Exhibit 10.1

 

MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) by and between
Timothy Christoffersen (“Executive”) and Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (the
“Company”), is effective as of April 28, 2005 (the “Effective Date”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. WHEREAS, Executive and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement,
effective June 22, 2004 (the “Original Agreement”);

 

B. WHEREAS, during Executive’s term under the Original Agreement, the Company
granted Executive (a) an option (“Option 1”) to purchase 250,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) on June 22, 2004, under the Company’s
1998 Stock Plan (the “Plan”), subject to the terms of the Plan and the option
agreement executed by the Company and Executive relating to Option 1 (“Option
Agreement 1”); (b) a grant (“Option 2”) of 25,000 shares of Restricted Common
Stock on September 17, 2004 (which grant was approved by Company stockholders on
October 5, 2004), subject to the terms of the restricted stock purchase
agreement, executed by the Company and Executive relating to Option 2 (“Option
Agreement 2”); and (c) an option (“Option 3” and together with Option 1 and
Option 2, the “Options”) to purchase 28,000 shares of Common Stock on January
26, 2005 under the Plan, subject to the terms of the Plan and the option
agreement executed by the Company and Executive relating to Option 3 (“Option
Agreement 3” and together with Option Agreement 1 and Option Agreement 2, the
“Option Agreements”);

 

C. WHEREAS, Executive and the Company agree that Executive shall resign from his
employment with the Company on April 5, 2006 (the “Resignation Date”);

 

D. WHEREAS, Executive and the Company further agree that upon the earlier of (i)
the date on which the Company hires a new Chief Financial Officer or (ii)
October 5, 2005 (the “CFO Transition Date”), Executive shall relinquish his
position as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company and Executive’s
duties and full-time status at the Company shall be restructured during the
period between the CFO Transition Date and the Resignation Date (the “Transition
Term”); and

 

E. WHEREAS, the Company agrees to amend and restate the Original Agreement and
to restructure Executive’s position and compensation accordingly, pursuant to
the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

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

 

AGREEMENT

 

1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a) “Cause” means (i) Executive’s failure to comply with lawful directions of
the chief executive officer or the Board of Directors of the Company (the
“Board”), which failure is not cured within thirty (30) days following notice to
Executive of such failure; (ii) Executive personally engaging in illegal conduct
that a reasonable person would know to be detrimental to the Company; (iii)
Executive being convicted of a felony; or (iv) Executive committing a material
act of dishonesty, fraud or misappropriation of property respecting the Company.

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(b) “Change of Control” means a merger or consolidation of the Company with or
into any other corporation or corporations, or the merger of any other
corporation or corporations with or into the Company, unless the shareholders of
the Company before such transaction or related set of transactions hold at least
a majority of the outstanding voting equity securities of the surviving
corporation, or any transaction or series of related transactions to which the
Company is a party in which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s
voting power is transferred by the then shareholders of the Company to third
parties, excluding any consolidation or merger effected exclusively to change
the domicile of the Company, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company.

 

(c) “Disability” means Executive’s inability to substantially perform
Executive’s duties as required by Executive’s employment with or services to the
Company as the result of Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental
illness.

 

(d) “Good Reason” means, without Executive’s consent, (i) a reduction by the
Company in the base salary and/or target bonus opportunity of Executive as in
effect immediately prior to such reduction, except where a substantially
equivalent percentage reduction in base salary is applied to all other officers
of the Company; (ii) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of
employee benefits to which Executive is entitled immediately prior to such
reduction with the result that Executive’s overall benefits package is
significantly reduced, except where a substantially equivalent reduction in
benefits is applied to all other officers of the Company; (iii) a significant,
adverse change in Executive’s title, authority, responsibilities or duties, as
measured against his title, authority, responsibilities or duties immediately
prior to such change, which change is not reversed or modified within thirty
(30) days after notice from Executive to the Board describing in reasonable
detail the significant, adverse change; or (iv) the relocation of Executive’s
place of work to a facility or a location more than thirty-five (35) miles from
Executive’s then-present work location.

 

2. Employment and Duties.

 

(a) As of the Effective Date, and prior to the CFO Transition Date, Executive
will serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Executive will render such
business and professional services in the performance of his duties, consistent
with Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to
him by the Board and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Executive will
perform faithfully the duties assigned to him to the best of his ability.
Executive may devote a reasonable amount of his time to civic, community, or
charitable activities and, with the prior written approval of the Company, to
serve as a director of other corporations and to other types of business or
public activities not expressly mentioned in this paragraph. The Company
specifically approves Executive’s service as a director of Genesis Microchip
Incorporated and Executive’s expert witness activities in a semiconductor
matter.

