Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of February 17, 2017, is
hereby entered into by and among B. Riley & Co., LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (the “Company”), Richard J. Hendrix (the “Executive”) and,
solely with respect to its obligations under this Agreement, B. Riley Financial,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”).

RECITALS:

 

A. Executive is currently employed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer of FBR & Co. (“FBR”), pursuant to an Amended and
Restated Employment Agreement by and between the Executive and FBR, dated as of
June 15, 2015 (the “Prior Agreement”);

 

B. An Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 17, 2017, was entered
into by and between FBR and Parent (the “Merger Agreement”);

 

C. Following the Closing Date, as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement
(the “Closing Date”), the Company wishes to employ Executive and Executive
desires to be employed by the Company on the terms and conditions, and for the
consideration, hereinafter set forth;

 

D. Executive has agreed to waive the vesting of his Company Equity Awards (as
defined in the Merger Agreement) that would otherwise vest in connection with
the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and

 

E. This Agreement with the Company will completely supersede and replace the
Prior Agreement upon the Effective Date (as defined herein); provided, however,
that if the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to the Effective Date or the
Executive is not employed by FBR as of immediately prior to the Effective Date,
this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio.

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.    Term. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive
hereby accepts such employment, for a term commencing as of the Closing Date
(the “Effective Date”) and continuing until December 31, 2020, unless sooner
terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 or Section 5 (the
period during which the Executive is employed under this Agreement hereinafter
referred to as the “Term”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon a Change in
Control (as defined below), the Term shall automatically be renewed so that the
Term is not less than two (2) years from the effective date of such Change in
Control. For the avoidance of doubt, references to “Change in Control” used
herein shall refer to a Change in Control occurring after the Effective Date.

2.    Position/Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall be employed as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the entity that will house the
businesses of FBR and the Company (“CombinedCo”), and shall report to the Chief
Executive Officer of Parent (the “CEO”). The Executive shall become a Member of
the Board of Directors of Parent (the “Board of Directors”)

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on the Effective Date. During the Term the Board of Directors shall nominate the
Executive for re-election as a member of the Board of Directors at the
expiration of each then-current term. The Executive shall faithfully perform for
CombinedCo and the Company the duties of said position and shall perform such
other duties of an executive, managerial or administrative nature as shall be
reasonably commensurate with his position and specified and designated from time
to time by the CEO, including but not limited to serving as an officer and/or
director of one or more affiliates of the Company (in addition to CombinedCo)
from time to time. The Executive shall devote all of his business time and
efforts to the performance of his duties hereunder. The Executive shall have the
right to engage in various activities outside of his employment with the
Company, including charitable and community activities and making personal
investments that do not constitute corporate opportunities and, with the
approval of the CEO, serving as a director of one or more other companies (other
than any directorships in effect as of the Effective Date, which shall not
require such approval) so long as such activities do not interfere with the
Executive’s ability to perform his duties hereunder.

3.    Compensation and Benefits.

3.1    Annual Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive during the Term a base
salary at a minimum rate of $750,000 (Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand United States
Dollars and no/100s) per annum (the “Annual Salary”), in accordance with the
regular payroll practices of CombinedCo applicable to senior executives as in
effect from time to time. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
(the “Compensation Committee”) may, in its sole discretion, periodically
increase the amount of the Annual Salary (but not decrease such amount, except
in connection with across-the-board salary reductions generally applicable to
the Company’s executive management team). For purposes of this Agreement, the
Annual Salary as increased or decreased from time to time shall constitute the
“Annual Salary” as of the time of the change.

3.2    Eligibility for Incentive Plans. During the Term, the Executive shall be
eligible to participate in any performance bonus plans or programs or long-term
incentive or equity-based incentive compensation plans or programs of Parent,
the Company and CombinedCo, as applicable, as in effect from time to time and in
which the Company’s executive management team is generally eligible to
participate. The Executive’s annual incentive compensation bonus shall be
determined as follows:

 

If CombinedCo’s “Pre-CEO Bonus Adjusted

EBITDA” is:

   Bonus Amount

$1mm-$5mm

   $500,000

Over $5mm-$10mm

   $750,000

Over $10mm-$15mm

   $1.25mm

Over $15mm-$20mm

   $1.75mm

Over $20mm-$25mm

   $2.0mm

Over $25mm-$30mm

   $2.25mm

Over $30mm

   7.5% of the amount

 

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Fifty percent (50%) of any bonus amounts over $1 million will be paid in
restricted stock of the Company, which will be subject to forfeiture if
CombinedCo’s Pre-CEO Bonus Adjusted EBITDA for the following fiscal year is
negative.

“Pre-CEO Bonus Adjusted EBITDA” means CombinedCo’s earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expenses associated
with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the annual
incentive compensation bonus contemplated by this Section 3.2, as reasonably
determined by the Company.

3.3    Commencement Payment. Upon the Effective Date, Executive shall receive a
commencement payment of $3.5 million, payable in a single lump sum.

