the Code and any applicable state or local Tax laws with respect to the lapsing of any restrictions on Restricted REIT I Share Awards pursuant to this Section 3.1(e). (ii) REIT II shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve a sufficient number of shares of REIT II Common Stock for delivery upon the settlement of each of the Surviving Awards. As soon as reasonably practicable after the REIT Merger Effective Time, if and to the extent necessary to cause a sufficient number of shares of REIT II Common Stock to be registered and issuable upon the settlement of the Surviving Awards, REIT II shall file a post-effective amendment to the Form S- 4 or one or more registration statements on Form S-8 (or any successor or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of REIT II Common Stock subject to the Surviving Awards, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement or registration statements (and maintain the current status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as such Surviving Awards remain outstanding. (iii) Prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT II, the REIT II Board, and the Compensation Committee of the REIT II Board, as applicable, and REIT I, the REIT I Board and the Compensation Committee of the REIT I Board, as applicable, shall adopt any resolutions and take any actions (including obtaining consents or providing any required or advisable notices) necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Section 3.1(e). 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 equal to the Common Stock Merger Consideration that is issuable to each holder of shares of REIT I Common Stock, including Restricted REIT I Shares (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, including Restricted REIT I Shares, shall be in Book-Entry form. (b) 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, including Restricted REIT I Shares, for any REIT Merger Consideration or other amounts delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or other similar Law. 20


 
(c) 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 Preferred Stock with the Preferred Stock Merger Consideration, subject to the receipt of customary representations from such holders. (d) 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 II 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 Merger Consideration and any other amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of REIT I Common Stock or REIT II 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. 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 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE REIT I PARTIES Except as set forth in (a) 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 21


 
required that the other section or subsection of this Agreement be specifically cross-referenced); provided, that no disclosure shall qualify any Fundamental Representation unless it is set forth in the specific section or subsection of the REIT I Disclosure Letter corresponding to such Fundamental Representation; provided, further, that nothing in the REIT I Disclosure Letter is intended to broaden the scope of any representation or warranty of 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, 2017 and prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding any information or documents incorporated by reference therein and excluding any disclosures contained in such documents under the headings “Risk Factors” or “Forward Looking Statements” or any other disclosures contained or referenced therein to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), and then only to the extent that the relevance of any disclosed event, item or occurrence in such REIT I SEC Documents to a matter covered by a representation or warranty set forth in this Article 4 is reasonably apparent on its face; provided, that the disclosures in the REIT I SEC Documents shall not be deemed to qualify (i) any Fundamental Representations, which matters shall only be qualified by specific disclosure in the respective corresponding section or subsection of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, and (ii) the representations and warranties made in Section 4.3 (No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents), Section 4.5(a) through (c) (SEC Documents; Financial Statements), Section 4.6 (Absence of Certain Changes or Events), Section 4.7 (No Undisclosed Liabilities), Section 4.18 (Brokers) and Section 4.19 (Opinion of Financial Advisor), 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 22


 
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 I’s and REIT I Operating Partnership’s minute books, as applicable, have been made available by REIT I to REIT II. (f) Except as set forth in Section 4.1(f) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, 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 and 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. (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 has (i) determined that the terms of this Agreement, the Mergers, the Merger Consideration and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fair to and in the best interests of the holders of REIT I Common Stock and REIT I OP Units, (ii) approved, authorized, adopted and declared advisable this Agreement and the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) directed that the REIT Merger be submitted to a vote of the holders of REIT I Common Stock and (iv) recommended that the holders of REIT I Common Stock vote in favor of approval of the REIT Merger (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. 23


 
(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. Section 4.4 Capital Structure. (a) The authorized capital stock of REIT I consists of 700,000,000 shares of REIT I Common Stock and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (“REIT I Preferred Stock”). At the close of business on December 13, 2018, (i) 166,285,021 shares of REIT I Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) 5,000,000 shares of REIT I Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, (iii) 333 shares of REIT I Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding awards granted pursuant to the REIT I Equity Incentive Plan and (iv) 9,967,000 shares of REIT I Common Stock were available for grant under the REIT I Equity Incentive Plan. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of REIT I are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were issued in 24


 
compliance with applicable securities Laws. Except as set forth in this Section 4.4(a), there is no other outstanding capital stock of REIT I. (b) At the close of business on December 13, 2018, 193,507,086 REIT I OP Units were issued and outstanding, of which 27,222,065 REIT I OP Units were held by limited partners other than REIT I. Section 4.4(b) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all of the partners of REIT I Operating Partnership as of the date hereof, together with the number of REIT I OP Units held by each such partner. All the REIT I OP Units held by REIT I are directly owned by REIT I, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens and free of preemptive rights. All of the REIT I OP Units are duly authorized and validly issued and were issued in compliance with applicable securities Laws. (c) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the 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 Liens, other than Permitted Liens, and free of preemptive rights. (d) There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having general voting rights (or convertible into securities having such rights) of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary (“REIT I Voting Debt”) issued and outstanding. Except for the REIT I OP Units and awards granted pursuant to the REIT I Equity Incentive Plan as set forth in Section 4.4(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, there are no outstanding subscriptions, securities options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, convertible securities, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments of any kind to which REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries to (i) issue, transfer or sell or create, or cause to be issued, transferred or sold or created any additional shares of capital stock or other equity interests or phantom stock or other contractual rights the value of which is determined in whole or in part by the value of any equity security of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or equity interests, (ii) issue, grant, extend or enter into any such subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, convertible securities or other similar rights, agreements, arrangements, undertakings or commitments or (iii) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any such shares of capital stock, REIT I Voting Debt or other equity interests. (e) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any Contracts concerning the voting (including voting trusts and proxies) of any capital stock of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has granted any registration rights on any of its capital stock. No REIT I Common Stock is owned by any REIT I Subsidiary. (f) REIT I does not have a “poison pill” or similar stockholder rights plan. (g) All dividends or other distributions on the shares of REIT I Common Stock or REIT I OP Units 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). 25


 
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 January 1, 2015 (the forms, documents, statements and reports filed with the SEC since January 1, 2015 and those filed with the SEC since the date of this Agreement, if any, including any amendments thereto, the “REIT I SEC Documents”). As of their respective filing dates (or the date of their most recent amendment, supplement or modification, in each case, to the extent filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement), the REIT I SEC Documents (i) complied, or with respect to REIT I SEC Documents filed after the date hereof, will comply, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and (ii) did not, or with respect to REIT I SEC Documents filed after the date hereof, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the REIT I SEC Documents is, to the Knowledge of REIT I, the subject of ongoing SEC review and REIT I does not have any outstanding and unresolved comments from the SEC with respect to any REIT I SEC Documents. None of the REIT I SEC Documents is the subject of any confidential treatment request by REIT I. (b) REIT I has made available to REIT II complete and correct copies of all written correspondence between the SEC, on one hand, and REIT I, on the other hand, since January 1, 2015. At all applicable times, REIT I has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. (c) The consolidated audited and unaudited financial statements of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries included, or incorporated by reference, in the REIT I SEC Documents, including the related notes and schedules (as amended, supplemented or modified by later REIT I SEC Documents, in each case, to the extent filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement), (i) have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared from, are in accordance with, and accurately reflect the books and records of REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries in all material respects, (ii) complied or will comply, as the case may be, as of their respective dates in all material respects with the then-applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (iii) have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto, or, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, for normal and recurring year-end adjustments and as may be permitted by the SEC on Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, Regulation S-X or any successor or like form or rule under the Exchange Act, which such adjustments are not, in the aggregate, material to REIT I) and (iv) fairly present, in all material respects (subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for normal and recurring year-end adjustments, none of which is material), the consolidated financial position of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of their respective dates and the consolidated statements of income and the consolidated cash flows of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries for the periods presented therein. There are no internal investigations, any SEC inquiries or investigations or other governmental inquiries or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened, in each case regarding any accounting practices of REIT I. (d) Since January 1, 2015, (A) REIT I has designed and maintained disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by REIT I in the reports that it files or submits under the 26


 
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to REIT I’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and (B) to the Knowledge of REIT I, such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting REIT I’s management to material information required to be included in REIT I’s periodic reports required under the Exchange Act (if REIT I was required to file such reports). REIT I and REIT I Subsidiaries have designed and maintained a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances (i) regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (iii) that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements and to maintain asset accountability, (iv) that access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (v) that the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences and (vi) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis. REIT I has disclosed to REIT I’s auditors and audit committee (and made summaries of such disclosures available to 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 I’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (2) any fraud, to the Knowledge of REIT I, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in internal control over financial reporting. (e) REIT I is not and none of the REIT I Subsidiaries are, a party to, and none of REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract, including any Contract relating to any transaction or relationship between or among REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or Person, on the other hand, or any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC), where the result, purpose or effect of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary or REIT I’s or such REIT I Subsidiary’s audited financial statements or other REIT I SEC Documents. (f) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. (g) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary nor, to the Knowledge of REIT I, any director, officer or Representative of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee or (iii) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, in each case, in violation in any material respect of any applicable Anti- Corruption Law. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received any written communication that alleges that REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, or any of their respective Representatives, is, or may be, in violation of, or has, or may have, any liability under, any Anti-Corruption Law. Section 4.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since December 31, 2017 through the date of this Agreement, (a) REIT I and all REIT I Subsidiaries have conducted their respective business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (b) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has taken any action that would have been prohibited by Section 6.1(b) (Conduct of the Business of REIT I) if taken from and after the date of this 27


 
Agreement and (c) there has not been any REIT I Material Adverse Effect or any event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, circumstances, changes, effects, developments, conditions or occurrences, would reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect. Section 4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (a) as disclosed, reflected or reserved against on the balance sheet of REIT I dated as of December 31, 2017 (including the notes thereto), (b) for liabilities or obligations incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (c) for liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice of such entity or any predecessor thereof since December 31, 2017, 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. (b) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is, and for the past three (3) years has been, in conflict with, or in default or violation of (i) any Law applicable to REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of REIT I or any other REIT I Subsidiary is bound, or (ii) any REIT I Permits, except, in each case, for any such conflicts, defaults or violations that have been cured, or that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect. 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 December 31, 2015, 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 28


 
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 Liens; (B) except as has not had and would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received written notice of any violation of any Law affecting any portion of any of the REIT I Properties issued by any Governmental Authority; and (C) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received notice to the effect that there are (1) condemnation or rezoning proceedings that are pending or threatened with respect to any of the REIT I Properties or (2) zoning, building or similar Laws, codes, ordinances, orders or regulations that are or will be violated by the continued maintenance, operation or use of any buildings or other improvements on any of the REIT I Properties or by the continued maintenance, operation or use of the parking areas. (b) REIT I has not received written notice of, nor does REIT I have any Knowledge of, any latent defects or adverse physical conditions affecting any of the REIT I Properties or the improvements thereon, 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 I’s, nor the REIT I Subsidiaries’, ownership of any such personal property is subject to any Liens, other than Permitted Liens. 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 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 29


 
I Subsidiaries and their respective properties are not subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award by any Governmental Authority pursuant to any Environmental Laws, any Environmental Permit or Hazardous Substance; and (vi) there are no liabilities or obligations (and no asserted liability or obligations) of 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) Section 4.12(a) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter sets forth a list 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) 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 ninety (90) days without material penalty to the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary; (ii) contains any non-compete or exclusivity provisions with respect to any line of business or geographic area that restricts the business of the REIT I Parties or any other 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; (iii) 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; (iv) 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 (including any so called take-or-pay or keepwell agreements) under which (1) any Person including REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary, has directly or indirectly guaranteed Indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of REIT I or REIT I Subsidiary or (2) REIT I or a REIT I Subsidiary has directly or indirectly guaranteed Indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any Person, including REIT I or another REIT I Subsidiary (in each case other than endorsements for the purpose of collection in the ordinary course of business); (v) 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; (vi) constitutes an interest rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap or other Contract relating to a swap or other hedging transaction of any type; 30


 
(vii) constitutes a loan to any Person (other than a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary or REIT I Operating Partnership) by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary in an amount in excess of $500,000; (viii) 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; (ix) prohibits the pledging of the capital stock of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or prohibits the issuance of guarantees by any REIT I Subsidiary; (x) is with a Governmental Authority; (xi) has continuing “earn-out” or other similar contingent purchase price payment obligations, in each case that could result in payments, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $500,000; (xii) is an employment Contract or consulting Contract; (xiii) is a collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor organization, union or association; (xiv) is a Contract with any professional employer organization, staffing agency, temporary employee agency, or similar company or service provider; (xv) provides severance, retention, or transaction bonus payments, change of control payments, or similar compensation; (xvi) is a settlement agreement or release of claims with any current employee or with any former employee within the past five (5) years; (xvii) is a lease, sublease, license or other rental agreement or occupancy agreement (written or verbal) which grants any possessory interest in and to any space situated on or in the REIT I Properties or that otherwise give rights with regard to use of the REIT I Properties; or (xviii) is both (A) not made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) material to REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. (b) Each Contract in any of the categories set forth in Section 4.12(a) to which 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 31


 
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 any REIT I Material Contract, except for violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2017, 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 their behalf), or made adequate provisions in accordance with GAAP for, all material Taxes required to be paid by them, whether or not shown on any Tax Return. True and materially complete copies of all United States federal income Tax Returns that have been filed with the IRS by REIT I and each REIT I Subsidiary with respect to the taxable years ending on or after REIT I’s formation have been made available to 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 I’s current taxable year ended immediately prior to Closing), REIT I (i) has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements to qualify as a REIT under the Code and the current and proposed method of operation for REIT I is expected to enable REIT I to continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT through and including the Closing Date, and (ii) has not taken or omitted to take any action which would reasonably be expected to result in REIT I’s failure to qualify as a REIT, and no challenge to REIT I’s status as a REIT is pending or threatened in writing. No REIT I Subsidiary is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, other than a corporation that qualifies as a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or as a Taxable REIT Subsidiary. REIT I’s dividends paid deduction, within the meaning of Section 561 of the Code, for each taxable year, taking into account any dividends subject to Sections 857(b)(8) or 858 of the Code, has not been less than the sum of (i) REIT I’s REIT taxable income, as defined in Section 857(b)(2) of the Code, determined without regard to any dividends paid deduction for such year and (ii) REIT I’s net capital gain for such year. 32


 
(c) (i) There are no audits, investigations by any Governmental Authority or other proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened with regard to any material Taxes or Tax Returns of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary; (ii) no material deficiency for Taxes of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has been claimed, proposed or assessed in writing or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, threatened, by any Governmental Authority, which deficiency has not yet been settled except for such deficiencies which are being contested in good faith or with respect to which the failure to pay, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect; (iii) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has, waived any statute of limitations with respect to the assessment of material Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to any material Tax assessment or deficiency for any open tax year; (iv) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any material Tax Return; and (v) neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has entered into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax Law). (d) Each REIT I Subsidiary that is a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company and that has not elected to be a Taxable REIT Subsidiary has been since its formation treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a partnership, disregarded entity, or a Qualified REIT Subsidiary, as the case may be, and not as a corporation, an association taxable as a corporation whose separate existence is respected for federal income tax purposes, or a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7704(a) of the Code. (e) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary holds any asset the disposition of which would be subject to Treasury Regulation Section 1.337(d)-7, nor have they disposed of any such asset during its current taxable year. (f) Since its inception, REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries have not incurred (i) any liability for Taxes under Sections 857(b)(1), 857(b)(4), 857(b)(5), 857(b)(6)(A), 857(b)(7), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code, (ii) any liability for Taxes under Sections 857(b)(5) (for income test violations), 856(c)(7)(C) (for asset test violations), or 856(g)(5)(C) (for violations of other qualification requirements applicable to REITs) and (iii) REIT I has not, and none of the REIT I Subsidiaries have, incurred any material liability for Tax other than (A) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (B) transfer or similar Taxes arising in connection with sales of property. No event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of REIT I no condition or circumstances exists, which presents a material risk that any material liability for Taxes described in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence or any liability for Taxes described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence will be imposed upon REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary. (g) REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, 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 33


 
partnership interests in a REIT I Subsidiary Partnership (as hereinafter defined) relating to Taxes may arise, whether or not as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (ii) in connection with the deferral of income Taxes of a holder of limited partnership interests or limited liability company in a REIT I Subsidiary Partnership, REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary has agreed to (A) maintain a minimum level of debt, continue a particular debt or provide rights to guarantee debt, (B) retain or not dispose of assets, (C) make or refrain from making Tax elections, or (D) only dispose of assets in a particular manner. As used herein, “REIT I Subsidiary Partnership” means a REIT I Subsidiary that is a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes. (i) There are no Tax Liens upon any property or assets of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary except Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP. (j) There are no Tax allocation or sharing agreements or similar arrangements with respect to or involving REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, and after the Closing Date neither REIT I nor any other REIT I Subsidiary shall be bound by any such Tax allocation agreements or similar arrangements or have any liability thereunder for amounts due in respect of periods prior to the Closing Date. (k) 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. (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. 34


 
Section 4.14 Intellectual Property. Except as set forth in 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, (b) has any pending applications, registrations or recordings for any trademarks, patents or copyrights or (c) is a party to any Contracts with respect to use by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary of any trademarks or patents. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, (i) no Intellectual Property used by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary infringes or is alleged to infringe any Intellectual Property rights of any third party, (ii) no Person is misappropriating, infringing or otherwise violating any Intellectual Property of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, and (iii) REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries own or are licensed to use, or otherwise possess valid rights to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct the business of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries as it is currently conducted. Since December 31, 2017, neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary has received any written or, to the Knowledge of REIT I, verbal complaint, claim or notice alleging misappropriation, infringement or violation of any Intellectual Property rights of any third party. Section 4.15 Insurance. REIT I has made available to REIT II copies of all material insurance policies and all material fidelity bonds or other material insurance Contracts providing coverage for REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries (the “REIT I Insurance Policies”). Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, all premiums due and payable under all REIT I Insurance Policies have been paid, and REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries have otherwise complied in all material respects with the terms and conditions of all REIT I Insurance Policies. No written notice of cancellation or termination has been received by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary with respect to any such policy which has not been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation. Section 4.16 Employee Matters. (a) Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary, other than Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC, has or has ever had any employees. 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 (3) 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 (3) years preceding the date of this Agreement. 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 from REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries or any REIT I Benefit Plan to any current or former employee, independent contractor, officer or director (or dependents of such Persons). (b) Schedule 4.16(b) sets forth a list, as of the date of this Agreement, of each REIT I Benefit Plan and its sponsoring entity or entities. Other than the REIT I Benefit Plans listed on Schedule 4.16(b), 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) 35


 
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. (c) None of REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has ever maintained, contributed to, or participated in, or otherwise has 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 reasonably cause such REIT I Benefit Plan to become disqualified for purposes of Code Section 401(a) 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) No REIT I Benefit Plan could give rise to the payment of any amount that would not be deductible pursuant to Code Section 162(m) or 280G. Neither REIT I nor any REIT I Subsidiary is a party to or has any obligation under any Contract, REIT I Benefit Plan or otherwise to compensate any Person for excise taxes payable pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code or for additional taxes payable pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. 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 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 reasonably be expected to 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) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, REIT I, each REIT I Subsidiary, and each REIT I Benefit Plan that is a “group health plan” as defined in Section 733(a)(1) of ERISA (a “Company Health Plan”) (i) is currently in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”), the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, (“HCERA”), and all regulations and guidance issued thereunder 36


 
(collectively, with PPACA and HCERA, the “Healthcare Reform Laws”), and (ii) has been in compliance with all applicable Healthcare Reform Laws since March 23, 2010. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT I Material Adverse Effect, no event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that could reasonably be expected to subject REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary, 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. (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) Schedule 4.16(j) contains a true, accurate and complete list of all employees of REIT I and any REIT I Subsidiary, specifying each employee’s name; title; and current year annual base salary or hourly wage.. (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 of the Company 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 (3) 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 Purchaser 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. Section 4.17 Related Party Transactions. Except (i) the REIT I Partnership Agreement or (ii) as described in the publicly available REIT I SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC on or after January 1, 2018 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 4.18 Brokers. No broker, investment banker or other Person (other than the Persons listed in Section 4.18 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, each in a fee amount not to exceed 37


 
the amount set forth in Section 4.18 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, pursuant to the terms of the engagement letter between REIT I and such Person, true, correct and complete copies of which have been provided to REIT II prior to the date hereof) is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s 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 4.19 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, the Merger Consideration to be paid to holders of the REIT I Common Stock is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of shares of the REIT I Common Stock (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 SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. contemplated by Section 5.19 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 4.20 Takeover Statutes. None of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is, nor at any time during the last two (2) 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 4.21 Information Supplied. None of the information relating to the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary contained or incorporated by reference in the REIT I Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 or that is provided by any of the REIT I Parties or any other REIT I Subsidiary in writing for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any document filed with any other Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will (a) in the case of the REIT I Proxy Statement, at the time of the initial mailing thereof, at the time of the REIT I 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) in the case of the Form S-4 or with respect to any other document to be filed by REIT I with the SEC in connection with the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, at the time of its filing with the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. All documents that REIT I is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent relating to REIT I, its officers, directors and partners and the REIT I Subsidiaries (or other information supplied by or on behalf of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiaries for inclusion therein) will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; provided, that no 38


 
representation is made as to statements made or incorporated by reference by or on behalf of the REIT II Parties. Section 4.22 No Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the representations or warranties expressly set forth in this Article 4 or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, none of the REIT I Parties or any other Person 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 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 4 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 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 5 or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, including any implied representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the REIT II Parties furnished or made available to the REIT I Parties or any of their respective Representatives. ARTICLE 5 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 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) or (b) as disclosed in the REIT II SEC Documents publicly available, filed with, or furnished to, as applicable, the SEC on or after December 31, 2017 and prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding any information or documents incorporated by reference therein and excluding any disclosures contained in such documents under the headings “Risk Factors” or “Forward Looking Statements” or any other disclosures contained or referenced therein to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), and then only to the extent that the relevance of any disclosed event, item or occurrence in such REIT II SEC Documents to a matter covered by a representation or warranty set forth in this Article 5 is reasonably apparent on its face; provided, that the disclosures in the REIT II SEC Documents shall not be deemed to qualify (i) any Fundamental Representations, which 39


 
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 Section 5.5(c) (SEC Documents; Financial Statements), Section 5.6 (Absence of Certain Changes or Events), Section 5.7 (No Undisclosed Liabilities), Section 5.18 (Brokers) and Section 5.19 (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. (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 II’s and REIT II Operating Partnership’s minute books, as applicable, have been made available by REIT II to REIT I. 40


 
(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. (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 has (i) determined that the terms of this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fair to and in the best interests of the holders of REIT II Common Stock and REIT II OP Units (other than the holder of the REIT II Special Partnership Interests), (ii) approved, authorized, adopted and declared advisable this Agreement and the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) directed that the REIT Merger be submitted to a vote of the holders of REIT II Common Stock and (iv) recommended that the holders of REIT II Common Stock vote in favor of approval of the REIT Merger (such recommendation, the “REIT II 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) 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 41


 
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 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 REIT II 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 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) At the close of business on December 13, 2018, the authorized capital stock of REIT II consists of 800,000,000 shares of REIT II Common Stock, of which 700,000,000 shares are classified as REIT II Class A Common Stock, 120,000,000 shares are classified as REIT II Class AA Common Stock, 10,000,000 shares are classified as REIT II Class AAA Common Stock, 150,000,000 shares are classified as REIT II Class D Common Stock, 150,000,000 shares are classified as REIT II Class I Common Stock, 150,000,000 shares are classified as REIT II Class S Common Stock and 150,000,000 shares are classified as REIT II Class T Common Stock, and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (“REIT II Preferred Stock”). At the close of business on December 13, 2018, (i) 25,906,776 shares of REIT II Class A Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) 50,078,550 shares of REIT II Class AA Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (iii) 993,739 shares of REIT II Class AAA Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (iv) 19,268 shares of REIT II Class D Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (v) 806,014 shares of REIT II Class I Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (vi) 279 shares of REIT II Class S Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (vii) 227,311 shares of REIT II Class T Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (viii) no shares of REIT II Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, (ix) no shares of REIT II Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding awards granted pursuant to the REIT II Equity Incentive Plan, (x) 7,767,194 shares of REIT II Common Stock were available for grant under the REIT II Equity Incentive Plan, and (xi) 143,779 shares of REIT II Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon redemption of REIT II OP Units. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of REIT II are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were issued in compliance with applicable securities Laws, and all shares of REIT II Class E Common Stock to be issued in connection with the REIT Merger, when so issued in 42


 
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will be issued in compliance with applicable securities Laws. Except as set forth in this Section 5.4(a), there is no other outstanding capital stock of REIT II. (b) At the close of business on December 13, 2018, (i) 25,926,776 REIT II OP Class A Units, 50,078,550 REIT II OP Class AA Units, 993,739 REIT II OP Class AAA Units, 19,268 REIT II OP Class D Units, 806,014 REIT II OP Class I Units, 279 REIT II OP Class S Units and 227,311 REIT II OP Class T Units were issued and outstanding, of which no REIT II OP Units were held by limited partners other than REIT II and (ii) 143,779 REIT II Special Partnership Interests were issued and outstanding and were held by REIT II Advisor. All the REIT II OP Units held by REIT II are directly owned by REIT II or a Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens and free of preemptive rights. All of the REIT II OP Units are duly authorized and validly issued and were issued in compliance with applicable securities Laws, and all REIT II OP Units to be issued in connection with the Partnership Merger, when so issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will be issued in compliance with applicable securities Laws. (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 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 Liens, other than Permitted Liens, and free of preemptive rights. (d) There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having general voting rights (or convertible into securities having such rights) of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary (“REIT II Voting Debt”) issued and outstanding. Except for awards granted pursuant to the REIT II Equity Incentive Plan or 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, 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) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any such shares of capital stock, REIT II Voting Debt or other equity interests. 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 January 1, 2015 (the forms, documents, statements and reports filed with the SEC since January 43


 
1, 2015 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 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. 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 January 1, 2015. 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 or rule 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 income and the consolidated 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 January 1, 2015, (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 reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to REIT II’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and (B) to the Knowledge of REIT II, such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting REIT II’s management to material information required to be included in REIT II’s 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 44


 
preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (iii) that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements and to maintain asset accountability, (iv) that access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (v) that the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences and (vi) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis. REIT II has disclosed to REIT II’s 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 II’s 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 II’s or such REIT II Subsidiary’s 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 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. Since December 31, 2017 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 consistent with past practice, (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 the Business of 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 December 31, 2017 (including the notes 45


 
thereto), (b) for liabilities or obligations incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (c) for liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice of such entity or any predecessor thereof since December 31, 2017, 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. (b) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary is, and for the past three (3) years has been, in conflict with, or in default or violation of (i) any Law applicable to REIT 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, suit, proceeding 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, 2017, none of REIT II, any REIT II Subsidiary or any Representative of the foregoing has received or made any settlement offer for any material 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 $500,000 individually. Section 5.10 Properties. 46


 
(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 Liens; (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. (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 II’s, nor the REIT II Subsidiaries’, ownership of any such personal property is subject to any Liens, other than Permitted Liens. 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) 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 47


 
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 5.12 Material Contracts. (a) Section 5.12(a) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter sets forth a list 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) 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 ninety (90) days without material penalty to the REIT II Parties or any other REIT II Subsidiary; (ii) 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; (iii) 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; (iv) 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 (including any so called take-or-pay or keep well agreements) 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); (v) 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; (vi) constitutes an interest rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap or other Contract relating to a swap or other hedging transaction of any type; (vii) constitutes a loan to any Person (other than a Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary or REIT II Operating Partnership) by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary in an amount in excess of $500,000; 48


 
(viii) 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; (ix) 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; (x) is with a Governmental Authority; (xi) has continuing “earn-out” or other similar contingent purchase price payment obligations, in each case that could result in payments, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $500,000; (xii) is an employment Contract or consulting Contract; (xiii) is a collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor organization, union or association; (xiv) is a 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 that otherwise give rights with regard to use of the REIT II Properties; or (xv) is both (A) not made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) material to REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. (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 any REIT II Material Contract, except for violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2017, 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 49


 
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 respects. Each REIT II Party and each other REIT II Subsidiary has duly paid (or there has been paid on their behalf), or made adequate provisions in accordance with GAAP for, all material Taxes required to be paid by them, whether or not shown on any Tax Return. True and materially complete copies of all United States federal income Tax Returns that have been filed with the IRS by REIT II and each REIT II Subsidiary with respect to the taxable years ending on or after REIT II’s 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, 2015, and through and including the Closing Date (determined as if REIT II’s 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 II’s failure to qualify as a REIT, and no challenge to REIT II’s 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 II’s 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 II’s REIT taxable income, as defined in Section 857(b)(2) of the Code, determined without regard to any dividends paid deduction for such year and (ii) REIT II’s 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 50


 
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 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 consistent with past practice, or (B) transfer or similar Taxes arising in connection with sales of property. No event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of REIT 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 Liens upon any property or assets of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary except Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP. 51


 
(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. Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary: (a) owns any registered trademarks, patents or copyrights, (b) has any pending applications, registrations or recordings for any trademarks, patents or copyrights or (c) is a party to any Contracts with respect to use by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary of any trademarks or patents. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect, (i) no Intellectual Property used by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary infringes or is alleged to infringe any Intellectual Property rights of any third party, (ii) no Person is misappropriating, infringing or otherwise violating any Intellectual Property of REIT 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. Since December 31, 2017, neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has received any written or, to the Knowledge of REIT II, verbal complaint, claim or notice alleging misappropriation, infringement or violation of any Intellectual Property rights of any third party. 52


 
Section 5.15 Insurance. REIT II has made available to REIT I copies 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”). 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. No written notice of cancellation or termination 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. Section 5.16 Benefit Plans. (a) Other than the REIT II Equity Incentive Plan, REIT II and the REIT II 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 Plan. Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has any contract, plan or commitment, whether or not legally binding, to create any Employee Benefit Plan. (b) Except as individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have REIT II Material Adverse Effect, none of REIT II, any REIT II Subsidiary or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred any obligation or liability with respect to or under any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement (including any agreement, program, policy or other arrangement under which any current or former employee, director or consultant has any present or future right to benefits) which has created or will or could create any obligation with respect to, or has resulted in or will or could result in any liability (contingent or otherwise) to REIT II or any of its subsidiaries. (c) Except as individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a REIT II Material Adverse Effect, the REIT II Equity Incentive Plan was established and has been administered in accordance with its terms and in compliance with all applicable Laws, including the Code. (d) None of REIT II, any REIT II Subsidiaries or 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). (e) No amount that could be received (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) as a result of the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby (alone or in combination with any other event) by any Person affiliated with REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary who is a “disqualified individual” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any compensation arrangement could be characterized as a “parachute payment” (as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code). (f) The REIT II Equity Incentive Plan has been maintained and operated in compliance with Section 409A of the Code or an available exemption therefrom. (g) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary is a party to or has any obligation under any Contract, the REIT II Equity Incentive Plan or otherwise to compensate any Person for excise 53


 
taxes payable pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code or for additional taxes payable pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. (h) Neither REIT II nor any REIT II Subsidiary has, or has ever had, any employees. Section 5.17 Related Party Transactions. Except (i) the REIT II Partnership Agreement or (ii) as described in the publicly available REIT II SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC on or after January 1, 2018 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 5.18 Brokers. No broker, investment banker or other Person (other than the Persons listed in Section 5.18 of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, each in a fee amount not to exceed the amount set forth in Section 5.18 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 broker’s, finder’s 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 5.19 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The REIT II Special Committee received the oral opinion of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. at the meeting of the REIT II Special Committee at which the REIT II Special Committee recommended this Agreement to the REIT II Board (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, conditions and other matters considered in connection with the preparation of such opinion, the Exchange Ratio in the REIT 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 4.19 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 5.20 Takeover Statutes. None of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is, nor at any time during the last two (2) 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. 54


 
Section 5.21 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 5.22 Information Supplied. None of the information relating to REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary contained or incorporated by reference in the REIT II Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 or that is provided by REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary in writing for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any document filed with any other Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will (a) in the case of the REIT II Proxy Statement, at the time of the initial mailing thereof, at the time of the REIT II Stockholders Meetings, 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) in the case of the Form S-4 or with respect to any other document to be filed by REIT II with the SEC in connection with the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, at the time of its filing with the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. All documents that REIT II is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent relating to REIT II, its officers, directors and partners 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 5.23 No Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the representations or warranties expressly set forth in this Article 5 or any document, agreement, certificate or other instrument contemplated hereby, none of the REIT II Parties or any other Person 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 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 5 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 the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the REIT II 55


 
Parties acknowledge and agree that none of the REIT I Parties or any other Person has made or is making any representations or warranties relating to the REIT I Parties whatsoever, express or implied, beyond those expressly given by any REIT I Party in Article 4 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 6 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 practice, and (ii) use all reasonable efforts to (A) preserve intact its current business organization, goodwill, ongoing businesses and significant relationships with third parties and (B) maintain the status of REIT I as a REIT. (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) amend or propose to amend (A) the REIT I Governing Documents or (B) such equivalent organizational or governing documents of any REIT I Subsidiary material to REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, or (C) waive the stock ownership limit or create an Excepted Holder Limit (as defined in the REIT I Charter) under the REIT I Charter; (ii) adjust, split, combine, reclassify or subdivide any shares of stock or other equity securities or ownership interests of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary (other than any Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary); (iii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend on or make any other actual, constructive or deemed distributions (whether in cash, stock, property or otherwise) with respect to shares of capital stock of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or other equity securities or ownership interests in REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or otherwise make any payment to its or their stockholders or other equityholders in their capacity as such, except for (A) the declaration and payment by REIT I of regular dividends in accordance with past practice at a daily rate not to exceed $0.001901096 per share of REIT I Common Stock, (B) the declaration and payment by REIT I Operating Partnership of regular distributions in accordance with past practice and for any interim period through the Closing Date, on the REIT I OP Units, (C) the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to REIT I by any directly or indirectly Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary, (D) distributions by any REIT I Subsidiary that is not wholly owned, 56


 
directly or indirectly, by REIT I, in accordance with the requirements of the organizational documents of such REIT I Subsidiary, and (E) the declaration and payment by REIT I of regular quarterly dividends payable in respect of the REIT I Preferred Stock, in accordance with the terms of the REIT I Preferred Stock; 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) 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 (other than redemptions of the REIT I OP Units pursuant to the REIT I Partnership Agreement); (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 (including by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets) any real or personal property, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or any division or material amount of assets thereof, except (A) acquisitions by REIT I or any Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary of or from an existing Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary, (B) acquisitions described in Section 6.1(b)(vi) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, and (C) other acquisitions of personal property for a purchase price of less than $2,000,000 in the aggregate; (vii) except as described in Section 6.1(b)(vii) of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, sell, mortgage, pledge, lease, assign, transfer, dispose of or encumber, or effect a deed in lieu of foreclosure with respect to, any property or assets, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, provided that any sale, mortgage, pledge, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or deed in connection with (x) the satisfaction of any margin call or (y) the posting of collateral in connection with any Contract to which REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary is a party shall be considered to be done in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (viii) incur, create, assume, refinance, replace or prepay any Indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or amend the terms of any debt securities of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries, except (A) Indebtedness incurred under REIT I’s existing Debt Facilities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including to the extent necessary to pay dividends permitted by Section 6.1(b)(iii)), (B) funding any transactions permitted by this Section 6.1(b), (C) Indebtedness that does not, in the aggregate, exceed $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, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of another entity, other than by REIT I or a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary to REIT I or a Wholly Owned REIT I Subsidiary; 57


 
(x) enter into, renew, modify, amend or terminate, or waive, release, compromise or assign any rights or claims under, any REIT I Material Contract (or any Contract that, if existing as of the date hereof, would be a REIT I Material Contract), other than (A) any termination or renewal in accordance with the terms of any existing REIT I Material Contract that occurs automatically without any action (other than notice of renewal) by REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary or (B) as may be reasonably necessary to comply with the terms of this Agreement; (xi) make any payment, direct or indirect, of any liability of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary before the same comes due in accordance with its terms, other than (A) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (B) in connection with dispositions or refinancings of any Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder; (xii) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any Action, other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that (A) with respect to the payment of monetary damages, involve only the payment of monetary damages (excluding any portion of such payment payable under an existing property-level insurance policy) (x) equal to or less than the amounts specifically reserved with respect thereto on the most recent balance sheet of REIT I made available to REIT II prior to the date of this Agreement or (y) that do not exceed $250,000 individually or $1,000,000 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); (xiii) (A) hire or terminate any officer or director of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary, except where due to cause, (B) increase in any manner the amount, rate or terms of compensation or benefits of any of REIT I’s directors, or (C) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any employment, bonus, severance or retirement Contract or 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; (xiv) fail to maintain all financial books and records in all material respects in accordance with GAAP or make any material change to its methods of accounting in effect at December 31, 2017, except as required by a change in GAAP or in applicable Law, or make any change with respect to accounting policies, principles or practices unless required by GAAP or the SEC; (xv) enter into any new line of business; (xvi) form any new funds, joint ventures or non-traded real estate investment trusts or other pooled investment vehicles; (xvii) fail to duly and timely file all material reports and other material documents required to be filed with any Governmental Authority, subject to extensions permitted by Law; (xviii) 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, except, in each case, (A) to the extent required by Law or (B) to the extent necessary (x) to preserve REIT I’s qualification as a REIT under the Code or (y) to qualify or preserve the status of any REIT I Subsidiary as a disregarded entity or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes or as a Qualified REIT 58


 
Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be; (xix) take any action that would, or fail to take any action, the failure of which to be taken would, reasonably be expected to cause REIT I to fail to qualify as a REIT or any REIT I Subsidiary to cease to be treated as any of (A) a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes or (B) a Qualified REIT Subsidiary or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary under the applicable provisions of Section 856 of the Code, as the case may be; (xx) make or commit to make any capital expenditures that are in excess of $25,000,000 per quarter in the aggregate; (xxi) adopt a plan of merger, complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such merger, liquidation or a dissolution, consolidation, recapitalization or bankruptcy reorganization, except in connection with any transaction permitted by Section 6.1(b)(vi) or Section 6.1(b)(vii) in a manner that would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to REIT I or to prevent or impair the ability of the REIT I Parties to consummate the Mergers; (xxii) amend or modify the engagement letters entered into with the Persons listed on Section 4.18 of the REIT I Disclosure Letter, in a manner adverse to REIT I, any REIT I Subsidiary or REIT II, or engage other financial advisers in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (xxiii) permit any Liens or Encumbrances, except Permitted Liens; or (xxiv) authorize, or enter into any Contract to do any of the foregoing. (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit REIT I from taking any action, at any time or from time to time, that in the reasonable judgment of the REIT I Board, upon advice of counsel to REIT I, is reasonably necessary (i) for REIT I to avoid or to continue to avoid incurring entity level income or excise Taxes under the Code or to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Code for any period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the 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, or (4) 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 practice, and (ii) use all reasonable efforts to (A) preserve intact its current business organization, goodwill, ongoing businesses and significant relationships with third parties and (B) maintain the status of REIT II as a REIT. 59


 
(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 in writing by the REIT I Special Committee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (3) as may be expressly contemplated, expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement, or (4) as set forth in Section 6.2(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) amend or propose to amend (A) the REIT II Governing Documents or (B) such equivalent organizational or governing documents of any REIT II Subsidiary material to REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, or (C) 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 equityholders in their capacity as such, except for (A) the declaration and payment by REIT II of regular dividends in accordance with past practice at a daily rate not to exceed $0.00150684932 per share of REIT II Common Stock, (B) the declaration and payment by REIT II Operating Partnership of regular distributions in accordance with past practice and for any interim period through the Closing Date, on the REIT II OP Units, (C) the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to REIT II by any directly or indirectly Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary, and (D) 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 (other than redemptions of the REIT II OP Units pursuant to the REIT II Partnership Agreement); (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 (including by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets) any real or personal property, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or any division or material amount of assets thereof, except (A) acquisitions by REIT 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(a)(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; 60


 
(vii) except as described in Section 6.2(b)(vii) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, sell, mortgage, pledge, lease, assign, transfer, dispose of or encumber, or effect a deed in lieu of foreclosure with respect to, any property or assets, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, provided that any sale, mortgage, pledge, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or deed in connection with (x) the satisfaction of any margin call or (y) the posting of collateral in connection with any Contract to which REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary is a party shall be considered to be done in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (viii) except as described in Section 6.2(b)(viii) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, incur, create, assume, refinance, replace or prepay any Indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or amend the terms of any debt securities of REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries, except (A) Indebtedness incurred under REIT II’s existing Debt Facilities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including to the extent necessary to pay dividends permitted by Section 6.2(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, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of another entity, other than by REIT II or a Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary to REIT II or a Wholly Owned REIT II Subsidiary; (x) 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 consistent with past practice or (B) in connection with dispositions or refinancings of any Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder; (xii) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any Action, other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that (A) with respect to the payment of monetary damages, involve only the payment of monetary damages (excluding any portion of such payment payable under an existing property-level insurance policy) (x) equal to or less than the amounts specifically reserved with respect thereto on the most recent balance sheet of REIT II made available to REIT I prior to the date of this Agreement or (y) that do not exceed $250,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate, (B) do not involve the imposition of injunctive relief 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); (xiii) (A) except for the resignation of certain officers as described in Section 6.2(b)(xiii) of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, hire or terminate any officer or director of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary, (B) increase in any manner the amount, rate or terms of compensation or benefits of 61


 
any of REIT II’s directors, 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, 2017, except as required by a change in GAAP or in applicable Law, or make any change with respect to accounting policies, principles or practices unless required by GAAP or the SEC; (xv) enter into any new line of business; (xvi) form any new funds, joint ventures or non-traded real estate investment trusts or other pooled investment vehicles; (xvii) fail to duly and timely file all material reports and other material documents required to be filed with any Governmental Authority, subject to extensions permitted by Law; (xviii) 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, except, in each case, (A) to the extent required by Law or (B) to the extent necessary (x) to preserve REIT II’s 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; (xx) make or commit to make any capital expenditures that are in excess of $25,000,000 per quarter in the aggregate; (xxi) adopt a plan of merger, complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such merger, liquidation or a dissolution, consolidation, recapitalization or bankruptcy reorganization, except in connection with any transaction permitted by Section 6.2(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 5.18 of the REIT II Disclosure Letter, in a manner adverse to REIT II, any REIT II Subsidiary or REIT I, or engage other financial advisers in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (xxiii) permit any Liens or Encumbrances, except Permitted Liens; or (xxiv) authorize, or enter into any Contract to do any of the foregoing. 62


 
(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). 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 Subsidiary’s 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 Subsidiary’s 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 7 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, (ii) REIT II shall prepare and cause to be filed with the SEC the REIT II Proxy Statement in preliminary form with respect to the REIT II Stockholders Meeting and (iii) REIT II shall prepare (with REIT I’s reasonable cooperation) and cause to be filed with the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act (the “Form S-4”), which will include the REIT I Proxy Statement and REIT II Proxy Statement, to register under the Securities Act the shares of REIT II Common Stock to be issued in the REIT Merger (together, 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 9. 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, the REIT I Proxy Statement and the REIT II Proxy Statement and shall provide to their and each other’s counsel such representations as reasonably necessary to render the opinions required to be filed therewith. The Form S-4, the REIT I Proxy Statement and the REIT II Proxy Statement shall include all information reasonably requested by such other Party to be included therein. REIT II shall promptly notify REIT I upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC or any request from the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Form S-4, the REIT I Proxy Statement or the REIT II Proxy Statement, and shall, as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof, provide REIT I with copies of all correspondence between it and its Representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC, on the other hand, and all written 63


 
comments with respect to the Form S-4, the REIT I Proxy Statement or the REIT II Proxy Statement received from the SEC and advise REIT I of any oral comments with respect to the Form S-4, the REIT I Proxy Statement or the REIT II Proxy Statement received from the SEC. REIT II shall use its reasonable best efforts to respond as promptly as practicable to any comments from the SEC with respect to the Form S-4, the REIT I Proxy Statement or the REIT II 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, REIT II shall cooperate and provide REIT I a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such document or response (including the proposed final version of such document or response) and shall give due consideration to all reasonable changes provided by the other Party. 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 or the REIT II 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, the REIT I Proxy Statement or the REIT II 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, the REIT I Proxy Statement or the REIT II 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 5.23, Section 4.22 and this Section 7.1, any information concerning or related to REIT II, its Affiliates or the REIT II Stockholders Meeting 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 ninety (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 I’s 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 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 I’s 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 64