 

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(b) During the Transition Term, Executive will provide advisory services
relating to financial and accounting matters and to projects or work in process
that had been within Executive’s areas of responsibility prior to the CFO
Transition Date, including such appropriate tasks as the Board may request as
necessary and appropriate to assist the new hire’s transition in the position of
the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Executive will be required to provide
twenty-five (25) hours per calendar month in services under this Agreement.

 

3. Compensation.

 

(a) Salary.

 

(i) Prior to the CFO Transition Date, in consideration of Executive’s services,
Executive will be paid a base salary at the rate of no less than $180,000 per
year during the period of employment (the “Base Salary”), to be paid in
installments in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices. The
Board will review the Base Salary for increases at least annually on the same
basis as the Board will review the compensation of other executive officers of
the Company, but such increases are not guaranteed.

 

(ii) During the Transition Term, Executive will be paid a base salary of $7,500
per month, to be paid in installments in accordance with the Company’s standard
payroll practices. In the event the Company continually requests that you
provide services to the Company in excess of the time period described in
Section 2(b), then the Company agrees to make arrangements with you to
compensate you for such excess services on mutually agreeable terms.

 

(b) Bonus. Prior to the CFO Transition Date, Executive’s annual target bonus
will be payable upon achievement of personal and Company specific performance
objectives established by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board
(the “Committee”). Executive shall not be eligible for an annual bonus during
the Transition Term.

 

(c) Equity Matters.

 

(i) Vesting. Prior to the CFO Transition Date, notwithstanding the vesting
schedules provided in Option Agreement 1, Option Agreement 2 and Option
Agreement 3, Executive’s Options 1, 2 and 3 shall continue to vest through the
CFO Transition Date in accordance with the option vesting schedule set forth in
Schedule 3(c)(i) attached hereto.

 

(ii) Acceleration. Upon the CFO Transition Date, (i) notwithstanding the vesting
schedule provided in Option Agreement 2, twelve thousand five hundred (12,500)
shares subject to Option Agreement 2 shall immediately vest and (ii)
notwithstanding the vesting schedule provided in Option Agreement 3, seven
thousand (7,000) shares subject to Option Agreement 3 shall immediately vest and
be exercisable (“Option Agreement 3 Accelerated Shares”).

 

(iii) Post-Termination Exercise Period. Upon the earlier of (i) the Resignation
Date or (ii) April 30, 2006, Executive shall have six (6) months to exercise all
Option Agreement 3 Accelerated Shares and other vested shares.

 

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4. At-Will Employment. Subject to Section 9(b) below, the parties agree that
Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be
terminated at any time with or without cause or notice. Executive understands
and agrees that neither his job performance nor promotions, commendations,
bonuses or the like from the Company give rise to or in any way serve as the
basis for modification, amendment, or extension, by implication or otherwise, of
his employment with the Company. If Executive’s employment terminates for any
reason except for termination for other than Cause, Executive will not be
entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than
as provided by this Agreement, or as may otherwise be available in accordance
with the Company’s established employee plans and policies or other written
agreements with Executive at the time of termination.

 

5. Benefits. To the extent that Executive is eligible for benefits under the
Company’s plans, policies and arrangements, the Company will reimburse Executive
for his monthly health insurance premiums for coverage Executive has with Blue
Cross as of the Effective Date, not to exceed the amount the Company would have
otherwise paid to have Executive and his eligible dependents covered under the
Company’s group health insurance had Executive elected such coverage. In the
event Executive or any of his eligible dependents become covered under the
Company’s group health insurance, the Company will no longer reimburse Executive
for premiums Executive and his eligible dependents incur for coverage outside of
the Company’s health coverage. Executive, together with his spouse and dependent
children, if any, will be permitted, to the extent eligible, to participate in
any group dental, life insurance and disability insurance plans, or similar
benefit plans of the Company that are available to other executive officers in
each case pursuant to the terms and conditions of each such plan or program. The
Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it
offers to its employees at any time.

