Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement” or “Employment Agreement”) dated
November 19, 2018 (the “Effective Date”) between Charles K. Thompson
(“Employee”) and Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) (each of
the Employee and the Company, a “Party,” and collectively, the “Parties”)
provides:
WHEREAS, Employee is currently a member and Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) and is also serving as the Interim
Chief Executive Officer of the Company in an independent contractor capacity;
and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has determined that it is the best interests of
the Company to employ Employee as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in
a non-interim capacity, and Employee desires to be so employed by the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and
for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

1.    Previous Agreement Superseded. Any previous agreement or understanding,
whether written or oral, relating to your employment by the Company is hereby
superseded, replaced in its entirety by this Agreement and considered null and
void.
2.    Definitions.
a.    “Board of Directors” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Agreement.
b.    “Cause” means any one (1) or more of the following:
(i)    Employee’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any
felony or a crime involving embezzlement, conversion of property or moral
turpitude;
(ii)    A finding by a majority of the Board of Directors of Employee’s fraud,
embezzlement or conversion of the Company’s property or Employee’s material and
intentional unauthorized use, misappropriation, distribution or diversion of
tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of the Company;
(iii)    A finding by a majority of the Board of Directors of Employee’s knowing
breach of any of Employee’s fiduciary duties to any company in the Company Group
or the Company’s stockholders or making of an intentional misrepresentation or
intentional omission which breach, intentional misrepresentation or intentional
omission would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business relationship, the business, properties, assets, operations, condition
(financial or other) or prospects of any company in the Company Group;
(iv)    Employee’s alcohol or substance abuse, which materially interferes with
Employee’s ability to discharge the duties, responsibilities and obligations
prescribed by this Agreement as determined by a majority of the Board of
Directors;
(v)    Employee’s material and knowing failure to observe or comply with law
applicable to the business of the Company as an officer or employee of the
Company which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the business relationship, the business, properties, assets, operations,
condition (financial or other), or prospects of any company in the Company Group
as determined by a majority of the Board of Directors;

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Exhibit 10.1

(vi)    Employee’s gross insubordination, gross negligence, recklessness or
willful misconduct relating to the business or affairs of the Company that
results in material harm to the Company or its operation, properties,
reputation, goodwill or business relationships as determined by a majority of
the Board of Directors,
provided that (x) any finding or determination made by the Board of Directors
concerning the existence of Cause must be made in good faith and not for
purposes of evading the Company’s obligations hereunder; and (y) a finding or
determination of Cause by the Board of Directors may not be made unless, prior
to determining that Cause exists, the Employee shall be given written notice
stating in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances deemed by the Company
to constitute Cause, and thirty (30) days from receipt of such notice Employee
has failed to cure the facts and circumstances set forth in such notice.
c.    “Change of Control” shall have the meaning set forth in the MIP.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the fact that a transaction or
event is defined as a Change of Control for purposes of this Agreement shall not
evidence or infer that the transaction or event constitutes a change of or in
control for purposes of, including but not limited to, any determination or
definition of any licensing agency or for determining the duties of the Board of
Directors under applicable corporate law.
d.    “COBRA” means Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title
I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any
similar state law.
e.    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
f.    “Company Group” shall mean the entities listed on Schedule 1.
g.    “Compete” shall mean to directly or indirectly own, operate, manage, join,
control, be employed by, be a consultant to, invest in, or become a director,
officer, agent, partner, member, independent contractor or shareholder of any
Competitive Business, as defined below. As used in this Agreement, “Compete”
does not include purely passive investments in any publicly traded company so
long as Employee does not directly or indirectly own, acquire or obtain options
to acquire, 5% or more of any class of shares in such company.
h.    “Competitive Business” means any water logistics business in which the
Company is engaged during the Term of Employment that is conducted in connection
with oil or gas exploration or production which provides transportation,
treatment, or disposal, relating to water, wastewater, landfill, or related
products or services as advertised on the Company’s website from time to time.
i.    “Confidential Information” means any confidential information including,
without limitation, any study, data, calculations, software, storage media or
other compilation of information, patent, patent application, copyright,
“know-how”, trade secrets, customer or prospective customer lists or
information, details of client, consultant, vendor, supplier or manufacturer
contracts, pricing policies, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies,
product development techniques or plans, business acquisition plans or any
portion or phase of any scientific or technical information, ideas, discoveries,
designs, computer programs (including source or object codes), processes,
procedures, formulae, improvements or other proprietary or intellectual property
of any company in the Company Group, whether or not in written or tangible form,
and whether or not registered, and including all files, records, manuals, books,
catalogues, memoranda, notes, summaries, plans, reports, records, documents and
other evidence thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Confidential
Information does not include, and there shall be no obligation hereunder with
respect to, information that is or becomes generally available to the public
other than as a result of a disclosure by the Employee not permissible
hereunder.
j.    “Disability” means Employee is either:
(i)    determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration;
or