 
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 thirty (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. (d) As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, REIT II shall, in accordance with applicable Law and the REIT II Governing Documents, establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the REIT II Stockholders Meeting for the purpose of obtaining the REIT II Stockholder Approval (and other matters that shall be submitted to the holders of REIT II Common Stock at such meeting); provided, that such record date shall not be more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the REIT II Stockholders Meeting. REIT II shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the definitive REIT II Proxy Statement to be mailed to REIT II’s stockholders entitled to vote at the REIT II Stockholders Meeting and to hold the REIT II Stockholders Meeting as soon as practicable after the Form S-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act. REIT II shall, through the REIT II Board, recommend to its stockholders that they give the REIT II Stockholder Approval, include the REIT II Board Recommendation in the REIT II Proxy Statement and solicit and use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the REIT II Stockholder Approval, except to the extent that the REIT II Board shall have made a REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change as permitted by Section 7.3(d); provided, however, that REIT II’s obligation to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the REIT II Stockholders Meeting shall be unconditional unless this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms and shall not be affected by any REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.1(d), if, on a date for which the REIT II Stockholders Meeting is scheduled, REIT II has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares of REIT II Common Stock to obtain the REIT II Stockholder Approval, whether or not a quorum is present, REIT II shall have the right to make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the REIT II Stockholders Meeting (provided, however, that the REIT II Stockholders Meeting shall not be postponed or adjourned to a date that is (i) more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the REIT II 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 II Stockholders Meeting); provided, further, the REIT II Stockholders Meeting may not be postponed or adjourned on the date the REIT II Stockholders Meeting is scheduled if REIT II shall have received proxies in respect of an aggregate number of shares of REIT II Common Stock, which have not been withdrawn, such that REIT II 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 65


 
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 or REIT II Proxy Statement, prior to the REIT I Stockholders Meeting or the REIT II Stockholders Meeting and at such other times as may be reasonably requested. No investigation under this Section 7.2(a) or otherwise shall affect any of the representations and warranties of the Parties contained in this Agreement or any condition to the obligations of the Parties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Parties shall be required by this Section 7.2(a) to provide the other Parties or their respective Representatives with access to or to disclose information (A) that is subject to the terms of a confidentiality agreement with a third party entered into prior to the date of this Agreement or entered into after the date of this Agreement in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice of in accordance with this Agreement (provided, however, that the withholding Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the required consent of such third party to such access or disclosure), (B) the disclosure of which would violate any Law applicable to such Party or any of its Representatives (provided, however, that withholding Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to make appropriate substitute arrangements to permit reasonable disclosure not in violation of any Law or duty), (C) that is subject to any attorney-client, attorney work product or other legal privilege (provided, however, that withholding Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to allow for such access or disclosure to the maximum extent that does not result in a loss of any such attorney-client, attorney work product or other legal privilege, including by means of entry into a customary joint defense agreement that would alleviate the loss of such privilege) or (D) for the purpose of allowing Parties or their respective Representatives to collect samples of soil, air, water, groundwater or building materials. The Parties will use their reasonable best efforts to minimize any disruption to the businesses of the other Parties and any of their respective subsidiaries that may result from the requests for access, data and information hereunder. Prior to the 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 and shall cause each of the REIT I Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives (i) to immediately cease any solicitation, encouragement, discussions or negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to a Competing Proposal, or any inquiry or proposal that may be reasonably expected to lead to a Competing Proposal, request that any such Person and its Representatives promptly return or destroy all confidential information concerning REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries and immediately terminate all physical and electronic dataroom access granted to any such Person or its Representatives and (ii) not to, directly or indirectly, (A) solicit, initiate or knowingly facilitate or encourage or take any other action for the purpose of facilitating, any inquiry or the making of any proposal which 66


 
constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Competing Proposal, (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person information in connection with or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, a Competing Proposal or (C) enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle or other agreement with respect to a Competing Proposal. It is agreed that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.3(a) by any Representative of REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.3(a) by REIT I. (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 determines in good faith, after consultation with REIT I’s outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a Superior Proposal, which Competing Proposal was made in circumstances not otherwise involving a breach of this Agreement and (ii) the REIT I Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with REIT I’s outside legal counsel, that a failure to take action with respect to such Competing Proposal would be inconsistent with the duties of the 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. It is agreed that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.3(b) by any Representative of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.3(b) by REIT I. (c) REIT I shall promptly, and in any event no later than 24-hours after receipt of any Competing Proposal or request for non-public information in connection therewith, as applicable, (i) advise 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 67


 
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 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) to enter into a definitive Acquisition Agreement that constitutes a Superior Proposal, if and only if, (A) a written Competing Proposal that was not solicited in violation of this Section 7.3 is made to REIT I by a third party and such Competing Proposal is not withdrawn, and (B) prior to taking such action, the REIT I Board has determined in good faith (y) after consultation with REIT I’s outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of REIT I under applicable Maryland Law and (z) after consultation with REIT I’s outside legal counsel and outside financial advisors, that such Competing Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that in connection with any such Competing Proposal (1) REIT I has given REIT II at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to take such action (which notice shall include the information with respect to such Superior Proposal that is specified in Section 7.3(c) as well as a copy of any proposal, agreement and all material documentation providing for such Superior Proposal), (2) REIT II and REIT I have negotiated, and have caused their respective Representatives to negotiate, in good faith with the other Party and its Representatives, to the extent the other Party wishes to negotiate, during such notice period to enable the other Party to propose in writing revisions to the terms of this Agreement such that it would cause such Superior Proposal to no longer constitute a Superior Proposal, (3) following the end of such notice period, the REIT I Board shall have considered in good faith any proposed revisions to this Agreement proposed in writing by REIT II and shall have determined that, after consultation with the REIT I’s outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, the Competing Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal if such revisions were to be given effect and (4) in the event of any change to the material terms of such Superior Proposal, REIT I shall, in each case, have delivered to 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 I’s 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 an express reaffirmation of the REIT I Board Recommendation shall be deemed a 68


 
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) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 7.3, during the Interim Period, REIT II shall and shall cause each of the REIT II Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives (i) to immediately cease any solicitation, encouragement, discussions or negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to a Competing Proposal, or any inquiry or proposal that may be reasonably expected to lead to a Competing Proposal, request that any such Person and its Representatives promptly return or destroy all confidential information concerning REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries and immediately terminate all physical and electronic dataroom access granted to any such Person or its Representatives and (ii) not to, directly or indirectly, (A) solicit, initiate or knowingly facilitate or encourage or take any other action for the purpose of facilitating, any inquiry or the making of any proposal which constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Competing Proposal, (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person information in connection with or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, a Competing Proposal or (C) enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle or other agreement with respect to a Competing Proposal. It is agreed that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.3(g) by any Representative of REIT II or any REIT II Subsidiary shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.3(g) by REIT II. (h) 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 II Stockholder Approval, REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives receives an unsolicited written Competing Proposal from any Person or group of Persons that the REIT II Board determines in good faith, after consultation with REIT II’s outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a Superior Proposal, which Competing Proposal was made in circumstances not otherwise involving a breach of this Agreement and (ii) the REIT II Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with REIT II’s outside legal counsel, that a failure to take action with respect to such Competing Proposal would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of REIT II under applicable Maryland Law, REIT II may or may cause its respective Representatives to, in response to such Competing Proposal, and subject to compliance with this Section 7.3(h), (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 II and the REIT II Subsidiaries to the Person or group of Persons who has made such Competing Proposal, provided that REIT II shall prior to or concurrently with the time such information is provided to such Person or group of Persons provide to REIT I any non-public information concerning REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries that is provided to any Person given such access which was not previously provided to REIT I or its Representatives and (C) engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with the Person or group of Persons making such Competing Proposal regarding such Competing Proposal. It is agreed that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.3(h) by any Representative of REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.3(h) by REIT II. (i) REIT II shall promptly, and in any event no later than 24-hours after receipt of any Competing Proposal or request for non-public information in connection therewith, as applicable, (i) advise REIT I in writing of the receipt of such Competing Proposal and any request for confidential information in connection with such Competing Proposal, the material terms of such Competing Proposal or request for confidential information and the identity of the Person or group of Persons making such Competing Proposal or request for confidential information and (ii) keep REIT I promptly advised of all material developments (including all changes to the material terms of any Competing Proposal), discussions or negotiations regarding any Competing Proposal and the status of such Competing Proposal. REIT II agrees that it and the REIT II Subsidiaries will not enter into any confidentiality agreement with any Person 69


 
subsequent to the date hereof which prohibits it or a REIT II Subsidiary from providing any information required to be provided to REIT I in accordance with this Section 7.3(c) within the time periods contemplated hereby. (j) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 7.3(j), the REIT II Board shall not (i)(A) fail to recommend to its stockholders that the REIT II Stockholder Approval be given or fail to include the REIT II Board Recommendation in the REIT II Proxy Statement, (B) change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, or publicly propose to change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, the REIT II 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 II 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 II a Competing Proposal (actions described in this clause (i) being referred to as a “REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change”) or (ii) authorize, cause or permit REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries to enter into any Acquisition Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, prior to the time the REIT II Stockholder Approval is obtained, the REIT II Board, may make (but in each case, subject to compliance with this Section 7.3(j) and Sections 7.3(g)-(i)), a REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change and/or terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(ii) to enter into a definitive Acquisition Agreement that constitutes a Superior Proposal, if and only if, (A) a written Competing Proposal that was not solicited in violation of this Section 7.3 is made to REIT II by a third party and such Competing Proposal is not withdrawn, and (B) prior to taking such action, the REIT II Board has determined in good faith (y) after consultation with REIT II’s outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of REIT II under applicable Maryland Law and (z) after consultation with REIT II’s outside legal counsel and outside financial advisors, that such Competing Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that in connection with any such Competing Proposal (1) REIT II has given REIT I at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to take such action (which notice shall include the information with respect to such Superior Proposal that is specified in Section 7.3(i) as well as a copy of any proposal, agreement and all material documentation providing for such Superior Proposal), (2) REIT I and REIT II have negotiated, and have caused their respective Representatives to negotiate, in good faith with the other Party and its Representatives, to the extent the other Party wishes to negotiate, during such notice period to enable the other Party to propose in writing revisions to the terms of this Agreement such that it would cause such Superior Proposal to no longer constitute a Superior Proposal, (3) following the end of such notice period, the REIT II Board shall have considered in good faith any proposed revisions to this Agreement proposed in writing by REIT I and shall have determined that, after consultation with the REIT II’s outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, the Competing Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal if such revisions were to be given effect and (4) in the event of any change to the material terms of such Superior Proposal, REIT II shall, in each case, have delivered to REIT I an additional notice consistent with that described in subclause (1) above and the notice period shall have recommenced. Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with Section 9.1(c)(ii), the REIT II Board shall submit the REIT Merger to its stockholders even if the REIT II Board shall have effected a REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change, and the REIT II Board may not submit to the vote of their stockholders any Competing Proposal other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (k) At any time prior to receipt of the REIT II Stockholder Approval and subject to Section 7.1(d), the REIT II Board may, if the REIT II Board determines in good faith, after consultation with REIT II’s outside legal counsel, that the failure to do so would be inconsistent with the duties of the directors of REIT II under applicable Maryland Law, make a REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change in response to an Intervening Event. 70


 
(l) Except to the extent expressly provided in this Section 7.3, nothing in this Section 7.3 shall prohibit the REIT II Board from: (i) taking and disclosing to the stockholders of REIT II, 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 II pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, in either case, if the REIT II 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 II under applicable Maryland Law; provided that any disclosure (other than those made pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 7.3(l)) permitted under this Section 7.3(l) that is not an express rejection of any applicable Competing Proposal or an express reaffirmation of the REIT II Board Recommendation shall be deemed a REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change and; provided, further, that the REIT II Board shall not, except as expressly permitted by Section 7.3(j), effect a REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change. (m) For purposes of this Agreement: (i) “Competing Proposal” means, (A) with respect to REIT I, any proposal or offer, whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions, relating to any (1) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving REIT I or any REIT I Subsidiary that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X), (2) sale or other disposition, by merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction, of any assets of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the consolidated assets of REIT I and the REIT I Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (3) issue, sale or other disposition by REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries of (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction) securities (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, such securities) representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of REIT I Common Stock, (4) tender offer or exchange offer in which any Person or “group” (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) shall acquire beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of 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 twenty percent (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 and (B) with respect to REIT II, 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 II or any REIT II Subsidiary that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X), (2) sale or other disposition, by merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction, of any assets of REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the consolidated assets of REIT II and the REIT II Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (3) issue, sale or other disposition by REIT II or any of the REIT II Subsidiaries of (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction) securities (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, such securities) representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of REIT II Common Stock, (4) tender offer or exchange offer in which any Person or “group” (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) shall acquire beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the votes associated with the outstanding shares of REIT II Common Stock, (5) recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other similar type of transaction with respect to REIT II in which a third party shall acquire beneficial ownership of twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding shares of REIT II 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 71


 
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (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 or (iii) any merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction solely among REIT II and one or more of the REIT II Subsidiaries or solely among the REIT II Subsidiaries. (ii) “Superior Proposal” means, (A) with respect to REIT I, a written Competing Proposal made by a third party (except for purposes of this definition, the references in the definition of “Competing Proposal” to “twenty percent (20%)” shall be replaced with “fifty percent (50%)”) which the REIT I Board (based on the recommendation of the REIT I Special Committee) determines in its good faith judgment (after consultation with its legal and financial advisors and after taking into account (1) all of the terms and conditions of the Competing Proposal and this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by REIT II) and (2) the feasibility and certainty of consummation of such Competing Proposal on the terms proposed (taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such Competing Proposal and conditions to consummation thereof) to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the stockholders of 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)) and (B) with respect to REIT II, a written Competing Proposal made by a third party (except for purposes of this definition, the references in the definition of “Competing Proposal” to “twenty percent (20%)” shall be replaced with “fifty percent (50%)”) which the REIT II Board (based on the recommendation of the REIT II Special Committee) determines in its good faith judgment (after consultation with its legal and financial advisors and after taking into account (1) all of the terms and conditions of the Competing Proposal and this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by REIT I) and (2) the feasibility and certainty of consummation of such Competing Proposal on the terms proposed (taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such Competing Proposal and conditions to consummation thereof) to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the stockholders of REIT II (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 I)). Section 7.4 Public Announcements. Except with respect to any REIT I Adverse Recommendation Change, any REIT II 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 (1) 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 its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other party in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law or pursuant to any 72


 
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 8 to be satisfied, (ii) preparing and filing any applications, notices, registrations and requests as may be required or advisable to be filed with or submitted to any Governmental Authority in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) obtaining all necessary or advisable actions or nonactions, waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Authorities or other Persons necessary in connection with the consummation of the 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 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. 73


 
(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. Subject to the immediately foregoing sentence, the Parties shall cooperate with respect to reasonable accommodations that may be requested or appropriate to obtain such consents. Section 7.6 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), or Section 9.1(d)(i). (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 Party’s 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 II’s 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 I’s 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, during the period commencing as of the REIT Merger Effective Time and ending on the sixth (6th) anniversary of the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT II shall (and shall cause 74


 
the Surviving Entity to): (i) indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Indemnified Party against and from any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any Action to the extent such Action arises out of or pertains to (x) any action or omission or alleged action or omission in such Indemnified Party’s capacity as a manager, director, officer, partner, member, trustee, employee or agent of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries, or (y) this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Mergers; and (ii) pay in advance of the final disposition of any such Action the expenses (including attorneys’ fees and any expenses incurred by any Indemnified Party in connection with enforcing any rights with respect to indemnification) of any Indemnified Party without the requirement of any bond or other security, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Law, but subject to REIT II’s or the Surviving Entity’s receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, 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 Party’s prior written consent (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, (ii) shall not be liable for any settlement effected without their prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) and (iii) shall not have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine in a final and non-appealable order that such indemnification is prohibited by applicable Law, in which case the Indemnified Party shall promptly refund to REIT II or the Surviving Entity the amount of all such expenses theretofore advanced pursuant hereto. (b) Without limiting the foregoing and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, each of REIT II and the Surviving Entity agrees that, during the period commencing as of the REIT Merger Effective Time and ending on the sixth (6th) anniversary of the REIT Merger Effective Time, all rights to indemnification 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, trustees, employees, agents, fiduciaries or other individuals of REIT I or any of the REIT I Subsidiaries (the “Indemnified Parties”) as currently provided in (i) the REIT II Governing Documents or, if applicable, similar organizational documents or agreements of any REIT I Subsidiary and (ii) indemnification agreements of REIT I shall survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. For a period of six (6) years following the REIT Merger Effective Time, the organizational documents of REIT II and the Surviving Entity and the organizational documents of any applicable REIT II Subsidiary or REIT I Subsidiary shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification and limitations on liability of directors and officers than are set forth in such documents as of the REIT Merger Effective Time, which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six (6) years following the REIT Merger Effective Time in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of individuals who, at or prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, were the Indemnified Parties, unless such modification shall be required by applicable Law and then only to the minimum extent required by applicable Law. (c) For a period of six (6) years after the REIT Merger Effective Time, REIT II shall cause the Surviving Entity to maintain in effect REIT I’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering each Person currently covered by REIT I’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy for acts or omissions occurring prior to and through the REIT Merger Effective Time; provided, that in lieu of such obligation, (i) the Surviving Entity may substitute therefor policies of an insurance company with the same or better rating as REIT I’s current insurance carrier the material terms of which, including coverage and amount, are no less favorable in any material respect to such directors and officers than REIT I’s 75


 
existing policies as of the date hereof or (ii) in consultation with REIT II, REIT I may obtain extended reporting period coverage under REIT I’s existing insurance programs (to be effective as of the REIT Merger Effective Time) for a period of six (6) years after the REIT Merger Effective Time for a cost not in excess of three times the current annual premiums for such insurance; and provided, further, that in no event shall the Surviving Entity be required to pay annual premiums for insurance under this Section 7.7(c) in excess of 300% of the most recent annual premiums paid by REIT I for such purpose, it being understood that if the annual premiums of such insurance coverage exceed such amount, the Surviving Entity shall nevertheless be obligated to provide such coverage as may be obtained for such 300% amount. (d) If 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 and shall not be amended in a manner that is adverse to the Indemnified Party (including his or her successors, assigns and heirs) without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (including such successors, assigns and heirs) affected thereby. The exculpation and indemnification provided for by this Section 7.7 shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnified Party is entitled, whether pursuant to applicable Law, Contract or otherwise. Section 7.8 Dividends. (a) In the event that a distribution with respect to the shares of REIT I Common Stock or REIT I Preferred 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 or REIT II Preferred Stock, as applicable, 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 (i) holders of REIT I Common Stock do not receive dividends on both REIT I Common Stock and REIT II Common Stock received in the REIT Merger, or (ii) the holders of the REIT II OP Units do not receive distributions on the REIT II OP Units and the REIT I OP Units received in the Partnership Merger, as applicable, in respect of a single distribution period or fail to receive a dividend on either REIT I Common Stock or REIT II Common Stock received in the REIT Merger, or REIT II OP Units and REIT I OP Units received in the Partnership Merger, as applicable, in respect of a single distribution period or (iii) do not receive both a dividend permitted by the proviso to Section 6.1(b)(iii) on REIT I Common Stock and a dividend on REIT II Common Stock received in the REIT Merger or fail to receive either a dividend permitted by the proviso 76


 
to Section 6.1(b)(iii) on REIT I Common Stock or REIT I OP Units or a dividend 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 twenty (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 and REIT II OP Units, in an amount per share of REIT II Common Stock or per REIT II OP Unit 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 twenty (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 and REIT I OP Units, in an amount per share of REIT I Common Stock or per REIT I OP Unit 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. (a) 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. 77


 
(b) REIT I shall take all actions necessary to terminate, effective as of the Closing, the REIT I Equity Incentive Plan. (c) REIT I shall take all actions necessary to terminate, effective as of or prior to the Closing, the REIT I DRP and the REIT I Share Redemption Program. 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 or REIT II 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 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, and (ii) deliver to each of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and 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 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, as applicable, 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 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, and (ii) deliver to each of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP 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 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, as applicable, 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 increase the number of directors of REIT II to seven (7) and 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. The REIT II Board as of and after the Merger Effective Time is referred to in this Agreement as the “Post-Transaction Board of Directors.” Section 7.14 Amendment of REIT II Charter. The REIT II Board shall (a) adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the REIT II Charter to enable the exercise of any 78


 
redemption right that may be held by the holders of REIT I Preferred Stock that will receive the Preferred Stock Merger Consideration and (b) direct that such amendment be submitted for consideration by the stockholders of REIT II prior to January 1, 2023. Subject to the approval of such amendment by the stockholders of REIT II, REIT II shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause Articles of Amendment setting forth such amendment to be filed with the SDAT prior to January 1, 2023. Section 7.15 Post-Closing Tender Offer; Share Redemption Program. REIT II shall use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken, the following actions with respect to the REIT II Class E Common Stock: (i) seek SEC guidance prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time, relating to its ability to include the REIT II Class E Common Stock in the REIT II Share Redemption Program, consistent with all other classes of REIT II Common Stock commencing at the earliest possible date following the REIT Merger Effective Time; (ii) initiate a tender offer to all holders of REIT II Common Stock (which includes all former holders of REIT I Common Stock) within six (6) months following the REIT Merger Effective Time of at least $100 million or such higher amount and at such price as is approved by the Post-Transaction Board of Directors; and (iii) in the absence of REIT II receiving the favorable SEC guidance as provided for in item (i) of this Section 7.15, adopt a share redemption program for the REIT II Class E Common Stock within twelve (12) months following the REIT Merger Effective Time containing terms at least as favorable as the REIT I Share Redemption Program. Section 7.16 DNAV Offering Recommencement. Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Mergers), the Post-Transaction Board of Directors shall determine whether to recommence the offering of shares of REIT II Common Stock in the public markets (the “DNAV Offering Recommencement”). REIT I and REIT II acknowledge that, following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Mergers), the Post-Transaction Board of Directors may initiate efforts at any time to list the shares of REIT II Common Stock for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or such other established national stock exchange or quotation system. Section 7.17 Management Agreements. Following the completion of the Mergers, REIT II and the Surviving Partnership shall maintain in full force and effect the REIT II Advisory Agreement and the REIT II Property Management Agreement, and neither REIT II nor the Surviving Partnership shall take any action to terminate the REIT II Advisory Agreement or the REIT II Property Management Agreement prior to June 30, 2019. ARTICLE 8 CONDITIONS Section 8.1 Conditions to Each Party’s 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. 79


 
(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 and the REIT II Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained in accordance with applicable Law and the REIT II Charter and REIT II Bylaws. (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), Section 5.18 (Brokers), Section 5.19 (Opinion of Financial Advisor) and Section 5.20 (Takeover Statutes)), 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 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) and Section 8.2(c) have been satisfied. (e) REIT Opinion. REIT I shall have received a written opinion of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, or other counsel to REIT II reasonably satisfactory to REIT I, dated as of the Closing Date 80


 
and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to REIT I, to the effect that, commencing with REIT II’s taxable year that ended on December 31, 2015, 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 officer’s certificate executed by REIT II and REIT II Operating Partnership. (f) Section 368 Opinion. REIT I shall have received a written opinion of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough 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, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough 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) Amendment of REIT II Charter. The REIT II Board shall have (i) adopted a resolution approving an amendment to the REIT II Charter to enable a redemption right that will be held by the holders of REIT I Preferred Stock that will receive the Preferred Stock Merger Consideration and (ii) directed that such amendment be submitted for consideration by the stockholders of REIT II prior to January 1, 2023. 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), Section 4.18 (Brokers), Section 4.19 (Opinion of Financial Advisor) and Section 4.20 (Takeover Statutes)) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the 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 or 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. 81


 
(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 conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a), Section 8.3(b), Section 8.3(c) and Section 8.3(h) have been satisfied. (e) REIT Opinion. REIT II shall have received a written opinion of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough 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 I’s 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 officer’s certificate executed by REIT I and REIT I Operating Partnership. (f) Section 368 Opinion. REIT II shall have received a written opinion of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, 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 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, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP may rely upon the tax representation letters described in Section 7.12. (g) Financing. REIT II shall have received a financing commitment letter from KeyBank National Association, or such other lender acceptable to REIT II, for a new credit facility that will replace the “Term Loan” and “Revolver Loan” Debt Facilities of REIT I (which will be paid off in full at the Closing) for a minimum amount of $1,500,000,000.00 to be entered into and effective concurrently with the Closing, and to the extent that there are Debt Facilities of REIT I that will not be paid off in full at the Closing, REIT I shall have received all consents, complied with all notice requirements and cured or obtained waivers of defaults with respect to any Debt Facility. (h) 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. 82


 
(i) Acknowledgment by REIT I Preferred Holder. Reference is made to that certain Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2018 (the “Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement”), by and among REIT I, SHBNPP Global Professional Investment Type Private Real Estate Trust No. 13(H), a real estate investment trust established under the laws of the Republic of Korea (acting through Kookmin Bank as trustee of SHBNPP Global Professional Investment Type Private Real Estate Trust No. 13(H)) (the “Purchaser”) and Shinhan BNP Paribas Asset Management Corporation, an asset manager of the Purchaser (with Purchaser, the “Purchaser Group”). REIT I shall have delivered to REIT II an acknowledgement or other similar agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to REIT II, executed by the Purchaser Group pursuant to which Purchaser Group acknowledges the Transactions contemplated in this Agreement, that REIT I’s liabilities and obligations under Section 1.1(c) of the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement shall be satisfied by the issuance of REIT II Preferred Stock and an estoppel and/or waiver of any defaults, liabilities and obligations of REIT I thereunder as of the Closing Date. ARTICLE 9 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 or the REIT II 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 August 31, 2019 (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 (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 or REIT II Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the REIT I Stockholders Meeting or REIT II Stockholders Meeting, as the case may be, duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or postponement thereof at which a vote on the approval of the REIT Merger was taken; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b)(iii) shall not be available to a Party if the failure to receive the REIT I Stockholder Approval 83


 
or REIT II 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 twenty (20) days following written notice thereof from REIT I to REIT II and two (2) Business Days before the Outside Date; provided, that REIT I shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c)(i) if a REIT I Terminating Breach shall have occurred and be continuing at the time REIT I delivers notice of its election to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c)(i); (ii) if REIT I has accepted a Superior Proposal at any time prior to receipt of the REIT I Stockholder Approval in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.3(d) herein; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be so terminated unless concurrently with the occurrence of such termination the payment required by Section 9.3(b) is made in full to 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; (iii) if, at any time prior to receipt of the REIT II Stockholder Approval, (A) the REIT II Board or any committee thereof, for any reason, shall have effected a REIT II Adverse Recommendation Change; (B) the REIT II 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 II Common Stock that constitutes an Competing Proposal (other than by REIT I or any of its Affiliates) is commenced and the REIT II Board fails to recommend against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by the stockholders of REIT II and to publicly reaffirm the REIT II Board Recommendation within ten (10) Business Days of being requested to do so by REIT I, (D) the REIT II Board or any committee thereof fails to include the REIT II Board Recommendation in the REIT II Proxy Statement, or (E) REIT II shall have materially violated any of its obligations under Section 7.3, or shall be deemed pursuant to the last sentence of Section 7.3(h) to have materially violated any of its obligations under Section 7.3 (other than any immaterial or inadvertent violations thereof that did not result in a Competing Proposal); or (iv) if (A) all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 have been and continue to be satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing), (B) on or after the date the Closing should have occurred, REIT I has delivered written notice to 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 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 (3) Business Days after delivery of the notice referenced in the preceding clause (B) (it being understood that during such three (3) Business Day period, REIT 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 84


 
occurred that would cause any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.3 not to be satisfied (a “REIT I Terminating Breach”), which breach or failure to perform cannot be cured, or if capable of cure, has not been cured by the earlier of twenty (20) days following written notice thereof from REIT II to REIT I and two (2) 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 REIT II has accepted a Superior Proposal at any time prior to receipt of the REIT II Stockholder Approval in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.3(j) herein; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be so terminated unless concurrently with the occurrence of such termination the payment required by Section 9.3(b) is made in full to REIT I and the definitive agreement relating to the Superior Proposal is entered into, and in the event that such definitive agreement is not concurrently entered into and such payment is not concurrently made, such termination shall be null and void; (iii) if, at any time prior to receipt of the REIT I 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 (10) 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 the last sentence of 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 (iv) if (A) all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 have been and continue to be satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied other than at Closing), (B) on or after the date the Closing should have occurred, 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 (3) 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 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 10 (General Provisions) of this Agreement shall survive the termination hereof; provided, that no such termination shall relieve any Party from any liability or damages resulting from any fraud or willful and material breach of any of its covenants, obligations or agreements set forth in this Agreement. 85


 
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 any HSR Act and the Form S-4 filing fees, if any, as may be required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (b) In the event that this Agreement is terminated: (i) (A)(x) by REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(i), and after the date hereof and prior to the breach or failure to perform giving rise to such right of termination, a bona fide Competing Proposal (with, for all purposes of this Section 9.3(b)(i), all percentages included in the definition of “Competing Proposal” increased to fifty percent (50%)) has been publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to the REIT I Board or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make such a Competing Proposal or (y) by REIT II or REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i) (and at the time of such termination REIT I would not have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iv) or Section 9.1(b)(iii) and after the date of this Agreement, a Competing Proposal with respect to REIT I has been made to REIT I or publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to REIT I’s stockholders (and not withdrawn) or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make such a Competing Proposal and (B) within twelve (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 REIT I Termination Payment; (ii) (A)(x) by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(i), and after the date hereof and prior to the breach or failure to perform giving rise to such right of termination, a bona fide Competing Proposal (with, for all purposes of this Section 9.3(b)(ii), all percentages included in the definition of “Competing Proposal” increased to fifty percent (50%)) has been publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to the REIT II Board or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make such a Competing Proposal or (y) by REIT I or REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i) (and at the time of such termination REIT II would not have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(iv)) or Section 9.1(b)(iii) and after the date of this Agreement, a Competing Proposal with respect to REIT II has been made to REIT II or publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to REIT II’s 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 twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, a transaction in respect of a Competing Proposal with respect to REIT II is consummated or REIT II enters into a definitive agreement in respect of a Competing Proposal with respect to REIT II that is later consummated, REIT II shall pay to REIT I the REIT II Termination Payment; (iii) by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(i) (other than as described in Section 9.3(b)(ii)), then REIT II shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the Expense Reimbursement Payment; (iv) by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(ii), then REIT I shall pay to REIT II an amount equal to the REIT I Termination Payment; (v) by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iii), then REIT II shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the REIT II Termination Payment; 86


 
(vi) by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iv), then REIT II shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the REIT II Termination Payment; (vii) by REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(i) (other than as described in Section 9.3(b)(i)), then REIT I shall pay to REIT II an amount equal to the Expense Reimbursement Payment; (viii) by REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(ii), then REIT II shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the REIT II Termination Payment; (ix) by REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(iii), then REIT I shall pay to REIT II an amount equal to the REIT I Termination Payment; (x) by REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(iv), then REIT I shall pay to REIT II an amount equal to the REIT I Termination Payment; (xi) by REIT II pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i) and at the time of such termination REIT I would have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iv), then REIT II shall pay to REIT I an amount equal to the REIT II Termination Payment; or (xii) by REIT I pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i) and at the time of such termination REIT II would have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(iv), then REIT I shall pay to REIT II an amount equal to the REIT I Termination Payment. (c) The Parties agree and acknowledge that in no event shall any Party be required to pay a Termination Payment on more than one occasion. Payment of a Termination Payment shall be made by wire transfer of same day funds to the account or accounts designated by the Party entitled to payment thereof (the “Recipient”) (i) prior to or concurrently at the time of consummation of any transaction contemplated by an Competing Proposal, in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(i) or Section 9.3(b)(ii), (ii) prior to or concurrently with termination of this Agreement, in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(iv) or Section 9.3(b)(viii), (iii) concurrently with termination of this Agreement, in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(xi) or Section 9.3(b)(xii), and (iv) as promptly as reasonably practicable after termination (and, in any event, within two (2) Business Days thereof), in the case of a Termination Payment payable pursuant to any other provision of Section 9.3(b). (d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a Termination Payment becomes payable, then such payment shall be the Recipient’s and its Affiliates’ sole and exclusive remedy as liquidated damages for any and all losses or damages of any nature against the Party obligated to pay the Termination Payment (the “Payor”) and its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Representatives in respect of this Agreement, any agreement executed in connection herewith, and the transaction contemplated hereby and thereby, including for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the termination of this Agreement, the failure of the Mergers to be consummated or for a breach or failure to perform hereunder (whether intentionally, unintentionally, or otherwise) or otherwise. (e) Each of the Parties acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 9.3 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that without these agreements, the other Parties would not enter into this Agreement. In the event that the Payor shall fail to pay the Termination Payment when due, the Payor shall reimburse the Recipient for all reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred or accrued by the Recipient (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) in connection with the collection under and enforcement of this Section 9.3. Further, if the Payor fails to timely pay any amount due pursuant to this Section 9.3, and, in order to obtain the payment, the Recipient 87


 
commences a suit which results in a judgment against the Payor for the payment set forth in this Section 9.3, the Payor shall pay to the Recipient its reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees) in connection with such suit, together with interest on such amount at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate of Citibank, N.A. in effect on the date such payment was required to be made through the date of payment. If payable, the Termination Payment shall not be payable more than once pursuant to this Agreement. (f) The Payor shall deposit into escrow an amount in cash equal to the Termination Payment with an escrow agent reasonably selected by the Recipient, after reasonable consultation with the Payor, and pursuant to a written escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) reflecting the terms set forth in this Section 9.3 and otherwise reasonably acceptable to each of the Parties and the escrow agent. The payment or deposit into escrow of the Termination Payment pursuant to this Section 9.3(b) shall be made by the Payor promptly after receipt of notice from the Recipient that the Escrow Agreement has been executed by the parties thereto. The Escrow Agreement shall provide that the Termination Payment in escrow or the applicable portion thereof shall be released to the Recipient on an annual basis based upon the delivery by the Recipient to the escrow agent of any one (or a combination) of the following: (i) a letter from the Recipient’s independent certified public accountants indicating the maximum amount that can be paid by the escrow agent to the Recipient without causing the Recipient to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code for the applicable taxable year of the Recipient determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute income described in Sections 856(c)(2)(A)-(H) or 856(c)(3)(A)-(I) of the Code (such income, “Qualifying REIT Income”), in which case the escrow agent shall release to the Recipient such maximum amount stated in the accountant’s letter; (ii) a letter from the Recipient’s counsel indicating that the Recipient received a private letter ruling from the IRS holding that the receipt by the Recipient of the Termination Payment would either constitute Qualifying REIT Income or would be excluded from gross income within the meaning of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, in which case the escrow agent shall release to the Recipient the remainder of the Termination Payment; or (iii) a letter from the Recipient’s counsel indicating that the Recipient has received a tax opinion from the Recipient’s outside counsel or accountant, respectively, to the effect that the receipt by the Recipient of the Termination Payment should either constitute Qualifying REIT Income or should be excluded from gross income within the meaning of Section 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, in which case the escrow agent shall release to the Recipient the remainder of the Termination Payment. The Parties agree to cooperate in good faith to amend this Section 9.3(f) at the reasonable request of the Recipient in order to (A) maximize the portion of the Termination Payment that may be distributed to the Recipient hereunder without causing the Recipient to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, (B) improve the Recipient’s chances of securing the favorable private letter ruling from the IRS described in this Section 9.3(f) or (C) assist the Recipient in obtaining the favorable tax opinion from its outside counsel or accountant described in this Section 9.3(f). The Escrow Agreement shall provide that the Recipient shall bear all costs and expenses under the Escrow Agreement and that any portion of the Termination Payment held in escrow for ten (10) years shall be released by the escrow agent to the Payor. The Payor shall not be a party to the Escrow Agreement and shall not bear any liability, cost or expense resulting directly or indirectly from the Escrow Agreement (other than any Taxes imposed on the Payor in connection therewith). The Recipient shall fully indemnify the Payor and hold the Payor harmless from and against any such liability, cost or expense. 88


 
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 or the REIT II 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. ARTICLE 10 GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 10.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties and Certain Covenants. None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the 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 a pdf attachment (providing confirmation of transmission) at the following addresses or facsimile numbers (or at such other address or facsimile number for a Party as shall be specified by like notice): (a) if to a REIT II Party to: The Special Committee of the Board of Directors Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. Griffin Capital Plaza 1520 E. Grand Avenue El Segundo, California 90245 Attn: Kathleen Briscoe, Chairperson email: kathy.briscoe@gmail.com with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to: Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP 1600 Atlanta Financial Center 3343 Peachtree Road, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30326 Attn: Lauren B. Prevost, Esq. and Amie Singer, Esq. email: lprevost@mmmlaw.com; asinger@mmmlaw.com Fax: (404) 365-9532 89


 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. Griffin Capital Plaza 1520 E. Grand Avenue El Segundo, California 90245 Attn: Howard S. Hirsch, Esq., General Counsel email: hhirsch@griffincapital.com Fax: (310) 606-5910 if to a REIT I Party to: The Special Committee of the Board of Directors Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. Griffin Capital Plaza 1520 E. Grand Avenue El Segundo, California 90245 Attn: Greg Cazel, Chairperson email: greg.cazel@huntcompanies.com with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: Venable LLP 750 E. Pratt Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Attention: Sharon A. Kroupa email: skroupa@venable.com Fax: (410) 244-7742 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP Atlantic Station 201 17th Street NW Atlanta, Georgia 30363 Attn: Michael K. Rafter email: mike.rafter@nelsonmullins.com Fax: (404) 322-6050 Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. Griffin Capital Plaza 1520 E. Grand Avenue El Segundo, California 90245 Attn: Howard S. Hirsch, Esq., General Counsel email: hhirsch@griffincapital.com Fax: (310) 606-5910 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 90


 
determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that transactions contemplated by this Agreement be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible. Section 10.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall be deemed one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered (by telecopy, electronic delivery or otherwise) to the other Parties. Signatures to this Agreement transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in “portable document form” (“pdf”), or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature. Section 10.5 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement (including the Exhibits, Schedules, the REIT I Disclosure Letter and the 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 3 (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 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 91


 
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 9, each Party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and each Party hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such Party is entitled at Law or in equity. Section 10.10 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.10. Section 10.11 Authorship. The Parties agree that the terms and language of this Agreement are the result of negotiations between the Parties and their respective advisors and, as a result, there shall be no presumption that any ambiguities in this Agreement shall be resolved against any Party. Any controversy over construction of this Agreement shall be decided without regard to events of authorship or negotiation. 92


 
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. Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. By: /s/ Kevin A. Shields Name: Kevin A. Shields Title: Chief Executive Officer Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. By: Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc., not in its individual capacity but solely as general partner By: /s/ Kevin A. Shields Name: Kevin A. Shields Title: Chief Executive Officer [Signature Page to the Agreement and Plan of Merger]


 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. By: /s/ Michael J. Escalante Name: Michael J. Escalante Title: President Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership II, L.P. By: Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc., not in its individual capacity but solely as general partner By: /s/ Michael J. Escalante Name: Michael J. Escalante Title: President Globe Merger Sub, LLC By: Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc., its Sole Member By: /s/ Michael J. Escalante Name: Michael J. Escalante Title: President [Signature Page to the Agreement and Plan of Merger]


 
Exhibit 2.2



CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.,
AS CONTRIBUTEE,
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.,
AND
GRIFFIN CAPITAL COMPANY, LLC AND GRIFFIN CAPITAL, LLC,
AS CONTRIBUTOR
DATED AS OF DECEMBER 14, 2018

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement ”) is entered into as of December 14, 2018, by and among Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ” or the “Contributee ”) and Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation ( “GCEAR ”), as the general partner of the Contributee, on the one hand, and Griffin Capital Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( “GCC” ) and Griffin Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GC LLC” ) (GCC and GC LLC collectively referred to as the “Contributor” ), on the other hand. Contributee and Contributor are collectively referred to as the “Parties” , and each, a “Party” . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Article 9 to this Agreement.
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, GCC is the parent company of GC LLC, which is in turn the parent company of Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC (“ GRECO ”);
WHEREAS, GRECO is the parent company of Griffin Capital Essential Asset Advisor, LLC, the advisor to GCEAR (the “ GCEAR Advisor ”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset Advisor II, LLC (the “ GCEAR II Advisor ”), the advisor to Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. (“ GCEAR II ”), and Griffin Capital Property Management, LLC (“ GCPM ”), which is the parent company of Griffin Capital Essential Asset Property Management, LLC, the property manager for GCEAR (the “ GCEAR Property Manager ”) and Griffin Capital Essential Asset Property Management II, LLC, the property manager for GCEAR II (the “ GCEAR II Property Manager ”) (GCEAR Advisor, GCEAR II Advisor, GCPM, GCEAR Property Manager, and GCEAR II Property Manager, along with each of their direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, are each individually a “ GRECO Subsidiary ” and collectively the “ GRECO Subsidiaries ”); and
WHEREAS , each of GCC and GC LLC own certain operating assets including, but not limited to, the Contributed Assets (as defined below);
WHEREAS , GRECO, through the GRECO Subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of serving as the advisor and property manager to GCEAR and GCEAR II (the “ Business ”) and owns certain assets

    
    




including, but not limited to, direct or indirect ownership of the membership interests in the GRECO Subsidiaries; and
WHEREAS , concurrently with this Agreement, certain of the parties hereto are entering into the Transaction Documents.
WHEREAS , Contributee and Contributor desire to enter into a self-administration transaction in which GCC and GC LLC each contribute and the Contributee receives and accepts the Contributed Assets.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the above recitals, the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1

CONTRIBUTION OF ASSETS
1.1      Contribution of the Contributed Assets . On and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, GCC and GC LLC each agree to contribute, convey, transfer, irrevocably assign and deliver to the Contributee the assets set forth on, or described in, Schedule 1.1 (collectively, the “ Contributed Assets ”), in exchange for the Contribution Value, except as provided herein, free and clear of all Encumbrances, and at the Closing, the Contributee agrees to accept contribution of the Contributed Assets and assume the Assumed Liabilities, if any, in exchange for the Contribution Value.
1.2      Excluded Assets . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Contributed Assets shall not include any of the rights, properties or assets set forth on, or described in Schedule 1.2 (collectively, the “ Excluded Assets ”).
1.3      Assumed Liabilities . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, including without limitation Section 7.2 , at the Closing, the Contributee shall assume from the Contributor the liabilities and obligations of the Contributor solely to the extent set forth on, or described in, Schedule 1.3 (each an “ Assumed Liability ” and, collectively, the “ Assumed Liabilities ”) and thereafter pay, perform and otherwise discharge the Assumed Liabilities in accordance with their terms. Except for the Assumed Liabilities, nothing contained in any Transaction Document shall be interpreted or construed to result in the assumption by the Contributee, or result in the Contributee becoming in any way liable for, any Liabilities of GCC or GC LLC (each an “ Excluded Liability ” and, collectively, the “ Excluded Liabilities ”).
1.4      Consideration . (a) For the Contributed Assets, at the Closing, the Contributee shall issue and deliver to GC LLC 20,438,684 units of Class A limited partnership interest in the Contributee (the “ OP Units ”) having the agreed value set forth on Schedule 1.4(a) (the “ Contribution Value ”).
(b) As additional consideration for the Contributed Assets, the Contributee shall issue to GC LLC OP Units (“ Earn-Out OP Units ”) having the agreed value per unit set forth on Schedule 1.4(b) (the “ Earn-Out Value ”) and an aggregate value equal to the amounts in excess of three million dollars ($3,000,000) received by GCEAR II Advisor as an annual performance distribution attributable to the GCEAR II Closing AUM (the “ Earn-Out Consideration ”), until the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is five (5) years following the date of this Agreement, and (ii) the date that the total Earn-Out Consideration equals twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000).