 

6. Paid Time Off. Prior to the CFO Transition Date, Executive will be entitled
to fifteen (15) days of paid time off (PTO) annually in accordance with the
Company’s policy (including, without limitation, its policy relation to maximum
accrual), with the timing and duration of specific vacations mutually and
reasonably agreed to by the parties hereto.

 

7. Expenses and Perquisites. The Company will reimburse the reasonable travel,
entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or
in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, in accordance with
the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

 

8. Change of Control. Prior to the CFO Transition Date, upon a Change of
Control, Options 1 and 3 will become fully vested and exercisable and Option 2
shall become fully vested as of the date of the Change of Control to the extent
such Options 1, 2 and 3 are outstanding and unexercisable at such time and all
stock subject to a right of repurchase by the Company issued by the Company to
Executive (“Restricted Stock”) that was issued prior to the Change of Control
will have such right of repurchase lapse with respect to all of the shares as of
the date of the Change of Control.

 

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9. Termination.

 

(a) Termination for Cause and Voluntary Termination without Good Reason. Prior
to the Resignation Date, in the event that Executive resigns from the Company
without Good Reason, or the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause,
Executive will not receive any compensation or benefits under this Agreement on
account of such termination. Executive’s rights under any applicable Company
benefit plans upon such termination will be determined under the provisions of
the respective benefit plans as they may be in effect from time to time.

 

(b) Termination for other than Cause, Death or Disability and Voluntary
Termination with Good Reason. Subject to Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the Company
shall not terminate Executive’s employment for other than Cause.

 

(c) Death. In the event of Executive’s death, except for obligations accrued at
such time, the Company will have no obligation to pay or provide any
compensation or benefits under this Agreement. Executive’s rights under the
Company’s benefit plans in the event of Executive’s death will be determined
under the provisions of such benefit plans as they may be in effect from time to
time.

 

(d) Disability. In the event of Executive’s Disability, except for obligations
that have accrued prior to Executive’s Disability, no compensation or benefits
will be paid or provided to Executive under this Agreement. Executive’s rights
under the Company’s benefit plans will be determined under the provisions of
such benefit plans as they may be in effect from time to time.

 

10. Conditional Nature of Severance Benefits.

 

(a) Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The receipt of any severance
pursuant to Section 9(b) will be subject to Executive signing and not revoking a
separation agreement and release in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company.
The receipt of any acceleration pursuant to Section 3(c)(ii) will be subject to
Executive signing and not revoking the separation agreement and release in a
form substantially the same as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (the
“Separation Agreement”). No severance pursuant to either such Section will be
paid or provided until such separation agreement and release agreement becomes
effective.

 

(b) No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount
of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that
Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment.

 

11. Proprietary Information. During the period of employment and thereafter,
Executive will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose
or use for any purpose (except in the course of his employment under this
Agreement and in furtherance of the business of the Company or any of its
affiliates or subsidiaries) any confidential information or proprietary data of
the Company. Executive will continue to comply with the terms and conditions of
the Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement between
Executive and the Company dated July 13, 2004 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”);

 

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12. Covenant Not to Solicit. Beginning upon the earlier of the termination date
of Executive’s employment with the Company or the Resignation Date and for one
(1) year thereafter, Executive agrees that he will not:

 

(i) solicit, encourage, or take any other action which is intended to induce any
other employee of the Company to terminate his employment with the Company, or

 

(ii) interfere in any manner with the contractual or employment relationship
between the Company and any employee of the Company.

 

13. Arbitration.

 

(a) General. In consideration of Executive’s service to the Company, its promise
to arbitrate all employment related disputes and Executive’s receipt of the
compensation, pay raises and other benefits paid to Executive by the Company, at
present and in the future, Executive agrees that any and all controversies,
claims, or disputes with anyone (including the Company and any employee,
officer, director, shareholder or benefit plan of the Company in their capacity
as such or otherwise) arising out of, relating to, or resulting from Executive’s
service to the Company under this Agreement or otherwise or the termination of
Executive’s service with the Company, including any breach of this Agreement,
will be subject to binding arbitration under the Arbitration Rules set forth in
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1280 through 1294.2, including
Section 1283.05 (the “Rules”) and pursuant to California law. Disputes which
Executive agrees to arbitrate, and thereby agrees to waive any right to a trial
by jury, include any statutory claims under state or federal law, including, but
not limited to, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, the California Labor Code, claims of harassment,
discrimination or wrongful termination and any statutory claims. Executive
further understands that this Agreement to arbitrate also applies to any
disputes that the Company may have with Executive.