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Exhibit 10.1

(ii)    determined to be disabled pursuant to the Company’s disability plans for
a period of at least six (6) months in any twelve (12) month period.
k.    “Good Reason,” when used with reference to a voluntary termination by
Employee of Employee’s employment with the Company, shall mean any of the
following conditions, provided Employee provides the Company with actual notice
of the condition giving rise to the termination within sixty (60) days of
Employee’s knowledge of the initial existence of the condition, provides the
Company with the opportunity to cure within thirty (30) days of the notice, and
terminates employment within one hundred twenty days (120) of Employee’s first
obtaining knowledge of the initial existence of the condition:
(i)    A material diminution in Employee’s authority, duties or
responsibilities; provided that, a material diminution of Employee’s authority,
duties or responsibilities shall be deemed to have occurred if Employee ceases
to have such authorities, duties or responsibilities with respect to the entity
which is the ultimate parent entity of the Company Group following a Change of
Control; or
(ii)    A requirement that Employee report to any person or entity other than
the Board of Directors of the Company; or
(i)    A relocation of the Company’s principal headquarters office to a location
other than the Phoenix, Arizona or Houston, Texas metropolitan area;
(ii)    The Company’s delivery of a written notice confirming the end of the
Term of Employment pursuant to Section 2.q. below; or
(iii)    Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the
Company of this Agreement and such breach is not cured as set forth above.
l.     “MIP” means the Company’s 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan which became
effective as of August 7, 2017, as such plan may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, and including such terms, conditions and
provisions as may be contained in any grant agreements or other documentation of
awards that may be issued to Employee thereunder.
m.    “Market” means all states in which the Company has provided services to a
customer during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Termination Date.
n.    “Position” means the particular position of Chief Executive Officer of the
Company.
o.    “Regulations” means any laws, ordinances, regulations or rules of any
governmental, regulatory or administrative body, agent or authority, any court
or judicial authority, or any public, private or industry regulatory authority.
p.     “Specified Employee” means any Company employee that the Company
determines is a Specified Employee within the meaning of Section 409A of the
Code and the regulatory and other guidance promulgated thereunder (“Code Section
409A”). The Company shall determine whether an employee is a Specified Employee
by applying reasonable, objectively determinable identification procedures
compliant with Code Section 409A.
q.    “Term of Employment” means the period commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on the earlier of (i) a termination of employment pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement and (ii) December 31, 2020; provided, however, that the
Company shall provide written notice to Employee not less than 90 days prior to
December 31, 2020 confirming that the Term of Employment shall end on such date.
r.    “Termination Date” shall mean the last day of Employee’s employment with
the Company.