3.4    Benefits—In General. During the Term, the Executive shall be permitted to
participate in any group life, hospitalization or disability insurance plans,
health programs, retirement plans, fringe benefit programs and other benefits or
insurance plans that may be available to other senior executives of CombinedCo
generally in accordance with the terms of such plans or programs as in effect
from time to time.

3.5    Expenses—In General. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for
all ordinary and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred (and, in
the case of reimbursement, paid) by the Executive during the Term in the
performance of the Executive’s services under this Agreement, in accordance with
the Company’s policies regarding such reimbursements as in effect from time to
time. During the Term, the Company shall reimburse reasonable fees and expenses
incurred by the Executive for participation in professional and trade
associations and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with business
development and client entertainment activities. In addition, the Company will
reimburse the Executive for the reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by him
relating to the negotiation and documentation of this Agreement, subject to a
maximum of $10,000. Payments and reimbursement under this Section 3.5 shall be
made no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the year in which the
Executive incurred the expense.

4.    Termination due to Death or Disability.

4.1    Date of Termination due to Death or Disability. If the Executive dies
during the Term, the Term of this Agreement and the Executive’s employment with
the Company and CombinedCo shall terminate effective immediately as of the date
of the Executive’s death, and the obligations of the Company to or with respect
to the Executive shall terminate in their entirety upon such date except as
otherwise provided under this Section 4. If, during the Term, the Executive is
unable to perform substantially and continuously the duties assigned to him due
to a disability (as such term is defined or used for purposes of the Company’s
long-term disability plan then in effect, or, if no such plan is in effect, by
virtue of ill health or other disability for more than one hundred eighty
(180) consecutive or non-consecutive days out of any consecutive twelve
(12)-month period) (“Disability”), the Company shall have the right, to the
extent permitted by law, to terminate the employment of the Executive upon
thirty (30) days’ advance notice in writing to the Executive, and the Term of
this Agreement and

 

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the Executive’s employment with the Company and CombinedCo shall terminate
effective on the thirtieth (30th) day after delivery of such notice, and the
obligations of the Company to or with respect to the Executive shall terminate
in their entirety upon such date except as otherwise provided under this
Section 4.

4.2    Obligations of the Company and Parent upon Termination due to Death or
Disability. Upon termination of the Term of this Agreement and the Executive’s
employment with the Company and CombinedCo due to the Executive’s death or
Disability, the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries in the
case of the death of the Executive) shall be entitled to receive the following
payments and benefits at the times specified below (subject to Section 7):

(a)    (i) an amount equal to the sum of (A) any Annual Salary actually earned
under this Agreement prior to the date of termination, (B) any accrued paid time
off to the extent not theretofore paid, and (C) reimbursement for business
expenses incurred prior to the date of Termination in accordance with the
Company’s policies or Section 3.4, which amount shall be paid within thirty
(30) days of the date of Termination, and (ii) the annual incentive amount (if
any) earned, but not yet paid to the Executive prior to the date of termination,
under any bonus plan of the Company or CombinedCo in which the Executive
participated for the completed fiscal year of the Company prior to the date of
termination as determined by the Compensation Committee, with such amount to be
paid in cash at such time as the Company or CombinedCo otherwise makes incentive
payments for such fiscal year to the executive management team (and in all
events no later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the date
of termination occurs) (the amounts in clauses (i) and (ii) referred to
collectively as the “Accrued Obligations”);

(b)    all outstanding and unvested incentive equity or equity-based awards and
long- term incentive awards held by the Executive shall immediately vest and any
time-based forfeiture restrictions on incentive equity or equity-based awards
held by Executive shall immediately lapse; provided that any awards that vest
based on the achievement of performance goals shall vest and be earned only upon
achievement of the applicable performance goals or objectives (but disregarding
any requirement for the Executive’s continued employment); provided, further,
that if the applicable plan or award agreement provides more beneficial
treatment to the Executive and specifically provides that it supersedes the
treatment under this Section 4.2(b), the more beneficial treatment in the
applicable plan or award agreement shall apply; and provided, further, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change in Control, the terms of
the applicable plan and award agreements relating to a Change in Control shall
apply if such provision is more beneficial to the Executive (with settlement of
any such outstanding award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation
subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”) to occur only if such Change in Control is a “change in control event”
as defined in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5));

 

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(c)    a pro-rata actual annual incentive payment in respect of the fiscal year
of the Company in which the date of termination occurs equal to the product of
(i) the annualized Pre-CEO Bonus Adjusted EBITDA for the portion of the fiscal
year of the Company in which the date of termination occurs, and (ii) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the fiscal
year of the Company in which occurs the date of termination through the date of
termination, and the denominator of which is 365 (such amount the “Pro-Rata
Incentive Award”), with such amount to be paid in cash at such time as the
Company otherwise makes incentive payments for such fiscal year to the executive
management team (and in all events no later than March 15th of the year
following the year in which the date of termination occurs); and

(d)    all rights and benefits under any retirement or other benefit plan or
program (in accordance with their terms and conditions) that are vested or to
which the Executive is otherwise entitled as of the date of termination (the
“Other Benefits”).

Except as provided in this Section 4.2, the Executive shall have no further
rights to any other compensation or benefits under this Agreement on or after
any termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 4, and
any unvested rights, benefits or incentive awards shall be forfeited as of the
date of termination.

4.3    Effect of Termination on Other Positions. Upon any termination under this
Section 4, the Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all positions he
then holds with the Company and any of its affiliates, including but not limited
to the Board of Directors, and the Executive agrees to execute such documents
and take such other actions as the Company may request to reflect such
resignation.

5.    Obligations of the Company and Parent upon Certain Terminations of
Employment (Other than Due to Death or Disability).

5.1    Termination by the Company for Cause; Termination by the Executive
without Good Reason. During the Term, the Company may terminate the Term of this
Agreement and the Executive’s employment with Cause, and the Executive may
terminate the Term of this Agreement and his employment without Good Reason.

(a)    Definition of Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean
the Executive’s:

 

  (i) conviction of, indictment for or formal admission to or plea of nolo
contendere with respect to, a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, dishonesty,
breach of trust, fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or unethical business
conduct (but only if the Board of Directors reasonably determines, after
considering all related facts and circumstances, that such indictment,
conviction or plea has materially and adversely affected or is reasonably likely
to materially and adversely affect the Company’s or CombinedCo’s business or
reputation), or any crime involving the Company or CombinedCo;

 

  (ii)

continued willful misconduct or willful or gross neglect in the performance of
his duties hereunder, following written notice of such misconduct or neglect and
failure to remedy such misconduct or neglect

 

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  within fifteen (15) days after delivery of such notice; provided, however,
that the Board of Directors shall have the discretion (A) to require a remedial
period that is shorter than fifteen (15) days to remedy certain misconduct or
neglect that the Board of Directors reasonably determines can be remedied in
less than fifteen (15) days or (B) to offer no opportunity to remediate conduct
or neglect that the Board of Directors reasonably determines to be incapable of
being cured;

 

  (iii) continued failure to materially adhere to the clear directions of the
Company, to adhere to the Company’s or CombinedCo’s written policies, or to
devote substantially all of his business time and efforts to the Company or
CombinedCo in accordance with and subject to the provisions of Section 2 hereof,
and failure to cure such failure within fifteen (15) days after delivery of
written notice of such failure; provided, however, that the Board of Directors
shall have the discretion (A) to require a remedial period that is shorter than
fifteen (15) days to remedy certain failures that the Board of Directors
reasonably determines can be remedied in less than fifteen (15) days or (B) to
offer no opportunity to remediate failures that the Board of Directors
reasonably determines to be incapable of being cured;

 

  (iv) continued failure to substantially perform the duties properly assigned
to the Executive by the Company or CombinedCo (other than any such failure
resulting from his Disability) and failure to cure such failure within fifteen
(15) days after delivery of written notice of such failure; provided, however,
that the Board of Directors shall have the discretion (A) to require a remedial
period that is shorter than fifteen (15) days to remedy certain failures that
the Board of Directors reasonably determines can be remedied in less than
fifteen (15) days or (B) to offer no opportunity to remediate failures that the
Board of Directors reasonably determines to be incapable of being cured; or

 

  (v) material and willful breach of any of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and failure to cure such breach within fifteen (15) days following
written notice from the Company specifying such breach; provided, however, that
the Board of Directors shall have the discretion (A) to require a remedial
period that is shorter than fifteen (15) days to remedy certain breaches that
the Board of Directors reasonably determines can be remedied in less than
fifteen (15) days or (B) to offer no opportunity to remediate breaches that the
Board of Directors reasonably determines to be incapable of being cured.

(b)    Obligations of the Company upon Termination by the Company for Cause or
Termination by the Executive without Good Reason. If, during the Term, the
Company terminates the Executive for Cause, or the Executive Terminates his
employment and the termination by the Executive is not for Good Reason in
accordance with Section 5.2 hereof, the Term of this Agreement and the
Executive’s employment with the Company

 

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shall terminate immediately in the case of a termination by the Company for
Cause and on the thirtieth (30th) day following the date the Executive provides
the Company with written notice of his termination other than for Good Reason
(or such earlier date as the Company and the Executive may agree), and the
Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations and the Other
Benefits, as provided and at the times set forth in Section 4.2 above. The
Executive shall have no further rights to any other compensation or benefits
under this Agreement on or after any termination of the Executive’s employment
pursuant to Section 5.1, and any unvested rights, benefits or incentive awards
shall be forfeited as of the date of termination.

(c)    Effect of Termination on Other Positions. The Executive agrees that, upon
any termination under Section 5.1, the he will be deemed to resign from all
positions he then holds with the Company and any of its affiliates, including
but not limited to the Board of Directors, and the Executive agrees to execute
such documents and take such other actions as the Company may request to reflect
such resignation.

5.2    Termination by the Company without Cause; Termination by the Executive
for Good Reason. During the Term, the Company may terminate the Term of this
Agreement and the Executive’s employment without Cause, and the Executive may
terminate the Term of this Agreement and his employment for Good Reason.