 

(b) Procedure. Executive agrees that any arbitration will be administered by the
American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) and that a neutral arbitrator will be
selected in a manner consistent with its National Rules for the Resolution of
Employment Disputes. The arbitration proceedings will allow for discovery
according to the rules set forth in the National Rules for the Resolution of
Employment Disputes or California Code of Civil Procedure. Executive agrees that
the arbitrator will have the power to decide any motions brought by any party to
the arbitration, including motions for summary judgment and/or adjudication and
motions to dismiss and demurrers, prior to any arbitration hearing. Executive
agrees that the arbitrator will issue a written decision on the merits.
Executive also agrees that the arbitrator will have the power to award any
remedies, including attorneys’ fees and costs, available under applicable law.
Executive understands the Company will pay for any administrative or hearing
fees charged by the arbitrator or AAA except that Executive will pay the first
$125.00 of any filing fees associated with any arbitration Executive initiates.
Executive agrees that the arbitrator will administer and conduct any arbitration
in a manner consistent with the Rules and that to the extent that the AAA’s
National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes conflict with the
Rules, the Rules will take precedence.

 

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(c) Remedy. Except as provided by the Rules, arbitration will be the sole,
exclusive and final remedy for any dispute between Executive and the Company.
Accordingly, except as provided for by the Rules, neither Executive nor the
Company will be permitted to pursue court action regarding claims that are
subject to arbitration. Notwithstanding, the arbitrator will not have the
authority to disregard or refuse to enforce any lawful Company policy, and the
arbitrator will not order or require the Company to adopt a policy not otherwise
required by law which the Company has not adopted.

 

(d) Availability of Injunctive Relief. In addition to the right under the Rules
to petition the court for provisional relief, Executive agrees that any party
may also petition the court for injunctive relief where either party alleges or
claims a violation of this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement or any
other agreement regarding trade secrets, confidential information,
nonsolicitation or Labor Code §2870. In the event either party seeks injunctive
relief, the prevailing party will be entitled to recover reasonable costs and
attorneys’ fees.

 

(e) Administrative Relief. Executive understands that this Agreement does not
prohibit Executive from pursuing an administrative claim with a local, state or
federal administrative body such as the Department of Fair Employment and
Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the workers’
compensation board. This Agreement does, however, preclude Executive from
pursuing court action regarding any such claim.

 

(f) Voluntary Nature of Agreement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that
Executive is executing this Agreement voluntarily and without any duress or
undue influence by the Company or anyone else. Executive further acknowledges
and agrees that Executive has carefully read this Agreement and that Executive
has asked any questions needed for Executive to understand the terms,
consequences and binding effect of this Agreement and fully understand it,
including that Executive is waiving Executive’s right to a jury trial. Finally,
Executive agrees that Executive has been provided an opportunity to seek the
advice of an attorney of Executive’s choice before signing this Agreement.

 

14. Tax Provisions. In the event that the benefits provided for in the
Agreement, when aggregated with any other payments or benefits received by
Executive, would (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and
(ii) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the
“Excise Tax”), then Executive’s benefits hereunder will be either

 

(a) delivered in full, or

 

(b) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such
benefits being subject to the Excise Tax,

 

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal,
state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by
Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits,
notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under
Section 4999 of the Code. Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in
writing, any determination required under this paragraph will be made in writing
by the Company’s independent

 

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public accountants (the “Accountants”) whose determination will be conclusive
and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of
making the calculations required by this paragraph, the Accountants may make
reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may
rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of
Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to
the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably
request in order to make a determination under this paragraph.

 

15. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to agreements
made and to be performed entirely within such state, without regard to
principles of conflicts of laws.

 

16. Integration. This Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement, the Separation
Agreement, any written agreements or other documents evidencing matters referred
to herein and any written Company existing plans that are referenced herein
represent the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the
subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior or contemporaneous
agreements as to the subject matter hereof and thereof, whether written or oral.

 

17. Notices. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement
will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally
delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested and postage prepaid. In the case of Executive, mailed notices will be
addressed to him at the home address that he most recently communicated to the
Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices will be addressed
to its corporate headquarters, and all notices will be directed to the attention
of its Chief Financial Officer.