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(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if GCEAR merges with and into GCEAR II or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof prior to the satisfaction of either of the foregoing Section 1.4(b)(i ) or (ii) , then (A) immediately prior to the effective time of such merger, the Contributee shall issue to GC LLC the number of OP Units having the agreed per unit value set forth on Schedule 1.4(c)(i) and an aggregate value equal to twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) (reduced by the amount received by GC LLC pursuant to Section 1.4(b) , if any) as Earn-Out Consideration in full satisfaction of Section 1.4(b) (the “ Merger Earn-Out OP Units ”), and (B) the Contributee shall pay to GCC the cash earn-out consideration described on Schedule 1.4(c)(ii) (the “Merger Earn-Out Cash Consideration” ). In addition, if the Contributee merges with Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership II, L.P. (“ GCEAR II OP ”), at the effective time of such partnership merger, the Merger Earn-Out OP Units will be converted into a number of Class E operating partnership units of the merged partnership (which will be established in connection with such merger transaction) at the same exchange ratio used in the GCEAR and GCEAR II merger transaction.
(d) Except for payment in the event of a merger as described in the foregoing Section 1.4(c) , payments of Earn-Out Consideration shall commence upon the end of the first full calendar year following the date of this Agreement and shall be made annually thereafter until GC LLC is no longer entitled to receive the Earn-Out Consideration in accordance with this Section 1.4 .
1.5      Assignment of Certain Contracts . Subject to Section 1.6 , at the Closing, effective as of the Effective Date, the Contributee shall succeed to the rights and privileges of the Contributor, and shall perform, or cause its subsidiaries to perform, at and after the Effective Date as an Assumed Liability, all Contracts and Permits of GCC, GC LLC, and GRECO that are set forth on Schedule 1.5 (the “ Assigned Contracts ”).
1.6      Consent of Third Parties . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Transaction Document, to the extent that the assignment of all or any portion of any of the Assigned Contracts shall require the consent of the other party thereto or any third Person, or if any Permit is non-assignable or assignable only with the consent of the Governmental Entity issuing the same or any third Person, then in any and all such instances, this Agreement shall not constitute an agreement to assign any such Assigned Contracts or Permits, if such an assignment would constitute a breach or violation thereof. In order, however, to provide the Contributee the full realization and value of such Assigned Contracts and Permits, the Contributor and the Contributee shall take all commercially reasonable actions and do or cause to be done all commercially reasonable things in cooperation with one another as shall be necessary or proper to assure that the rights of GCC, GC LLC, and GRECO under such Assigned Contracts or Permits shall be preserved for the benefit of the Contributee and transferred or issued to the Contributee when such third Person consent, or in the case of Permits consent of the applicable Governmental Entity, or the issuance of a replacement Permit in the name of the Contributee , is received.
1.7      Tax Treatment . The acquisition of the Contributed Assets from the Contributor by the Contributee in exchange for OP Units is intended to qualify as a tax-deferred contribution of assets to the Contributee in exchange for OP Units under Code Section 721. Contributee and Contributor each hereby agree to report the transactions contemplated herein for all income tax purposes (including, without limitation, for purposes of reporting on any income tax returns filed by Contributee and Contributor) in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of this Section 1.7 and none of the Parties shall take any position (whether in audits, or Tax Returns or otherwise) that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 1.7 unless required to do so by applicable Law.
1.8      Contributor Name . From and after the Closing Date, the Contributor, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Affiliates, grants to the Contributee a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-

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sublicenseable, royalty-free, right and license to use the names “Griffin” or “Griffin Capital” or any derivation thereof to the same extent as such names were used in the Business immediately prior to the Closing.
ARTICLE 2

CLOSING
2.1      Closing . The closing of the contribution and exchange of the Contributed Assets, as the case may be (the “ Closing ”), is taking place contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents by the Parties who or which are parties thereto at the offices of GCC, Griffin Capital Plaza, 1520 E. Grand Avenue, El Segundo, California 90245, at 10:00 a.m., local time on Friday, December 14, 2018 ( the “ Closing Date ”).
2.2      Closing Deliveries by GCC . On the Closing Date, GCC shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Contributee:
(a)      A Bill of Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreement, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A (a “ Bill of Sale and Assumption Agreement ”), duly executed by GCC, assigning and transferring GCC’s Personal Property used in the Business and effecting the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities;
(b)      An Assignment of Contracts, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit B (an “ Assignment of Contracts Agreement ”), duly executed by GCC, GC LLC, and GRECO, assigning and transferring the Assigned Contracts;
(c)      An Assignment of Domain Names, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit C (an “ Assignment of Domain Names ”), duly executed by GCC;
(d)      An Assignment of Trademarks, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit D (an “ Assignment of Trademarks ”) duly executed by GCC;
(e)      An assignment in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Contributee of GC LLC’s right, title and interest in all of the membership interests in GRECO;
(f)      Any GCC Required Third Party Consents received on or before the Closing Date;
(g)      Any GC LLC Required Third Party Consents received on or before the Closing Date;
(h)      Any GRECO Required Third Party Consents received on or before the Closing Date;
(i)      Employment agreements between the individuals listed on Schedule 2.2(i) and GRECO, GCEAR, and Contributee , duly executed by such individuals and GRECO (the “ Key Person Employment Agreements ”);
(j)      The Administrative Services Agreement, duly executed by GCC, GC LLC, and GRECO;
(k)      A certificate of the Secretary of GCC, certifying as to:

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(A)      Resolutions of GCC’s and GC LLC’s managers and members, if necessary, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which GCC is a party, and
(B)      The incumbency of any and all GCC and GC LLC officers or managers, executing the Transaction Documents on behalf of GCC and GC LLC, respectively;
(l)      A good standing certificate, dated not earlier than ten (10) days next preceding the Closing Date, for GCC and GC LLC from their respective jurisdiction of formation or organization; and
(m)      The Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement, duly executed by GCEAR Advisor;
(n)      The Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by GC LLC; and
(o)      Such other certificates, opinions, documents or instruments as may reasonably be requested of GCC, GC LLC, and GRECO by Contributee, consistent with the terms of and transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.3      Closing Deliveries by Contributee . On the Closing Date, GCEAR, or Contributee, as the case may be, shall deliver to Contributor:
(a)      Issuance of the OP Units to GC LLC, in accordance with Section 1.4(a) ;
(b)      The Bill of Sale and Assumption Agreement, duly executed by Contributee;
(c)      The Assignment of Contracts Agreement, referred to in Section 2.2(b) , duly executed by Contributee;
(d)      The Assignment of Domain Names, referred to in Section 2.2(c) , duly executed by Contributee;
(e)      The Assignment of Trademarks, referred to in Section 2.2(d) , duly executed by Contributee;
(f)      The assignment referred to in Section 2.2(e) , duly executed by Contributee;
(g)      The Key Person Employment Agreements, referred to in Section 2.2(i) , duly executed by GCEAR and the Contributee;
(h)      The Administrative Services Agreement, duly executed by GCEAR and the Contributee;
(i)      A certificate of the Secretary of GCEAR, certifying as to:
(A)      Resolutions of GCEAR’s directors and stockholders, if necessary, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which GCEAR is a party, and

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(B)      The incumbency of any and all GCEAR officers, executing the Transaction Documents on behalf of GCEAR;
(j)      A certificate of the Secretary of the general partner of the Contributee, certifying as to:
(A)      Resolutions of the general partner of the Contributee and the limited partners, if necessary, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which the Contributee is a party, and
(B)      The incumbency of any and all officers of the general partner of the Contributee, executing the Transaction Documents on behalf of the Contributee;
(k)      Good standing certificates, dated not earlier than ten (10) days next preceding the Closing Date, for GCEAR and the Contributee, respectively, from their respective jurisdictions of formation or organization;
(l)      The Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement, duly executed by GCEAR and the Contributee;
(m)      The Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by GCEAR; and
(n)      Such other certificates, opinions, documents or instruments as may reasonably be requested of GCEAR and/or the Contributee by GCC, consistent with the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement.
ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GCC AND GC LLC
GCC and GC LLC, severally and not jointly, represent and warrant to Contributee as follows:
3.1      Organization and Good Standing of GCC and GC LLC . Each of GCC and GC LLC is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware as amended. Each of GCC and GC LLC is duly authorized to conduct its business and is in good standing under the applicable Laws of each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on GCC, GC LLC, or either of them. Each of GCC and GC LLC has the requisite power and authority necessary to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Each of GCC and GC LLC has delivered to GCEAR or the Contributee complete and correct copies of its Organizational Documents, as amended to date. Each of GCC and GC LLC is in compliance with its Organizational Documents. There is no pending or, to GCC’s Knowledge, threatened Action for the dissolution, liquidation or insolvency of GCC or GC LLC.
3.2      Organization and Good Standing of GRECO and GRECO Subsidiaries . GRECO is, and each of the GRECO Subsidiaries are, a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware as amended. GRECO, along with each GRECO Subsidiary, is duly authorized to conduct its business and is in good standing under the applicable Laws of each jurisdiction where such qualification is required. GRECO, along with each GRECO Subsidiary, has the requisite power and authority necessary to own or lease its properties and to

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carry on its business as presently conducted. GRECO and each GRECO Subsidiary has delivered to GCEAR or the Contributee complete and correct copies of its Organizational Documents, as amended to date. GRECO and each GRECO Subsidiary is in compliance with its Organizational Documents. There is no pending or, to GCC’s Knowledge, threatened Action for the dissolution, liquidation or insolvency of GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary.
3.3      Power and Authority; Enforceability . Each of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and the GRECO Subsidiaries have all requisite limited liability company power and authority to enter into each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. The execution and delivery of each of the Transaction Documents by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and the GRECO Subsidiaries and the consummation by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and the GRECO Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action on their respective parts. Each of the Transaction Documents has been, or upon execution and delivery will be, duly executed and delivered by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and the GRECO Subsidiaries, as applicable, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of such Transaction Documents by the other Parties thereto, will constitute, the valid and binding obligations of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and the GRECO Subsidiaries, enforceable against GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and the GRECO Subsidiaries in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
3.4      No Conflicts; Required Consents . Except as provided in Schedule 3.4(a ), 3.4(b) , and 3.4(c) , the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and the GRECO Subsidiaries does not, and the performance by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and the GRECO Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will not, § violate, conflict with, or result in any breach of any provision of their respective Organizational Documents, § violate, conflict with, or result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) under, or permit the termination of, or result in the acceleration of, or entitle any Person to accelerate any obligation of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or the GRECO Subsidiaries, or result in the loss of any benefit, or give rise to the creation of any Encumbrance on any property or asset of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any material instrument or obligation to which any property or asset of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary may be bound or subject, or § violate any Law applicable to GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary or by which or to which any property or asset of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary is bound or subject. Schedule 3.4(a) sets forth a complete and accurate list of each material consent, approval, waiver and authorization that is required to be obtained by GCC from, and each material notice that is required to be made by GCC to, any Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by GCC of this Agreement (the “ GCC Required Third Party Consents ”). Schedule 3.4(b) sets forth a complete and accurate list of each material consent, approval, waiver and authorization that is required to be obtained by GC LLC from, and each material notice that is required to be made by GC LLC to, any Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by GC LLC of this Agreement (the “ GC LLC Required Third Party Consents ”). Schedule 3.4(c) sets forth a complete and accurate list of each consent, approval, waiver and authorization that is required to be obtained by GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary from, and each notice that is required to be made by GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary to, any Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary of this Agreement (the “ GRECO Required Third Party Consents ”).

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3.5      Capitalization . The equity capitalization of GRECO is as set forth on Schedule 3.5(a) hereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5(a) , there are no rights of any kind, written or oral, granted by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any Subsidiary of GCC to acquire any interest in GRECO. The equity capitalization of each GRECO Subsidiary is as set forth on Schedule 3.5(b) hereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5(a) , there are no rights of any kind, written or oral, granted by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any Subsidiary of GCC to acquire any interest in any GRECO Subsidiary.
3.6      Financial Statements; Absence of Changes or Events .
(a)      Schedule 3.6(a) contains: (i) the consolidated audited balance sheets of GCC and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and the related statements of income and cash flows for the fiscal years then ended; and (ii) the unaudited balance sheet of GCC and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2018, and the related statements of income for the nine months then ended (collectively, the “ GCC Financial Statements ”). Except as set forth therein or in Schedule 3.6(a) , the GCC Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with GCC’s prior practices, are consistent with GCC’s books and records, and in all material respects present accurately and fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of GCC and its subsidiaries as of their respective dates and for the respective periods covered thereby in accordance with GAAP; provided, however , that such unaudited financial statements are subject to year-end adjustments, none of which are expected as of the date hereof to be material.
(b)      Schedule 3.6(b) contains: (i) the unaudited pro forma balance sheet of GRECO as of December 31, 2017 and the related statements of operations for the fiscal year then ended; and (ii) the unaudited pro forma balance sheet of GRECO as of September 30, 2018, with certain non-recurring adjustments reflected thereon, and the related statements of operations for the nine months then ended(collectively, the “ GRECO Financial Statements ”). Except as set forth therein or in Schedule 3.6(b) , the GRECO Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, with applicable pro forma adjustments, applied on a basis consistent with GRECO’s prior practices, are consistent with GRECO’s books and records, and in all material respects present accurately and fairly the financial position and results of operations of GRECO, on a pro forma basis, as of their respective dates and for the respective periods covered thereby in accordance with GAAP; provided, however , that such financial statements dated September 30, 2018 present financial information for nine months. These, along with such financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, are subject to adjustments, none of which are expected as of the date hereof to be material.
(c)      Except as set forth in Schedule 3.6(c) , since September 30, 2018, GRECO has conducted its Business only in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice. Without limiting the foregoing, since such date, with respect to the Business, there has not occurred a Material Adverse Effect.
3.7      Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities . Except as set forth in Schedule 3.7 , to GCC’s Knowledge, neither GRECO nor any GRECO Subsidiary has any material obligation or Liability (whether known or unknown, accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise, whether due or to become due and regardless of when asserted), other than (a) Liabilities set forth on the Liabilities side of the GRECO Financial Statements, and (b) Liabilities which have arisen after September 30, 2018 in the ordinary course of business (none of which is a material Liability resulting from breach of Contract or violation of Law, including any Environmental Law).
3.8      Compliance with Applicable Laws . Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8 , (a) GCC, GC LLC, and GRECO possess, and are in compliance in all material respects with, all Permits, approvals, franchises,

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Laws and registrations with Governmental Entities required to operate the Business and own, lease or otherwise hold the Contributed Assets under applicable Law; (b) GCC, GC LLC, and GRECO have conducted the Business and are now doing so in material compliance with all applicable Laws; (c) all material Permits required for the conduct of the Business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices, are in force and effect, and there are no Actions pending, or to GCC’s Knowledge threatened, that seek the revocation, cancellation, suspension or any material adverse modification of any such Permits; and (d) as of the Closing Date, none of GCC, GC LLC, or GRECO have received any written notice of any investigation commenced or pending by any Governmental Entity with respect to GRECO, the Business, or the Contributed Assets. The Permits included in the Contributed Assets constitute, to GCC’s Knowledge, all of the Permits required for the Contributee to own and use the Contributed Assets and operate the Business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices commencing the Effective Date.
3.9      Legal Proceedings . Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9 , (a) there are no Actions pending, or to GCC’s Knowledge threatened, against GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, any GRECO Subsidiary, the Business, or any material property or asset of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Entity with respect to the Business, nor is there any material investigation relating to GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, any GRECO Subsidiary, any property or asset of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary pending, or to GCC’s Knowledge threatened, by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Entity with respect to the Business; (b) there is no Order outstanding against GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary or affecting any property or asset of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary relating in any way to the Business; and (c) there is no Action pending, or to GCC’s Knowledge threatened, against GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary with respect to the Business.
3.10      Real Property . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10 , neither GRECO nor any GRECO Subsidiary owns or leases any real property.
3.11      Availability, Title to and Condition of Contributed Assets . Other than with respect to assets, properties, and rights subject to the El Segundo Lease Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement, the Contributed Assets constitute all the assets, properties, and rights necessary for the conduct of the Business in all material respects as presently conducted in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices. All of the material Personal Property used in the Business and included in the Contributed Assets, whether owned or leased, has been maintained in accordance with reasonable and customary business practice and is in good operating condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted. GCC and GC LLC each has good and valid title to all Contributed Assets that it purports to own, free and clear of any Encumbrances, except as would not be material to the Business. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.11 , none of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, nor any GRECO Subsidiary is in material default under any lease agreement for Personal Property included in the Contributed Assets to which such entity is a party.
3.12      Taxes . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12 , (a) GRECO and each GRECO Subsidiary has timely filed all Tax Returns required to be filed by it; (b) all such Tax Returns were correct and complete in all material respects; (c) GRECO and each GRECO Subsidiary has paid all Taxes shown as due and owing on such Tax Returns and all other material Taxes due and owing, other than any such Taxes that are being contested in good faith; (d) neither GRECO nor any GRECO Subsidiary is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return; (e) there are no liens for Taxes (other than Taxes not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith) upon any of the Contributed Assets; (f) no foreign, federal, state, or local tax audits or Actions on the part of any Taxing Authority are pending, or to GCC’s Knowledge are being conducted with respect to GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary; (g) neither GRECO nor any GRECO Subsidiary has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to

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any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency; (h) the Contributed Assets are not subject to any joint venture, partnership or other arrangement or Contract that is treated as a partnership for federal, state, local or foreign Tax purposes; and (i) no written claim against GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary has been received by GCC from a Taxing Authority that GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction and in which GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary does not file Tax Returns.
3.13      Contracts . Schedule 3.13 contains a list of Contracts exceeding $10,000 in value necessary for the continued operation of the Business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices immediately prior to the Closing (irrespective of whether GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary is a party thereto) (collectively, the “ GRECO Contracts ”). GCC has delivered to Contributee a correct and complete copy of each written agreement listed in Schedule 3.13 and a written summary setting forth the terms and conditions of each oral agreement referred to therein. With respect to each GRECO Contract listed on Schedule 3.13, except as disclosed on Schedule 3.13 , (i) the agreement is legal, valid, binding and in force and effect in accordance with its terms; (ii) GRECO and each GRECO Subsidiary is not, and to GCC’s Knowledge, no other Person who or which is a party to a GRECO Contract listed on Schedule 3.13 , is in material breach or default, and no material event has occurred (or is reasonably likely to occur) which with notice or lapse of time (or both) would constitute a material breach or default, or permit termination, modification, or acceleration under, such GRECO Contract; (iii) to GCC’s Knowledge, no party to a GRECO Contract listed on Schedule 3.13 has repudiated or threatened to repudiate any provision of any such GRECO Contract; and (iv) the Contributee’s acquisition of the Contributed Assets at the Closing, effective as of the Effective Date, will not give rise to a material breach, default or violation by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary of any GRECO Contract listed on Schedule 3.13 and will not require the consent or approval of any Third Party except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 3.13 .
3.14      Employee Benefit Matters .
(a)      Attached hereto as Schedule 3.14(a) are that certain (i) Service Agreement, bearing a start date of May 30, 2018, between Paylocity Corporation (individually or collectively, with any affiliates, successors or assignees thereof, “ Paylocity ”) and GCC, as amended (the “ Paylocity Service Agreement ”) and (ii) documents executed by GRECO to continue payroll obligations with Paylocity. GCC is in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the Paylocity Service Agreement. GCC has no Knowledge of the existence of facts that with the giving of notice, the passage of time or both would constitute a material default under the Paylocity Service Agreement by GCC.
(b)      Schedule 3.14(b) sets forth a list, as of the date of this Agreement, of each Employee Plan. Following the Closing Date, except with respect to the spinoff of the Qualified Plans and Executive Deferred Compensation Plan accounts attributable to Continuing Employees pursuant to Section 5.3 hereof, GRECO and the GRECO Subsidiaries will have no Liability or potential Liability with respect to any of the Employee Plans sponsored or maintained by GCC, GC LLC, or any ERISA Affiliate of GCC or GC LLC. GCC or GRECO have made available to Contributee a current, accurate and complete copy (or, to the extent no such copy exists, an accurate description) of each Employee Plan and, to the extent applicable: (i) any related trust agreement or other funding instrument; (ii) the most recent IRS determination letter, opinion letter or advisory letter, if applicable; (iii) any summary plan description; and (iv) for the three most recent years, the Form 5500 and attached schedules, audited financial statements, actuarial valuations and attorney’s response to auditor’s request for information.
(c)      None of GRECO, any GRECO Subsidiary, or any ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained, established, sponsored, participated in, or contributed to, or has ever had any Liability with

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respect to, any employee benefit plan that: (i) is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code; (ii) is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA; (iii) is a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA; (iv) is a “multiple employer plan” within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Code; or (v) promises or provides retiree medical or other retiree welfare benefits to any Person other than as required under COBRA or other applicable legal requirements. No Employee Plan has ever been funded through a “welfare benefit fund” as defined in Code Section 419(e), and no benefits under any Employee Plan are or at any time have been provided through a voluntary employees’ beneficiary association (within the meaning of Code Section 501(c)(9)) or a supplemental unemployment benefit plan (within the meaning of Code Section 501(c)(17)).
(d)      No actions, suits, or claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course of business) are pending or threatened with respect to any Employee Plan. No audit or investigation by the IRS, the DOL or other Governmental Entity is pending or threatened with respect to any Employee Plan. Each Employee Plan has been maintained and administered in all material respects in compliance with its terms and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable Laws. With respect to each Employee Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of a “qualified plan” under Code Section 401(a), the Employee Plan has received and is entitled to rely on a determination from the Internal Revenue Service that such Employee 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 GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, the GRECO Subsidiary, or the ERISA Affiliate (as applicable) has properly adopted such Employee Plan. No event or documentation defect with respect to any Employee Plan has occurred which would reasonably cause such Employee Plan to become disqualified for purposes of Code Section 401(a) or which could cause GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary to incur any monetary penalty or other Liability.
(e)      Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14(e) , all contributions and other payments required to be made at or before the Effective Date with respect to, or on behalf of, any Employee Plan, have been paid or accrued. GCC has paid or accrued amounts sufficient to pay insurance premiums for benefits provided on or before the Effective Date under the insured Employee Plans, and has paid or accrued all amounts due on or before the Effective Date as contributions under each Employee Plan that is a pension plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA. There are no outstanding Liabilities under the Paylocity Service Agreement or any Employee Plan other than Liabilities for benefits to be paid in the ordinary course to participants in each such Employee Plan and their beneficiaries.
(f)      Each Employee Plan that is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code is either in material compliance with, or meets an exemption from, Section 409A of the Code, and no service provider has or could reasonably be expected to become subject to taxation or penalties under Section 409A of the Code in connection therewith. None of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary has terminated any nonqualified deferred compensation plan covering a Continuing Employee since January 1, 2016.
(g)      No amount that could be received (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) as a result of the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (alone or in combination with any other event) by any Person who is a “disqualified individual” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any compensation arrangement could be characterized as a “parachute payment” (as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code). No Employee Plan could give rise to the payment of any amount that would not be deductible pursuant to Code Section 162(m) or 280G.

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3.15      Labor . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 , (a) none of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, nor any GRECO Subsidiary is, nor has ever been, a party to any collective bargaining agreement; (b) no application or petition for an election, or for certification, of a collective bargaining agent is pending; (c) there has not been in the three (3) years preceding the date of this Agreement, there is not presently pending or existing, and there is not threatened, any strike, slowdown, picketing or work stoppage or employee grievance process involving GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary; (d) no Action is pending or threatened against or affecting GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary, nor has there been any such actual or threatened Action in the three (3) years preceding the date of this Agreement, relating to the alleged violation of any Law pertaining to labor relations, including any charge or complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board, and there is no organizational activity or other labor dispute against or affecting GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary; and (e) there is no and has never been any lockout of any employees by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary.
3.16      Employees .
(a)      All material payments of compensation, including wages, commissions, and bonuses, and related Taxes that were required to be made, or accrued, by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary on or before the Closing Date were made or accrued in full as of such date with respect to, or on behalf of, any Continuing Employee in accordance with the Paylocity Service Agreement and applicable Laws. As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding agreements, understandings or commitments of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary with respect to any compensation, including commissions and bonuses, of any Continuing Employee except increases occurring in the customary practices, and included in the GRECO 2019 budget, or as reflected in this Agreement and the Schedules hereto, or except for coverage under the Employee Plans or substantially similar plans, programs or arrangements, or except for any captive insurance arrangement.
(b)      Except as listed on Schedule 3.16(b) , as of the date hereof, (i) no Continuing Employees are on a leave of absence for any reason, including without limitation a leave of absence for short or long term disability or a leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, or the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended, and (ii) no Continuing Employee has given notice that he or she has planned a leave of absence that would commence after the Closing Date.
(c)      Schedule 3.16(c) sets forth for Continuing Employees the aggregate vacation, leave or other paid time-off (other than unlimited PTO) they have accrued but not used as of the Closing Date (together, “ PTO ”), and identifies those Continuing Employees entitled to unlimited PTO as of the Closing Date. GCC has properly accrued all such PTO on the GCC Financial Statements, provided that accruals for those Continuing Employees entitled to unlimited PTO has been accrued solely at the grandfathered accrual level in effect at the date they converted to unlimited days ( “Grandfathered PTO” ).  Except for such PTO and any unlimited PTO rights of Continuing Employees as listed on Schedule 3.16(c) , no other PTO, vacation, or other paid leave obligations have been accrued by or are owing to the Continuing Employees as of the Closing Date, whether directly by GCC or indirectly through Paylocity.
(d)      GRECO, and each GRECO Subsidiary is, and has been for the three (3) years preceding the date of this Agreement, in compliance with all Laws and Orders regarding the terms and conditions of employment or other labor related matters, including Laws and Orders relating to discrimination, fair labor standards and occupational health and safety or wrongful discharge, wages, hours, workers compensation, worker classification, collective bargaining, plant closing, and the payment and withholding of Taxes with respect to their employees. There are no, and there has not been for the three (3)

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years preceding the date of this Agreement, Actions pending or, to GCC’s Knowledge, threatened against GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary brought by or on behalf of any applicant for employment, any current or former employee, or any current or former independent contractor, or any class of the foregoing, relating to any Laws or Orders referenced in the foregoing sentence; alleging breach of any express or implied contract of employment, wrongful termination of employment or service; alleging any other discriminatory, wrongful or tortious conduct in connection with the employment or service relationship; or in respect of which any director, officer, member, employee or agent may be entitled to claim indemnification from GCEAR, GCEAR OP, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary.
(e)      All current and former employees of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary who have been classified as exempt under the FLSA have been properly classified and treated as such, and all Persons who have provided services to GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary as independent contractors or consultants have been properly classified as independent contractors rather than employees.
(f)      All employees of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary who work in the United States are legally authorized to work in the United States. GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary has completed and retained the necessary employment verification paperwork under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (“IRCA”) for all such employees.
(g)      Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.16(g) , as of the date hereof, none of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary has outstanding any commitment or agreement to increase the compensation payable, or to modify the conditions or terms of employment or service of, any Continuing Employee except increases occurring in the customary practices, and included in the GRECO 2019 budget, or in accordance with existing agreements and changes required by applicable Law.
(h)      Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.16(h) , the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by GCC or GCEAR, alone or in combination with any other event, will not (i) constitute a triggering event that will result in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise) becoming due from GRECO or any of the GRECO Subsidiaries or any Employee Plan to or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting or increase the amount of compensation due to, any current or former employee, independent contractor, officer, or director (or dependents of such Persons).
3.17      Insurance .
(a)      Schedule 3.17 accurately sets forth, with respect to each insurance policy maintained by, or at the expense of, or for the direct benefit of, GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary in connection with the Business or the Contributed Assets: (i) the name of the insurance carrier that issued such policy and the policy number of such policy; (ii) whether such policy is a “claims made” or an “occurrences” policy; (iii) a description of the coverage provided by such policy and the material terms and provisions of such policy (including all applicable coverage limits, deductible amounts and co-insurance arrangements and any non-customary exclusions from coverage); (iv) the annual premium payable with respect to such policy, and the cash value (if any) of such policy; and (v) a description of any material claims pending, and any material claims that have been asserted since January 1, 2018, with respect to such policy or any predecessor insurance policy. Each of the policies identified in Schedule 3.17 is valid, enforceable and in force and effect and has been issued by an insurance carrier that is to GCC’s Knowledge solvent, financially sound and reputable. All of the information contained in the applications submitted in connection with said policies to the Knowledge of GCC was (at the times said applications were submitted) accurate and complete

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in all material respects, and to GCC’s Knowledge, all premiums and other amounts owing with respect to said policies were paid in full on a timely basis.
(b)      Schedule 3.17 identifies each insurance claim made by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary in connection with the Business or the Contributed Assets since January 1, 2018. To GCC’s Knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 3.17 , no event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that might (with or without notice or lapse of time) directly or indirectly give rise to or serve as a basis for any such insurance claim. GCC has not received: (i) any written notice or other communication from the applicable insurance carrier regarding the actual or possible cancellation or invalidation of any of the policies identified in Schedule 3.17 ; (ii) any written notice or other communication from the applicable insurance carrier regarding any actual or possible refusal of coverage under, or any actual or possible rejection of any claim under, any of the policies identified in Schedule 3.17 ; or (iii) any written indication from the issuer of any of the policies identified in Schedule 3.17 that it may be unwilling or unable to perform any of its obligations thereunder.
3.18      Subsidiaries . Except for its direct or indirect ownership interests in GC LLC, GRECO, and the GRECO Subsidiaries, GCC does not directly or indirectly own any equity or similar interest in, or any interest convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, any equity or similar interest in, any limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business entity that is necessary for the conduct of the Business.
3.19      Intellectual Property .
(a)      Schedule 3.19(a) lists each Mark included in the Contributed Assets or currently used by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary in the operation of the Business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices. To GCC’s actual knowledge, unless otherwise set forth on Schedule 3.19(a) , all such Marks (i) have been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or with a corresponding state office, (ii) are currently in compliance in all material respects with all formal legal requirements (including the timely post-registration filing of affidavits of use and incontestability and renewal applications), (iii) are valid and enforceable, and (iv) not subject to any Actions or maintenance fees or Taxes that are or will become due within 90 days after the Closing Date. To GCC’s actual knowledge, no Mark listed on Schedule 3.19(a) and except as otherwise described on such Schedule 3.19(a) has been, or is now involved in any pending Action that opposes or seeks invalidation or cancellation of any such Mark, and to GCC’s actual knowledge without independent investigation, no such Action is threatened. To GCC’s actual knowledge without independent investigation, all products and materials used by GCC in connection with the Business and containing one or more of such Marks bear any legal notice required by applicable Law, except where the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Business.
(b)      Schedule 3.19(b) lists each Domain Name used by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary in the operation of the Business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices. To GCC’s Knowledge, all Domain Names listed on Schedule 3.19(b) that have been registered are (i) currently in compliance in all material respects with all formal legal requirements, (ii) valid and enforceable, and (iii) not subject to any Actions or maintenance fees or Taxes that are or will become due within 90 days after the Closing Date.
(c)      GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and each GRECO Subsidiary, as applicable, owns or has the right to use pursuant to Contract or otherwise all Intellectual Property necessary to operate the Business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices immediately prior to the Closing. Each such item of Intellectual Property that is used by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and any GRECO Subsidiary in

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the operation of the Business will be owned or available for use by Contributee on or immediately after the Effective Date on the same material terms and conditions. To GCC’s Knowledge, it has taken all reasonably necessary action to maintain and protect each such item of Intellectual Property, except where the failure do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Business.
(d)      GCC has delivered to Contributee copies of all written documentation in its possession that evidences the ownership (or other right to use), the right to maintain and prosecute (if applicable), and support, each item of Intellectual Property used by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary in the operation of the Business. With respect to each such item of Intellectual Property, to GCC’s Knowledge: (i) GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, and each GRECO Subsidiary, as applicable, possesses all right, title, and interest in and to the item, free and clear of any Encumbrance; (ii) each item is not subject to any outstanding Order; (iii) no Action is pending, or threatened (and there is no basis therefor), which challenges the enforceability, use, or ownership of the item; and (iv) except as set forth on Schedule 3.19(d)(iv) , none of GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary agreed to indemnify any Person for, or against, any interference, infringement, misappropriation, or other conflict with respect to each such item.
3.20      Securities Law Matters; Transfer Restrictions .
(a)      GCC and GC LLC acknowledge that the Contributee intends the offer and issuance of the OP Units to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws by virtue of (i) the status of GC LLC as an “accredited investor” within the meaning of the federal securities Laws, and (ii) Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act (“ Regulation D ”), and that the Contributee will rely in part upon the representations and warranties made by GC LLC in this Agreement in making the determination that the offer and issuance of the OP Units qualify for exemption under Rule 506 of Regulation D as an offer and sale only to “accredited investors.”
(b)      GC LLC is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of the federal securities Law, particularly Regulation D.
(c)      GC LLC will acquire the OP Units for its own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act. GC LLC does not intend or anticipate that GC LLC will rely on this investment as a principal source of income.
(d)      GC LLC has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial, Tax, and business matters to enable it to evaluate the merits and risks of investment in the OP Units. GC LLC has the ability to bear the economic risk of acquiring the OP Units. GC LLC acknowledges that (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement involve complex Tax consequences for GC LLC, and GC LLC is relying solely on the advice of GC LLC’s own Tax advisors in evaluating such consequences; (ii) the Contributee has not made (nor shall it be deemed to have made) any representations or warranties as to the Tax consequences of such transaction to GC LLC; and (iii) references in this Agreement to the intended Tax effect of the transactions contemplated hereby shall not be deemed to imply any representation by the Contributee as to a particular Tax effect that may be obtained by GC LLC. GC LLC remains solely responsible for all Tax matters relating to GC LLC.
(e)      GC LLC has been supplied with, or had access to, information to which a reasonable investor would attach significance in making an investment decision to acquire the OP Units and any other information GC LLC has requested. GC LLC has had an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive information and answers from, the Contributee and GCEAR concerning the Contributee, GCEAR, the OP Units, the contribution of the Contributed Assets and the shares of GCEAR common stock into which the OP Units may be exchanged, and to assess and evaluate any information supplied to GC LLC by the

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Contributee or GCEAR II, and all such questions have been answered, and all such information has been provided to the satisfaction of GC LLC.
(f)      GC LLC acknowledges that GC LLC is aware that there are substantial restrictions on the transferability of the OP Units and that the OP Units will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities Laws, and GC LLC has no right to require that they be so registered. GC LLC agrees that any OP Units it acquires will not be sold in the absence of registration unless such sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws. GC LLC acknowledges that GC LLC shall be responsible for compliance with all conditions on transfer imposed by any Governmental Entity or self-regulatory entity administering the securities Laws and for any expenses incurred by the Contributee for legal or accounting services in connection with reviewing a proposed transfer or issuing opinions in connection therewith.
(g)      GC LLC understands that no Governmental Entity (including the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”)) has made, or will make, any finding or determination as to the fairness of an investment in the OP Units.
(h)      GC LLC understands that there is no established public, private or other market for the OP Units to be issued to GC LLC hereunder, and it is not anticipated that there will be any public, private or other market for such OP Units in the foreseeable future.
(i)      GC LLC understands that Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act is not currently available with respect to the sale of OP Units.
ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTEE AND GCEAR
The Contributee and GCEAR, severally and not jointly, and solely as to itself, represent and warrant to the Contributor, as follows:
4.1      Organization and Related Matters . Each of the Contributee and GCEAR is a limited partnership or corporation, respectively, duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization or incorporation. Each of the Contributee and GCEAR has all necessary limited partnership or corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted.
4.2      Authority . Each of the Contributee and GCEAR has all requisite limited partnership or corporate power and authority to enter into each of the Transaction Documents to which the Contributee and GCEAR is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. The execution and delivery of each of the Transaction Documents by the Contributee and GCEAR and the consummation by the Contributee and GCEAR of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership or corporate action on the part of the Contributee and GCEAR, respectively. Each of the Transaction Documents has been, or upon execution and delivery will be, duly executed and delivered and constitute, or upon execution and delivery will constitute, the valid and binding obligations of the Contributee and GCEAR, enforceable against the Contributee and GCEAR in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

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4.3      No Conflicts; Required Consents . Except as provided in Schedule 4.3 , the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Contributee and GCEAR does not, and the performance by the Contributee and GCEAR of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will not, § violate, conflict with, or result in any breach of any provision of the Contributee’s and GCEAR’s respective Organizational Documents, § violate, conflict with, or result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) under, or permit the termination, or result in the acceleration, of, or entitle any party to accelerate, any obligation of the Contributee and GCEAR, or result in the loss of any benefit, or give rise to the creation of any Encumbrance on any property or asset of the Contributee or GCEAR under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any material instrument or obligation to which any property or asset of the Contributee or GCEAR may be bound or subject, except any such violation, which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Contributee, GCEAR or either of them, or § violate any Law applicable to the Contributee or GCEAR or by or to which any property or asset of the Contributee or GCEAR is bound or subject. Schedule 4.3 sets forth a complete and accurate list of each material consent, approval, waiver and authorization that is required to be obtained by the Contributee and GCEAR from, and each material notice that is required to be made by the Contributee and GCEAR to, any Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Contributee and GCEAR of this Agreement (the “ GCEAR Required Third Party Consents ”).
4.4      Issuance of Units . The OP Units, when issued and delivered in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and, except as provided in the Operating Partnership Agreement and except as affected by Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, non-assessable. The OP Units will be free of any Encumbrances created by the Contributee or GCEAR; provided, however , that the OP Units are subject to restrictions on transfer under federal and state securities Laws and as otherwise set forth in the Contributee’s Limited Partnership Agreement. The OP Units will not be issued in violation of any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal granted by GCEAR or the Contributee.
4.5      Tax Status of the Contributee . The Contributee has at all times during its existence been properly treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and not as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for such purposes. Each subsidiary of the Contributee other than Griffin Capital Essential Asset TRS, Inc. has at all times during its existence been properly treated as either a “disregarded entity” or a partnership for federal income tax purposes and not as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for such purposes. Griffin Capital Essential Asset TRS, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Contributee, has at all times during its existence been properly treated as a “taxable REIT subsidiary” within the meaning of Code Section 856(l), and is taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
4.6      REIT Status . GCEAR elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2010. Commencing with such taxable year, GCEAR has at all times been organized and operated in such a manner so as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code, and the current and proposed method of operation for GCEAR is expected to enable GCEAR to continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT through and including the closing of the merger between GCEAR and GCEAR II or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof.
4.7      Legal Proceedings . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7 , there are no Actions pending, or to the Knowledge of GCEAR or the Contributee threatened, against the Contributee or GCEAR, their respective businesses or any of their respective material properties or assets by, or before any arbitrator or Governmental Entity, neither is there any investigation relating to the Contributee or GCEAR or any property or asset of the Contributee or GCEAR pending, or to the Knowledge of GCEAR or the Contributee threatened,

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by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Entity, in each case which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GCEAR or the Contributee. There is no Order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding against the Contributee or GCEAR or any property or asset of the Contributee or GCEAR which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on either of them. There is no Action pending, or to the Knowledge of GCEAR or the Contributee threatened, against the Contributee or GCEAR that in any way relates to the Contributed Assets or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation any such Action seeking to enjoin in any way the consummation thereof.
4.8      Disclosure . Each of the Contributee and GCEAR has fully provided GC LLC with all the information that GC LLC has requested for deciding whether to acquire the OP Units. Neither this Agreement (including all the exhibits and schedules hereto) nor any other statements or certificates made or delivered in connection with the offering or issuance of the OP Units pursuant hereto contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made.
ARTICLE 5

COVENANTS
5.1      Covenants Against Disclosure .
(a)      Except as may be required by Law, GCC shall not, and shall not permit its Affiliates to (i) disclose to any Person in any manner, directly or indirectly, any confidential information or data, whether of a technical or commercial nature, the ownership of which is transferred to the Contributee pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) use, or permit or assist, by acquiescence or otherwise, any Person to use, in any manner, directly or indirectly, any such information or data, except to the extent that GCC or such Affiliates have retained rights therein as provided herein and excepting disclosure of such data or information as is at the time generally known to the public or otherwise in the public domain and which did not become so generally known or a part of the public domain through any breach of any provision of this Section 5.1(a) hereof by GCC .
(b)      The initial press release and public disclosures, including a Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC by GCEAR, relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall be made solely by GCEAR; provided , however , that GCEAR shall provide GCC a reasonable period of time to review and comment on such press release and disclosures, and in good faith take into account any comment made by GCC during such period; provided further, however, that the Parties shall be permitted to make any public disclosures regarding this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby that are necessary to fulfill public disclosure requirements of any Governmental Entity or required to be made by applicable Law or Order.
5.2      Notification of Certain Matters . Following the Closing, except as prohibited by Law, each of the Contributor, GCEAR, and the Contributee shall promptly notify the other parties in writing of:
(a)      any inaccuracy of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, provided, however, that obligations under this Section 5.2(a) shall expire on that date that is eighteen (18) months following the Closing;

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(b)      the failure of such party to perform in any material respect any obligation to be performed by it under this Agreement, provided, however, that obligations under this Section 5.2(a) shall expire on that date that is eighteen (18) months following the Closing;
(c)      any notice or other communication from any person alleging that notice to or consent of such person is required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(d)      any notice or other communication from any tenant of GCEAR or GCEAR II to the effect that such tenant is, or is contemplating, terminating or otherwise materially adversely modifying its relationship with GCEAR or GCEAR II as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(e)      any material notice or other material communication from any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(f)      any filing or notice made by such party with any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(g)      any actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced or, to the knowledge of such party, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting such party or GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary that relate to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
(h)      the occurrence of any matters or events that individually or in the aggregate would be reasonably likely to result in the failure to complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.3      Employee Matters .
(a)      Continuing Employees . On the Effective Date and prior to the Closing, GC LLC shall cause the employment of those individuals set forth on Schedule 5.3(a) (the “ Continuing Employees ”) to be transferred to GRECO, where their employment shall continue as of the Effective Date, subject to the terms of Section 6.4 below, (i) at an annual base salary or wage level, as applicable, and annual bonus opportunities, that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to each such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Closing Date and as reflected in GRECO’s budget as of immediately prior to the Closing, and (ii) with employee benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate (disregarding the LTIP and the GCC Executive Deferred Compensation Plan) to those provided to each such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Closing Date; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit the right of GRECO to terminate the employment of any Continuing Employee at any time or construed as altering the at-will nature of any Continuing Employee’s employment; and provided further that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit the right of GRECO to (y) change or modify the terms and conditions of employment for any Continuing Employee or (z) change, modify, or terminate any employee benefit plan or arrangement in accordance with its terms. At the time of the Closing or immediately thereafter, GCC shall cause all personnel files relating to Continuing Employees to be transferred to GRECO, or to a separate data location designated by GRECO.
(b)      Liabilities with Respect to Continuing Employees . The Parties agree that, subject to Section 6.4 below, GCC and its Affiliates shall be solely responsible for, and GCC and its Affiliates agree to pay, all obligations and liabilities accrued prior to the Effective Date (or, as it relates to bonuses for the 2018 calendar year, for periods prior to January 1, 2019) relating to the Continuing Employees, including but not limited to, as included in Schedule 3.16(c) and otherwise, (i) payroll and fringe benefits, (ii) earned bonuses, bonuses for the 2018 calendar year, and incentive compensation, (iii) workers’ compensation, (iv) premiums under insured employee benefit plans or claims incurred under non-insured employee benefit

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plans, and (v) Grandfathered PTO, but not other accrued PTO. Conversely, subject to the terms of the preceding sentence and Section 6.4 below and except for benefits that become due or payable under the LTIP, GRECO shall be solely responsible for all obligations and liabilities accrued at or after the Effective Date relating to the Continuing Employees, including (1) GRECO’s decision to retain or not retain the services of any one or more of the Continuing Employees, (2) payroll and fringe benefits, (3) earned bonuses and incentive compensation, (4) workers’ compensation, and (5) premiums under insured employee benefit plans or claims incurred under non-insured employee benefit plans.
(c)      Executive Deferred Compensation Plan . As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, GCC shall fully fund all benefits accrued as of the Closing (whether vested or unvested) by the Continuing Employees participating in the GCC Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, which funding may be satisfied in cash or a company-owned life insurance contract (to the extent of the cash value thereof), the ownership and benefits of which are transferred to GRECO or to a rabbi trust established by GRECO, and process and deposit with the appropriate Governmental Entity the employer and employee portion of all FICA, FUTA and other Tax obligations due under applicable Law prior to the Closing with respect thereto. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, GCC will transfer to GRECO or its rabbi trust (as applicable), and GRECO will assume, subject to the terms of Section 6.4 below and receipt of the assets described in the first sentence of this Section 5.3(c) , the assets and liabilities associated with the Continuing Employees’ participation in the GCC Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the liabilities associated with the Continuing Employees’ participation in the GCC Executive Deferred Compensation prior to the Closing that are assumed by GRECO exceed the assets assumed by GRECO with respect thereto.
(d)      Long-Term Incentive Plan . GC LLC shall remain solely liable for all benefits that become due or payable under the Griffin Capital, LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “ LTIP ”) to Continuing Employees and for the employer portion of FICA ( or other Tax obligations) due in connection therewith under applicable Law.
(e)      Qualified Plans . GCC shall continue to process and deposit to its 401(k) plan all salary deferrals elected by Continuing Employees with respect to their eligible compensation with GCC or its Affiliates for the 2018 plan year. GCC shall also be responsible for timely making all employer matching contributions to the Griffin Capital 401(k) Plan and all employer contributions to the Griffin Capital Corporation Profit Sharing Plan (along with the Griffin Capital 401(k) Plan, the “Qualified Plans”) on behalf of Continuing Employees with respect to their eligible compensation with GCC or its Affiliates for the 2018 or any prior plan year, consistent with similarly-situated employees of GCC and consistent with past practice and disregarding any requirement that any such Continuing Employee be employed on the last day of the 2018 plan year. GCC shall take any action necessary to prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from triggering a default of any Continuing Employee’s outstanding participant loan under the Griffin Capital 401(k) Plan. Following the Closing, the Parties shall reasonably cooperate with each other to take all steps necessary to spin off or transfer, in accordance with applicable Law, the accounts (including any outstanding promissory note held as an asset) of Continuing Employees from the Qualified Plans to new tax-qualified plan(s) to be established by GRECO.
(f)      Health & Welfare . After the Closing and until December 31, 2019, GCC shall offer or shall cause one or more of its Affiliates to offer continuation group health plan coverage in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“ COBRA ”) to each Continuing Employee and each former employee of the Business, and each spouse or dependent thereof, who qualifies as a “qualified beneficiary” or “M&A qualified beneficiary” (both, as defined by COBRA) at any time on or before December 31, 2019. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, GRECO shall pay or reimburse GCC for the employer

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portion of the cost of COBRA coverage for the Continuing Employees and their qualified beneficiaries on and after January 1, 2019. Effective on and after January 1, 2020, GRECO shall be solely responsible for providing COBRA coverage to such Persons. GCC agrees to cooperate in good faith to provide GRECO with such reports and other information regarding such COBRA coverage as reasonably requested by GRECO and as permitted by applicable Law, including information needed for GRECO to satisfy its reporting obligations under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended.
(g)      PTO . Prior to the Closing, GCC shall pay all Continuing Employees any Grandfathered PTO to which they are entitled and shall transfer all PTO liabilities other than Grandfathered PTO to GRECO, subject to Section 6.4 below. Until at least the end of the first calendar year commencing after the Effective Date, GRECO shall continue to allow Continuing Employees to use such PTO (other than Grandfathered PTO) and to accrue additional paid time off in accordance with GCC’s paid time off policy as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date.
(h)      This Section 5.3 shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each of the Parties to this Agreement, and nothing in this Section 5.3 shall confer upon any Continuing Employee, or any legal representative or beneficiary thereof, any rights or remedies, including any right to employment or continued employment for any specified period, or compensation or benefits of any nature or kind whatsoever under this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 5.3 , express or implied, shall be deemed an amendment of any plan providing benefits to any Continuing Employee or as altering the at-will nature of any Continuing Employee’s employment.
5.4      Required Third Party Consents . From and after the Closing, GCC and GC LLC shall cooperate with the Contributee and GCEAR and shall take all steps reasonably necessary to obtain each of the GCC Required Third Party Consents, GC LLC Required Third Party Consents, GRECO Required Third Party Consents, and GCEAR Required Third Party Consents not obtained prior to the Closing Date; provided, that GCC and GC LLC shall not be required to pay any amounts or provide other consideration to any third party in obtaining any such consents.
5.5      Reasonable Efforts . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the Parties agrees to use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, or as appropriate to refrain from taking, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, or as appropriate to refrain from doing, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including, but not limited to, defending any Actions challenging this Agreement or otherwise seeking to enjoin or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

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5.6      Further Assurances . At and after the Effective Date, the Contributee shall be authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and behalf of GCC or GC LLC, any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of the GCC or GC LLC, any other actions and things to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Contributee any and all right, title and interest in, to and under any of the Contributed Assets.
5.7      REIT Merger . In the event that GCEAR merges with and into GCEAR II or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, in addition to the payment of the Earn-Out Consideration described in Section 1.4(c) , as a condition to such merger, the parties hereto shall take all reasonably necessary steps to ensure that GCEAR II and its related entities will succeed to the rights and obligations of GCEAR and its related entities pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement.
5.8      Lease Agreement . The Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the execution of, on or prior to December 31, 2018, a lease agreement (the “El Segundo Lease Agreement” ) pursuant to which the Contributee shall agree to lease a portion of the property owned by Griffin Capital Plaza Investment, LLC ( “GCPI” ) located at 1520 E. Grand Avenue, El Segundo, California 90245, and GCC shall cause GCPI to rent the premises to the Contributee, all upon terms substantially similar to those of the master lease at such property in place as of the Closing Date, allocated based upon Contributee’s actual use of the property.
5.9      Certain Fees Payable to GCC . In the event of (i) the entry into or renewal of any of the lease agreements, or (ii) the closing of or signing of a definitive real estate purchase and sale agreement relating to any of the pending acquisitions or dispositions, each as set forth on Schedule 5.9 (the “Pending Transactions” ), or in either event, the entry into a letter of intent relating thereto, on or prior to February 12, 2019, GCEAR or the Contributee shall pay to GCC all fees (including Acquisition Fees and Disposition Fees, each as defined in the GCEAR Advisory Agreement) that would otherwise be payable to GCEAR Advisor with respect to such Pending Transactions pursuant to the GCEAR Advisory Agreement. Any such payments shall be made by GCEAR or the Contributee to GCC (x) with respect to any such lease, concurrently with the entry into or renewal of such lease agreement and (y) with respect to any such acquisition or disposition, concurrently with the closing thereof.