(a)    Definition of Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason”
shall mean:

 

  (i) a “Change in Control” of the Company occurring after the Effective Date
(as that term is defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Stock
Incentive Plan (or any successor thereto)), followed within two (2) years
following the Change in Control by any demotion of the Executive from his
position as set forth in Section 2 or any material diminution in the Executive’s
authority, duties and responsibilities (including the Executive ceasing to
report only to the CEO), or the assignment to the Executive of duties materially
inconsistent with the Executive’s position with the Company as set forth in
Section 2; provided, however, that any merger or business combination of the
Company solely with any affiliate of the Company shall not be deemed to be a
Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement;

 

  (ii) a reduction in the Annual Salary of the Executive (except any such
reduction that is part of across-the-board salary reductions generally
applicable to the Company’s executive management team);

 

  (iii) any demotion of the Executive from his position as set forth in
Section 2 or any material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties and
responsibilities (including the Executive ceasing to report only to the CEO);
provided that, in no event shall the assignment by the CEO prior to a Change in
Control of a portion of the Executive’s duties to a member of the senior
management team who reports directly to the Executive constitute (or serve as a
basis for the Executive to claim) Good Reason under this clause (iii); or

 

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  (iv) the failure of the Board of Directors to nominate the Executive for
re-election as a member of the Board of Directors at the expiration of each
then-current Term.

In order to invoke a termination for Good Reason, the Executive shall provide
written notice to the Company of the existence of one or more of the conditions
described in clauses (i) through (iv) within thirty (30) days following the
initial existence of such condition or conditions, specifying in reasonable
detail the conditions constituting Good Reason, and the Company shall have
thirty (30) days following receipt of such written notice (the “Cure Period”)
during which it may remedy the condition if such condition is reasonably subject
to cure. In the event that the Company fails to remedy the condition
constituting Good Reason during the applicable Cure Period, the Executive’s
“separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) must
occur, if at all, within thirty (30) days following such Cure Period in order
for such termination as a result of such condition to constitute a termination
for Good Reason.

The Executive acknowledges and agrees that any determination whether an event
constituting “Good Reason” has occurred shall be determined solely based on the
terms of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Executive’s
employment hereunder following the Effective Date and shall not be determined on
the basis of the Executive’s employment or compensation terms as in effect prior
to the Effective Date, including the terms of the Prior Agreement and any
predecessor thereto.

(b)    Obligations of the Company and Parent upon Termination by the Company
without Cause or a Termination by the Executive for Good Reason. If, during the
Term, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause, or the
Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, the Term of this Agreement
and the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate on the thirtieth
(30th) day following the date the Company or the Executive, as applicable,
provides the Company with written notice of termination (or such earlier date as
the Company and the Executive may agree), and the Executive shall be entitled to
receive the following payments and benefits at the times specified below,
subject to Section 5.3 and Section 7:

 

  (i) the Accrued Obligations and the Other Benefits, as provided and at the
times set forth in Section 4.2 above;

 

  (ii)

an amount equal to the product of (A) one and one-half (1.5) and (B) the amount
equal to the sum of the Annual Salary paid to the Executive (including any
amounts deferred) and the average of the annual incentive bonuses earned by the
Executive under the Company’s annual incentive compensation plan (including any
annual incentive bonus amounts that were earned but deferred or that were
satisfied through the grant of equity awards) with respect to the two
(2) completed fiscal years of the Company preceding the date of Termination (the
“Average Annual Incentive”)

 

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  (which product shall, in the case of such a Termination of employment
occurring prior to a Change in Control and prior to the first anniversary of the
Effective Date, be no less than $1.5 million), with such amount to be paid in
equal installments during the twelve (12)-month period following the date of
termination in accordance with the Employer’s regular payroll practices for the
senior executives of CombinedCo as in effect from time to time, with the first
payment to be made on the first payroll date immediately following the
sixty-first (61st) day after the date of termination (with accrued and unpaid
installments from the date of Termination to be paid on the payroll date on
which the first installment is paid) and the last installment to be paid on the
payroll date on or immediately following the date that is twelve (12) months
after the date of termination; provided, however, if the date of termination
occurs within two (2) years following a Change in Control (which is a “change in
control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A- 3(i)(5)), the amount
described in this subsection (ii) shall be calculated with each component based
on the greater of the Executive’s Annual Salary and Average Annual Incentive as
of the date of the Change in Control or the date of termination, and shall be
paid in a single lump sum payment on the first payroll date immediately
following the sixty-first (61st) day after the date of Termination;

 

  (iii) an amount equal to the Pro-Rata Incentive Award, with such amount to be
paid in cash at such time as the Company otherwise makes incentive payments for
such fiscal year to the executive management team (and in all events no later
than March 15th, of the year following the year in which the date of termination
occurs);

 