 

18. Waiver etc. No waiver, alteration, or modification, if any, of the
provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by
duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto. If either party should
waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, such party will not
thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same
or any other provision of this Agreement.

 

19. Severability. If any term of this Agreement is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, then the remainder of the
terms of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will in no way
be affected, impaired or invalidated.

 

20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, which together
will constitute one instrument.

 

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The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

“Company”    

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

   

By:

 

/s/ Michael Hsing

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  Date: April 28, 2005

Name:

 

Michael Hsing

   

Title:

 

CEO and President

    “Executive”    

/s/ Tim Christoffersen

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  Date: April 28, 2005

Name:

 

Tim Christoffersen

   

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (TIMOTHY CHRISTOFFERSEN)

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SCHEDULE 3(C)(i)

 

Option Number

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Option Vesting Schedule Prior to the CFO Transition Date

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Option 1    250,000 shares granted with a vesting commencement date of June 22,
2004. 70,000 options vested as of June 22, 2004. 1/36th of the remaining options
vest monthly (5,000 options vest per month). Option 2    No shares will vest
prior to the CFO Transition Date. Option 3    No shares will vest prior to the
CFO Transition Date.

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

 

RECITALS

 

This Separation Agreement and Mutual Release (the “Agreement”) is made by and
between Timothy Christoffersen (“Employee”) and Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
(the “Company”) (jointly referred to as the “Parties”):

 

WHEREAS, Employee is employed by the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties entered into that Amended and Restated Employment
Agreement, effective as of April 28, 2005 (the “Employment Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to accept Employee’s resignation as its Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary and his relinquishment of all other officer and
director positions with the Company and its affiliates (including, but not
limited to, Employee’s appointment as Liquidator for the winding-up of
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc., a Cayman Islands company and wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company), effective as of October 5, 2005 (the “Resignation
Date”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints,
grievances, charges, actions, petitions and demands that the Employee may have
against the Company, including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising
or in any way related to Employee’s employment with or separation from the
Company.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises made herein, the Parties hereby
agree as follows:

 

COVENANTS

 

21. Consideration. Upon the Resignation Date, the Company agrees to pay Employee
a lump sum of $3,000. This payment will be made to Employee within five (5)
business days after the Resignation Date.

 

22. Equity Matters.

 

(a) Stock Options. Employee’s Options (as defined in the Employment Agreement)
shall be governed by Section 3(c) of the Employment Agreement.

 

(b) Option Status and Withholding. From the Effective Date (as defined in
Section 26 below) through the Resignation Date, Employee will continue to be a
Service Provider for purposes of the Plan and the Option Agreements, pursuant to
the Employment Agreement. Employee acknowledges that if any of the Options have
been classified as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such Options

 

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will convert into nonstatutory stock options three (3) months and one (1) day
after the Resignation Date. Furthermore, Employee acknowledges that in the event
the Options are classified as nonstatutory stock options on the date such
Options are exercised, the income recognized upon such exercise will be
considered wages that must be reported on Employee’s W-2 and applicable tax
withholding will be required. Employee agrees that the Company may refuse to
process any such exercise until Employee has made arrangements satisfactory to
the Company to satisfy any such withholding obligations.

 

23. Benefits. Employee’s health insurance benefits will cease on the Resignation
Date, subject to Employee’s right to continue his health insurance under COBRA.
Employee’s participation in all other benefits and incidents of employment will
cease on the Resignation Date. Employee will cease accruing employee benefits,
including, but not limited to, vacation time and paid time off, as of the
Resignation Date.

 

24. Confidential Information. Employee will continue to maintain the
confidentiality of all confidential and proprietary information of the Company
and will continue to comply with the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality
Agreement between Employee and the Company. Employee will return all of the
Company’s property and confidential and proprietary information in his
possession to the Company promptly after the execution by the parties hereof.

 

25. Payment of Salary and Benefits. Employee acknowledges and represents that
the Company has paid all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation, commissions
and any and all other benefits due to Employee through the Effective Date.
Employee shall cease accruing employee benefits, including, but not limited to,
vacation time and paid time off, as of the Effective Date.