ARTICLE 6

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
6.1      Cooperation . At all times following the Closing Date, each Party agrees (a) to furnish upon request to each other Party such further information, (b) to execute and deliver to each other Party such other documents, and (c) to do such other acts and things, all as another Party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
6.2      Tax Matters .
(a)      Except as otherwise provided herein, GCC and GC LLC shall each be liable for, and shall pay any transfer Taxes or other similar Tax customarily imposed on a contributor in an asset contribution transaction, and the Contributee shall be liable for, and shall pay any transfer Taxes or other similar Tax customarily imposed on a contributee in an asset contribution transaction, that are imposed in

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connection with the transfer of the Contributed Assets pursuant to this Agreement and each shall timely file all Tax Returns required with respect thereto.
(b)      GCC and Contributee shall cooperate, to the extent reasonably requested by the other Party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns and any audit, Action, or other proceeding involving Taxes. Cooperation shall include the retention and, upon the other Party’s request, the provision of records and other information reasonably relevant to the preparation of a Tax Return or the conduct of an audit, litigation, or other proceeding.
(c)      GCC shall timely file or cause to be timely filed when due (taking into account all extensions properly obtained) all Tax Returns that are required to be filed by or with respect to the Business and any entity constituting part of the Contributed Assets for periods ending on or before the Effective Date and shall timely remit, or cause to be timely remitted, any Taxes due in respect of such Tax Returns.
6.3      Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance .
(a)      Without limiting any rights that any manager, director, executive officer or employee of GCC or of its Affiliates may have under any indemnification agreement or the Organizational Documents of GCC or as otherwise afforded by applicable Law, all of which shall survive the Closing, anything to the contrary contained in any Transaction Document notwithstanding, or under the Organizational Documents of GCEAR or the Contributee, in addition to, and not in limitation of any other indemnity rights contained in any Transaction Document, from and after the Effective Date, GCEAR and the Contributee shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless the current or former managers, directors, executive officers or employees of GCC and its subsidiaries and Affiliates acting in their capacity as such (collectively, the “ D&O Indemnified Parties ”) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted under applicable Law, as now or hereafter in effect, for acts or omissions by such D&O Indemnified Parties occurring prior to the Effective Date.
(b)      As of the Effective Date, Contributee shall have obtained, and for a period of six years after the Effective Date, Contributee shall maintain in effect, solely with respect to those individuals listed on Schedule 6.3(b) , a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance at a limit agreed to by GCC and Contributee with respect to such individuals, in connection with the Business with respect to claims arising from, or related to facts or events which occurred at or before, the Effective Date.
6.4      Post-Closing Matters . The Parties agree that the Contributor will be entitled to retain all revenue due and payable to, and will be obligated to pay all expenses incurred and payable by, GRECO on a GAAP basis from the Closing Date through December 31, 2018. Subsequent to December 31, 2018, all revenues and expenses of GRECO will be retained by the Contributee. The Parties further agree that, from the Closing Date through December 31, 2018, no distributions shall accrue or be payable with respect to any OP Units issued to the Contributor pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof.
6.5      Access . The Parties agree to furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, upon request, as promptly as practicable, such information and assistance relating to the Business, Contributed Assets and Assumed Liabilities (including access to books and records) as is reasonably necessary for the filing of all Tax Returns, the making of any election relating to Taxes, the preparation for any audit by any Governmental Entity, and the prosecution or defense of any claims, suits or proceedings relating to any Tax, without charge or expense to the requesting Party.
6.6      Holding Period . In addition to any restrictions on transfer contained in the Operating Partnership Agreement, until November 30, 2020, GC LLC shall not (i) exchange the OP Units it receives pursuant to Section 1.4 of this Agreement for REIT Shares pursuant to the provisions of the Operating

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Partnership Agreement or (ii) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, announce the intention to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option right or warrant for the sale of, make any short sale or otherwise transfer, dispose or encumber (collectively, “ Transfer ”) the OP Units it receives pursuant to Section 1.4 of this Agreement, provided, that, subject to compliance with applicable laws, including applicable securities laws, GC LLC may engage in a Permitted Transfer, and provided further that GC LLC may pledge all or a portion of the OP Units as collateral for loans or other debt obligations of GC LLC, subject to GCEAR’s prior approval of the pledgee. This Section 6.6 shall apply in an equivalent fashion with respect to Class E operating partnership units of the Contributee received by GC LLC pursuant to Section 1.4(c) .
ARTICLE 7
INDEMNIFICATION
7.1      Contributor Indemnification . From and after the Closing, subject to the other provisions of this Article 7 , GCC and GC LLC, jointly and severally agree to indemnify, defend, and hold Contributee, GCEAR, and each of their respective Affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, stockholders, partners, managers, and members and their respective heirs, legatees, devisees, executors, administrators, trustees, personal representatives, successors and assigns (each, a “ Contributee Indemnified Party ”), harmless from and against any and all Losses incurred by any Contributee Indemnified Party arising from, as a result of, in connection with, or relating to:
(a)      the breach of any representation or warranty made by GCC or GC LLC and contained in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents;
(b)      the breach or failure to perform any covenant or agreement made or undertaken by GCC or GC LLC in this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents;
(c)      the Excluded Assets;
(d)      the Excluded Liabilities; and
(e)      the failure to obtain any GCEAR Required Third Party Consents, which failure results in the acceleration of payment by GCEAR or the Contributee pursuant to any loan, mortgage, deed to secure debt, or other debt obligation in effect as of the Closing Date, provided, however, that such failure to obtain such GCEAR Required Third Party Consent was not the direct result of GCEAR’s or the Contributee’s gross negligence or willful act or failure to act.
7.2      Contributee Indemnification . From and after the Closing, subject to the other provisions of this Article 7 , Contributee and GCEAR jointly and severally agree to indemnify, defend and hold GCC, GC LLC, and their respective officers, directors, stockholders, partners, managers, and members and their respective heirs, legatees, devisees, executors, administrators, trustees, personal representatives, successors and assigns (each, a “ Contributor Indemnified Party ”), harmless from and against any and all Losses incurred by any Contributor Indemnified Party arising from, as a result of, in connection with, or relating to:
(a)      the breach by Contributee or GCEAR of any representation or warranty made by Contributee or GCEAR and contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents;
(b)      the breach or failure to perform any covenant or agreement made or undertaken by Contributee or GCEAR in this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents;

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(c)      the ownership or operation of the Contributed Assets after the Closing; and
(d)      the Assumed Liabilities.
7.3      Indemnifying Procedures .
(a)      Upon receipt by a Contributor Indemnified Party or a Contributee Indemnified Party, as the case may be (the “ Indemnified Party ”), of notice from a Third Party of any action, suit, proceeding, claim, demand or assessment against such Indemnified Party that might give rise to a claim for Losses under this Article 7 , the Indemnified Party shall promptly give written notice thereof to Contributee, on the one hand, or GCC, on the other hand, as the case may be (the “ Indemnifying Party ”), indicating the nature of such claim and the basis therefor; provided , however , that failure to give such notice shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been prejudiced as a result of such failure. The Indemnifying Party will have thirty (30) days after such notice is given (the “ Notice Period ”) to notify the Indemnified Party (i) whether or not it disputes the liability of the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party hereunder with respect to such claim or demand, and (ii) whether or not it desires, at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, to defend the Indemnified Party with respect to the Third Party claim; provided, however , that any Indemnified Party is hereby authorized, but is not obligated, prior to and during the Notice Period, to file any motion, answer or other pleading that it reasonably shall deem necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within the Notice Period that it desires to defend the Indemnified Party against the Third Party claim, the Indemnifying Party will have the right to control the defense of such matter by all appropriate proceedings and with counsel of its own choosing and at its sole cost and expense. If the Indemnified Party desires to participate in any such defense, it may do so at its sole cost and expense, and in a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere with the defense of such matter by the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party fails to respond to the Indemnified Party within the Notice Period, elects not to defend the Indemnified Party, or after electing to defend fails to commence or reasonably pursue such defense, then the Indemnified Party shall have the right, but not the obligation, to undertake or continue the defense of, and to compromise or settle (exercising reasonable business judgment), the matter all on behalf, for the account, and at the risk, of the Indemnifying Party; provided, however , that any such compromise or settlement consists solely of money damages to be borne by the Indemnifying Party and otherwise shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party and shall contain as an unconditional term thereof a full and complete release of the Indemnifying Party by the Third Party in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party. Payments to the Indemnified Party for Losses for Third Party claims which are otherwise covered by the indemnification obligations herein shall not be required except to the extent that the Indemnified Party has expended or simultaneously with such payment will expend, out-of-pocket sums. If the Indemnifying Party has assumed the defense of a Third Party claim, it shall reasonably proceed with such defense and promptly notify the Indemnified Party if it proposes to compromise or settle such Third Party claim for the account, and at the risk, of the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this Section 7.3 . In any event in which the Indemnifying Party has assumed the defense of a Third Party claim, the Indemnified Party and its counsel shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prevent the Indemnified Party from taking the position that it is entitled to indemnification hereunder.
(b)      In the event any Indemnified Party should have an indemnification claim against any Indemnifying Party under a Transaction Document that does not involve a claim by a Third Party, the Indemnified Party, as quickly as is practicable (but in any event within thirty (30) days after becoming aware of an indemnification claim) and by the most expeditious means available (promptly confirmed in writing), shall deliver notice of such claim to the Indemnifying Party in reasonable detail. The failure by any

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Indemnified Party to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it may have to such Indemnified Party to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has been prejudiced by such failure. If the Indemnifying Party disputes its liability with respect to such claim in a timely manner, the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall proceed in good faith to negotiate a resolution of such dispute and, if not resolved through negotiations, such dispute may be resolved by litigation before an appropriate Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction.
(c)      GCEAR and the Contributee shall, as well as their respective directors, officers, partners, and employees and the Contributee’s attorneys, accountants and agents to, at the request of GCC, cooperate with GCC as may be reasonably required in connection with the investigation and defense of any Third Party claim, Action or investigation relating to GCC’s business, the Excluded Assets or the Excluded Liabilities that is brought against GCC or any of its Affiliates relating in any way to the Business at any time on or after the Closing. Likewise, GCC shall, and shall instruct its directors, managers, officers, employees, attorneys, accountants and agents to, at Contributee’s request, cooperate with Contributee as may be reasonably required in connection with the investigation and defense of any Third Party claim, Action, or investigation relating to the Contributed Assets or the Assumed Liabilities that is brought against Contributee or GCEAR or any of their respective Affiliates at any time on or after the Closing.
7.4      Survival .
(a)      All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties of any party under this Agreement, subject to the limitations specified in Section 7.4(b) , (c) and (d) , shall survive the Closing, and any indemnification claim asserted in accordance with Section 7.3 prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period shall continue in effect with respect to such claim until such claim shall have been finally resolved or settled.
(b)      Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.4(d) or (e) , the obligations of Contributor under Section 7.1(a) shall survive the Closing until the expiration of eighteen (18) consecutive months after the Closing Date, with respect to claims made by Contributee Indemnified Parties by notice in writing to GCC or GC LLC, received on or before such last day.
(c)      Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.4(d) or (e) , the obligations of Contributee and GCEAR under Section 7.2(a) shall survive the Closing until the expiration of eighteen (18) consecutive months after the Closing Date, with respect to claims made by Contributor Indemnified Parties by notice in writing to Contributee, received on or before such last day.
(d)      Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.4(b) and (c) , the obligations of:
(A)      GCC and GC LLC in accordance with Section 7.1(a) with respect to the warranties and representations contained in Sections 3.1 , 3.2 , 3.11 (but only as to the third sentence thereof) and 3.19 (insofar as such subsection represents GCC’s title to Marks and Domain Names owned by GCC), shall survive the Closing indefinitely;
(B)      GCC and GC LLC in accordance with Section 7.1(a) with respect to the warranties and representations contained in Sections 3.14 , 3.15 , and 3.16 , shall survive the Closing until the expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations;
(C)      GCC and GC LLC in accordance with Section 7.1(b) with respect to the covenant contained in Section 5.4 shall survive the Closing indefinitely;

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(D)      Contributee and GCEAR in accordance with Section 7.2(a) with respect to the warranties and representations contained in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 shall survive the Closing indefinitely;
(E)      GCC and GC LLC in accordance with Section 7.1(b) , (c) and (d) with respect to any covenants and agreements to be performed and complied with following the Closing and with respect to the Excluded Assets and the Excluded Liabilities, in each case, shall survive the Closing indefinitely; and
(F)      Contributee and GCEAR in accordance with Section 7.2(b) , (c) and (d) with respect to any covenants and agreements to be performed and complied with following the Closing and with respect to the Contributed Assets and the Assumed Liabilities, in each case, shall survive the Closing indefinitely.
(e)      The limitations under Sections 7.4(b) and (c) shall not apply in respect of claims for Fraud.
7.5      Limitations . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document:
(a)      (i) No Indemnified Party will be entitled to indemnification under Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.2(a) of this Agreement, as applicable, unless such Indemnified Party has incurred Losses in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate (the “ Deductible ”), in which case such Indemnified Party will be entitled to indemnification under Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.2(a) of this Agreement, as applicable, only to the extent the aggregate Losses with respect to such claims exceed the Deductible; and (ii) the maximum aggregate liability of the Indemnifying Party for Losses to which the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.2(a) of this Agreement, as applicable, shall be limited to $20,000,000 in the aggregate; provided, however, that neither the Deductible nor the maximum aggregate liability provided in (ii) herein shall apply to any claims of, or causes of action arising out of, involving, or otherwise in respect of (1) any Fundamental Representation, or (2) Fraud.
(b)      If GCC or GC LLC breaches any representation or warranty for which indemnification may be provided under Section 7.1(a) , then, solely for purposes of calculating the dollar amount of Losses for which any Contributee Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification for such breach, each of such representations and warranties that contain any qualification as to materiality will be deemed and interpreted to be a representation or warranty made without such qualification.
(c)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7 , and subject to the Deductible set forth in Section 7.5(a), the obligation of GCC and GC LLC to indemnify any Contributee Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 7.1(e) shall be limited to seventy-five percent (75%) of the Losses incurred by such Contributee Indemnified Party in connection with the underlying event giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
(d)      If Contributee or GCEAR breaches any representation or warranty for which indemnification may be provided under Section 7.2(a) , then, solely for purposes of calculating the dollar amount of Losses for which any Contributor Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification for such breach, each of such representations and warranties that contain any qualification as to materiality will be deemed and interpreted to be a representation or warranty made without such qualification.
(e)      The amount of any Loss for which indemnification is provided under this Article 7 shall be net of (i) any amounts recovered by the Indemnified Party pursuant to any indemnification by, or

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indemnification agreement with, any Third Party, (ii) third party insurance proceeds (for the avoidance of doubt, not including self-insurance or insurance with a captive insurance Affiliate) or other sources of reimbursement received, which shall be an offset against such Loss, or (iii) an amount equal to the present value of the Tax benefits available to the Indemnified Party that are attributable to such Loss. The Indemnified Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek recovery from all such sources to minimize any Loss for which indemnification is provided under this Article 7 . If the amount to be netted hereunder from any payment required under this Article 7 is determined after payment by the Indemnifying Party of any amount otherwise required to be paid to an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article 7 , the Indemnified Party shall repay to the Indemnifying Party, promptly after such determination, any amount that the Indemnifying Party would not have had to pay pursuant to this Article 7 had such determination been made at the time of such payment.
7.6      Exclusive Remedy . The Parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the remedies provided for in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall be the Parties’ sole and exclusive remedies with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and of the other Transaction Documents, other than for a claim of Fraud or willful misconduct and further that nothing in this Agreement shall operate to limit the rights of the parties to seek equitable remedies (including injunctive relief or specific performance). No amount shall be recoverable under this Agreement by any Indemnified Party to the extent such party has asserted a claim and received indemnification for such Loss under any Transaction Document other than this Agreement or under applicable Law. It is the Parties’ intention that the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall control and determine the Parties’ respective rights and obligations concerning any claims with respect to the Contributed Assets, the Excluded Assets, the Assumed Liabilities or the Excluded Liabilities.
7.7      Nature of Damages . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, in no event shall any Indemnifying Party be liable to any Indemnified Party for any consequential, punitive, indirect, incidental or other similar damages, including lost profits, for any breach or default under, or any act or omission arising out of, or in any way relating to, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, under any form of action whatsoever, whether in contract or otherwise, except to the extent awarded to a Third Party in connection with a claim by such Third Party.
7.8      Method of Payment . All amounts due and payable from an Indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five (5) Business Days following final determination of a claim pursuant to Section 7.3 , provided, however, that that at GCC’s sole discretion, any amount payable to a Contributee Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article 7 may be satisfied by delivery by GC LLC of an amount of OP Units (as converted, if applicable), equal in value to such claim, based upon the then-current value of the OP Units (as converted, if applicable).
ARTICLE 8

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

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8.2      Interpretation . For all purposes of the Transaction Documents, except as otherwise specifically stated therein:
(a)      the terms defined in Article 9 have the meanings assigned to them in Article 9 and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b)      all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned under GAAP;
(c)      pronouns of either gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms;
(d)      the words “include” and “including” shall be without limitation and shall be construed to mean “include, but not be limited to” or “including, without limitation;”
(e)      references to exhibits, schedules, Articles, Sections and paragraphs shall be references to the exhibits, schedules, Articles, Sections and paragraphs of this Agreement; and
(f)      the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
8.3      Submission to Jurisdiction; Governing Law . The Parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Wilmington, Delaware for the purpose of any Action arising out of or based upon any of the Transaction Documents (“ Covered Matters ”), (b) agree not to commence any Action arising out of, or based upon, any Covered Matters except in the state courts or federal courts located in Wilmington, Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter of any Covered Matter may not be enforced in or by such court.  All Covered Matters shall be governed by, interpreted and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any Law other than the law of the State of Delaware.
8.4      Amendment . Subject to compliance with applicable Law, the provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written consent of GCC. GC LLC, the Contributee, and GCEAR.
8.5      Specific Performance . The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the Parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court located in Wilmington, Delaware in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.
8.6      Time of the Essence . Time is of the essence with regard to all obligations under this Agreement.
8.7      Assignment . No Transaction Document or any rights or obligations under any of them are assignable without the prior written consent of all of the Parties.

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8.8      Headings . The descriptive headings of the articles, sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.
8.9      Recitals . The recitals are fully incorporated into this Agreement by reference.
8.10      Parties in Interest . This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, each Party, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to relieve or discharge the obligation of any third Person to any Party to this Agreement.
8.11      Notices . Any notice or other communication hereunder must be given in writing and either (a) delivered in Person, (b) transmitted by electronic mail or facsimile, (c) transmitted by telefax or telecommunications mechanism provided , that receipt is confirmed and any notice so given is also mailed as provided in the following clause (d), or (d) mailed by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested as follows:
If to GCC or GC LLC, addressed to:
Griffin Capital Company, LLC
Griffin Capital Plaza
1520 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
Attention: Kevin Shields; Howard Hirsch; Joe Miller
Email: shields@griffincapital.com; hhirsch@griffincapital.com; jmiller@griffincapital.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to :
Baker & McKenzie LLP
300 East Randolph Street, Suite 5000
Chicago, IL 60601 United States
Attention: Daniel Cullen
Email: daniel.cullen@bakermckenzie.com
If to the Contributee or GCEAR, addressed to:
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.
Griffin Capital Plaza
1520 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
Attention: Gregory M. Cazel, Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; Michael J. Escalante; Javier Bitar
Email: greg.cazel@huntcompanies.com; mescalante@griffincapital.com; jbitar@griffincapital.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to :
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
201 17
th Street NW, Suite 1700

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Atlanta, GA 30363
Attention: Michael K. Rafter, Esq.
Email: mike.rafter@nelsonmullins.com
or to such other address or to such other Person as each Party shall have last designated by such notice to the other Parties. Each such notice or other communication shall be effective (i) when delivered in Person, (ii) if given by telecommunication, when transmitted to the applicable number so specified in (or pursuant to) this Section 8.11 and an appropriate confirmation is received, and (iii) if given by mail, three (3) Business Days after delivery or the first attempted delivery.
8.12      Expenses . Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, GCC and Contributee shall pay its own expenses incident to the negotiation, preparation and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, but not limited to, the fees, expenses and disbursements of its accountants and counsel and of securing third party consents and approvals required to be obtained by it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on the Closing Date, GCEAR shall reimburse GCC for any documented third-party costs incurred up to a maximum of $250,000.
8.13      Representation By Counsel; Interpretation . Each of GCC, GC LLC, the Contributee, and GCEAR acknowledges that each Party to this Agreement has been represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Accordingly, any rule of Law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the Party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a reasonable manner to effect the intent of Contributee and GCC.
8.14      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.
8.15      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile, and each of which shall be deemed an original of this Agreement, and all of which, when taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same Agreement.
ARTICLE 9

DEFINITIONS
For all purposes of the Transaction Documents, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context in which a term is used clearly requires otherwise:
“Action” means any action, complaint, petition, suit or other legal proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in law or in equity, or before any arbitrator or Governmental Entity.
“Administrative Services Agreement” means that certain agreement of even date herewith among GCC, GC LLC, GCEAR, and the Contributee , providing for the performance of various administrative services by GCC and GC LLC, substantially in the form as set forth in Exhibit E hereto.

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“Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by,” and “under common control with”) as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or equity interests, by Contract or otherwise.
“Agreement” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph.
“Applicable Person” means the people listed on Schedule 9.1 .
“Assigned Contracts” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.5 .
“Assignment of Contracts Agreement” has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(c) .
“Assignment of Domain Names” means an assignment in substantially the form attached to the Agreement as Exhibit C assigning and transferring the Domain Names identified therein to the assignee named therein, as amended from time to time.
“Assignment of Trademarks” means an assignment in substantially the form attached to the Agreement as Exhibit D assigning and transferring the trademarks identified therein to the assignee named therein, as amended from time to time.
“Assumed Liabilities” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.3 .
“Bill of Sale and Assumption Agreement” has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(a) .
“Business” has the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.
“Business Day” means any day other than (i) a Saturday or a Sunday or (ii) a day on which banking and other deposit gathering institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York are authorized or required by applicable Law to be closed.
“Closing” has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.1 .
“Closing Date” has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.1 .
“COBRA” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.3(f) .
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations and formal guidance promulgated thereunder.
“Continuing Employee” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.3(a) .
“Contract” means any binding agreement or contract, including any understanding, arrangement, instrument, note, guaranty, indemnity, representation, warranty, deed, lease, assignment, power of attorney, certificate, purchase order, work order, insurance policy, benefit plan, commitment, covenant, assurance or obligation of any kind or nature.
“Contributed Assets” means the assets of GCC described or listed on Schedule 1.1 .

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“Contributee” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“Contributee Indemnified Party” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.1 .
“Contribution Value” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.4(a) .
“Contributor” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
“Contributor Indemnified Party” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.2 .
“Copyrights” means copyrights, whether registered or unregistered, in published works and unpublished works, and pending applications to register the same.
“Covered Matters” has the meaning as set forth in Section 8.3 .
“D&O Indemnified Parties” has the meaning as set forth in Section 6.3(a) .
“Deductible” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.5(a) .
“Domain Names” means websites or domain names.
“Earn-Out Consideration” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.4(b) .
“Earn-Out OP Units” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.4(b) .
Effective Date ” means 11:59PM, Pacific Daylight Time on December 14, 2018.
“El Segundo Lease Agreement” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.8 .
“Employee Plan” means each (i) employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), (ii) nonqualified deferred compensation plan (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), or (iii) employment, severance, change-in-control, bonus, incentive, equity compensation, health, welfare, or fringe benefit, retirement, and any other compensatory or employee benefit plan, contract or arrangement of any kind (whether or not subject to ERISA, written or oral, qualified or nonqualified, funded or unfunded, foreign or domestic, currently effective or terminated), and any trust, escrow, insurance contract, or other funding mechanism related thereto now in effect or required in the future as a result of the transaction, under which any present or former employee, independent contractor, officer or director of GRECO has any present or future right to benefits, which is sponsored or maintained by GCC, GC LLC, GRECO, or any GRECO Subsidiary, or any ERISA Affiliate, or with respect to which GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary, or any of their ERISA Affiliates, could reasonably be expected to have any Liability.
“Encumbrance” means any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, option, pledge or restriction (whether on voting, sale, transfer, disposition or otherwise) on transfer of title.
“Environmental Law” means any Law relating to the protection of human health or the environment (including air, surface water, ground water, soil and natural resources), or the generation, treatment, manufacturing, use, storage, handling, recycling, presence, release, disposal, transportation or shipment of any Hazardous Substance.

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“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all regulations and formal guidance promulgated thereunder.
ERISA Affiliate ” shall mean any other corporation or trade or business that would be treated as a single employer with GCC, GC LLC, GRECO or any GRECO Subsidiary under Code Section 414 or Section 4001(a)(14) or 4001(b) of ERISA.
“Excluded Assets” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.2 .
“Excluded Liabilities” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.3 .
“FICA” means the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, as amended.
“Fraud” means, with respect to the making of any representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement or any Transaction Document, or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement or any Transaction Document, an act, committed by a party hereto, with intent to deceive another party hereto, or to induce that party to enter into this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents and requires (i) a false representation of material fact made in this Agreement, a Transaction Document, or such certificate, (ii) with knowledge that such representation is false, (iii) with an intention to induce the party to whom such representation is made to act or refrain from acting in reliance upon it, (iv) causing that party, in justifiable reliance upon such false representation and with ignorance to the falsity of such representation, to take or refrain from taking action, and (v) causing such party to suffer damage by reason of such reliance.
“Fundamental Representation” means the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.1, Section 3.2, Section 3.3, Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.11 (but only as to the third sentence thereof), Section 3.12, Section 4.1, Section 4.2, and Section 4.4.
“FUTA” means the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, as amended.
“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
“GC LLC” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“GC LLC Required Third Party Consents” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.4 .
“GCC” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“GCC Executive Deferred Compensation Plan” means the Griffin Capital Company, LLC and Griffin Capital Securities, LLC Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, initially effective April 1, 2014, as amended.
“GCC Financial Statements” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.6(a) .
“GCC Required Third Party Consents” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.4 .
“GCEAR” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“GCEAR Advisor” has the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.

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“GCEAR Advisory Agreement” means that certain Third Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement dated October 14, 2014, by and among GCEAR, the Contributee, and GCEAR Advisor, as the same may be amended from time to time.
“GCEAR Property Manager” has the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.
“GCEAR Required Third Party Consents” has the meaning as set forth in Section 4.3 .
“GCEAR II” has the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.
“GCEAR II Advisor” has the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.
“GCEAR II Advisory Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement dated September 20, 2017, by and among GCEAR II, GCEAR II Advisor, and GCEAR II OP, as the same may be amended from time to time.
“GCEAR II Closing AUM” means all of the real estate or real estate-related assets owned by GCEAR II as of the Closing Date.
“GCEAR II OP” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.4(c) .
“GCEAR II Property Manager” has the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.
“GCPI” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.8 .
“GCPM” has the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.
“GCS” means Griffin Capital Securities, LLC.
“Governmental Entity” means any government or any agency, bureau, board, commission, court, department, official, political subdivision, tribunal or other instrumentality in each case of any government, whether federal, state or local, domestic or foreign.
“Grandfathered PTO” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.16(c) .
“GRECO Contracts” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.13 .
“GRECO Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(b) .
“GRECO Required Third Party Consents” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.4 .
GRECO Subsidiary ” and “ GRECO Subsidiaries ” have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.
“Hazardous Substance” means any material, substance, waste, compound, pollutant or contaminant listed, defined, designated or classified as hazardous, toxic, flammable, explosive, reactive, corrosive, infectious, carcinogenic, mutagenic or radioactive or otherwise regulated by any Governmental Entity or under any Environmental Law, including petroleum or petroleum products (including crude oil) and any derivative or by-products thereof, natural gas, synthetic gas and any mixtures thereof, or any substance that is or contains polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s), radon gas, urea formaldehyde, asbestos-containing materials (ACM) or lead.

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Indemnified Party ” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.3(a) .
Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.3(a) .
“Intellectual Property” means any rights in, including but not limited to the right to all past and future income, royalties, damages and payments due, licenses or Encumbrances of, equities in, and other claims that any Person may have to claim ownership, authorship or invention or the use of, or to object to, or prevent the modification of, or to withdraw from circulation, or control the publication or distribution, of any Marks, Patents, Copyrights, Trade Secrets, Software or Domain Names.
“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service or any successor entity.
“Key Person Employment Agreements” has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(i) .
“Knowledge” means actual knowledge of an Applicable Person and the knowledge that such Applicable Person without independent inquiry would reasonably be expected to obtain in the course of diligently performing his or her duties.
“Law” means any constitutional provision, statute or other law, rule, regulation, or interpretation of any Governmental Entity, and any Order.
“Liability” means all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities of a Person (whether absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed or otherwise, or whether due or to become due), including those arising under any Law, Action, investigation, inquiry or Order and those arising under any Contract.
“Loss or “Losses” means any and all costs, expenses, direct losses or damages, fines, penalties or liabilities (including interest which may be imposed or incurred in connection therewith, court costs, litigation expenses, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs)
“LTIP” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.3(d) .
“Mark” means any brand name, logos, service mark, trademark, trade name, trade dress, design rights and other similar designations of source, sponsorship, association or origin, together with the goodwill connected with the use of and symbolized by, and all registrations or application for registration of, any of the foregoing.
“Material Adverse Effect” means an event, change, condition or occurrence that has or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact or effect on a Party, the Contributed Assets, Assumed Liabilities or the results of operations of the Party’s business, taken as a whole; provided that Material Adverse Effect ” shall neither be deemed to include the impact or effect of, nor shall there be taken into account in determining whether there has been a “ Material Adverse Effect ”: (a) changes in Laws or interpretations thereof or binding directives of Governmental Entities, (b) the announcement of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or the taking of any action contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any of them, (c) changes in GAAP or the interpretations thereof, (d) compliance with, and performance of, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (e) changes affecting general economic conditions or the industry in which GCC operates, (f) the failure of GCC to meet projections of earnings, revenues or other financial measures (whether such projections were made by GCC or any independent Third Parties), (g) national or international political or social conditions, including the engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military or terrorist attack within or upon the United States, or

35


any of its territories, possessions, or diplomatic or consular offices or upon any military installation, equipment or personnel of the United States, (h) changes in financial, banking, or securities markets (including any disruption thereof and any decline in the price of any security or any market index).
“Merger Earn-Out Cash Consideration” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.4(c) .
“Merger Earn-Out OP Units” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.4(c) .
“Notice Period” has the meaning as set forth in Section 7.3(a) .
“OP Units” has the meaning as set forth in Section 1.4(a) .
“Operating Partnership” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“Operating Partnership Agreement” means that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. entered into concurrently herewith.
“Order” means any decree, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, assessment or writ of a Governmental Entity or arbitration award.
“Organizational Documents” means the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, charter, bylaws, articles of formation or organization, certificate of formation or organization, regulations, operating agreement, limited liability company agreement, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, and all other similar documents, instruments, or certificates executed, adopted, or filed in connection with the creation, formation, or organization of a Person, including any amendments thereto.
“Parties” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph.
“Party” has the meaning as set forth in the introductory paragraph.
“Patents” means all (a) patents and patent applications, and (b) business methods, inventions, and discoveries that may be patentable.
Paylocity ” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.14(a) .
Paylocity Service Agreement ” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.14(a) .
“Pending Transactions” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.9 .
“Permit” means any license, permit, franchise, certificate of authority, approval, registration, or authorization, or any waiver of the foregoing, required to be issued by any Governmental Entity.
“Permitted Transfer” means (1) a Transfer or all or a portion of the OP Units to any Affiliate of GCC or GC LLC, or any of their respective current or former employees; (2) a Transfer of all or a portion of the OP Units to any trust, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company established and held for the direct or indirect benefit of a holder of the OP Units (including pursuant to a Transfer permitted by clause (3) below) or his or her respective family members, provided that any such Transfer shall not involve a

36


disposition for value other than equity interests in any such trust, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company; or (3) a Transfer of all or a portion of the OP Units as required by applicable Law or Order.
“Person” means an association, a corporation, an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership (whether general or limited), a trust (whether inter vivos or testamentary) or any other entity or organization, whether organized for profit or not for profit, and including a Governmental Entity.
“Personal Property” means machinery, computer programs, computer software, tools, motor vehicles, office equipment, inventories, supplies, plant, spare parts, and other tangible or intangible personal property, excluding, however, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and Contracts, Permits, Marks, Patents, Copyrights, Trade Secrets, Domain Names and Intellectual Property.
PTO ” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.16(c) .
Qualified Plans” has the meaning as set forth in Section 5.3(e) .
Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement ” means that certain Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement, dated of even date herewith by and among GCEAR, GCEAR Advisor, and the Contributee, as the same may be amended.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated of even date herewith, by and among GCEAR and GC LLC, as the same may be amended.
“Regulation D” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.19(a) .
REIT” means a “real estate investment trust” within the meaning of Code Section 856.
“REIT Shares” means shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, in GCEAR (or successor entity, as the case may be), the terms and conditions of which are set forth in the Fourth Articles of Amendment and Restatement of GCEAR filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, as amended, supplemented, or restated from time to time.
“SEC” has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.19(g) .
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Software” means computer software or middleware.
“Tax” means any gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, escheatment or unclaimed property, assessable payment under Code Section 4980H, or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not, and including any obligations to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Tax liability of any other Person, including pursuant to any tax sharing agreement or any other contract relating to the sharing or payment of any such tax, pursuant to operation of Law or otherwise.
“Tax Return” means any return (including any information return), report, statement, schedule, notice, form, or other document or information filed with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or

37


submitted to, any Taxing Authority in connection with the determination, assessment, collection, or payment of any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation, or enforcement of or compliance with any Law relating to any Tax, including any amendment thereof.
“Taxing Authority” means the IRS or any other Governmental Entity responsible for the administration of any Tax.
“Third Party” means any Person other than any Party .
“Trade Secrets” means all know-how, trade secrets, confidential information, customer lists, Software (source code and object code), technical information, data, process technology, plans, drawings, and blue prints.
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Bill of Sale and Assumption Agreement, the Assignment of Domain Names, the Assignment of Trademarks, the Assignment of Contracts Agreement, the Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement, the Key Person Employment Agreements, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Operating Partnership Agreement, and any amendments to any of them.
“Transfer” has the meaning as set forth in Section 6.6 .
[Remainder of page left intentionally blank]


38


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CONTRIBUTOR :
 
GCC :

GRIFFIN CAPITAL COMPANY, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Kevin A. Shields               
Kevin A. Shields
Chief Executive Officer


GC LLC :

GRIFFIN CAPITAL, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Kevin A. Shields               
Kevin A. Shields
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
GCEAR :

GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
a Maryland corporation

By:    /s/ Kevin A. Shields              
Kevin A. Shields
Chief Executive Officer


CONTRIBUTEE/OPERATING PARTNERSHIP :

GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
a Delaware limited partnership
for itself and as general partner of Contributee

By: GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
Its General Partner

By:    /s/ Kevin A. Shields           
Kevin A. Shields
Chief Executive Officer



[Signature page to Contribution Agreement]
Exhibit 10.1


ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

by and among

Griffin Capital Company, LLC
Griffin Capital, LLC,
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.,
Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P.,
Griffin Capital Essential Asset TRS, Inc.
and
Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC
Dated as of December 14, 2018
Effective as of January 1, 2019

 

Exhibit 10.1


ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

This ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of December 14, 2018 and effective on January 1, 2019 (the “ Effective Date ”), is by and among Griffin Capital Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GCC ”), and Griffin Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GC LLC ” and, together with GCC, the “ Griffin Entities ” and each a “ Griffin Entity ”), on the one hand, and Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ REIT ”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ OP ”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset TRS, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ TRS ”), and Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GRECO” and, together with the REIT, the OP and the TRS, the “ Company ” and each a “ Company Party ”), on the other hand. The Griffin Entities and the Company shall be collectively referred to herein as the “ Parties ,” and each individually a “ Party ”.

WHEREAS, the REIT, the OP, GCC and GC LLC have entered into that certain Contribution Agreement (the “ Contribution Agreement ”), dated as of December 14, 2018;

WHEREAS, the Griffin Entities and certain of their Affiliates have, prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, provided certain services to the Company Parties:

WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed that after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the Griffin Entities will continue to provide the services described and set forth on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof (collectively, the “ Services ”) all on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Contribution Agreement.

ARTICLE II
SERVICES

Section 2.1. Appointment . The Company Parties hereby retain the Griffin Entities to provide consulting, support and transitional services to them on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Griffin Entities hereby accept such appointment. The Company Parties agree that this appointment does not render either Griffin Entity an advisor to the Company because, among other reasons, the Company’s employees are the persons responsible for directing and performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Company.

Section 2.2. Scheduled Services .

(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Griffin Entities agree to provide, or to cause one or more of their Affiliates or one or more third parties to provide, the Services to the Company.

(b) None of the obligations of the Parties under the Contribution Agreement shall constitute Services under this Agreement.

Section 2.3. Additional Services . Each Griffin Entity agrees that, if any Company Party identifies during the Term services that such Company Party believes are necessary for the continued operation of its business as conducted over the twelve (12) month period prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement (the “ Baseline Period ”) that are not identified on Schedule A, upon the reasonable request of such Company Party, the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to modify Schedule A with respect to such additional services, upon terms (including payment and/or reimbursement) and subject to conditions to be agreed upon in good faith by the Parties. No Party shall be obligated to perform or cause to be performed any such additional services unless and until the Parties agree in writing as to the price, specifications and other terms and conditions under which the applicable Party shall provide (or cause to be provided) such other services; provided , that upon the agreement of the Parties with respect to any such additional services, such additional services shall thereafter be deemed “Services” within the meaning of this Agreement and the provision of such services will be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

 

Exhibit 10.1



Section 2.4. Service Standards; Level of Service . The Griffin Entities shall provide the Services to the Company in a prompt, professional and workmanlike manner, and shall provide the Services to the Company at a level of quality, responsiveness and diligence at least equal to the levels provided by such Party during the Baseline Period, if applicable, but in any event at a level of quality provided by such Party to its own business (the “ Service Standards ”) and at a volume consistent in all material respects of such Services as utilized by the Company during the Baseline Period. In no event shall the Griffin Entities have an obligation to perform any Service in any other manner, amount, quality or volume unless expressly so specified in Schedule A with respect to a particular Service or mutually agreed upon after good faith discussions by the Parties, as specified in Schedule A (as the same may be modified from time to time). The Griffin Entities shall promptly notify the Company of any event or circumstance of which the Griffin Entities have knowledge that causes, or would be reasonably likely to cause, a material disruption in the Services.

Section 2.5. Disclaimer of Warranties . EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN, EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND QUIET ENJOYMENT. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY ANY PARTY OR ITS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THE OTHER PARTIES’ OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 2.6. Subcontracting . A Griffin Entity may, with the written consent of the Company (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), engage, or cause one of its Affiliates to engage, one or more parties (including third parties and/or Affiliates of such Griffin Entity) to provide some or all of the applicable Services to be provided by such Griffin Entity. In the event a Griffin Entity or its Affiliates so engage any such parties, such Griffin Entity shall remain responsible for ensuring adherence to the Service Standards in the performance of the applicable Services, compliance by such parties with the applicable terms of this Agreement and for the indemnification obligations set forth in Article VIII. The Parties hereby agree that the delivery of any written consent pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall not be subject to the notice requirements set forth in Section 11.3 and that any such written consent may be delivered via electronic mail.