  (iv) (A) all unvested incentive equity or equity-based awards held by
Executive, including any performance-based cash or equity-based awards that are
not intended to qualify as “performance based compensation” under Section 162(m)
of the Code, shall immediately vest and any time-based forfeiture restrictions
on incentive equity or equity-based awards held by Executive shall immediately
lapse (effective as of the expiration of the revocation period as described in
Section 5.3 with respect to the Release Requirement); and (B) unvested incentive
equity or equity-based awards that are intended to qualify as “performance based
compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall vest and be earned only
upon achievement of the applicable performance goals or objectives (but
disregarding any requirement for the Executive’s continued employment);
provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change
in Control, the terms of the applicable plan and award agreements relating to a
Change in Control shall apply if such provision is more beneficial to the
Executive (with settlement of any such outstanding award that constitutes
nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code to occur
only if such Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in
Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5)); and

 

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  (v) for a period of three (3) years after the date of Termination, continued
coverage of the Executive and his “qualified beneficiaries” (as defined in
Section 4980B of the Code (“COBRA”) under the group health plans of the Company
that the Executive and his qualified beneficiaries would have been eligible to
receive in the absence of such Termination of employment, at the Company’s
expense and with any such deemed premiums to be imputed as income to the
Executive to the extent the Company determines to be necessary; provided that
the Company shall in no event be required to provide such coverage under the
Company’s plans pursuant to COBRA after such time as the Executive or the
qualified beneficiary, as applicable, is no longer eligible for continued
coverage under COBRA. For the portion of such three (3)-year period after the
Executive or a qualified beneficiary is no longer eligible to receive continuing
coverage under the Company’s group health plans under COBRA, the Company shall
reimburse the health insurance premiums incurred by the Executive under a
private health insurance plan that provides substantially similar benefits for
the Executive and his qualified beneficiaries and is reasonably acceptable to
the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall in no event be
required to provide or reimburse the cost of any benefits otherwise required by
this clause (v) after such time as the Executive or the qualified beneficiary,
as applicable, becomes entitled to receive benefits of the same type from
another employer’s health care plan. Any reimbursement of premiums under this
clause (v) shall be made in arrears on the first (1st) business day of each
calendar quarter, subject to the Executive’s providing the Company with evidence
of continuing coverage under any such private plan.

Except as provided in Section this 5.2, the Executive shall have no further
rights to any other compensation or benefits under this Agreement on or after
any termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 5.2, and
any unvested rights, benefits or incentive awards shall be forfeited as of the
date of termination.

(c)    Effect of Termination on Other Positions. The Executive agrees that, upon
any termination under this Section 5.2 or otherwise, he will be deemed to resign
from all positions he then holds with the Company and any of its affiliates,
including but not limited to the Board of Directors, and the Executive agrees to
execute such documents and take such other actions as the Company may request to
reflect such resignation.

5.3    Condition to Rights and Benefits of Executive. All rights and benefits to
which the Executive may be entitled under Section 5.2 (other than the Accrued
Obligations and the Other Benefits) shall be subject to the Executive’s
continuing performance in all material respects of the covenants of the
Executive contained in Section 6 and Section 9.1 of this Agreement and the
delivery to the Company of an executed release of claims against the

 

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Company and its affiliates in a form substantially similar to the release of
claims requested by the Company from other employees in connection with
employment terminations (with such updates and modifications as the Company
determines are necessary) and the expiration (without the Executive revoking) of
any applicable non-revocation period set forth in such release no later than
fifty-five (55) days after the date of Termination of employment (the “Release
Requirement”).

6.    Covenants of the Executive.

6.1    Covenant Against Competition; Other Covenants. The Executive acknowledges
that (i) the Executive’s work for the Company will give him access to the
confidential affairs and proprietary information of the Company and its
affiliates, (ii) the covenants and agreements of the Executive contained in this
Section 6 are essential to the business and goodwill of Parent and constitute
part of the consideration and inducement to Parent to enter into the Merger
Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, and (iii) the
Company would not have entered into this Agreement but for the covenants and
agreements set forth in this Section 6. Accordingly, the Executive covenants and
agrees that:

(a)    Confidentiality. During and after the period of the Executive’s
employment with the Company and its affiliates, the Executive shall keep secret
and retain in strictest confidence, except in connection with the business and
affairs of the Company and its affiliates and as otherwise required by law, all
confidential matters relating to the business and affairs of the Company or any
of its affiliates learned by the Executive heretofore or hereafter directly or
indirectly from the Company or any of its affiliates (the “Confidential Company
Information”) and shall not disclose such Confidential Company Information to
anyone outside of the Company or its affiliates except as required by law or
with the Company’s express written consent and except for Confidential Company
Information which is, at the time of receipt, or thereafter becomes, publicly
known through no wrongful act of the Executive. For the avoidance of doubt,
nothing in this Agreement, including Section 6 and Section 9.1, prohibits the
Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation or
making other disclosures that are protected under (or claiming any award under)
the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. The Executive is
hereby notified that the Executive or a representative thereof may have immunity
from civil or criminal liability for the confidential disclosure of a trade
secret to the government or in a court filing, as more particularly described in
Section 1833 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

(b)    Noncompetition.

 

  (i)

The Executive agrees that during the Term and for a period of twelve (12) months
following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company either
by the Company with or without Cause or by the Executive with or without Good
Reason (the “Restricted Period”), the Executive shall not, without the express
written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, anywhere in the United
States, (A) own an interest in, join, operate, control or participate in, be
connected as an owner,

 

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  officer, executive, employee, partner, member, manager, shareholder, or
principal of or with, or otherwise aid or assist in any manner whatsoever, any
corporation or other entity that competes with the business of CombinedCo as
then conducted, including, without limitation, those middle market-focused
investment banking or brokerage entities that are in direct competition with the
business of CombinedCo, including its capital markets and/or institutional sales
and trading business, or (B) engage in any activity in any capacity for any
corporation or other entity, whether or not competitive with CombinedCo,
relating to or involving institutional equity private placement transactions
(including transactions under Rule 144A).

 

  (ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may (A) own up to one
percent (1%) of the outstanding stock of a publicly held corporation which is or
is affiliated with an entity or person that is in competition with CombinedCo or
its subsidiaries or (B) be an officer, executive, employee, partner, member,
manager, shareholder, or principal of or with a private equity fund or a
third-party asset management firm.

(c)    Nonsolicitation. During the Term and the Restricted Period, (i) the
Executive shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent, directly or
indirectly, knowingly (A) solicit or encourage to leave the employment or other
service of the Company, or any of its affiliates, any employee or independent
contractor thereof or (B) hire (on behalf of the Executive or any other person
or entity) any employee who has left the employment of the Company or any of its
affiliates within the twelve (12)-month period which follows the termination of
such employee’s employment with the Company and its affiliates, and (ii) the
Executive will not, whether for his own account or for the account of any other
person, firm, corporation or other business organization, intentionally
interfere with the Company’s or any of its affiliates’ relationship with, or
endeavor to entice away from the Company or any of its affiliates, any person
who during the Term is or was, within the preceding year, a customer or client
of the Company or any of its affiliates, nor shall Executive aid or assist in
any manner whatsoever any person, firm, corporation or other business in doing
any of the things described in clauses (i) or (ii) above.

6.2    Rights and Remedies upon Breach. The Executive acknowledges and agrees
that any breach by him of any of the provisions of Section 6.1 (the “Restrictive
Covenants”) would result in irreparable injury and damage for which money
damages would not provide an adequate remedy. Therefore, if the Executive
breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions of
Section 6.1, the Company and its affiliates, in addition to, and not in lieu of,
any other rights and remedies available to the Company and its affiliates under
law or in equity (including, without limitation, the recovery of damages) and
the cessation of any payments or benefits otherwise provided under Section 5.2
of this Agreement, shall have the right and remedy to have the Restrictive
Covenants specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction,
including, without limitation, the right to an entry against the Executive of
restraining orders and injunctions (preliminary, mandatory, temporary and
permanent) against violations, threatened or actual, and whether or not then
continuing, of such covenants.

 

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7.    Code Section 409A.

7.1    General. It is intended that this Agreement shall comply with the
provisions of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption to Section 409A of the
Code. Any payments that qualify for the “short-term deferral” exception, the
“separation pay” exception or another exception under Section 409A of the Code
shall be paid under the applicable exception. For purposes of the limitations on
nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, each payment
of compensation under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment of
compensation. All payments to be made upon a Termination of employment under
this Agreement may only be made upon a “separation from service” under
Section 409A of the Code. In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly,
designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement. Within the time
period permitted under Section 409A of the Code or guidance issued thereunder,
the Company may, in consultation with the Executive, modify this Agreement in
order to cause the provisions of this Agreement to comply with the requirements
of Section 409A of the Code.

7.2    In-Kind Benefits and Reimbursements. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, all reimbursements and in-kind benefits that
constitute nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A provided under
this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of
Section 409A of the Code, including, where applicable, the requirement that
(a) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime
(or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement); (b) the amount
of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a
calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind
benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year; (c) the reimbursement of an
eligible expense will be made no later than the last day of the calendar year
following the year in which the expense is incurred; and (d) the right to
reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for
another benefit.

7.3    Delay of Payments. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a “specified employee” for
purposes of Section 409A of the Code (as determined in accordance with the
methodology established by the Company as in effect on the date of termination),
(a) any payment that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation within the
meaning of Section 409A of the Code that is payable on account of the
Executive’s separation from service and is otherwise due to the Executive under
this Agreement during the six (6)-month period following his separation from
service (as determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code) shall be
accumulated and paid to the Executive on the fourteenth (14th) day of the
seventh (7th) month following his separation from service (the “Delayed Payment
Date” ) and (b) in the event any equity compensation awards held by the
Executive that vest on account of the Executive’s separation from service
constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A
of the Code, the delivery of shares of common stock (or cash) as applicable in
settlement of such awards shall be made on the earliest permissible payment date
(including the Delayed Payment Date) or event under Section 409A of the Code on
which the shares (or cash) would otherwise be delivered or paid. If the
Executive dies during the postponement period, the amounts and entitlements
delayed on account of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the personal
representative of his estate on the first to occur of the Delayed Payment Date
or thirty (30) days after the date of the Executive’s death.

 

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8.    Code Section 280G.

8.1    Certain Reductions in Payments. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the Accounting Firm (as defined
below) determines that receipt of all Payments (as defined below) would subject
the Executive to the tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the Accounting Firm
shall determine whether to reduce any of the Agreement Payments (as defined
below) to the Executive so that the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all
Payments to the Executive, in the aggregate, equals the applicable Safe Harbor
Amount (as defined below). Agreement Payments shall be so reduced only if the
Accounting Firm determines that the Executive would have a greater Net After-Tax
Receipt (as defined below) of aggregate Payments if the Agreement Payments were
so reduced. If the Accounting Firm determines that the Executive would not have
a greater Net After-Tax Receipt of aggregate Payments if the Agreement Payments
were so reduced, the Executive shall receive all Agreement Payments to which the
Executive is entitled hereunder. The provisions of this Section 8 shall be the
exclusive provisions applicable to the Executive relating to Section 280G of the
Code and any provisions relating to Section 280G of the Code contained in any
plan of the Company, including Section 11.4 of the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(as amended and restated effective June 30, 2010), will be inapplicable to the
Executive.

8.2    Determination by the Accounting Firm. If the Accounting Firm determines
that the aggregate Agreement Payments to the Executive should be reduced so that
the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Executive, in the aggregate, equals
the applicable Safe Harbor Amount, the Company shall promptly give the Executive
notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof. All
determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 8 shall be binding
upon the Company and the Executive and shall be made as soon as reasonably
practicable and in no event later than fifteen (15) days following the date of
the Executive’s termination of employment.

8.3    Reductions. For purposes of reducing the Agreement Payments to the
Executive so that the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Executive, in the
aggregate, equals the applicable Safe Harbor Amount, only Agreement Payments
(and no other Payments) shall be reduced. The reduction contemplated by this
Section 8, if applicable, shall be made by reducing payments and benefits (to
the extent such amounts are considered Payments) under the following sections in
the following order: (i) Section 5.2(b)(ii) beginning with payments that would
be made last in time, (ii) Section 5.2(b)(iii), and (iii) Section 5.2(b)(iv).

8.4    Overpayments; Underpayments. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that amounts will have been
paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement that should not have been so paid or distributed
(each, an “Overpayment”) or that additional amounts that will have not been paid
or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive pursuant to
this Agreement could have been so paid or distributed (each, an “Underpayment”),
in each case, consistent with the calculation of the applicable Safe Harbor
Amount hereunder. In the event that the

 

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Accounting Firm, based on the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue
Service against the Company or the Executive that the Accounting Firm believes
has a high probability of success, determines that an Overpayment has been made,
any such Overpayment paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of
the Executive shall be repaid by the Executive to the Company, together with
interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of
the Code; provided, however, that (a) no such repayment shall be required if and
to the extent such deemed repayment would not either reduce the amount on which
the Executive is subject to tax under Sections 1 and 4999 of the Code or
generate a refund of such taxes; and (b) to the extent such repayment would
generate a refund of such taxes, the Executive shall only be required to pay to
the Company the Overpayment less the amount of tax to be refunded and to
transfer the refund of such taxes to the Company when received. In the event
that the Accounting Firm, based on controlling precedent or substantial
authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment
shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive,
together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in
Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.

8.5    Reasonable Compensation. In connection with making determinations under
this Section 8, the Accounting Firm shall take into account the value of any
reasonable compensation for services to be rendered by the Executive before or
after the change of control, including any noncompetition provisions that may
apply to the Executive (whether set forth in this Agreement or otherwise), and
the Company shall cooperate in the valuation of any such services, including any
non-competition provisions.

8.6    Fees and Expenses. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in
implementing the provisions of this Section 8 shall be borne by the Company.

8.7    Certain Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Section 8.

(a)    “Accounting Firm” shall mean a nationally recognized certified public
accounting firm (which accounting firm shall in no event be the accounting firm
for the entity seeking to effectuate such change in control) or other
professional services organization that is a certified public accounting firm
recognized as an expert in determinations and calculations for purposes of
Section 280G of the Code that is selected by the Company (as it exists prior to
a change of control) and reasonably acceptable to the Executive for purposes of
making the applicable determinations hereunder.

(b)    “Agreement Payment” shall mean a Payment paid or payable pursuant to this
Agreement.

(c)    “Net After-Tax Receipt” shall mean the Present Value of a Payment net of
all taxes imposed on the Executive with respect thereto under Sections 1 and
4999 of the Code and under applicable state, local, and foreign laws, determined
by applying the highest marginal rate under Section 1 of the Code and under
state, local, and foreign laws that applied to the Executive’s taxable income
for the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate as such Executive
shall certify, in the Executive’s sole discretion, as likely to apply to the
Executive in the relevant tax year.

 

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(d)    “Parachute Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the
date of the change in control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of the
portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under
Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm for
purposes of determining whether and to what extent the excise tax under
Section 4999 of the Code will apply to such Payment.

(e)    A “Payment” shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of
compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for
the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement
or otherwise.

(f)    “Present Value” of a Payment shall mean the economic present value of a
Payment as of the date of the change in control for purposes of Section 280G of
the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm using the discount rate required
by Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.

(g)    “Safe Harbor Amount “ means (x) 3.0 times the Executive’s “base amount,”
within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code, minus (y) $1.00.

9.    Miscellaneous.

9.1    Non-Disparagement; Cooperation. The Executive agrees that he will not
(except as reasonably required by law), whether during or after the Executive’s
employment with the Company, make any statement, orally or in writing,
regardless of whether such statement is truthful, nor take any action, that
(a) in any way could disparage the Company or any of its affiliates, or any
officer, executive, director, partner, manager, member, principal, employee,
representative, or agent of the Company or any of its affiliates, or which
foreseeably could or reasonably could be expected to harm the reputation or
goodwill of any of those persons or entities, or (b) in any way, directly or
indirectly, could knowingly cause, encourage or condone the making of such
statements or the taking of such actions by anyone else. In addition, following
any termination of employment, the Executive will cooperate with the Company as
reasonably requested by the Company regarding any dispute, claim or
investigation by, against or involving the Company or any of its affiliates
regarding matters of which the Executive has particular knowledge relating to
the period of the Executive’s employment.

9.2    Severability. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that (a) he has had
an opportunity to seek advice of counsel in connection with this Agreement and
(b) the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in geographical and temporal scope
and in all other respects. If it is determined that any of the provisions of
this Agreement, including, without limitation, any of the Restrictive Covenants,
or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the
provisions of this Agreement shall not thereby be affected and shall be given
full effect, without regard to the invalid portions.

9.3    Duration and Scope of Covenants. If any court or other decision-maker of
competent jurisdiction determines that any of the Executive’s covenants
contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, any of the
Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the
duration or geographical scope of such provision, then, after such

 

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determination has become final and unappealable, the duration or scope of such
provision, as the case may be, shall be reduced so that such provision becomes
enforceable and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable
and shall be enforced.

9.4    Enforceability; Jurisdiction; Arbitration. Any controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach of this Agreement
(other than a controversy or claim arising under Section 6, and to the extent
necessary for the Company or its affiliates, where applicable, to avail itself
of the rights and remedies referred to in Section 6.2) that is not resolved by
the Executive and the Company (or its affiliates, where applicable) shall be
submitted to arbitration in the Washington, D.C. area in accordance with
Virginia law and the procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The
determination of the arbitrator(s) shall be conclusive and binding on the
Company (or its affiliates, where applicable) and the Executive, and judgment
may be entered on the arbitrator(s)’ award in any court having jurisdiction.

9.5    Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, sent by
facsimile or electronic transmission, or sent by certified, registered or
express mail, postage prepaid. Any such notice shall be deemed given when so
delivered personally, or sent by facsimile or electronic transmission or, if
mailed, five (5) days after the date of deposit in the United States mails as
follows:

If to the Company, to:

B. Riley Financial, Inc.

21860 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 300 South

Woodland Hills, California 91367

Attention: Alan N. Forman

Email: aforman@brileyfin.com

Facsimile: (818) 746-9170

If to the Executive, to the address set forth on the signature page hereof.

Any such person may by written notice given in accordance with this Section 9.5
to the other parties hereto designate another address or person for receipt by
such person of notices hereunder.

9.6    Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto. Effective as of the Effective
Date, this Agreement shall supersede and replace the Prior Agreement.

9.7    Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, superseded,
canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a
written instrument signed by the parties hereto. No delay on the part of any
party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any such right,
power or privilege nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power
or privilege, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other such right, power or privilege.

 

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9.8    GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW WHICH COULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF
ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

9.9    Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of the
Executive) and assigns. No rights or obligations of the Company under this
Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Company except that such rights
or obligations may be assigned or transferred, pursuant to a merger or
consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity, or the sale or
liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; provided,
however, that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee
assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company, as contained in
this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law.

9.10    Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any payments
or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding it determines to be required by
law.

9.11    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. Each counterpart may consist of two (2) copies hereof each signed by
one of the parties hereto.

9.12    Survival. The provisions of Section 6 and any other provisions of this
Agreement that expressly impose obligations that survive termination of the
Executive’s employment hereunder, and the provisions of this Section 9 to the
extent necessary to effectuate the survival of such provisions, shall survive
termination of this Agreement and any termination of the Executive’s employment
hereunder.

9.13    Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and
shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed their names as of the day and
year first above written.

 

B. RILEY & CO, LLC BY:  

/s/ Bryant R. Riley

Name:   Bryant R. Riley Title:   Chairman & CEO

 

EXECUTIVE Signature:  

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix

  Richard J. Hendrix

Solely with respect to its obligations under this Agreement:

 

B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC. BY:  

/s/ Bryant R. Riley

Name:   Bryant R. Riley Title:   Chairman & CEO

 

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