 

26. Mutual Release of Claims. Employee agrees that the foregoing consideration
represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by
the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company. Employee and the
Company, on behalf of themselves and their respective heirs, agents,
representatives, immediate family members, executors, assigns, directors,
employees, attorneys, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates,
divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, hereby
fully and forever release each other and their respective heirs, agents,
representatives, immediate family members, executors, assigns, directors,
employees, attorneys, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates,
divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations and
agree not to sue or otherwise institute or cause to be instituted any legal or
administrative proceedings concerning any claim, duty, obligation or cause of
action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, that Employee or the Company may possess against each
other from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and
including the Effective Date of this Release including, without limitation,:

 

(a) any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment
relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;

 

(b) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee’s right to
purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including,
without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary
duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud
under any state or federal law;

 

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(c) any and all claims under the law of any jurisdiction including, but not
limited to, wrongful discharge of employment, constructive discharge from
employment, termination in violation of public policy, discrimination,
harassment, retaliation, fraud, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract, both
express and implied, breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both
express and implied; promissory estoppel, negligent or intentional infliction of
emotional distress, negligent or intentional misrepresentation, negligent or
intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage, unfair
business practices, defamation, libel, slander, negligence, personal injury,
assault, battery, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, conversion, workers’
compensation and disability benefits;

 

(d) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state or municipal statute,
including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the
Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Older Workers Benefit Protection
Act, The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, and the California Labor Code;

 

(e) any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state, constitution;

 

(f) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to
employment or employment discrimination;

 

(g) any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute
over the non-withholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received
by Employee as a result of this Agreement; and

 

(h) any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

The Company and Employee agree that the release set forth in this section will
be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the
matters released. This release does not extend to any obligations incurred under
this Agreement, the Employment Agreement after the date of this Agreement and,
to the extent applicable, to any Employee claims for indemnification from the
Company due to claims made by third parties.

 

27. Acknowledgement of Waiver of Claims Under ADEA. Employee acknowledges that
he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing
and voluntary. Employee and the Company agree that this waiver and release does
not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under ADEA after the Effective
Date of this Agreement. Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for
this waiver and release Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which
Employee was already entitled. Employee further acknowledges that he has been
advised by this writing that:

 

(a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement;

 

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(b) he has up to twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement;

 

(c) he has seven (7) days following his execution of this Agreement to revoke
the Agreement;

 

(d) this Agreement will not be effective until the revocation period has
expired; and

 

(e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or
seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the
ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing
so, unless specifically authorized by federal law.

 

28. Civil Code Section 1542. Employee and the Company represent that they are
not aware of any claim by them other than the claims that are released by this
Agreement. Employee and the Company acknowledge that they are familiar with the
provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows:

 

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR
SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF
KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

 

Employee, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights
he may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law
principles of similar effect.

 

29. No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Employee represents that he has no lawsuits,
claims, or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or
entity, against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein.
Employee also represents that he does not intend to bring any claims on his own
behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any
other person or entity referred to herein.

 

30. Confidentiality. The Parties acknowledge that Employee’s agreement to keep
the terms and conditions of this Agreement confidential was a material factor on
which all parties relied in entering into this Agreement. Employee hereto agrees
to use his best efforts to maintain in confidence the existence of this
Agreement, the contents and terms of this Agreement, and the consideration for
this Agreement (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Settlement
Information”). Employee agrees to take every reasonable precaution to prevent
disclosure of any Settlement Information to third parties, and agrees that there
will be no publicity, directly or indirectly, concerning any Settlement
Information. Employee agrees to take every precaution to disclose Settlement
Information only to those attorneys, accountants, governmental entities, and
family members who have a reasonable need to know of such Settlement
Information.

 

31. No Cooperation. Employee agrees that he will not encourage, counsel or
assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any
disputes, differences, grievances,

 

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claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against any of the Releasees,
unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so. Employee will inform the
Company in writing within three (3) days of receiving any such subpoena or other
court order.

 

32. Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees to refrain from any defamation, libel or
slander of the Releasees, and any tortious interference with the contracts,
relationships and prospective economic advantage of the Releasees. Employee
agrees that he will direct all inquiries by potential future employers to Human
Resources. The Company agrees that it and its executive officers will not
disparage and will refrain from any defamation, libel or slander of the
Employee, and any tortious interference with the contracts, relationships and
prospective economic advantage of the Employee.

 

33. Non-Solicitation. Employee agrees that for a period of twelve (12) months
immediately following the Effective Date of this Agreement, Employee will not
either directly or indirectly solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the
Company’s employees or consultants to leave their employment, or attempt to do
so, either for himself or any other person or entity.