Section 2.7. Employee Compensation . The Griffin Entities shall be solely responsible for the payment of all employee benefits and any other direct and indirect compensation for the employees of the Griffin Entities (or their Affiliates or permitted subcontractors pursuant to Section 2.6) assigned to perform the Services, as well as such employees’ worker’s compensation insurance, employment taxes, and other applicable employer liabilities relating to such employees as required by law. The Company may offer input to the Griffin Entities on the compensation and associated services provided to the Company by any such employees, but the Griffin Entities will be under no obligation to act on such input, other than to the extent necessary to adjust the fees and expenses allocated to the Company based on such changes to the Griffin Entities’ compensation decisions.

Section 2.8. Cybersecurity .

(a) The Griffin Entities and the Company Parties will maintain or cause to be maintained reasonable security measures with respect to any interfaces required between the Griffin Entities and the Company Parties in connection with the Services in a manner generally consistent with the historical provision of the Services and with the same standard of care as historically provided. At all times during the Term, neither the Griffin Entities nor the Company Parties will intentionally or knowingly introduce, and each will take commercially reasonable measures to prevent the introduction of, into the Griffin Entities’ or the Company Parties’ computer systems, databases, or software any viruses or any other contaminants (including, but not limited to, codes, commands, instructions, devices, techniques, bugs, web bugs, or design flaws) that may be used to access (without authorization), alter, delete, threaten, infect, assault, vandalize, defraud, disrupt, damage, disable, inhibit, or shut down another Party's computer systems, databases, software, or other information or property. Except as may be required in connection with the provision of the Services, neither the Griffin Entities nor the Company Parties will intentionally or knowingly tamper with, compromise, or attempt to circumvent any physical or electronic security or audit measures employed by the other in the course of its business operations, and/or intentionally or knowingly compromise the security of the other’s computer systems and/or networks.

(b) Each of the Griffin Entities and the Company Parties shall reasonably cooperate with the other and shall cause their respective Affiliates to reasonably cooperate (i) in notifying the other of any Security Breach affecting a Griffin Entity or a Company Party and (ii) in any investigation and mitigation

 

Exhibit 10.1


efforts relating to such Security Breaches, in each case, in such Party’s reasonable discretion and subject to applicable Law. As used herein, “Security Breach” means unauthorized access to or disclosure of computerized data that compromises the security, confidentiality or integrity of any Confidential Information (as defined below) maintained by a Party.
Section 2.9. Cooperation .

(a) Each Company Party will share information and otherwise cooperate to the extent necessary to facilitate the provision of the Services pursuant to this Agreement. Each Company Party will cooperate in a commercially reasonable manner to facilitate the provision of Services as described herein and to make available to the Griffin Entities properly authorized personnel for the purpose of consultation and decision.

(b) Each Company Party shall follow the reasonable policies, procedures and practices of the Griffin Entities and their Affiliates applicable to the Services that are in effect as of the Effective Date, as may be modified from time to time, so long as the Company has been provided with notice (in writing, where available) of such policies, procedures and practices.

(c) A failure of any Company Party to act in accordance with this Section 2.9 that prevents either Griffin Entity or its Affiliates or third parties, as applicable, from providing a Service hereunder shall relieve such Griffin Entity of its obligation to provide such Service until such time as the failure has been cured; provided , that such Company Party has been notified promptly in writing of such failure.

Section 2.10. Certain Changes . Either Griffin Entity may change (a) its policies and procedures, (b) any Affiliates and/or third parties that provide any Services or (c) the location from which any Service is provided at any time; provided that (i) the Company shall be notified of such changes in writing and (ii) each Griffin Entity shall remain responsible for the performance of the applicable Services in accordance with this Agreement. Each Griffin Entity shall provide the applicable Company Party with prompt written notice of any changes described in the prior sentence. Any such notice shall be provided to the applicable Company Party as soon as reasonably practicable prior to the effectiveness of such change or, if prior notice of such change is not practicable, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effectiveness of such change.

Section 2.11. Relationship of Parties . Each Griffin Entity’s status shall be that of an independent contractor, and not that of an agent or employee of the Company. A Griffin Entity shall not hold itself out as an employee or agent of the Company. The Company and each Griffin Entity are not partners or joint venturers with each other, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to make them such partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them.
Section 2.12. Other Activities of the Griffin Entities . Nothing herein contained shall prevent either Griffin Entity or any of its Affiliates from engaging in or earning fees from other activities, including, without limitation, the rendering of advice to other persons (including other REITs) and the management of other programs advised, sponsored or organized by such Griffin Entity or its Affiliates; nor shall this Agreement limit or restrict the right of any director, officer, employee, or stockholder of either Griffin Entity or its Affiliates to engage in or earn fees from any other business or to render services of any kind to any other partnership, corporation, firm, individual, trust or association; provided, however, the Griffin Entities shall be prohibited from sponsoring, acquiring, advising or managing any new real estate program focused on net lease office or industrial commercial real estate properties for five years following the date of this Agreement; provided, further, however, the foregoing prohibition shall not restrict the Griffin Entities from continuing to carry on any other business activity that any of them currently engage in as of the date hereof.

ARTICLE III
LIMITATIONS

Section 3.1. General Limitations .

(a) In no event shall either Griffin Entity, pursuant to this Agreement, be obligated to maintain the employment of any specific employee or acquire any specific additional equipment or software, unless the applicable Company Party agrees to bear its allocated portion of any associated costs (such allocation to be mutually agreed); provided that each Griffin Entity shall remain responsible for the performance of the applicable Services in accordance with this Agreement.

(b) Neither Griffin Entity shall be obligated to provide, or cause to be provided, any Service to the extent that the provision of such Service would require such Griffin Entity, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, members, employees, agents or representatives to violate any applicable Laws.


 

Exhibit 10.1


Section 3.2. Third Party Consents and Limitations .

(a) Prior to providing the applicable Service, each Griffin Entity will have obtained, with the reasonably requested cooperation of the Company, any third party consents necessary for provision of such applicable Service during the Term. The reasonable costs associated with obtaining any required third party consents shall be borne by the Company Party receiving the applicable Service.

(b) Each Company Party acknowledges and agrees that any Services provided through third parties or using third party Intellectual Property are subject to the terms and conditions of any applicable agreements between the applicable Griffin Entity or its Affiliate and such third parties, copies of which have been, or will be, as applicable, made available to the applicable Company Party.

Section 3.3. Force Majeure . In the event that either Griffin Entity is wholly or partially prevented from, or delayed in, providing one or more Services, or one or more Services are interrupted or suspended, by reason of events beyond its reasonable control (including acts of God, acts, orders, restrictions or interventions of any civil, military or government authority, fire, explosion, accident, floods, earthquakes, embargoes, epidemics, war (declared or undeclared), acts of terrorism, hostilities, invasions, revolutions, rebellions, insurrections, sabotages, nuclear disaster, labor strikes, civil unrest, riots, power or other utility failures, disruptions or other failures in internet or other telecommunications lines, networks and backbones, delay in transportation, loss or destruction of property and/or changes in Laws) (each, a “ Force Majeure Event ”), provided that such Griffin Entity is taking commercially reasonable steps to minimize the impact and duration of such Force Majeure Event, such Griffin Entity shall not be obligated to deliver the affected Services during such period, and the applicable Company Party shall not be obligated to pay for any Services not delivered.

ARTICLE IV
PAYMENT

Section 4.1. Fees . Commencing on the Effective Date, GCC shall be entitled to receive a consulting fee in consideration for the services rendered under this Agreement in an amount equal to $268,250 per month (the “ Consulting Fee ”), which amount was determined based on actual costs anticipated to be incurred by GCC for providing such services. The initial estimate of the costs to provide such services is reflected on the budget attached hereto as Schedule B . The Consulting Fee shall be payable monthly in arrears by the Company in cash. The Parties agree that a review with respect to determining the costs of providing the Services shall be performed at least annually, according to procedures to be mutually agreed upon by the Parties and an annual budget shall be created upon this review and approved by the Parties. The Griffin Entities agree to provide quarterly statements detailing fees and expenses incurred for each quarter and will consult with the Company regarding the need to reforecast annual expected costs as necessary. The Consulting Fee will be adjusted to reflect each new annual budget and any agreed upon interim updates. The Parties will mutually agree on any annual changes to such Consulting Fee prior to such Consulting Fees being charged to the Company.

Section 4.2. Expenses .

(a) In addition to the compensation paid to GCC pursuant to  Section 4.1 , the Company shall pay directly or reimburse each Griffin Entity for the actual cost of any reasonable third-party expenses paid or incurred by the Griffin Entities and its Affiliates on behalf of the Company in connection with the services it provides to the Company pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that such Griffin Entity shall obtain the Company’s approval (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) prior to incurring any third-party expenses for the account of, or reimbursable by, the Company, or in the alternative, if such Griffin Entity expenses are subsequently agreed to by the Company.

(b) Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to reimburse either Griffin Entity for any administrative service expenses, including overhead, personnel costs and costs of goods used in the performance of Services hereunder.

(c) Expenses incurred by a Griffin Entity on behalf of the Company and payable pursuant to this  Section 4.2  shall be reimbursed no less than monthly to such Griffin Entity. The Griffin Entity shall deliver to the Company a statement within twenty (20) days of the end of any calendar month documenting the expenses of the Company during such month which are to be reimbursed pursuant to this  Section 4.2  and shall also deliver such statement to the Company within twenty (20) days of the termination date.


 

Exhibit 10.1


ARTICLE V
CONFIDENTIALITY

Section 5.1. Confidentiality .

(a) Each Party may receive (or otherwise have access to) Confidential Information of the other Parties (both orally and in writing) in connection with the provision of the Services. “Confidential Information” means any information, whether or not designated or containing any marking such as “Confidential,” “Proprietary,” or some similar designation, related to any Party and its services, properties, business, assets and financial condition relating to the business, finances, technology or operations of such Party or its Affiliates. Such information may include financial, technical, legal, marketing, network, and/or other business information, reports, records, or data (including, but not limited to, computer programs, code, systems, applications, analyses, passwords, procedures, output, information regarding software, sales data, vendor lists, customer lists, and employee- or customer-related information, personally identifiable information, business strategies, advertising and promotional plans, creative concepts, specifications, designs, and/or other material). Each Party agrees to treat all Confidential Information provided by the other Parties, or which such Party otherwise has access to, pursuant to this Agreement as proprietary and confidential to the other Parties, as applicable, and to hold such Confidential Information in confidence. No Party shall (without the prior written consent of the applicable other Party) disclose or permit disclosure of such Confidential Information to any third party; provided, that any Party may disclose such Confidential Information to any permitted third party subcontractors and its Affiliates’ current employees, officers, or directors, or legal or financial representatives, in each case, who have a legitimate need to know such Confidential Information for the purpose of facilitating the provision of the Services and who have previously agreed in writing (including as a condition of their employment, contract or agency) to be bound by terms respecting the protection of such Confidential Information which are no less protective as the terms of this Agreement. Each Party agrees to safeguard all Confidential Information of the other Parties with at least the same degree of care as such Party uses to protect its own Confidential Information, but in no event shall such degree of care be less than a reasonable degree of care. Each Party shall only use the other Party’s Confidential Information solely for the purpose of fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement and facilitating the provision of the Services. Such Party shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates and permitted third party subcontractors not to, at any time, collect, use, sell, license, transfer, make available or disclose any other Party’s Confidential Information for its own benefit, the benefit of its Affiliates (or agents, subcontractors or representatives) or for the benefit of others. Each Party will be responsible for any violation of the confidentiality provisions of this Section 5.1(a) by any person or entity to whom it has disclosed Confidential Information, its subcontractors and its Affiliates’ employees, officers and directors, and legal or financial representatives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.1(a) shall not apply to any information that a Party can demonstrate (a) was, at the time of disclosure to it, in the public domain through no fault of such Party, (b) was received after disclosure to it from a third party who had a lawful right to disclose such information to it, or (c) was independently developed by the receiving Party.

(b) All Confidential Information transmitted or disclosed hereunder will be and remain the property of the Party to which such Confidential Information applies, and each Party shall promptly (at the applicable Party’s sole election) destroy or return to such Party all copies thereof upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, or upon the written request of such Party; provided, that no Party shall be required to destroy any Confidential Information that is stored solely as a result of a backup created in the ordinary course of business and is not readily destroyable or that is stored on the computers of the personnel of such Party and/or its Affiliates and subject to deletion in accordance with such Party’s and/or its Affiliates’ electronic information management practices (subject to extended retention by such Party’s or its Affiliates’ compliance and legal department personnel in accordance with any applicable existing document retention/destruction policy). Upon the request of the applicable Party, the other Parties shall provide notice of any such applicable destruction in writing.

ARTICLE VI
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Section 6.1. Ownership of Intellectual Property .

(a) Each Party acknowledges and agrees that the Parties shall each retain exclusive rights to and ownership of its Intellectual Property, and no license or other right, express or implied, is granted hereunder by any Party to its Intellectual Property.
(b) As between the Griffin Entities and the Company, each of the Griffin Entities shall exclusively own all right, title and interest throughout the world in and to all business processes and other Intellectual Property rights created by it in connection with the performance of the Services (“ Griffin Intellectual Property ”), and each Company Party hereby assigns any and all right, title or interest it may have

 

Exhibit 10.1


in any such Griffin Intellectual Property to the applicable Griffin Entity. Each Company Party shall execute any documents and take any other actions reasonably requested by the applicable Griffin Entity to effectuate the purposes of the preceding sentence. Each Griffin Entity hereby grants to the Company a royalty-free, fully paid-up, non-exclusive license to use the Griffin Intellectual Property during the Term, solely to the extent necessary for the Company to receive the benefit of the Services.

ARTICLE VII
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Section 7.1. Limitation of Liability . In no event shall any Party be liable under or in connection with this Agreement for consequential, incidental, special, indirect, treble or punitive Losses, Losses based on either the reduced current or future profitability or earnings or Losses based on a multiple of such profitability, earnings or other factor, or reduction therein (it being understood that all Losses shall for purposes of this Article VII be determined and calculated on a direct, dollar-for-dollar basis), except in the case of liabilities arising from third-party claims. Other than in the case of Losses arising out of or resulting from fraud, intentional misrepresentation or willful misconduct, the liability of any Party to the other Parties hereunder shall not exceed the aggregate amounts actually due and payable pursuant to Article IV and Section 11.1, as applicable, hereunder from the Effective Date through the date the claim accrued.

ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1. GCC’s Indemnification of the Company . Subject to the terms of this Article VIII, GCC agrees from and after the Effective Date to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company from and against any and all Losses arising out of, resulting from or relating to third-party claims arising out of a material breach by GCC of any provision of this Agreement
Section 8.2. GC LLC’s Indemnification of the Company . Subject to the terms of Article VII and this Article VIII, GC LLC agrees from and after the Effective Date to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company from and against any and all Losses arising out of, resulting from or relating to third-party claims arising out of a material breach by GC LLC of any provision of this Agreement.

Section 8.3. Indemnification of the Griffin Entities . Subject to the terms of Article VII and this Article VIII, the Company agrees from and after the Effective Date to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of the Griffin Entities from and against any and all Losses arising out of, resulting from or relating to third party claims arising out of a material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement.

Section 8.4. Indemnification Procedures . In the event either Griffin Entity or the Company shall have a claim for indemnity against the other applicable Party, the applicable Parties shall follow the procedures set forth in Article 7 of the Contribution Agreement.

ARTICLE IX
TERM AND TERMINATION

Section 9.1. Term of Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and shall continue in operation, unless earlier terminated as provided in this Article IX, until the first anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Term ”). This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless a Party provides written notice of its intention to terminate this Agreement no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any successive term (each a “ Renewal Term ”; the Initial Term and any Renewal Term are sometimes referred to as the “ Term ”), as applicable. If there is no approved budget for the successive Term, the prior year budget shall remain in effect until a new budget is approved.

Section 9.2. Termination .

(a) Partial Termination . Any Company Party may, on written notice to the applicable Griffin Entity, terminate any Service due to it and thereafter such terminated Service shall be deemed deleted from Schedule A . Any termination notice delivered by a Company Party shall identify the specific Service or Services to be terminated, and the effective date of such termination, which must be a date at least ninety (90) days from the date such termination notice is received. For any terminated Services which required the software or other services of a third party (i) if the Griffin Entity providing such Services paid for such software or services in advance, such Griffin Entity may invoice the applicable Company Party any portion of such advance payments allocable on a reasonable basis to the Company Party receiving such Services, and (ii) if, as a result of such termination, the Griffin Entity providing such Services terminates all or part

 

Exhibit 10.1


of its agreement with the third party, such Griffin Entity may invoice the Company Party receiving such Services for any applicable termination fees allocable on a reasonable basis to such Company Party. Neither Griffin Entity shall enter into any new agreements with third parties for software or services that include any termination fees that would be charged to a Company Party without such Company Party’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. After the Initial Term, a Griffin Entity may terminate a Service upon ninety (90) days written notice to the applicable Company Party if such Griffin Entity is no longer providing such Service to itself or any of its Affiliates.

(b) Automatic Termination . This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the earlier of (i) the termination of the provision of all Services or (ii) the expiration of the Term.

(c) Termination for Change of Control . A Party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon the occurrence of a “Change of Control Event” by providing the other Parties no less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of its intention to terminate this Agreement (excluding the termination of any sublease, which requires one hundred eighty (180) days prior written notice. As used herein, a “ Change of Control Event ” means (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a Party, or (ii) a sale of equity interests, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization of a Party, unless securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power after such sale of equity interests, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Persons who beneficially owned such Party’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction; provided, however, that neither the merger of the REIT with and into Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. or any subsidiary thereof, nor the merger of Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership II, L.P. with and into the OP shall constitute a Change of Control Event.

(d) Termination for Default . In the event: (i) any Company Party shall fail to pay for any or all Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; (ii) of any default by either Griffin Entity, in any material respect, in the due performance or observance by it of any of the other terms, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement; or (iii) any Party shall become or be adjudicated insolvent and/or bankrupt, or a receiver or trustee shall be appointed for any Party or its property or a petition for reorganization or arrangement under any bankruptcy or insolvency Law shall be approved, or any Party shall file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or shall consent to the appointment of a receiver or trustee (in each such case, the “ Defaulting Party ”); then the non-Defaulting Party shall have the right, at its sole discretion, (A) in the case of a default under clause (iii), to terminate immediately the applicable Service(s) and/or this Agreement and its participation with the Defaulting Party under this Agreement; and (B) in the case of a default under clause (i) or (ii), to terminate the applicable Service(s) and/or this Agreement and its participation with the Defaulting Party under this Agreement if the Defaulting Party has failed to (x) cure the default within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice of such default, or (y) take substantial steps towards and diligently pursue the curing of the default.

Section 9.3. Effect of Termination . In the event that this Agreement or a Service is terminated:
(a) Each Company Party agrees and acknowledges that the obligation of the Griffin Entities to provide the terminated Services, or to cause the terminated Services to be provided, hereunder shall immediately cease. Upon cessation of a Griffin Entity’s obligation to provide any Service, the Company Parties, as applicable, shall stop using, directly or indirectly, such Service. To the extent the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.2(d)(ii) above, the Company shall no longer be required to pay the monthly Consulting Fee.

(b) Upon request, each Company Party shall return to the Griffin Entities all tangible personal property and books, records or files owned by the Griffin Entities and used in connection with the provision of Services that are in its possession as of the termination date. Upon request, each Griffin Entity shall return to the Company Parties all tangible personal property and books, records or files owned by the Company Parties and used in connection with the provision of Services that are in its possession as of the termination date.

(c) In the event that this Agreement is terminated, the following matters shall survive the termination of this Agreement: (i) the rights and obligations of each Party under Articles V, VI, VII, VIII, this Section 9.3, Article X and Article XI and (ii) the obligations under Article IV of the Company to pay the applicable fees and expenses for Services furnished prior to the effective date of termination.

ARTICLE X
DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Section 10.1. Party Representatives . Each Party will appoint a representative (a “ Service Representative ”) responsible for coordinating and managing the delivery and receipt of the Services, as

 

Exhibit 10.1


applicable, which Service Representative will have authority to act on such Party’s behalf with respect to matters relating to this Agreement. The Service Representatives will work in good faith to address any issues involving the Parties’ relationship under this Agreement
.
Section 10.2. Escalation Procedure . The Parties shall attempt to resolve any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, in connection with, or relating to this Agreement, whether sounding in contract or tort and whether arising during or after termination of this Agreement (each, a “ Dispute ”) in accordance with the following procedures: Upon the written request of any Party, a senior executive officer of the Griffin Entities or a designee of such person and a senior executive officer of the Company or that person’s designee shall meet and attempt to resolve any Dispute between them. If such Dispute is not resolved by discussions between such officers within ten (10) days after a Party’s written request was made, then any Party may commence a proceeding relating to such Dispute in accordance with Section 11.11. No Party may commence a proceeding with respect to a Dispute unless and until the foregoing procedure has been concluded with respect to the underlying Dispute.

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1. Services Provided to the Griffin Entities . The Parties agree that from time to time certain employees of the Company may provide, or cause to be provided, services to the Griffin Entities during the Term. Any such services provided by such employees of the Company shall be provided to the Griffin Entities at cost. The provision of such services shall be subject to all of the same rights, terms, covenants, conditions as the Services under, and indemnity, confidentiality, and all of the other provisions of, this Agreement, unless the applicable Parties agree otherwise in writing.

Section 11.2. Non-Solicitation . Each Party covenants that, until the later to occur of (i) the two-year anniversary of the Effective Date and (ii) the one-year anniversary of the termination of this Agreement, such Party shall not, and shall cause their Affiliates not to, solicit the employment of any person who is, or was during the three-month period immediately prior to such solicitation, employed as an employee, contractor or consultant by the other Party or any of their subsidiaries during such period on a full- or part-time basis. The foregoing shall not prohibit any general solicitation of employees, contractors or consultants or public advertising of employment opportunities (including through the use of employment agencies) not specifically directed at any such employees, contractors or consultants, nor shall it prohibit a Party or its Affiliates from hiring any such employee, contractor or consultant who seeks employment or engagement with such Party or their on his or her own initiative, without any prior solicitation by such Party or any of their Affiliates. Furthermore, the foregoing shall not prohibit the Company from hiring employees of the Griffin Entities in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement.

Section 11.3. Insurance . The Griffin Entities shall maintain, at their sole cost and expense, at all times during the Term (and for a period of time continuing for no less than twenty-four (24) months following the Term), a professional liability insurance (errors and omissions) policy with coverages and policy related to the services to be provided under this Agreement as then maintained by the Griffin Entities and its Affiliates and with coverages of no less than $10 million. The Company shall be a named as an “additional insured” under such policy. All insurance required to be carried by the Griffin Entities shall be written with companies having a policyholder and asset rate, as circulated by Best’s Insurance Reports, of [A-:VIII] or better. On or prior to the date hereof and from time to time upon the Company’s request, the Griffin Entities shall provide certificates of insurance evidencing such coverage and such other documentation (including a copy of the policy) as may be requested.

Section 11.4. Notices .

(a) All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing (including a writing delivered by facsimile transmission) and shall be deemed given (i) when delivered, if sent by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested); (ii) when delivered, if delivered personally or sent by facsimile (with proof of transmission); or (iii) on the Business Day after deposit (with proof of deposit), if sent by overnight mail or overnight courier; in each case, unless otherwise specified or provided in this Agreement, to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address or fax number for a Party as will be specified by like notice):

As to the Company:
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.
Griffin Capital Plaza
1520 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
Attention: Michael J. Escalante

 

Exhibit 10.1


Email: mescalante@griffincapital.com

As to GCC and GC LLC:
Griffin Capital Company, LLC
Griffin Capital Plaza
1520 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
Attention: Kevin A. Shields
Email: shields@griffincapital.com
 
(b) The inability to deliver any notice, demand or request because the Party to whom it is properly addressed in accordance with this Section 11.3 refused delivery thereof or no longer can be located at that address shall constitute delivery thereof to such Party.

(c) Each Party shall have the right from time to time to designate by written notice to the other Parties hereto such other person or persons and such other place or places as said Party may desire written notices to be delivered or sent in accordance herewith.

(d) Notices and consents signed and given by an attorney for a Party shall be effective and binding upon that Party.

Section 11.5. Amendment . Except as set forth in Sections 2.3 and 9.2(a) hereof, no provision of this Agreement or of any documents or instrument entered into, given or made pursuant to this Agreement may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the Party against whom enforcement of the amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

Section 11.6. Entire Agreement . This Agreement (and all exhibits and schedules hereto) constitutes and contains the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations, correspondence, understandings, agreements and contracts, whether written or oral, among the Parties respecting the subject matter hereof. No representation, promise, inducement or statement of intention has been made by any of the Parties which is not embodied in this Agreement, or in the attached schedules or the written certificates or instruments of assignment or conveyance delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and none of the Parties shall be bound by or liable for any alleged representations, promise, inducement or statement of intention not therein so set forth.

Section 11.7. No Waiver . No failure of any Party to exercise any power given such Party hereunder or to insist upon strict compliance by the other Parties with their obligations hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any Party’s right to demand strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement.

Section 11.8. Counterparts . This Agreement, any document or instrument entered into, given or made pursuant to this Agreement or authorized hereby, and any amendment or supplement thereto may be executed in two or more counterparts, and, when so executed, will have the same force and effect as though all signatures appeared on a single document. Any signature page of this Agreement or of such an amendment, supplement, document or instrument may be detached from any counterpart without impairing the legal effect of any signatures thereon, and may be attached to another counterpart identical in form thereto but having attached to it one or more additional signature pages. Any counterpart transmitted via email in format in portable document format (.pdf) shall be treated as originals for all purposes as to the parties so transmitting.

Section 11.9. Payments . Except as otherwise provided herein, payment of all amounts required by the terms of this Agreement shall be made in the United States of America and in immediately available funds of the United States of America which, at the time of payment, is accepted for the payment of all public and private obligations and debts.

Section 11.10. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and insure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the respective Parties hereto. No assignment of this Agreement, in whole or in part, shall be made without the prior written consent of the non-assigning Parties (and shall not relieve the assigning party from liability hereunder) and any proposed assignment of this Agreement in contravention of the foregoing shall be null and void ab initio.

Section 11.11. Applicable Law; Venue .

(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California without giving effect to the conflict of law rules and principles of that

 

Exhibit 10.1


state. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Parties hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waive and release any claim that the Law of any other jurisdiction governs this Agreement.

(b) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, any legal suit, action or proceeding against any of the Parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be instituted in any federal or state court in Los Angeles, California, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding. Each of the Parties hereby agrees to venue in such courts and hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any claim that any such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient forum.

(c) Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably waives its right to a trial by jury with respect to any action, proceeding or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

Section 11.12. Construction of Agreement . The language in all parts of this Agreement shall be in all cases construed simply according to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against any of the Parties hereto. Headings at the beginning of sections of this Agreement are solely for the convenience of the Parties and are not a part of this Agreement. When required by the context, whenever the singular number is used in this Agreement, the same shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular, the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders, and vice versa.

Section 11.13. Severability . If any term or provision of this Agreement is determined to be illegal, unconscionable or unenforceable, all of the other terms, provisions and sections hereof will nevertheless remain effective and be in force to the fullest extent permitted by Law.

Section 11.14. Further Assurances . Each of the Parties agrees to execute such instruments and take such further actions after the Effective Date as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement provided that no material additional cost or liability shall be created thereby.

Section 11.15. No Third Party Beneficiary . It is specifically understood and agreed that no person shall be a third party beneficiary under this Agreement, and that none of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or be enforceable by anyone other than the Parties hereto and their assignees, and that only the Parties hereto and their permitted assignees shall have rights hereunder.

Section 11.16. Binding Agreement . Subject to the foregoing limitations, this Agreement shall extend to, and shall bind, the respective heirs, executors, personal representatives, successors and assigns of each Company Party and each Griffin Entity.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


 

Exhibit 10.1



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.
 


Griffin Capital Company, LLC
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Joseph E. Miller
 
Name:
Joseph E. Miller
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
 
 
 
 
Griffin Capital, LLC
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Joseph E. Miller
 
Name:
Joseph E. Miller
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Javier F. Bitar
 
Name:
Javier F. Bitar
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
 
 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Javier F. Bitar
 
Name:
Javier F. Bitar
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
 
 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset TRS, Inc.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Javier F. Bitar
 
Name:
Javier F. Bitar
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
 
 
Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Javier F. Bitar
 
Name:
Javier F. Bitar
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer






 
Exhibit 10.2


FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. (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 August 29, 2008. This Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into effective as of December 14, 2018 among Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “General Partner”) and the Additional 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 Griffin Capital Essential Asset Advisor, LLC, as the “Original Class A Limited Partner,” entered into an Agreement of Limited Partnership of The GC Net Lease REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. dated as of August 29, 2008, pursuant to which the Partnership was formed (the “Original Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Limited Partners entered into a First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of The GC Net Lease REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. dated as of June 18, 2009 (the “First Amended and Restated Agreement”) to amend and restate the Original Agreement;
WHEREAS, on February 25, 2013, the Partnership filed a Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership changing the name from The GC Net Lease REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. to Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P.;
WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Limited Partners entered into a Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. dated as of November 5, 2013 (the “Second Amended and Restated Agreement”) to amend and restate the First Amended and Restated Agreement to, among other things, designate and reclassify the existing Partnership Units into “Class A Common Units” and “Class B Common Units” and reflect the designation of the “Preferred Units;”
WHEREAS, simultaneous with the entry into the Second Amended and Restated Agreement, the General Partner entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement to establish a new series of “Preferred Units” of Limited Partnership Interest and subsequently issued a certain number of such Preferred Units, which Preferred Units were fully redeemed and none were outstanding as of December 14, 2018;
WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Limited Partners entered into a Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. dated as of October 15, 2014 (the “Third Amended and Restated Agreement”) to amend and restate the Second Amended and Restated Agreement to, among other things, incorporate various incentive distributions payable to the Original Class A Limited Partner and to make other conforming amendments;
WHEREAS, on August 8, 2018, the General Partner issued 5,000,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) in a private offering;

1

Exhibit 10.2


WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, the Special Limited Partner and the General Partner entered into that certain Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement, whereby the Partnership redeemed the Special Limited Partner interest; and
WHEREAS, the General Partner now desires to amend and restate the Third Amended and Restated Agreement to reflect (i) the authorization of Series A Preferred Units in connection with the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 4.2(a)(ii) hereof, which Series A Preferred Units have the rights, powers, privileges, restrictions, qualifications, and limitations specified in Exhibit C hereto, and (ii) the elimination of the Special Limited Partner interest and to make other conforming amendments.
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 Third Amended and Restated 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 the Partnership Registry.
Additional Securities means any additional REIT Shares (other than REIT Shares issued in connection with an exchange pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof) or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities containing the right to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares, as set forth in Section 4.2(a)(ii).
Adjusted Capital Account means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each Partnership Year (i) increased by any amounts which such Partner is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) and (ii) decreased by the items described in Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), and 1.701-4(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
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, including any salaries or other payments to directors, officers or employees of the General Partner, and any accounting and legal expenses of the General Partner, which expenses, the Partners have agreed, are expenses of the Partnership and not the General Partner, and (iii) to the extent not included in clause (ii) above, REIT Expenses; provided, however, that Administrative Expenses shall not include any administrative costs and expenses incurred by the General Partner that are attributable to Properties or partnership interests in a Subsidiary Partnership (other than this Partnership) that are owned by the General Partner directly .

2

Exhibit 10.2


Affiliate or Affiliated means, as to any other Person, any of the following:
(a)    any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with power to vote, 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person;
(b)    any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with power to vote, by such other Person;
(c)    any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person;
(d)    any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; and
(e)    any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee or general partner.
Agreed Value means the fair market value of a Partner’s 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 Fourth 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 Fourth Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the General Partner filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, as amended or restated from time to time.
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) 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.
Class A Common Unit means any Partnership Unit other than a Class B Common Unit, a Preferred Unit, or any other Partnership Unit that is specifically designated by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.2 as being another class of Partnership Units.

3

Exhibit 10.2


Class A Limited Partners means the Partners who are holders of Class A Common Units.
Class B Common Unit means all Common Units issued to or held by the General Partner and any of its Subsidiaries (it being understood that if the General Partner or any of its Subsidiaries shall acquire any Class A Common Units, such Class A Common Units shall automatically be converted into Class B Common Units upon such acquisition).
Class B Limited Partner means the General Partner, in its capacity as a Limited Partner, and any other Subsidiaries of the General Partner who shall own Class B Common Units as a Limited Partner.
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 at the date hereof and any successor provision of the Code.
Common Stockholders means holders of REIT Shares.
Common Unit means a Partnership Unit that is not a Preferred Unit. The Class A Common Units and Class B Common Units, and any other Partnership Units that may be designated as Common Units from time to time by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.2, are Common Units.
Conversion Factor means 1.0, provided that 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 purposes 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 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.
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 dividends 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; 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; commencement of any proceedings relating to such Person as a debtor under any other

4

Exhibit 10.2


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 8.4(a) hereof.
Exchanging Partner has the meaning provided in Section 8.4(a) hereof.
General Partner means Griffin Capital Essential Asset 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 Partnership Interest means a Partnership Interest held by the General Partner that is a general partnership interest. The number of Class B 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.
Independent Director means a director of the General Partner who is not an officer or employee of the General Partner and meets the requirements for independence as defined by the General Partner’s Articles of Incorporation.
Joint Venture or Joint Ventures means those joint venture or general partnership arrangements in which the General Partner or the Partnership is a co-venturer or general partner 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 Person’s capacity as a Limited Partner in the Partnership.
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 of such 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.

5

Exhibit 10.2


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 Sale Proceeds means in the case of a transaction described in clause (a) of the definition of Sale, the net proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of all real estate commissions and closing costs paid by the Partnership. In the case of a transaction described in clause (b) of such definition, Net Sale Proceeds means the net proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of any legal and other selling expenses incurred by the Partnership in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction described in clause (c) of such definition, Net Sale Proceeds means the net proceeds of any such transaction actually distributed to the Partnership from the Joint Venture less any expenses incurred by the Partnership in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction or series of transactions described in clause (d) of the definition of Sale, Net Sale Proceeds means the net proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of all commissions and closing costs paid by the Partnership. In the case of a transaction described in clause (e) of such definition, Net Sale Proceeds means the net proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of all selling costs and other expenses incurred by the Partnership in connection with such transaction. Net Sale Proceeds shall also include, in the case of any lease of a Property consisting of a building only, any amounts from tenants, borrowers or lessees that the General Partner, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership determines, in its discretion, to be economically equivalent to the proceeds of a Sale. Net Sale Proceeds shall be calculated after repayment of any outstanding indebtedness related to the asset disposed of in the Sale.
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.
Partner means any General Partner or Limited Partner.
Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). A Partner’s share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5).
Partnership means Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P., 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 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 Partner’s share of Partnership Minimum Gain shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(1).

6

Exhibit 10.2


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, as to a Partner, with respect to any class or series of Partnership Units held by such Partner, its interest in such class or series of Partnership Units as determined by dividing the number of Partnership Units in such class or series owned by such Partner by the total number of Partnership Units in such class or series then outstanding. For purposes of determining the rights and relationships among the various classes and series of Partnership Units, Preferred Units shall not be considered to have any share of the aggregate Percentage Interest in the Partnership unless, and only to the extent, provided otherwise in the instrument creating such class or series of Preferred Units.
Person means any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust or other entity.
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 General Partner either directly or through the Partnership, 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 on the date hereof and any successor provision of the Regulations.
Regulatory Allocations has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(g) hereof.
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

7

Exhibit 10.2


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, 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 $0.001 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.
REIT Shares Amount means a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the number of Partnership Units offered for exchange by an Exchanging Partner, multiplied by the Conversion Factor as adjusted to and including the Specified 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, 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.
Sale or Sales means any transaction or series of transactions whereby: (a) the Partnership sells, grants, transfers, conveys or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including the lease of any Property consisting of the building only, and including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards; (b) the Partnership sells, grants, transfers, conveys or relinquishes its ownership of all or substantially all of the interest of the Partnership in any Joint Venture in which it is a co-venturer or partner; (c) any Joint Venture in which the Partnership is a co-venturer or partner sells, grants, transfers, conveys or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to insurance claims or condemnation awards; (d) the Partnership sells, grants, conveys, or relinquishes its interest in any asset, or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any asset which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or similar awards; or (e) the Partnership sells or otherwise disposes of or distributes all of its assets in liquidation of the Partnership.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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.

8

Exhibit 10.2


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 Partner’s 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 provided in the definition of “Conversion Factor” contained herein.
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 last reported sale price on such day or, if no sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, as reported by a reliable quotation source designated by the General Partner; or (iii) if the REIT Shares are not Listed and no such last reported sale price or closing bid and asked prices are available, the average of the reported high bid and low asked prices on such day, as reported by a reliable quotation source designated by the General Partner, or if there shall be no bid and asked prices on such day, the average of the high bid and low asked prices, as so reported, on the most recent day (not more than ten (10) days prior to the date in question) for which prices have been so reported; 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 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 Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. The specified office and place of business of the Partnership

9

Exhibit 10.2


shall be Griffin Capital Plaza, 1520 Grand Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245 (telephone number (310) 606-5900; facsimile number (310) 606-5910). 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 Partnership’s 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 Griffin Capital Essential Asset 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.
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);
(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 Partnership’s assets and apply and distribute the proceeds thereof in accordance with Section 5.6 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the liquidating General Partner may either (i) defer liquidation of, or withhold from distribution for a

10

Exhibit 10.2


reasonable time, any assets of the Partnership (including those necessary to satisfy the Partnership’s debts and obligations), or (ii) distribute the assets 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 Partner’s interest in the Partnership, including the number 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 Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P., as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE 3     
BUSINESS OF THE PARTNERSHIP
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, 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 the ownership of 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 Partner’s right in its sole and absolute discretion to cease qualifying as a REIT, the Partners acknowledge that the General Partner’s 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.
ARTICLE 4     
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOUNTS
4.1 Capital Contributions . The General Partner and the Limited Partners have made Capital Contributions to the Partnership in exchange for the Partnership Interests set forth opposite their names on Exhibit A , as amended from time to time.

11

Exhibit 10.2


4.2 Additional Capital Contributions and Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests . 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 respect thereof, in the manner contemplated in this Section 4.2.
(a) Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests.
(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. 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 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 Interests; (ii) the right of each such class or series of Partnership Interests to share in Partnership distributions; and (iii) the rights of each such class or series of Partnership Interests upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; provided, however, that no additional Partnership Interests shall be issued to the General Partner unless:
(1)    (A) the additional Partnership Interests 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 Interests 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 proceeds raised in connection with the issuance of such shares of stock of or other interests in the General Partner;
(2)    the additional Partnership Interests 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 Interests; or
(3)    additional Partnership Interests are issued to all Partners holding Partnership Units in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests.
In addition, the General Partner may acquire Partnership Interests from other Partners pursuant to this Agreement. In the event that the Partnership issues Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 4.2(a), the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Agreement (without any requirement of receiving approval of the Limited Partners) as it deems necessary to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Interests 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 for less than fair market value, so long as the General Partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership.

12

Exhibit 10.2


(ii) 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 Interests 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 connection with an acquisition of a 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 Interests, 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 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, in the event the General Partner issues REIT Shares for a cash purchase price and contributes all of the 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 REIT Shares . In connection with any and all issuances of REIT Shares, 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 underwriter’s 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.
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

13

Exhibit 10.2


Partnership property as consideration for a Partnership Interest, (iii) the Partnership is liquidated within the meaning of Regulation 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 Partnership’s 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 Partner’s Percentage Interest shall be adjusted by the General Partner effective as of the effective date of each such increase or decrease to a percentage equal to the number of Partnership Units held by such Partner divided by the aggregate number of Partnership Units outstanding after giving 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 date of the change 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 Contribution.
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 Partner’s 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

14

Exhibit 10.2


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. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, 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 Partner’s Capital Account.
ARTICLE 5     
PROFITS AND LOSSES; DISTRIBUTIONS
5.1 Allocation of Profit and Loss .
(a) General . After giving effect to 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, the Partnership’s Profits and Losses shall be allocated among the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as provided below.
(i) Profits . Profits shall be allocated:
(A)    first, to Partners holding Preferred Units (and if there are Preferred Units with different priorities in preference in distribution, then in the order of their preference in distribution) to the extent that Losses previously allocated to such Partners pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(ii)(B) below exceed Profits previously allocated to such Partners pursuant to this Section 5.1(a)(i)(A);
(B)    second, to the General Partner to the extent that Losses previously allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(ii)(C) below exceed Profits previously allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 5.1(a)(i)(B);
(C)    third, to those Partners, including the General Partner, holding Common Units who have been allocated Losses pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(ii)(A) below in excess of Profits previously allocated to such Partners pursuant to this Section 5.1(a)(i)(C) (and as among such Partners, in proportion to their respective excess amounts);
(D)    fourth, to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in Common Units.
(ii) Losses . Losses shall be allocated:
(A)    first, to the Partners, including the General Partner, holding Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in Common Units, until the Adjusted Capital Account (ignoring for this purpose any amounts a Partner is obligated to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or is deemed obligated to contribute pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c)(2)) of each Partner is reduced to zero;

15

Exhibit 10.2


(B)    second, to Partners holding Preferred Units in accordance with each such Partner’s respective percentage interests in the Preferred Units determined under the respective terms of the Preferred Units (and if there are Preferred Units with different priorities in preference in distribution, then in the reverse order of their preference in distribution), until the Adjusted Capital Account (modified in the same manner as in clause (A)) of each such holder is reduced to zero;
(C)    third, to the General Partner.
(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 taxable year, 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 taxable year, 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 Partner’s “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 Partner’s Percentage Interest.
(c) Qualified Income Offset . If a Partner unexpectedly receives in any taxable year 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 Partner’s Capital Account that exceeds the sum of such Partner’s 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 taxable year (and, if necessary, later taxable years) 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 the current taxable year, shall be specially allocated to Partners that own Preferred Units in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the cumulative distributions received by such Partner for or with respect to the current taxable year and all prior taxable years with respect to such Preferred Units (with a distribution made on the first business day after the end of a year being treated as made with respect to such year) (other than distributions that are treated as being in satisfaction of the

16

Exhibit 10.2


Liquidation Preference for any Preferred Units held by such Partner or amounts paid in redemption of any Preferred Units, except to the extent that the Liquidation Preference or amount paid in redemption includes accrued and unpaid distributions) over the cumulative allocations of Partnership Profits, gross income and gain to such Partner under this Section 5.1(d) for all prior taxable 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 fiscal year of the Partnership shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee Partner either (i) as if the Partnership’s fiscal year had ended on the date of the transfer, or (ii) based on the number of days of such fiscal year that each was a Partner without regard to the results of Partnership activities in the respective portions of such fiscal 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 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 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.
(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 Partner’s 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 (other than Net Sale Proceeds) on a quarterly (or, at the election of the General Partner, more frequent) 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:

17

Exhibit 10.2


(i) First, to the holders of the Preferred Units, if any, 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) Then, to the holders of the Common Units in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in the Common Units on the Partnership Record Date;
provided, however, that if a new or existing Partner acquires an additional Partnership Interest 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 Interest relating to the Partnership Record Date next following the issuance of such additional Partnership Interest (or relating to the Partnership Record Date if such Partnership Interest was acquired on a Partnership Record Date) shall be reduced in the proportion to (i) the number of days that such additional Partnership Interest is held by such Partner bears to (ii) the number of days between such Partnership Record Date (including such Partnership Record Date) and the immediately preceding Partnership Record Date.
(b) Net Sale Proceeds . Subject to the distribution, liquidation preference, redemption, repurchase and other rights, if any, of the holders of any Preferred Units, Net Sale Proceeds shall be distributed 100% to the Partners who are Partners on the Partnership Record Date in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests on the Partnership Record Date.
(c) 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

18

Exhibit 10.2


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(c) 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.
(d) 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.
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 Partner’s 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 Partnership’s 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 all Partners with positive Capital Accounts in accordance with their respective positive Capital Account balances, subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred Units to receive the Liquidation Preference, with appropriate adjustments to the Capital Accounts of such holders of the Preferred Units entitled to receive the Liquidation Preference to reflect payment of the Liquidation Preference. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the Capital Account of each Partner shall be determined after all adjustments have been made in accordance with Sections 4.4, 5.1 and 5.2 resulting from Partnership operations and from all sales and dispositions of all or any part of the Partnership’s assets. 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 in the case of the allocation of losses attributable to nonrecourse debt) within the meaning of Section 704(b) of the Code as interpreted by the Regulations promulgated pursuant

19

Exhibit 10.2


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 powers of the General Partner shall include, without limitation, the authority to take the following actions on behalf of the Partnership:
(i) to acquire, purchase, own, operate, lease and dispose of 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 Partnership’s 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 Partnership’s 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 Partnership’s assets, whether or not the terms of such leases extend beyond the termination date of the Partnership and whether or not any portion

20

Exhibit 10.2


of the Partnership’s 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 Partnership’s assets;
(x) to file applications, communicate, and otherwise deal with any and all governmental agencies having jurisdiction over, or in any way affecting, the Partnership’s 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, its Subsidiaries and any other Person in which it has an equity interest from time to time);

21

Exhibit 10.2


(xx) to establish Partnership reserves for working capital, capital expenditures, contingent liabilities, or any other valid Partnership purpose;
(xxi) to merge, consolidate or combine the Partnership with or into another Person;
(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; and
(xxiii) 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 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.
(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 Partnership’s activities,

22

Exhibit 10.2


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 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, 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

23

Exhibit 10.2


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 Partner’s 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) 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.
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.

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Exhibit 10.2


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 Subsidiary Partnerships; 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 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 Partner’s distribution reinvestment plan), then the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to purchase from the General Partner a number of Partnership Units as determined based on the

25

Exhibit 10.2


application of the Conversion Factor on the same terms that the General Partner exchanged 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 equal number of Partnership Units held by the General Partner. 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 Partner’s Partnership Units for an equivalent purchase price based on the application of the Conversion Factor.
ARTICLE 7     
CHANGES IN GENERAL PARTNER
7.1 Transfer of the General Partner's 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 Partner’s 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 (including the Class B Common Units held by the General Partner or an Affiliate thereof) 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) 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

26

Exhibit 10.2


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 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 to 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 8.4 hereof so as to approximate the existing rights and obligations set forth in Section 8.4 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;

27

Exhibit 10.2


(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 Person’s authority to become a General Partner and to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement; and
(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 Partner’s 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 Limited Partners, 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 Class A Limited Partners. If the Class A Limited Partners 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.

28

Exhibit 10.2


(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 Class A 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 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 Class A 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 Class A Limited Partners each shall select an appraiser. Each such appraiser shall complete an appraisal of the fair market value of the removed General Partner’s General Partnership Interest within 30 days of the General Partner’s removal, and the fair market value of the removed General Partner’s 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 Partner’s 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 Partner’s 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 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

29

Exhibit 10.2


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.
8.4 Exchange Right .
(a) Subject to Sections 8.4(b), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), 8.4(e) and 8.4(f) 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 8.4(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 8.4(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, which upon such acquisition shall become Class B Common Units. If the General Partner shall elect to exercise its right to purchase Common Units under this Section 8.4(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 8.4(b), the General Partner shall have no obligation to the Exchanging Partner or the Partnership with respect to the Exchanging Partner’s 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 8.4(b), the Partnership shall have no obligation to pay

30

Exhibit 10.2


any amount to the Exchanging Partner with respect to such Exchanging Partner’s exercise of such Exchange Right, and each of 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 Partner’s 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.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.4(a) and 8.4(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 8.4(b) (regardless of whether or not the General Partner would in fact exercise its rights under Section 8.4(b)) would (i) result in such Partner or any other person owning, directly or indirectly, REIT Shares in excess of the 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 8.4(c).
(d) Any Cash Amount to be paid to an Exchanging Partner pursuant to this Section 8.4 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 best 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 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.
(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.

31

Exhibit 10.2


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 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 Partner’s 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 may be granted or withheld in its sole and absolute discretion. 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 Common Units pursuant to Section 8.4. Upon the permitted Transfer or redemption of all of a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest, such Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner.
(c) Subject to 9.2(d), (e) and (f) below, a Limited Partner may Transfer, with the consent of the General Partner, all or a portion of its Partnership Units to (i) a parent or parent’s 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, (ii) a corporation controlled by a Person or Persons named in (i) above, or (iii) if the Limited Partner is an entity, its beneficial owners.
(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 legal counsel for the Partnership, the transfer would result in the Partnership’s 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 legal counsel for the

32

Exhibit 10.2


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, or (iii) such transfer is effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code.
(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.
(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 assignee’s authority to become a Limited Partner under the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

33

Exhibit 10.2


(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 has 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 Partner’s 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.
(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 Partner’s 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.

34

Exhibit 10.2


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 home as tenants in common. 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.
9.7 Redemption of Partnership Units . The General Partner will cause the Partnership to redeem Partnership Units, to the extent it shall have legally available funds therefor, at any time the General Partner redeems shares of capital stock in itself. The number and class or series of Partnership Units redeemed and the redemption price shall equal the number (multiplied by the Conversion Factor) of shares of capital stock the General Partner redeems and the redemption price at which the General Partner redeems such shares, respectively.
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 Partner's 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 Person's 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 Fiscal Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items allocable among Partners and assignees for such Fiscal Year shall be allocated among such Additional Limited Partner and all other Partners and assignees by taking into account their varying interests during the Fiscal 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 Net Income, Net Losses, and each item thereof would be prorated based upon the applicable period selected by the General Partner). Solely for purposes

35

Exhibit 10.2


of making such allocations, each of such items 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 of Available Cash 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 of Cash 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 the Partner Registry) and, if required by law, shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership 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
11.1 Books and Records . At all times during the continuance of the Partnership, the Partners shall keep or cause to be kept at the Partnership’s 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 of Limited Partnership and all certificates of amendment thereto, (c) copies of the Partnership’s 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 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.
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. 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 fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall furnish to each person who was a Limited Partner at any time during

36

Exhibit 10.2


such year the tax information necessary to file such Limited Partner’s 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 Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s 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 Representative’s 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 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 as in effect for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and thereafter, (iii) may request a modification to any assessment of an imputed underpayment, including a modification for any Partner who is a real estate investment trust or regulated investment company as defined in Sections 586 and 851, respectively, 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 Partnership’s 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 6221-6235 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 or a final adjustment of the

37

Exhibit 10.2


Partnership 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 Partnership’s 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 IRS with respect to an examination of the Partnership or participate in an audit of the Partnership or proceedings under Sections 6221-6235 of the Code.
(c) The Partners acknowledge that the Partnership intends to elect the application of Section 6221(b) of the Code (the “Opt-out Election”) for its first taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and for each Fiscal Year thereafter. If the Partnership is not eligible to make such election, the Partners acknowledge that the Partnership intends to elect the application of Section 6226 of the Code (the “Push-out Election”) for its first taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and for each Fiscal Year thereafter. 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 elects the application of Section 6226 of the Code, the Partners shall take into account and report to the IRS (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), whether or not the 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 Partner’s failure. In addition, each Partner shall indemnify and hold the Partnership, the General Partner, the Partnership Representative, and each of their Affiliates harmless from and against any and all liabilities related to taxes (including penalties and interest) imposed on the Partnership (i) pursuant to Section 6221 of the Code, which liabilities relate to adjustments that would have been made to the tax items allocated to such Partner had such adjustments been made for a tax year beginning prior to January 1, 2018 (and assuming that the Partnership had not made an election to have Section 6221 of the Code apply for such earlier tax years) and (ii) resulting from or attributable to such Partner’s failure to comply with the preceding subsection (b) or this subsection (c). 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’s election under Section 6226 of the Code.
(d) If the Partnership does not make an election under Section 6226 of the Code, 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 IRS for the underpayment of federal taxes, compounded quarterly, until paid.
(e) The provisions of this Section 10 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 Partner’s Partnership Interest.

38

Exhibit 10.2


(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 IRS or applicable state, local or foreign tax authority relating to such proceedings. The Partnership Representative shall inform the IRS, 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.
11.6 Reports Made Available to Limited Partners .
(a) As soon as practicable after the close of each fiscal quarter (other than the last quarter of the fiscal 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 principles. As soon as practicable after the close of each fiscal 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.
ARTICLE 12     
AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT; MERGER
The General Partner’s consent shall be required for any amendment to this Agreement. 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 the holders of a majority of the Class A Common Units:
(a) any amendment affecting the operation of the Conversion Factor or the Exchange Right (except as provided in Section 8.4(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;

39

Exhibit 10.2


(c) any amendment that would alter the Partnership’s 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.
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.

40

Exhibit 10.2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunder affixed their signatures to this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, all as of the 14 th day of December, 2018.
 
 
 
 
GENERAL PARTNER:
 
 
 
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
 
 
 
By:    /s/ Michael J. Escalante  
 
Michael J. Escalante, Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
CLASS A LIMITED PARTNERS:
 
 
 
By: GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC., as Attorney-in-Fact for the Limited Partners holding Partnership Units
 
 
 
By:    /s/ Michael J. Escalante  
 
Michael J. Escalante, Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
CLASS B LIMITED PARTNER:
 
 
 
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
 
 
 
By:    /s/ Michael J. Escalante  
 
Michael J. Escalante, Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





[Signature Page to Fourth Amended and Restated Operating Partnership Agreement]

41
Exhibit 10.3

REDEMPTION OF LIMITED PARTNER INTEREST AGREEMENT

This Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of December 14, 2018, by and among Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. , a Maryland corporation (“ GCEAR ”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), and Griffin Capital Essential Asset Advisor, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ GCEAR Advisor ”).

WHEREAS, GCEAR is the general partner of the Operating Partnership and GCEAR Advisor is a limited partner of the Operating Partnership;

WHEREAS, in connection with the entry into the Contribution Agreement by and among GCEAR, the Operating Partnership, Griffin Capital Company, LLC and Griffin Capital, LLC, dated as of December 14, 2018 (the “ Contribution Agreement ”), Griffin Capital Company, LLC, as the ultimate parent company of GCEAR Advisor, has caused GCEAR Advisor to submit for redemption all of the limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership owned by GCEAR Advisor (the “ Advisor Limited Partner Interests ”), and the Operating Partnership has agreed to redeem the Advisor Limited Partner Interests.

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, GCEAR, as the general partner of the Operating Partnership, the Operating Partnership, and GCEAR Advisor, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms . Except as otherwise set forth herein, capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Contribution Agreement.

2. Redemption of Advisor Limited Partner Interest . Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Operating Partnership, and for good and valuable consideration as described in the Contribution Agreement, GCEAR, as the general partner of the Operating Partnership, and the Operating Partnership hereby redeem all of GCEAR Advisor’s right, title, and interest in and to the Advisor Limited Partner Interests.

3. Severability . Any provision hereof which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

4. Binding Effect; Amendments . This Agreement shall be binding on, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to relieve or discharge the obligation of any third Person or any party to this Agreement. Neither this Agreement, nor any

1


Exhibit 10.3

term or provision hereof, may be altered or amended in any manner except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom the enforcement of any such change is sought.

5. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any Law other than the law of the State of Delaware.

6. Counterparts . This Agreement and any amendment hereby 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.

7. Conflict with Contribution Agreement . This Agreement is an instrument of transfer contemplated by, and executed pursuant to the Contribution Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Contribution Agreement and the terms hereof, the terms of the Contribution Agreement will prevail.









[Signatures appear on next page]


2


Exhibit 10.3


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

                    
 
GCEAR:

GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.

By:   /s/ Kevin A. Shields               
Kevin A. Shields
Chief Executive Officer



 
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP:

GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
 

 
By: GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
 
Its General Partner
 
By:   /s/ Kevin A. Shields              
Kevin A. Shields
Chief Executive Officer





 
GCEAR ADVISOR:

GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET ADVISOR, LLC

By:   /s/ Kevin A. Shields               
Kevin A. Shields
President














[Signature page to Redemption of Limited Partner Interest Agreement]

3

Exhibit 10.4

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of December 14, 2018, is made by and among GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC. , a Maryland corporation (“ GCEAR ”), GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Operating Partnership ”), and GRIFFIN CAPITAL, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ GC LLC ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS , GCEAR, the Operating Partnership, GC LLC and Griffin Capital Company, LLC have entered into a Contribution Agreement dated December 14, 2018 (the “ Contribution Agreement ”), pursuant to which GC LLC and Griffin Capital Company, LLC are contributing personnel and certain other contributed assets used in its business to the Operating Partnership in exchange for the consideration described therein, including units of Class A limited partnership interest (the “ OP Units ”) in the Operating Partnership;

WHEREAS , upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the OP Partnership Agreement, the OP Units will be redeemable for shares of common stock of GCEAR, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), provided, however, pursuant to the terms of the Contribution Agreement, such OP Units may not be redeemed by GC LLC for Common Stock of GCEAR until November 30, 2020 (the “ Lock-Up Expiration ”);

WHEREAS , as a condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, GCEAR has agreed to grant the registration rights set forth herein, after the Lock-Up Expiration, for the benefit of GC LLC; and

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to evidence the foregoing agreement of GCEAR 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 Registration Rights Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Board ” means the board of directors of GCEAR.


1


Exhibit 10.4

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.

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 4(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.

GCEAR ” has the meaning set forth to it in the preamble hereof and includes GCEAR’s successors by merger, acquisition, reorganization or otherwise.

Holder ” means each Person holding Registrable Shares, including (i) GC LLC 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 10 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.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8(a) .

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8(c) .

Lock-Up Expiration” has the meaning ascribed to in the recitals hereof.

Losses ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8(a) .

Maximum Number of Shares ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2(b) .

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

Operating Partnership Agreement ” means that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Operating Partnership entered into concurrently herewith, as may be amended.

OP Units ” 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

2


Exhibit 10.4

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 3(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 that are issued or issuable to such Holder pursuant to the Operating Partnership Agreement, (ii) any additional securities issued or issuable as a dividend or distribution on, in exchange for, or otherwise in respect of, such shares of Common Stock (including as a result of combinations, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations, reorganizations or otherwise); provided that shares of Common Stock shall cease to be Registrable Shares with respect to any Holder at the time such shares have been (a) sold pursuant to a Resale Registration Statement or sold pursuant to Rule 144, or (b) sold to GCEAR or any of its subsidiaries.

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) all 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 5(j) , (v) the fees and disbursements of counsel for GCEAR and of the independent public accountants of GCEAR (including the 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 GCEAR 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.

Renewal Deadline ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2(f) .

Resale Registration Statement ” means any one or more registration statements of GCEAR 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

3


Exhibit 10.4

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.

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) 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 4(c) .

Suspension Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4(c) .

Section 2.      Demand Registration Rights.

(a)      Subject to the provisions hereof, Holder at any time from and after the Lock-Up Expiration, may request registration for resale under the Securities Act of all or part of the Registrable Shares (a “ Demand Registration ”) by giving written notice thereof to GCEAR, which request will specify the number of shares of Registrable Shares to be offered by 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, 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. Subject to Sections 2(c) and 2(e) below and the last sentence of this Section 2(a) , GCEAR 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 Holder’s 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 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) after Holder’s request therefor, and (ii) to cause such Resale Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, GCEAR 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 Demand Registration (other than any such registration on Form S-3) in respect of GCEAR’s Common Stock.

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 GCEAR receives a request for a Demand Registration, GCEAR has an effective shelf registration

4


Exhibit 10.4

statement, GCEAR 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, GCEAR 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 GCEAR and Holder 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 ”), GCEAR 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 deleting or jeopardizing the success of the offering (including the offering price per share), with such Maximum Number of Shares allocated (1) first, to the shares of Common Stock that the Holder of Registrable Shares proposes to sell and (2) second, to the shares of Common Stock proposed to be included therein by any other Persons (including shares of Common Stock to be sold for the account of the Company or other holders of Common Stock) allocated among such Persons in such manner as they may agree.

(c)      If any of the Registrable Shares covered by a Demand Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, GCEAR shall have the right to (i) select the underwriters (and their roles) in the offering, provided that such underwriters are reasonably acceptable to Holder; and (ii) determine the structure of the offering and negotiate the terms of any underwritten agreement as they relate to Holder, 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 such structure and terms are acceptable to Holder, in its sole discretion.

(d)      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board determines in its good faith judgment that the filing of a Demand Registration would (i) be seriously detrimental to GCEAR in that such registration would interfere with a material corporate transaction, or (ii) require the disclosure of material non-public information concerning GCEAR that at the time is not, in the good faith judgment of the Board, in the best interest of GCEAR to disclose and is not, in the opinion of GCEAR’s counsel, otherwise required to be disclosed, then (x) GCEAR will have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than 60 days after receipt of any demand by Holder, and (y) GCEAR will not exercise its right to defer a Demand Registration more than once in any 12-month period. GCEAR will give written notice of its determination to Holder 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, GCEAR 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.


5


Exhibit 10.4

(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 remain unsold by Holder included on such registration statement, GCEAR 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 GCEAR is not eligible to file an automatic shelf registration statement, GCEAR 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 GCEAR will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit 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.      Piggyback Registration.

(a)      If at any time GCEAR has registered, or has determined to register, any of its securities for its own account or for the account of other security holders of GCEAR on any registration form (other than Form S-4 or S-8) that permits the inclusion of the Registrable Shares (a “ Piggyback Registration ”), GCEAR will give Holder written notice thereof promptly (but in no event less than 20 days prior to the anticipated filing date) and, subject to Section 3(b) , will include to such registration all Registrable Shares requested to be included therein pursuant to the written request of Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, GCEAR will not be required to include any Registrable Shares in any registration under this Section 3(a) prior to the Lock-Up Expiration.

(b)      If a Piggyback Registration is initiated as a primary underwritten offering on behalf of GCEAR, and the managing underwriters advise GCEAR and Holder 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, GCEAR will include in such registration, unless otherwise agreed by GCEAR and Holder, (i) first, the number of shares of Common Stock that GCEAR proposes to sell, and (ii) second, the Registrable Shares of Holder.

(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 GCEAR 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 GCEAR will include in such registration, unless otherwise agreed by GCEAR 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 amount 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 Holder and the shares of Common Stock requested to be included in such registration by other holders, pro rata among the Holder 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, GCEAR will have the right to select, in its sole discretion, the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer any such offering.


6


Exhibit 10.4

(e)      GCEAR will not grant to any Person the right to request GCEAR to register any Common Stock in a Piggyback Registration unless such rights are consistent with the provisions of this Section 3 .

(f)      Nothing in this Section 3 shall create any liability on the part of GCEAR to the Holder if GCEAR in its sole discretion decides not to file a registration statement previously proposed to be filed as described in Section 3(a) or to withdraw any such registration statement subsequent to its filing, regardless of any action whatsoever that a Holder may have taken, whether as a result of the issuance by GCEAR of any notice hereunder or otherwise.

Section 4.      Suspension.

(a)      Subject to the provisions of this Section 4 and a good faith determination by GCEAR that it is in the best interests of GCEAR 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), GCEAR, by written notice to Holder, may direct Holder to suspend sales of the Registrable Shares pursuant to such Resale Registration Statement for such times as GCEAR 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 GCEAR if GCEAR is advised by the underwriters that the concurrent resale of the Registrable Shares by Holder pursuant to the Resale Registration Statement would have a material adverse effect on GCEAR’s offering, (ii) there is material non-public information regarding GCEAR that (A) GCEAR determines not to be in GCEAR’s best interest to disclose, (B) would, in the good faith determination of GCEAR, 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) GCEAR 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 GCEAR that GCEAR determines not to be in GCEAR’s best interests to disclose.

(b)      Upon the earlier to occur of (i) GCEAR delivering to Holder an End of Suspension Notice (as defined below), or (ii) the end of the maximum permissible suspension period, GCEAR will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly amend or supplement the Resale Registration Statement so as to permit Holder to resume sales of the Registrable Shares as soon as possible.


7


Exhibit 10.4

(c)      In the case of an event that causes GCEAR to suspend the use of a Resale Registration Statement (a “ Suspension Event ”), GCEAR will give written notice (a “ Suspension Notice ”) to Holder 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 GCEAR is taking all reasonable steps to terminate suspension of the effectiveness of the Resale Registration Statement as promptly as possible. Holder 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 GCEAR prior to receipt of an End of Suspension Notice (as defined below). If so directed by GCEAR, Holder will deliver to GCEAR (at the reasonable expense of GCEAR) all copies other than permanent file copies then in Holder’s possession of the Prospectus covering the Registrable Shares at the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. 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 GCEAR, which End of Suspension Notice will be given by GCEAR to Holder in the manner described above promptly following the conclusion of any Suspension Event and its effect.

Section 5.      Registration Procedures. In connection with the obligations of GCEAR with respect to any registration pursuant to this Agreement, GCEAR will:

(a)      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 any Resale Registration Statement to become and remain effective as set forth in Section 2 ;

(b)      subject to Section 4 , (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 Holder;

(c)      furnish to Holder, 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; GCEAR hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, by Holder 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 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 Holder to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Shares owned by Holder;


8


Exhibit 10.4

(e)      notify Holder 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;

(g)      upon request, furnish to Holder, 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 4 , upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 5(e)(iv) , 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 Holder 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 GCEAR 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 GCEAR’s listing or inclusion application any deficiencies cited by the exchange or market) to list or include all Registrable Shares on any securities exchange on which such Registrable Shares 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 GCEAR’s 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, GCEAR will register the Registrable Shares under the Exchange Act and maintain such registration through the effectiveness period required by Section 2 ;


9


Exhibit 10.4

(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 Holder 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, Holder having been furnished with a copy thereof at least two Business Days prior to the filing thereof; provided, however, that GCEAR may file such Resale Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement following such time as GCEAR will have made a good faith effort to resolve any such issue with Holder and will have advised Holder 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;

(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 Holder 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 Holder 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 GCEAR and any acquisition target of GCEAR 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 Holder;

(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 Holder and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of GCEAR 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 Holder and the underwriters of such Registrable Shares opinions and negative assurance letters of counsel to GCEAR 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 Holder), 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


10


Exhibit 10.4

(q)      upon reasonable request of Holder, GCEAR will file an amendment to any applicable Resale Registration Statement (or Prospectus supplement, as applicable), to update the information provided by Holder in connection with Holder’s disposition of Registrable Shares.

Section 6.      Required Information.

(a)      GCEAR may require Holder to furnish in writing to GCEAR such information regarding Holder and the proposed distribution of Registrable Shares by Holder as GCEAR may from time to time reasonably request in writing or as will be required to effect registration of the Registrable Shares. Holder further agrees to furnish promptly to GCEAR in writing all information required from time to time to make the information previously furnished by Holder not misleading.

(b)      Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from GCEAR of the happening of any event of the kind described in Sections 5(e)(ii), 5(e)(iii) or 5(e)(iv) hereof, 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 5(e)(iii) or 5(e)(iv) occurs, Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus. If so directed by GCEAR, Holder will deliver to GCEAR (at the reasonable expense of GCEAR) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in Holder’s possession, in its possession of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Shares current at the time of receipt of such notice.

Section 7.      Registration Expenses. GCEAR 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. Holder will bear all Selling Expenses and any other expense relating to a registration of Registrable Shares pursuant to this Agreement and any other Selling Expenses relating to the sale or disposition of Holder’s Registrable Shares pursuant to any Resale Registration Statement.

Section 8.      Indemnification.

(a)      GCEAR will indemnify and hold harmless Holder, each Person who controls 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 GCEAR 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 (A) such untrue statement or omission is based upon information regarding Holder furnished in writing to GCEAR by or on behalf of Holder expressly for use therein, or (B) such information relates to Holder or Holder’s proposed method of distribution of the Registrable Shares and was approved in writing by or on behalf of Holder expressly for use in the Resale Registration Statement, such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto.


11


Exhibit 10.4

(b)      Holder will indemnify and hold harmless GCEAR, and the directors of GCEAR, each officer of GCEAR 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 (i) such untrue statement or omission is based upon information regarding Holder furnished in writing to GCEAR by or on behalf of Holder expressly for use therein, or (ii) such information relates to Holder or Holder’s proposed method of distribution of the Registrable Shares and was approved in writing by or on behalf of Holder expressly for use in the Resale Registration Statement, such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto.

(c)      Each Indemnified Party under this Section 8 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 8 except to the extent of the actual damages suffered by such delay in notification. The 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.


12


Exhibit 10.4

(d)      If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to a party that would have been an Indemnified Party under this Section 8 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. GCEAR and Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 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 8(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 8 in excess of the net proceeds to Holder of any Registrable Shares sold by Holder.

Section 9.      Rule 144. GCEAR shall, at GCEAR’s expense, for so long as any Holder holds any Registrable Shares, use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with Holder, as may be reasonably requested by Holder from time to time, to facilitate any proposed sale of Registrable Shares by Holder 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 Holder to avail itself of such rule to allow Holder to sell such Registrable Shares without registration.

Section 10.      Transfer of Registration Rights. The rights and obligations of GC LLC 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) GCEAR is given written notice by GC LLC 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 11.      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.


13


Exhibit 10.4

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 11(E) . NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 11(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.

(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.


14


Exhibit 10.4

(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 GCEAR and Holder.

(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, (c) transmitted by telefax or telecommunications mechanism provided , that receipt is confirmed and any notice so given is also mailed as provided in the following clause (d), or (d) mailed by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested as follows:

If to GC LLC, addressed to:
Griffin Capital Company, LLC
Griffin Capital Plaza
1520 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
Attention: Kevin Shields; Howard Hirsch; Joe Miller
Email: shields@griffincapital.com; hhirsch@griffincapital.com; jmiller@griffincapital.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to :
Baker & McKenzie LLP
300 East Randolph Street, Suite 5000
Chicago, IL 60601 United States
Attention: Daniel Cullen
Email: daniel.cullen@bakermckenzie.com
If to GCEAR, addressed to:
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.
Griffin Capital Plaza

15


Exhibit 10.4

1520 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
Attention: Michael J. Escalante; Javier Bitar
Email: mescalante@griffincapital.com; jbitar@griffincapital.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to :
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
201 17
th Street NW, Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30363
Attention: Michael K. Rafter, Esq.
Email: mike.rafter@nelsonmullins.com
or to such other address or to such other Person as each Party shall have last designated by such notice to the other Parties. Each such notice or other communication shall be effective (i) when delivered in Person, (ii) if given by telecommunication, when transmitted to the applicable number so specified in (or pursuant to) this Section 11(e) and an appropriate confirmation is received, 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.

(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 GCEAR 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 as a condition thereto, GCEAR (or its successors or permitted assigns) shall cause such Person to assume the obligations of GCEAR set forth in this Agreement. If any successor or permitted assignee of GC LLC 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 GC LLC 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.


16


Exhibit 10.4

(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 11(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)      Attorneys’ Fees. If Holder brings an action to enforce its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing party in the action is entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with such action, including any appeal of such action.

(l)      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, GCEAR will provide 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 Holder hereunder.

[Signatures appear on next page]



17


Exhibit 10.4

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
 
GC LLC :

GRIFFIN CAPITAL, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company

By:     /s/ Kevin A. Shields              
Kevin A. Shields
Chief Executive Officer
 

GCEAR :

GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
a Maryland corporation


By:    /s/ Michael J. Escalante              
Michael J. Escalante
Chief Executive Officer


OPERATING PARTNERSHIP :

GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
a Delaware limited partnership

By: GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
Its General Partner

By:     /s/ Michael J. Escalante         
Michael J. Escalante
Chief Executive Officer


    










[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

18

Exhibit 10.5

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 14 th day of December, 2018, by and between Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and [ ] (“Indemnitee”).
WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as an officer of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of such service;
WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity, the Company has agreed to indemnify Indemnitee and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law; and
WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement:
(a)      “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or (iii) at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not individuals (A) who were directors as of the Effective Date or (B) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors as of the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved.

19344386v1

Exhibit 10.5

(b)      “Corporate Status” means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company: (i) if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (1) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is or was owned directly or indirectly by the Company or (2) the management of which is controlled directly or indirectly by the Company and (ii) if, as a result of Indemnitee’s service to the Company or any of its affiliated entities, Indemnitee is subject to duties to, or required to perform services for, an employee benefit plan or its participants or beneficiaries, including as a deemed fiduciary thereof.
(c)      “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advance of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.
(d)      “Effective Date” means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
(e)      “Expenses” means any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, arbitration and mediation costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and any other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding. Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including, without limitation, the premium for, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.
(f)      “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable

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Exhibit 10.5

standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
(g)      “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, claim, demand or discovery request or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, except one pending or completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.
Section 2.      Services by Indemnitee . Indemnitee serves or will serve in the capacity or capacities set forth in the first WHEREAS clause above. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.
Section 3.      General . The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective Date. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), including, without limitation, Section 2-418 of the MGCL.
Section 4.      Standard for Indemnification . If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
Section 5.      Certain Limits on Indemnification . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:

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Exhibit 10.5

(a)      indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of the Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable to the Company;
(b)      indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of the Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable on the basis that personal benefit in money, property or services was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether or not involving action in the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status; or
(c)      indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Company’s charter or Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise.
Section 6.      Court-Ordered Indemnification . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Company in the following circumstances:
(a)      if such court determines that Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or
(b)      if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper without regard to any limitation on such court-ordered indemnification contemplated by Section 2-418(d)(2)(ii) of the MGCL.
Section 7.      Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partially Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each such claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate

-4-


Exhibit 10.5

basis. For purposes of this Section 7 and, without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 8.      Advance of Expenses for Indemnitee . If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding. The Company shall make such advance of incurred Expenses within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding, which advance may be in the form of, in the reasonable discretion of Indemnitee (but without duplication), (a) payment of such Expenses directly to third parties on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance of funds to Indemnitee in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses or (c) reimbursement to Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s payment of such Expenses. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.
Section 9.      Indemnification and Advance of Expenses as a Witness or Other Participant . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other person, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting any such advance or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee. In connection with any such advance of Expenses, the Company may require Indemnitee to provide an undertaking and affirmation substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of execution thereof.
Section 10.           Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification .
(a)      To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary or appropriate to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to

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Exhibit 10.5

indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitee’s sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b)      Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control has occurred, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control has not occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors or by the majority vote of a group of Disinterested Directors designated by the Disinterested Directors to make the determination, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (C) if so directed by the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company, other than directors or officers who are parties to the Proceeding. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall make payment to Indemnitee within ten days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary or appropriate to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel if retained pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b). Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(c)      The Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is appointed.
Section 11.           Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings .
(a)      In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons (including any court having jurisdiction over the matter) making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company

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Exhibit 10.5

shall have the burden of overcoming that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.
(b)      The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.
(c)      The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this Agreement.
Section 12.           Remedies of Indemnitee .
(a)      If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the charter or Bylaws of the Company is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, or in an arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification or advance of Expenses. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under Section 7 of this Agreement. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b)      In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of

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Exhibit 10.5

Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.
(c)      If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification that was not disclosed in connection with the determination.
(d)      In the event that Indemnitee is successful in seeking, pursuant to this Section 12, a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.
(e)      Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period (i) commencing with either the tenth day after the date on which the Company was requested to advance Expenses in accordance with Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement or the 60 th day after the date on which the Company was requested to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification under Section 10(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
Section 13.           Defense of the Underlying Proceeding .
(a)      Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The

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Exhibit 10.5

failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.
(b)      Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise with respect to Indemnitee which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee, or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.
(c)      Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.
Section 14.           Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation .

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Exhibit 10.5

(a)      The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the charter or Bylaws of the Company, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of the charter or Bylaws of the Company, this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b)      In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
Section 15.           Insurance .
(a)      The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. In the event of a Change in Control, the Company shall maintain in force any and all directors and officers liability insurance policies that were maintained by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control for a period of six years with the insurance carrier or carriers and through the insurance broker in place at the time of the Change in Control; provided, however, (i) if the carriers will not offer the same policy and an expiring policy needs to be replaced, a policy substantially comparable in scope and amount shall be obtained and (ii) if any replacement insurance carrier is necessary to obtain a policy substantially comparable in scope and amount, such insurance carrier shall have an AM Best rating that is the same or better than the AM Best rating of the existing insurance carrier.
(b)      Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee which would otherwise be indemnifiable hereunder arising out of the amount of any deductible or

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Exhibit 10.5

retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in Section 15(a). The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.
(c)      The Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Company or any insurance carrier of the Company with respect to any Proceeding.
Section 16.           Coordination of Payments . The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
Section 17.      Contribution . If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason, other than for failure to satisfy the standard of conduct set forth in Section 4 or due to the provisions of Section 5, then, with respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying and holding harmless Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, penalties, and/or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
Section 18.           Reports to Stockholders . To the extent required by the MGCL, the Company shall report in writing to its stockholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or advance of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company with the notice of the meeting of stockholders of the Company next following the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advance of Expenses or prior to such meeting.
Section 19.           Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect .
(a)      This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or

-11-


Exhibit 10.5

other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).
(b)      The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns solely with respect to any Proceedings related to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with the Company (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(c)      The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement solely with respect to any Proceedings related to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with the Company in the same manner and to the same extent (to the maximum extent permitted by law) that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(d)      The Company and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.
Section 20.           Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the

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Exhibit 10.5

validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable that is not itself invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
Section 21.           Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, (delivery of which may be by facsimile, or via e-mail as a portable document format (.pdf) or other electronic format), each of which will be deemed to be an original, and it will not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement or the terms of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 22.           Headings . The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
Section 23.           Modification and Waiver . No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 24.           Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a)      If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.
(b)      If to the Company, to:
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
Griffin Capital Plaza
1520 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, California 90245
Attn: Corporate Secretary

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Exhibit 10.5


or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

Section 25.           Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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Exhibit 10.5

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY:

        GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET
                        REIT, INC.



By: /s/ Kevin A. Shields
Name: Kevin A. Shields
Title: Chief Executive Officer


INDEMNITEE


_____________________
Name:
Address:





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Exhibit 10.6

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into this 14th day of December, 2018 by and between Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GRECO ”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. (“ GCEAR ”), and Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. (“ GCEAR OP ”) (together with GRECO and GCEAR, the “ Company ”) and Michael J. Escalante, an individual (the “ Executive ”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company is a party to (i) that certain Contribution Agreement dated as of December 14, 2018, by and among Griffin Capital Company, LLC (“ GCC ”) and Griffin Capital, LLC, and other parties as specified therein (the “ Self-Administration Transaction ”), and (ii) that certain Merger Agreement dated as of December 14, 2018, by and among Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. (“ GCEAR II ”), GCEAR, GCEAR OP, and other parties as specified therein (the “ Mergers ”), whereby GCEAR II will become a successor to GCEAR; and
WHEREAS, in connection with and conditioned upon the closing of the Self-Administration Transaction, the Executive’s employment will move from GCC to GRECO (the “ Effective Date ”); and
WHEREAS, following the Self-Administration Transaction and continuing through and after the Mergers (but not conditioned upon the closing of the Mergers), GRECO, as a subsidiary of GCEAR OP and GCEAR (to be succeeded by GCEAR II upon the closing of the Mergers), and the Executive desire to establish and continue their employment relationship on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the above recitals incorporated herein and the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby expressly acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1.
Employment and Duties .

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Exhibit 10.6

1.1
Employment . GRECO hereby employs the Executive on an at-will basis, subject to the terms and conditions expressly set forth in this Agreement, including, but not limited to, Section 5 of this Agreement. The Executive hereby agrees to such employment on the terms and conditions expressly set forth in this Agreement.
1.2
Position and Duties . The Executive shall serve as (a) Chief Executive Officer/President of GRECO, and (b) Chief Executive Officer/President and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of GCEAR. The Executive shall perform and have the responsibilities, duties, status and authority customary for each such position in an organization of the size and nature of GRECO or GCEAR, as applicable, subject in the case of GRECO to the directives of GRECO’s Manager that is designated in GRECO’s LLC Operating Agreement, as amended from time to time, and subject in the case of GCEAR to the directives of the Board of Directors of GCEAR (the “ Board ”), and subject as to both entities to such entity’s lawful policies as in effect from time to time (including, without limitation, business conduct and ethics policies, as they may be amended from time to time). In addition, following the Mergers, during the Term, the Company shall cause the Executive to be appointed (or, following the Listing Date (as defined below), nominated to stand for election) to the Board (or board of directors of GCEAR II); provided, however , that the Company shall not be obligated to cause such nomination if any of the events constituting Cause (as defined below) have occurred and not been cured.
1.3
No Other Employment; Time Commitment . During the Term, the Executive shall both (a) devote the Executive’s full business time, energy and skill to the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder and (b) hold no other employment, except that the parties acknowledge that the Executive may continue his involvement in Escalante Property Ventures and his other personal investments so long as such activities do not materially interfere with his duties for the Company. Further, the Executive’s service on the boards of directors (or similar body) of other business or charitable entities, other than the Executive’s service on the board of directors of GCEAR II, membership on the Investment Committees of GIREX, GAHR and PECO, and participation on the GCC Executive Management Committee, is subject to the prior approval of the Board. The Executive shall cease outside activities and/or resign from any board or similar body on which the Executive may then serve if the Board determines that such activity is engaged in a Competitive Business (as defined below). This Section 1.3 shall not be construed to prevent the Executive from making passive outside investments so long as such investments do not require material time of the Executive or otherwise interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties and obligations hereunder. The Executive shall not make any investment in an enterprise that competes with the Company without the prior written approval of the Board after full disclosure of the facts and circumstances; provided, however, that this sentence shall not preclude the Executive from owning up to two percent (2%) of any class of the securities of a publicly-traded entity (a “ Passive Investment ”).

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Exhibit 10.6

1.4
No Breach of Contract . The Executive hereby represents: (a) that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive and the performance by the Executive of the Executive’s duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any other agreement or policy to which the Executive is a party or otherwise bound; (b) that the Executive has no information (including, without limitation, confidential information and Trade Secrets) relating to any other person or entity which would prevent, or be violated by, the Executive entering into this Agreement or carrying out his duties hereunder; and (c) that the Executive is not bound by any confidentiality, Trade Secret or similar agreement with any other person or entity which would prevent, or be violated by, the Executive (i) entering into this Agreement or (ii) carrying out his duties hereunder.
1.5
Location . The Executive’s principal place of employment shall be the offices of the Company located in El Segundo, California. The Executive acknowledges that he may be required to travel from time to time in the course of performing his duties hereunder.
2.
Term . The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue for an initial term of five (5) years. This Agreement shall thereafter automatically renew for additional one (1) year periods, unless the Company or the Executive provides at least ninety (90) days’ advance written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew (such initial term and all subsequent terms are referred to collectively as the “ Term ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement and the Term shall end upon any termination of the Executive’s employment as described in Section 5 below.
3.
Compensation .
3.1
Base Salary . During the Term, the Executive’s base salary (the “ Base Salary ”) shall be paid in accordance with GRECO’s regular payroll practices in effect from time to time, but not less frequently than in monthly installments. Starting with January 1, 2019, the Executive's Base Salary shall be paid at an annualized rate of $800,000. Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board (or a committee thereof), and subject to increase (but not decrease) as determined in the sole discretion of the Board (or such committee).
3.2
Annual Incentive Bonus . Beginning January 1, 2019 and continuing for each calendar year during the Term, in addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual cash bonus opportunity (“ Incentive Bonus ”). The parties acknowledge and agree that following the date on which the Company’s common stock becomes listed on an established stock exchange (the “ Listing Date ”), the Company expects to establish an annual bonus program whereby an Incentive Bonus will be determined by reference to the attainment of Company performance metrics and/or individual performance objectives. The Executive’s target, maximum and threshold bonus levels shall be set at a target level of 250%, with a maximum level of 325%, and a threshold level of 175%, of the Base Salary actually paid for such year, and shall be subject to adjustment, after the Listing Date, in the sole discretion

-3-    


Exhibit 10.6

of the Compensation Committee of the Board. The determination as to the Incentive Bonus level achieved for any calendar year shall be made in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board; provided, however , that for the 2019 and 2020 bonus years, the Executive shall be guaranteed at least a minimum Incentive Bonus equal to the applicable target bonus level. The Company shall pay any Incentive Bonus earned for a calendar year to the Executive in a single cash lump sum payment either (i) with respect to any calendar year that ends prior to the Listing Date, no later than December 31 of such year or (ii) with respect to any calendar year that ends after the Listing Date, no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such Incentive Bonus was earned. Any Incentive Bonus payment is subject to the Executive’s continued employment by the Company or its affiliates through the last day of the calendar year to which such Incentive Bonus relates.
3.3
Long-Term Incentives. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company shall grant the Executive an initial grant of a time-vested equity award with respect to either shares of GCEAR stock (e.g., restricted stock or restricted stock units) or GCEAR OP units, in a form to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board in consultation with the Executive, with a value equal to $7 million (the “ Initial Equity Award ”), subject to four-year vesting and the terms of the applicable award agreement and plan to be established by the Company consistent with the recommendations of FTI Consulting presented to and approved by the Board on December 12, 2018. Following the grant of the Initial Equity Award, the Executive shall not be eligible to receive another equity award until January 2021, at which time the Company shall propose to grant the Executive an equity award with a target dollar-denominated value equal to $3.5 million, and which will be 100% time-vested if the Listing Date has not yet occurred or will be a minimum of 40% time-vested if the Listing Date has occurred, with the remainder of such equity award subject to performance-based vesting using structure/metrics that are commonly used in the REIT industry at that time. Such 2021 equity award shall be subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board, which may approve a greater or lesser target value and shall determine the terms and conditions applicable thereto. The Executive shall be entitled to additional future equity awards, as determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board. Any equity award granted to the Executive that remains outstanding as of immediately prior to a “change in control” (as defined in the applicable plan covering the award) of the Company shall become fully vested and, to the extent applicable, exercisable immediately prior to such change in control; provided, however, that to the extent any such award is subject to performance-based vesting requirements, performance shall be assumed to be at target for any performance period that has not yet ended.
4.
Benefits .
4.1
Retirement, Welfare and Fringe Benefits . During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in all employee retirement (e.g., 401(k), Profit Sharing,

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Exhibit 10.6

Executive Deferred Compensation Plan) and welfare benefit plans and programs, and fringe benefit plans and programs, made available to the Company’s senior management team generally, in accordance with the terms of such plans and as such plans or programs may be in effect from time to time. If the Executive elects to enroll in coverage under the group medical plan coverage offered by the Company or its affiliates, the Company will pay the full cost of such coverage for the Executive and the Executive’s spouse and dependents.
4.2
Reimbursement of Business Expenses . During the Term, the Executive shall be authorized to incur expenses in carrying out the Executive’s duties under this Agreement and shall be eligible for reimbursement by the Company of all business expenses the Executive incurs during the Term in connection with carrying out the Executive’s duties hereunder, subject to GRECO’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time.
4.3
Vacation and Other Leave . During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation accrual in accordance with Company policies generally applicable to other senior management of the Company, with full credit for the Executive’s prior service with GCC, GC LLC, and their affiliates.
4.4
Indemnification . The Executive shall have the benefit of indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, which indemnification shall continue after the termination of this Agreement (for any reason) for such period as may be necessary to continue to indemnify the Executive for his acts during the Term. The Company shall defend the Executive in connection with any such claims and shall reimburse the reasonable attorneys’ fees and cost directly incurred by the Executive in connection therewith. During the Term and for such period thereafter as may be necessary to continue to cover acts of the Executive during the Term, the Company shall cause the Executive to be covered by the policies of directors and officers liability insurance covering directors and officers of the Company (including any tail policy obtained in connection with the Mergers and the Self-Administration Transaction), in accordance with their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director or officer of the Company.

5.
Termination of Employment .
5.1
Generally . The Executive’s employment by the Company, and the Term, may be terminated at any time (a) by the Company with or without Cause, (b) by the Company in the event that the Executive has incurred a Disability, (c) by the Executive with Good Reason, (d) by the Executive without Good Reason, or (e) due to the Executive’s death.
5.2
Notice of Termination . Any termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement (other than because of the Executive’s death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination from the Company to the Executive, or the Executive to the Company, which termination shall be effective, subject to any cure period

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Exhibit 10.6

provided in Section 5.5 below, (a) no less than thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice in the event of a termination by the Executive for Good Reason, or by the Company without Cause or due to Disability ( provided that the Company shall be entitled to pay the Executive Base Salary in lieu of such notice, in which case payment shall be paid within five (5) business days following the Executive’s Severance Date (as defined below)), or (b) immediately in the event of a termination by the Company with Cause or resignation by the Executive without Good Reason. The notice of termination shall indicate the specific provision(s) of this Agreement relied upon in effecting the termination and shall state the specific reason(s) why the termination is being initiated.
5.3
Benefits Upon Termination .
(a)     For Cause or Without Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated during the Term by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason (in any case, the date that the Executive’s employment by the Company terminates is referred to as the “ Severance Date ”), the Company shall have no further obligation to make or provide to the Executive, and the Executive shall have no further right to receive or obtain hereunder, any payments or benefits other than (i) payment of (A) any Base Salary earned but not paid on or before the Severance Date, (B) any accrued and unpaid vacation time or paid time-off as of the Severance Date, to the extent that payout is provided by the Company policy or required by applicable law, and (C) any Incentive Bonus earned by the Executive for the calendar year prior to the calendar year in which the Severance Date occurs, but not yet paid to the Executive, (ii) any reimbursement due to the Executive pursuant to Section 4.2 for expenses incurred by the Executive on or before the Severance Date, and (iii) any accrued or vested benefits or compensation to which the Executive is entitled under equity compensation, retirement, welfare and fringe benefits or other employee benefits, or the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “ Accrued Obligations ”). Such Accrued Obligations shall be paid at their normal times in accordance with the Company’s policies and regular payroll practices, or such sooner date as required by applicable law.
(b)     Death or Disability. If the Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated during the Term due to the Executive’s death or by the Company due to the Executive’s Disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or his estate): (i) the Accrued Obligations at the time and in the manner as set forth in Section 5.3(a) above; (ii) the Executive’s Incentive Bonus for the calendar year in which the Severance Date occurs, pro-rated for the amount of time the Executive is employed during such calendar year, assuming target performance and payable at the normal time such Incentive Bonuses are paid, and (iii) a lump sum payment equal to twenty-four (24) months of Healthcare Benefits (as defined below), payable within sixty (60) days following the Severance Date (clauses (ii) and (iii), collectively, the “ Death/Disability Benefit ”). In addition, all outstanding equity awards held by the Executive as of immediately prior to his Severance Date shall immediately become fully vested

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Exhibit 10.6

and, to the extent applicable, exercisable (to the extent any such award is subject to performance-based vesting requirements, performance shall be assumed to be at target for any performance period that has not yet ended) (the “ Equity Award Vesting ”), and the Executive’s account under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan shall become vested in full. Payment of the Death/Disability Benefit is subject to any applicable delay of payment rules pursuant to Section 19 below.
(c)     Without Cause, With Good Reason. If, during the Term, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, the Company shall pay the Executive:
(i)     the Accrued Obligations at the time and in the manner as set forth in Section 5.3(a) above;
(ii)     a pro-rated Incentive Bonus for the calendar year in which his Severance Date occurs (assuming target individual performance and actual Company performance), pro-rated for the amount of time the Executive is employed during such calendar year and payable at the normal time such Incentive Bonuses are paid;
(iii)     a lump sum payment due within sixty (60) days following the Severance Date equal to three (3) times the sum of (A) his Base Salary (at the rate in effect on the Severance Date, disregarding any reduction constituting Good Reason) plus (B) the average of the Incentive Bonus paid to the Executive for the prior two (2) calendar years preceding the year in which the Severance Date occurs; provided, however , that in the event such Severance Date occurs prior to the end of two years after the Effective Date, then the amount in clause (B) shall be determined by using the Executive’s target Incentive Bonus for any such years not yet elapsed; and
(iv)     a lump sum payment equal to twenty-four (24) months (or, if the Severance Date occurs prior to December 31, 2020, thirty-six (36) months) of the total cost of coverage under the Company’s group medical plan for the Executive and his dependents at the level in effect on the Severance Date (the “ Healthcare Benefits ”), payable within sixty (60) days following the Severance Date (clauses (ii) – (iv) are collectively referred to herein as the “ Severance Benefit ”).
Payment of the Severance Benefit is subject to any applicable delay of payment rules pursuant to Section 19 below.
In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to the Equity Award Vesting, and the Executive’s account under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan shall become vested in full.

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Exhibit 10.6

(d)     Termination Preceding or Following Change in Control . If, during the Term and within six (6) months preceding, on or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control of the Company, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, then the Executive shall be entitled to all of the benefits and payments described in Section 5.3(c) above, provided, however, that the Healthcare Benefits shall be calculated to cover thirty-six (36) months. If such termination occurs within six (6) months preceding a Change in Control, then any Severance Benefit that becomes payable pursuant to this Section 5.3(d) that is in addition to an amount payable pursuant to Section 5.3(c) shall be paid on the later of the date of the Change in Control and the sixty (60)-day anniversary of the Severance Date. For purposes of this Section 5.3, a “ Change in Control ” is defined as a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), other than the Self-Administration Transaction and the Mergers.
(e)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.3, if the Executive breaches the Executive's obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement, the Executive shall no longer be entitled to receive, and the Company shall no longer be obligated to pay, any remaining unpaid portion of the Severance Benefit as of the date of such breach. Any disputes with respect to the application of this Section 5.3(e) will be subject to Section 17 hereof, provided that during the pendency of any such dispute, the Company will be entitled to withhold any payments pursuant to this Section 5.3.
(f)    The foregoing provisions of this Section 5.3 shall not affect: (i) the Executive’s receipt of benefits otherwise due terminated employees under group insurance coverage consistent with the terms of the applicable Company welfare benefit plan; (ii) the Executive’s rights under COBRA to continue participation in medical, dental, hospitalization and other benefit plans covered by COBRA; or (iii) the Executive’s right to any vested equity award or the receipt of benefits otherwise due in accordance with the terms of the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan or the Company’s 401(k), profit sharing, and other qualified retirement plans (if any).
(g)    Payments made to the Executive pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.3 shall be in lieu of any severance benefits otherwise due to Executive under any severance pay plan or program maintained by the Company or its affiliates that covers employees or executives of the Company generally.

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Exhibit 10.6

5.4      Release; Exclusive Remedy .
(a)    As a condition precedent to any Company obligation (other than Accrued Obligations) due to the Executive pursuant to Section 5.3(b) or (c), the Executive (or his estate, as applicable) and the Company shall, within sixty (60) days following the Severance Date (the full 60-day period being the “ Release Period ”), execute and deliver, and not revoke within the applicable revocation period which ends prior to the end of the Release Period, a general release substantially in the forms attached hereto as Exhibits A and B , respectively ( provided, however , that Executive shall not be required to execute a general release as a condition to the receipt of such payments or benefits unless the Company also executes a general release). If such period for execution and nonrevocation of the release spans two calendar years, then any payment that is conditioned upon the execution of such release shall not be made earlier than the last day of such 60 day period.
(b)    The Executive agrees that the payments and benefits contemplated by Section 5.3 shall constitute the exclusive and sole remedy for any termination of his employment during the Term.
5.5
Certain Defined Terms .
(a)    As used herein, “ Cause ” shall mean that one or more of the following has occurred:
(i)    the Executive has engaged in deliberate misrepresentation in connection with, or willful failure to cooperate with, a bona fide internal investigation by regulatory or law enforcement authorities, after being instructed by the Company to cooperate, or the willful destruction or failure to preserve documents or other materials known to be relevant to such investigation and outside of Company policy or the willful inducement of others to fail to cooperate or to produce documents or other materials as reasonably requested by the Company or its legal counsel;
(ii)    the Executive has deliberately failed to perform his material duties at an appropriate level hereunder, which failure continues for a period of thirty (30) business days after written demand for corrective action is delivered by GRECO; provided that Company underperformance to the extent due to business or market conditions outside of the Executive’s control shall not be considered a failure hereunder;
(iii) the Executive’s commitment of fraud, embezzlement or willful misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or its affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of any such entity’s property for personal purposes;

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Exhibit 10.6

(iv) the Executive has been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony (other than a traffic violation) or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; or

(v)    the Executive’s breach of any material provision of this Agreement or any other material agreement between the Executive and the Company, or any of its affiliates.

No act, or failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. In order for the Company to terminate the Executive’s employment for “Cause,” the Company shall have first given written notice of the alleged grounds purporting to constitute Cause (which notice must be given within thirty (30) days following the Board’s actual knowledge of the grounds purporting to constitute Cause) and the same shall not have been cured (if capable of cure, as reasonably determined by the Board in consultation with the Executive) within ten (10) business days of such written notice.
    
(b)    As used herein, “ Disability ” shall mean the disability of the Executive as determined in accordance with the group long-term disability plan offered to employees of GRECO, or in the absence of such a plan, the inability of the Executive, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the Executive’s essential duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of more than one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days or one hundred and eighty (180) nonconsecutive days during any twelve (12) month period by reason of a mental or physical disability as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion following consultation with a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative.
(c)    As used herein, “ Good Reason ” shall mean that one or more of the following has occurred without the Executive’s written consent:
(i)     the Company’s material breach of this Agreement (excluding any delay of payment required or permitted under Code Section 409A), which includes but is not limited to: a material diminution of the Executive’s duties, responsibilities, title or authority without his consent;
(ii)     a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary or material failure to pay such amount, or a material reduction in the Incentive Bonus threshold, target and/or maximum opportunities;
(iii)     Executive's required re-location to a worksite location which is more than fifteen (15) miles from El Segundo, California;
(iv)     the Company’s failure to require any successor of the Company to assume and perform this Agreement; or

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Exhibit 10.6

(v)    the Company’s nonrenewal of this Agreement when the Executive is willing and able to continue under this Agreement and no Cause otherwise exists.
provided that, in any such case, the Executive provides written notice to GRECO that the event giving rise to such claim of Good Reason has occurred within sixty (60) calendar days after the occurrence of such event, and such Good Reason remains uncured thirty (30) calendar days after the Executive has provided such written notice; provided further that any resignation of the Executive’s employment for “Good Reason” occurs no later than sixty (60) days following the expiration of such cure period.
5.6
Resignation from Directorships and Officerships . The termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason shall constitute the Executive’s resignation from (a) any director, officer or employee position the Executive holds with the Company, or any of its affiliates and (b) all fiduciary positions (including as a trustee) the Executive holds with respect to any employee benefit plans or trusts established by the Company, or any of its affiliates, except, in each case, from the Board or the board of directors of GCEAR II. The Executive agrees that this Agreement shall serve as written notice of resignation in this circumstance.
5.7
Limitation on Benefits .
(a)     Best Pay Cap . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive (including any payment or benefit received in connection with a termination of the Executive’s employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits being hereinafter referred to as the “ Total Payments ”) would be subject (in whole or part), to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the cash severance payments under this Agreement shall first be reduced, and the noncash severance payments hereunder shall thereafter be reduced, to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which the Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase

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Exhibit 10.6

out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments).
(b)     Certain Exclusions . For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code shall be taken into account; (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the written opinion of an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm (the “ Independent Advisors ”) mutually selected by the Company and the Executive, does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of Independent Advisors, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable compensation; and (iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Independent Advisors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
(c)     Private Company Exclusion . Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as the Company is described in Section 280G(b)(5)(A)(ii)(I) of the Code, if any portion of the Total Payments would be subject to the Excise Tax then, to the extent, if any, the Executive elects to waive the right to receive such payments or benefits unless shareholder approval is obtained in accordance with Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code, the Company shall prepare and deliver to its stockholders the disclosure required by Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code with respect to the Total Payments and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the approval of the Company’s stockholders in accordance with Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code and the regulation codified at 26 C.F.R. §1.280G-1.
6.
Protective Covenants . All references to the Company in this Section 6, and each of its subsections, refer to the Company and its affiliates. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has developed intellectual property, Trade Secrets and Confidential Information to assist it in its business. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that the Company has substantial relationships with prospective or existing customers, as well as customer good will associated with its ongoing businesses. The Company employs or will employ Executive in a position of trust and confidence, and may provide Executive with extraordinary or specialized training in furtherance of Executive's duties hereunder. Executive therefore acknowledges and agrees that the Company has a right to protect these legitimate business interests. The Executive expressly agrees that the covenants in this Section 6 shall continue in effect as set forth herein regardless of whether the Executive is then entitled to receive any further payments or benefits from the Company. It is further

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Exhibit 10.6

understood that the covenants contained in this Section 6 survive the Term and bind the Executive as long as he is employed by the Company and, in certain instances, for a period of time thereafter.
6.1
Confidential Information .
(a)    Subject to Section 6.1(c), the Executive agrees at all times to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of the Company, any of the Company’s Trade Secrets or Confidential Information or to disclose to any person, firm or entity any of the Company’s Trade Secrets or Confidential Information except (i) as authorized in writing by the Company Board, (ii) as authorized by the Company’s management, pursuant to a written non-disclosure agreement, or (iii) as required by law.
(i)    For purposes of this Agreement, " Trade Secrets " shall mean any of information of the Company, without regard to form, including, but not limited to, technical or non-technical data, a formula, a pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a process, financial data, financial plans, product plans, or a list of actual or potential customers or suppliers, which is not commonly known by or available to the public and which information (A) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (B) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

(ii)    For purposes of this Agreement, " Confidential Information " shall mean any data and information (A) relating to the business of the Company, regardless of whether the data or information constitutes a Trade Secret; (B) disclosed to Executive or of which he/she became aware of as a consequence of Executive's relationship with the Company; (C) having value to the Company; (D) not generally known to competitors of the Company; and (E) which includes Trade Secrets, methods of operation, names of customers, price lists, financial information and projections, route books, personnel data, and similar information; provided, however , that Confidential Information shall not mean data or information which has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the Company, except where such public disclosure has been made by the Executive without authorization from the Company, which has been independently developed and disclosed by others, or which has otherwise entered the public domain through lawful means.

(b)    The Executive agrees that he will not, during the Term, knowingly improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer and that he will not bring onto the premises of the Company any proprietary information belonging to such employer unless consents to in writing by such employer.


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Exhibit 10.6

(c)    The Defend Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. § 1833(b)) states: “An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state Trade Secret law for the disclosure of a Trade Secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.” Accordingly, the Executive shall have the right to disclose in confidence Trade Secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The Executive shall also have the right to disclose Trade Secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of Trade Secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b).

6.2
No Competing Employment . During the Executive’s employment with the Company (the “ Restricted Period ”), the Executive shall not directly, or by assisting others, engage in the business of net lease office and industrial commercial real estate (the “ Competitive Business ”) in any capacity identical with or corresponding to the capacity or capacities in which employed by the Company, anywhere within the areas(s) where Executive is working and/or for which the Executive is responsible; provided , that the Executive may make Passive Investments, and provided further that the Executive may provide services to any business or entity that has a line of business, division, subsidiary or other affiliate that is a Competitive Business if, during the Restricted Period, the Executive is not employed directly in such line of business or division or by such subsidiary or other affiliate that is a Competitive Business and is not involved directly in the management, supervision or operations of such line of business, division, subsidiary or other affiliate that is a 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.
6.3
Non-Solicitation of Employees . During the Restricted Period and for the 18-month period following the Executive’s Severance Date, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit, induce, recruit, encourage, or hire (or attempt any of the foregoing actions) or otherwise cause (or attempt to cause) any employee or individual independent contractor of the Company to leave his or her employment or engagement with the Company for employment with the Executive or with any other entity or person, or otherwise interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to disrupt) the employment or service relationship between any such individual and the Company. The Executive will not be deemed to have violated this Section 6.3 if employees respond to general advertisements for employment or if the Board provides unanimous prior written consent to the activities of the Executive (all such requests for consent will be given good faith consideration by the Board).

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Exhibit 10.6

6.4
Non-Solicitation of Customers . During his employment with the Company and thereafter, the Executive shall not use any Trade Secret to solicit, induce, or encourage any customer, client, vendor, or other party doing business with any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates to terminate its relationship therewith or transfer its business from any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and the Executive shall not initiate discussion with any such person for any such purpose or authorize or knowingly cooperate with the taking of any such actions by any other individual or entity.
6.5
Non-Disparagement . The Executive agrees that at no time during his employment with the Company or thereafter shall he make, or cause or assist any other person to make, any statement or other communication to any third party which impugns or attacks, or is otherwise critical of, the reputation, business or character of the Company or any of its affiliates, or any of their respective directors or officers. The Company agrees, in turn, that it will not make, in any authorized corporate communications to third parties, and it will direct the members of the various boards and senior executives, in each case, of the Company, not to make, cause or assist any other person to make, any statement or other communication to any third party which impugns or attacks, or is otherwise critical of, the reputation, business or character of the Executive.
6.6
Returning Company Documents . The Executive agrees that at the time of leaving the employ of the Company, he will deliver to the Company (and will not keep in his possession, recreate or deliver to anyone else) any and all records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other documents or property containing Confidential Information or Trade Secrets, or reproductions of any items developed by Executive pursuant to his employment with the Company or otherwise belonging to the Company, its successors or assigns, including, but not limited to, those records maintained pursuant to Section 6.2(c). The Executive is permitted to retain any electronic devices issued to him by the Company, provided the Company’s Information Technology department must be permitted by the Executive to first remove any Trade Secrets and/or Confidential Information contained thereon. The Executive is not required to return any personal items, documents, files, or materials containing personal information (except to the extent such materials also contain Trade Secrets or Confidential Information); or documents or agreements (a) of which he is a party that pertain to his compensation and/or benefits (e.g., plan summaries and documents), regardless of whether such documents or agreements contain Trade Secrets or Confidential Information or (b) that is publicly available.
6.7
Understanding of Covenants . The Executive represents that he (a) is familiar with the foregoing confidentiality, invention assignment, non-solicitation, non-competition and nondisparagement covenants, (b) is fully aware of his obligations hereunder, (c) agrees to the reasonableness of the length of time, scope and geographic coverage of the foregoing covenants, and (d) agrees that such

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Exhibit 10.6

covenants are necessary to protect the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, and the proprietary information, good will, stable workforce, and customer relations of the Company. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that such covenants shall be construed as agreements independent of each other and of any provision of this or any other contract between the parties hereto; that should any part or provision of any covenant be held invalid, void or unenforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, voidness or unenforceability shall not render invalid, void or unenforceable any other part or provision of this Agreement.  If any portion of the foregoing provisions is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction because its duration, the territory, the definition of activities or the definition of information covered is considered to be invalid or unreasonable in scope, the invalid or unreasonable term shall be redefined, or a new enforceable term provided, such that the intent of the Company and Executive in agreeing to the provisions of this Agreement will not be impaired and the provision in question shall be enforceable to the fullest extent of the applicable laws. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that the existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company, whether predicated upon this or any other contract, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of said covenants.
Initials of Parties:
Company
/s/ JB
Date
12/14/2018
GCEAR
/s/ JB
Date
12/14/2018
GCEAR OP
/s/ JB
Date
12/14/2018
Executive
/s/ ME
Date
12/14/2018

6.8
Remedy for Breach . The Executive agrees that a breach of any of the covenants of this Section 6 would cause material and irreparable harm to the Company that would be difficult or impossible to measure, and that damages or other legal remedies available to the Company for any such injury would, therefore, be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that if he breaches any term of this Section 6, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to and without limitation upon all other remedies the Company may have under this Agreement, at law or otherwise, to obtain injunctive or other appropriate equitable relief, without bond or other security, to restrain any such breach. Claims for damages and equitable relief in any court shall be available to the Company in lieu of, or prior to or pending determination in any arbitration proceeding. In the event the enforceability of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be challenged in court and the Executive is not enjoined from breaching any of the protective covenants, then if a court of competent jurisdiction finds that the challenged protective covenant is enforceable, the time periods shall be deemed tolled upon the filing of the lawsuit challenging the enforceability of this Agreement until the dispute is finally resolved and all periods of appeal have expired.


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Exhibit 10.6

7.
Defense of Claims . The Executive agrees that, during the Term, and for a period of five (5) years after termination of the Executive’s employment, upon request from the Company, the Executive will cooperate with the Company, or each of its affiliates, in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or against the Company, or such affiliate that affect the Executive’s prior areas of responsibility, except (a) if the Executive’s reasonable interests are adverse to the Company or such affiliate in such claim or action or (b) if such cooperation unreasonably interferes with the Executive’s then-current employment. The Company agrees that it shall reimburse the reasonable out of pocket costs and reasonable attorney fees the Executive actually incurs in connection with him providing such assistance or cooperation to the Company, GCEAR or one of their affiliates in accordance with the Company’s standard policies and procedures as in effect from time to time, provided that the Executive shall have obtained prior written approval from the Company for any travel or legal fees and expenses incurred by him in excess of $10,000 in connection with his obligations under this Section 7. In addition, the Company shall pay the Executive for his time spent in providing such cooperation at an hourly rate equal to his Base Salary as of his Severance Date (disregarding any reduction that constitutes Good Reason) divided by 2,080, subject to reasonable substantiation.
8.
Source of Payments . All payments provided under this Agreement, other than payments made pursuant to a plan which provides otherwise, shall be paid in cash from the general assets of the Company or its affiliates, and no special or separate fund shall be established, and no other segregation of assets shall be made, to assure payment. The Executive shall have no right, title or interest whatsoever in or to any investments which the Company may make to aid the Company in meeting its obligations hereunder. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor of the Company.
9.
Withholding . Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the Company or any of its affiliates may withhold (or cause there to be withheld, as the case may be) from any amounts otherwise due or payable under or pursuant to this Agreement, or any other compensation payable to the Executive, such federal, state and local income, employment, or other taxes or other amounts as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law, regulation or contract.
10.
Assignment; Binding Effect .

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Exhibit 10.6

(a)     By the Executive . This Agreement and any and all rights, duties, obligations or interests hereunder shall not be assignable or delegable by the Executive.
(b)     By the Company . This Agreement and all of the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable, except as incident to such entity’s reorganization, merger or consolidation, or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets.
(c)     Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto, any successors to or assigns of the Company and the Executive’s heirs and the personal representatives of the Executive’s estate.
11.
Number and Gender . Where the context requires, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and any gender shall include all other genders.
12.
Section Headings . The section headings of, and titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in, this Agreement are for the purpose of convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation thereof.
13.
Governing Law . This Agreement, and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement, as well as the legal relations hereby created between the parties hereto, shall be governed by and construed under, and interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California.
14.
Survival of Certain Provisions . The rights and obligations set forth in Sections 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17 and 20 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
15.
Entire Agreement . This Agreement, along with the award agreement evidencing the Initial Equity Award pursuant to Section 3.3, embody the entire agreement of the parties hereto respecting the matters within its scope. As of the date hereof, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements of the parties hereto that directly or indirectly bear upon the subject matter hereof. Any prior negotiations, correspondence, agreements, proposals or understandings relating to the subject matter hereof shall be deemed to be of no force or effect, and the parties to any such other negotiations, commitments, agreements or writings shall have no further rights or obligations thereunder. There are no representations, warranties, or agreements, whether express or implied, or oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof, except as expressly set forth herein.
16.
Modifications, Waivers . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or changed (in whole or in part), except by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto. The waiver by either party of compliance with any provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by such party of a provision of this Agreement.
17.
Arbitration . Except for the limited right to seek temporary injunctive relief in a court pursuant to Section 6 (in which case the underlying dispute remains subject to arbitration), the parties agree that to the extent permitted by law, any dispute or controversy arising out

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Exhibit 10.6

of, relating to, or in connection with this Agreement, or the interpretation, validity, construction, performance, breach, or termination thereof, or the Executive’s employment by the Company or any termination thereof, will be settled by arbitration to be held at a location in Los Angeles, California in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act and the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association, which can be found at https://www.adr.org/sites/default/files/document_repository/EmploymentRules_Web_0.pdf . The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator will be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s decision in any court having jurisdiction. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award the prevailing party, if any, as determined by the arbitrator, all of its costs and fees, including arbitrators' fees, administrative fees, travel expenses, out-of-pocket expenses such as copying and telephone, court costs, witness fees and attorneys' fees.
Initials of Parties:
Company
/s/ JB
Date
12/14/2018
GCEAR
/s/ JB
Date
12/14/2018
GCEAR OP
/s/ JB
Date
12/14/2018
Executive
/s/ ME
Date
12/14/2018

18.
Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if (a) delivered by hand, (b) otherwise delivered against receipt therefore, or (c) sent by overnight courier, signature required. Any notice shall be duly addressed to the parties as follows:
if to GRECO, GCEAR, or GCEAR OP:

Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC
Griffin Capital Plaza
1520 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
Attention: Howard Hirsch, Chief Legal Officer
Email: hhirsch@griffincapital.com

if to the Executive, to the address most recently on file in the payroll records of the Company.

19.
Code Section 409A . All payments that may be made and benefits that may be provided pursuant to this Agreement are intended to qualify for an exclusion from Section 409A of the Code and any related regulations or other pronouncements thereunder (“ Section 409A ”) and, to the extent not excluded, to meet the requirements of Section 409A. To the extent permitted under Section 409A, any separate payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise shall not be deemed “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section

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Exhibit 10.6

409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of Section 409A. All payments of nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A, a “ Separation from Service ”). None of the payments under this Agreement are intended to result in the inclusion in Executive's federal gross income on account of a failure under Section 409A(a)(1). The parties intend to administer and interpret this Agreement to carry out such intentions. However, the Company does not represent, warrant or guarantee that any payments that may be made pursuant to this Agreement will not result in inclusion in Executive's gross income, or any penalty, pursuant to Section 409A(a)(1) or any similar state statute or regulation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that the right to any payment (including the provision of benefits) hereunder provides for the “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A(d)(1), the payment shall be paid (or provided) in accordance with the following:
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any severance payments or benefits payable under Section 5 hereof, shall be paid to the Executive during the six (6)-month period following the Executive’s Separation from Service if paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then the amount of any payment that would otherwise be paid to the Executive during this period shall instead be paid to the Executive on the first day of the seventh month following the date of Separation from Service (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of the Executive’s death). Each payment hereunder is intended to constitute a separate payment from each other payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2), and any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
(b) To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to the Executive under this Agreement are deemed to constitute compensation to the Executive to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses or benefits eligible for reimbursement, payment or provision during a calendar year shall not affect the expenses or benefits eligible for reimbursement, payment or provision in any other calendar year.
20.
Joint and Several Liability . Each of GRECO, GCEAR and GCEAR OP shall be jointly and severally liable for all obligations of each hereunder.
21.
Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect, and if any provision is held invalid or unenforceable with respect to particular circumstances, it shall

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Exhibit 10.6

nevertheless remain in full force and effect in all other circumstances, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
22.
Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.
23.     Legal Counsel; Mutual Drafting . Each party recognizes that this is a legally binding contract and acknowledges and agrees that they have had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of their choice. Each party has cooperated in the drafting, negotiation and preparation of this Agreement. Hence, in any construction to be made of this Agreement, the same shall not be construed against either party on the basis of that party being the drafter of such language. The Executive agrees and acknowledges that he has read and understands this Agreement, is entering into it freely and voluntarily, and has been advised to seek counsel prior to entering into this Agreement and has had ample opportunity to do so.
(Signature page follows)


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above.
“GRECO”
GRIFFIN CAPITAL REAL ESTATE COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Javier F. Bitar                     
Name: Javier F. Bitar                 
Title: Chief Financial Officer                 

“GCEAR”
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
By: /s/ Javier F. Bitar                 
Name: Javier F. Bitar                 
Title: Chief Financial Officer             

“GCEAR OP”
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
By: /s/ Javier F. Bitar
Name: Javier F. Bitar
Title: Chief Financial Officer             

“EXECUTIVE”
/s/ Michael J. Escalante                 

Michael J. Escalante



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Exhibit 10.7

FORM OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into this 14th day of December, 2018 by and between Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GRECO ”), Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. (“ GCEAR ”), and Griffin Capital Essential Asset Operating Partnership, L.P. (“ GCEAR OP ”) (together with GRECO and GCEAR, the “ Company ”) and [ ], an individual (the “ Executive ”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company is a party to (i) that certain Contribution Agreement dated as of December 14, 2018, by and among Griffin Capital Company, LLC (“ GCC ”) and Griffin Capital, LLC, and other parties as specified therein (the “ Self-Administration Transaction ”), and (ii) that certain Merger Agreement dated as of December 14, 2018, by and among Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. (“ GCEAR II ”), GCEAR, GCEAR OP, and other parties as specified therein (the “ Mergers ”), whereby GCEAR II will become a successor to GCEAR; and
WHEREAS, in connection with and conditioned upon the closing of the Self-Administration Transaction, the Executive’s employment will move from GCC to GRECO (the “ Effective Date ”); and
WHEREAS, following the Self-Administration Transaction and continuing through and after the Mergers (but not conditioned upon the closing of the Mergers), GRECO, as a subsidiary of GCEAR OP and GCEAR (to be succeeded by GCEAR II upon the closing of the Mergers), and the Executive desire to establish and continue their employment relationship on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the above recitals incorporated herein and the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby expressly acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1.
Employment and Duties .
1.1
Employment . GRECO hereby employs the Executive on an at-will basis, subject to the terms and conditions expressly set forth in this Agreement, including, but not limited to, Section 5 of this Agreement. The Executive hereby agrees to such employment on the terms and conditions expressly set forth in this Agreement.
1.2
Position and Duties . The Executive shall serve as (a) [ ] of GRECO, and (b) [ ] of GCEAR. The Executive shall perform and have the responsibilities, duties, status and authority customary for each such position in an organization of the size and nature of GRECO or GCEAR, as applicable, subject in

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Exhibit 10.7

the case of GRECO to the directives of GRECO’s Manager that is designated in GRECO’s LLC Operating Agreement, as amended from time to time, and subject in the case of GCEAR to the directives of the Board of Directors of GCEAR (the “ Board ”), and subject as to both entities to such entity’s lawful policies as in effect from time to time (including, without limitation, business conduct and ethics policies, as they may be amended from time to time).
1.3
No Other Employment; Time Commitment . During the Term, the Executive shall both (a) devote the Executive’s full business time, energy and skill to the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder and (b) hold no other employment. The Executive’s service on the boards of directors (or similar body) of other business or charitable entities is subject to the prior approval of the Board. The Executive shall cease outside activities and/or resign from any board or similar body on which the Executive may then serve if the Board determines that such activity is engaged in a Competitive Business (as defined below). This Section 1.3 shall not be construed to prevent the Executive from making passive outside investments so long as such investments do not require material time of the Executive or otherwise interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties and obligations hereunder. The Executive shall not make any investment in an enterprise that competes with the Company without the prior written approval of the Board after full disclosure of the facts and circumstances; provided, however , that this sentence shall not preclude the Executive from owning up to two percent (2%) of any class of the securities of a publicly-traded entity (a “ Passive Investment ”).
1.4
No Breach of Contract . The Executive hereby represents: (a) that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive and the performance by the Executive of the Executive’s duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any other agreement or policy to which the Executive is a party or otherwise bound; (b) that the Executive has no information (including, without limitation, confidential information and Trade Secrets) relating to any other person or entity which would prevent, or be violated by, the Executive entering into this Agreement or carrying out his duties hereunder; and (c) that the Executive is not bound by any confidentiality, Trade Secret or similar agreement with any other person or entity which would prevent, or be violated by, the Executive (i) entering into this Agreement or (ii) carrying out his duties hereunder.
1.5
Location . The Executive’s principal place of employment shall be the offices of the Company located in El Segundo, California. The Executive acknowledges that he may be required to travel from time to time in the course of performing his duties hereunder.
2.
Term . The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue for an initial term of five (5) years. This Agreement shall thereafter

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Exhibit 10.7

automatically renew for additional one (1) year periods, unless the Company or the Executive provides at least ninety (90) days’ advance written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew (such initial term and all subsequent terms are referred to collectively as the “ Term ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement and the Term shall end upon any termination of the Executive’s employment as described in Section 5 below.

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Exhibit 10.7

3.
Compensation .
3.1
Base Salary . During the Term, the Executive’s base salary (the “ Base Salary ”) shall be paid in accordance with GRECO’s regular payroll practices in effect from time to time, but not less frequently than in monthly installments. Starting with January 1, 2019, the Executive's Base Salary shall be paid at an annualized rate of $[ ]. Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board (or a committee thereof), and subject to increase (but not decrease) as determined in the sole discretion of the Board (or such committee).
3.2
Annual Incentive Bonus . Beginning January 1, 2019 and continuing for each calendar year during the Term, in addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual cash bonus opportunity (“ Incentive Bonus ”). The parties acknowledge and agree that following the date on which the Company’s common stock becomes listed on an established stock exchange (the “ Listing Date ”), the Company expects to establish an annual bonus program whereby an Incentive Bonus will be determined by reference to the attainment of Company performance metrics and/or individual performance objectives. The Executive’s target, maximum and threshold bonus levels shall be set at a target level of [ ]%, with a maximum level of [ ]%, and a threshold level of [ ]%, of the Base Salary actually paid for such year, and shall be subject to adjustment, after the Listing Date, in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board. The determination as to the Incentive Bonus level achieved for any calendar year shall be made in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board in consultation with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; provided, however , that for the 2019 and 2020 bonus years, the Executive shall be guaranteed at least a minimum Incentive Bonus equal to the applicable target bonus level. The Company shall pay any Incentive Bonus earned for a calendar year to the Executive in a single cash lump sum payment either (i) with respect to any calendar year that ends prior to the Listing Date, no later than December 31 of such year or (ii) with respect to any calendar year that ends after the Listing Date, no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such Incentive Bonus was earned. Any Incentive Bonus payment is subject to the Executive’s continued employment by the Company or its affiliates through the last day of the calendar year to which such Incentive Bonus relates.
3.3
Long-Term Incentives . In the first quarter of 2019, the Company shall grant the Executive an initial grant of a time-vested equity award with respect to either shares of GCEAR stock (e.g., restricted stock or restricted stock units) or GCEAR OP units, in a form to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board in consultation with the Executive, with a value equal to $[ ] (the “ Initial Equity Award ”), subject to four-year vesting and the terms of the applicable award agreement and plan to be established by the Company consistent with the recommendations of FTI Consulting presented to and approved by the Board on

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Exhibit 10.7

December 12, 2018. The Executive shall be entitled to annual grants at the same time and on similar terms as awards are made to the remainder of the senior management team of the Company (other than the CEO); provided, however , that the annual equity grants made to the Executive in each of 2020 and 2021 shall have a target value that is greater than or equal to the dollar-denominated value of the Initial Equity Award, and provided, further , that such equity award granted in 2020 will be 100% time-vested and such equity award granted in 2021 will be a minimum of 40% time-vested if the Listing Date has occurred, with the remainder of such equity award subject to performance-based vesting using structure/metrics that are commonly used in the REIT industry at that time. Any equity award granted to the Executive that remains outstanding as of immediately prior to a “change in control” (as defined in the applicable plan covering the award) of the Company shall become fully vested and, to the extent applicable, exercisable immediately prior to such change in control; provided, however, that to the extent any such award is subject to performance-based vesting requirements, performance shall be assumed to be at target for any performance period that has not yet ended.
4.
Benefits .
4.1
Retirement, Welfare and Fringe Benefits . During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in all employee retirement (e.g., 401(k), Profit Sharing, Executive Deferred Compensation Plan) and welfare benefit plans and programs, and fringe benefit plans and programs, made available to the Company’s senior management team generally, in accordance with the terms of such plans and as such plans or programs may be in effect from time to time. If the Executive elects to enroll in coverage under the group medical plan coverage offered by the Company or its affiliates, the Company will pay the full cost of such coverage for the Executive (on a pre-tax or post-tax basis, and in the manner, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion), and the Executive will be responsible for paying the active employee cost for any such coverage for the Executive’s spouse or dependents.     
4.2
Reimbursement of Business Expenses . During the Term, the Executive shall be authorized to incur expenses in carrying out the Executive’s duties under this Agreement and shall be eligible for reimbursement by the Company of all business expenses the Executive incurs during the Term in connection with carrying out the Executive’s duties hereunder, subject to GRECO’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time.
4.3
Vacation and Other Leave . During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation accrual in accordance with Company policies generally applicable to other senior management of the Company, with full credit for the Executive’s prior service with GCC, GC LLC, and their affiliates.

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Exhibit 10.7

4.4
Indemnification . The Executive shall have the benefit of indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, which indemnification shall continue after the termination of this Agreement (for any reason) for such period as may be necessary to continue to indemnify the Executive for his acts during the Term. During the Term and for such period thereafter as may be necessary to continue to cover acts of the Executive during the Term, the Company shall cause the Executive to be covered by the policies of directors and officers liability insurance covering directors and officers of the Company (including any tail policy obtained in connection with the Mergers and the Self-Administration Transaction), in accordance with their terms.

5.
Termination of Employment .
5.1
Generally . The Executive’s employment by the Company, and the Term, may be terminated at any time (a) by the Company with or without Cause, (b) by the Company in the event that the Executive has incurred a Disability, (c) by the Executive with Good Reason, (d) by the Executive without Good Reason, or (e) due to the Executive’s death.
5.2
Notice of Termination . Any termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement (other than because of the Executive’s death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination from the Company to the Executive, or the Executive to the Company, which termination shall be effective, subject to any cure period provided in Section 5.5 below, (a) no less than thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice in the event of a termination by the Executive for Good Reason, or by the Company without Cause or due to Disability ( provided that the Company shall be entitled to pay the Executive Base Salary in lieu of such notice, in which case payment shall be paid within five (5) business days following the Executive’s Severance Date (as defined below)), or (b) immediately in the event of a termination by the Company with Cause or resignation by the Executive without Good Reason. The notice of termination shall indicate the specific provision(s) of this Agreement relied upon in effecting the termination and shall state the specific reason(s) why the termination is being initiated.
5.3
Benefits Upon Termination .
(a)     For Cause or Without Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated during the Term by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason (in any case, the date that the Executive’s employment by the Company terminates is referred to as the “Severance Date”), the Company shall have no further obligation to make or provide to the Executive, and the Executive shall have no further right to receive or obtain hereunder, any payments or benefits other than (i) payment of (A) any Base Salary earned but not

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Exhibit 10.7

paid on or before the Severance Date, (B) any accrued and unpaid vacation time or paid time-off as of the Severance Date, to the extent that payout is provided by the Company policy or required by applicable law, and (C) any Incentive Bonus earned by the Executive for the calendar year prior to the calendar year in which the Severance Date occurs, but not yet paid to the Executive, (ii) any reimbursement due to the Executive pursuant to Section 4.2 for expenses incurred by the Executive on or before the Severance Date, and (iii) any accrued or vested benefits or compensation to which the Executive is entitled under equity compensation, retirement, welfare and fringe benefits or other employee benefits, or the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Accrued Obligations”). Such Accrued Obligations shall be paid at their normal times in accordance with the Company’s policies and regular payroll practices, or such sooner date as required by applicable law.
(b)     Death or Disability. If the Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated during the Term due to the Executive’s death or by the Company due to the Executive’s Disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or his estate): (i) the Accrued Obligations at the time and in the manner as set forth in Section 5.3(a) above; (ii) the Executive’s Incentive Bonus for the calendar year in which the Severance Date occurs, pro-rated for the amount of time the Executive is employed during such calendar year, assuming target performance and payable at the normal time such Incentive Bonuses are paid, and (iii) a lump sum payment equal to [ ] months of Healthcare Benefits (as defined below), payable within sixty (60) days following the Severance Date (clauses (ii) and (iii), collectively, the “ Death/Disability Benefit ”). In addition, all outstanding equity awards held by the Executive as of immediately prior to his Severance Date shall immediately become fully vested and, to the extent applicable, exercisable (to the extent any such award is subject to performance-based vesting requirements, performance shall be assumed to be at target for any performance period that has not yet ended) (the “ Equity Award Vesting ”), and the Executive’s account under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan shall become vested in full. Payment of the Death/Disability Benefit is subject to any applicable delay of payment rules pursuant to Section 19 below.
(c)     Without Cause, With Good Reason. If, during the Term, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, the Company shall pay the Executive:
(i)     the Accrued Obligations at the time and in the manner as set forth in Section 5.3(a) above;
(ii)     a pro-rated Incentive Bonus for the calendar year in which his Severance Date occurs (assuming target individual performance and actual Company performance), pro-rated for the amount of time the Executive is

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Exhibit 10.7

employed during such calendar year and payable at the normal time such Incentive Bonuses are paid;
(iii)     a lump sum payment due within sixty (60) days following the Severance Date equal to [ ] times (the “ Severance Multiple ”) the sum of (A) his Base Salary (at the rate in effect on the Severance Date, disregarding any reduction constituting Good Reason) plus (B) the average of the Incentive Bonus paid to the Executive for the prior two (2) calendar years preceding the year in which the Severance Date occurs; provided, however , that in the event such Severance Date occurs prior to the end of two years after the Effective Date, then the amount in clause (B) shall be determined by using the Executive’s target Incentive Bonus for any such years not yet elapsed; and
(iv)     a lump sum payment equal to the sum of [ ] months of the employer portion of the cost of coverage under the Company’s group medical plan for the Executive and his dependents at the level in effect on the Severance Date (the “ Healthcare Benefits ”), payable within sixty (60) days following the Severance Date (clauses (ii) – (iv) are collectively referred to herein as the “ Severance Benefit ”).
Payment of the Severance Benefit is subject to any applicable delay of payment rules pursuant to Section 19 below.
In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to the Equity Award Vesting, and the Executive’s account under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan shall become vested in full.
(d)     Termination Preceding or Following Change in Control . If, during the Term and within six (6) months preceding, on or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control of the Company, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, then the Executive shall be entitled to all of the benefits and payments described in Section 5.3(c) above, provided, however, that (i) the Severance Multiple shall increase to [ ], and (ii) the Healthcare Benefits shall be calculated to cover [ ] months. If such termination occurs within six (6) months preceding a Change in Control, then any Severance Benefit that becomes payable pursuant to this Section 5.3(d) that is in addition to an amount payable pursuant to Section 5.3(c) shall be paid on the later of the date of the Change in Control and the sixty (60)-day anniversary of the Severance Date. For purposes of this Section 5.3, a “ Change in Control ” is defined as a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), other than the Self-Administration Transaction and the Mergers.

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Exhibit 10.7

(e)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.3, if the Executive breaches the Executive's obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement, the Executive shall no longer be entitled to receive, and the Company shall no longer be obligated to pay, any remaining unpaid portion of the Severance Benefit as of the date of such breach. Any disputes with respect to the application of this Section 5.3(e) will be subject to Section 17 hereof; provided that during the pendency of any such dispute, the Company will be entitled to withhold any payments pursuant to this Section 5.3.
(f)    The foregoing provisions of this Section 5.3 shall not affect: (i) the Executive’s receipt of benefits otherwise due terminated employees under group insurance coverage consistent with the terms of the applicable Company welfare benefit plan; (ii) the Executive’s rights under COBRA to continue participation in medical, dental, hospitalization and other benefit plans covered by COBRA; or (iii) the Executive’s right to any vested equity award or the receipt of benefits otherwise due in accordance with the terms of the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan or the Company’s 401(k), profit sharing, and other qualified retirement plans (if any).
(g)    Payments made to the Executive pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.3 shall be in lieu of any severance benefits otherwise due to Executive under any severance pay plan or program maintained by the Company or its affiliates that covers employees or executives of the Company generally.
5.4      Release; Exclusive Remedy .
(a)    As a condition precedent to any Company obligation (other than Accrued Obligations) due to the Executive pursuant to Section 5.3(b) or (c), the Executive (or his estate, as applicable) and the Company shall, within sixty (60) days following the Severance Date (the full 60-day period being the “ Release Period ”), execute and deliver, and not revoke within the applicable revocation period which ends prior to the end of the Release Period, a general release substantially in the forms attached hereto as Exhibits A and B , respectively ( provided, however , that Executive shall not be required to execute a general release as a condition to the receipt of such payments or benefits unless the Company also executes a general release). If such period for execution and nonrevocation of the release spans two calendar years, then any payment that is conditioned upon the execution of such release shall not be made earlier than the last day of such 60 day period.
(b)    The Executive agrees that the payments and benefits contemplated by Section 5.3 shall constitute the exclusive and sole remedy for any termination of his employment during the Term.
5.5
Certain Defined Terms .

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Exhibit 10.7

(a)    As used herein, “ Cause ” shall mean that one or more of the following has occurred:
(i)    the Executive has engaged in deliberate misrepresentation in connection with, or willful failure to cooperate with, a bona fide internal investigation by regulatory or law enforcement authorities, after being instructed by the Company to cooperate, or the willful destruction or failure to preserve documents or other materials known to be relevant to such investigation and outside of Company policy or the willful inducement of others to fail to cooperate or to produce documents or other materials as reasonably requested by the Company or its legal counsel;
(ii)    the Executive has deliberately failed to perform his material duties at an appropriate level hereunder, which failure continues for a period of thirty (30) business days after written demand for corrective action is delivered by GRECO; provided that Company underperformance to the extent due to business or market conditions outside of the Executive’s control shall not be considered a failure hereunder;
(iii) the Executive’s commitment of fraud, embezzlement or willful misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or its affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of any such entity’s property for personal purposes;
(iv) the Executive has been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony (other than a traffic violation) or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; or
(v)    the Executive’s breach of any material provision of this Agreement or any other material agreement between the Executive and the Company, or any of its affiliates.
No act, or failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. In order for the Company to terminate the Executive’s employment for “Cause,” the Company shall have first given written notice of the alleged grounds purporting to constitute Cause (which notice must be given within thirty (30) days following the Board’s actual knowledge of the grounds purporting to constitute Cause) and the same shall not have been cured (if capable of cure, as reasonably determined by the Board in consultation with the Executive) within ten (10) business days of such written notice.

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Exhibit 10.7

(b)    As used herein, “ Disability ” shall mean the disability of the Executive as determined in accordance with the group long-term disability plan offered to employees of GRECO, or in the absence of such a plan, the inability of the Executive, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the Executive’s essential duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of more than one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days or one hundred and eighty (180) nonconsecutive days during any twelve (12) month period by reason of a mental or physical disability as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion following consultation with a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative.
(c)    As used herein, “ Good Reason ” shall mean that one or more of the following has occurred without the Executive’s written consent:
(i)     the Company’s material breach of this Agreement (excluding any delay of payment required or permitted under Code Section 409A), which includes but is not limited to: a material diminution of the Executive’s duties, responsibilities, title or authority without his consent;
(ii)     a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary or material failure to pay such amount, or a material reduction in the Incentive Bonus threshold, target and/or maximum opportunities;
(iii)     Executive's required re-location to a worksite location which is more than fifteen (15) miles from El Segundo, California;
(iv)     the Company’s failure to require any successor of the Company to assume and perform this Agreement; or
(v)    the Company’s nonrenewal of this Agreement when the Executive is willing and able to continue under this Agreement and no Cause otherwise exists.
provided that, in any such case, the Executive provides written notice to GRECO that the event giving rise to such claim of Good Reason has occurred within sixty (60) calendar days after the occurrence of such event, and such Good Reason remains uncured thirty (30) calendar days after the Executive has provided such written notice; provided further that any resignation of the Executive’s employment for “Good Reason” occurs no later than sixty (60) days following the expiration of such cure period.
5.6
Resignation from Directorships and Officerships . The termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason shall constitute the Executive’s resignation from (a) any director, officer or employee position the

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Exhibit 10.7

Executive holds with the Company, or any of its affiliates and (b) all fiduciary positions (including as a trustee) the Executive holds with respect to any employee benefit plans or trusts established by the Company, or any of its affiliates. The Executive agrees that this Agreement shall serve as written notice of resignation in this circumstance.
5.7
Limitation on Benefits .
(a)     Best Pay Cap . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive (including any payment or benefit received in connection with a termination of the Executive’s employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits being hereinafter referred to as the “ Total Payments ”) would be subject (in whole or part), to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the cash severance payments under this Agreement shall first be reduced, and the noncash severance payments hereunder shall thereafter be reduced, to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which the Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments).
(b)     Certain Exclusions . For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code shall be taken into account; (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the written opinion of an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm (the “Independent Advisors”) mutually selected by the Company and the Executive, does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of Independent Advisors, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code,

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Exhibit 10.7

in excess of the “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable compensation; and (iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Independent Advisors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
(c)     Private Company Exclusion . Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as the Company is described in Section 280G(b)(5)(A)(ii)(I) of the Code, if any portion of the Total Payments would be subject to the Excise Tax then, to the extent, if any, the Executive elects to waive the right to receive such payments or benefits unless shareholder approval is obtained in accordance with Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code, the Company shall prepare and deliver to its stockholders the disclosure required by Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code with respect to the Total Payments and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the approval of the Company’s stockholders in accordance with Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code and the regulation codified at 26 C.F.R. §1.280G-1.
6.
Protective Covenants . All references to the Company in this Section 6, and each of its subsections, refer to the Company and its affiliates. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has developed intellectual property, Trade Secrets and Confidential Information to assist it in its business. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that the Company has substantial relationships with prospective or existing customers, as well as customer good will associated with its ongoing businesses. The Company employs or will employ Executive in a position of trust and confidence, and may provide Executive with extraordinary or specialized training in furtherance of Executive's duties hereunder. Executive therefore acknowledges and agrees that the Company has a right to protect these legitimate business interests. The Executive expressly agrees that the covenants in this Section 6 shall continue in effect as set forth herein regardless of whether the Executive is then entitled to receive any further payments or benefits from the Company. It is further understood that the covenants contained in this Section 6 survive the Term and bind the Executive as long as he is employed by the Company and, in certain instances, for a period of time thereafter.
6.1
Confidential Information .
(a)    Subject to Section 6.1(c), the Executive agrees at all times to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of the Company, any of the Company’s Trade Secrets or Confidential Information or to disclose to any person, firm or entity any of the Company’s Trade Secrets or Confidential Information except (i) as authorized in writing by the Company Board, (ii) as authorized by the Company’s management, pursuant to a written non-disclosure agreement, or (iii) as required by law.

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Exhibit 10.7

(i)    For purposes of this Agreement, " Trade Secrets " shall mean any of information of the Company, without regard to form, including, but not limited to, technical or non-technical data, a formula, a pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a process, financial data, financial plans, product plans, or a list of actual or potential customers or suppliers, which is not commonly known by or available to the public and which information (A) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (B) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

(ii)    For purposes of this Agreement, " Confidential Information " shall mean any data and information (A) relating to the business of the Company, regardless of whether the data or information constitutes a Trade Secret; (B) disclosed to Executive or of which he/she became aware of as a consequence of Executive's relationship with the Company; (C) having value to the Company; (D) not generally known to competitors of the Company; and (E) which includes Trade Secrets, methods of operation, names of customers, price lists, financial information and projections, route books, personnel data, and similar information; provided, however , that Confidential Information shall not mean data or information which has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the Company, except where such public disclosure has been made by the Executive without authorization from the Company, which has been independently developed and disclosed by others, or which has otherwise entered the public domain through lawful means.

(b)    The Executive agrees that he will not, during the Term, knowingly improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer and that he will not bring onto the premises of the Company any proprietary information belonging to such employer unless consents to in writing by such employer.

(c)    The Defend Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. § 1833(b)) states: “An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state Trade Secret law for the disclosure of a Trade Secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.” Accordingly, the Executive shall have the right to disclose in confidence Trade Secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a

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Exhibit 10.7

suspected violation of law. The Executive shall also have the right to disclose Trade Secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of Trade Secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b).

6.2
No Competing Employment . During the Executive’s employment with the Company (the “ Restricted Period ”), the Executive shall not directly, or by assisting others, engage in the business of net lease office and industrial commercial real estate (the “ Competitive Business ”) in any capacity identical with or corresponding to the capacity or capacities in which employed by the Company, anywhere within the areas(s) where Executive is working and/or for which the Executive is responsible; provided , that the Executive may make Passive Investments, and provided further that the Executive may provide services to any business or entity that has a line of business, division, subsidiary or other affiliate that is a Competitive Business if, during the Restricted Period, the Executive is not employed directly in such line of business or division or by such subsidiary or other affiliate that is a Competitive Business and is not involved directly in the management, supervision or operations of such line of business, division, subsidiary or other affiliate that is a 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.
6.3
Non-Solicitation of Employees . During the Restricted Period and for the 18-month period following the Executive’s Severance Date, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit, induce, recruit, encourage, or hire (or attempt any of the foregoing actions) or otherwise cause (or attempt to cause) any employee or individual independent contractor of the Company to leave his or her employment or engagement with the Company for employment with the Executive or with any other entity or person, or otherwise interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to disrupt) the employment or service relationship between any such individual and the Company. The Executive will not be deemed to have violated this Section 6.3 if employees respond to general advertisements for employment or if the Board provides unanimous prior written consent to the activities of the Executive (all such requests for consent will be given good faith consideration by the Board).
6.4
Non-Solicitation of Customers . During his employment with the Company and thereafter, the Executive shall not use any Trade Secret to solicit, induce, or encourage any customer, client, vendor, or other party doing business with any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates to terminate its relationship therewith or transfer its business from any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and the Executive shall not initiate discussion with any such person for any

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Exhibit 10.7

such purpose or authorize or knowingly cooperate with the taking of any such actions by any other individual or entity.
6.5
Non-Disparagement . The Executive agrees that at no time during his employment with the Company or thereafter shall he make, or cause or assist any other person to make, any statement or other communication to any third party which impugns or attacks, or is otherwise critical of, the reputation, business or character of the Company or any of its affiliates, or any of their respective directors or officers. The Company agrees, in turn, that it will not make, in any authorized corporate communications to third parties, and it will direct the members of the various boards and senior executives, in each case, of the Company, not to make, cause or assist any other person to make, any statement or other communication to any third party which impugns or attacks, or is otherwise critical of, the reputation, business or character of the Executive.
6.6
Returning Company Documents . The Executive agrees that at the time of leaving the employ of the Company, he will deliver to the Company (and will not keep in his possession, recreate or deliver to anyone else) any and all records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other documents or property containing Confidential Information or Trade Secrets, or reproductions of any items developed by Executive pursuant to his employment with the Company or otherwise belonging to the Company, its successors or assigns, including, but not limited to, those records maintained pursuant to Section 6.2(c). The Executive is permitted to retain any electronic devices issued to him by the Company, provided the Company’s Information Technology department must be permitted by the Executive to first remove any Trade Secrets and/or Confidential Information contained thereon. The Executive is not required to return any personal items, documents, files, or materials containing personal information (except to the extent such materials also contain Trade Secrets or Confidential Information); or documents or agreements (a) of which he is a party that pertain to his compensation and/or benefits (e.g., plan summaries and documents), regardless of whether such documents or agreements contain Trade Secrets or Confidential Information or (b) that is publicly available.
6.7
Understanding of Covenants. The Executive represents that he (a) is familiar with the foregoing confidentiality, invention assignment, non-solicitation, non-competition and nondisparagement covenants, (b) is fully aware of his obligations hereunder, (c) agrees to the reasonableness of the length of time, scope and geographic coverage of the foregoing covenants, and (d) agrees that such covenants are necessary to protect the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, and the proprietary information, good will, stable workforce, and customer relations of the Company. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that such covenants shall be construed as agreements independent of each other and of

-16-    


Exhibit 10.7

any provision of this or any other contract between the parties hereto; that should any part or provision of any covenant be held invalid, void or unenforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, voidness or unenforceability shall not render invalid, void or unenforceable any other part or provision of this Agreement.  If any portion of the foregoing provisions is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction because its duration, the territory, the definition of activities or the definition of information covered is considered to be invalid or unreasonable in scope, the invalid or unreasonable term shall be redefined, or a new enforceable term provided, such that the intent of the Company and Executive in agreeing to the provisions of this Agreement will not be impaired and the provision in question shall be enforceable to the fullest extent of the applicable laws. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that the existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company, whether predicated upon this or any other contract, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of said covenants.
Initials of Parties:
Company _________     Date_______
GCEAR __________     Date _______
GCEAR OP _________     Date _______
Executive _________     Date _______


6.8
Remedy for Breach . The Executive agrees that a breach of any of the covenants of this Section 6 would cause material and irreparable harm to the Company that would be difficult or impossible to measure, and that damages or other legal remedies available to the Company for any such injury would, therefore, be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that if he breaches any term of this Section 6, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to and without limitation upon all other remedies the Company may have under this Agreement, at law or otherwise, to obtain injunctive or other appropriate equitable relief, without bond or other security, to restrain any such breach. Claims for damages and equitable relief in any court shall be available to the Company in lieu of, or prior to or pending determination in any arbitration proceeding. In the event the enforceability of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be challenged in court and the Executive is not enjoined from breaching any of the protective covenants, then if a court of competent jurisdiction finds that the challenged protective covenant is enforceable, the time periods shall be deemed tolled upon the filing of the lawsuit challenging the enforceability of this Agreement until the dispute is finally resolved and all periods of appeal have expired.


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Exhibit 10.7

7.
Defense of Claims . The Executive agrees that, during the Term, and for a period of five (5) years after termination of the Executive’s employment, upon request from the Company, the Executive will cooperate with the Company, or each of its affiliates, in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or against the Company, or such affiliate that affect the Executive’s prior areas of responsibility, except (a) if the Executive’s reasonable interests are adverse to the Company or such affiliate in such claim or action or (b) if such cooperation unreasonably interferes with the Executive’s then-current employment. The Company agrees that it shall reimburse the reasonable out of pocket costs and reasonable attorney fees the Executive actually incurs in connection with him providing such assistance or cooperation to the Company, GCEAR or one of their affiliates in accordance with the Company’s standard policies and procedures as in effect from time to time, provided that the Executive shall have obtained prior written approval from the Company for any travel or legal fees and expenses incurred by him in excess of $10,000 in connection with his obligations under this Section 7. In addition, the Company shall pay the Executive for his time spent in providing such cooperation at an hourly rate equal to his Base Salary as of his Severance Date (disregarding any reduction that constitutes Good Reason) divided by 2,080, subject to reasonable substantiation.
8.
Source of Payments . All payments provided under this Agreement, other than payments made pursuant to a plan which provides otherwise, shall be paid in cash from the general assets of the Company or its affiliates, and no special or separate fund shall be established, and no other segregation of assets shall be made, to assure payment. The Executive shall have no right, title or interest whatsoever in or to any investments which the Company may make to aid the Company in meeting its obligations hereunder. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor of the Company.
9.
Withholding . Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the Company or any of its affiliates may withhold (or cause there to be withheld, as the case may be) from any amounts otherwise due or payable under or pursuant to this Agreement, or any other compensation payable to the Executive, such federal, state and local income, employment, or other taxes or other amounts as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law, regulation or contract.
10.
Assignment; Binding Effect .

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Exhibit 10.7

(a)     By the Executive . This Agreement and any and all rights, duties, obligations or interests hereunder shall not be assignable or delegable by the Executive.
(b)     By the Company . This Agreement and all of the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable, except as incident to such entity’s reorganization, merger or consolidation, or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets.
(c)     Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto, any successors to or assigns of the Company and the Executive’s heirs and the personal representatives of the Executive’s estate.
11.
Number and Gender . Where the context requires, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and any gender shall include all other genders.
12.
Section Headings . The section headings of, and titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in, this Agreement are for the purpose of convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation thereof.
13.
Governing Law . This Agreement, and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement, as well as the legal relations hereby created between the parties hereto, shall be governed by and construed under, and interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California.
14.
Survival of Certain Provisions . The rights and obligations set forth in Sections 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17 and 20 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
15.
Entire Agreement . This Agreement, along with the award agreement evidencing the Initial Equity Award pursuant to Section 3.3, embody the entire agreement of the parties hereto respecting the matters within its scope. As of the date hereof, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements of the parties hereto that directly or indirectly bear upon the subject matter hereof. Any prior negotiations, correspondence, agreements, proposals or understandings relating to the subject matter hereof shall be deemed to be of no force or effect, and the parties to any such other negotiations, commitments, agreements or writings shall have no further rights or obligations thereunder. There are no representations, warranties, or agreements, whether express or implied, or oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof, except as expressly set forth herein.
16.
Modifications, Waivers . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or changed (in whole or in part), except by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto. The waiver by either party of compliance with any provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by such party of a provision of this Agreement.

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Exhibit 10.7

17.
Arbitration . Except for the limited right to seek temporary injunctive relief in a court pursuant to Section 6 (in which case the underlying dispute remains subject to arbitration), the parties agree that to the extent permitted by law, any dispute or controversy arising out of, relating to, or in connection with this Agreement, or the interpretation, validity, construction, performance, breach, or termination thereof, or the Executive’s employment by the Company or any termination thereof, will be settled by arbitration to be held at a location in Los Angeles, California in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act and the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association, which can be found at https://www.adr.org/sites/default/files/document_repository/EmploymentRules_Web_0.pdf . The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator will be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s decision in any court having jurisdiction. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award the prevailing party, if any, as determined by the arbitrator, all of its costs and fees, including arbitrators' fees, administrative fees, travel expenses, out-of-pocket expenses such as copying and telephone, court costs, witness fees and attorneys' fees.
Initials of Parties:
Company _________     Date_______
GCEAR __________     Date _______
GCEAR OP _________     Date _______
Executive _________     Date _______

18.
Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if (a) delivered by hand, (b) otherwise delivered against receipt therefore, or (c) sent by overnight courier, signature required. Any notice shall be duly addressed to the parties as follows:
if to GRECO, GCEAR, or GCEAR OP:

Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC
Griffin Capital Plaza
1520 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
Attention: Michael J. Escalante
Email: mescalante@griffincapital.com

if to the Executive, to the address most recently on file in the payroll records of the Company.

19.
Code Section 409A . All payments that may be made and benefits that may be provided pursuant to this Agreement are intended to qualify for an exclusion from Section 409A of

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Exhibit 10.7

the Code and any related regulations or other pronouncements thereunder (“Section 409A”) and, to the extent not excluded, to meet the requirements of Section 409A. To the extent permitted under Section 409A, any separate payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise shall not be deemed “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of Section 409A. All payments of nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A, a “Separation from Service”). None of the payments under this Agreement are intended to result in the inclusion in Executive's federal gross income on account of a failure under Section 409A(a)(1). The parties intend to administer and interpret this Agreement to carry out such intentions. However, the Company does not represent, warrant or guarantee that any payments that may be made pursuant to this Agreement will not result in inclusion in Executive's gross income, or any penalty, pursuant to Section 409A(a)(1) or any similar state statute or regulation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that the right to any payment (including the provision of benefits) hereunder provides for the “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A(d)(1), the payment shall be paid (or provided) in accordance with the following:
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any severance payments or benefits payable under Section 5 hereof, shall be paid to the Executive during the six (6)-month period following the Executive’s Separation from Service if paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then the amount of any payment that would otherwise be paid to the Executive during this period shall instead be paid to the Executive on the first day of the seventh month following the date of Separation from Service (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of the Executive’s death). Each payment hereunder is intended to constitute a separate payment from each other payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2), and any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
(b) To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to the Executive under this Agreement are deemed to constitute compensation to the Executive to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses or benefits eligible for reimbursement, payment or provision during a calendar year shall not affect the expenses or benefits eligible for reimbursement, payment or provision in any other calendar year.

-21-    


Exhibit 10.7

20.
Joint and Several Liability . Each of GRECO, GCEAR and GCEAR OP shall be jointly and severally liable for all obligations of each hereunder.
21.
Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect, and if any provision is held invalid or unenforceable with respect to particular circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect in all other circumstances, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
22.
Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.
23.
Legal Counsel; Mutual Drafting . Each party recognizes that this is a legally binding contract and acknowledges and agrees that they have had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of their choice. Each party has cooperated in the drafting, negotiation and preparation of this Agreement. Hence, in any construction to be made of this Agreement, the same shall not be construed against either party on the basis of that party being the drafter of such language. The Executive agrees and acknowledges that he has read and understands this Agreement, is entering into it freely and voluntarily, and has been advised to seek counsel prior to entering into this Agreement and has had ample opportunity to do so.
(Signature page follows)
    

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Exhibit 10.7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above.
“GRECO”
GRIFFIN CAPITAL REAL ESTATE COMPANY, LLC
By:________________                    
Name:______________                
Title:_______________            

“GCEAR”
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET REIT, INC.
By:_________________            
Name:_______________                
Title:________________            

“GCEAR OP”
GRIFFIN CAPITAL ESSENTIAL ASSET OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
By:_________________
Name:_______________
Title:________________            

“EXECUTIVE”
________________                





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Exhibit 99.1
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. (“GCEAR”)
To Merge with
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. (“GCEAR II”)

Merger Creates a $4.75 billion, Self-Managed REIT Immediately Accretive to Earnings and Cash Flows

Transactions Would Result In Substantial Cost Savings, Increased Operating Efficiencies, and The Elimination of External Advisory Fees
El Segundo, Calif. (December 20, 2018) – Griffin Capital Company, LLC (“Griffin Capital”), a leading private investment firm and one of the nation’s premier alternative investment advisors, announced today that Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. (“GCEAR”) and Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. (“GCEAR II”) have entered into a definitive agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction, creating a $4.75 billion, self-managed REIT, which will generate significant benefits for shareholders, including substantial cost savings, increased operating efficiencies, and immediate accretion to earnings and cash flow. This merger combines two highly complementary portfolios with similar construction and investment mandates, significantly increasing the size, scale, and diversification of the combined company.

In addition, GCEAR announced it is now self-administered following the contribution of Griffin Capital Real Estate Company, LLC (“GRECO”) to GCEAR on December 14, 2018. The self-administration transaction provides immediate benefits to GCEAR shareholders, including a considerable reduction in the operating expenses of GCEAR; these benefits will extend to the combined company following the completion of the merger of GCEAR into GCEAR II. Shortly following the closing of the merger, GCEAR II, as the surviving entity, intends to conduct a tender offer for all shareholders of at least $100 million.
“We could not be more thrilled to announce these transactions. In addition to the significant value they immediately bring to shareholders, we believe the size, capitalization, and cost structure of the combined company positions it well for the future. REITs with enhanced scale and experienced internal management are viewed more favorably by institutional investors and lenders, enhancing the REIT’s potential liquidity optionality and value to shareholders,” said Michael J. Escalante, CEO and President of GCEAR and President of GCEAR II.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019, subject to certain closing conditions, including the approval of the merger by both GCEAR and GCEAR II shareholders.





EX991JOINTPRESSRELEAS_IMAGE1.JPG

Advisors

Robert A. Stanger & Co., Inc. and Bank of America Merrill Lynch are acting as financial advisors to GCEAR, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. is acting as financial advisor to GCEAR II’s special committee of the board of directors. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is providing legal counsel to GCEAR, and Venable LLP is providing legal counsel to GCEAR’s special committee of the board of directors. Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP is providing legal counsel to GCEAR II’s special committee of the board of directors. Baker McKenzie is providing legal counsel to Griffin Capital.

About Griffin Capital Company, LLC

Griffin Capital Company, LLC ("Griffin Capital") is a leading alternative investment asset manager that owns, manages, sponsors or co/sponsors approximately $11.2 billion* in assets. Founded in 1995, the privately held firm is led by a seasoned team of senior executives with more than two decades of investment and real estate experience and who collectively have executed more than 650 transactions valued at over $22 billion.

The firm manages, sponsors or co-sponsors a suite of carefully curated, institutional quality investment solutions distributed by Griffin Capital Securities, LLC to retail investors through a community of partners, including independent and insurance broker-dealers, national wirehouses, registered investment advisory firms and the financial advisors who work with these enterprises.

Additional information is available at www.griffincapital.com .

About Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.

Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. is a publicly-registered, non-traded REIT with a portfolio, as of September 30, 2018, of 76 office and industrial properties totaling 20.1 million rentable square feet, located in 20 states, representing total REIT capitalization of approximately $3.5 billion. Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. was one of several REITs sponsored or co-sponsored by Griffin Capital.

About Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc.

Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. is a publicly registered, non-traded REIT focused on acquiring a portfolio consisting primarily of single tenant business essential properties throughout the United States, diversified by corporate credit, physical geography, product type, and lease duration. As of September 30, 2018, Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. has acquired 35 office and industrial buildings totaling approximately 7.3 million rentable square feet and total REIT capitalization of approximately $1.3 billion. Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. was one of several REITs sponsored or co-sponsored by Griffin Capital.
Additional Information and Where to Find It:





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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.  GCEAR and GCEAR II expect to prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY GCEAR AND GCEAR II IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GCEAR, GCEAR II 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 SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).  In addition, these materials will also be available free of charge by accessing GCEAR's website (http://www.griffincapital.com/griffin-capital-essential-asset-reit) or by accessing GCEAR II's website (http://www.griffincapital.com/griffin-capital-essential-asset-reit-ii).  

Participants in the Proxy Solicitation:

Information regarding GCEAR's directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2018 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC by GCEAR on April 4, 2017 in connection with its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, and information regarding GCEAR II's directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2018 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC by GCEAR II on April 5, 2017 in connection with its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders.  Certain directors and executive officers of GCEAR and/or GCEAR II 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 GCEAR and GCEAR II 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 press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements; 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 merger will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the inability of GCEAR or GCEAR II 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 management’s attention from the ongoing business operations due




EX991JOINTPRESSRELEAS_IMAGE1.JPG

to the merger; 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 GCEAR or GCEAR II; and other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of GCEAR’s and GCEAR II’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as updated by the subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018 filed with the SEC, and other reports filed by GCEAR and GCEAR II with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. GCEAR and GCEAR II undertake no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

*Includes the property information related to interests held in certain joint ventures. As of September 30, 2018 and prior to the self-administration transaction.

Media Contacts
Diana Keary
Senior Vice President
Griffin Capital Company
Dkeary@griffincapital.com
949-270-9303
Or
Ben Rosner
Associate Director

Finsbury
Ben.Rosner@Finsbury.com
646-805-2085


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Griffin Capital Essential Asset® REIT and Griffin Capital Essential Asset® REIT II Transaction Overview All data as of September 30, 2018, unless otherwise noted.


 
Disclaimer Certain statements contained in this material, other than historical facts, may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend on or relate to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “estimates,” “could,” “intends,” “plans” or other similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements about the plans, strategies and prospects of Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. (“GCEAR”) and Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II, Inc. (“GCEAR II”) and the proposed merger between GCEAR and GCEAR II are based on GCEAR’s and GCEAR II’s current information, estimates and projections. Such statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause GCEAR’s or GCEAR II’s actual results in future periods to differ materially from those projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements as a result of, but not limited to, the following factors: the failure to receive, on a timely basis or otherwise, the approvals by the stockholders of GCEAR and GCEAR II; the risk that a condition to closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the possibility that the anticipated benefits and synergies from the proposed transaction cannot be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the possibility that costs or difficulties related to the integration of GCEAR’s and GCEAR II’s operations will be greater than expected; operating costs and disruption of management’s attention from ongoing business operations may be greater than expected; the effect of the announcement of the proposed merger on GCEAR’s and GCEAR II’s relationships with customers, tenants, lenders, operating results and business generally; the outcome of any legal proceedings relating to the merger or the merger agreement; risks to consummation of the merger, including the risk that the merger will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the ability of GCEAR, GCEAR II or the combined company to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with providers or other business partners pending the consummation of the transaction; and the impact of legislative, regulatory and competitive changes and other risk factors relating to the industries in which GCEAR and GCEAR II operate, as detailed from time to time in each of the reports filed by GCEAR and GCEAR II with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). There can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will in fact be consummated. 2 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Disclaimer Additional information about these factors and about the material factors or assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements may be found under Item 1.A in each of GCEAR’s and GCEAR II’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and Form 10-Q for the first, second, and third quarters of 2018. GCEAR and GCEAR II caution that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to the proposed transaction, stockholders and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the proposed transaction or other matters attributable to GCEAR and GCEAR II or any other person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this communication. Neither GCEAR nor GCEAR II undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future, except as may be required by law. 3 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
I. Transaction Details 4 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Transaction Overview Transaction Details Self-Administration Transaction: Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT (“GCEAR”) acquired Griffin Capital Real Estate Company (“GRECO”) on December 14, 2018, making GCEAR a $3.49 billion(1), self- managed REIT and resulting in significant cost savings, operating efficiencies, and improvement to earnings and cash flow. GCEAR and GCEAR II Merger(2): GCEAR to merge with Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II (“GCEAR II”), creating a $4.75 billion(3), self-managed REIT with significantly greater size, scale, diversification, operating efficiency, and potential liquidity optionality as compared to each REIT on a stand-alone basis. 1. Based on proforma total capitalization of GCEAR as of September 30, 2018. Total capitalization includes the outstanding debt balance (excluding deferred financing costs and premium/discounts), plus total equity raised and issued, including limited partnership units issued, preferred equity shares issued, and shares issued pursuant to the distribution reinvestment plan (“DRP”), net of redemptions. 2. In order for the merger to proceed, the holders of both GCEAR II common stock and GCEAR common stock must vote to approve the merger. 3. Based on proforma total capitalization of the combined company as of September 30, 2018. Total capitalization includes the outstanding debt balance (excluding deferred financing costs and premium/discounts), plus total equity raised and issued, including limited partnership units issued, preferred equity shares issued, and shares issued pursuant to the DRP, net of redemptions. 5 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Transaction Overview Consideration Self-Administration Transaction: In exchange for its interest in GRECO, Griffin Capital, LLC (the previous parent company of GRECO) received approximately 20.44 million units of limited partnership interest in GCEAR’s operating partnership (“OP Units”) with an additional 2.49 million OP Units to be awarded upon the successful closing of the GCEAR and GCEAR II merger.(1) • OP Units have a two-year lock-up provision and no voting rights. GCEAR and GCEAR II Merger: In exchange for their interest in GCEAR, common stockholders will receive 1.04807 shares of Class E common stock of GCEAR II for each share of GCEAR resulting in a fixed exchange ratio based on the estimated value per share of each company as of September 30, 2018(2). • Class E shares will have the same voting and ownership rights as all other classes of GCEAR II common stock. 1. If the GCEAR and GCEAR II merger is not consummated, the additional 2.49 million units may be awarded upon the achievement of specific performance benchmarks, as detailed in the joint proxy statement to be filed by GCEAR and GCEAR II in connection with the proposed merger when it becomes available. 2. Based on the exchange value of GCEAR II and GCEAR as of September 30, 2018. 6 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Merger Transaction Overview Closing Date The REIT merger is expected to close in the first half of 2019, subject to certain closing conditions, which include the approval of the merger by both GCEAR and GCEAR II stockholders. Board of Directors The current independent directors from the GCEAR board will join the GCEAR II board for a combined company board of seven, five of whom are independent directors. Combined Company The combined company expects to establish a post-merger distribution level at Distributions $0.65 per share per year, with a portion of such distribution to be made in stock(1), paid on a monthly basis. • For GCEAR stockholders, this would be equivalent to $0.68125/share after adjusting for the 1.04807 exchange ratio. 1. Distributions are not guaranteed and will be declared on a quarterly basis at the sole discretion of the board of directors of the combined company. 7 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Strategic Rationale and Benefits of the Self-Administration Transaction • Superior alignment of interest – Consideration to Griffin Capital, LLC for the contribution is being paid 100% in OP Units with significant lock-up provisions and no voting rights. – Management has a significant investment in the REIT, strongly aligning their interests with stockholders. • Improved capital market opportunities, including strategic liquidity alternatives – Self-managed REITs are typically viewed more favorably by lenders and institutional investors, potentially enhancing the REIT’s access to capital and reducing financing costs. – In publicly traded markets, externally managed REITs typically trade at a discount relative to self-managed REITs, improving the REIT’s potential liquidity optionality including the potential to pursue a listing of its shares on a public exchange in the event the board determines such an action is in the best interests of stockholders at some point in the future. • Significant improvement to cash flow and earnings – Upon completion of the merger, the combined company will be self-managed, eliminating the external third-party advisors. – Self-management is expected to result in synergies and improved cash flow of the combined company of approximately $40 million annually which equates to $.14/share. (1) 1. Based on proforma shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018, inclusive of OP Units issued to Griffin Capital, LLC as a result of the self-administration transaction. 8 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Strategic Rationale and Benefits of the GCEAR and GCEAR II Merger • Complementary portfolios – Two highly complementary companies with similar portfolio construction and investment mandates. – Same portfolio management team which is intimately aware of the unique aspects of each asset and has a proven track record of driving value for stockholders. • Improved portfolio demographics – Sizeable increase in the number of unique tenants. – Large reduction in top 10 tenant concentration. – Enhanced tenant, industry, and geographic diversification. • Increased size and scale – Significant increase in number of properties and total capitalization. – Combined company will be one of the largest public REITs in the single-tenant, net leased office and industrial category. 9 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Strategic Rationale and Benefits of the GCEAR and GCEAR II Merger • Creates significant operating efficiencies and reduction in potential conflicts of interest – Self-managed REIT whose management and employees are intently focused on driving value for the REIT’s stockholders. – Elimination of overlapping management, reporting, and operational processes, reducing costs and creating a more streamlined and efficient business structure. • Improved potential liquidity optionality – GCEAR II intends to re-open its daily NAV REIT offering. (1) • Will be the only self-managed REIT in the NAV space, removing any potential conflicts of interest associated with a third-party advisory structure. – Could be ideally positioned to pursue a public listing of the REIT’s shares should the board determine it is in the best interests of stockholders at some point in the future.(2) • GCEAR II will seek stockholder approval to, at some point in the future, potentially put into place an amended version of the charter that more closely correlates to charters of publicly traded REITs. 1. On August 16, 2018, GCEAR II announced the temporary suspension of this offering in order for the special committee to evaluate this potential merger transaction. 2. Although the combined company is a perpetual-life daily NAV REIT, GCEAR II’s board of directors maintains sole discretion to change its current strategy as circumstances change if it believes such a change is in the best interests of its stockholders. 10 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT Process • In August of 2016, the GCEAR board of directors formed a special committee, consisting solely of the independent directors of the GCEAR board, to evaluate potential strategic alternatives for GCEAR. – Robert A Stanger & Co., Inc. (“Stanger”) was engaged as financial advisor to assist in the committee’s review. • In January of 2018, after having multiple discussions regarding potential strategies, the committee discussed the desirability of a self-administration transaction. – The special committee engaged Bank of America Merrill Lynch as an additional financial advisor along with the law firm Venable to serve as legal counsel to the committee. – Additionally, the committee continued to leverage the expertise of Stanger and GCEAR’s outside legal counsel, Nelson Mullins. • From January of 2018 through August of 2018, the special committee met 18 times to discuss and negotiate a potential self-administration transaction. • In August of 2018, the special committee was approached by GCEAR II and determined that a potential merger with GCEAR II should also be considered as a potential transaction. 11 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT Process: Continued • In order to determine the price at which other acquirers might pay for GCEAR, the REIT performed a market check whereby Stanger approached 39 potential acquirers. – The market check was performed prior to the self-administration transaction. • While there were several indications of interest and 6 parties that signed confidentiality agreements in order to receive access to diligence materials, no transaction proposals were submitted and on November 30, 2018 the market check period expired. • From August 2018 to December 2018, the GCEAR special committee negotiated a self-administration transaction and a potential merger with GCEAR II. • On December 12, 2018, after over 30 meetings and several months of review and negotiation, the GCEAR special committee recommended the board approve the self-administration transaction and the merger transaction with GCEAR II, and the board subsequently unanimously approved both transactions, subject to Stanger’s issuance of fairness opinions for both transactions. • On December 14, 2018, in connection with the closing of the self-administration transaction and signing of the merger agreement, Stanger issued the fairness opinions for both transactions. 12 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II Process • In August of 2018, the board of directors of GCEAR II formed a special committee, consisting solely of the independent directors of the GCEAR II board, to review a potential merger with GCEAR. • To assist with the review and negotiation of the potential merger, the committee engaged SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. (“SunTrust”) as financial advisor and Morris, Manning & Martin was engaged as legal counsel. • From August 2018 through December 2018, the committee met over 15 times and spent numerous hours reviewing and negotiating the transaction. • On December 12, 2018, the special committee recommended that the board approve the merger between GCEAR and GCEAR II and the board subsequently unanimously approved the transaction, subject to SunTrust’s issuance of a fairness opinion. • On December 14, 2018, in connection with the signing of the merger agreement, SunTrust issued the fairness opinion for the merger. 13 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Distribution Reinvestment Plan and Share Redemption Program Prior to Completion of the Merger • The Distribution Reinvestment Plans (“DRP”) for both REITs are suspended effective for December distributions that will be paid in January. – All investors will receive distributions in cash beginning with distributions paid in January. • The Share Redemption Program (“SRP”) for both REITs will be suspended as of January 19, 2019. 14 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Distribution Reinvestment Plan and Share Redemption Program Subsequent to Completion of the Merger • It is expected that the DRP will recommence after completion of the merger and all investors, including former GCEAR investors, will receive distributions pursuant to their latest instructions unless the stockholder submits a request for modification. • After completion of the merger, it is expected that GCEAR II’s SRP will resume for Class A, AA, AAA, T, S, D and I stockholders with all the same terms and conditions that were in effect prior to the merger. – Quarterly redemptions limited to no more than 5% of the prior quarter’s aggregate NAV. – Repurchase price equal to 100% of NAV per share of the applicable share class. – No redemptions within the first year of purchase except in the case of death or qualifying disability. • GCEAR II will seek guidance from the SEC to include Class E shares in its SRP, consistent with all other share classes. 15 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Post-Merger Tender Offer Timing: Expected within six months of the closing of the merger. Amount: $100 million, or higher if approved by the board of directors of the combined company. Price: Expected to be at the estimated NAV per share as of the date of the tender offer, subject to final approval by the board of directors of the combined company. 16 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
II. Combined Portfolio Statistics and Demographics 17 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Combined Portfolio Statistics (as of September 30, 2018) GCEAR GCEAR II COMBINED COMPANY Total Capitalization(1) $3.49 billion $1.26 billion $4.75 billion Number of Properties 76 27 103 Number of Buildings 91 35 126 Size of Portfolio (square feet) 20.1 million 7.3 million 27.4 million Occupied/Leased (based on portfolio square feet) 95.3%/95.4% 100%/100% 96.5%/96.6% Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Years) 6.6 9.6 7.4 Current Weighted Average Lease Yield(2) 7.2% 7.0% 7.2% Weighted Average Annual Rent Increase(3) 2.1% 2.4% 2.2% 1. Total capitalization includes the outstanding debt balance (excluding deferred financing costs and premium/discounts), plus total equity raised and issued, including limited partnership units issued by the operating partnership, preferred equity shares issued, and shares issued pursuant to the DRP, net of redemptions of each REIT, respectively. GCEAR’s total capitalization is proforma and includes the estimated value of the OP Units issued in conjunction with the self-administration transaction and the additional units to be awarded upon completion of the GCEAR and GCEAR II merger. 2. The current weighted average lease yield equals the sum of the aggregate lease payments from each of the REIT’s properties, respectively, over the ensuing 12 months divided by the sum of the initial purchase prices of the same assets. 3. Weighted average rental increase is based on the remaining term of the lease at acquisition date. Rental increase may differ based on the full lease term, which is from the original commencement date. 18 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Combined Portfolio Statistics (as of September 30, 2018) GCEAR GCEAR II COMBINED COMPANY Contract Purchase Price of Real Estate $3.0 billion $1.1 billion $4.1 billion Estimated Value of Real Estate $3.2 billion $1.2 billion $4.4 billion Total Equity Raised (Including DRP), Net of Redemptions $2.1 billion $766.1 million $2.9 billion Selected Financial Data Fixed Charge Coverage (Quarter to Date)(1) 3.21 3.70 3.31 Interest Coverage (Quarter to Date)(2) 3.85 3.70 3.81 Debt to Total Capitalization 39.1% 39.0% 39.1% 1. Fixed Charge Coverage is the ratio of principal amortization for the period plus interest expense as if the corresponding debt were in place at the beginning of the period plus preferred stock distributions, if any, as if in place at the beginning of the period over Adjusted EBITDA. 2. Interest Coverage is the ratio of interest expense as if the corresponding debt was in place at the beginning of the period to Adjusted EBITDA. 19 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Laddered Lease Expiration Schedule (By % of Net Rents) Weighted Average Lease 35% Maturity (Years): 7.4 30.3% 30% GCEAR GCEAR II 25% 20% 14.0% 15% (% of NetRents)(% 10.2% 10% 8.1% 7.5% 7.2% 6.9% 5.8% 4.6% 5.3% 5% 0.0% 0% 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028+ 20


 
Statistics Fixed Floating Total Highly Stable Debt Composition (Including effect of Int. Swaps) (as of September 30, 2018) Amount (in Thousands) $1,550,747 $303,085 $1,853,831 Percentage of Total Debt 84% 16% 100% W.A. Term Remaining (Years) 7.14 4.75 6.74 W.A. Interest Rate (%) 3.77% 3.41% 3.71% $1,200,000 $977,149 $1,000,000 $800,000 $600,000 (Thousands) $375,000 $400,000 $250,000 $200,000 $126,970 $107,998 $16,714 $0 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 GCEAR GCEAR II Note: The chart above includes the retirement of $715 million of GCEAR’s outstanding unsecured credit facility debt and an increase to GCEAR II’s unsecured credit facility for the same amount assuming we exercise borrowing up to the maximum in the credit agreement ($2 billion). 21


 
Attractive Industry Diversification1 (By % of Net Rents as of September 30, 2018) GCEAR COMBINED COMPANY Capital Goods 16.5%(2) All Others 12.0%(3) Technology, Hardware & Equipment 3.7% Consumer Services 3.8% (3) Media 4.2% Telecommunication Services 10.9% All Others 8.0% Capital Goods 15.7%(2) Retailing 4.7% Media 3.1% Energy 5.0% Banks 4.4% Insurance 10.2% Consumer Durables & Apparel 5.2% Utilities 4.5% Software & Services 6.1% Insurance 8.5% Diversified Financials 7.8% Health Care Equipment & Services 9.9% Software & Services 4.5% (1) GCEAR II Consumer Durables & Apparel 5.0% Telecommunication All Others 4.8%(3) Services 8.0% Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 3.7% Consumer Services 16.6% Transportation 4.1% Energy 5.1% Consumer Durables & Apparel 4.2% Retailing 5.4% Diversified Financials Energy 5.3% Utilities 13.4% 7.7% Technology, Hardware & Banks 7.2% Equipment 6.0% Health Care Equipment & Services 7.3% Retailing 7.4% Consumer Services 7.2% Capital Goods 13.3%(2) Diversified Financials 7.5% Technology, Hardware & Equipment 12.5% 22 1. Based on 2016 Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). 2. Capital goods includes the following industry sub-groups: Industrial Conglomerates (5.7%), Aerospace & Defense (4.9%), Machinery (1.6%), Construction & Engineering (1.5%), Electrical Equipment (0.9%), Industrial Machinery (0.4%), Construction Machinery & Heavy Trucks (0.4%) and Others (0.3%). 3. All others account for less than 3% of total net rent for the 12 month period subsequent to September 30, 2018 on an individual basis.


 
Superior Geographic Diversification (By % of Net Rents as of September 30, 2018) GCEAR COMBINED COMPANY Texas 12.9% All Others 19.3%(1) Texas 10.9% California 10.6% South Carolina 4.6% Florida 4.7% Ohio 9.2% California 10.7% New Jersey 5.3% All Others 23.6%(1) Arizona 8.1% Georgia 8.8% Illinois 8.3% Colorado 8.3% South Carolina 3.7% GCEAR II Ohio 10.1% Ohio 12.8% North Carolina 3.7% All Others 11.7%(1) North Carolina 3.5% Georgia 6.5% Oregon 4.2% California 11.2% Illinois 9.1% Texas 5.3% Colorado 6.5% New Jersey 6.7% Arizona 8.5% Nevada 8.9% Illinois 11.3% Arizona 9.6% Alabama 10.9% New Jersey 10.6% 1. All others account for less than 3.5% of total net rent for the 12-month period subsequent to September 30, 2018 on an individual basis. 23


 
High Investment Grade Concentration1 (By % of Net Rents as of September 30, 2018) GCEAR COMBINED COMPANY Investment Grade 63.7% Unrated Credit Investment Grade 4.7% 66.9% Sub-Investment Grade 31.6% GCEAR II Unrated Credit 3.4% Investment Grade 75.8% Sub-Investment Grade 29.7% Sub-Investment Grade 24.2% 1. Investment Grade includes either tenants, their guarantors and/or non-guarantor parents, that maintain an investment grade rating, or what management believes are generally equivalent ratings. 24


 
Superior Diversification Through Reduction in Tenant Concentration Top 10 Tenants (By % of Net Rents as of September 30, 2018) GCEAR GCEAR II COMBINED COMPANY Top Tenants % of Portfolio Ratings1 Top Tenants % of Portfolio Ratings1 Top Tenants % of Portfolio Ratings1 5.64% A(2) 10.90% A-(2) 4.20% A(2) 3.66% BB(2) 7.50% A2(3) 3.30% A2(3) 3.19% AA(2) 7.40% AA-(2) 3.20% IG7(6) 3.15% BB-(5) 7.20% A+(4) 2.90% A-(2) 3.12% IG10(6) 6.90% BB+(5) 2.70% BB(2) 3.12% BB+(2) 6.10% BB+(2) 2.30% AA(2) 2.47% BBB+(2) 5.80% AA-(2) 2.30% BB-(5) 2.38% IG7(6) 5.50% BB(2) 2.30% IG10(6) 2.29% BB+(2) 5.30% IG7(6) 2.30% BB+(2) 2.19% A(2) 4.20% AA-(2) 1.90% AA-(2) TOTAL 31.21% TOTAL 66.80% TOTAL 27.40% 1. Investment Grade includes either tenants, their guarantors and/or non-guarantor parents, that maintain an investment grade rating, or what management believes are generally equivalent ratings. 2. Represents S&P Rating. 3. Represents Moody’s Rating. 25 4. Represents Fitch Rating. 5. Represents Eagan-Jones Rating. 6. Represents Bloomberg Rating.


 
Portfolio Concentration By Property Type (By % of Net Rents as of September 30, 2018) GCEAR COMBINED COMPANY Office 84.5% Office 82.6% Industrial/Manufacturing/Flex 15.5% GCEAR II Office 76.5% Industrial/Manufacturing/Flex 17.4% Industrial/Manufacturing/Flex 23.5% 26


 
Combined Diversified National Portfolio (as of September 30, 2018) Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II 27 GRIFFIN CAPITAL


 
Disclaimer 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. GCEAR and GCEAR II expect to prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY GCEAR AND GCEAR II IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GCEAR, GCEAR II 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 SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, these materials will also be available free of charge by accessing GCEAR's website (http://www.griffincapital.com/griffin-capital-essential-asset-reit) or by accessing GCEAR II's website (http://www.griffincapital.com/griffin-capital-essential-asset-reit-ii). Participants in the Proxy Solicitation: Information regarding GCEAR's directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2018 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 4, 2017 in connection with its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, and information regarding GCEAR II's directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2018 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 5, 2017 in connection with its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. Certain directors and executive officers of GCEAR and/or GCEAR II 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 GCEAR and GCEAR II and their respective executive officers and directors in the merger by reading the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the merger when it becomes available. 28 GRIFFIN CAPITAL