Exhibit 10.1
TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
by and among
PLURALSIGHT, INC.
PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC
the several MEMBERS (as defined herein)
REPRESENTATIVE (as defined herein) and
OTHER MEMBERS OF PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO
Dated as of May 15, 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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Article I. Definitions
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Section 1.1 Definitions
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Section 1.2 Rules of Construction
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Article II. Determination of Realized Tax Benefit
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Section 2.1 Basis Adjustments; the LLC 754 Election
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Section 2.2 Basis Schedules
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Section 2.3 Tax Benefit Schedules
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Section 2.4 Procedures; Amendments
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Article III. Tax Benefit Payments
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Section 3.1 Timing and Amount of Tax Benefit Payments
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Section 3.2 No Duplicative Payments
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Section 3.3 Pro-Ration of Payments as Between the Members
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Section 3.4 Optional Estimated Tax Benefit Payment Procedure
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Section 3.5 Changes; Reserves; Suspension of Payments
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Article IV. TERMINATION
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Section 4.1 Early Termination of Agreement; Breach of Agreement
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Section 4.2 Early Termination Notice
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Section 4.3 Payment Upon Early Termination
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Article V. Subordination and Late Payments
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Section 5.1 Subordination
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Section 5.2 Late Payments by the Corporation
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Article VI. Tax Matters; Consistency; Cooperation
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Section 6.1 Participation in the Corporation’s and the LLC’s Tax Matters
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Section 6.2 Consistency
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Section 6.3 Cooperation
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Article VII. Miscellaneous
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Section 7.1 Notices
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Section 7.2 Counterparts
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Section 7.3 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries
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Section 7.4 Governing Law
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Section 7.5 Severability
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Section 7.6 Right of First Refusal; Assignments; Amendments; Successors; No Waiver
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Section 7.7 Titles and Subtitles
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Section 7.8 Resolution of Disputes
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Section 7.9 Reconciliation
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Section 7.10 Withholding
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Section 7.11 Admission of the Corporation into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets
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Section 7.12 Arm’s Length Transactions
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Section 7.13 Confidentiality
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Section 7.14 Change in Law
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Section 7.15 Interest Rate Limitation
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Section 7.16 Independent Nature of Rights and Obligations
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Section 7.17 LLC Agreement
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Section 7.18 Representative
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Exhibits
Exhibit A – Form of Joinder Agreement
TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “
Agreement
”), dated as of May 16, 2018, is hereby entered into by and among Pluralsight, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “
Corporation
”), Pluralsight Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “
LLC
”), each of the Members from time to time party hereto, and the Representative. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in Section 1.01.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the LLC is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
WHEREAS, each of the members of the LLC other than the Corporation and the Blockers (as defined in the LLC Agreement) (such members who are parties hereto, and each other Person who becomes party hereto by satisfying the Joinder Requirement, the “
Members
”) owns (or, in the case of such other Persons, will own) limited liability company interests in the LLC (the “
Units
”);
WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Corporation will become the managing member of the LLC;
WHEREAS, on the date hereof and exclusive of the Over-Allotment Option, the Corporation issued 20,700,000 shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “
Class A Common Stock
”), to certain purchasers in an initial public offering of its Class A Common Stock (the “
IPO
”);
WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Corporation used substantially all of the net proceeds from the IPO to purchase newly-issued Units directly from the LLC, which proceeds will be used, in part, to repay or prepay certain indebtedness of the LLC and its Subsidiaries and for general company purposes;
WHEREAS, on and after the date hereof, the Corporation may issue additional Class A Common Stock in connection with the IPO as a result of the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option (the “
Over-Allotment Option
”) and, if the Over-Allotment Option is in fact exercised in whole or in part, any additional net proceeds received by the Corporation will be used by the Corporation to acquire additional newly-issued Units directly from the LLC, which proceeds may be used to repay certain indebtedness of the LLC and its Subsidiaries and for general company purposes;
WHEREAS, on and after the date hereof, pursuant to the LLC Agreement, each Member has the right from time to time to require the LLC to redeem (a “
Redemption
”) all or a portion of such Member’s Units for cash or, at the Corporation’s election, Class A Common Stock (in each case, contributed to the LLC by the Corporation);
provided
that, at the election of the Corporation in its sole discretion, the Corporation may effect a direct exchange (a “
Direct Exchange
”) of such cash or shares of Class A Common Stock for such Units;
WHEREAS, the LLC and any direct subsidiary or indirect subsidiary (owned through a chain of pass-through entities) of the LLC that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (together with the LLC and any direct or indirect subsidiary (owned through a chain of pass-through entities) of the LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the “
the LLC Group
”) will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code for the Taxable Year in which any Exchange occurs, which election should result in an adjustment to the Corporation’s share of the tax basis of the assets owned by the LLC Group as of the date of the Exchange, with a consequent result on the taxable income subsequently derived therefrom; and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to provide for certain payments and make certain arrangements with respect to any tax benefits to be derived by the Corporation as the result of Exchanges and the receipt of payments under this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1
Definitions
. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both (i) the singular and plural and (ii) the active and passive forms of the terms defined).
“
Actual Interest Amount
” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(vii) of this Agreement.
“
Advisory Firm
” means PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or any other accounting firm that is nationally recognized as being an expert in Covered Tax matters and is not an Affiliate of the Corporation.
“
Affiliate
” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.
“
Agreed Rate
” means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.
“
Agreement
” is defined in the preamble.
“
Amended Schedule
” is defined in Section 2.4(b) of this Agreement.
“
Assumed State and Local Tax Rate
” means the tax rate equal to the sum of the products of (x) the Corporation’s income tax apportionment rate(s) for each state and local jurisdiction in which the Corporation files income or franchise tax returns for the relevant Taxable Year and (y) the highest corporate income and franchise tax rate(s) for each such state and local jurisdiction in which the Corporation files income tax returns for each relevant Taxable Year.
“
Attributable
” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(i) of this Agreement.
“
Audit Committee
” means the audit committee of the Board.
“
Basis Adjustment
” means the increase or decrease to the tax basis of, or the Corporation’s share of, the tax basis of the Reference Assets (i) under Section 734(b), 743(b) and 754 of the Code and, in each case, the comparable sections of U.S. state and local tax law (in situations where, following an Exchange, the LLC remains in existence as an entity for tax purposes) and (ii) under Sections 732, 734(b) and 1012 of the Code and, in each case, the comparable sections of U.S. state and local tax law (in situations where, as a result of one or more Exchanges, the LLC becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for tax purposes), in each case, as a result of any Exchange and any payments made under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange of one or more Units shall be determined without regard to any Pre-Exchange Transfer of such Units and as if any such Pre-Exchange Transfer had not occurred.
“
Basis Schedule
” is defined in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
“
Beneficial Owner
” means, with respect to any security, a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, with respect to such security and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.
“
Board
” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
“
Business Day
” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in New York are closed.
“
Change Notice
” is defined in Section 3.5(a) of this Agreement.
“
Change of Control
” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1)
any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provisions thereto (the “
Exchange Act
”), but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person and its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, and excluding the Permitted Transferees) becomes the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation (if any) representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote;
(2)
the shareholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets (including a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the LLC);
(3)
there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation or entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the voting securities of the Corporation immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent, or are not converted into, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or
(4)
the Corporation ceases to be the sole managing member of the LLC.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock
immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.
“
Class B Common Stock
” means shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.
“
Class C Common Stock
” means shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.
“
Code
” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“
Control
” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or other agreement.
“
Corporation
” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“
Covered Person
” is defined in Section 7.17 of this Agreement.
“
Covered Tax Benefit
” is defined in Section 3.3(a) of this Agreement.
“
Covered Taxes
” means any and all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign Taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits and any interest related thereto, including without limitation any franchise Taxes.
“
Credit Agreements”
has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.
“
Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit
” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(iii) of this Agreement.
“
Default Rate
” means LIBOR plus 600 basis points;
provided however
, that the Default Rate shall be the Agreed Rate during any period in which the Corporation’s failure to timely pay is the result of obligations or restrictions imposed in connection with the Senior Obligations or under applicable law, and the Corporation cannot obtain sufficient funds to make such payments by taking commercially reasonable actions.
“
Default Rate Interest
” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(ix) of this Agreement.
“
Determination
” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of U.S. state tax law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for tax.
“
Direct Exchange
” is defined in the recitals to this agreement.
“
Dispute
” is defined in Section 7.8(a) of this Agreement.
“
Early Termination Effective Date
” means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.
“
Early Termination Notice
” is defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
“
Early Termination Payment
” is defined in Section 4.3(b) of this Agreement.
“
Early Termination Rate
” means the lesser of (i) 6.00% per annum, compounded annually, and (ii) LIBOR plus 100 basis points.
“
Early Termination Reference Date
” is defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
“
Early Termination Schedule
” is defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
“
Estimated Tax Benefit Payment
” is defined in Section 3.4 of this Agreement.
“
Exchange
” means any Direct Exchange or Redemption.
“
Exchange Date
” means the date of any Exchange.
“
Exercise Period
” is defined in Section 7.6(a)(ii) of this Agreement.
“
Expert
” is defined in Section 7.9 of this Agreement.
“
Extension Rate Interest
” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(viii) of this Agreement.
“
Final Payment Date
” means any date on which a payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Final Payment Date in respect of a Tax Benefit Payment is determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a) of this Agreement.
“
GAAP
” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time;
provided, however
, that if the Corporation notifies the Members that the Corporation requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP or in the application thereof occurring after the date of this Agreement (including through the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards and applicable accounting requirements set by the International Accounting Standards Board or any successor thereto (the “
IFRS
”)), on the operation of such provision (or if the Members notify the Corporation that they request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof (including through the adoption of IFRS), then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied
immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.
“
Hypothetical Tax Liability
” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the hypothetical liability of the Corporation that would arise in respect of Covered Taxes, using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used on the actual relevant Tax Returns of the Corporation but (i) calculating depreciation, amortization, or other similar deductions, or otherwise calculating any items of income, gain, or loss, using the Corporation’s share of the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis as reflected on the Basis Schedule, including amendments thereto for the Taxable Year and (ii) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts or Default Rate Interest for the Taxable Year;
provided
, that for purposes of determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability, the combined tax rate for U.S. state and local Covered Taxes (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, federal Covered Taxes) shall be the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any tax item attributable to Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts, Default Rate Interest or a Basis Adjustment (or portions thereof); and (ii) the calculation of the Hypothetical Tax Liability shall take into account the federal benefit, if any, received by the Corporation with respect to state and local jurisdiction income taxes (with such benefit taking into account the Corporation’s marginal U.S. federal income tax rate for the relevant Taxable Year, the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate, and the deductibility, if any, of state and local jurisdiction income taxes).
“
Imputed Interest
” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(vi) of this Agreement.
“
Independent Directors
” means the members of the Board who are “independent” under the standards set forth in Rule 10A-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the corresponding rules of the applicable exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is traded or quoted.
“
Initial Due Date
” means, for a Taxable Year, the due date (without extensions) for filing the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for such Taxable Year.
“
IPO
” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
IRS
” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
“
Joinder
” means a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A to this Agreement.
“
Joinder Requirement
” is defined in Section 7.6(b) of this Agreement.
“
LIBOR
” means during any period, the rate which appears on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market), or the rate which is quoted by another source selected by the Corporation as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market (a “
Alternate Source
”), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such period as the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such period (or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or any LIBOR Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the Corporation at such time, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error);
provided
, that at no time shall LIBOR be less than 0%. If the Corporation has made the determination (such determination to be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) LIBOR is no longer a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars or (ii) the applicable supervisor or administrator (if any) of LIBOR has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars, then the Corporation shall (as determined by the Corporation to be consistent with market practice generally), establish a replacement interest rate (the “
Replacement Rate
”), in which case, the Replacement Rate shall, subject to the next two sentences, replace LIBOR for all purposes under this Agreement. In connection with the establishment and application of the Replacement Rate, this Agreement shall be amended solely with the consent of the Corporation and the
LLC, as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of the Corporation, to effect the provisions of this section. The Replacement Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice;
provided
that, in each case, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Corporation, such Replacement Rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined by the Corporation.
“
LLC
” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
LLC Agreement
” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the LLC, dated as of the date hereof, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time.
“
Market Value
” means the Common Unit Redemption Price, as defined in the LLC Agreement, determined as of an Early Termination Date.
“
Members
” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Net Tax Benefit
” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(ii) of this Agreement.
“
Non-Adjusted Tax Basis
” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any time, the tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustments had been made.
“
Objection Notice
” is defined in Section 2.4(a)(i) of this Agreement.
“
Offered Price
” is defined in Section 7.6(a)(i) of this Agreement.
“
Offered TRA Interests
” is defined in Section 7.6(a)(i) of this Agreement.
“
Over-Allotment Option
” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Parties
” means the parties named on the signature pages to this agreement and each additional party that satisfies the Joinder Requirement, in each case with their respective successors and assigns.
“
Person
” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.
“
Permitted Transfer
” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.
“
Permitted Transferee
” means any Person to whom a Permitted Transfer could be made pursuant to the LLC Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement a Permitted Tranferee of a TRA Interest need not own or hold any Units such that a TRA Interest may be transferred to a Permitted Transferee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement even if there has been no Transfer of Units to such Person.
“
Pre-Exchange Transfer
” means any transfer of one or more Units (including upon the death of a Member) (i) that occurs after the IPO but prior to an Exchange of such Units and (ii) to which Section 743(b) of the Code applies.
“
Proposed Transferee
” is defined in Section 7.6(a)(i) of this Agreement.
“
Realized Tax Benefit
” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(iv) of this Agreement.
“
Realized Tax Detriment
” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(v) of this Agreement.
“
Reconciliation Dispute
” is defined in Section 7.9 of this Agreement.
“
Reconciliation Procedures
” is defined in Section 2.4(a) of this Agreement.
“
Redemption
” has the meaning in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Reference Asset
” means any tangible or intangible asset of the LLC or any of its successors or assigns, and whether held directly by the LLC or indirectly by the LLC through any entity in which the LLC now holds or may subsequently hold an ownership interest (but only if such entity is treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for purposes of the applicable tax), at the time of an Exchange. A Reference Asset also includes any asset the tax basis of which is determined, in whole or in part, by reference to the tax basis of an asset that is described in the preceding sentence, including “substituted basis property” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code.
“
Representative
” is defined in Section 7.18 of this Agreement.
“
Right of First Refusal”
means the right of first refusal provided to the Corporation in Section 7.6(a) of this Agreement.
“
Right of First Refusal Closing
” is defined in Section 7.6(a)(iv) of this Agreement.
“
Schedule
” means any of the following: (i) a Basis Schedule, (ii) a Tax Benefit Schedule, or (iii) the Early Termination Schedule, and, in each case, any amendments thereto.
“
Seller
” is defined in Section 7.6(a) of this Agreement.
“
Senior Obligations
” is defined in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.
“
Subsidiary
” means, with respect to any Person and as of the date of any determination, any other Person as to which such Person, owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controls, more than 50% of the voting power or other similar interests, or the sole general partner interest, or managing member or similar interest, of such Person.
“
Subsidiary Stock
” means any stock or other equity interest in any Subsidiary of the Corporation that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
“
Tax
” or “
Taxes
” means (i) all forms of taxation or duties imposed, or required to be collected or withheld, including, without limitation, charges, together with any related interest, penalties or other additional amounts, (ii) liability for the payment of any amount of the type described in the preceding clause (i) as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, and (iii) liability for the payment of any amounts as a result of being party to any tax sharing agreement (other than this Agreement) or as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person with respect to the payment of any amount described in the immediately preceding clauses (i) or (ii) (other than an obligation to indemnify under this Agreement).
“
Tax Benefit Payment
” is defined in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
“
Tax Benefit Schedule
” is defined in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.
“
Tax Return
” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement filed or required to be filed with respect to taxes (including any attached schedules), including, without limitation, any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated tax.
“
Taxable Year
” means a taxable year of the Corporation as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable section of U.S. state or local tax law, as applicable (and, therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than 12 months for which a Tax Return is made), ending on or after the closing date of the IPO.
“
Taxing Authority
” means any national, federal, state, county, municipal, or local government, or any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body, or any other authority of any kind, exercising regulatory or other authority in relation to tax matters.
“
Termination Objection Notice
” is defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
“
TRA Interests
” are defined in Section 7.6(a) of this Agreement.
“
Transfer
” is defined in Section 7.6(a) of this Agreement.
“
Transfer Notice
” is defined in Section 7.6(a)(i) of this Agreement.
“
Treasury Regulations
” means the final, temporary, and (to the extent they can be relied upon) proposed regulations under the Code, as promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.
“
True-Up
” is defined in Section 3.4 of this Agreement.
“
U.S.
” means the United States of America.
“
Units
” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Valuation Assumptions
” means, as of an Early Termination Effective Date, the assumptions that:
(1)
in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Effective Date, the Corporation will have taxable income sufficient to fully use the deductions arising from the Basis Adjustments and the Imputed Interest during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available;
(2)
the U.S. federal income tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Effective Date, except to the extent any change to such tax rates for such Taxable Year have already been enacted into law and the combined U.S. state and local income tax rates (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, federal income tax rates) for each such Taxable Year shall be the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate for the Taxable Year that includes the Early Termination Effective Date;
(3)
all taxable income of the Corporation will be subject to the maximum applicable tax rates for each Covered Tax throughout the relevant period;
provided
, that the combined tax rate for U.S. state and local income taxes (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, federal income tax) shall be the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate, and, for the avoidance of doubt, the applicable calculations shall take into account the federal benefit received, if any, by the Corporation with respect to state and local jurisdiction income taxes (with such benefit taking into account the Corporation’s applicable marginal U.S. federal income tax rate, the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate, and the deductibility, if any, of state and local jurisdiction income taxes);
(4)
any loss carryovers or carrybacks generated by any Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest (including such Basis Adjustment and Imputed Interest generated as a result of payments under this Agreement) and available as of the Early Termination Effective Date will be used by the Corporation on a pro rata basis from the date of the Early Termination Effective Date through the scheduled expiration date of such loss carryovers or carrybacks (or, if there is no such scheduled expiration date, the next five year period);
(5)
any non-amortizable assets (other than Subsidiary Stock) will be disposed of on the earlier of the fifteenth anniversary of (i) the applicable Basis Adjustment and (ii) the Early Termination Effective Date, but in no event earlier than the Early Termination Effective Date;
(6)
any Subsidiary Stock will be deemed never to be disposed of except if Subsidiary Stock is directly disposed of in the Change of Control;
(7)
if, on the Early Termination Effective Date, any Member has Units that have not been Exchanged, then such Units shall be deemed to be Exchanged for the Market Value that would be received by such Member if such Units had been Exchanged on the Early Termination Effective Date, and such Member shall be deemed to receive the amount of cash such Member would have been entitled to pursuant to Section 4.3(a) had such Units actually been Exchanged on the Early Termination Effective Date;
(8)
any proposed adjustment to a tax item of a Party that has given rise to a Change Notice, and any reserve or contingent liability associated with a tax position that has given rise to a Reserve Notice, shall be deemed to have been favorably resolved such that the proposed adjustment or reserve or contingent liability associated with such tax position shall not be taken into account in determining the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment due to a Member; and
(9)
any payment obligations pursuant to this Agreement will be satisfied on the date that any Tax Return to which such payment obligation relates is required to be filed excluding any extensions.
Section 1.2
Rules of Construction
. Unless otherwise specified herein:
(a) The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.
(b) For purposes of interpretation of this Agreement:
(i) The words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.
(ii) References in this Agreement to a Schedule, Article, Section, clause or sub-clause refer to the appropriate Schedule to, or Article, Section, clause or subclause in, this Agreement.
(iii) References in this Agreement to dollars or “$” refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America.
(iv) The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation.
(v) The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.
(c) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”
(d) Section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
(e) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to organization documents (including the LLC Agreement), agreements (including this Agreement) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all
subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are permitted hereby; and (b) references to any law (including the Code and the Treasury Regulations) shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such law.
ARTICLE II.
DETERMINATION OF REALIZED TAX BENEFIT
Section 2.1
Basis Adjustments; the LLC 754 Election
.
(a)
Basis Adjustments
. The Parties acknowledge and agree that (A) each Direct Exchange shall give rise to Basis Adjustments and (B) each Redemption shall be treated as a direct purchase of Units by the Corporation from the applicable Member pursuant to Section 707(a)(2)(B) of the Code that shall give rise to Basis Adjustments. In connection with the Direct Exchange or Redemption, the Parties acknowledge and agree that pursuant to applicable law the Corporation’s share of the basis in the Reference Assets shall be increased or decreased, as the case may be, by the difference between (A) the sum of (x) the fair market value of Class A Common Stock or the cash transferred to a Member pursuant to an Exchange as payment for the Units, (y) the amount of payments made pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Exchange and (z) the amount of liabilities allocated to the Units acquired pursuant to the Exchange, over (B) the Corporation’s share of the basis of the Reference Assets immediately after the Exchange attributable to the Units exchanged, determined as if each member of the LLC Group remains in existence as an entity for tax purposes and no member of the LLC Group made the election provided by Section 754 of the Code.
For the avoidance of doubt, payments made under this Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in a Basis Adjustment to the extent that such payments are treated as Imputed Interest or are Actual Interest Amounts or Default Rate Interest.
(b)
Section 754 Election
. In its capacity as the sole managing member of the LLC, the Corporation will ensure that, on and after the date hereof and continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, the LLC and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (and under any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law).
Section 2.2
Basis Schedules
. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for each relevant Taxable Year, the Corporation shall deliver to the Representative a schedule (the “
Basis Schedule
”) that shows, in reasonable detail as necessary in order to understand the calculations performed under this Agreement: (a) the Basis Adjustments with respect to the Reference Assets as a result of the relevant Exchanges effected in such Taxable Year, (b) the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis with respect to the Reference Assets and (c) the period (or periods) over which each Basis Adjustment and Reference Assets are amortizable and/or depreciable. The Basis Schedule will become final and binding on the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a) and may be amended by the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(b).
Section 2.3
Tax Benefit Schedules
.
(a)
Tax Benefit Schedule
. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for any Taxable Year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, the Corporation shall provide to the Representative a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit, if any, the Realized Tax Detriment, if any, and the Tax Benefit Payment, if any, for such Taxable Year (a “
Tax Benefit Schedule
”). The Tax Benefit Schedule will become final and binding on the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a), and may be amended by the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(b).
(b)
Applicable Principles
. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the decrease or increase in the actual liability of the Corporation for Covered Taxes for such Taxable Year attributable to the Basis Adjustments, Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts, and Default Rate Interest as determined using a “with and without” methodology described in Section 2.4(a) (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the first three sentences of Section 7.11(b)). Carryovers or carrybacks of any Tax item attributable to any Basis Adjustment, Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts, and Default Rate Interest shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of U.S. state or local tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type.
If a carryover or carryback of any Tax item includes a portion that is attributable to a Basis Adjustment, Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts, and Default Rate Interest (a “
TRA Portion
”) and another portion that is not (a “
Non-TRA Portion
”), such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology so that: (i) the amount of any Non-TRA Portion is deemed utilized first, followed by the amount of any TRA Portion (with the TRA Portion being applied on a proportionate basis consistent with the provisions of Section 3.3(a)); and (ii) in the case of a carryback of a Non-TRA Portion, such carryback shall not affect the original “with and without” calculation made in the prior Taxable Year. The Parties agree that (i) all Tax Benefit Payments (other than Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts and Default Rate Interest) attributable to an Exchange will to the extent permitted by applicable law (A) be treated as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments that give rise to further Basis Adjustments for the Corporation and (B) have the effect of creating additional Basis Adjustments for the Corporation in the year of payment, and (ii) as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments will be incorporated into the current Taxable Year continuing until any incremental current Taxable Year benefits equal an immaterial amount.
Section 2.4
Procedures; Amendments
.
(a)
Procedures
. Each time the Corporation delivers an applicable Schedule to the Representative under this Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.4(b), but excluding any Early Termination Schedule or amended Early Termination Schedule delivered pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 4.2, the Corporation shall also: (x) deliver supporting schedules and work papers, as determined by the Corporation or as reasonably requested by the Representative, that provide a reasonable level of detail regarding the data and calculations that were relevant for purposes of preparing the Schedule; (y) consult with the Advisory Firm (to the extent necessary in the Corporation’s determination) with respect to such Schedule; and (z) allow the Representative and his or her advisors to have reasonable access at no cost to the appropriate representatives, as determined by the Corporation or as reasonably requested by the Representative, at the Corporation and the Advisory Firm in connection with a review of such Schedule. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall ensure that any Tax Benefit Schedule that is delivered to the Representative along with any supporting schedules and work papers, provides a reasonably detailed presentation of the calculation of the actual liability of the Corporation for Covered Taxes (the “with” calculation) and the Hypothetical Tax Liability of the Corporation (the “without” calculation), and identifies any material assumptions or operating procedures or principles that were used for purposes of such calculations. An applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall become final and binding on the Parties thirty (30) calendar days from the date on which the Representative first received the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto unless:
(i) the Representative, within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto, provides the Corporation with written notice of a material objection to such Schedule that is made in good faith and that sets forth in reasonable detail the Representative’s, as applicable, material objection (an “
Objection Notice
”) or
(ii) the Representative, provides a written waiver of its right to deliver an Objection Notice within the time period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date the waiver from the Representative, is received by the Corporation.
In the event that the Representative, timely delivers an Objection Notice pursuant to clause (i) above, and if the Parties, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in the Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Corporation of the Objection Notice, the Corporation and / or the Representative, as applicable, shall employ the reconciliation procedures as described in Section 7.9 of this Agreement (the “
Reconciliation Procedures
”).
(b)
Amended Schedule
. The applicable Schedule for any Taxable Year may be amended from time to time by the Corporation: (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule; (ii) to correct inaccuracies in the Schedule identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date the Schedule was originally provided to the Representative; (iii) to comply with an Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures applicable to this Agreement; (iv) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other Tax item to such Taxable Year; (v) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an
amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year; or (vi) to adjust a Basis Schedule to take into account any Tax Benefit Payments made pursuant to this Agreement (any such Schedule, an “
Amended Schedule
”). The Corporation shall provide an Amended Schedule to the Representative within 60 calendar days of the occurrence of an event referenced in clauses (i) through (vi) of the preceding sentence.
ARTICLE III.
TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Section 3.1
Timing and Amount of Tax Benefit Payments
.
(a)
Timing of Payments
. Except as provided in Sections 3.4 and 3.5, and subject to Sections 3.2 and 3.3, within five (5) Business Days following the date on which each Tax Benefit Schedule that is required to be delivered by the Corporation to the Representative pursuant to Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement becomes final in accordance with Section 2.4(a) of this Agreement, the Corporation shall pay to each relevant Member the Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b). Each such Tax Benefit Payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated by such Members or as otherwise agreed by the Corporation and such Members. For the avoidance of doubt, the Members shall not be required under any circumstances to return any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment previously paid by the Corporation to the Members (including any portion of any Estimated Tax Benefit Payment or any Early Termination Payment).
(b)
Amount of Payments
. For purposes of this Agreement, a “
Tax Benefit Payment
” with respect to any Member means an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of: (i) the portion of the Net Tax Benefit attributable to such Member (including Imputed Interest calculated in respect of such amount); and (ii) the Actual Interest Amount with respect to the Net Tax Benefit described in (i).
(i)
Attributable
. The Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit is “
Attributable
” to a Member to the extent that it is derived from any Basis Adjustment, Imputed Interest, or Actual Interest Amount that is attributable to an Exchange undertaken by or with respect to such Member.
(ii)
Net Tax Benefit
. The “
Net Tax Benefit attributable to a Member
” for a Taxable Year equals the amount of the excess, if any, of (x) 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit Attributable to a Member as of the end of such Taxable Year over (y) the aggregate amount of all Tax Benefit Payments previously made to such Member under this Section 3.1. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit Attributable to a Member as of the end of any Taxable Year is less than the aggregate amount of all Tax Benefit Payments previously made to such Member, the Member shall not be required to return any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment previously made by the Corporation to such Member.
(iii)
Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit
. The “
Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit
” for a Taxable Year equals the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Corporation, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule, if any, in existence at the time of such determination.
(iv)
Realized Tax Benefit
. The “
Realized Tax Benefit
” for a Taxable Year equals the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the actual liability of the Corporation for Covered Taxes;
provided
, that for purposes of determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability and actual liability of the Corporation for Covered Taxes, the Corporation shall use the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate for purposes of determining such liabilities for all state and local Covered Taxes. For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of the Hypothetical Tax Liability and the actual liability of the Corporation for Covered Taxes shall take into account the federal benefit, if any, received by the Corporation with respect to state and local jurisdiction income taxes (with such benefit taking into account the Corporation’s marginal U.S. federal income tax rate for the relevant Taxable Year, the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate, and the deductibility, if any, of state and local jurisdiction income taxes). If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Covered Taxes for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any
Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.
(v)
Realized Tax Detriment
. The “
Realized Tax Detriment
” for a Taxable Year equals the excess, if any, of the actual liability of the Corporation for Covered Taxes over the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year;
provided
, that for purposes of determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability and actual liability of the Corporation for Covered Taxes, the Corporation shall use the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate for purposes of determining such liabilities for all state and local Covered Taxes. For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of the Hypothetical Tax Liability and the actual liability of the Corporation for Covered Taxes shall take into account the federal benefit, if any, received by the Corporation with respect to state and local jurisdiction income taxes (with such benefit taking into account the Corporation’s marginal U.S. federal income tax rate for the relevant Taxable Year, the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate, and the deductibility, if any, of state and local jurisdiction income taxes). If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Covered Taxes for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.
(vi)
Imputed Interest
. The parties acknowledge that the principles of Sections 1272, 1274, or 483 of the Code, as applicable, and the principles of any similar provision of U.S. state and local law, will, as applicable, apply to cause a portion of any Net Tax Benefit payable by the Corporation to a Member under this Agreement to be treated as imputed interest (“
Imputed Interest
”). For the avoidance of doubt, the deduction for the amount of Imputed Interest as determined with respect to any Net Tax Benefit payable by the Corporation to a Member shall be excluded in determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability of the Corporation for purposes of calculating Realized Tax Benefits and Realized Tax Detriments pursuant to this Agreement.
(vii)
Actual Interest Amount
. The “
Actual Interest Amount
” calculated in respect of the Net Tax Benefit for a Taxable Year will equal the amount of any Extension Rate Interest. For the avoidance of doubt, any deduction for any Actual Interest Amount as determined with respect to any Net Tax Benefit payable by the Corporation to a Member shall be excluded in determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability of the Corporation for purposes of calculating Realized Tax Benefits and Realized Tax Detriments pursuant to this Agreement.