 

34. Breach. Employee and the Company acknowledge and agree that any breach of
Sections 4, 6, 9, 12, 13 or 14 of this Agreement will constitute a material
breach of this Agreement and will entitle the Company or Employee immediately to
recover and/or cease the severance benefits provided to Employee under this
Agreement.

 

35. No Admission of Liability. The Parties understand and acknowledge that this
Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of actual or potential
disputed claims. No action taken by the Parties hereto, or either of them,
either previously or in connection with this Agreement will be deemed or
construed to be:

 

(a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any claims made or any potential
claims; or

 

(b) an acknowledgment or admission by either party of any fault or liability
whatsoever to the other party or to any third party.

 

36. Costs. The Parties will each bear their own costs, expert fees, attorneys’
fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement, except as
provided herein.

 

37. Arbitration. The Parties agree that any and all disputes arising out of the
terms of this Agreement, their interpretation, and any of the matters herein
released, will be subject to binding arbitration in Santa Clara County before
the American Arbitration Association under its National Rules for the Resolution
of Employment Disputes or California Code of Civil Procedure. The Parties agree
that the prevailing party in any arbitration will be entitled to injunctive
relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the arbitration award.
The Parties agree that the prevailing party in any arbitration will be awarded
its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE
THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THEM RESOLVED IN A COURT OF LAW BY A
JUDGE OR JURY. This paragraph will not prevent either party from seeking
injunctive relief (or any other provisional remedy) from any court having
jurisdiction over the Parties and the subject matter of their dispute relating
to Employee’s obligations under this Agreement and the Confidentiality
Agreement.

 

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38. Tax Consequences. The Company makes no representations or warranties with
respect to the tax consequences of the payment of any sums to Employee under the
terms of this Agreement. Employee agrees and understands that he is responsible
for payment, if any, of local, state and/or federal taxes on the sums paid
hereunder by the Company and any penalties or assessments thereon. Employee
further agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any claims,
demands, deficiencies, penalties, assessments, executions, judgments, or
recoveries by any government agency against the Company for any amounts claimed
due on account of Employee’s failure to pay federal or state taxes or damages
sustained by the Company by reason of any such claims, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees.

 

39. Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the
authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who
may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee
represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf and on
behalf of all who might claim through him to bind them to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. Each party warrants and represents that there are
no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or
against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.

 

40. No Representations. Each party represents that it has had the opportunity to
consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and
effect of the provisions of this Agreement. In entering into this Agreement,
neither party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the
other party hereto which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.

 

41. Severability. In the event that any provision, or any portion thereof,
becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal,
unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect
without said provision or portion of said provision.

 

42. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and
understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the subject matter of
this Agreement and Employee’s relationship with the Company, and supersedes and
replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings between the Parties
concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s relationship with
the Company, with the exception of the Confidentiality Agreement, the Consulting
Agreement, the Plan, and, to the extent not amended hereby, the Option
Agreements.

 

43. No Waiver. The failure of the Company to insist upon the performance of any
of the terms and conditions in this Agreement, or the failure to prosecute any
breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, will not be
construed thereafter as a waiver of any such terms or conditions. This entire
Agreement will remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or
failure of performance had occurred.

 

44. No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in a writing signed
by Employee and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

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45. Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed, interpreted, governed, and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard
to choice-of-law provisions. Employee hereby consents to personal and exclusive
jurisdiction and venue in the State of California.

 

46. Effective Date. This Agreement will become effective on the date that (i) it
has been signed by both parties and (ii) eight (8) days have passed since
Employee has signed it (the “Effective Date”).

 

47. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each
counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will
constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the
undersigned.

 

48. Voluntary Execution of Agreement. This Agreement is executed voluntarily and
without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Parties
hereto, with the full intent of releasing all claims. The Parties acknowledge
that:

 

(a) They have read this Agreement;

 

(b) They have been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of
this Agreement by legal counsel of their own choice or that they have
voluntarily declined to seek such counsel;

 

(c) They understand the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the
releases it contains; and

 

(d) They are fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the respective
dates set forth below.

 

   

TIMOTHY CHRISTOFFERSON

Dated: October     , 2005

 

By:

 

 

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Timothy Christoffersen

   

MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

Dated: October     , 2005

 

By:

 

 

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Name:

 

Michael Hsing

   

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer