Exhibit 10.1
October 27, 2010
Eric J. Gleacher
Gleacher & Company, Inc.
Dear Eric:
     As you know, Gleacher & Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is implementing
changes to its senior management team as part of its succession plan. As a
result, effective October 27, 2010, Peter J. McNierney will assume the
additional office of interim Chief Executive Officer and you will continue to be
Chairman of the Board.
     In connection with these changes and subject to the achievement of the
pre-established Company performance goal approved by the Executive Compensation
Committee (the “Committee”) of the Company’s Board of Directors on March 11,
2010 in connection with the establishment of the annual incentive award
opportunities under the Company’s 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”)
intended to constitute “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(“Section 162(m)”) for the 2010 performance year measured through December 31,
2010, as certified by the Committee consistent with the requirements of
Section 162(m), you will receive a cash award of $3.875 million pursuant to the
Plan (the “Annual Bonus”), to be paid (less applicable tax withholding) at such
time as annual cash bonuses are paid to other executive officers of the Company
(on or about February 15, 2011 and in no event later than March 15, 2011);
provided, however, that the amount of such Annual Bonus will not exceed (i) the
applicable percentage of the Company’s net revenues for 2010 as approved by the
Committee, or (ii) the applicable limitations set forth in Section 5.2 of the
Plan.
     This letter will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of the State of New York, without reference to its conflict of law rules. Any
controversy or dispute regarding the interpretation, construction or enforcement
of this letter agreement shall be subject to and resolved by binding arbitration
in New York, New York through the facilities and in accordance with the rules of
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), and the parties agree to
submit to the jurisdiction of FINRA with respect to any such controversy or
dispute. This letter shall be binding upon any successor of the Company or its
businesses (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise), in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
obligated under this letter if no succession had taken place.
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     Please sign this letter and return it to the Company’s General Counsel,
Patricia Arciero-Craig.

                  Very truly yours,    
 
                Gleacher & Company, Inc.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Robert A. Gerard    
 
  Name:  
 
Robert A. Gerard    
 
  Title:   Director, Chair of the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board
   

Accepted and agreed as of
October 27, 2010:

     
/s/ Eric J. Gleacher
   
 
Eric J. Gleacher