(viii)
Extension Rate Interest
. Subject to Section 3.4, the amount of “
Extension Rate Interest
” calculated in respect of the Net Tax Benefit (including previously accrued Imputed Interest) for a Taxable Year will equal interest calculated at the Agreed Rate from the Initial Due Date until the date on which the Corporation makes a timely Tax Benefit Payment to the Member on or before the Final Payment Date as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a).
(ix)
Default Rate Interest
. In the event that the Corporation does not make timely payment of all or any portion of a Tax Benefit Payment to a Member on or before the Final Payment Date as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a), the amount of “
Default Rate Interest
” calculated in respect of the Net Tax Benefit (including previously accrued Imputed Interest and Extension Rate Interest) for a Taxable Year will equal interest calculated at the Default Rate from the Final Payment Date for a Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a) until the date on which the Corporation makes such Tax Benefit Payment to such Member. For the avoidance of doubt, any deduction for any Default Rate Interest with respect to any Net Tax Benefit payable by the Corporation to a Member shall be excluded in determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability of the Corporation for purposes of calculating Realized Tax Benefits and Realized Tax Detriments pursuant to this Agreement.
(x) The Corporation and the Members hereby acknowledge and agree that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the date of any future Exchange that may be subject to this Agreement, the aggregate value of the Tax Benefit Payments cannot be reasonably ascertained for U.S. federal income or other applicable tax purposes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless a Member notifies the Corporation otherwise on or prior to the date of the Exchange, or specifies a different stated maximum selling price, including, in each case, in connection with its Exchange notice, the stated maximum selling price (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 15A.453-1(c)(2)) with respect to any Exchange by such Member shall not exceed 150%
of
the amount of the initial consideration received in connection with such Exchange (which initial consideration, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any Class A Common Stock received in such Exchange and shall exclude the fair market value of any Tax Benefit Payments) and the amount of the initial consideration received in connection with such Exchange and the aggregate Tax Benefit Payments to such Member in respect of such Exchange (other than amounts accounted for as interest under the Code) shall not exceed such stated maximum selling price.
(c)
Interest
. The provisions of Section 3.1(b) are intended to operate so that interest will effectively accrue in respect of the Net Tax Benefit for any Taxable Year as follows:
(i) first, at the applicable rate used to determine the amount of Imputed Interest under the Code (from the relevant Exchange Date until the Initial Due Date and, if required under applicable law, through the Final Payment Date for a Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a));
(ii) second, at the Agreed Rate in respect of any Extension Rate Interest (from the Initial Due Date until the Final Payment Date for a Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a)); and
(iii) third, at the Default Rate in respect of any Default Rate Interest (from the Final Payment Date for a Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a) until the date on which the Corporation makes the relevant Tax Benefit Payment to a Member).
Section 3.2
No Duplicative Payments
. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in the duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) that may be required under this Agreement, and the provisions of this Agreement shall be consistently interpreted and applied in accordance with that intent. For purposes of this Agreement, and also for the avoidance of doubt, no Tax Benefit Payment shall be required to be calculated or made in respect of any estimated tax payments, including, without limitation, any estimated U.S. federal income tax payments.
Section 3.3
Pro-Ration of Payments as Between the Members
.
(a)
Insufficient Taxable Income
. Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1(b) to the contrary, if the aggregate potential depreciation, amortization or other similar deductions in respect of the Basis Adjustments, Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts, and Default Rate Interest for purposes of determining the Corporation’s liability for Covered Taxes (the “Covered Tax Benefit”) is limited in a particular Taxable Year because the Corporation does not have sufficient actual taxable income, then the available Covered Tax Benefit for the Corporation shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to the respective Tax Benefit Payment that would have been payable if the Corporation had in fact had sufficient taxable income so that there had been no such limitation. As an illustration of the intended operation of this Section 3.3(a), if the Corporation would have had $160 of aggregate potential Covered Tax Benefits (as a result of, for illustrative purposes, having $640 of taxable income) in a particular Taxable Year (with $40 of such Covered Tax Benefits being attributable to Member 1 and $120 of such Covered Tax Benefits being attributable to Member 2), such that Member 1 would have potentially been entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment of $34 (i.e. 85% of $40) and Member 2 would have been entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment of $102, and if instead the Corporation only had $320 of actual taxable income in such Taxable Year (corresponding to $80 of aggregate Covered Tax Benefits), then $20 of the aggregate $80 Covered Tax Benefit for the Corporation for such Taxable Year would be allocated to Member 1 and $60 of the aggregate $80 Covered Tax benefit for the Corporation would be allocated to Member 2, such that Member 1 would receive a Tax Benefit Payment of $17 and Member 2 would receive a Tax Benefit Payment of $51.
(b)
Late Payments
. If for any reason the Corporation is not able to timely and fully satisfy its payment obligations under this Agreement in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then Default Rate Interest will begin to accrue pursuant to Section 5.2 and the Corporation and other Parties agree that (i) the Corporation shall pay the Tax Benefit Payments due in respect of such Taxable Year to each Member pro rata in proportion to the amount of such Tax Benefit Payments, without favoring one obligation over the other, and (ii) no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments to all Members in respect of all prior Taxable Years have been made in full.
Section 3.4
Optional Estimated Tax Benefit Payment Procedure
. As long as the Corporation is current in respect of its payment obligations owed to each Member pursuant to this Agreement and there are no delinquent Tax Benefit Payments outstanding in respect of prior Taxable Years for any Member, the Corporation may, at its option, in its sole discretion, make one or more estimated payments to the Members in respect of any anticipated amounts to be owed with respect to a Taxable Year to the Members pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement at any time on or after the Initial Due Date with respect to such Taxable Year (any such estimated payments referred to as an “
Estimated Tax Benefit Payment
”);
provided
that any Estimated Tax Benefit Payment made to a Member pursuant to this is matched by a proportionately equal Estimated Tax Benefit Payment to all other Members then entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment. Any Estimated Tax Benefit Payment made under this Section 3.4 shall be paid by the Corporation to the Members and applied against the final amount of any Tax Benefit Payment to be made pursuant to Section 3.1. The payment of an Estimated Tax Benefit Payment by the Corporation to the Members pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall also terminate the obligation of the Corporation to make payment of any Extension Rate Interest that might have otherwise accrued with respect to the proportionate amount of the Tax Benefit Payment that is being paid in advance of the applicable Tax Benefit Schedule being finalized pursuant to Section 2.4. Upon the making of any Estimated Tax Benefit Payment pursuant to this Section 3.4, the amount of such Estimated Tax Benefit Payment shall first be applied to any estimated Extension Rate Interest, then to Imputed Interest, and then applied to the remaining residual amount of the Tax Benefit Payment to be made pursuant to Section 3.1. In determining the final amount of any Tax Benefit Payment to be made pursuant to Section 3.1, and for purposes of finalizing the Tax Benefit Schedule pursuant to Section 2.4, the amount of any Estimated Tax Benefit Payments that may have been made with respect to the Taxable Year shall be increased, if the finally determined Tax Benefit Payment for a Taxable Year exceeds the Estimated Tax Benefit Payments made for such Taxable Year, with such increase being paid by the Corporation to the Members along with an appropriate amount of Extension Rate Interest in respect of the amount of such increase (a “
True-Up
”). If the Estimated Tax Benefit Payment for a Taxable Year exceeds the finally determined Tax Benefit Payment for such Taxable Year, such excess, shall be applied to reduce the amount of any subsequent future Tax Benefit Payments (including Estimated Tax Benefit Payments, if any) to be paid by the Corporation to such Member. As of the date on which any Estimated Tax Benefit Payments are made, and as of the date on which any True-Up is made, all such payments shall be made in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as otherwise contemplated by Section 3.1 and all other applicable terms of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, as is the case with Tax Benefit Payments made by the Corporation to the Members pursuant to Section 3.1, the amount of any Estimated Tax Benefit Payments made pursuant to this Section 3.4 that are attributable to an Exchange shall also be treated, in part, as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments that give rise to Basis Adjustments in the Taxable Year of payment to the extent permitted by applicable law and as of the date on which such payments are made (to the extent of the estimated Net Tax Benefit associated with such Estimated Tax Benefit Payment, less any Imputed Interest, and exclusive of any Extension Rate Interest).
Section 3.5
Changes; Reserves; Suspension of Payments
.
(a)
Receipt of Change Notice
. If any Party, or any Affiliate or Subsidiary of any Party, receives a 30-day letter, a final audit report, a statutory notice of deficiency, or similar written notice from any Taxing Authority that proposes an adjustment to a tax item of a Party that would reduce the Tax Benefit Payments that may be payable by the Corporation to the Members (a “
Change Notice
”), prompt written notification and a copy of the relevant Change Notice shall be delivered by the Party, or its Affiliate or Subsidiary, that received such Change Notice to the Corporation and the Representative.
(b)
Receipt of Reserve Notice
. Prior to the delivery of any Tax Benefit Schedule or other Schedule by the Corporation to the Representative, management of the Corporation shall consult with the auditors for the Corporation and, if necessary, the Advisory Firm or other legal or accounting advisors to the Corporation regarding the substantive tax issues and related conclusions that underlie the calculations related to the determination of the Tax Benefit Payments required under this Agreement. If, following such consultation, the management for the Corporation shall reasonably determine that a tax reserve or contingent liability needs to be established by the Corporation for financial accounting purposes (as determined in accordance with GAAP) in relation to any past or future tax position that affects the amount of any past or future Tax Benefit Payments that have been made or that may be made under this Agreement, then the Representative shall be notified of such determination (a “
Reserve Notice
”).
(c)
Suspension of Payments
. From and after the date on which a Change Notice is received, to the extent provided in the following sentence, Tax Benefit Payments required to be made under this Agreement shall be paid by the
Corporation to a national bank mutually agreeable to the Parties to act as escrow agent to hold such funds in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement until a Determination in respect of the applicable Change Notice is received. For purposes of the preceding sentence and for purposes of the determination of the amount to be placed in escrow pending a Determination, the Corporation shall suspend all future Tax Benefit Payments required under this Agreement until the amount of such suspended future Tax Benefit Payments equals the aggregate amount of Tax Benefit Payments that the Corporation reasonably determines would not be payable if such Change Notice results in an adverse Determination. For the avoidance of doubt, such suspended amounts described in the immediately preceding sentence to be placed in escrow shall include (i) any Actual Interest Amount that has accrued on the underlying Net Tax Benefit from the Initial Due Date through the date such Tax Benefit Payment is placed in escrow (provided that to the extent the amount was not placed in escrow on or before the Final Payment Date, such amount placed in escrow shall also include any Default Rate Interest that accrued from the Final Payment Date until such amount is placed in escrow) and (ii) any additional amounts required to be placed in escrow pursuant to this Section 3.5(c) over time. From and after the date on which a Reserve Notice is issued, to the extent that the tax position that gives rise to a tax reserve or contingent liability would have the effect of reducing the Tax Benefit Payments required to be made under this Agreement, the Tax Benefit Payments required to be made under this Agreement shall, to the extent determined reasonably necessary by the Audit Committee, be paid by the Corporation to a national bank mutually agreeable to the Parties to act as escrow agent to hold such funds in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement until the relevant reserve is released or the relevant contingent liability is eliminated or it is otherwise determined that the tax position is not reasonably expected to have the effect of reducing the Tax Benefit Payments. For purposes of the preceding sentence and for purposes of the Audit Committee’s determination of the amount to be placed in escrow pending the release of the reserve or the elimination of the contingent liability, the Corporation shall be entitled to suspend all future Tax Benefit Payments required under this Agreement until the amount of such suspended future Tax Benefit Payments equals the aggregate amount of Tax Benefit Payments that the Corporation reasonably determines would not be payable if the tax position giving rise to the reserve is sustained. For the avoidance of doubt, such suspended amounts described in the immediately preceding sentence to be placed in escrow shall include (i) any Actual Interest Amount that has accrued on the underlying Net Tax Benefit from the Initial Due Date through the date such Tax Benefit Payment is placed in escrow (provided that to the extent the amount was not placed in escrow on or before the Final Payment Date, such amount placed in escrow shall also include any Default Rate Interest that from Final Payment Date until such amount is placed in escrow) and (ii) any additional amounts required to be placed in escrow pursuant to this Section 3.5(c) over time. Any amounts to be placed in escrow pursuant to this Section 3.5(c) shall be held in an interest-bearing escrow account. The date on which the Corporation pays any such Tax Benefit Payments to the escrow agent shall not be considered the date on which such Tax Benefit Payments are paid to the Members. To the extent any Tax Benefit Payments placed in escrow pursuant to this Section 3.5(c) are ultimately released to a Member pursuant to Section 3.5(d), the Corporation shall pay to the Member (either directly or from the escrow), and the Member will be entitled to receive, in addition to the Tax Benefit Payment released from escrow, the greater of (i) the interest income accrued on such Tax Benefit Amount in the escrow net of expenses and taxes as set forth in Section 3.5(d) and (ii) an amount equal to the Actual Interest Amount that accrued on such Tax Benefit Payment since the date such amounts were placed in Escrow. In connection with the immediately preceding sentence, if, at the end of each calendar quarter, the interest earned on the amounts in escrow, net of (1) expenses incurred by the Corporation or the LLC in administering the escrow and (2) any taxes imposed on the corporation or the LLC with respect to any income earned on the investment on such escrowed funds, is less than the Actual Interest Amount that has accrued on the Tax Benefit Payments placed in escrow since the date such amounts were placed in escrow, the Corporation shall deposit additional amounts in escrow so that the amount in escrow (net of expenses and taxes described in Section 3.5(c)) is no less than the amount of the Tax Benefit Payment initially placed in escrow plus the Actual Interest Amount thereon. The effect on the Members of a suspension of payments made pursuant to this Agreement under this Section 3.5(c) shall be borne by the Members in the same manner as that set forth in Section 3.3. In addition, to the extent the Corporation enters into or succeeds or takes subject to one or more other “tax receivable agreements” or similar agreements in which the Corporation is obligated to pay a third party for the use of tax benefits attributable to Basis Adjustments subsequent to this Agreement and such other agreement does not have a substantially similar provision as this Section 3.5(c), this Section 3.5(c) and Section 3.5(d) shall be of no further force or effect and all amounts in escrow shall be released to the Parties (after the funding by the Corporation of any additional deposits that may be required pursuant to the second preceding sentence) as if there was a Determination that resulted in no adjustment of any Tax Benefit Payment and all reserves have been released and contingent liabilities eliminated, as applicable.
(d)
Release of Escrowed Funds
. As of the date on which a reserve is released or contingent liability is eliminated (in the case of a Reserve Notice), and
provided
that no Change Notice has previously been issued and is still outstanding in relation to the same tax position that was the subject of the Reserve Notice, the relevant escrowed funds (along with any additional amounts required to be paid directly by the Corporation or released from escrow to the Members pursuant to Section 3.5(c)) shall be distributed to the relevant Members. The portion of any interest earned on the escrowed funds equivalent to (1) the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Corporation or the LLC in administrating the escrow and (2) any taxes imposed on the Corporation or the LLC with respect to any income earned on the investment of such funds shall be distributed to the Corporation or the LLC, as applicable. If a Determination is received (in the case of a Change Notice), and if such Determination results in no adjustment in any Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement, and
provided
that no Reserve Notice has previously been issued and is still outstanding in relation to the same tax position that was the subject of the Change Notice, then the relevant escrowed funds (along with any additional amounts required to be paid directly by the Corporation or released from escrow to the Members pursuant to Section 3.5(c)) shall be distributed to the relevant Members. If a Determination is received (in the case of a Change Notice), and if such Determination results in an adjustment in any Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement, and
provided
that no Reserve Notice has previously been issued and is still outstanding in relation to the same tax position that was the subject of the Change Notice, then the relevant escrowed funds (along with any additional amounts required to be paid directly by the Corporation or released from escrow to the Members pursuant to Section 3.5(c)) shall be distributed among the Parties as follows: (i) first, to the Corporation or the LLC in an amount equal to (1) the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Corporation or the LLC in administering the escrow and in contesting the Determination and (2) any taxes imposed on the Corporation or the LLC with respect to any income earned on the investment of such funds; and (ii) second, to the relevant Parties (which, for the avoidance of doubt and depending on the nature of the adjustments, may include the Corporation or the relevant Members, or some combination thereof) in accordance with the relevant Amended Schedule prepared pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Agreement and as required pursuant to Section 3.5(c).
(e)
Early Termination
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event of an Early Termination Notice prior to release of the escrow pursuant to Section 3.5(d), the escrowed funds shall be released to the Corporation, and any Early Termination Payment payable by the Corporation to the Members pursuant to Section 4.3 shall be computed without regard to any proposed adjustment to a tax item of a Party that has given rise to a Change Notice or any tax position that has given rise to a Reserve Notice.
ARTICLE IV.
TERMINATION
Section 4.1
Early Termination of Agreement; Breach of Agreement
.
(a)
Corporation’s Early Termination Right
. With the written approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, the Corporation may completely terminate this Agreement, as and to the extent provided herein, with respect to all amounts payable to the Members pursuant to this Agreement by paying to the Members the Early Termination Payment;
provided
that Early Termination Payments may be made pursuant to this Section 4.1(a) only if made to all Members that are entitled to such a payment simultaneously, and
provided further
, that the Corporation may withdraw any notice to execute its termination rights under this Section 4.1(a) prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment has been paid. Upon the Corporation’s payment of the Early Termination Payment, the Corporation shall not have any further payment obligations under this Agreement, other than with respect to any: (i) prior Tax Benefit Payments that are due and payable under this Agreement but that still remain unpaid as of the date of the Early Termination Notice; and (ii) current Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending on or including the date of the Early Termination Notice (except to the extent that the amount described in clause (ii) is included in the calculation of the Early Termination Payment). For the avoidance of doubt, if an Exchange subsequently occurs with respect to Units for which the Corporation has exercised its termination rights under this Section 4.1(a), the Corporation shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange.
(b)
Acceleration Upon Change of Control
. In the event of a Change of Control, all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated pursuant to this Article IV as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the closing date of the Change of Control and utilizing the Valuation Assumptions by substituting
the phrase “the closing date of a Change of Control” in each place where the phrase “Early Termination Effective Date” appears. Such obligations shall include, but not be limited to, (1) the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the closing date of the Change of Control, (2) any Tax Benefit Payments agreed to by the Corporation and the Members as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and (3) any Tax Benefit Payments due for any Taxable Year ending prior to, with or including the closing date of a Change of Control (except to the extent that any amounts described in clauses (2) or (3) are included in the Early Termination Payment). For the avoidance of doubt, Sections 4.2 and 4.3 shall apply to a Change of Control,
mutadis mutandi.
(c)
Acceleration Upon Breach of Agreement
. In the event that the Corporation materially breaches any of its material obligations under this Agreement, whether as a result of failure to make any payment when due, failure to honor any other material obligation required hereunder, or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this Agreement in a case commenced under the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, then all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and become immediately due and payable upon notice of acceleration from a Member (
provided
that in the case of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or other insolvency statute, such acceleration shall be automatic without any such notice), and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such notice of acceleration (or, in the case of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or other insolvency statute, on the date of such breach) and shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such acceleration; (ii) any prior Tax Benefit Payments that are due and payable under this Agreement but that still remain unpaid as of the date of such acceleration; and (iii) any current Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of such acceleration (except to the extent included in the Early Termination Payment). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Corporation breaches this Agreement and such breach is not a material breach of a material obligation, a Member shall still be entitled to enforce all of its rights otherwise available under this Agreement, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, seeking an acceleration of amounts payable under this Agreement. For purposes of this Section 4.1(c), and subject to the following sentence, the Parties agree that the failure to make any payment due pursuant to this Agreement within ninety (90) calendar days of the relevant Final Payment Date shall be deemed to be a material breach of a material obligation under this Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement, and that it will not be considered to be a material breach of a material obligation under this Agreement to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement within ninety (90) calendar days of the relevant Final Payment Date. For the avoidance of doubt, a suspension of payments pursuant to Section 3.5 will not be considered to be a failure to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement, provided that the Corporation complies with the provisions of Section 3.5(c) that require the Corporation to pay the Tax Benefit Payments to an escrow. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it shall not be a material breach of a material obligation of this Agreement if the Corporation fails to make any Tax Benefit Payment within ninety (90) calendar days of the relevant Final Payment Date to the extent that the Corporation has insufficient funds or cannot make such payment as a result of obligations imposed in connection with the Senior Obligations (including any Credit Agreements) or under applicable law, and cannot obtain sufficient funds despite using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain funds to make such payment (including by causing Subsidiaries to distribute or lend funds for such payment and access any sources of available credit to fund such payment);
provided
that the interest provisions of Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment; and
further provided
that such payment obligation shall nonetheless accrue for the benefit of the Members and the Corporation shall make such payment at the first opportunity that it has sufficient funds and is otherwise able to make such payment.
(d)
Limitation
. Payments under this Section 4.1 are subject to Section 5.1.
Section 4.2
Early Termination Notice
. If the Corporation chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.1 above, the Corporation shall deliver to the Representative a notice of the Corporation’s decision to exercise such right (an “
Early Termination Notice
”) and a schedule (the “
Early Termination Schedule
”) showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment. The Corporation shall also (x) deliver to the Representative supporting schedules and work papers, as determined by the Corporation or as reasonably requested by the Representative, that provide a reasonable level of detail regarding the data and calculations that were relevant for purposes of preparing the Early Termination Schedule; (y) consult with the Advisory Firm (to the extent necessary in the Corporation’s determination) with respect to such Early Termination Schedule; and (z) allow and the Representative and their advisors to have reasonable access at no cost to the appropriate representatives, as determined by the Corporation or as reasonably requested by the Representative, at the Corporation and the Advisory Firm in connection with a review of such Early Termination Schedule.
The Early Termination Schedule shall become final and binding on each Party thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which the Representative received such Early Termination Schedule unless:
(i) the Representative within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the Early Termination Schedule, provides the Corporation with (A) notice of a material objection to such Early Termination Schedule made in good faith and setting forth in reasonable detail the Representative’s, as applicable, material objection (a “
Termination Objection Notice
”) and (B) a letter from an Advisory Firm (that is different from the Advisory Firm that was consulted by the Corporation with respect to the Early Termination Schedule) in support of such Termination Objection Notice; or
(ii) the Representative provides a written waiver of such right of a Termination Objection Notice within the period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Early Termination Schedule becomes binding on the date the waiver from the Representative is received by the Corporation.
In the event that the Representative timely delivers a Termination Objection Notice pursuant to clause (i) above, and if the Parties, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in the Termination Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Corporation of the Termination Objection Notice, the Corporation or the Representative, as applicable, shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the expense of preparing and obtaining the letter from an Advisory Firm referenced in clause (i) above shall be borne solely by the Representative, as applicable, and the Corporation shall have no liability with respect to such letter or any of the expenses associated with its preparation and delivery, provided, however, that all Members shall reimburse the Representative for such expenses in an amount that is pro rata with respect to their rights to Early Termination Payments. The date on which the Early Termination Schedule becomes final in accordance with this Section 4.2 shall be the “
Early Termination Reference Date
.”
Section 4.3
Payment Upon Early Termination
.
(a)
Timing of Payment
. Within ten (10) calendar days after the Early Termination Reference Date, the Corporation shall pay to each Member an amount equal to the Early Termination Payment for such Member. Such Early Termination Payment shall be made by the Corporation by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by the Members or as otherwise agreed by the Corporation and the Members.
(b)
Amount of Payment
. The “
Early Termination Payment
” payable to a Member pursuant to Section 4.3(a) shall equal the present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as determined as of the Early Termination Reference Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments that would be required to be paid by the Corporation to such Member, whether payable with respect to Units that were Exchanged prior to the Early Termination Effective Date or on or after the Early Termination Effective Date, beginning from the Early Termination Effective Date and using the Valuation Assumptions. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, neither (i) any proposed adjustment to a tax item of a Party that has given rise to a Change Notice, nor (ii) any reserve or contingent liability associated with a tax position that has given rise to a Reserve Notice, shall be taken into account in determining the amount of any Early Termination Payment, which shall be computed as if the adjustment or tax item giving rise to the Change Notice or Reserve Notice has been resolved in a manner that does not result in a reduction of any Tax Benefit Payment payable under this Agreement.
ARTICLE V.
SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS
Section 5.1
Subordination
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment required to be made by the Corporation to the Members under this Agreement shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest, or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations owed in respect of secured or unsecured indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, which shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, obligations in respect of any Credit Agreement (“
Senior
Obligations
”) and shall rank
pari passu
in right of payment with all current or future unsecured obligations of the Corporation that are not Senior Obligations; provided, however, that to the extent the Corporation enters into or succeeds or takes subject to one or more other “tax receivable agreements” or similar agreement in which the Corporation is obligated to pay a third party for the use of tax benefits attributable to Basis Adjustments subsequent to this Agreement and the Covered Tax Benefit would be limited in a particular Taxable Year because the Corporation does not have sufficient actual taxable income after accounting for any Basis Adjustments (or corresponding term in such other agreement) or interest deductions that are the subject matter of such other agreement, then the Tax Benefit Payment (and the components thereof, including the Hypothetical Tax Liability, Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit) shall be calculated without regard to such other agreement and without giving effect to any Basis Adjustments (or corresponding term in such other agreement) or interest deductions that are the subject matter of such other agreement. To the extent that any payment under this Agreement is not permitted to be made at the time payment is due as a result of this Section 5.1 and the terms of any agreement governing any Senior Obligations (in each case, whether money is currently borrowed under such agreement or available to be borrowed under such agreement), such payment obligation nevertheless shall accrue for the benefit of the Members and the Corporation shall make such payments at the first opportunity that such payments are permitted to be made in accordance with the terms of the Senior Obligations.
Section 5.2
Late Payments by the Corporation
. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the amount of all or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment not made to the Members when due under the terms of this Agreement, whether as a result of Section 5.1 and the terms of the Senior Obligations or otherwise, shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate and commencing from the Final Payment Date on which such Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment was first due and payable to the date of actual payment.
ARTICLE VI.
TAX MATTERS; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION
Section 6.1
Participation in the Corporation’s and the LLC’s Tax Matters
. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Corporation shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all tax matters concerning the Corporation and the LLC, including without limitation the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to taxes. The Corporation shall notify the Representative of, and keep him or her reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any tax audit of the Corporation or the LLC, or any of the LLC’s Subsidiaries, the outcome of which is reasonably expected to materially affect the Tax Benefit Payments payable to any Members under this Agreement, and the Representative, shall have the right to provide information and input at its own expense relating to but, for the avoidance of doubt, may not control, any such portion of any such Tax audit. To the extent there is a conflict between this Agreement and the LLC Agreement as it relates to tax matters concerning Covered Taxes and the Corporation and the LLC, including preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to taxes, this Agreement shall control;
provided, however
, that to the extent there is a conflict between this Agreement and Sections 5.05 and 9.02 of the LLC Agreement, Sections 5.05 and 9.02 of the LLC Agreement shall control.
Section 6.2
Consistency
. Except as otherwise required by law, all calculations and determinations made hereunder, including, without limitation, any Basis Adjustments, the Schedules and the determination of any Realized Tax Benefits or Realized Tax Detriments, shall be made in accordance with the elections, methodologies or positions taken by the Corporation and the LLC on their respective Tax Returns. Each Member shall prepare its Tax Returns in a manner that is consistent with the terms of this Agreement, and any related calculations or determinations that are made hereunder, including, without limitation, the terms of Section 2.1 of this Agreement and the Schedules provided to the Members under this Agreement. In the event that an Advisory Firm is replaced with another Advisory Firm, such replacement Advisory Firm shall perform its services under this Agreement using procedures and methodologies consistent with the previous Advisory Firm, unless otherwise required by law or unless the Corporation and all of the Members agree to the use of other procedures and methodologies.
Section 6.3
Cooperation
.
(a) Each Member shall (i) furnish to the Corporation in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as the Corporation may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation
necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (ii) make itself available to the Corporation and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as the Corporation or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (i) above, and (iii) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter.
(b) The Corporation shall reimburse the Members for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred pursuant to Section 6.3(a).
ARTICLE VII.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1
Notices
. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by fax, by electronic mail (delivery receipt requested) or by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be as specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 7.1). All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the Party to receive such notice:
If to the Corporation, to:
Pluralsight, Inc.
182 North Union Avenue
Farmington, Utah 84025
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to the Corporation) to:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati P.C.
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
Attn: Allison Spinner
If to the Representative (on behalf of the Members):
c/o Insight Venture Partners
1114 Avenue of the Americas, 36
th
Floor
New York, NY 10036
Attention: Ryan Hinkle
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Goodwin Procter LLP
620 Eighth Avenue,
New York, New York 10018
Attention: Paul N. Cicero
Any Party may change its address, fax number or e-mail address by giving each of the other Parties written notice thereof in the manner set forth above.
Section 7.2
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 7.3
Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries
. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 7.4
Governing Law
. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof that would mandate the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.
Section 7.5
Severability
. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
Section 7.6
Right of First Refusal; Assignments; Amendments; Successors; No Waiver
.
(a)
Right of First Refusal
. Before a Member (such Member, a “
Seller
”) may assign, sell, pledge, or otherwise alienate or transfer (collectively, “
Transfer
”) any interest in this Agreement, including the right to receive any Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement (collectively, “
TRA Interests
”), to any Person (other than a Permitted Transferee), in addition to any other requirements set forth in this Agreement (including as set forth in Section 7.6(b)), Seller must comply with the following:
(i)
Notice of Proposed Transfer
. Prior to Seller Transferring any of its TRA Interests to any Person (other than a Permitted Transferee), Seller shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice (the “
Transfer Notice
”) stating: (A) Seller’s
bona fide
intention to Transfer such TRA Interests; (B) the name, address and phone number of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (each, a “
Proposed Transferee
”); (C) a description of Seller’s TRA Interests (or portion thereof) proposed to be Transferred to each Proposed Transferee (the “
Offered TRA Interests
”); and (D) the
bona fide
cash price or, in reasonable detail, other consideration for which Seller proposes to Transfer the Offered TRA Interests (the “
Offered Price
”).
(ii)
Exercise by the Corporation
. For a period of 30 days (the “
Exercise Period
”) after the date on which the Transfer Notice is, pursuant to Section 7.1, deemed to have been delivered to the Corporation, the Corporation shall have the right to purchase all or any portion of the Offered TRA Interests on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7.6(a). In order to exercise its right hereunder, the Corporation must deliver written notice to elect to purchase to Seller within the Exercise Period. If no such written notice is given within the Exercise Period, the Corporation shall be deemed to have elected not to purchase the Offered TRA Interests.
(iii)
Purchase Price
. The purchase price for the Offered TRA Interests to be purchased by the Corporation exercising its Right of First Refusal under this Agreement will be the Offered Price, and will be payable as set forth in Section 7.6(a)(iv). If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash
equivalent value of the non-cash consideration will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in good faith, which determination will be binding upon the Corporation and the Seller, absent fraud or manifest error.
(iv)
Closing; Payment
. Subject to compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws, the Corporation and Seller shall effect the purchase and sale of all or any portion of the Offered TRA Interests, including the payment of the purchase price, within ten days after the expiration of the Exercise Period or as promptly as otherwise practicable thereafter (the “
Right of First Refusal Closing
”). Payment of the purchase price will be made by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Seller in writing to the Corporation at least 3 days prior to the Right of First Refusal Closing. At such Right of First Refusal Closing, Seller shall deliver to the Corporation, among other things, such documents and instruments of conveyance as may be necessary in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Corporation to effect the Transfer of such Offered TRA Interests.
(v)
Transfer by Seller
. If any of the Offered TRA Interests remain available after the exercise, if any, of the Corporation’s Right of First Refusal, then the Seller shall be free to transfer, subject to the general conditions to transfer set forth in Section 7.6(b), any such remaining Offered TRA Interests to the Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price set forth in the Transfer Notice;
provided, however
, that if the Offered TRA Interests are not so transferred during the 90-day period following the delivery of the Transfer Notice, then the Seller may not Transfer any of such remaining Offered TRA Interests without complying again in full with the provisions of this Agreement.
(b)
Assignment
. No Member may Transfer any TRA Interests to any Person (other than a Permitted Transferee) without the prior written consent of the Corporation (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed);
provided
,
however,
that such Member may Transfer a TRA Interest if the Member shall have complied with Section 7.6(a) of this Agreement; and
provided, further
that such Person (including any Permitted Transferee) shall execute and deliver a Joinder agreeing to succeed to the applicable portion of such Member’s interest in this Agreement and to become a Party for all purposes of this Agreement (the “
Joinder Requirement
”). For the avoidance of doubt, if a Member transfers Units in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement but does not assign to the transferee of such Units its rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units, such Member shall continue to be entitled to receive the Tax Benefit Payments arising in respect of a subsequent Exchange of such Units (and any such transferred Units shall be separately identified, so as to facilitate the determination of Tax Benefit Payments hereunder). The Corporation may not assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any Person (other than any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation) without the prior written consent of each of the Members (and any purported assignment without such consent shall be null and void).
(c)
Amendments
. No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by each of a majority of the Independent Directors and the Representative, in which case such amendment shall be permitted. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective.
(d)
Successors
. Except as provided in Section 7.6(b), all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by, the Parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Corporation shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporation would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(e)
Waiver
. No failure by any Party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement, or condition of this Agreement, or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof, shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement, or condition.
Section 7.7
Titles and Subtitles
. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
Section 7.8
Resolution of Disputes
.
(a) Except for Reconciliation Disputes subject to Section 7.9, any and all disputes which cannot be settled amicably, including any ancillary claims of any Party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) (each a “
Dispute
”) shall be finally resolved by arbitration in accordance with the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution Rules for Administered Arbitration (the “
Rules
”) by three arbitrators, of which the Corporation shall appoint one arbitrator and the Members party to such Dispute shall appoint one arbitrator in accordance with the “screened” appointment procedure provided in Rule 5.4. The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq., and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The place of the arbitration shall be Farmington, Utah.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), any Party may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling another Party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), each Party (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 7.8 to any such action or proceeding, and (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.8 shall not apply to Reconciliation Disputes to be settled in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 7.9.
(c) Each Party irrevocably consents to service of process by means of notice in the manner provided for in Section 7.1. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right of any Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
(d) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
(e) In the event the parties are unable to agree whether a dispute between them is a Reconciliation Dispute subject to the dispute resolution procedure set forth in Section 7.9 or a Dispute subject to the dispute resolution procedure set forth in this Section 7.8, such disagreement shall be decided and resolved in accordance with the procedure set forth in this Section 7.8.
Section 7.9
Reconciliation
. In the event that the Corporation and any Member are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to a Schedule (other than an Early Termination Schedule) prepared in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.4, or with respect to an Early Termination Schedule prepared in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.2, within the relevant time period designated in this Agreement (a “
Reconciliation Dispute
”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert (the “
Expert
”) in the particular area of disagreement mutually acceptable to both Parties. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting firm, and unless the Corporation and such Member agree otherwise, the Expert shall not, and the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with the Corporation or such Member or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the Parties are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt by the respondent(s) of written notice of a Reconciliation Dispute, the selection of an Expert shall be treated as a Dispute subject to Section 7.8 and an arbitration panel shall pick an Expert from a nationally recognized accounting firm that does not have any material relationship with the Corporation or such Member or other actual or potential conflict of interest. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to the Basis Schedule or an amendment thereto or the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within thirty (30) calendar days and shall resolve any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within fifteen (15) calendar days or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in each case
after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid on the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporation, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution. The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or amending any Tax Return shall be borne by the Corporation except as provided in the next sentence. The Corporation and the Members shall bear their own costs and expenses of such proceeding, unless (i) the Expert adopts the Member’s position, in which case the Corporation shall reimburse the Member for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding (including for the avoidance of doubt any costs and expenses incurred by the Member relating to the engagement of the Expert or amending any applicable Tax Return), or (ii) the Expert adopts the Corporation’s position, in which case the Member shall reimburse the Corporation for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding (including for the avoidance of doubt costs and expenses incurred by the Corporation relating to the engagement of the Expert or amending any applicable Tax Return). The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.9 shall be binding on the Corporation and the Members and may be entered and enforced in any court having competent jurisdiction.
Section 7.10
Withholding
. The Corporation, the LLC and their affiliates and representatives shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment that is payable to any Member pursuant to this Agreement such amounts may be required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of U.S. state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the recipient of the payments in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. To the extent that any payment pursuant to this Agreement is not reduced by such deductions or withholdings, such recipient shall indemnify the applicable withholding agent for any amounts imposed by any taxing authority together with any costs and expenses related thereto. Each Member shall promptly provide the Corporation, LLC or other applicable withholding agent with any applicable tax forms and certifications (including IRS Form W-9 or the applicable version of IRS Form W-8) reasonably requested, in connection with determining whether any such deductions and withholdings are required under the Code or any provision of U.S. state, local or foreign tax law.
Section 7.11
Admission of the Corporation into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets
.
(a) If the Corporation is or becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 or other applicable Sections of the Code governing affiliated or consolidated groups, or any corresponding provisions of U.S. state or local law, then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments, and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.
(b) If the Corporation, its successor in interest or any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a) transfers one or more assets to a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. income tax purposes) with which the Corporation or its successor in interest does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code, such entity, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such transfer. The consideration deemed to be received by such entity shall be equal to the fair market value of the contributed asset as determined by the Advisory Firm or a valuation expert selected by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 7.11, a transfer of a partnership interest shall be treated as a transfer of the transferring partner’s share of each of the assets and liabilities of that partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, if the Corporation, its successor in interest or any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a), transfers its assets pursuant to a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” (within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code) in which such entity does not survive or pursuant to any other transaction to which Section 381(a) of the Code applies (other than any such reorganization or any such other transaction, in each case, pursuant to which such entity transfers assets to a corporation with which the Corporation or its successor in interest does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code), the transfer will not cause such entity to be treated as having transferred any assets to a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. income tax purposes) pursuant to this Section 7.11(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries determines to (a) cause the LLC to be taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (b) otherwise causes
the LLC or any of its subsidiaries to contribute substantially all of the assets directly or indirectly held by the LLC that are not already held by an entity taxed as a corporation to an entity taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (each of (a) and (b), a (“Corporate Conversion”)), the Corporation shall provide the Members with advance notice of such determination to allow them to make a Redemption request in accordance with the LLC Agreement prior to the effectiveness of such Corporate Conversion.
Section 7.12
Arm’s Length Transactions
. Each of the Corporation and LLC shall not, and each shall cause their respective Subsidiaries not to, (i) enter into transactions or agreements with Affiliates that are not on arm’s length terms to the extent such transactions or agreements would reasonably be expected to materially adversely impact the amount or timing of any payments under this Agreement or (ii) engage in any transaction or enter into any agreement the principal purpose of which is to reduce the amount or timing of any payments under this Agreement.
Section 7.13
Confidentiality
. Each Member and its assignees acknowledges and agrees that the information of the Corporation is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for the Corporation and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, such Person shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence and not disclose to any Person any confidential matters, acquired pursuant to this Agreement, of the Corporation and its Affiliates and successors, learned by any Member heretofore or hereafter. This Section 7.13 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of any Member in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community, (ii) the disclosure of information to the extent necessary for a Member to prosecute or defend claims arising under or relating to this Agreement, and (iii) the disclosure of information to the extent necessary for a Member to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such Tax Returns. If a Member or an assignee commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 7.13, the Corporation shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this Section 7.13 specifically enforced by injunctive relief or otherwise by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons. Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.
Section 7.14
Change in Law
. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, as a result of or, in connection with an actual or proposed change in law, a Member reasonably believes that the existence of this Agreement could cause income (other than income arising from receipt of a payment under this Agreement) recognized by such Member (or direct or indirect equity holders in such Member) in connection with any Exchange to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain (or otherwise taxed at ordinary income rates) for U.S. federal income tax purposes or would have other material adverse tax consequences to such Member or any direct or indirect owner of such Member, then at the written election of such Member in its sole discretion (in an instrument signed by such Member and delivered to the Corporation) and to the extent specified therein by such Member, this Agreement shall cease to have further effect and shall not apply to an Exchange with respect to such Member occurring after a date specified by such Member, or may be amended by in a manner reasonably determined by such Member,
provided
that such amendment shall not result in an increase in any payments owed by the Corporation under this Agreement at any time as compared to the amounts and times of payments that would have been due in the absence of such amendment.
Section 7.15
Interest Rate Limitation
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the interest paid or agreed to be paid hereunder with respect to amounts due to any Member hereunder shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable law (the “
Maximum Rate
”). If any Member shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the Tax Benefit Payment, Estimated Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment, as applicable (but in each case exclusive of any component thereof comprising interest) or, if it exceeds such unpaid non-interest amount, refunded to the Corporation. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by any Member exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Member may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the payment obligations owed by
the Corporation to such Member hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of the Parties to conform strictly to any applicable usury laws.
Section 7.16
Independent Nature of Rights and Obligations
. The rights and obligations of each Member hereunder are several and not joint with the rights and obligations of any other Person. A Member shall not be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Person hereunder, nor shall a Member have the right to enforce the rights or obligations of any other Person hereunder (other than the Corporation). The obligations of a Member hereunder are solely for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable solely by, the Corporation. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Member pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Members acting as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Members are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Corporation acknowledges that the Members are not acting in concert or as a group and will not assert any such claim with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 7.17
LLC Agreement
. This Agreement shall be treated as part of the LLC Agreement as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations.
Section 7.18
Representative
. By executing this Agreement, each of the Members shall be deemed to have irrevocably constituted and appointed IVP CIF II (PS Splitter), L.P. (in the capacity described in this Section 7.18 and each successor as provided below, the “
Representative
”) as his, her or its agent and attorney in fact with full power of substitution to act from and after the date hereof and to do any and all things and execute any and all documents on behalf of such Members which may be necessary, convenient or appropriate to facilitate any matters under this Agreement, including but not limited to: (i) execution of the documents and certificates required pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) except to the extent specifically provided in this Agreement receipt and forwarding of notices and communications pursuant to this Agreement; (iv) administration of the provisions of this Agreement; (v) any and all consents, waivers, amendments or modifications deemed by the Representative, in its sole and absolute discretion, to be necessary or appropriate under this Agreement and the execution or delivery of any documents that may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith; (vi) amending this Agreement or any of the instruments to be delivered to the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement; (vii) taking actions Representative is expressly authorized to take pursuant to the other provisions of this Agreement; (viii) negotiating and compromising, on behalf of such Members, any dispute that may arise under, and exercising or refraining from exercising any remedies available under, this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby and executing, on behalf of such Members, any settlement agreement, release or other document with respect to such dispute or remedy; and (ix) engaging attorneys, accountants, agents or consultants on behalf of such Members in connection with this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby and paying any fees related thereto. The Representative may resign upon 30 days’ written notice to the Corporation. If the Representative is unable or unwilling to so serve, then the Members, as applicable, holding a majority of the common units owned by such Members outstanding on the date hereof, shall elect a new Representative. All reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Representative in its capacity as such shall be promptly reimbursed by the Corporation upon invoice and reasonable support therefor by the Representative. To the fullest extent permitted by law, none of the Representative, any of its Affiliates, or any of the Representative’s or Affiliate’s directors, officers, employees or other agents (each a “
Covered Person
”) shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to any Member, the LLC or the Corporation for damages arising from any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Representative or any other Person with respect to the LLC or the Corporation, except in the case of any action or omission which constitutes, with respect to such Person, willful misconduct or fraud. Each of the Covered Persons may consult with legal counsel, accountants, and other experts selected by it, and any act or omission suffered or taken by it on behalf of the LLC or the Corporation or in furtherance of the interests of the LLC or the Corporation in good faith in reliance upon and in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants, or other experts shall create a rebuttable presumption of the good faith and due care of such Covered Person with respect to such act or omission;
provided
that such counsel, accountants, or other experts were selected with reasonable care. Each of the Covered Persons may rely in good faith upon, and shall have no liability to the LLC, the Corporation or the Members for acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
[
Signature Page Follows This Page
]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CORPORATION:
PLURALSIGHT, INC.
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard_____________________
Name: Aaron Skonnard
Title: Chief Executive Officer
THE LLC:
PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS LLC
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard_____________________
Name: Aaron Skonnard
Title: Chief Executive Officer
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
REPRESENTATIVE
IVP CIF II (PS SPLITTER), L.P.__________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Blair Flicker________________________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Blair Flicker___________________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Authorized Signatory____________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Acadia Family Trust____________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Brett Barlow________________________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Brett Barlow___________________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Trustee________________________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Anita Grantham________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Anita Grantham______________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
James Bartley Grantham & Anita Marie Grantham Joint Revocable Living Trust______________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Anita Grantham______________________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Anita Grantham_________________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Trustee________________________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
David L Balter 2015 Trust_______________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Dave Balter________________________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Dave Balter___________________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Trustee________________________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Brandon Warburton____________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Brandon Warburton__________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
David Adsit__________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ David Adsit________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Stan Hansen__________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Stan Hansen________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Benson Metcalf________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Benson Metcalf______________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
ONSTARTUPS LLC____________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Dharmesh Shah______________________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Dharmesh Shah_________________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Managing Member_______________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Brandon Peay__________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Brandon Peay________________________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Brandon Peay___________________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Not Applicable__________________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Jody Bailey____________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Jody Bailey_________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Aaron Patterson________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Aaron Patterson______________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Chad Sollis____________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Chad Sollis__________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Amber Van Horn________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Amber Van Horn______________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Leslie Pfrang___________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Leslie Pfrang_________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Ed Roman_____________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Ed Roman___________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
IVP CIF II (PS SPLITTER), L.P.___________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Blair Flicker_________________________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Blair Flicker____________________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Authorized Signatory_____________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
SKONNARD CONSULTING, INC.:
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard______________________
Name:
Aaron Skonnard_________________________
Title:
Chief Executive Officer___________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
SKONNARD FAMILY GRAT 2018
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard______________________
Name:
Aaron Skonnard_________________________
Title:
Trustee________________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
SKONNARD FAMILY GRAT 2021
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard______________________
Name:
Aaron Skonnard_________________________
Title:
Trustee________________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
AARON & MONICA SKONNARD REVOCABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard______________________
Name:
Aaron Skonnard_________________________
Title:
Trustee________________________________
By:
/s/ Monica Skonnard______________________
Name:
Monica I. Skonnard________________________
Title:
Trustee__________________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
AARON SKONNARD
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard______________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
ARNE DUNCAN
By:
/s/ Arne Duncan______________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Brad Rencher
By:
/s/ Brad Rencher______________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CENTERPINE LLC
By:
/s/ Brad Rencher________________________
Name:
Brad Rencher___________________________
Title:
Manager_______________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Nathan S. Burt__________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Nathan S. Burt________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Gary Crittenden
By:
/s/ Gary Crittenden____________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
BEAR MOUNTAIN RANCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:
/s/ Gary Crittenden______________________
Name:
Gary Crittenden_________________________
Title:
Managing Manager______________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
BUDGE FAMILY TRUST
By:
/s/ James Budge________________________
Name:
James Budge___________________________
Title:
Trustee________________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
James Budge
By:
/s/ James Budge______________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Timothy I. Maudlin
By:
/s/ Timothy Maudlin______________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
JANICE K. MAUDLIN REVOCABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Timothy Maudlin____________________
Name:
Timothy I. Maudlin_____________________
Title:
Trustee_______________________________
By:
/s/ Janice Maudlin______________________
Name:
Janice K. Maudlin_______________________
Title:
Trustee________________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
TIMOTHY I. MAUDLIN REVOCABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Timothy Maudlin____________________
Name:
Timothy I. Maudlin_____________________
Title:
Trustee_______________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
KAREN A. TERRELL LIVING TRUST
By:
/s/ Karenann Terrell____________________
Name:
Karenann Terrell_______________________
Title:
Trustee_______________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Shikhar Ghosh__________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Shikhar Ghosh________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Karenann Terrell
By:
/s/ Karenann Terrell____________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
ISP Main Fund PS LLC___________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Kevin Foster_________________________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Kevin Foster____________________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Authorized Signatory_____________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
ICONIQ STRATEGIC PARTNERS CO-INVEST, L.P. (SERIES PS)
By: ICONIQ Strategic Partners GP, L.P., its General Partner
By: ICONIQ Strategic Partners TT GP, Ltd., its General Partner
By:
/s/ Kevin Foster_______________________
Name:
Kevin Foster__________________________
Title:
Authorized Signatory___________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Mark Hansen___________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Mark Hansen_________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
The Ross Irrevocable Trust________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Jeffrey Ross /s/ Tayn Ross______________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Jeffrey Ross Tayn Ross__________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Investment Trustees_______________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Shane Johnson__________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Shane Johnson________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Joe DiBartolomeo
By:
/s/ Joseph DiBartolomeo_________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Nate Walkingshaw
By:
/s/ Nate Walkingshaw_________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
TRUE NORTH TRUST
By:
/s/ Stephan Sargent____________________
Name:
Stephen M. Sargent____________________
Title:
Trustee______________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Peter Lehrman__________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Peter Lehrman________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
ONION CONSULTING, INC.
By:
/s/ Frederick Onion____________________
Name:
Frederick Onion_______________________
Title:
President_____________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
FREDERICK A. ONION REVOCABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Frederick Onion____________________
Name:
Frederick Onion_______________________
Title:
Trustee______________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
AREO VENTURES, LLC
By:
/s/ Scott Dorsey_______________________
Name:
Scott Dorsey_________________________
Title:
Manager_____________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
SCOTT DORSEY
By:
/s/ Scott Dorsey_______________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
James M Cooper________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ James M Cooper______________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
The Woodward Irrevocable Trust___________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Bruce G Woodward___________________
(
Signature
)
Name:
Bruce G Woodward______________________
(
Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity
)
Title:
Trustee_________________________________
(
Print title of signatory, if signing for entity
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Michael Featherstone_____________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Michael Featherstone___________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Adam Patch____________________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Adam Patch__________________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Steven R. Woolley_______________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Steven R Woolley_____________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBER
Heather Zynczak_______________________
(
Name of Member
)
By:
/s/ Heather Zynczak_____________________
(
Signature
)
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT]
Exhibit A
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
This JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of __________, 20__ (this “
Joinder
”), is delivered pursuant to that certain Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of [__________] (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “
Tax Receivable Agreement
”) by and among Pluralsight, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “
Corporation
”), Pluralsight Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“
the LLC
”), and each of the Members from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.
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1.
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Joinder to the Tax Receivable Agreement
. Upon the execution of this Joinder by the undersigned and delivery hereof to the Corporation, the undersigned hereby is and hereafter will be a Member under the Tax Receivable Agreement and a Party thereto, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a Member thereunder. The undersigned hereby agrees that it shall comply with and be fully bound by the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement as if it had been a signatory thereto as of the date thereof.
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2.
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Incorporation by Reference
. All terms and conditions of the Tax Receivable Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in this Joinder as if set forth herein in full.
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3.
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Address
. All notices under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the undersigned shall be direct to:
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[Name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Attn:
Facsimile:
E-mail:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Joinder as of the day and year first above written.
[NAME OF NEW PARTY]
By:
Name:
Title:
Acknowledged and agreed
as of the date first set forth above:
PLURALSIGHT, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
Exhibit 10.2
PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC
FORM OF FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
Dated as of May 16, 2018
THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS ISSUED PURSUANT TO AND GOVERNED BY THE TERMS OF THIS FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM, AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH HEREIN.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
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ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
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Section 2.01
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Formation of Company
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Section 2.02
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This Agreement
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Section 2.03
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Name
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Section 2.04
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Purpose
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Section 2.05
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Principal Office; Registered Office
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Section 2.06
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Term
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Section 2.07
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No State-Law Partnership
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ARTICLE III. MEMBERS; UNITS; CAPITALIZATION
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Section 3.01
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Members
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Section 3.02
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Units
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Section 3.03
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Recapitalization; the Corporation’s Capital Contribution; the Corporation’s Purchase of Common Units; Member Distribution
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Section 3.04
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Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units
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Section 3.05
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Repurchase, Redemption or Forfeiture of shares of Class A Common Stock
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Section 3.06
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Certificates Representing Units; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates; Registration and Transfer of Units
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Section 3.07
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Negative Capital Accounts
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Section 3.08
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No Withdrawal
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Section 3.09
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Loans From Members
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Section 3.10
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Corporate Stock Option Plans and Equity Plans
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Section 3.11
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Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Cash Option Purchase Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan
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ARTICLE IV. DISTRIBUTIONS
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Section 4.01
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Distributions
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ARTICLE V. CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; ALLOCATIONS; TAX MATTERS
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Section 5.01
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Capital Accounts
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Section 5.02
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Allocations
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Section 5.03
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Regulatory Allocations
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Section 5.04
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Final Allocations
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Section 5.05
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Tax Allocations
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Section 5.06
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Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member
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ARTICLE VI. MANAGEMENT
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Section 6.01
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Authority of Manager
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Section 6.02
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Actions of the Manager
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Section 6.03
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Resignation; No Removal
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Section 6.04
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Vacancies
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Section 6.05
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Transactions Between Company and Manager
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Section 6.06
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Reimbursement for Expenses
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Section 6.07
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Delegation of Authority
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Section 6.08
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Limitation of Liability of Manager
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Section 6.09
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Investment Company Act
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Section 6.10
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Outside Activities of the Manager
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ARTICLE VII. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS AND MANAGER
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Section 7.01
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Limitation of Liability and Duties of Members
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Section 7.02
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Lack of Authority
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Section 7.03
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No Right of Partition
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Section 7.04
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Indemnification
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Section 7.05
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Members Right to Act
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Section 7.06
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Inspection Rights
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ARTICLE VIII. BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS, AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
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Section 8.01
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Records and Accounting
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Section 8.02
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Fiscal Year
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ARTICLE IX. TAX MATTERS
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Section 9.01
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Preparation of Tax Returns
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Section 9.02
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Tax Elections
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Section 9.03
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Composite Returns
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Section 9.04
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Foreign Filings
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Section 9.05
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Tax Controversies
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ARTICLE X. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF UNITS; PUBCO OFFER
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Section 10.01
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Transfers by Members
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Section 10.02
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Permitted Transfers
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Section 10.03
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Restricted Units Legend
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Section 10.04
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Transfer
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Section 10.05
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Assignee’s Rights
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Section 10.06
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Assignor’s Rights and Obligations
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Section 10.07
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Overriding Provisions
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Section 10.08
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Spousal Consent
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Section 10.09
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Tender Offers and Other Events with respect to the Corporation
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ARTICLE XI. REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE RIGHTS
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Section 11.01
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Redemption Right of a Member
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Section 11.02
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Election and Contribution of the Corporation
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Section 11.03
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Exchange Right of the Corporation
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Section 11.04
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Reservation of shares of Class A Common Stock; Listing; Certificate of the Corporation
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Section 11.05
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Effect of Exercise of Redemption or Exchange Right
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Section 11.06
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Tax Treatment
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ARTICLE XII. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
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Section 12.01
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Substituted Members
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Section 12.02
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Additional Members
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ARTICLE XIII. RESIGNATION; TERMINATION OF RIGHTS
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Section 13.01
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Resignation of Members
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ARTICLE XIV. DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
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Section 14.01
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Dissolution
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Section 14.02
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Winding up and Termination
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Section 14.03
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Deferment; Distribution in Kind
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Section 14.04
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Cancellation of Certificate
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Section 14.05
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Reasonable Time for Winding Up
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Section 14.06
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Return of Capital
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ARTICLE XV. VALUATION
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Section 15.01
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Determination
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Section 15.02
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Dispute Resolution
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ARTICLE XVI. GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 16.01
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Power of Attorney
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Section 16.02
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Confidentiality
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Section 16.03
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Amendments
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Section 16.04
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Title to Company Assets
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Section 16.05
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Addresses and Notices
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Section 16.06
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Binding Effect; Intended Beneficiaries
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Section 16.07
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Creditors
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Section 16.08
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Waiver
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Section 16.09
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Counterparts
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Section 16.10
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Applicable Law
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Section 16.11
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Severability
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Section 16.12
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Further Action
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Section 16.13
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Delivery by Electronic Transmission
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Section 16.14
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Right of Offset
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Section 16.15
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Entire Agreement
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Section 16.16
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Remedies
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Section 16.17
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Descriptive Headings; Interpretation
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Section 16.18
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Approval of Agreement
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Schedules
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Schedule 1
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– Schedule of Pre-IPO Members
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Schedule 2
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– Schedule of Members
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Exhibits
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Exhibit A
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– Form of Joinder Agreement
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Exhibit B-1
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– Form of Agreement and Consent of Spouse
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Exhibit B-2
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– Form of Spouse’s Confirmation of Separate Property
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PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
This FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “
Agreement
”) of Pluralsight Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “
Company
”), dated as of May 16, 2018 (the “
Effective Time
”), is entered into by and among the Members (as defined herein).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms have the respective meanings ascribed to them in
Section 1.1
;
WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a limited liability company pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Act by the filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to Section 18-201 of the Delaware Act on August 28, 2014 and the execution of that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated September 18, 2014 (the “
Initial LLC Agreement
”);
WHEREAS, the Company is currently governed by that certain Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of September 12, 2017 (as heretofore amended, the “
Current LLC Agreement
”), by the members of the Company party thereto (the “
Pre-IPO Members
”);
WHEREAS, the Pre-IPO Members, prior to the Effective Time, hold (i) various classes of Units (as defined in the Current LLC Agreement) of the Company, including, Class A Common Units, Class B Common Units, Class A Incentive Units, Class B Incentive Units, Series A Convertible Preferred Units, Series B Convertible Preferred Units and Series C Convertible Preferred Units (each as defined in the Current LLC Agreement, and collectively, the “
Original Units
”) and/or (ii) Class B RSUs (as defined in the Current LLC Agreement, collectively, the “
Original RSUs
”);
WHEREAS, immediately prior to the Effective Time, certain of the Pre-IPO Members contributed to the Corporation (as defined below) all or a portion of the Units (as defined in the Current LLC Agreement) held by such Pre-IPO Members to the Corporation, in exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock (as defined below) (the “
Pre-IPO Exchanges
”), in each case, as set forth and more fully described in Section 2.1(b)(i) of the Reorganization Agreement;
WHEREAS, immediately following the Pre-IPO Exchanges, among other things, (i) (A) certain of the Pre-IPO Members will each merge with and into a separate, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation, with such Pre-IPO Member as the surviving entity of such merger, and as consideration for such merger, the stockholder(s) of such Pre-IPO Member shall receive, in the aggregate, newly issued Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Units (as defined in the Current LLC Agreement) held by such Pre-IPO Member prior to such merger and (B) such Pre-IPO Member shall merge with and into the Corporation, in each case, with the Corporation as the surviving entity and (i) a certain Pre-IPO Member will merge with and into the Corporation, with the Corporation as the surviving entity (the transactions describe above, collectively, the “
Blocker Mergers
”), in each case, as set forth in and more fully described in Section 2.1(b)(ii) and Section 2.1(b)(iii) of the Reorganization Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Pre-IPO Members desire to have Pluralsight, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “
Corporation
”), effect an initial public offering (the “
IPO
”) of shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 (the “
Class A Common Stock
”), and in connection therewith, to amend and restate the Current LLC Agreement as of the Effective Time to reflect (a) a recapitalization of the Company (the “
Recapitalization
”), (b) the admission of the Corporation as an additional Member in the Company and its designation as sole Manager of the Company, and (c) the rights and obligations of the Members that are enumerated and agreed upon in the terms of
this Agreement effective as of the Effective Time, at which time the Current LLC Agreement shall be superseded entirely by this Agreement;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Recapitalization and as of the Effective Time, (i) the Original Units will be converted into Common Units as set forth herein, and (ii) the Original RSUs will be converted into Skonnard RSUs as set forth herein;
WHEREAS, the parties listed on the Schedule of Members attached hereto as
Schedule 2
are the Members as of the Effective Time and after giving effect to the Recapitalization and completion of the Blocker Mergers (as defined below) and Pre-IPO Exchanges (as defined below);
WHEREAS, the Corporation will sell shares of its Class A Common Stock to public investors in the IPO and will use the net proceeds received from the IPO (the “
IPO Net Proceeds
”) to purchase newly issued Common Units from the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(i) of the Reorganization Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Corporation may issue additional shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the IPO as a result of the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option (the “
Over-Allotment Option
”) and, if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in whole or in part, any additional net proceeds (the “
Over-Allotment Option Net Proceeds
”) shall be used by the Corporation to purchase additional newly issued Common Units from the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(i) of the Reorganization Agreement; and
WHEREAS, promptly following the Effective Time, the Company will purchase from the Corporation shares of Class B Common Stock (as defined below) and shares of Class C Common Stock (as defined below) pursuant to the Stock Subscription Agreement, which Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock will be distributed to certain of the Members as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Members, intending to be legally bound, hereby amend and restate the Current LLC Agreement in its entirety and otherwise agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall be applied to the terms used in this Agreement for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary.
“
Additional Member
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 12.02
.
“
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit
” means with respect to the Capital Account of any Member as of the end of any Taxable Year, the amount by which the balance in such Capital Account is less than zero. For this purpose, such Member’s Capital Account balance shall be:
(a) reduced for any items described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5), and (6); and
(b) increased for any amount such Member is obligated to contribute or is treated as being obligated to contribute to the Company pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (relating to partner liabilities to a partnership) or 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i) (relating to minimum gain).
“
Admission Date
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 10.06
.
“
Affiliate
” (and, with a correlative meaning, “
Affiliated
”) means, with respect to a specified Person, each 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. As used in this definition, “control” (including with correlative
meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of voting securities or by contract or other agreement).
“
Agreement
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“
Assignee
” means a Person to whom a Company Interest has been transferred but who has not been admitted as a Member pursuant to
Article XII
.
“
Assumed Tax Liability
” means, with respect to any Member, an amount equal to the excess of (i) the product of (A) the Distribution Tax Rate
multiplied by (B)
the estimated or actual cumulative taxable income or gain of the Company, as determined for federal income tax purposes, allocated to such Member for full or partial Fiscal Years commencing on or after the closing date of the IPO,
less
prior losses of the Company allocated to such Member for full or partial Fiscal Years commencing on or after the closing date of the IPO, in each case, as determined by the Manager
over (ii)
the cumulative Tax Distributions made to such Member after the closing date of the IPO pursuant to
Sections 4.01(b)(i)
,
4.01(b)(ii)
and
4.01(b)(iii)
;
provided
that, such Assumed Tax Liability (x) shall be computed without regard to any adjustments to the tax basis of the Company’s property pursuant to Section 743(b) of the Code and (y) in the case of the Corporation, shall in no event be less than an amount that will enable the Corporation to meet both its tax obligations and its obligations pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement for the relevant Taxable Year;
provided further
that, in the case of each Member, such Assumed Tax Liability shall take into account any Code Section 704(c) allocations (including “reverse” 704(c) allocations) to the Member; and
provided
,
further
, that no Member’s calculation of the amount described in clause (B) above shall take into account any guaranteed payment, salary, bonus or other compensation for services paid to such Member.
“
Base Rate
” means, on any date, a variable rate per annum equal to the rate of interest most recently published by The Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” at large U.S. money center banks.
“
Black-Out Period
” means any “black-out” or similar period under the Corporation’s policies covering trading in the Corporation’s securities to which the applicable Redeeming Member is subject (or will be subject at such time as it owns Class A Common Stock), which period restricts the ability of such Redeeming Member to immediately resell shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered to such Redeeming Member in connection with a Share Settlement.
“
Blocker Mergers
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Book Value
” means, with respect to any Company property, the Company’s adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, adjusted from time to time to reflect the adjustments required or permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)-(g).
“
Business Day
” means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banks located in New York City, New York
generally are authorized or required by Law to close.
“
Capital Account
” means the capital account maintained for a Member in accordance with
Section 5.01
.
“
Capital Contribution
” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of any cash, cash equivalents, promissory obligations or the Fair Market Value of other property that such Member (or such Member’s predecessor) contributes (or is deemed to contribute) to the Company pursuant to
Article III
hereof.
“
Cash Settlement
” means immediately available funds in U.S. dollars in an amount equal to the Redeemed Units Equivalent.
“
Certificate
” means the Company’s Certificate of Formation as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, as amended or amended and restated from time to time.
“
Class A Common Stock
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Class A Stock Option
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.10(a)
of this Agreement.
“
Class B Common Stock
” means the shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.
“
Class C Common Stock
” means the shares of Class C Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.
“
Code
” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“
Common Unit
” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the Company Interests of the Members and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Common Units in this Agreement.
“
Common Unit Redemption Price
” means the arithmetic average of the volume weighted average prices for a share of Class A Common Stock (or any class of stock into which it has been converted) on the principal U.S. securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which the Class A Common Stock trades, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or its successor, for each of the five (5) consecutive full Trading Days ending on and including the last full Trading Day immediately prior to the Redemption Date, subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock splits, reverse splits, stock dividends or similar events affecting the Class A Common Stock. If the Class A Common Stock no longer trades on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, then the Manager (through its board of directors, including a majority of the independent directors (within the meaning of the rules of the Stock Exchange)) shall determine the Common Unit Redemption Price in good faith.
“
Common Unitholder
” means a Member who is the registered holder of Common Units.
“
Company
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“
Company Interest
” means the limited liability company interest of a Member, including its interests in Profits, Losses and Distributions.
“
Contribution Notice
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(b)
.
“
Corporate Board
” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
“
Corporate Incentive Award Plan
” means the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan of the Corporation, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“
Corporation
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement, together with its successors and assigns.
“
Credit Agreements
” means any promissory note, mortgage, loan agreement, indenture or similar instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes a borrower, as such instruments or agreements may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and including any one or more refinancing or replacements thereof, in whole or in part, with any other debt facility or debt obligation, for as long as the payee or creditor to whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owes such obligation is not an Affiliate of the Company, including the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
“
Current LLC Agreement
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Delaware Act
” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6
Del. C.
§ 18-101,
et seq.
, as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
“
Direct Exchange
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.03(a)
.
“
Distributable Cash
” means, as of any relevant date on which a determination is being made by the Manager regarding a potential distribution pursuant to
Section 4.01(a)
, the amount of cash that could be distributed by the Company for such purposes in accordance with the Credit Agreements (and without otherwise violating any applicable provisions of any of the Credit Agreements).
“
Distribution
” (and, with a correlative meaning, “
Distribute
”) means each distribution made by the Company to a Member with respect to such Member’s Units, whether in cash, property or securities of the Company and whether by liquidating distribution or otherwise;
provided, however
, that none of the following shall be a Distribution: (a) any recapitalization that does not result in the distribution of cash or property to Members or any exchange of securities of the Company, and any subdivision (by Unit split or otherwise) or any combination (by reverse Unit split or otherwise) of any outstanding Units or (b) any other payment made by the Company to a Member that is not properly treated as a “distribution” for purposes of Sections 731, 732, or 733 or other applicable provisions of the Code.
“
Distribution Tax Rate
” means a rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined federal, state and local income tax rate for a Fiscal Year applicable to corporate or individual taxpayers that may potentially apply to any Member for such Fiscal Year, taking into account the character of the relevant tax items (
e.g.
, ordinary or capital), the deductibility of state and local income taxes for federal income tax purposes (but only to the extent such taxes are deductible under the Code) and including deductions pursuant to Section 199A of the Code, as reasonably determined by the Manager. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall use the same Distribution Tax Rate for determining the Assumed Tax Liability for each Member with respect to any particular item of income or gain, regardless of whether the Member is a corporation, individual, partnership, trust, estate or other juridical entity.
“
Effective Time
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“
Equity Plan
” means any stock or equity purchase plan, restricted stock or equity plan or other similar equity compensation plan now or hereafter adopted by the Company or the Corporation.
“
Equity Securities
” means (a) Units or other equity interests in the Company (including other classes or groups thereof having such relative rights, powers and duties as may from time to time be established by the Manager pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including rights, powers and/or duties senior to existing classes and groups of Units and other equity interests in the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company), (b) obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or exchangeable into Units or other equity interests in the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (c) Skonnard RSUs, and (d) warrants, options or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire Units or other equity interests in the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.
“
Event of Withdrawal
” means the expulsion, bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company. “Event of Withdrawal” shall not include an event that (a) terminates the existence of a Member for income tax purposes (including, without limitation, (i) a change in entity classification of a Member under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3, (ii) a sale of assets by, or liquidation of, a Member pursuant to an election under Code Sections 336 or 338, or (iii) merger, severance, or allocation within a trust or among sub-trusts of a trust that is a Member) but that (b) does not terminate the existence of such Member under applicable state law (or, in the case of a trust that is a Member, does not terminate the trusteeship of the fiduciaries under such trust with respect to all the Company Interests of such trust that is a Member).
“
Exchange Election Notice
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.03(b)
.
“
Fair Market Value
” means, with respect to any asset, its fair market value determined according to
Article XV
.
“
Fiscal Period
” means any interim accounting period within a Taxable Year established by the Manager and which is permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code.
“
Fiscal Year
”
means the Company’s annual accounting period established pursuant to
Section 8.02
.
“
Governmental Entity
” means (a) the United States of America, (b) any other sovereign nation, (c) any state, province, district, territory or other political subdivision of (a) or (b) of this definition, including any county, municipal or other local subdivision of the foregoing, or (d) any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government on behalf of (a), (b) or (c) of this definition.
“
Indemnified Person
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.04(a)
.
“
Initial LLC Agreement
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Investment Company Act
” means the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
“
IPO
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
IPO Common Unit Purchase
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.03(b)
.
“
IPO Net Proceeds
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Joinder
”
means a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance substantially similar to
Exhibit A
to this Agreement.
“
Law
” means all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations of the United States, any foreign country and each state, commonwealth, city, county, municipality, regulatory body, agency or other political subdivision thereof.
“
liquidator
”
has the meaning set forth in
Section 14.02
.
“
LLC Employee
” means a current or former employee of, or other service provider (including, without limitation, any management member whether or not treated as an employee for the purposes of U.S. federal income tax) to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case acting in such capacity.
“
Losses
”
means items of Company loss or deduction determined according to
Section 5.01(b)
.
“
Manager
”
has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.01
.
“
Market Price
” means, with respect to a share of Class A Common Stock as of a specified date, the last sale price per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, or if no such sale took place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if the Class A Common Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in shares of Class A Common Stock selected by the Corporate Board or, in the event that no trading price is available for the shares of Class A Common Stock, the fair market value of a share of Class A
Common Stock, as determined in good faith by the Corporate Board, including a majority of its independent directors (within the meaning of the rules of the Stock Exchange).
“
Member
” means, as of any date of determination, (a) each of the members named on the Schedule of Members and (b) any Person admitted to the Company as a Substituted Member or Additional Member in accordance with
Article XII
, but in each case only so long as such Person is shown on the Company’s books and records as the owner of one or more Units, each in its capacity as a member of the Company. The Members shall constitute a single class or group of members for purposes of the Delaware Act.
“
Minimum Gain
” means “partnership minimum gain” determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).
“
Minimum Exchange Requirement
” means, with respect to a Member, the lesser of (a) 100 Common Units and (b) the total number of Common Units then held by such Member.
“
Net Loss
” means, with respect to a Fiscal Year, the excess if any, of Losses for such Fiscal Year over Profits for such Fiscal Year (excluding Profits and Losses specially allocated pursuant to
Section 5.03
and
Section 5.04
).
“
Net Profit
” means, with respect to a Fiscal Year, the excess if any, of Profits for such Fiscal Year over Losses for such Fiscal Year (excluding Profits and Losses specially allocated pursuant to
Section 5.03
and
Section 5.04
).
“
Officer
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.01(b)
.
“
Optionee
” means a Person to whom a stock option is granted under any Equity Plan.
“
Original RSUs
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Original Units
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Other Agreements
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 10.04
.
“
Over-Allotment Option
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Over-Allotment Option Net Proceeds
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Partnership Representative
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 9.05(b)
.
“
Percentage Interest
” means such Member’s percentage interest in the Company determined by dividing such Member’s Units by the total Units of all Members at such time. The Percentage Interest of each Member shall be calculated to the 4
th
decimal place.
“
Permitted Redemption Event
” means any of the following events, which has or is occurring, or is otherwise satisfied, as of the Redemption Date:
(a) The Redemption is part of one or more Redemptions by a Member and any related persons (within the meaning of Section 267(b) or 707(b)(1) of the Code) during any 30 calendar day period representing in the aggregate more than 2% of all outstanding Common Units (excluding any Common Units held by the Corporation, so long as the Corporation is the Manager and owns more than 10% of all outstanding Common Units at any point during the taxable year during which such Redemption or Redemptions occurs or occur determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(k)(1)),
(b) The Redemption is in connection with a Pubco Offer;
provided
that any such Redemption pursuant to this clause (b) shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of the closing of the Pubco Offer (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be effective if such Pubco Offer is not consummated), or
(c) The Redemption is permitted by the Manager, in its sole discretion, in connection with circumstances not otherwise set forth herein, if the Manager determines, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and tax advisor, that the Company would not be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code (or any successor or similar provision) as a result of or in connection with such Redemption.
“
Permitted Transfer
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 10.02
.
“
Permitted Transferee
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 10.02
.
“
Person
” means an individual or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, joint venture or any other organization or entity, whether or not a legal entity.
“
Pre-IPO Exchanges
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement
“
Pre-IPO Members
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Private Placement Safe Harbor
” means the “private placement” safe harbor set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1).
“
Pro rata
,” “
pro rata portion
,” “
according to their interests
,” “
ratably
,” “
proportionately
,” “
proportional
,” “
in proportion to
,” “
based on the number of Units held
,” “
based upon the percentage of Units held
,” “
based upon the number of Units outstanding
,” and other terms with similar meanings, when used in the context of a number of Units of the Company relative to other Units, means as amongst an individual class of Units, pro rata based upon the number of such Units within such class of Units.
“
Profits
” means items of Company income and gain determined according to
Section 5.01(b)
.
“
Pubco Offer
has the meaning set forth in
Section 10.09(a)
.
“
Quarterly Exchange Date
” means, either (x) for each fiscal quarter, the first (1
st
) Business Day occurring after the sixtieth (60
th
) day after the expiration of the applicable Quarterly Exchange Notice Period or (y) such other date as the Manager shall determine in its sole discretion;
provided
that such date is at least sixty (60) days after the expiration of the Quarterly Exchange Notice Period.
“
Quarterly Exchange Notice Period
” means, for each fiscal quarter, the period commencing on the third (3
rd
) Business Day after the day on which the Company releases its earnings for the prior fiscal period, beginning with the first such date that falls on or after the waiver or expiration of any contractual lock-up period relating to the shares of the Corporation that may be applicable to a Member (or such other date within such quarter as the Manager shall determine in its sole discretion) and ending five (5) Business Days thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Manager may change the definition of Quarterly Exchange Notice Period with respect to any Quarterly Exchange Notice Period scheduled to occur in a calendar quarter subsequent to the then-current calendar quarter if (x) the revised definition provides for a Quarterly Exchange Notice Period occurring at least once in each calendar quarter, (y) the first Quarterly Exchange Notice Period pursuant to the revised definition will occur no less than 10 Business Days from the date written notice of such change is sent to each Member (other than the Corporation) and (z) the revised definition, together with the revised Quarterly Exchange Date resulting therefrom, do not materially adversely affect the ability of the Members to exercise their Redemption Rights pursuant to this Agreement.
“
Quarterly Tax Distribution
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.01(b)(i)
.
“
Recapitalization
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Redeemed Units
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(a)
.
“
Redeemed Units Equivalent
” means the product of (a) the applicable number of Redeemed Units,
times
(b)
the Common Unit Redemption Price.
“
Redeeming Member
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(a)
.
“
Redemption
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(a)
.
“
Redemption Date
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(a)
.
“
Redemption Notice
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(a)
.
“
Redemption Right
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(a)
.
“
Registration Rights Agreement
” means that certain Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement, by and among the Corporation, certain of the Members as of the Effective Time and certain other persons whose signatures are affixed thereto (together with any joinder thereto from time to time by any successor or assign to any party to such agreement).
“
Reorganization Agreement
” means that certain Reorganization Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement, by and between the Corporation, the Company and certain Members as specified therein.
“
Retraction Notice
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(c)
.
“
Revised Partnership Audit Provisions
” means Section 1101 of Title XI (Revenue Provisions Related to Tax Compliance) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, H.R. 1314, Public Law Number 114-74.
“
Schedule of Members
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.01(b)
.
“
SEC
” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.
“
Secondary Offering
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(a)
.
“
Securities Act
” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future Law.
“
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2017, by and among the LLC, Pluralsight, LLC (as borrower), the lenders party thereto and Guggenheim Corporate Funding, LLC, as administrative agent and as collateral agent, as amended by that First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2018, and as may be amended, restated, modified or otherwise supplemented from time to time, or any replacement or refinancing thereof, as amended, restated, modified or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
“
Share Settlement
” means a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Redeemed Units.
“
Skonnard Award Agreement
” means that certain Amended and Restated Restricted Share Unit Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement, among Mr. Aaron Skonnard, the Company and the Corporation.
“
Skonnard Entities
” means (a) Skonnard Consulting, Inc., (b) Skonnard Family GRAT 2018, (c) Skonnard Family GRAT 2021, (d) Aaron & Monica Skonnard Revocable Trust, (e) the True Nord Trust dated December 5, 2014 and (f) the Aaron and Monica Skonnard Legacy Trust dated December 5, 2014.
“
Skonnard
RSUs
” means Restricted Share Units in the Company that are subject to the terms and conditions of the Skonnard Award Agreement.
“
Sponsor Person
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.04(d)
.
“
Stock Exchange
” means the NASDAQ.
“
Stock Subscription Agreement
” means that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement, by and between the Corporation and the Company.
“
Subsidiary
” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (b) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of the voting interests thereof are at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of the Company shall be given effect only at such times that the Company has one or more Subsidiaries, and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.
“
Substituted Member
” means a Person that is admitted as a Member to the Company pursuant to
Section 12.01
.
“
Tax Distributions
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.01(b)(i)
.
“
Tax Matters Partner
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 9.05(a)
.
“
Tax Receivable Agreement
” means that certain Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as the date of this Agreement, by and among the Corporation, on the one hand, and the Members as of the Effective Time, on the other hand (together with any joinder thereto from time to time by any successor or assign to any party to such agreement).
“
Taxable Year
” means the Company’s accounting period for U.S. federal income tax purposes determined pursuant to
Section 9.02
.
“
Trading Day
” means a day on which the Stock Exchange or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).
“
Transfer
” (and, with a correlative meaning, “
Transferring
”) means any sale, transfer, assignment, redemption, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of (whether directly or indirectly, whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of Law) (a) any interest (legal or beneficial) in any Equity Securities or (b) any equity or other interest (legal or beneficial) in any Member if substantially all of the assets of such Member consist solely of Units.
“
Treasury Regulations
” means the final and temporary tax regulations promulgated under the Code and any corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations.
“
Underlying Class A Shares
” means all shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon redemption of Common Units, assuming all such Common Units are redeemed for Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.
“
Underwriting Agreement
” means the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement, by and among the Corporation, the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein.
“
Unit
” means a Company Interest of a Member or a permitted Assignee in the Company representing a fractional part of the Company Interests of all Members and Assignees as may be established by the Manager from time to time in accordance with
Section 3.02
;
provided, however
, that any class or group of Units issued shall have the relative rights, powers and duties set forth in this Agreement, and the Company Interest represented by such class or group of Units shall be determined in accordance with such relative rights, powers and duties.
“
Unitholder
” means a Common Unitholder and any Member who is the registered holder of any other class of Units, if any.
“
Unrestricted Redemption
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01
.
“
Value
” means (a) for any stock option granted under an Equity Plan, the Market Price for the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of exercise of a stock option under such Equity Plan and (b) for any other equity security granted under an Equity Plan, the Market Price for the Trading Day immediately preceding the Vesting Date
“
Vesting Date
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.10(c)(ii)
.
ARTICLE II.
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
Section 2.01
Formation of Company
. The Company was formed pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act by the execution of the Initial LLC Agreement and the execution and filing of the Certificate of Formation by an “authorized person” of the Company within the meaning of the Delaware Act, such filing being hereby ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects.
Section 2.02
This Agreement
. The Members hereby execute this Agreement for the purpose of establishing the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Act. The Members hereby agree that during the term of the Company set forth in
Section 2.06
the rights and obligations of the Members with respect to the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Delaware Act. No provision of this Agreement shall be in violation of the Delaware Act and to the extent any provision of this Agreement is in violation of the Delaware Act, such provision shall be void and of no effect to the extent of such violation without affecting the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement. Neither any Member nor the Manager nor any other Person shall have appraisal rights with respect to any Company Interests (including any Units).
Section 2.03
Name
. The name of the Company shall be “Pluralsight Holdings, LLC” The Manager in its sole discretion may change the name of the Company at any time and from time to time. Notification of any such change shall be given to all of the Members and, to the extent practicable, to all of the holders of any Equity Securities then outstanding. The Company’s business may be conducted under its name and/or any other name or names deemed advisable by the Manager.
Section 2.04
Purpose
. The primary business and purpose of the Company shall be to engage in such activities as are permitted under the Delaware Act and determined from time to time by the Manager in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section 2.05
Principal Office; Registered Office
. The principal office of the Company shall be at such location as the Manager may from time to time designate. The address of the registered office of the Company in
the State of Delaware and the registered agent for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware shall each be set forth in the Certificate, as the same may be amended from time to time by the Manager.
Section 2.06
Term
. The term of the Company commenced upon the filing of the Certificate in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until dissolution of the Company in accordance with the provisions of
Article XIV
.
Section 2.07
No State-Law Partnership
. The Members intend that the Company not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member by virtue of this Agreement, for any purposes other than as set forth in the last sentence of this
Section 2.07
, and neither this Agreement nor any other document entered into by the Company or any Member relating to the subject matter hereof shall be construed to suggest otherwise. The Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and, if applicable, state or local income tax purposes, and that each Member and the Company shall file all tax returns and shall otherwise take all tax and financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with such treatment.
ARTICLE III.
MEMBERS; UNITS; CAPITALIZATION
Section 3.01
Members
.
(a) At the Effective Time and concurrently with the IPO Common Unit Purchase and completion of the Blocker Mergers and the Pre-IPO Exchanges, the Corporation shall be automatically admitted to the Company as a Member.
(b) The Company shall maintain a schedule setting forth: (i) the name and address of each Member; (ii) the aggregate number of outstanding Units and the number and class of Units held by each Member; (iii) the aggregate amount of cash Capital Contributions that has been made by the Members with respect to their Units; and (iv) the Fair Market Value of any property other than cash contributed by the Members with respect to their Units (including, if applicable, a description and the amount of any liability assumed by the Company or to which contributed property is subject) (such schedule, the “
Schedule of Members
”). The applicable Schedule of Members in effect as of the Effective Time (after the consummation of the IPO Common Unit Purchase) is set forth as
Schedule 2
attached to this Agreement. The Schedule of Members shall be the definitive record of ownership of each Unit of the Company and all relevant information with respect to each Member. The Company shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a Person registered on its records as the owner of Units for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in Units on the part of any other Person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the Delaware Act.
(c) No Member shall be required or, except as approved by the Manager pursuant to
Section 6.01
and in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement, permitted to (i) loan any money or property to the Company, (ii) borrow any money or property from the Company or (iii) make any additional Capital Contributions.
Section 3.02
Units
.
(a) Interests in the Company shall be represented by Units, or such other securities of the Company, in each case as the Manager may establish in its discretion in accordance with the terms and subject to the restrictions hereof. At the Effective Time, the Units will be comprised of a single class of Common Units.
(b) Subject to
Section 3.04(a)
, the Manager may (i) issue additional Common Units at any time in its sole discretion and (ii) create one or more classes or series of Units or preferred Units solely to the extent such new class or series of Units or preferred Units are substantially equivalent to a class of common stock of the Corporation or class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation;
provided,
that as long as there are any Members
(other than the Corporation) (i) no such new class or series of Units may deprive such Members of, or dilute or reduce, the allocations and distributions they would have received, and the other rights and benefits to which they would have been entitled, in respect of their Company Interest if such new class or series of Units had not been created and (ii) no such new class or series of Units may be issued, in each case, except to the extent (and solely to the extent) the Company actually receives cash in an aggregate amount, or other property with a Fair Market Value in an aggregate amount, equal to the aggregate distributions that would be made in respect of such new class or series of Units if the Company were liquidated immediately after the issuance of such new class or series of Units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company has one hundred (100) or fewer “partners” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1), the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to restrict issuances of Units in an amount sufficient for the Company to be eligible for the Private Placement Safe Harbor (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h).
(c) To the extent required pursuant to
Section 3.04(a)
or
Section 3.10
, as applicable, the Manager may amend this Agreement, without the consent of any Member or any other Person, in connection with the creation and issuance of such classes or series of Units, subject to
Section 16.03(b)
and
Section 16.03(d)
hereof.
Section 3.03
Recapitalization; the Corporation’s Capital Contribution; the Corporation’s Purchase of Common Units; Member Distribution
.
(a)
Recapitalization
. In connection with the Recapitalization, (i) the number of Original Units that were issued and outstanding and held by the Pre-IPO Members prior to the Effective Time as set forth opposite to the respective Pre-IPO Member in
Schedule 1
are hereby converted, as of the Effective Time, into the number of Common Units set forth opposite the name of the respective Member on the Schedule of Members attached hereto as
Schedule 2
, and such Common Units are hereby issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time and the holders of such Common Units hereby continue as Members and (ii) the number of Original RSUs that were issued and outstanding and held by Mr. Aaron Skonnard prior to the Effective Time are hereby converted, as of the Effective Time, into the number of Skonnard RSUs set forth in the Skonnard Award Agreement, and such Skonnard RSUs are hereby issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time.
(b)
The Corporation’s Common Unit Agreement
. Following the Recapitalization, the Corporation will acquire newly issued Common Units in exchange for a portion of the IPO Net Proceeds payable to the Company upon consummation of the IPO pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(i) of the Reorganization Agreement (the “
IPO Common Unit Purchase
”). The IPO Common Unit Purchase shall be reflected on the Schedule of Members. In addition, to the extent the underwriters in the IPO exercise the Over-Allotment Option in whole or in part, upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the Corporation will contribute the Over-Allotment Option Net Proceeds to the Company in exchange for a number of newly issued Common Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued by the Corporation in such exercise of the Over-Allotment Option pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(i) of the Reorganization Agreement, and such issuance of additional Common Units shall be reflected on the Schedule of Members. For the avoidance of doubt, the Corporation shall be admitted as a Member with respect to all Common Units it holds from time to time.
Section 3.04
Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units
.
(a) The Company shall undertake all actions, including, without limitation, an issuance, reclassification, distribution, division or recapitalization, with respect to the Common Units, to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by the Corporation, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, disregarding, for purposes of maintaining the one-to-one ratio, (i) options, rights or securities of the Corporation authorized under the Company’s existing equity incentive plan that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock (except to the extent the net proceeds from such other securities, including any exercise or purchase price payable upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof, has been contributed by the Corporation to the equity capital of the Company), (ii) treasury stock or (iii) preferred stock or other debt or equity securities (including without limitation warrants, options or rights) issued by the Corporation that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock (except to the extent the net proceeds from such other securities, including any exercise or purchase price payable
upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof, has been contributed by the Corporation to the equity capital of the Company). In the event the Corporation issues, transfers or delivers from treasury stock or repurchases Class A Common Stock in a transaction not contemplated in this Agreement, the Manager shall take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries or repurchases, the number of outstanding Common Units owned by the Corporation will equal on a one-for-one basis the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock. In the event the Corporation issues, transfers or delivers from treasury stock or repurchases or redeems the Corporation’s preferred stock in a transaction not contemplated in this Agreement, the Manager shall have the authority to take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries, repurchases or redemptions, the Corporation holds (in the case of any issuance, transfer or delivery) or ceases to hold (in the case of any repurchase or redemption) equity interests in the Company which (in the good faith determination by the Manager) are in the aggregate substantially equivalent to the outstanding preferred stock of the Corporation so issued, transferred, delivered, repurchased or redeemed. The Company shall not undertake any subdivision (by any Common Unit split, Common Unit distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or similar event) or combination (by reverse Common Unit split, reclassification, recapitalization or similar event) of the Common Units that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of Class A Common Stock to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by the Corporation and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, unless such action is necessary to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by the Corporation and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock as contemplated by the first sentence of this
Section 3.04(a)
.
(b) The Company shall only be permitted to issue additional Common Units, and/or establish other classes of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company to the Persons and on the terms and conditions provided for in
Section 3.02
, this
Section 3.04
,
Section 3.10,
Section 3.11
and the Skonnard Award Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, the Manager may cause the Company to issue additional Common Units authorized under this Agreement and/or establish other classes of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company at such times and upon such terms as the Manager shall determine and the Manager shall amend this Agreement as necessary in connection with the issuance of additional Common Units and admission of additional Members under this
Section 3.04
without the requirement of any consent or acknowledgement of any other Member.
Section 3.05
Repurchase, Redemption or Forfeiture of shares of Class A Common Stock
. If, at any time, any shares of Class A Common Stock are repurchased or redeemed (whether by exercise of a put or call, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the Corporation for cash or are forfeited to the Corporation due to failure to vest, then the Manager shall cause the Company, immediately prior to such repurchase, redemption or forfeiture of Class A Common Stock, to redeem a corresponding number of Common Units held (directly or indirectly) by the Corporation, at an aggregate redemption price equal to the aggregate purchase or redemption price of the shares of Class A Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by, or forfeited to, the Corporation (plus any expenses related thereto) and upon such other terms as are the same for the shares of Class A Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by, or forfeited to, the Corporation. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not make any repurchase or redemption, and no shares of Class A Common Stock shall be forfeited to the Corporation, in all cases, if such action would violate any applicable Law.
Section 3.06
Certificates Representing Units; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates; Registration and Transfer of Units
.
(a) Units shall not be certificated unless otherwise determined by the Manager. If the Manager determines that one or more Units shall be certificated, each such certificate shall be signed by or in the name of the Company, by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel or any other officer designated by the Manager, representing the number of Units held by such holder. Such certificate shall be in such form (and shall contain such legends) as the Manager may determine. Any or all of such signatures on any certificate representing one or more Units may be a facsimile, engraved or printed, to the extent permitted by applicable Law. The Manager agrees that it shall not elect to treat any Unit as a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code unless thereafter all Units then outstanding are represented by one or more certificates.
(b) If Units are certificated, the Manager may direct that a new certificate representing one or more Units be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Company alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon delivery to the Manager of an affidavit of the owner or owners of such certificate, setting forth such allegation. The Manager may require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Company a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.
(c) Upon surrender to the Company or the transfer agent of the Company, if any, of a certificate for one or more Units, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, in compliance with the provisions hereof, the Company shall issue a new certificate representing one or more Units to the Person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Manager may prescribe such additional rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate relating to the issue, Transfer and registration of Units.
Section 3.07
Negative Capital Accounts
. No Member shall be required to pay to any other Member or the Company any deficit or negative balance which may exist from time to time in such Member’s Capital Account (including upon and after dissolution of the Company).
Section 3.08
No Withdrawal
. No Person shall be entitled to withdraw any part of such Person’s Capital Contribution or Capital Account or to receive any Distribution from the Company, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
Section 3.09
Loans From Members
. Loans by Members to the Company shall not be considered Capital Contributions. Subject to the provisions of
Section 3.01(c)
, the amount of any such advances shall be a debt of the Company to such Member and shall be payable or collectible in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such advances are made.
Section 3.10
Corporate Stock Option Plans and Equity Plans
.
(a)
Options Granted to Persons other than LLC Employees
. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan, a stock option granted with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock (a “
Class A Stock Option
”) to a Person other than an LLC Employee is duly exercised:
(i) The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Company in an amount equal to the aggregate exercise price paid to the Corporation by such exercising Person (or his or her Permitted Transferee, if applicable) in connection with the exercise of such Class A Stock Option.
(ii) Notwithstanding the amount of the Capital Contribution actually made pursuant to
Section 3.10(a)(i)
, the Corporation shall be deemed to have contributed to the Company as a Capital Contribution, in lieu of the Capital Contribution actually made and in consideration of additional Common Units, an amount equal to the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock as of the date of such exercise multiplied by the number of shares of Class A Common Stock then being issued by the Corporation in connection with the exercise of such Class A Stock Option.
(iii) The Corporation shall receive in exchange for such Capital Contributions (as deemed made under
Section 3.10(a)(ii)
), a number of Common Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which such Class A Stock Option was exercised.
(b)
Options Granted to LLC Employees
. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan, a Class A Stock Option granted to an LLC Employee is duly exercised:
(i) The Corporation shall sell to the Optionee (or his or her Permitted Transferee, if applicable), and the Optionee (or his or her Permitted Transferee, if applicable) shall purchase from the Corporation the number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient of (x) the aggregate exercise price payable by the Optionee in connection with the exercise of such Class A Stock Option divided by (y) the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock. The purchase price per share of Class A Common Stock for such sale of shares of Class A Common Stock to the Corporation shall be the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock with respect to each share of Class A Common Stock being sold pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(ii) The Corporation shall sell to the Company (or if the Optionee is or was an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, the Corporation shall sell to such Subsidiary), and the Company (or such Subsidiary, as applicable) shall purchase from the Corporation, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the excess of (x) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock as to which such Class A Stock Option is being exercised over (y) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock sold pursuant to
Section 3.10(b)(i)
hereof. The purchase price per share of Class A Common Stock for such sale of shares of Class A Common Stock to the Company (or such Subsidiary) shall be the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock as of the date of exercise of such Class A Stock Option with respect to each shares of Class A Common Stock being sold pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(iii) The Company shall transfer (or if the Optionee is or was an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, the Subsidiary shall transfer) to the Optionee at no additional cost to such Optionee (or his or her Permitted Transferee, if applicable) and as additional compensation (and not a distribution) to such Optionee, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock described in
Section 3.10(b)(ii)
.
(iv) The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Company in an amount equal to all proceeds received (from whatever source, but excluding any payment in respect of payroll taxes or other tax withholdings) by the Corporation in connection with the exercise of such Class A Stock Option, including any shares of Class A Common Stock sold pursuant to
Section 3.10(b)(i)
. The Corporation shall receive for such Capital Contribution, a number of Common Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which such Class A Common Stock Option was exercised. In the case where such Optionee is or was an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to have contributed the amount of such Capital Contribution to the capital of the Subsidiary employing or receiving the services from such Optionee.
(c)
Stock Issued to LLC Employees
. If, other than as contemplated by
Section 3.10(a)
or
Section 3.10(b)
at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan, any shares of Class A Common Stock are issued to an LLC Employee (or his or her Permitted Transferee, if applicable) (and including any shares of Class A Common Stock that are subject to forfeiture in the event such LLC Employee terminates his or her employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary) in consideration for services such LLC Employee performed for the Company or any Subsidiary:
(i) The Corporation shall issue such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as are to be issued to such LLC Employee (or his or her Permitted Transferee, if applicable) in accordance with the applicable Equity Plan;
(ii) On the date of issuance (such date, the “
Vesting Date
”) on or following the date that such shares vest and is no longer subject to a right of repurchase or a risk of forfeiture, the following events will be deemed to have occurred: (1) the Corporation shall be deemed to have sold such shares of Class A Common Stock to the Company (or if such LLC Employee is or was an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, to such Subsidiary employing or receiving services from the LLC Employee) for a purchase price equal to the Value of such shares of Class A Common Stock, (2) the Company (or such Subsidiary) shall be deemed to have delivered such shares of Class A Common Stock to such LLC Employee (or his or her Permitted Transferee, if applicable), (3) the Corporation shall be deemed to have contributed the purchase price for such shares of Class A Common Stock (if any) to the Company as a Capital Contribution, and (4) in the case where such LLC Employee is
or was an employee of a Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to have contributed such amount to the capital of the Subsidiary employing such LLC Employee; and
(iii) The Company shall issue to the Corporation on the Vesting Date a number of Common Units (of any) equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued under
Section 3.10(c)(i)
in consideration for a Capital Contribution that the Corporation is deemed to make to the Company pursuant to clause (3) of
Section 3.10(c)(ii)
above.
(d)
Future Equity Plans
. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or applied to preclude or restrain the Corporation from adopting, modifying or terminating stock incentive plans for the benefit of employees, directors or other business associates of the Corporation, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates. The Members acknowledge and agree that, in the event that any such plan is adopted, modified or terminated by the Corporation, amendments to this
Section 3.10
may become necessary or advisable and that any approval or consent to any such amendments requested by the Corporation shall be deemed granted by the Manager and the Members, as applicable, without the requirement of any further consent or acknowledgement of any other Member.
(e)
Anti-dilution adjustments.
For all purposes of this
Section 3.10
, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and the corresponding number of Common Units shall be determined after giving effect to all anti-dilution or similar adjustments that are applicable, as of the date of exercise or vesting, to the option, warrant, restricted stock or other equity interest that is being exercised or becomes vested under the applicable Equity Plan and applicable award or grant documentation.
Section 3.11
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Cash Option Purchase Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan
. Except as may otherwise be provided in this
Article III
, all amounts received or deemed received by the Corporation in respect of any dividend reinvestment plan, cash option purchase plan, stock incentive or other stock or subscription plan or agreement, either (a) shall be utilized by the Corporation to effect open market purchases of shares of Class A Common Stock, or (b) if the Corporation elects instead to issue new shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to such amounts, shall be contributed by the Corporation to the Company in exchange for additional Units. Upon such contribution, the Company will issue to the Corporation a number of Units equal to the number of new shares of Class A Common Stock so issued.
ARTICLE IV.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 4.01
Distributions
.
(a)
Distributable Cash; Other Distributions
. To the extent permitted by applicable Law and hereunder, Distributions to Members may be declared by the Manager out of Distributable Cash or other funds or property legally available therefor (to the extent such distribution would not violate any applicable provisions of the Credit Agreements) in such amounts, at such time and on such terms (including the payment dates of such Distributions) as the Manager shall determine using such record date as the Manager may designate. All Distributions made under this
Section 4.01
(other than
Section 4.01(c)
) shall be made to the Members as of the close of business on such record date on a
pro rata
basis in accordance with each Member’s Percentage Interest as of the close of business on such record date;
provided, however
, that the Manager shall have the obligation to make Distributions as set forth in
Sections 4.01(b)
,
4.01(c)
and
14.02
;
provided
,
further
, that notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, no Distributions shall be made to any Member to the extent such Distribution would render the Company insolvent or violate the Delaware Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, insolvency means the inability of the Company to meet its payment obligations when due. Promptly following the designation of a record date and the declaration of a Distribution pursuant to this
Section 4.01(a)
, the Manager shall give notice to each Member of the record date, the amount and the terms of the Distribution and the payment date thereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, it is intended that the Manager shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law and hereunder, have the right in its sole discretion to make Distributions pro rata to the Members pursuant to this
Section 4.01(a)
in such amounts as shall enable the Corporation to meet its obligations, including its obligations
pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement (to the extent such obligations are not otherwise able to be satisfied as a result of Tax Distributions required to be made pursuant to
Section 4.01(b)
).
(b)
Tax Distributions
.
(i) With respect to each Fiscal Year, the Company shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, make cash distributions out of Distributable Cash (“
Tax Distributions
”) pro rata to the Members in an amount sufficient so that each Member receives Tax Distributions in an amount no less than the Member’s Assumed Tax Liability. Tax Distributions pursuant to this
Section 4.01(b)(i)
shall be estimated by the Company on a quarterly basis and, to the extent feasible, shall be distributed to the Members (together with a statement showing the calculation of such Tax Distribution and an estimate of the Company’s net taxable income allocable to each Member for such period) on a quarterly basis on April 15
th
, June 15
th
, September 15
th
and January 15
th
(of the succeeding year) (or such other dates for which individuals are required to make quarterly estimated tax payments for U.S. federal income tax purposes) (each, a “
Quarterly Tax Distribution
”);
provided
, that the foregoing shall not restrict the Company from making a Tax Distribution on any other date. Quarterly Tax Distributions shall take into account the estimated taxable income or loss of the Company for the Fiscal Year through the end of the relevant quarterly period. A final accounting for Tax Distributions shall be made for each Fiscal Year after the allocation of the Company’s actual net taxable income or loss has been determined and any shortfall in the amount of Tax Distributions a Member received for such Fiscal Year based on such final accounting shall promptly be distributed to such Member. For the avoidance of doubt, any excess Tax Distributions a Member receives with respect to any Fiscal Year shall reduce future Tax Distributions otherwise required to be made to such Member with respect to any subsequent Fiscal Year, provided, however, that this sentence shall nonetheless be subject to Section 4.01(b)(ii). For the avoidance of doubt, no Tax Distribution shall be made with respect to any salary, bonuses, compensation for personal services or guaranteed payments made to any Member or in connection with the dissolution of the Company.
(ii) To the extent a Member otherwise would be entitled to receive less than its Percentage Interest of the aggregate Tax Distributions to be paid pursuant to this
Section 4.01(b)
(including, for the avoidance of doubt, Section 4.01(b)(iii)) on any given date, the Tax Distributions to such Member shall be increased to ensure that all Distributions made pursuant to this
Section 4.01(b)
are made
pro rata
in accordance with the Members’ respective Percentage Interests. If, on a Tax Distribution Date, there are insufficient funds on hand to distribute to the Members the full amount of the Tax Distributions to which such Members are otherwise entitled, Distributions pursuant to this
Section 4.01(b)
shall be made to the Members to the extent of available funds in accordance with their Percentage Interests and the Company shall make future Tax Distributions as soon as funds become available sufficient to pay the remaining portion of the Tax Distributions to which such Members are otherwise entitled.
(iii) In the event of any audit by, or similar event with, a taxing authority that affects the calculation of any Member’s Assumed Tax Liability for any taxable year (other than an audit conducted pursuant to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions for which no election is made pursuant to Section 6226 thereof), or in the event the Company files an amended tax return, each Member’s Assumed Tax Liability with respect to such year shall be recalculated by giving effect to such event (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account interest or penalties). In the event of any shortfall in the amount of Tax Distributions any Member or former Member received for the relevant taxable years based on such recalculated Assumed Tax Liability, the Company shall promptly make additional Tax Distributions
pro rata
until such Member or the successors of such former Member, as applicable, has received such shortfall, except, for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent Distributions were made to such Members and former Members pursuant to
Section 4.01(a)
and this
Section 4.01(b)
in the relevant taxable years sufficient to cover such shortfall.
(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tax Distributions pursuant to this
Section 4.01(b)
, if any, shall be made to a Member only to the extent all previous Tax Distributions to such Member pursuant to
Section 4.01(b)
with respect to the Fiscal Year are less than the Tax Distributions such Member otherwise would have been entitled to receive with respect to such Fiscal Year pursuant to this
Section 4.01(b)
.
(v) For the avoidance of doubt, Tax Distributions shall not be treated as advances of other distributions and shall not reduce distributions pursuant to the other provisions of this Agreement.
(c)
Distribution of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock
. Immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Subscription Agreement, the Company shall, and the Manager shall cause the Company to:
(i) Distribute to the Members (other than the Corporation, the Skonnard Entities and Mr. Aaron Skonnard) the Class B Common Stock purchased by the Corporation pursuant to the Stock Subscription Agreement,
pro rata
based on the number of Common Units held by such Members; and
(ii) Distribute to the Skonnard Entities and Mr. Aaron Skonnard the Class C Common Stock purchased by the Corporation pursuant to the Stock Subscription Agreement,
pro rata
based on the number of Common Units held by the Skonnard Entities and Mr. Aaron Skonnard.
ARTICLE V.
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; ALLOCATIONS; TAX MATTERS
Section 5.01
Capital Accounts
.
(a) The Company shall maintain a separate Capital Account for each Member according to the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). For this purpose, the Company may (in the discretion of the Manager), upon the occurrence of the events specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), increase or decrease the Capital Accounts in accordance with the rules of such Treasury Regulation and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) to reflect a revaluation of Company property.
(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of Company income, gain, loss or deduction to be allocated pursuant to this
Article V
and to be reflected in the Capital Accounts of the Members, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for this purpose);
provided, however
, that:
(i) The computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall include those items described in Code Section 705(a)(l)(B) or Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are not deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(ii) If the Book Value of any Company property is adjusted pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) or (f), the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such property.
(iii) Items of income, gain, loss or deduction attributable to the disposition of Company property having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted basis for tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of such property.
(iv) Items of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions with respect to Company property having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted basis for tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the property’s Book Value in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g).
(v) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Code Sections 732(d), 734(b) or 743(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital
Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis).
Section 5.02
Allocations
. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 5.03
and
Section 5.04
, Net Profits and Net Losses for any Fiscal Year or Fiscal Period shall be allocated among the Capital Accounts of the Members pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
Section 5.03
Regulatory Allocations
.
(a) Losses attributable to partner nonrecourse debt (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) shall be allocated in the manner required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If there is a net decrease during a Taxable Year in partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(3)), Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) shall be allocated to the Members in the amounts and of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4).
(b) Nonrecourse deductions (as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(1)) for any Taxable Year shall be allocated pro rata among the Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 5.03(a)
, if there is a net decrease in the Minimum Gain during any Taxable Year, each Member shall be allocated Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) in the amounts and of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f). This
Section 5.03(b)
is intended to be a minimum gain chargeback provision that complies with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f), and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.
(c) If any Member that unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or Distribution described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as of the end of any Taxable Year, computed after the application of
Sections 5.03(a)
and
5.03(b)
but before the application of any other provision of this
Article V
, then Profits for such Taxable Year shall be allocated to such Member in proportion to, and to the extent of, such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. This
Section 5.03(c)
is intended to be a qualified income offset provision as described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.
(d) If the allocation of Net Losses to a Member as provided in
Section 5.02
would create or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit, there shall be allocated to such Member only that amount of Losses as will not create or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. The Net Losses that would, absent the application of the preceding sentence, otherwise be allocated to such Member shall be allocated to the other Members in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, subject to this
Section 5.03(d)
.
(e) Profits and Losses described in
Section 5.01(b)(v)
shall be allocated in a manner consistent with the manner that the adjustments to the Capital Accounts are required to be made pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(j), (k) and (m).
(f) The allocations set forth in
Section 5.03(a)
through and including
Section 5.03(e)
(the “
Regulatory Allocations
”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2 of the Treasury Regulations. The Regulatory Allocations may not be consistent with the manner in which the Members intend to allocate Profit and Loss of the Company or make Distributions. Accordingly, notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Article V
, but subject to the Regulatory Allocations, income, gain, deduction and loss shall be reallocated among the Members so as to eliminate the effect of the Regulatory Allocations and thereby cause the respective Capital Accounts of the Members to be in the amounts (or as close thereto as possible) they would have been if Profit and Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) had been allocated without reference to the Regulatory Allocations. In general, the Members anticipate that this will be accomplished by specially allocating other Profit and Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) among the Members so that the net amount of the Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each such Member is
zero. In addition, if in any Fiscal Year or Fiscal Period there is a decrease in partnership minimum gain, or in partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain, and application of the minimum gain chargeback requirements set forth in
Section 5.03(a)
or
Section 5.03(b)
would cause a distortion in the economic arrangement among the Members, the Members may, if they do not expect that the Company will have sufficient other income to correct such distortion, request the Internal Revenue Service to waive either or both of such minimum gain chargeback requirements. If such request is granted, this Agreement shall be applied in such instance as if it did not contain such minimum gain chargeback requirement.
Section 5.04
Final Allocations
. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement except
Section 5.03
, the Manager shall make appropriate adjustments to allocations of Profits and Losses to (or, if necessary, allocate items of gross income, gain, loss or deduction of the Company among) the Members upon the liquidation of the Company (within the meaning of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) of the Treasury Regulations), the transfer of substantially all the Units (whether by sale or exchange or merger) or sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company, such that, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Accounts of the Members are proportionate to their Percentage Interests. In each case, such adjustments or allocations shall occur, to the maximum extent possible, in the Fiscal Year of the event requiring such adjustments or allocations.
Section 5.05
Tax Allocations
.
(a) The income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of the Company will be allocated, for federal, state and local income tax purposes, among the Members in accordance with the allocation of such income, gains, losses, deductions and credits among the Members for computing their Capital Accounts;
provided
that if any such allocation is not permitted by the Code or other applicable Law, the Company’s subsequent income, gains, losses, deductions and credits will be allocated among the Members so as to reflect as nearly as possible the allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.
(b) Except as otherwise agreed by the Company and the affected Member (or, in the case of a “reverse 704(c) allocation,” all affected Members), items of Company taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with Code Section 704(c) so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value using the traditional method (without curative allocations) set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b).
(c) Except as otherwise agreed by the Company and the affected Member (or, in the case of a “reverse 704(c) allocation,” all affected Members), if the Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to
Section 5.01(b)
, including adjustments to the Book Value of any Company asset in connection with the execution of this Agreement, subsequent allocations of items of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value using the traditional method (without curative allocations) set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b).
(d) Allocations of tax credits, tax credit recapture, and any items related thereto shall be allocated to the Members as determined by the Manager taking into account the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii).
(e) For purposes of determining a Member’s share of the Company’s “excess nonrecourse liabilities” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), each Member’s interest in income and gain shall be determined based on their Percentage Interests.
(f) Allocations pursuant to this
Section 5.05
(other than
Section 5.05(e)
) are solely for purposes of federal, state and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, Distributions or other Company items pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
Section 5.06
Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member
. If the Company is obligated to pay any amount to a Governmental Entity (or otherwise makes a payment to a Governmental Entity) that is reasonably determined by the Manager to be specifically attributable to a Member or a Member’s status (including federal income taxes as a result of Company obligations pursuant to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions, federal withholding taxes, state personal property taxes and state unincorporated business taxes, but excluding payments such as payroll taxes, withholding taxes, benefits or professional association fees and the like required to be made or made voluntarily by the Company on behalf of any Member based upon such Member’s status as an employee of the Company), then such Person shall indemnify the Company in full for the entire amount paid (including interest, penalties and related expenses). The Manager may offset Distributions to which a Person is otherwise entitled under this Agreement against such Person’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this
Section 5.06
. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each Member agrees that any Cash Settlement such Member is entitled to receive pursuant to
Article XI
may be offset by an amount equal to such Member’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this
Section 5.06
and that such Member shall be treated as receiving the full amount of such Cash Settlement and paying to the Company an amount equal to such obligation. A Member’s obligation to make payments to the Company under this
Section 5.06
shall survive the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company. In the event that the Company has been terminated prior to the date such payment is due, such Member shall make such payment to the Manager (or its designee), which shall distribute such funds in accordance with this Agreement. The Company may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have against each Member under this
Section 5.06
, including instituting a lawsuit to collect such contribution with interest calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate plus 300 basis points (but not in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by Law). Each Member hereby agrees to furnish to the Company such information and forms as required or reasonably requested in order to comply with any Laws and regulations governing withholding of tax or in order to claim any reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding to which the Member is legally entitled.
ARTICLE VI.
MANAGEMENT
Section 6.01
Authority of Manager
.
(a) Except for situations in which the approval of any Member(s) is specifically required by this Agreement, (i) all management powers over the business and affairs of the Company shall be exclusively vested in the Corporation, as the sole managing member of the Company (the Corporation, in such capacity, the “
Manager
”) and (ii) the Manager shall conduct, direct and exercise full control over all activities of the Company. The Manager shall be the “manager” of the Company for the purposes of the Delaware Act. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Members hereby consent to the exercise by the Manager of all such powers and rights conferred on the Members by the Delaware Act with respect to the management and control of the Company. Any vacancies in the position of Manager shall be filled in accordance with
Section 6.04
.
(b) The day-to-day business and operations of the Company shall be overseen and implemented by officers of the Company (each, an “
Officer
” and collectively, the “
Officers
”), subject to the limitations imposed by the Manager. An Officer may, but need not, be a Member. Each Officer shall be appointed by the Manager and shall hold office until his or her successor shall be duly designated and shall qualify or until his or her death or until he shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any one Person may hold more than one office. Subject to the other provisions in this Agreement (including in
Section 6.07
below), the salaries or other compensation, if any, of the Officers of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Manager. The authority and responsibility of the Officers shall include, but not be limited to, such duties as the Manager may, from time to time, delegate to them and the carrying out of the Company’s business and affairs on a day-to-day basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, unless the Manager decides otherwise, if the title of an Officer is one commonly used for officers of a business corporation formed under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the assignment of such title shall constitute the delegation to such person of the authorities and duties that are normally associated with that office. The existing Officers of the Company as of the Effective Time shall remain in
their respective positions and shall be deemed to have been appointed by the Manager. All Officers shall be, and shall be deemed to be, officers and employees of the Company. An Officer may also perform one or more roles as an officer of the Manager. Any Officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Manager.
(c) The Manager shall have the power and authority to effectuate the sale, lease, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege or subscription right or any other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Company) or the merger, consolidation, reorganization or other combination of the Company with or into another entity, for the avoidance of doubt, without the prior consent of any Member or any other Person being required.
Section 6.02
Actions of the Manager
. The Manager may act through any Officer or through any other Person or Persons to whom authority and duties have been delegated pursuant to
Section 6.07
.
Section 6.03
Resignation; No Removal
. The Manager may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Members. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Members, and the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. For the avoidance of doubt, the Members have no right under this Agreement to remove or replace the Manager.
Section 6.04
Vacancies
. Vacancies in the position of Manager occurring for any reason shall be filled by the Corporation (or, if the Corporation has ceased to exist without any successor or assign, then by the holders of a majority in interest of the voting capital stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such cessation). For the avoidance of doubt, the Members have no right under this Agreement to fill any vacancy in the position of Manager.
Section 6.05
Transactions Between Company and Manager
. The Manager may cause the Company to contract and deal with the Manager, or any Affiliate of the Manager,
provided
, that such contracts and dealings (other than contracts and dealings between the Company and its Subsidiaries) are on terms comparable to and competitive with those available to the Company from others dealing at arm’s length or are approved by the Members and otherwise are permitted by the Credit Agreements. The Members hereby approve each of the contracts or agreements between or among the Manager, the Company and their respective Affiliates entered into on or prior to the date of this Agreement in accordance with the Current LLC Agreement or that the prior board of managers of the Company has approved in connection with the IPO as of the date of this Agreement, including the Reorganization Agreement and the Stock Subscription Agreement.
Section 6.06
Reimbursement for Expenses
. The Manager shall not be compensated for its services as Manager of the Company except as expressly provided in this Agreement. The Members acknowledge and agree that, upon consummation of the IPO, the Manager’s Class A Common Stock will be publicly traded and therefore the Manager will have access to the public capital markets and that such status and the services performed by the Manager will inure to the benefit of the Company and all Members; therefore, the Manager shall be reimbursed by the Company for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, including without limitation all fees, expenses and costs associated with the IPO and all fees, expenses and costs of being a public company (including without limitation public reporting obligations, proxy statements, stockholder meetings, stock exchange fees, transfer agent fees, legal fees, SEC and FINRA filing fees and offering expenses) and maintaining its corporate existence. For the avoidance of doubt, the Manager shall not be reimbursed for any federal, state or local taxes imposed on the Manager or any subsidiary of the Manager (other than taxes paid by the Manager on behalf of the Company and any subsidiary of the Company but only if the taxes paid were the legal liability of the Company and/or any subsidiary of the Company). In the event that shares of Class A Common Stock are sold to underwriters in the IPO (or in any subsequent public offering) at a price per share that is lower than the price per share for which such shares of Class A Common Stock are sold to the public in the IPO (or in such subsequent public offering, as applicable) after taking into account underwriters’ discounts or commissions and brokers’ fees or commissions (such difference, the “
Discount
”) (i) the Manager shall be deemed to have contributed to the Company in exchange for newly issued Common Units the full amount for which such shares of Class A Common Stock were sold to the public and (ii) the Company shall be deemed to have paid the Discount as an expense. To the extent practicable, expenses incurred by the Manager on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company shall be billed directly to and paid
by the Company and, if and to the extent any reimbursements to the Manager or any of its Affiliates by the Company pursuant to this
Section 6.06
constitute gross income to such Person (as opposed to the repayment of advances made by such Person on behalf of the Company), such amounts shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” within the meaning of Code Section 707(c) and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Members’ Capital Accounts.
Section 6.07
Delegation of Authority
. The Manager (a) may, from time to time, delegate to one or more Persons such authority and duties as the Manager may deem advisable, including to Officers, as described in
Section 6.01(b)
and (b) may assign titles (including, without limitation, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, general counsel, senior vice president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer or assistant treasurer) and delegate certain authority and duties to such Persons as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time. Any number of titles may be held by the same individual. The salaries or other compensation, if any, of such agents of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Manager, subject to the other provisions in this Agreement.
Section 6.08
Limitation of Liability of Manager
.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein or in an agreement entered into by such Person and the Company, neither the Manager nor any of the Manager’s Affiliates or Manager’s officers, employees or other agents shall be liable to the Company, to any Member that is not the Manager or to any other Person bound by this Agreement for any act or omission performed or omitted by the Manager in its capacity as the sole managing member of the Company pursuant to authority granted to the Manager by this Agreement;
provided, however
, that, except as otherwise provided herein, such limitation of liability shall not apply to the extent the act or omission was attributable to the Manager’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or knowing violation of Law or for any present or future breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by the Manager or its Affiliates contained herein or in the other agreements with the Company. The Manager may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent (so long as such agent was selected in good faith and with reasonable care). The Manager shall be entitled to rely upon the advice of legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts, including financial advisors, and any act of or failure to act by the Manager in good faith reliance on such advice shall in no event subject the Manager to liability to the Company or any Member that is not the Manager.
(b) Whenever this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein provides that the Manager shall act in a manner which is, or provide terms which are, “fair and reasonable” to the Company or any Member that is not the Manager, the Manager shall determine such appropriate action or provide such terms considering, in each case, the relative interests of each party to such agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable United States generally accepted accounting practices or principles, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at Law or in equity.
(c) Whenever in this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein, the Manager is permitted or required to take any action or to make a decision in its “sole discretion” or “discretion,” with “complete discretion” or under a grant of similar authority or latitude, the Manager shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law and notwithstanding any duty otherwise existing at Law or in equity, have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Company, other Members or any other Person.
(d) Whenever in this Agreement the Manager is permitted or required to take any action or to make a decision in its “good faith” or under another express standard, the Manager shall act under such express standard and, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or duty otherwise, existing at Law or in equity, and, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, so long as the Manager acts in good faith, the resolution, action or terms so made, taken or provided by the
Manager shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or impose liability upon the Manager or any of the Manager’s Affiliates and shall be deemed approved by all Members.
Section 6.09
Investment Company Act
. The Manager shall use its best efforts to ensure that the Company shall not be subject to registration as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act.
Section 6.10
Outside Activities of the Manager
. The Manager shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into or conduct any business or operations, other than in connection with (a) the ownership, acquisition and disposition of Common Units, (b) the management of the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (c) the operation of the Manager as a reporting company with a class (or classes) of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and listed on a securities exchange, (d) the offering, sale, syndication, private placement or public offering of stock, bonds, securities or other interests of the Corporation or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (e) financing or refinancing of any type related to the Corporation or the Company, its Subsidiaries or their assets or activities, (f) treasury and treasury management, (g) stock repurchases, (h) the declaration and payment of distributions or dividends with respect to any class of securities and (i) such activities as are incidental to the foregoing;
provided, however
, that, except as otherwise provided herein, the net proceeds of any financing raised by the Manager pursuant to the preceding clauses (d) and (e) shall be made available to the Company, whether as Capital Contributions, loans or otherwise, as appropriate;
provided
,
further
, that the Manager may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time hold or acquire assets in its own name or otherwise other than through the Company and its Subsidiaries so long as the Manager takes commercially reasonable measures to ensure that the economic benefits and burdens of such assets are otherwise vested in the Company or its Subsidiaries, through assignment, mortgage, loan or otherwise or, if it is not commercially reasonable to vest such economic interests in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Members shall negotiate in good faith to amend this Agreement to reflect such activities and the direct ownership of assets by the Manager. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prohibit the Manager from executing any guarantee of indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
ARTICLE VII.
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS AND MANAGER
Section 7.01
Limitation of Liability and Duties of Members
.
(a) Except as provided in this Agreement or in the Delaware Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company and no Member (including without limitation, the Corporation in its capacity as a member of the Company) shall be obligated personally for any such debts, obligations, contracts or liabilities of the Company solely by reason of being a Member or the Manager. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the failure of the Company to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its business and affairs under this Agreement or the Delaware Act shall not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Members for liabilities of the Company.
(b) In accordance with the Delaware Act and the laws of the State of Delaware, a Member may, under certain circumstances, be required to return amounts previously distributed to such Member. It is the intent of the Members that no Distribution to any Member pursuant to
Articles IV
or
XIV
shall be deemed a return of money or other property paid or distributed in violation of the Delaware Act. The payment of any such money or Distribution of any such property to a Member shall be deemed to be a compromise within the meaning of Section 18-502(b) of the Delaware Act, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any Member receiving any such money or property shall not be required to return any such money or property to the Company or any other Person, unless such distribution was made by the Company to its Members in clerical error. However, if any court of competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Member is obligated to make any such payment, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Member and not of any other Member.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (but subject, and without limitation, to
Section 6.08
with respect to the Manager), to the extent that, at Law or in equity, any Member (other than the Corporation in its capacity as such) (or any Member’s Affiliate or any manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of any Member or of any Affiliate of a Member) has duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Company, to the Manager, to another Member, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Company Interest or to any other Person bound by this Agreement, all such duties (including fiduciary duties) are hereby eliminated, to the fullest extent permitted by law, including Section 18-1101(c) of the Delaware Act, and replaced with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein, if any; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not eliminate the duty to comply with the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The elimination of duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Company, the Manager, each of the Members, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Company Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement and replacement thereof with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein, if any, are approved by the Company, the Manager, each of the Members, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Company Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement.
Section 7.02
Lack of Authority
. No Member, other than the Corporation in its capacity as the Manager or a duly appointed Officer, in each case in its capacity as such, has the authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditure on behalf of the Company. The Members hereby consent to the exercise by the Manager of the powers conferred on them by Law and this Agreement.
Section 7.03
No Right of Partition
. No Member, other than the Manager, shall have the right to seek or obtain partition by court decree or operation of Law of any Company property, or the right to own or use particular or individual assets of the Company.
Section 7.04
Indemnification
.
(a) Subject to
Section 5.06
, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Person (each an “
Indemnified Person
”) to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, substituted or replaced (but, in the case of any such amendment, substitution or replacement only to the extent that such amendment, substitution or replacement permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than the Company is providing immediately prior to such amendment), against all expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Person (or one or more of such Person’s Affiliates) by reason of the fact that such Person is or was a Member or an Affiliate thereof (other than as a result of an ownership interest in the Corporation) or is or was serving as the Manager or a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Manager, or a director, manager, Officer, employee or other agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, officer, director, principal, member, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise;
provided, however
, that no Indemnified Person shall be indemnified for any expenses, liabilities and losses suffered that are attributable to such Indemnified Person’s or its Affiliates’ gross negligence, willful misconduct or knowing violation of Law or for any present or future breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by such Indemnified Person or its Affiliates contained herein or in the other agreements with the Company. Reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by any such Indemnified Person in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding, including any appeal therefrom, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.
(b) The right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred in this
Section 7.04
shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, agreement, bylaw, action by the Manager or otherwise.
(c) The Company shall maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, or substantially equivalent insurance, at its expense, to protect any Indemnified Person (and the investment funds, if any, they
represent) against any expense, liability or loss described in
Section 7.04(a)
whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Indemnified Person against such expense, liability or loss under the provisions of this
Section 7.04
. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to purchase and maintain property, casualty and liability insurance in types and at levels customary for companies of similar size engaged in similar lines of business, as determined in good faith by the Manager, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to purchase directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (including employment practices coverage) with a carrier and in an amount determined necessary or desirable as determined in good faith by the Manager.
(d) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary (including in this
Section 7.04
), the Company agrees that any indemnification and advancement of expenses available to any current or former Indemnified Person from any investment fund that is an Affiliate of the Company, who was appointed to serve as a director of the Company or served as a Member of the Company by virtue of such Person’s service as a member, director, partner or employee of any such fund prior to or following the Effective Time (any such Person, a “
Sponsor Person
”) shall be secondary to the indemnification and advancement of expenses to be provided by the Company pursuant to this
Section 7.04
. Such indemnification and advancement of expenses shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only. No Member (unless such Member otherwise agrees in writing or is found in a non-appealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction to have personal liability on account thereof) shall have personal liability on account thereof or shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions to help satisfy such indemnity of the Company. The Company (i) shall be the primary indemnitor of first resort for such Sponsor Person pursuant to this
Section 7.04
and (ii) shall be fully responsible for the advancement of all expenses and the payment of all damages or liabilities with respect to such Sponsor Person which are addressed by this
Section 7.04
.
(e) If this
Section 7.04
or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person pursuant to this
Section 7.04
to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this
Section 7.04
that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.
(f) From the Effective Time through December 31, 2021, neither the Company nor the Manager shall, and shall not permit their respective Subsidiaries to, amend, repeal or otherwise modify any provision in any such Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation or formation or bylaws or operating agreement relating to the exculpation or indemnification (including fee advancement) of any officers and/or directors (unless required by Law). The Company and the Manager shall cause each Subsidiary to honor and perform under all indemnification obligations owed to any of the individuals who were officers and/or directors of such Subsidiary prior to the Effective Time.
Section 7.05
Members Right to Act
. For matters that require the approval of the Members, the Members shall act through meetings and written consents as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) below:
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Agreement, acts by the Members holding a majority of the Units, voting together as a single class, shall be the acts of the Members. Any Member entitled to vote at a meeting of Members or to express consent or dissent to Company action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for it by proxy. An electronic mail, telegram, telex, cablegram or similar transmission by the Member, or a photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar reproduction of a writing executed by the Member shall (if stated thereon) be treated as a proxy executed in writing for purposes of this
Section 7.05(a)
. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after eleven (11) months from the date thereof, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be revocable unless the proxy form conspicuously states that the proxy is irrevocable and that the proxy is coupled with an interest. Should a proxy designate two or more Persons to act as proxies, unless that instrument shall provide to the contrary, a majority of such Persons present at any meeting at which their powers thereunder are to be exercised shall have and may exercise all the powers of voting or giving consents thereby conferred, or, if only one be present, then such powers may be exercised by that one; or, if an even number attend and a majority do not agree on any particular issue, the Company shall not be required to recognize such proxy with respect to such issue if such proxy does not specify how the votes that are the subject of such proxy are to be voted with respect to such issue.
(b) The actions by the Members permitted hereunder may be taken at a meeting called by the Manager or by the Members holding a majority of the Units entitled to vote on such matter on at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice to the other Members entitled to vote, which notice shall state the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is being called. The actions taken by the Members entitled to vote or consent at any meeting (as opposed to by written consent), however called and noticed, shall be as valid as though taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if (but not until), either before, at or after the meeting, the Members entitled to vote or consent as to whom it was improperly held signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of such meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. The actions by the Members entitled to vote or consent may be taken by vote of the Members entitled to vote or consent at a meeting or by written consent (without the requirement of prior notice), so long as such consent (x) is signed by Members having not less than the minimum number of Units that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and (y) such request for consent in writing was distributed to all Members entitled to vote thereon simultaneously. Prompt notice of the action so taken, which shall state the purpose or purposes for which such consent is required and may be delivered via email, without a meeting shall be given to those Members entitled to vote or consent who have not consented in writing;
provided, however
, that the failure to give any such notice shall not affect the validity of the action taken by such written consent. Any action taken pursuant to such written consent of the Members shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the Members at a meeting thereof.
Section 7.06
Inspection Rights
. The Company shall permit each Member and each of its designated representatives to examine the books and records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries at the principal office of the Company or such other location as the Manager shall reasonably approve during reasonable business hours for any purpose reasonably related to such Member’s Company Interest;
provided
, that Manager has a right to keep confidential from the Members certain information in accordance with Section 18-305 of the Delaware Act.
ARTICLE VIII.
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS, AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Section 8.01
Records and Accounting
. The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, appropriate books and records with respect to the Company’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide any information, lists and copies of documents required pursuant to applicable Laws. Subject to Section 9.01, all matters concerning (a) the determination of the relative amount of allocations and Distributions among the Members pursuant to
Articles IV
and
V
and (b) accounting procedures and determinations, and other determinations not specifically and expressly provided for by the terms of this Agreement, shall be determined by the Manager, whose determination shall be final and conclusive as to all of the Members absent manifest clerical error, gross negligence or bad faith.
Section 8.02
Fiscal Year
. The Fiscal Year of the Company shall be the Taxable Year or such other date as may be established by the Manager.
ARTICLE IX.
TAX MATTERS
Section 9.01
Preparation of Tax Returns
. The Manager shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all tax returns required to be filed by the Company. On or before April 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 of each Fiscal Year, the Company shall send to each Person who was a Member at any time during the prior quarter, an estimate of such Member’s state tax apportionment information and allocations to the Members of taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits for the prior quarter, which estimate shall have been reviewed by the Company’s outside tax accountants. In addition, no later than (i) sixty (60) days following the end of the prior Fiscal Year, the Company shall provide to each Person that was a Member at any time during such Fiscal Year a statement showing an estimate of such Member’s state tax apportionment information and such Member’s estimated allocations of taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits for such Fiscal Year and (ii) two
hundred ten (210) days following the end of the prior Fiscal Year, the Company shall send to each Person who was a Member at any time during such Fiscal Year, a statement showing such Member’s final state tax apportionment information and allocations to the Members of taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits for such Fiscal Year and a completed IRS Schedule K-1. The Company shall notify the Members upon receipt of any notice of any material income tax examination of the Company by federal, state or local authorities. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Corporation shall have the authority to prepare the tax returns of the Company using such permissible methods and elections as it determines in its reasonable discretion, including without limitation the use of any permissible method under Section 706 of the Code for purposes of determining the varying Company Interests of its Members.
Section 9.02
Tax Elections
. The Taxable Year shall end on December 31 of each year, except as otherwise required by applicable law, or such other date as may be established by the Manager and permitted by applicable law. The Company and any eligible Subsidiary shall have in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code and shall not thereafter revoke such election. Each Member will upon request supply any information reasonably necessary to give proper effect to any such elections.
Section 9.03
Composite Returns
. The Company shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that compliance with this Section 9.03 does not create an unreasonable burden on the Company (as determined in good faith by the Manager), offer to prepare a composite tax return for all eligible Members (and their direct or indirect equityholders) in each state, local or other appropriate jurisdiction (as reasonably determined by the Company’s tax advisors) for each tax year in which taxable income is reported in such jurisdiction, (ii) deliver to each Member, simultaneously with the delivery of a Schedule K-1 pursuant to Section 9.02, a statement setting forth (A) each jurisdiction in which the Company intends to make available a composite return, and the amount of tax payments expected to be made by the Company with respect to such Member, and (B) each jurisdiction in which the Company intends to pay applicable withholding taxes, and the expected amount of such withholding taxes in each such jurisdiction, and (iii) cooperate with the Members to maximize the number of jurisdictions in which the Company files composite returns.
Section 9.04
Foreign Filings
. The Company shall take such action as may be necessary to ensure that no Member has any tax filing obligation in any foreign jurisdiction, including, to the extent necessary or advisable (as reasonably determined by the Company tax advisors and consented to by the Pre-IPO Members representing a majority of all Units held by Pre-IPO Members), by forming foreign subsidiaries to hold any foreign assets or operations.
Section 9.05
Tax Controversies
.
(a) With respect to any Tax Year beginning on or before December 31, 2017, the Corporation is hereby designated the Tax Matters Partner of the Company within the meaning given to such term in Section 6231 of the Code (the Corporation, in such capacity, the “
Tax Matters Partner
”) and is authorized and required to represent the Company (at the Company’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Company’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Company funds for professional services reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Each Member agrees to cooperate with the Company and the Corporation and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Company and the Corporation with respect to this
Section 9.05
and the conduct of the proceedings described herein. The Tax Matters Partner shall keep Members reasonably informed of the progress of any material income tax examinations, audits or other proceedings and all Members shall have the right to observe and participate at their sole expense in any such tax proceedings to the extent permitted by applicable law. Nothing set forth in this Agreement shall diminish, limit or restrict the rights of any Member under Subchapter C, Chapter 63, Subtitle F of the Code (Code Sections 6221 et seq.).
(b) With respect to the Tax Year that includes the date of the IPO and any subsequent Tax Year, pursuant to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions, the Corporation shall be designated and may, on behalf of the Company, at any time, and without further notice to or consent from any Member, act as the “partnership representative” of the Company (within the meaning given to such term in Section 6223 of the Code) (the
“
Partnership Representative
”) for purposes of the Code. The Partnership Representative shall have the right and obligation to take all actions authorized and required, respectively, by the Code for the Partnership Representative and is authorized and required to represent the Company (at the Company’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Company’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Company funds for professional services reasonably incurred in connection therewith. In the event of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service (or a state or local taxing authority, as applicable), unless otherwise approved by (i) for so long as Members other than the Corporation hold more than one third (1/3) of the Common Units, Members (other than the Corporation) holding a majority of the Common Units (calculated without taking into account the Common Units held by the Corporation), and (ii) if the Members other than the Corporation do not hold more than one third (1/3) of the Common Units, the Members holding a majority of the Common Units, the Partnership Representative shall make on a timely basis, to the extent permissible under applicable law, the election provided by Section 6226(a) of the Code (and, to the extent available, any corresponding provision of state or local law) to treat a “partnership adjustment” as an adjustment to be taken into account by each Member in accordance with Section 6226(b) of the Code (or a corresponding provision of state or local law, as applicable). If the election under Section 6226(a) of the Code (or a corresponding provision under state or local law, as applicable) is made, the Partnership Representative will furnish to each Member for the year under audit a statement reflecting such Member’s share of the adjusted items as determined in the notice of final partnership adjustment, and each such Member shall take such adjustment into account as required under Section 6226(b) of the Code (or such state or local law, as applicable) and shall be liable for any related tax, interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amounts. Each Member agrees to cooperate with the Company and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Company with respect to the conduct of such proceedings. The Partnership Representative shall keep Members reasonably informed regarding any material income tax proceedings, and the Members shall have the right to observe and participate through representatives of their own choosing (at their sole expense) in any such tax proceedings to the extent permitted by applicable law. Nothing herein shall diminish, limit or restrict the rights of any Member under the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions.
ARTICLE X.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF UNITS; PUBCO OFFER
Section 10.01
Transfers by Members
. No holder of Units shall Transfer any interest in any Units, except Transfers (a) pursuant to and in accordance with
Sections 10.02
and
10.09
or (b) approved in writing by the Manager, in the case of Transfers by any Member other than the Corporation, or (c) in the case of Transfers by the Corporation or any successor to the Corporation in its capacity as a Member, to any Person who succeeds to the Manager in accordance with
Section 6.04
. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Transfer” shall not include an event that terminates the existence of a Member for income tax purposes (including, without limitation, a change in entity classification of a Member under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3, a sale of assets by, or liquidation of, a Member pursuant to an election under Code Sections 336 or 338, or merger, severance, or allocation within a trust or among sub-trusts of a trust that is a Member), but that does not terminate the existence of such Member under applicable state Law (or, in the case of a trust that is a Member, does not terminate the trusteeship of the fiduciaries under such trust with respect to all the Company Interests of such trust that is a Member).
Section 10.02
Permitted Transfers
. The restrictions contained in
Section 10.01
shall not apply to any of the following (each, a “
Permitted Transfer
” and each transferee, a “
Permitted Transferee
”): (i)(A) a Transfer pursuant to a Redemption or Exchange in accordance with
Article XI
hereof or (B) a Transfer by a Member to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) a Transfer by any Member to such Member’s spouse, any lineal ascendants or descendants or trusts or other entities in which such Member or Member’s spouse, lineal ascendants or descendants hold (and continue to hold while such trusts or other entities hold Units) 50% or more of such entity’s beneficial interests, (iii) a Transfer pursuant to the Laws of descent and distribution, (iv) a Transfer to a partner, shareholder, member or Affiliated investment fund of such Member (which may include special purpose investment vehicles wholly owned by one or more Affiliated investment funds but shall not include portfolio companies), (v) any Transfer as shall be necessary to effectuate the Blocker Mergers and (vi) any Transfer as shall be necessary to effectuate the Pre-IPO Exchanges;
provided, however
, that (x) the restrictions contained in this Agreement will continue to apply to Units after any Permitted Transfer of such Units, and (y) in the case of the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi), the Permitted Transferees of the Units so Transferred shall agree in writing to be bound
by the provisions of this Agreement and, except with respect to the Transfers contemplated by the foregoing clauses (v) and (vi), the transferor will deliver a written notice to the Company and the Members, which notice will disclose in reasonable detail the identity of the proposed Permitted Transferee. In the case of a Permitted Transfer of any Common Units by any Member that is authorized to hold Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as the case may be, in accordance with the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with this
Section 10.02
, such Member (or any subsequent Permitted Transferee of such Member) shall be required to also transfer an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as the case may be, corresponding to the proportion of such Member’s (or subsequent Permitted Transferee’s) Common Units that were transferred in the transaction to such Permitted Transferee. All Permitted Transfers are subject to the additional limitations set forth in
Section 10.07(b)
.
Section 10.03
Restricted Units Legend
. The Units have not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, in addition to the other restrictions on Transfer contained in this Agreement, cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is then available. To the extent such Units have been certificated, each certificate evidencing Units and each certificate issued in exchange for or upon the Transfer of any Units (if such securities remain Units as defined herein after such Transfer) shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED ON May 16, 2018, AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SPECIFIED IN THE FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC, AS MAY BE AMENDED AND MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE THE TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED WITH RESPECT TO ANY TRANSFER. A COPY OF SUCH CONDITIONS SHALL BE FURNISHED BY PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE.”
The Company shall imprint such legend on certificates (if any) evidencing Units. The legend set forth above shall be removed from the certificates (if any) evidencing any units which cease to be Units in accordance with the definition thereof.
Section 10.04
Transfer
. Prior to Transferring any Units, the Transferring holder of Units shall cause the prospective Permitted Transferee to be bound by this Agreement and any other agreements executed by the holders of Units and relating to such Units in the aggregate to which the transferor was a party (collectively, the “
Other Agreements
”) by executing and delivering to the Company counterparts of this Agreement and any applicable Other Agreements.
Section 10.05
Assignee’s Rights
.
(a) The Transfer of a Company Interest in accordance with this Agreement shall be effective as of the date of its assignment (assuming compliance with all of the conditions to such Transfer set forth herein), and such Transfer shall be shown on the books and records of the Company. Profits, Losses and other Company items shall be allocated between the Transferor and the Assignee according to Code Section 706, using any permissible method as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Manager. Distributions made before the effective date of such Transfer shall be paid to the Transferor, and Distributions made on or after such date shall be paid to the Assignee.
(b) Unless and until an Assignee becomes a Member pursuant to
Article XII
, the Assignee shall not be entitled to any of the rights granted to a Member hereunder or under applicable Law, other than the rights granted specifically to Assignees pursuant to this Agreement;
provided, however
, that, without relieving the
Transferring Member from any such limitations or obligations as more fully described in
Section 10.06
, such Assignee shall be bound by any limitations and obligations of a Member contained herein that a Member would be bound on account of the Assignee’s Company Interest (including the obligation to make Capital Contributions on account of such Company Interest).
Section 10.06
Assignor’s Rights and Obligations
. Any Member who shall Transfer any Company Interest in a manner in accordance with this Agreement shall cease to be a Member with respect to such Units or other interest and shall no longer have any rights or privileges, or, except as set forth in this
Section 10.06
, duties, liabilities or obligations, of a Member with respect to such Units or other interest (it being understood, however, that the applicable provisions of
Sections 6.08
and
7.04
shall continue to inure to such Person’s benefit), except that unless and until the Assignee (if not already a Member) is admitted as a Substituted Member in accordance with the provisions of
Article XII
(the “
Admission Date
”), (i) such assigning Member shall retain all of the duties, liabilities and obligations of a Member with respect to such Units or other interest, and (ii) the Manager may, in its sole discretion, reinstate all or any portion of the rights and privileges of such Member with respect to such Units or other interest for any period of time prior to the Admission Date. Nothing contained herein shall relieve any Member who Transfers any Units or other interest in the Company from any liability of such Member to the Company with respect to such Company Interest that may exist on the Admission Date or that is otherwise specified in the Delaware Act or for any liability to the Company or any other Person for any materially false statement made by such Member (in its capacity as such) or for any present or future breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by such Member (in its capacity as such) contained herein or in the other agreements with the Company.
Section 10.07
Overriding Provisions
.
(a) Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any Units in violation of this Agreement (including any prohibited indirect Transfers) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, be null and void
ab initio
, and the provisions of
Sections 10.05
and
10.06
shall not apply to any such Transfers. For the avoidance of doubt, any Person to whom a Transfer is made or attempted in violation of this Agreement shall not become a Member, shall not be entitled to vote on any matters coming before the Members and shall not have any other rights in or with respect to any rights of a Member of the Company. The approval of any Transfer in any one or more instances shall not limit or waive the requirement for such approval in any other or future instance. The Manager shall promptly amend the Schedule of Members to reflect any Permitted Transfer pursuant to this
Article X
.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of
Section 10.01
and
Article XI
and
Article XII
), in no event shall any Member Transfer any Units to the extent such Transfer would:
(i) result in the violation of the Securities Act, or any other applicable federal, state or foreign Laws;
(ii) cause an assignment under the Investment Company Act;
(iii) in the reasonable determination of the Manager, be a violation of or a default (or an event that, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in an acceleration of any Credit Agreements which the Company or the Manager is a party;
provided
that (x) the payee or creditor to whom the Company or the Manager owes such obligation is not an Affiliate of the Company or the Manager and (y) such Credit Agreements, individually or in the aggregate, has an aggregate principal amount of loans or revolving commitments then outstanding that is equal to or greater than $20,000,000.00;
(iv) be a Transfer to a Person who is not legally competent or who has not achieved his or her majority of age under applicable Law (excluding trusts for the benefit of minors);
(v) cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” taxed as a corporation pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code or successor provision of the Code; or
(vi) to the extent the Company has one hundred (100) or fewer “partners,” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1), cause the number of partners to exceed one hundred (100), determined pursuant to the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3); or, if the number of partners exceeds one hundred (100) prior to such transfer, materially increase the possibility of the Company becoming a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code (it being understood that a transfer by a Member whose Percentage Interest prior to such transfer is 10% or greater that increases such excess by 2 or fewer shall be deemed not to materially increase such possibility).
Section 10.08
Spousal Consent
. In connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any Member who is a natural person will deliver to the Company an executed consent from such Member’s spouse (if any) in the form of
Exhibit B-1
attached hereto or a Member’s spouse confirmation of separate property in the form of
Exhibit B-2
attached hereto. If, at any time subsequent to the date of this Agreement such Member becomes legally married (whether in the first instance or to a different spouse), such Member shall cause his or her spouse to execute and deliver to the Company a consent in the form of
Exhibit B
attached hereto. Such Member’s non-delivery to the Company of an executed consent in the form of
Exhibit B
at any time shall constitute such Member’s continuing representation and warranty that such Member is not legally married as of such date.
Section 10.09
Tender Offers and Other Events with respect to the Corporation
.
(a) In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid, recapitalization or similar transaction with respect to Class A Common Stock (a “
Pubco Offer
”) is proposed by the Corporation or is proposed to the Corporation or its stockholders and approved by the Corporate Board or is otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of the Corporate Board, the Common Unitholders shall be permitted to participate in such Pubco Offer by delivery of a Redemption Notice (which Redemption Notice shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Pubco Offer (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be contingent upon such Pubco Offer and not be effective if such Pubco Offer is not consummated)). In the case of a Pubco Offer proposed by the Corporation, the Corporation will use its reasonable best efforts expeditiously and in good faith to take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Common Unitholders to participate in such Pubco Offer to the same extent or on an economically equivalent basis as the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock without discrimination; provided, that without limiting the generality of this sentence (and without limiting the ability of any Member holding Common Units to consummate a Redemption at any time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement), the Manager will use its reasonable best efforts expeditiously and in good faith to ensure that such Common Unitholders may participate in such Pubco Offer without being required to have their Common Units and shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as the case may be, redeemed (or, if so required, to ensure that any such redemption shall be effective only upon, and shall be conditional upon, the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Pubco Offer). For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall Common Unitholders be entitled to receive in such Pubco Offer aggregate consideration for each Common Unit that is greater than the consideration payable in respect of each share of Class A Common Stock in connection with a Pubco Offer (it being understood that payments under or in respect of the Tax Receivable Agreement shall not be considered part of any such consideration).
(b) The Corporation shall send written notice to the Company and the Common Unitholders at least thirty (30) days prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Pubco Offer notifying them of their rights pursuant to this
Section 10.09
, and setting forth (i) a copy of the written proposal or agreement pursuant to which the Pubco Offer will be effected, (ii) the consideration payable in connection therewith, (iii) the terms and conditions of transfer and payment and (iv) the date and location of and procedures for selling Common Units. In the event that the information set forth in such notice changes from that set forth in the initial notice, a subsequent notice shall be delivered by the Corporation no less than seven (7) days prior to the closing of the Pubco Offer.
ARTICLE XI.
REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE RIGHTS
Section 11.01
Redemption Right of a Member
.
(a) Each Member (other than the Corporation) shall be entitled to cause the Company to redeem (a “
Redemption
”) its Common Units (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Common Units that are subject to vesting conditions or rights of repurchase or risk of forfeiture, or are subject to Transfer limitations pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement) in whole or in part (the “
Redemption Right
”) from time to time following the waiver or expiration of any contractual lock-up period relating to the shares of the Corporation that may be applicable to such Member. A Member desiring to exercise its Redemption Right (each, a “
Redeeming Member
”) shall exercise such right by giving written notice (the “
Redemption Notice
”) to the Company with a copy to the Corporation, which Redemption Notice may be submitted on any Business Day that is not during a Black-Out Period (if applicable to such Redeeming Member), if (A) the applicable Redemption is in connection with a Permitted Redemption Event or (B) the Company meets the requirements of the Private Placement Safe Harbor (each of (A) and (B), an “
Unrestricted Redemption
”), or, in any case other than an Unrestricted Redemption, during the Quarterly Exchange Notice Period preceding the desired Redemption Date. The Redemption Notice shall specify the number of Common Units (subject, in the case of a Redemption that is not an Unrestricted Redemption, to the Minimum Exchange Requirement, it being understood that a Member may specify in its Redemption Notice a number of Common Units in excess of the Minimum Exchange Requirement) (the “
Redeemed Units
”) that the Redeeming Member intends to have the Company redeem and either (X) with respect to any Unrestricted Redemption, a date not less than three (3) Business Days nor more than ten (10) Business Days after the delivery of such Redemption Notice (unless, and to the extent, that the Manager in its sole discretion agrees in writing to waive such time periods), or (Y) in any other case, the Quarterly Exchange Date, which date in each case shall be the date on which the exercise of the Redemption Right shall be completed (as applicable, the “
Redemption Date
”);
provided,
that solely with respect to Unrestricted Redemptions, the Company, the Corporation and the Redeeming Member may change the number of Redeemed Units and/or the Redemption Date specified in such Redemption Notice to another number and/or date by mutual agreement signed in writing by each of them;
provided
,
further
, that the Company and the Corporation shall not be required to comply with a Redemption Notice delivered in connection with a Redemption that is not an Unrestricted Redemption if such Redemption Notice does not comply with the Minimum Exchange Requirement (and such Redemption Notice shall be deemed null and void
ab initio
and ineffective with respect to the Redemption specified therein);
provided, further
, that any Redemption that is an Unrestricted Redemption may be conditioned (including as to timing) by the Redeeming Member (in the Redeeming Member’s sole discretion) on (i) the Corporation and/or the Redeeming Member having entered into a valid and binding agreement with a third party for the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued in connection with such proposed Redemption (whether in a tender or exchange offer, private sale or otherwise) and such agreement is subject to customary closing conditions for agreements of this kind and the delivery of the Class A Common Stock by the Corporation or the Redeeming Member, as applicable, to such third party, (ii) the closing of an announced merger, consolidation or other transaction or event in which the shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued in connection with such proposed Redemption would be exchanged or converted or become exchangeable or convertible into cash or other securities or property and/or (iii) the closing of an underwritten distribution of the shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued in connection with such proposed Redemption;
provided, further
, that if the Corporation closes an underwritten distribution of the shares of Class A Common Stock and the Members (other than, or in addition to, the Corporation) were entitled to resell shares of Class A Common Stock in connection therewith (by the exercise by such Members of the Redemption Right in connection with a Share Settlement or otherwise) (a “
Secondary Offering
”), then, except as provided in the following proviso, the immediately succeeding Quarterly Exchange Date shall be automatically cancelled and of no force or effect (and no Member shall be entitled to exercise its Redemption Right or deliver a Quarterly Exchange Date Notice with respect to a Redemption that is not an Unrestricted Redemption in respect of such Quarterly Exchange Date);
provided
,
further
,
however
, that the next Quarterly Exchange Date in the Tax Year ending December 31, 2018 shall not automatically be cancelled if there have been, in the aggregate, no more than three Quarterly Exchange Dates and Secondary Offerings in such Tax Year;
provided
,
further
that the Company may effect a Redemption if the Manager determines (in its sole and absolute discretion), after consultation with its legal counsel and tax advisors, that such Redemption, together with any other Redemptions that have occurred or are expected to occur, would not be reasonably likely to result in the Company being treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement, (a) for so long as the Company does not meet the requirements of
the Private Placement Safe Harbor, any such Secondary Offering (other than that pursuant to which all Redemptions are Unrestricted Redemptions) shall only be undertaken if, during the applicable Tax Year, the total number of Quarterly Exchange Dates and prior Secondary Offerings (other than any pursuant to which all Redemptions are Unrestricted Redemptions) on which Redemptions occur is three (3) or fewer and (b) the Company and the Corporation shall not be deemed to have failed to comply with their respective obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement if a Secondary Offering cannot be undertaken due to the restriction set forth in the preceding clause (a). Subject to
Section 11.03
and unless the Redeeming Member timely has delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in
Section 11.01(c)
or
Section 11.01(e)
or has revoked or delayed a Redemption as provided in
Section 11.01(d)
, on the Redemption Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date):
(i) the Redeeming Member shall transfer and surrender, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances (x) the Redeemed Units to the Company, and (y) a number of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as the case may be, equal to the number of Redeemed Units to the Corporation to the extent applicable;
(ii) the Company shall (x) cancel the Redeemed Units, (y) transfer to the Redeeming Member the consideration to which the Redeeming Member is entitled under
Section 11.01(b)
, and (z) if the Units are certificated, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of Common Units equal to the difference (if any) between the number of Common Units evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member pursuant to clause (i) of this
Section 11.01(a)
and the Redeemed Units; and
(iii) the Corporation shall cancel for no consideration the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as the case may be (and the Corporation shall take all actions necessary to retire such shares transferred to the Corporation and such shares shall not be re-issued by the Corporation) upon a transfer of such shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as the case may be, that were Transferred pursuant to
Section 11.01(a)(i)(y)
above.
(b) In exercising its Redemption Right, a Redeeming Member shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, be entitled to receive the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement;
provided,
that the Corporation shall have the option as provided in
Section 11.02
and subject to
Section 11.01(f)
to select whether the redemption payment is made by means of a Share Settlement or a Cash Settlement. Within three (3) Business Days of delivery of the Redemption Notice, the Corporation shall give written notice (the “
Contribution Notice
”) to the Company (with a copy to the Redeeming Member) of its intended settlement method;
provided
, that if the Corporation does not timely deliver a Contribution Notice, the Corporation shall be deemed to have elected the Share Settlement method (subject to the limitations set forth above).
(c) In the event the Corporation elects the Cash Settlement in connection with a Redemption that is an Unrestricted Redemption, the Redeeming Member may retract its Redemption Notice with respect to such Redemption by giving written notice (the “
Retraction Notice
”) to the Company (with a copy to the Corporation) within three (3) Business Days of delivery of the Contribution Notice. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice under this
Section 11.01(c)
shall terminate all of the Redeeming Member’s, Company’s and the Corporation’s rights and obligations under this
Section 11.01
arising from the Redemption Notice.
(d) In the event the Corporation elects a Share Settlement in connection with a Redemption that is an Unrestricted Redemption, a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to revoke its Redemption Notice by delivering a Retraction Notice to the Company (with a copy to the Corporation) or delay the consummation of such Redemption by giving written notice to the Company (with a copy to the Corporation), in either case, within three (3) Business Days of delivery of the Contribution Notice (or, if the Corporation does not timely deliver a Contribution Notice, within three (3) Business Days after the delivery period therefor shall have lapsed), if any of the following conditions exists:
(i) any registration statement pursuant to which the resale of the Class A Common Stock to be registered for such Redeeming Member at or immediately following the consummation of the
Redemption shall have ceased to be effective pursuant to any action or inaction by the SEC or no such resale registration statement has yet become effective;
(ii) the Corporation shall have failed to cause any related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement necessary to effect such Redemption;
(iii) the Corporation shall have exercised its right to defer, delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a registration statement and such deferral, delay or suspension shall affect the ability of such Redeeming Member to have its Class A Common Stock registered at or immediately following the consummation of the Redemption;
(iv) the Corporation shall have disclosed in good faith to such Redeeming Member any material non-public information concerning the Corporation, the receipt of which results in such Redeeming Member being prohibited or restricted from selling Class A Common Stock at or immediately following the Redemption without disclosure of such information (and the Corporation does not permit disclosure);
(v) any stop order relating to the registration statement pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock was to be registered by such Redeeming Member at or immediately following the Redemption shall have been issued by the SEC;
(vi) there shall have occurred a material disruption in the securities markets generally or in the market or markets in which the Class A Common Stock is then traded;
(vii) there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any Governmental Entity that restrains or prohibits the Redemption;
(viii) the Corporation shall have failed to comply in all material respects with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, and such failure shall have affected the ability of such Redeeming Member to consummate the resale of Class A Common Stock to be received upon such redemption pursuant to an effective registration statement; or
(ix) the Redemption Date would occur three (3) Business Days or less prior to, or during, a Black-Out Period;
If a Redeeming Member delays the consummation of a Redemption pursuant to this
Section 11.01(d)
, the Redemption Date shall occur on the fifth (5
th
) Business Day following the date on which the conditions giving rise to such delay cease to exist (or such earlier day as the Corporation, the Company and such Redeeming Member may agree in writing).
(e) Subject to the last two sentences of this
Section 11.01(e)
, if, in the case of a Redemption that is not an Unrestricted Redemption, the Common Unit Redemption Price on a date (determined treating such date as Redemption Date) decreases by more than 10% following the delivery of a Redemption Notice by a Redeeming Member, such Redeeming Member may revoke its Redemption Notice by delivering a Retraction Notice to the Company (with a copy to the Corporation) no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Redemption Date. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice under this
Section 11.01(e)
shall terminate all of the Redeeming Member’s, Company’s and the Corporation’s rights and obligations under this
Section 11.01
arising from the Redemption Notice. A Redeeming Member may only revoke a Redemption under this
Section 11.01(e)
once in every twelve (12)-month period (and any additional Retraction Notice delivered by a Redeeming Member within such twelve-month period shall be deemed null and void
ab initio
and ineffective with respect to the revocation of the Redemption specified therein). A Redeeming Member who revokes a Redemption under this
Section 11.01(e)
may not participate in the Redemption to occur on the next Quarterly Exchange Date immediately following the Quarterly Exchange Date with respect to which the Retraction Notice pertains.
(f) The number of shares of Class A Common Stock or the Redeemed Units Equivalent that a Redeeming Member is entitled to receive under
Section 11.01(b)
(whether through a Share Settlement or Cash Settlement) shall not be adjusted on account of any Distributions previously made with respect to the Redeemed Units or dividends previously paid with respect to Class A Common Stock;
provided, however
, that if a Redeeming Member causes the Company to redeem Redeemed Units and the Redemption Date occurs subsequent to the record date for any Distribution with respect to the Redeemed Units but prior to payment of such Distribution, the Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive such Distribution with respect to the Redeemed Units on the date that it is made notwithstanding that the Redeeming Member transferred and surrendered the Redeemed Units to the Company prior to such date;
provided
,
further
,
however
, that a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive any and all Tax Distributions that such Redeeming Member otherwise would have received in respect of income allocated to such Member for the portion of any Fiscal Year irrespective of whether such Tax Distribution(s) are declared or made after the Redemption Date.
(g) In the case of a Share Settlement, in the event of a reclassification or other similar transaction as a result of which the shares of Class A Common Stock are converted into another security, then in exercising its Redemption Right a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security that the Redeeming Member would have received if such Redemption Right had been exercised and the Redemption Date had occurred immediately prior to the record date of such reclassification or other similar transaction.
Section 11.02
Election and Contribution of the Corporation
. In connection with the exercise of a Redeeming Member’s Redemption Rights under
Section 11.01(a)
, the Corporation shall contribute to the Company the consideration the Redeeming Member is entitled to receive under
Section 11.01(b)
. The Corporation, at its option, subject to the succeeding sentence and to the limitations set forth in
Section 11.01(b)
, shall determine whether to contribute, pursuant to
Section 11.01(b)
, the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement. The Corporation’s election to contribute pursuant to the Cash Settlement shall be made by a majority of the Corporate Board, excluding Mr. Aaron Skonnard. Unless the Redeeming Member has timely delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in
Section 11.01(c)
,
(d)
or
(e)
, or has delayed a Redemption as provided in
Section 11.01(d)
, on the Redemption Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date) (i) the Corporation shall make its Capital Contribution to the Company (in the form of the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement) required under this
Section 11.02
, and (ii) in the event of a Share Settlement, the Company shall issue to the Corporation a number of Common Units equal to the number of Redeemed Units surrendered by the Redeeming Member. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Corporation elects a Cash Settlement, the Corporation shall only be obligated to contribute to the Company an amount in respect of such Cash Settlement equal to the net proceeds (after deduction of any Discounts) from the sale by the Corporation of a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Redeemed Units to be redeemed with such Cash Settlement, which in no event shall exceed the amount paid by the Company to the Redeeming Member as Cash Settlement;
provided
, that (i) the Discount shall be an expense of the Company as described in
Section 6.06
and (ii) for the avoidance of doubt, if the Cash Settlement to which the Redeeming Member is entitled exceeds the amount that is contributed to the Company by the Corporation, the Company shall still be required to pay the Redeeming Member the full amount of the Cash Settlement. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice shall terminate all of the Company’s and the Corporation’s rights and obligations under this
Section 11.02
arising from the Redemption Notice.
Section 11.03
Exchange Right of the Corporation
.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Article XI
(save for the limitations set forth in
Section 11.01(b)
regarding the option to select the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, and without limitation to the rights of the Members under
Section 11.01
,
including the right to revoke a Redemption Notice), the Corporation may, in its sole and absolute discretion (subject to the limitations set forth on such discretion in
Section 11.01(b)
), elect to effect on the Redemption Date the exchange of Redeemed Units for the Share Settlement or Cash Settlement, as the case may be, through a direct exchange of such Redeemed Units and such consideration between the Redeeming Member and the Corporation (a “
Direct Exchange
”). Upon such Direct Exchange pursuant to this
Section 11.03(b)
, the Corporation shall acquire the Redeemed Units and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Units.
(b) The Corporation may, at any time prior to a Redemption Date, deliver written notice (an “
Exchange Election Notice
”) to the Company and the Redeeming Member setting forth its election to exercise its right to consummate a Direct Exchange;
provided
, that such election is subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 11.01(b)
and does not prejudice the ability of the parties to consummate a Redemption or Direct Exchange on the Redemption Date. An Exchange Election Notice may be revoked by the Corporation at any time;
provided
, that any such revocation does not prejudice the ability of the parties to consummate a Redemption or Direct Exchange on the Redemption Date. The right to consummate a Direct Exchange in all events shall be exercisable for all the Redeemed Units that would have otherwise been subject to a Redemption.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by this
Section 11.03
, a Direct Exchange shall be consummated pursuant to the same timeframe as the relevant Redemption would have been consummated if the Corporation had not delivered an Exchange Election Notice and as follows:
(i) the Redeeming Member shall transfer and surrender, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances (x) the Redeemed Units, and (y) a number of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as the case may be, equal to the number of Redeemed Units, to the extent applicable, in each case, to the Corporation;
(ii) the Corporation shall (x) pay to the Redeeming Member the consideration to which the Redeeming Member is entitled under
Section 11.01(b)
, and (y) cancel for no consideration the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as the case may be, (and the Corporation shall take all actions necessary to retire such shares transferred to the Corporation and such shares shall not be re-issued by the Corporation) upon a transfer of such shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as the case may be, that were Transferred pursuant to
Section 11.03(c)(i)(y)
above; and
(iii) the Company shall (x) register the Corporation as the owner of the Redeemed Units and (y) if the Units are certificated, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of Common Units equal to the difference (if any) between the number of Common Units evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member pursuant to
Section 11.03(c)(i)(x)
and the Redeemed Units, and issue to the Corporation a certificate for the number of Redeemed Units.
Section 11.04
Reservation of shares of Class A Common Stock; Listing; Certificate of the Corporation
. At all times the Corporation shall reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon a Redemption or Direct Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be issuable upon any such Redemption or Direct Exchange pursuant to Share Settlements;
provided
that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of any such Redemption or Direct Exchange by delivery of purchased Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of the Corporation) or the delivery of cash pursuant to a Cash Settlement. The Corporation shall deliver Class A Common Stock that has been registered under the Securities Act with respect to any Redemption or Direct Exchange to the extent a registration statement is effective and available for such shares. The Corporation shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to list the Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon any such Redemption or Direct Exchange prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange upon which the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock are listed at the time of such Redemption or Direct Exchange (it being understood that any such shares may be subject to transfer restrictions under applicable securities Laws). The Corporation covenants that all Class A Common Stock issued upon a Redemption or Direct Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The provisions of this
Article XI
shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with the corresponding provisions of the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation.
Section 11.05
Effect of Exercise of Redemption or Exchange Right
. This Agreement shall continue notwithstanding the consummation of a Redemption or Direct Exchange and all governance or other rights set forth herein shall be exercised by the remaining Members and the Redeeming Member (to the extent of such Redeeming Member’s remaining interest in the Company). No Redemption or Direct Exchange shall relieve such Redeeming Member of any prior breach of this Agreement.
Section 11.06
Tax Treatment
. Unless otherwise required by applicable Law, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree a Redemption or a Direct Exchange, as the case may be, shall be treated as a direct exchange between the Corporation and the Redeeming Member for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes.
ARTICLE XII.
ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
Section 12.01
Substituted Members
. Subject to the provisions of
Article X
hereof, in connection with the Permitted Transfer of a Company Interest hereunder, the Permitted Transferee shall be admitted as a Substituted Member on the effective date of such Transfer, which effective date shall not be earlier than the date of compliance with the conditions to such Transfer, and such admission shall be shown on the books and records of the Company, including the Schedule of Members.
Section 12.02
Additional Members
. Subject to the provisions of
Article X
hereof, any Person that is not a Member as of the Effective Time may be admitted to the Company as an additional Member (any such Person, an “
Additional Member
”) only upon furnishing to the Manager (a) duly executed Joinder and counterparts to any applicable Other Agreements and (b) such other documents or instruments as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to effect such Person’s admission as a Member (including entering into such documents as may reasonably be requested by the Manager). Such admission shall become effective on the date on which the Manager determines in its sole discretion that such conditions have been satisfied and when any such admission is shown on the books and records of the Company, including the Schedule of Members.
ARTICLE XIII.
RESIGNATION; TERMINATION OF RIGHTS
Section 13.01
Resignation of Members
. Except in the event of Transfers pursuant to
Section 10.06
, no Member shall have the power or right to resign as a Member from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to
Article XIV
. Any Member, however, that attempts to resign as a Member from the Company without the prior written consent of the Manager upon or following the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to
Article XIV
, but prior to such Member receiving the full amount of Distributions from the Company to which such Member is entitled pursuant to
Article XIV
, shall be liable to the Company for all damages (including all lost profits and special, indirect and consequential damages) directly or indirectly caused by the resignation of such Member. Upon a Transfer of all of a Member’s Units in a Transfer permitted by this Agreement, subject to the provisions of
Section 10.06
, such Member shall cease to be a Member.
ARTICLE XIV.
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Section 14.01
Dissolution
. The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substituted Members or the attempted removal, dissolution, bankruptcy or resignation of a Member. The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon:
(a) the decision of the Manager together with holders of a majority of the Common Units entitled to vote then outstanding to dissolve the Company (excluding for purposes of such calculation the Corporation and all Common Units held directly or indirectly by the Corporation);
(b) such time that there are no members of the Company, unless the Company is continued in accordance with the Delaware Act; or
(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act.
Except as otherwise set forth in this
Article XIV
, the Company is intended to have perpetual existence. An Event of Withdrawal shall not in and of itself cause a dissolution of the Company and the Company shall continue in existence subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section 14.02
Winding up and Termination
. Subject to
Section 14.05
, on dissolution of the Company, the Manager shall act as liquidating trustee or may appoint one or more Persons as liquidating trustee (each such Person, a “
liquidator
”). The liquidators shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Delaware Act. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as a Company expense. Until final distribution, the liquidators shall continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority of the Manager. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidators are as follows:
(a) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final liquidation, the liquidators shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Company’s assets, liabilities and operations through the last day of the calendar month in which the dissolution occurs or the final liquidation is completed, as applicable;
(b) the liquidators shall pay, satisfy or discharge from Company funds, or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including, without limitation, the establishment of a cash fund for contingent, conditional and unmatured liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidators may reasonably determine) all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company; and
(c) all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members in accordance with
Article IV
by the end of the Taxable Year during which the liquidation of the Company occurs (or, if later, by ninety (90) days after the date of the liquidation).
The distribution of cash and/or property to the Members in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 14.02
and
Section 14.03
below constitutes a complete return to the Members of their Capital Contributions, a complete distribution to the Members of their interest in the Company and all the Company’s property and constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of the Delaware Act. To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds.
Section 14.03
Deferment; Distribution in Kind
. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 14.02
, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if upon dissolution of the Company the liquidators determine that an immediate sale of part or all of the Company’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss (or would otherwise not be beneficial) to the Members, the liquidators may, in their sole discretion, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy Company liabilities (other than loans to the Company by Members) and reserves. Subject to the order of priorities set forth in
Section 14.02
, the liquidators may, in their sole discretion, distribute to the Members, in lieu of cash, either (a) all or any portion of such remaining Company assets in-kind in accordance with the provisions of
Section 14.02(c)
, (b) as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of
Section 14.02(c)
, undivided interests in all or any portion of such Company assets or (c) a combination of the foregoing. Any such Distributions in kind shall be subject to (y) such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such assets as the liquidators deem reasonable and equitable and (z) the terms and conditions of any agreements governing such assets (or the operation thereof or the holders thereof) at such time. Any Company assets distributed in kind will first be written up or down to their Fair Market Value, thus creating Profit or Loss (if any), which shall be allocated in accordance with
Article V
. The liquidators shall determine the Fair Market Value of any property distributed in accordance with the valuation procedures set forth in
Article XV
.
Section 14.04
Cancellation of Certificate
. On completion of the winding up of the Company as provided herein, the Manager (or such other Person or Persons as the Delaware Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to this Agreement that are or should be canceled and take such other actions as may be necessary to
terminate the Company. The Company shall continue in existence for all purposes of this Agreement until it is terminated pursuant to this
Section 14.04
.
Section 14.05
Reasonable Time for Winding Up
. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to
Sections 14.02
and
14.03
in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.
Section 14.06
Return of Capital
. The liquidators shall not be personally liable for the return of Capital Contributions or any portion thereof to the Members (it being understood that any such return shall be made solely from Company assets).
ARTICLE XV.
VALUATION
Section 15.01
Determination
. “
Fair Market Value
” of a specific Company asset will mean the amount which the Company would receive in an all-cash sale of such asset in an arms-length transaction with a willing unaffiliated third party, with neither party having any compulsion to buy or sell, consummated on the day immediately preceding the date on which the event occurred which necessitated the determination of the Fair Market Value (and after giving effect to any transfer taxes payable in connection with such sale), as such amount is determined by the Manager (or, if pursuant to
Section 14.02
, the liquidators) in its (or, if applicable, the liquidators) good faith judgment using all factors, information and data it (or, if applicable, the liquidators) deems to be pertinent.
Section 15.02
Dispute Resolution
. If any Member or Members dispute the accuracy of any determination of Fair Market Value in accordance with
Section 15.01
, and the Manager and such Member(s) are unable to agree on the determination of the Fair Market Value of any asset of the Company, the Manager and such Member(s) shall each select a nationally recognized investment banking firm experienced in valuing securities of closely-held companies such as the Company in the Company’s industry (the “
Appraisers
”), who shall each determine the Fair Market Value of the asset or the Company (as applicable) in accordance with the provisions of
Section 15.01
. The Appraisers shall be instructed to give written notice of their determination of the Fair Market Value of the asset or the Company (as applicable) within thirty (30) days of their appointment as Appraisers. If Fair Market Value as determined by an Appraiser is higher than Fair Market Value as determined by the other Appraiser by 10% or more, and the Manager and such Member (s) do not otherwise agree on a Fair Market Value, the original Appraisers shall designate a third Appraiser meeting the same criteria used to select the original two. If Fair Market Value as determined by an Appraiser is within 10% of the Fair Market Value as determined by the other Appraiser (but not identical), and the Manager and such Member(s) do not otherwise agree on a Fair Market Value, the Manager shall select the Fair Market Value of one of the Appraisers. The fees and expenses of the Appraisers shall be borne by the Company.
ARTICLE XVI.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 16.01
Power of Attorney
.
(a) Each Member who is a natural person hereby constitutes and appoints the Manager (or the liquidator, if applicable) with full power of substitution, as his or her true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his or her name, place and stead, to:
(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) this Agreement, all certificates and other instruments and all amendments thereof which the Manager deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify, or continue the qualification of, the Company as a limited liability company in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or own
property; (B) all instruments which the Manager deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (C) all conveyances and other instruments or documents which the Manager deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including a certificate of cancellation; and (D) all instruments relating to the admission, substitution or withdrawal of any Member pursuant to
Article XII
or
XIII
; and
(ii) sign, execute, swear to and acknowledge all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments appropriate or necessary, in the reasonable judgment of the Manager, to evidence, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action which is made or given by the Members hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in the reasonable judgment of the Manager, to effectuate the terms of this Agreement.
(b) The foregoing power of attorney is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, and shall survive the death, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or termination of any Member and the transfer of all or any portion of his or her Company Interest and shall extend to such Member’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives.
Section 16.02
Confidentiality
.
(a) Each of the Members agrees to hold the Company’s Confidential Information in confidence and may not disclose such information except as otherwise authorized separately in writing by the Manager. “
Confidential Information
” as used herein includes all information concerning the Company or its Subsidiaries in the possession of or furnished to any Member, including but not limited to, ideas, financial product structuring, business strategies, innovations and materials, all aspects of the Company’s business plan, proposed operation and products, corporate structure, financial and organizational information, analyses, proposed partners, software code and system and product designs, employees and their identities, equity ownership, the methods and means by which the Company plans to conduct its business, all trade secrets, trademarks, tradenames and all intellectual property associated with the Company’s business. With respect to each Member, Confidential Information does not include information or material that: (a) is rightfully in the possession of such Member at the time of disclosure by the Company; (b) before or after it has been disclosed to such Member by the Company, becomes part of public knowledge, not as a result of any action or inaction of such Member in violation of this Agreement; (c) is approved for release by written authorization of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company or of the Corporation, or any other officer designated by the Manager; (d) is disclosed to such Member or their representatives by a third party not, to the knowledge of such Member in violation of any obligation of confidentiality owed to the Company with respect to such information; or (e) is or becomes independently developed by such Member or their respective representatives without use or reference to the Confidential Information.
(b) Each of the Members may disclose Confidential Information to its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, counsel, advisers, consultants, outside contractors and other agents, on the condition that such Persons keep the Confidential Information confidential to the same extent as such disclosing party is required to keep the Confidential Information confidential, solely to the extent it is reasonably necessary or appropriate to fulfill its obligations or to exercise its rights under this Agreement;
provided
, that the disclosing party shall remain liable with respect to any breach of this
Section 16.02
by any such Subsidiaries, Affiliates, partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, counsel, advisers, consultants, outside contractors and other agents.
(c) Notwithstanding
Section 16.02(a)
or
Section 16.02(b)
, each of the Members may disclose Confidential Information (i) to the extent that such party is legally compelled (by oral questions, interrogatories, request for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any of the Confidential Information, (ii) for purposes of reporting to its stockholders and direct and indirect equity holders the performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries and for purposes of including applicable information in its financial statements to the extent required by applicable Law or applicable accounting standards; (iii) to any bona fide prospective purchaser of the equity or assets of a Member, or the Common Units held by such Member, or a
prospective merger partner of such Member (
provided
, that (i) such Persons will be informed by such Member of the confidential nature of such information and shall agree in writing to keep such information confidential in accordance with the contents of this Agreement and (ii) each Member will be liable for any breaches of this
Section 16.02
by any such Persons), or (iv) to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable Law. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, nothing in this
Section 16.02
will restrict in any manner the ability of the Corporation to comply with its disclosure obligations under Law, and the extent to which any Confidential Information is necessary or desirable to disclose.
Section 16.03
Amendments
. This Agreement may be amended or modified upon the consent of the Manager and, if the Corporation is not the sole Member of the Company, a majority of the Common Units entitled to vote then outstanding (excluding for purposes of such all Common Units held directly or indirectly by the Corporation). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification:
(a) to this
Section 16.03
may be made without the prior written consent of the Manager and each of the Members;
(b) to any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement which terms and conditions expressly require the approval or action of certain Persons may be made without obtaining the consent of the requisite number or specified percentage of such Persons who are entitled to approve or take action on such matter;
(c) to any of the terms and conditions of
Article VI
(and related definitions as used directly or indirectly therein) may be made without the prior written consent of the Manager; and
(d) to any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement which would (A) reduce the amounts distributable to a Member pursuant to
Articles IV
and
XIV
in a manner that is not
pro rata
with respect to all Members, (B) increase the liabilities of such Member hereunder, (C) otherwise materially and adversely affect a holder of Units in a manner materially different than any other holder of Units of the same class or series (other than amendments, modifications and waivers necessary to implement the provisions of
Article XII
) or (D) materially and adversely affect the rights of any Member under
Article XI
, shall be effective against such affected Member or holder of Units, as the case may be, without the prior written consent of such Member or holder of Units, as the case may be.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Manager may make any amendment (i) of an administrative nature that is necessary in order to implement or effectuate the substantive provisions hereof (including, without limitation, the last proviso of the third to last sentence of
Section 11.01(a)
), without the consent of any other Member;
provided
, that any such amendment does not adversely change the rights of the Members hereunder in any respect, or (ii) to reflect any changes to the Class A Common Stock.
Section 16.04
Title to Company Assets
. Company assets shall be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Member, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Company assets or any portion thereof. The Company shall hold title to all of its property in the name of the Company and not in the name of any Member. All Company assets shall be recorded as the property of the Company on its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Company assets is held. The Company’s credit and assets shall be used solely for the benefit of the Company, and no asset of the Company shall be transferred or encumbered for, or in payment of, any individual obligation of any Member.
Section 16.05
Addresses and Notices
. Any notice, request, demand or instruction specified or permitted by this Agreement will be in writing and will be either personally delivered, or received by certified mail, return receipt requested, or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the Company or by electronic mail at the address set forth below and to any other recipient and to any Member at such address as indicated by the Company’s records, or at such address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder when delivered personally or sent by telecopier (
provided
confirmation of transmission is received), three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one (1) day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier service or if sent by electronic mail,
upon confirmed receipt. Whenever any notice is required to be given by Law or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof signed by the Person entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated at which such notice is required to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
To the Company:
Pluralsight Holdings, LLC
182 North Union Avenue
Farmington, Utah 84025
|
|
Attn:
|
Aaron Skonnard and Matthew Forkner
|
with a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, California 94304-1050
Facsimile: (650) 493-6811
Section 16.06
Binding Effect; Intended Beneficiaries
. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
Section 16.07
Creditors
. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and no creditor who makes a loan to the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in Company Profits, Losses, Distributions, capital or property other than as a secured creditor.
Section 16.08
Waiver
. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
Section 16.09
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which will be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement binding on all the parties hereto.
Section 16.10
Applicable Law
. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Any suit, dispute, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement shall be heard in the state or federal courts of the State of Delaware, and the parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such suit, action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid therein. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE SERVED ON ANY PARTY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHETHER WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT (INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT) AND SHALL HAVE THE SAME LEGAL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IF SERVED UPON SUCH PARTY PERSONALLY WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS REFERRED TO IN
SECTION 16.05
(INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A
VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT), TOGETHER WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH SERVICE TO SUCH PARTY, SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY.
Section 16.11
Severability
. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
Section 16.12
Further Action
. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
Section 16.13
Delivery by Electronic Transmission
. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement or contemplated hereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of an electronic transmission, including by a facsimile machine or via email, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of electronic transmission by a facsimile machine or via email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through such electronic transmission as a defense to the formation of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.
Section 16.14
Right of Offset
. Whenever the Company is to pay any sum (other than pursuant to
Article IV
) to any Member, any amounts that such Member owes to the Company which are not the subject of a good faith dispute may be deducted from that sum before payment. For the avoidance of doubt, the distribution of Units to the Corporation shall not be subject to this
Section 16.14
.
Section 16.15
Entire Agreement
. This Agreement, those documents expressly referred to herein (including the Registration Rights Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement), any indemnity agreements entered into in connection with the Current LLC Agreement with any member of the board of directors at that time and other documents of even date herewith embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way. For the avoidance of doubt, the Current LLC Agreement is superseded by this Agreement as of the Effective Time and shall be of no further force and effect thereafter.
Section 16.16
Remedies
. Each Member shall have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such Person has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Person has under any Law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement or any other agreements contemplated hereby shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by Law.
Section 16.17
Descriptive Headings; Interpretation
. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation. Reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, no amendment or other modification to any agreement, document or instrument
that requires the consent of any Person pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement will be given effect hereunder unless such Person has consented in writing to such amendment or modification. Wherever required by the context, references to a Fiscal Year shall refer to a portion thereof. The use of the words “or,” “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 16.18
Approval of Agreement
. By signing below, each of the signatories to this Agreement (a) approves and authorizes this Agreement and agrees that the Current LLC Agreement is, and shall be deemed, amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth in this Agreement, (b) approves, authorizes and consents to the issuance of (i) Class A Common Stock by the Corporation in the IPO, (ii) Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock by the Corporation to the Company and the Distribution thereof by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and (iii) Common Units to the Corporation pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement and (c) waives any preemptive rights arising under
Section 8.2
of the Current LLC Agreement with respect to the issuance of any of the foregoing.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
ACADIA FAMILY TRUST
By:
/s/ Brett Barlow
Name:
Brett Barlow
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
ACADIA FAMILY TRUST
By:
/s/ Mariah Barlow
Name:
Mariah Barlow
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Anita Grantham
By:
/s/ Anita Grantham
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
JAMES BARTLEY GRANTHAM & ANITA MARIE GRANTHEM JOINT REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
By:
/s/ James Bartley Grantham
Name:
James Bartley Grantham
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
DAVID L BALTER 2015 TRUST
By:
/s/ Dave Balter
Name:
Dave Balter
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Brandon Warburton
By:
/s/ Brandon Warburton
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
David Adsit
By:
/s/ David Adsit
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Stan Hansen
By:
/s/ Stan Hansen
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Benson Metcalf
By:
/s/ Benson Metcalf
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
ONSTARTUPS LLC
By:
/s/ Dharmesh Shah
Name:
Dharmesh Shah
Title:
Managing Member
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Jody Bailey
By:
/s/ Jody Bailey
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Aaron Patterson
By:
/s/ Aaron Patterson
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Chad Sollis
By:
/s/ Chad Sollis
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Amber Van Horn
By:
/s/ Amber Van Horn
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Leslie Pfrang
By:
/s/ Leslie Pfrang
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Ed Roman
By:
/s/ Ed Roman
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
IVP CIF II (PS SPLITTER), LP
By:
/s/ Blair Flicker
Name:
Blair Flicker
Title:
Authorized Signatory
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Shikhar Ghosh
By:
/s/ Shikhar Ghosh
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
SKONNARD CONSULTING, INC
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard
Name:
Aaron Skonnard
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
SKONNARD FAMILY GRAT 2018
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard
Name:
Aaron Skonnard
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
SKONNARD FAMILY GRAT 2021
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard
Name:
Aaron Skonnard
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
AARON & MONICA SKONNARD RECOVABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard
Name:
Aaron Skonnard
Title:
Trustee
By:
/s/ Monica Skonnard
Name:
Monica Skonnard
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Aaron Skonnard
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Arne Duncan
By:
/s/ Arne Duncan
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Brad Rencher
By:
/s/ Brad Rencher
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
CENTERPRINE LLC
By:
/s/ Brad Rencher
Name:
Brad Rencher
Title:
Manager
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Nathan S. Burt
By:
/s/ Nathan S. Burt
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Gary Crittenden
By:
/s/ Gary Crittenden
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
BEAR MOUNTAIN RANCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:
/s/ Gary Crittenden
Name:
Gary Crittenden
Title:
Managing Member
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Budge Family Trust
By:
/s/ James Budge
Name:
James Budge
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
James Budge
By:
/s/ James Budge
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Timothy I. Maudlin
By:
/s/ Timothy I. Maudlin
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
JANICE K. MAUDLIN REVOCABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Timothy I. Maudlin
Name:
Timothy I. Maudlin
Title:
Trustee
By:
/s/ Janice K. Maudlin
Name:
Janice K. Maudlin
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
TIMOTHY I. MAUDLIN REVOCABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Timothy I. Maudlin
Name:
Timothy I. Maudlin
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
KAREN A. TERRELL LIVING TRUST
By:
/s/ Karenann Terrell
Name:
Karenann Terrell
Title:
Chief Technology and Digital Officer GSK
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Karenann Terrell
By:
/s/ Karenann Terrell
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Michael Featherstone
By:
/s/ Michael Featherstone
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
ISP MAIN FUND PS LLC
By:
/s/ Kevin Foster
Name:
Kevin Foster
Title:
Authorized Signatory
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
ICONIQ STRATEGIC PARTNERS CO-INVEST, L.P (SERIES PS)
By: ICONIQ Strategic Partners GP, L.P., its General Partner
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|
By:
|
ICONIQ Strategic Partners TT GP, Ltd., its General Partner
|
By:
/s/ Kevin Foster
Name:
Kevin Foster
Title:
Authorized Signatory
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Mark Hansen
By:
/s/ Mark Hansen
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
THE ROSS IRREVOCABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Jeffrey Ross
Name:
Jeffrey Ross
Title:
Investment Trustee
By:
/s/ Taryn Ross
Name:
Tarynn Ross
Title:
Investment Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
AREO VENTURES, LLC
By:
/s/ Scott Dorsey
Name:
Scott Dorsey
Title:
Manager
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Scott Dorsey
By:
/s/ Scott Dorsey
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
James M. Cooper
By:
/s/ James M. Cooper
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
THE WOODWARD IRRECOVABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Bruce G. Woodward
Name:
Bruce G. Woodward
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Steven R. Woolley
By:
/s/ Steven R. Woolley
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Nate Walkingshaw
By:
/s/ Nate Walkingshaw
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
TRUE NORD TRUST
By:
/s/ Stephen M. Sargent
Name:
Stephen M. Sargent
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Joe DiBartolomeo
By:
/s/ Joe DiBartolomeo
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Peter Lehrman
By:
/s/ Peter Lehrman
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
ONION CONSULTING, INC.
By:
/s/ Frederick Onion
Name:
Frederick Onion
Title:
President
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Heather Zynczak
By:
/s/ Heather Zynczak
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Shane Johnson
By:
/s/ Shane Johnson
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Brandon Peay
By:
/s/ Brandon Peay
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
Adam Patch
By:
/s/ Adam Patch
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
FREDERICK A. ONION REVOCABLE TRUST
By:
/s/ Frederick Onion
Name:
Frederick Onion
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to 4th Amended and Restated LLCA]
Exhibit A
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
This JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of __________, 20__ (this “
Joinder
”), is delivered pursuant to that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of [•], 2018 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “
LLC Agreement
”) by and among Pluralsight Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “
Company
”), Pluralsight, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the manager of the Company (“
Holdings
”), and each of the Members from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the LLC Agreement.
1.
Joinder to the LLC Agreement
. Upon the execution of this Joinder by the undersigned and delivery hereof to Holdings, the undersigned hereby is and hereafter will be a Member under the LLC Agreement and a party thereto, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a Member thereunder. The undersigned hereby agrees that it shall comply with and be fully bound by the terms of the LLC Agreement as if it had been a signatory thereto as of the date thereof.
2.
Incorporation by Reference
. All terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in this Joinder as if set forth herein in full.
3.
Address
. All notices under the LLC Agreement to the undersigned shall be directed to:
[Name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Attn:
Facsimile:
E-mail:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Joinder as of the day and year first above written.
[NAME OF NEW MEMBER]
By:
Name:
Title:
Acknowledged and agreed
as of the date first set forth above:
PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC
By: PLURALSIGHT, INC., its Manager
By:
Name:
Title:
Exhibit B‑1
FORM OF AGREEMENT AND CONSENT OF SPOUSE
The undersigned spouse of _____________ (the “
Member
”), a party to that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of [•], 2018 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “
Agreement
”) of Pluralsight Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “
Company
”), by and among Pluralsight, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the manager of the Company (“
Holdings
”), and each of the Members from time to time party thereto (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the Agreement), acknowledges on her own behalf that:
I have read the Agreement and understand its contents. I acknowledge and understand that under the Agreement, any interest I may have, community property or otherwise, in the Units owned by the Member is subject to the terms of the Agreement which include certain restrictions on transfer.
I hereby consent to and approve the Agreement. I agree that said Units and any interest I may have, community property or otherwise, in such Units are subject to the provisions of the Agreement and that I will take no action at any time to hinder operation of the Agreement on said Units or any interest I may have, community property or otherwise, in said Units.
I hereby acknowledge that the meaning and legal consequences of the Agreement have been explained fully to me and are understood by me, and that I am signing this Agreement and consent without any duress and of free will.
Dated:
[NAME OF SPOUSE]
By:
Name:
Exhibit B‑2
FORM OF SPOUSE’S CONFIRMATION OF SEPARATE PROPERTY
The undersigned spouse of ____________ (the “
Member
”), a party to that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of [•], 2018 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “
Agreement
”) of Pluralsight Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “
Company
”), by and among Pluralsight, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the manager of the Company (“
Holdings
”), and each of the Members from time to time party thereto (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the Agreement), acknowledges and confirms on his or her own behalf that the Units owned by said Member are the sole and separate property of said Member, and I hereby disclaim any interest in same.
I hereby acknowledge that the meaning and legal consequences of this Member’s spouse’s confirmation of separate property have been fully explained to me and are understood by me, and that I am signing this Member’s spouse’s confirmation of separate property without any duress and of free will.
Dated:
[NAME OF SPOUSE]
By:
Name:
Exhibit 10.3
AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
May 16, 2018
among
Pluralsight, Inc.
and each of the other signatories hereto
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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Section 1. Definitions
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Section 2. Required Registration
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Section 3. Piggyback Registration
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Section 4. Registrations on Form S-3
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Section 5. Preparation and Filing
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Section 6. Expenses
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Section 7. Indemnification
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Section 8. Underwriting Agreement
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Section 9. Information by Holder
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Section 10. Delay of Registration
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Section 11. Exchange Act Compliance
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Section 12. No Conflict of Rights; Future Rights
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Section 13. Termination
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Section 14. Benefits of Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries
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Section 15. Assignment
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Section 16. Entire Agreement
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Section 17. Notices
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Section 18. Modifications; Amendments; Waivers
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Section 19. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures
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Section 20. Headings
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Section 21. Governing Law
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Section 22. Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction
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Section 23. Severability
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Section 24. Acknowledgement
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 16, 2018 (the “
Agreement
”) among (i)
PLURALSIGHT, INC.
, a Delaware corporation (and any successor Person, collectively, the “
Company
”) and (ii) the
INVESTORS
(as herein defined).
WHEREAS
,
pursuant to that certain Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement, dated October ___, 2014, Pluralsight, LLC assigned to Pluralsight Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“
Holdings
”) all of its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2012, among Pluralsight, LLC and the Investors (the “
Prior Agreement
”).
WHEREAS
, in connection with the proposed IPO of the Company’s Class A common stock, the Company, Holdings, and certain other parties thereto are entering into various Reorganization Transactions (as defined in the Reorganization Agreement).
WHEREAS
, the Company, Holdings, and the Investors deem it to be in their respective best interests to set forth their rights in connection with public offerings and to amend and restate the Prior Agreement into this Agreement in connection with the Reorganization Transactions contemplated by the IPO.
NOW, THEREFORE
, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants and obligations hereinafter set forth, each of the parties hereto hereby amends and restates the Prior Agreement in its entirety and otherwise agrees as follows:
Section 1.
Definitions
.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings. Unless the context otherwise requires, the singular shall include the plural and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter, and vice versa, and the word “or” shall be inclusive.
“
Affiliate
” means, with respect to any Person, any (a) manager, director, officer, limited or general partner, member or stockholder holding 5% or more of the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of such Person, (b) any spouse, parent, sibling or descendant of such Person (or a spouse, parent, sibling or descendant of a Person specified in clause (a) above relating to such Person) and (c) other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” includes, without limitation, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting interests, by contract or otherwise.
“
Agreement
” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“
Board
” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“
Commission
” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
“
Common Stock
” means the Class A common stock of the Company (or any successor of the Company by combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or other reorganization) and any stock into which any such Class A common stock shall have been changed or any stock resulting from any reclassification of any such Class A common stock.
“
Company
” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“
Demand Registration
” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(a).
“
Exchange Act
” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
“
Excluded Registration
” means (i) a registration relating to the sale of securities to employees of the Company or a subsidiary pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase or similar plan; (ii) a registration relating to an SEC Rule 145 transaction; or (iii) a registration in which the only Securities being registered are Securities issuable upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered.
“
FINRA
” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
“
Free Writing Prospectus
” means a free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“
Investors
” means holders of Registrable Shares identified under the heading “Investors” on
Annex I
hereto and includes any successor to, or assignee or transferee of, any such Person who or which agrees in writing to be treated as an Investor hereunder and to be bound by the terms and comply with all applicable provisions hereof
“
IPO
” shall mean the first commitment underwritten public offering and sale of equity securities of the Company pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act.
“
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus
” means an issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 133 under the Securities Act.
“
LLC Agreement
” means the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Holdings, in effect as of the date hereof, as the same may be amended, modified, or supplemented after the date hereof.
“
Members
” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the LLC Agreement.
“
Organizational Documents
” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws.
“
Other Shares
” means at any time those shares of Common Stock which do not constitute Primary Shares or Registrable Shares hereunder.
“
Person
” shall be construed in the broadest sense and means and includes a natural person, a partnership, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a limited liability company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and any other entity and any federal, state, municipal, foreign or other government, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, or any private or public court or tribunal.
“
Primary Shares
” means at any time authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock.
“
Registrable Shares
” means (i) shares of Common Stock held by Investors including any Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion or exchange of other securities of the Company or its subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with a Share Settlement (as defined, and subject to the limitations set forth in, the LLC Agreement)) and (ii) any equity securities of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of dividend, distribution, split or combination of securities, or any recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization; provided, however, that any particular Registrable Shares shall cease to be Registrable Shares when (x) they have been registered for sale under the Securities Act, the registration statement in connection therewith has been declared effective and they have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement, (y) they have been sold in compliance with Rule 144 following the consummation of the IPO, or (z) they are able to be sold under Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule) in any and all three-month periods without volume limitations or other restrictions.
“
Reorganization Agreement
” means that certain Reorganization Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement, by and between the Company, Holdings and certain Members as specified therein.
“
Requisite Investors
” means Investors holding at least a majority of all Registrable Shares then outstanding.
“
Rule 144
” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto or any complementary rule thereto (such as Rule 144A).
“
Securities
” means, with respect to any Person, all equity interests of such Person, all securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity interests of such Person, and all options, warrants, and other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire from such Person equity interests, including any equity appreciation or similar rights, contractual or otherwise.
“
Securities Act
” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
“
Units
” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.
Section 2.
Required Registration
.
(a) If the Requisite Investors shall deliver to the Company a written request that the Company effect the registration of Registrable Shares under the Securities Act (a “
Demand Registration
”), the Company shall promptly use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of such Registrable Shares.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Section 2
to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to effect any registration under the Securities Act except in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) The Company shall not be obligated to file and cause to become effective more than two (2) registration statements initiated pursuant to
Section 2(a)
above on Form S-1 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor form thereto).
(ii) The Company may delay the filing or effectiveness of any registration statement for a period of up to 60 days after the date of a request for registration pursuant to
Section 2(a)
if at the time of such request: (X) the Company is engaged, or has fixed plans to engage within 30 days of the time of such request, in a firm commitment underwritten public offering of Primary Shares in which the holders of Registrable Shares have been or will be permitted to include all the Registrable Shares so requested to be registered pursuant to
Section 3
or (Y) the Board reasonably determines that such registration and offering would interfere with any material transaction involving the Company;
provided
,
however
, that the Company shall only be entitled to invoke its rights under this
Section 2(b)(ii)
one time per consecutive 12 month period the duration of this Agreement.
(iii) With respect to any registration pursuant to this
Section 2
, the Company shall give notice of such registration, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 3
hereunder, to the Investors who do not request registration hereunder and the Company may include in such registration any Registrable Shares, Primary Shares or Other Shares;
provided
,
however
, that if the managing underwriter advises the Company that the inclusion of all Registrable Shares, Primary Shares, and/or Other Shares proposed to be included in such registration would interfere with the successful marketing (including pricing) of the Registrable Shares proposed to be included in such registration, then the number of Registrable Shares, Primary Shares, and/or Other Shares proposed to be included in such registration shall be included in the following order:
(A) first, the Registrable Shares (or, if necessary, such Registrable Shares pro rata among the holders thereof based upon the number of Registrable Shares requested to be registered by each such holder);
(B) second, the Primary Shares; and
(C) third, the Other Shares.
(iv) If the Requisite Investors so elect, the offering of such Registrable Shares pursuant to such registration shall be in the form of an underwritten offering. The holders of Registrable Shares requesting such registration shall select one or more nationally recognized firms of investment bankers reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as the lead managing underwriter or underwriters in connection with such offering.
(v) At any time before the registration statement covering such Registrable Shares becomes effective, the Requisite Investors may request the Company to withdraw or not to file the registration statement. In that event, unless such request of withdrawal was caused by, or made in response to, (i) a material adverse effect or a similar event related to the business, properties, condition, or operations of the Company not known (without imputing the knowledge of any other Person to such holders) by the holders initiating such request at the time their request was made, (ii) due to pricing conditions which in the good faith judgment of the Requisite Investors are adverse, or (iii) other material facts not known to such holders at the time their request was made, the holders shall be deemed to have used their registration rights under
Section 2(a)
. In addition, in the event that the registration statement covering such Registrable Shares is not declared effective within
120 days from the date of first filing with the Commission, the holders shall not be deemed to have used one of their registration rights pursuant to
Section 2(a)
.
(vi) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause any registration effected in accordance with this
Section 2
to remain effective for at least 60 days following the date upon which such registration becomes effective.
Section 3.
Piggyback Registration
.
If the Company at any time proposes for any reason to register Primary Shares or Other Shares under the Securities Act (other than an Excluded Registration), it shall give written notice to the Investors of its intention to so register such Primary Shares or Other Shares at least 30 days before the initial filing of the registration statement related thereto and, upon the request, delivered to the Company within 15 days after delivery of any such notice by the Company, of the Investors to include in such registration Registrable Shares (which request shall specify the number of Registrable Shares proposed to be included in such registration), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Shares to be included in such registration on the same terms and conditions as the securities otherwise being sold in such registration;
provided
,
however
, that if the managing underwriter advises the Company that the inclusion of all Registrable Shares requested to be included in such registration would interfere with the successful marketing (including pricing) of the Primary Shares or Other Shares proposed to be registered by the Company, then the number of Primary Shares, Registrable Shares, and Other Shares proposed to be included in such registration shall be included in the following order:
(A) first, the Primary Shares;
(B) second, the Registrable Shares (pro rata among the holders thereof based on the number of Registrable Shares requested to be registered by such holder); and
(C) third, the Other Shares.
Section 4.
Registrations on Form S-3
.
Anything contained in
Section 2
to the contrary notwithstanding, at such time as the Company shall have qualified for the use of Form S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor form thereto, the holders of Registrable Shares shall have the right to request up to one (1) registration per calendar year during the duration of this Agreement of Registrable Shares on Form S-3 (which may, at such holders’ request, be shelf registrations pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act) or its successor form, which request or requests shall (i) specify the number of Registrable Shares intended to be sold or disposed of and the holders thereof and (ii) relate to Registrable Shares having an aggregate offering price of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000). A requested registration on Form S-3 (or its successor form) in compliance with this
Section 4
shall not count as a registration statement initiated pursuant to
Section 2(a)
for purposes of the registration request limitation set forth under
Section 2(a
), but shall otherwise be treated as a registration initiated pursuant to
Section 2(b)
and shall be subject to the provisions thereof (including
Section 2(b)(iii))
.
Section 5.
Preparation and Filing
.
(a) If and whenever the Company is under an obligation pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement to effect the registration of any Registrable Shares, the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably practicable:
(i) use its reasonable best efforts to cause a registration statement that registers such Registrable Shares to become and remain effective until the first to occur of (A) the date upon which all of such Registrable Shares have been disposed of, and (B) the later of (x) ninety (90) days past the effective date of such registration statement or (y) to the extent that the applicable holder of such Registrable Shares is restricted or limited in its ability to sell all of its Registrable Shares within such ninety (90) day period under applicable securities laws, the date on which such restrictions or limitations are no longer applicable to such holder;
(ii) furnish, at least five business days before filing a registration statement that registers such Registrable Shares, a prospectus relating thereto or any amendments or supplements relating to such a registration statement or prospectus, to one counsel selected by the Requisite Investors (the “
Investors’ Counsel
”), copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as the Investors whose Registrable Shares are to be covered by such registration statement may reasonably propose and shall not file any such document to which the Investors object in writing, unless in the judgment of the Company such filing is necessary to comply with applicable law;
(iii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective during the period set forth in
Section 5(a)(i)
above and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Shares;
(iv) notify in writing the Investors’ Counsel (i) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to any comments by the Commission with respect to such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing thereof or for additional information with respect thereto, (ii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose, and (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of such Registrable Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purposes;
(v) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Shares under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the holders of Registrable Shares reasonably request and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Investors to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Shares owned by the Investors;
provided
,
however
, that the Company will not be required to qualify to do business, subject itself to general taxation or consent to service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to do so but for this Agreement;
(vi) furnish to the Investors such number of copies of a summary prospectus, if any, or other prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such Investors may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of such Registrable Shares;
(vii) notify the Investors holding such Registrable Shares on a timely basis at any time when a prospectus relating to such Registrable Shares or any document related thereto includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing and, at the request of the Investors prepare and furnish to such Investors a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the offerees of such shares, such prospectus shall not include an 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 not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
(viii) make available upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, for inspection by any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the underwriter (collectively, the “
Inspectors
”), all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent documents, and properties of the Company (collectively, the “
Records
”), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, managers, and employees to supply all information (together with the Records, the “
Information
”) reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such registration statement. Any of the Information which the Company determines to be confidential, and of which determination the
Inspectors are so notified, shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (A) the disclosure of such Information is necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement or omission in the registration statement, (B) the release of such Information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court or governmental agency or authority of competent jurisdiction, (C) such Information has been made generally available to the public through no breach of the nondisclosure obligations of the Inspectors or their Affiliates, or (D) such disclosure is required to be made under applicable law;
(ix) use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of an order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, and if one is issued, use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement at the earliest possible moment;
(x) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain from its independent certified public accountants “cold comfort” letters in customary form and at customary times and covering matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters;
(xi) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain from its counsel an opinion or opinions in customary form;
(xii) enter into such customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement in customary form, including customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities) and take such action as the underwriters may reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Shares;
(xiii) provide a transfer agent and registrar (which may be the same entity and which may be the Company) for such Registrable Shares;
(xiv) permit any selling equity holder that might reasonably be deemed a controlling Person of the Company to participate in the preparation of a registration statement;
(xv) promptly issue to any underwriter to which the Investors holding such Registrable Shares may sell shares in such offering certificates evidencing such Registrable Shares;
(xvi) in connection with an underwritten offering, participate, to the extent reasonably requested by the managing underwriter for the offering or the Investors selling Registrable Shares in the offering, in customary efforts to sell Registrable Shares being offered, and cause such steps to be taken to ensure good faith participation of senior management officers of the Company in due diligence meetings and “road shows” as is customary;
(xvii) use its reasonable best efforts to qualify such Registrable Shares for inclusion on the automated quotation system of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or such other national securities exchange on which any shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, or, if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted, use reasonable best efforts to list such Registrable Shares on a national securities exchange as the holders of a majority of such Registrable Shares shall reasonably request;
(xviii) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and make available to its securityholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, earnings statements covering a period of 12 months beginning within three months after the effective date of the subject registration statement; and
(xix) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of such Registrable Shares contemplated hereby.
(b) Each holder of the Registrable Shares, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of any event of the kind described in
Section 5(a)(vii)
hereof, shall forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registrable Shares pursuant
to the registration statement covering such Registrable Shares until such holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by
Section 5(a)(vii)
hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such holder shall deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such holder’s possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Shares at the time of receipt of such notice.
(c) The Company shall not permit any officer, director, manager, underwriter, broker or any other Person acting on behalf of the Company to use any Free Writing Prospectus in connection with the registration statement covering Registrable Shares, without the prior written consent of the Requisite Investors, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Any consent to the use of a Free Writing Prospectus included in an underwriting agreement to which the Investors are parties shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement of such consent.
Section 6.
Expenses
.
All expenses incurred by the Company and the Investors, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, in complying with its obligations pursuant to this Agreement and in connection with the registration and disposition of Registrable Shares, including, without limitation, (a) all registration and filing fees, and any other fees and expenses associated with filing fees, and any other fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with any stock exchange, the Commission and FINRA (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel as may be required by the rules and regulations of FINRA); (b) all fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters or the Investors in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the Registrable Shares and determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the managing underwriters may designate); (c) all printing and related messenger and delivery expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Shares in a form eligible for deposit with The Depositary Trust Company) and of printing prospectuses, all fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance); (d) Securities Act liability insurance if the Company so desires or the underwriters so require; (e) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of Registrable Shares on any securities exchange and all rating agency fees; (f) all reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the holders of Registrable Shares to represent such Persons in connection with such registration (including such fees and disbursements incurred in connection with any registration or qualification of Registrable Shares under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any state); (g) all fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by an issuer, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, related to the disposition by the Investors of Registrable Shares; and (h) reasonable fees and expenses of outside counsel and advisors to the Company, will be borne by the Company, regardless of whether a registration statement becomes effective.
Section 7.
Indemnification
.
(a) To the extent permitted by law, in connection with any registration of any Registrable Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the holders of Registrable Shares, each of such holder’s officers, directors, employees, equityholders, members, partners, and advisors, and their respective Affiliates, each underwriter, broker or any other person acting on behalf of the holders of Registrable Shares and each other Person, if any, who controls any of the foregoing Persons within the meaning of the Securities Act against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or actions joint or several (or actions in respect thereof), to which any of the foregoing persons may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement under which such Registrable Shares were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or final prospectus contained therein or otherwise filed with the Commission, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document incident to registration or qualification of any Registrable Shares, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or, with respect to any prospectus, necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or state securities or blue sky laws applicable to the Company or relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection
with such registration or qualification under such state securities or blue sky laws; and shall promptly reimburse such Persons for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action;
provided
,
however
, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action (including any legal or other expenses incurred) arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in said registration statement, preliminary prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, final prospectus, amendment, supplement or document incident to registration or qualification of any Registrable Shares in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the holders of Registrable Shares specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
(b) To the extent permitted by law, in connection with any registration of Registrable Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, each holder of Registrable Shares shall severally (based on the percentage of the securities included in such registration that were owned by such holder) and not jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in
Section 7(a))
the Company, each director or manager of the Company, each officer of the Company who shall sign such registration statement, each underwriter, broker or other person acting on behalf of the holders of Registrable Shares and each person who controls any of the foregoing persons within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any statement or omission from such registration statement, any preliminary prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or otherwise filed with the Commission, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document incident to registration or qualification of any Registrable Shares, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or such underwriter by such holder of Registrable Shares specifically for use in connection with the preparation of such registration statement, preliminary prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, final prospectus, amendment, supplement or document;
provided
,
however
, that the maximum amount of liability in respect of such indemnification shall be limited, in the case of each holder of Registrable Shares, to an amount equal to the net proceeds actually received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Shares effected pursuant to such registration.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of any action involving a claim referred to in this
Section 7
, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such action. The failure of any indemnified party to notify an indemnifying party of any such action shall not (unless such failure shall have a material adverse effect on the indemnifying party) relieve the indemnifying party from any liability in respect of such action that it may have to such indemnified party hereunder. In case any such action is brought against an indemnified party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof;
provided
,
however
, that if any indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified party which are additional to or conflict with those available to the indemnifying party, or that such claim or litigation involves or could have an effect upon matters beyond the scope of the indemnity agreement provided hereunder, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party (but shall have the right to participate therein with counsel of its choice) and such indemnifying party shall reimburse such indemnified party and any Person controlling such indemnified party for that portion of the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the indemnified party which is reasonably related to the matters covered by the indemnity agreement provided hereunder. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding affected without its prior written consent. If the indemnifying party is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim, it will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel with respect to such claim.
(d) If the indemnification provided for hereunder is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amounts paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on
the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant hereto were determined by
pro
rata
allocation or by any other method or allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to herein. No indemnifying party shall be required to contribute pursuant to this
Section 7(d)
if there has been a settlement of any proceeding effected without its prior written consent. No person guilty or liable of fraudulent misrepresentation shall be entitled to contribution from any person.
Section 8.
Underwriting Agreement
.
(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that in connection with a proposed sale of Registrable Shares which have been registered with the Commission pursuant to this Agreement, the holders of Registrable Shares shall enter into an underwriting agreement or similar agreement that contains customary provisions covering one or more issues addressed in such Sections of this Agreement, the provisions contained in such Sections of this Agreement addressing such issue or issues shall be of no force or effect with respect to such registration, but this provision shall not apply to the Company if the Company is not a party to the underwriting agreement or similar agreement.
(b) In connection with any proposed sale through an underwritten offering of Registrable Shares which have been registered with the Commission pursuant to this Agreement through an underwritten offering, the Company shall negotiate in good faith and enter into a reasonable and customary underwriting agreement with the underwriters thereof on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Requisite Investors. The Company shall be entitled to receive customary indemnities from lead underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers and similar security industry professionals participating in the distribution, to the same extent as provided above with respect to the information so furnished in writing by such Persons specifically for inclusion in any prospectus or registration statement.
Section 9.
Information by Holder
.
The Investors shall furnish to the Company such written information regarding the Investors and the distribution proposed by any Investors as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with any registration referred to in this Agreement.
Section 10.
Delay of Registration
.
No Investor shall have any right to obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any such registration as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement.
Section 11.
Exchange Act Compliance
.
The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to comply with all of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to it and shall use reasonable best efforts to comply with all other public information reporting requirements of the Commission which are conditions to the availability of Rule 144. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors in supplying such information as may be necessary for the Investors to complete and file any information reporting forms presently or hereafter required by the Commission as a condition to the availability of Rule 144. In addition, the Company shall cooperate with the Investors in providing for the delivery of any legal opinions (including paying the reasonable legal costs of obtaining such opinion) or other documents necessary or otherwise requested of the Investors by the Company or its transfer agent in order to have legends removed or otherwise effect sales pursuant to Rule 144.
Section 12.
No Conflict of Rights; Future Rights
.
The Company shall not, after the date hereof, without the prior written consent of the Requisite Investors, grant any registration or other rights which conflict with, or are senior to or pari passu with, or impair the rights granted to the Investors hereby. If at any time following the date hereof, the Company shall grant to any present or future equityholder of the Company rights to in any manner cause or participate in any registration statement of the Company that, in the judgment of the Investors, are superior to or conflict with, or are senior to or pari passu with, the rights granted to the Investors hereby, such grant shall be null, void and
ultra
vires.
Section 13.
Termination
.
This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect when each Investor no longer holds any Registrable Shares. Each Investor’s rights as set forth in this Agreement will terminate at such time as such Investor no longer holds any Registrable Shares.
Section 14.
Benefits of Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries
.
Except as provided herein, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Company, the Investors and subject to
Section 15
, the respective successors and assigns of the Company and the Investors. Holdings is an intended third party beneficiary of the agreements of the parties contained in
Section 24
.
Section 15.
Assignment
.
Each Investor may assign its rights hereunder to any affiliate or third party to whom such Investor transfers Registrable Shares or Units in accordance with the Company’s Organizational Documents and the LLC Agreement;
provided
,
however
, that such purchaser or transferee shall, as a condition to the effectiveness of such assignment, be required to execute a counterpart to this Agreement agreeing to be treated as an Investor whereupon such third party shall have the benefits of, and shall be subject to the restrictions contained in, this Agreement as if such purchaser or transferee was originally included in the definition of an Investor herein and had originally been a party hereto. The Company may not assign any rights hereunder without the consent of the Investors.
Section 16.
Entire Agreement
.
This Agreement, and the other writings referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto (including, without limitation, the LLC Agreement), contain the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous arrangements or understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect thereto.
Section 17.
Notices
.
All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to any party shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person or sent by telecopy, nationally-recognized overnight courier or first class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to such party at the address set forth below or such other address as may hereafter be designated in writing by such party to the other parties:
(i) if to the Company, to:
Pluralsight, Inc.
182 North Union Avenue
Farmington, Utah 84025
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, California 94304-1050
|
|
Attn:
|
Rezwan Pavri, Esq. and Allison B. Spinner, Esq.
|
Facsimile: (650) 493-6811
(ii) if to the Investors, to their respective addresses set forth on
Annex I
hereto.
All such notices, requests, consents, and other communications shall be deemed to have been delivered (a) in the case of personal delivery or delivery by telecopy, on the date of such delivery, (b) in the case of dispatch by nationally-recognized overnight courier, on the next business day following such dispatch, (c) in the case of mailing, on the third business day after the posting thereof, and (d) in the case of facsimile or email, on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 PM on a business day in the place of receipt.
Section 18.
Modifications; Amendments; Waivers
.
The terms and provisions of this Agreement may not be modified or amended except pursuant to a writing signed by the Company and Investors holding at least a majority of all Registrable Shares then outstanding. Any waiver of any provision of this Agreement requested by any party hereto must be granted in advance, in writing by the party granting such waiver;
provided
,
however
, that the holders of a majority of all then outstanding Registrable Shares may grant a waiver on behalf of all Investors.
Section 19.
Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures
.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.
Section 20.
Headings
.
The headings of the various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.
Section 21.
Governing Law
.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
Section 22.
Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction
.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts located in the State of Delaware or the Delaware Court of Chancery for the purpose of adjudicating any dispute arising hereunder. Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court any objection to such jurisdiction, whether on the grounds of hardship, inconvenient forum or otherwise. Each party further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such party’s respective address set forth in
Section 17
shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this
Section 22
.
Section 23.
Severability
.
It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the law and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, in the event that any provision of this Agreement would be held in any jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 24.
Acknowledgement
.
By signing below, each of the signatories to this Agreement agrees that the Prior Agreement is, and shall be deemed, amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth in this Agreement.
* * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, the parties hereto have executed this Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement on the date first written above.
COMPANY
PLURALSIGHT, INC.
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard__________________
Name:
Aaron Skonnard____________________
Title:
Chief Executive Officer______________
[Pluralsight, Inc. Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
INVESTORS
INSIGHT VENTURE PARTNERS VII, L.P.
|
|
By:
|
Insight Venture Associates VII, L.P.,
its General Partner
|
|
|
By:
|
Insight Venture Associates VII, Ltd.,
its General Partner
|
By:
/s/ Blair M. Flicker___________________
Name:
Blair M. Flicker___________________
Title:
Authorized Officer__________________
INSIGHT VENTURE PARTNERS VII
(CO-INVESTORS), L.P.
|
|
By:
|
Insight Venture Associates VII, L.P.,
its General Partner
|
|
|
By:
|
Insight Venture Associates VII, Ltd.,
its General Partner
|
By:
/s/ Blair M. Flicker___________________
Name:
Blair M. Flicker___________________
Title:
Authorized Officer__________________
IVP CIF II (AIP A), L.P.
|
|
By:
|
Insight Venture Associates Coinvestment II, L.P.,
its General Partner
|
|
|
By:
|
Insight Holdings Group, LLC,
its General Partner
|
By:
/s/ Blair M. Flicker___________________
Name:
Blair M. Flicker___________________
Title:
Authorized Signatory_________________
IVP CIF II (AIP B), L.P.
|
|
By:
|
Insight Venture Associates Coinvestment II, L.P.,
its General Partner
|
|
|
By:
|
Insight Holdings Group, LLC,
its General Partner
|
[Pluralsight, Inc. Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
By:
/s/ Blair M. Flicker___________________
Name:
Blair M. Flicker___________________
Title:
Authorized Signatory_________________
INSIGHT VENTURE PARTNERS (DELAWARE) VII, L.P.
By: Insight Venture Associates VII, L.P.,
its General Partner
By: Insight Venture Associates VII, Ltd.,
its General Partner
By:
/s/ Blair M. Flicker___________________
Name:
Blair M. Flicker___________________
Title:
Authorized Officer__________________
INSIGHT VENTURE PARTNERS (CAYMAN) VII, L.P.
By: Insight Venture Associates VII, L.P.,
its General Partner
By: Insight Venture Associates VII, Ltd.,
its General Partner
By:
/s/ Blair M. Flicker___________________
Name:
Blair M. Flicker___________________
Title:
Authorized Officer__________________
IVP CIF II (PS SPLITTER), L.P.
By: Insight Venture Associates Coinvestment II, L.P.,
its General Partner
By: Insight Holdings Group, LLC,
its General Partner
By:
/s/ Blair M. Flicker___________________
Name:
Blair M. Flicker___________________
Title:
Authorized Signatory________________
[Pluralsight, Inc. Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED:
PLURALSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
/s/ Aaron Skonnard__________________
Name:
Aaron Skonnard__________________
Title:
Chief Executive Officer______________
[Pluralsight, Inc. Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]