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Exhibit 10.1

3.    Nature of Employment. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company
hereby agrees to employ Employee in the Position, and Employee hereby agrees to
accept such employment in the Position, for the Term of Employment under this
Agreement.
4.    Extent of Employment. While employed:
a.    Employee shall perform the duties of the Position faithfully and to the
best of Employee’s ability at the principal offices of the Company or in such
locations as may be designated from time to time by the Company or as may be
necessary to fulfill the duties of the Position, except for reasonable travel in
connection with the Company’s business incident to the performance of Employee’s
duties. Such duties shall include, but not be limited to, such duties as may be
reasonably specified from time to time by the Board of Directors. Employee shall
report to the Board of Directors.
b.    Employee shall abide by the policies, rules, customs, and usages as
established by or existing at the Company.
c.    Employee shall devote Employee’s business time, energy and skill as may be
reasonably necessary for the performance of the duties, responsibilities, and
obligations of the Position. With the approval of the Board of Directors, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld, Employee may serve (i) in any capacity with
any civic, educational or charitable organization, (ii) in such partner,
director and/or officer positions as are currently held by Employee and
disclosed in the Information Statement relating to the Company’s 2018 annual
meeting of shareholders (as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission),
and (iii) in such other positions as may be approved by the Board of Directors
from time to time, in each case provided such services do not materially
interfere with Employee’s obligations to the Company.
d.    Employee shall not knowingly breach or violate any Regulations or rules of
any governmental or regulatory body in any material respect and shall not act in
any manner which might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the ongoing business, properties, assets, operations, condition (financial or
other), business relationships or prospects of any company in the Company Group.
e.    Employee shall not commit or engage in any conduct, through action or
omission, which would constitute any of the offenses set forth in the definition
of “Cause” under this Agreement.
5.    Compensation. While Employee is employed by the Company, the Company shall
pay Employee:
a.    Base Salary. A base salary, paid in accordance with the Company’s normal
payroll schedule, at a rate of $600,000 per annum (the “Base Salary”). The Board
of Directors or its Compensation Committee, as applicable, shall annually, and
in its sole discretion, determine whether the Base Salary should be increased
and, if so, in what amount.
b.    Incentive Compensation.
(i)    Employee shall be entitled to such discretionary bonuses as may be
approved by the Board of Directors from time to time and, if and to the extent
determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion, shall be eligible to
participate in such incentive compensation plans that have been approved or may
in the future be approved by the shareholders of the Company and/or the Board of
Directors, as applicable, and administered by the Board of Directors.
(ii)    Employee shall be eligible to participate in the MIP on terms and
conditions determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors, including an
initial grant of 210,000 Restricted Stock Units under the MIP pursuant to an
award agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A. In connection
with any subsequent grant of equity or equity-based compensation under the MIP,
the Employee shall enter into an award agreement in a reasonable form to be
provided by the Company that shall contain the terms and conditions of such
award, consistent with the terms of the MIP.

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Exhibit 10.1

c.    Clawback. The provisions of Section 5.b and 5.c. shall be subject to any
clawback policy required by applicable Regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and adopted by the Company in accordance with such
Regulations.
6.    Reimbursement of Expenses. While Employee is employed, the Company shall
reimburse Employee for reasonably documented travel expenses (including all
travel expenses between Employee’s residence in either New Jersey or Houston,
Texas and any of the Company’s business locations), entertainment and other
expenses reasonably incurred by Employee in connection with the performance of
the duties of the Position and, in each case, according to the reasonable rules,
policies, customs and procedures promulgated by the Company from time to time.
All reimbursements shall be made within thirty (30) days of Employee’s
submission of any reasonably documented expense reimbursement claim, but no
later than the last day of the year immediately following the year in which the
expense was incurred. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement provided
during one (1) taxable year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for
reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any other taxable year.
Employee may not elect to receive cash or any other benefit in lieu of the
reimbursements provided by this Section.
7.    Benefits. While Employee is employed, the Employee shall be entitled to
perquisites and benefits established from time to time, at the sole discretion
of the Board of Directors for the Position, including without limitation,
health, short and long term disability, pension and life insurance benefits
consistent with past practice, or as increased from time to time; provided that
the perquisites and benefits provided to Employee shall be at least
substantially equal to those provided to any other officer of the Company.
8.    Termination of Employment for Cause or without Good Reason. At any time
during the Term of Employment, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment
for Cause effective upon the giving to Employee a written notice of termination.
If Employee’s employment is terminated for Cause or Employee voluntarily
terminates Employee’s employment without Good Reason, Employee shall be entitled
to:
a.    Payment of accrued and unpaid base salary and unused vacation through the
Termination Date in accordance with applicable law;
b.    Reimbursement for expenses incurred through the Termination Date as set
forth in Section 6.
9.    Termination of Employment without Cause, for Good Reason, or due to the
Death or Disability of Employee. During the Term of Employment, the Company may
terminate Employee’s employment without Cause and without providing notice to
Employee, and Employee may terminate Employee’s employment with the Company for
Good Reason. Employee’s death or Disability shall cause a termination of
Employee’s employment.
a.     Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason. During the Term of
Employment, if Employee is terminated by the Company without Cause or if
Employee terminates Employee’s employment for Good Reason, Employee shall be
entitled to the following items within sixty (60) days following the Termination
Date (except as provided in Section 9.a.(iii) below) so long as Employee has
signed and not revoked the Release described in Section 12 below during such
sixty (60) day period (provided, however, consistent with Section 12, if the
sixty (60) day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar
year, payments will be made in the second calendar year):
(i)    The Company shall provide the items set forth in Section 8.a. and 8.b.
above.
(ii)    The Company shall pay to Employee a lump sum severance pay amount equal
to the sum of (aa) twelve (12) months of the Base Salary in effect immediately
prior to the Termination Date, and (bb) twelve (12) months of the Company’s
COBRA premiums in effect on the Termination Date (based on Employee’s coverage
status under the Company’s group health plan on the Termination Date).

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Exhibit 10.1

(iii)    If and to the extent that the Board of Directors has awarded a
discretionary bonus to Employee, or Employee is otherwise eligible for a bonus
under any incentive compensation plan approved by the Board of Directors, in
either case relating to the fiscal year during which the Termination Date
occurs, the Company shall pay Employee a lump sum amount equal to at least one
hundred percent (100%) of the bonus or bonuses attributable to the fiscal year
during which the Termination Date occurs if such bonus or bonuses would have
been earned and paid but for the termination of Employee’s employment.
Notwithstanding the requirement stated in this Section 9.a. above to provide
amounts within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date, the payment
required under this Section 9.a.(iii) shall be paid to Employee on the same date
as such fiscal year bonuses are paid to the Company’s active employees in the
next year, which is the date Employee would have received such bonus payment had
Employee remained continuously employed by the Company.
(iv)    Acceleration in full, effective as of the Termination Date, of all then
outstanding time-based equity awards and a “pro rata” portion (based on the
portion of the applicable performance period actually served prior to
termination) of all then outstanding Performance-Based Awards regardless of
whether or not such Performance-Based Awards would become vested and exercisable
based on the applicable performance criteria.
(v)    Employee’s participation in and/or coverage under all other employee
benefit plans, programs or arrangements sponsored or maintained by the Company
shall cease to be effective as of the Termination Date, unless such benefit,
program or plan is inalienable under the law.
b.    [Reserved]
c.    Disability. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, Employee’s employment with
the Company will terminate on the effective date of Employee’s Disability. The
effective date of Employee’s Disability, which will be Employee’s Termination
Date for purposes of this Section 9.c., is the last day of the third (3rd) month
on which Employee receives disability benefits pursuant to a Company sponsored
disability plan or the day on which Employee is determined to be totally
disabled by the Social Security Administration. Employee shall be entitled to
the following items within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date of
Employee’s employment termination due to Disability, so long as Employee has
signed and not revoked the release described in Section 12 below during such
sixty (60) day period (provided, however, consistent with Section 12, if the
sixty (60) day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar
year, payments will be made in the second calendar year):
(i)    All the payments and benefits set forth in Section 9.a.(i), (iv) and (v);
and
(ii)    Disability benefits under the applicable plan or practice.
d.    Death. If Employee dies during the Term of Employment , Employee’s estate
shall be entitled to the following items:
(i)    All the payments and benefits set forth in Section 9.a.(i), (iv) and (v);
and
(ii)    Employee’s dependents, if any, who are covered by the Company’s group
health plan at the time of Employee’s death shall be eligible for the COBRA
continuation coverage.
e.    If any payment or benefit Employee would receive under this Agreement,
when combined with any other payment or benefit Employee receives pursuant to
the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company (“Payment”), would:
(i)    constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of
the Code, and

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Exhibit 10.1

(ii)    but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be whichever of the
following amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local
employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax, results in Employee’s
receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment
notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the
Excise Tax:
(a)the full amount of such Payment; or
(b)    such lesser amount (with cash payments being reduced) as would result in
no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax.
(iii)    All determinations required to be made under this Section 9.e.,
including whether and to what extent the Payments shall be reduced and the
assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a
national independent accounting firm registered with the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board as will be designated by the Company (the “Accounting
Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both
to Employee and the Company at such time as is requested by the Company. All
fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.
For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 9.f., the
Accounting Firm 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.
(iv)    To the extent any reduction of the Payments becomes necessary pursuant
to this Section 9.e., the reduction first shall apply to amounts payable
pursuant to this Section 9, or pursuant to any other arrangement, that are not
subject to Section 409A of the Code. If the amount of the necessary reduction
exceeds the amount of the payments described in the preceding sentence, the
reduction will then apply on a proportional basis to amounts payable to Employee
that are subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
f.    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the time nor the schedule of any payment under this Agreement may be
accelerated or subject to a further deferral except as provided in 26 C.F.R. §
1.409A-3(j)(4) or to the extent such payment constitutes a “short-term deferral”
within the meaning of Code Section 409A.
g.    The Employee does not have any right to make any election regarding the
time or form of any payment due under this Agreement.
h.    If the Company fails to make any payment under this Agreement, either
intentionally or unintentionally, within the time period specified in this
Agreement, but the payment is made within the same calendar year, such payment
will be treated as made within the time period specified in the Agreement
pursuant to 26 C.F.R. § 1.409A-3(d). In addition, if a payment is not made due
to a dispute with respect to such payment, the payment may be delayed in
accordance with 26 C.F.R. § 1.409A-3(g).
i.    For purposes of this Agreement, Employee’s Termination Date shall be the
date on which Employee incurs a “Separation from Service.” For this purpose, the
term “Separation from Service” means either (1) the termination of Employee’s
employment with the Company and all affiliates, or (2) a permanent reduction in
the level of bona fide services that Employee provides to the Company and all
affiliates to an amount that is 20% or less of the average level of bona fide
services that Employee provided to the Company and all affiliates in the
immediately preceding thirty-six (36) months, with the level of bona fide
services to be calculated in accordance with regulations issued by the United
States Treasury Department pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.
Employee’s relationship is treated as continuing while Employee is on military
leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence (if the period of such
leave does not exceed six (6) months, or if longer, so long as Employee’s right
to reemployment with the Company or an affiliate is provided either by statute
or contract). If

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Exhibit 10.1

Employee’s period of leave exceeds six (6) months and Employee’s right to
reemployment is not provided either by statute or by contract, the relationship
between Employee and the Company is deemed to terminate on the first (1st) day
immediately following the expiration of such six (6) month period. Whether a
termination has occurred will be determined based on all of the facts and
circumstances.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “affiliate” shall have the meaning set
forth in 26 C.F.R. § 1.409A-1(h)(3) (which generally requires 50% common
ownership).
If Employee is providing services to the Company in more than one (1) capacity,
for example as both an employee and a member of the Board of Directors or an
independent contractor for the Company, Employee must terminate employment with
or services to the Company in all capacities in order to have a Separation from
Service for purposes of this Agreement.
j.    This Agreement shall be administered in compliance with Section 409A of
the Code or an exception thereto, including, without limitation, the short-term
deferral exception within the meaning of 26 C.F.R.§1.409A-1(b)(4) and separation
pay due to involuntary separation from service within the meaning of 26
C.F.R.§1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii). Each provision of the Agreement shall be
interpreted, to the extent possible, to comply with Section 409A or an exception
thereto. Payments pursuant to this section are intended to constitute separate
payments for purposes of 26 C.F.R. § 1.409A-2(b)(2).
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, if the Employee is a Specified Employee on
the Termination Date, all payments and benefits that constitute nonqualified
deferred compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A that do not
satisfy the requirements of an exception to Code Section 409A, if any, that are
to be made following the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month of the
Employee’s taxable year following the Employee’s taxable year in which the
Termination Date occurred, but before the date which is six (6) months following
the Termination Date, shall be delayed and paid in a lump-sum on the first (1st)
day of the seventh (7th) month following the Employee’s Termination Date or, if
earlier, the date the Employee dies following the Termination Date.
10.    Mitigation or Reduction of Benefits. In the event of termination of
employment as set forth in Section 9 above, Employee shall not be required to
mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in that Section by seeking other
employment or otherwise. Except as otherwise specifically set forth herein, the
amount of any payment or benefits provided in Section 9 shall not be reduced by
any compensation or benefits or other amounts paid to or earned by Employee as
the result of employment by another employer after the Termination Date.
11.    [Intentionally Omitted]
12.    Release. In order to receive payments and benefits described in
Section 9, other than those provided in Section 8 and those provided in the
event of Employee’s death, Employee must execute a Release substantially in the
form attached as Exhibit B, and that Release must become effective by Employee
not revoking it. If Employee fails to sign the Release within the period
provided in the Release, or if Employee revokes the Release within the seven
(7) day revocation period provided therein, Employee will forfeit any right to
the payments and benefits described in Section 9. As a general rule, Employee
shall receive the Release from the Company on or before Employee’s Termination
Date, but in no event will Employee receive the Release more than ten (10) days
following Employee’s Termination Date. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, if the period during which Employee may consider and
revoke the Release spans two (2) calendar years, any payments to which Employee
is entitled pursuant to Sections 9.a.(ii), 9.b.(ii) and 9.c.(i) shall be made in
the second (2nd) calendar year.
13.    Covenant Not to Compete. In consideration of this Agreement, and the
employment under it, the parties agree to the following Covenant Not to Compete.
a.    Post-Termination Restrictions. Employee acknowledges that the services
provided under this Agreement give Employee the opportunity to have special
knowledge of the Company, its Confidential Information, and the capabilities of
individuals employed by or affiliated with the Company. Employee further

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Exhibit 10.1

acknowledges that interference with those business or employment relationships
with the Company would cause irreparable injury to the Company. Consequently,
Employee covenants and agrees as follows:
(i)    Non-Competition. From the Effective Date hereof until twelve (12) months
after the Termination Date, without the express written approval of a majority
of the Board of Directors, Employee will not directly or indirectly, Compete
against Company anywhere in the Market.
(ii)    Non-Solicitation. From the effective date hereof until twelve (12)
months after the Termination Date (which shall not be reduced by (a) any period
of violation of this Agreement by Employee or (b) if the Company is the
prevailing party in any litigation to enforce its rights under this Section 13,
the period which is required for such litigation), Employee will not, without
the express prior written approval of a majority of the Board of Directors,
directly or indirectly: (i) recruit, solicit or otherwise induce or influence
any proprietor, partner, stockholder, lender, director, officer, employee, sales
agent, joint venturer, investor, lessor, customer, agent, representative or any
other person which has a business relationship with the Company or had a
business relationship with the Company within the twelve (12) month period
preceding the date of the incident in question, to discontinue, reduce or modify
such employment, agency or business relationship with the Company; or
(ii) employ or seek to employ or cause any Competitive Business to employ or
seek to employ any person or agent who is then (or was at any time within twelve
(12) months prior to the date the Employee or the Competitive Business employs
or seeks to employ such person) employed or retained by the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Employee from
providing a personal letter of recommendation to an employee of the Company with
respect to a future or any other employment opportunity.
b.    Acknowledgment Regarding Restrictions. Employee recognizes and agrees that
the restraints contained in Section 13 (both separately and in total) are
reasonable and should be fully enforceable in view of the high level positions
Employee has had with the Company, and the Company’s legitimate interests in
protecting its Confidential Information and its goodwill and relationships.
Employee specifically hereby acknowledges and confirms that Employee is willing
and intends to, and will, abide fully by the terms of Section 13 of this
Agreement. Employee further agrees that the Company would not have adequate
protection if Employee were permitted to work in a Competitive Business in
violation of the terms of this Agreement since the disclosure of Confidential
Information is inevitable and the Company would be unable to verify whether its
Confidential Information was being disclosed and/or misused. Employee further
specifically acknowledges that the scope and term of this Section 13 would not
preclude Employee from earning a living in an occupation or position with an
entity that is not a Competitive Business.
c.    Company’s Right to Cease and Recoup Payments and Obtain Injunctive Relief.
In the event of a breach or imminent breach of any of Employee’s duties or
obligations under this Agreement, provided the Company has provided Employee
with written notice specifying the breach or imminent breach and Employee has
failed to cure such breach or has committed such imminent breach within five (5)
calendar days of such notice, the Company shall be entitled to immediately cease
all payments and benefits to Employee under Section 9 and, in the event of an
actual breach, require Employee to disgorge and repay to Company all payments
and benefits previously paid to or conferred upon Employee under Section 9 of
this Agreement after the commencement of Employee’s breach. Employee agrees that
if Employee breaches any duties or obligations Employee has under Section 13
and/or Section 14 of this Agreement, that, except for sums set forth in
Section 8, Employee has no right to any money or benefits under Section 9 of
this Agreement and that Employee must return any money paid to Employee under
that section. In addition to any other legal or equitable remedies the Company
may have (including any right to damages that it may suffer), the Company shall
be entitled to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief
restraining such breach or imminent breach without being required to post a
bond, surety or other security therefor. Employee hereby expressly acknowledges
that the harm which might result to Company’s business as a result of
noncompliance by Employee with any of the provisions of this Agreement would be
largely irreparable. Each party undertakes and agrees that if he/it breaches or
threatens to breach the Agreement, he/it shall be liable for any attorneys’ fees
and costs incurred by the other party in enforcing its rights hereunder.

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Exhibit 10.1

d.    Employee Agreement to Disclose this Agreement. Employee agrees to disclose
the terms of this Agreement to any potential future employer, and Employee
consents to the Company’s disclosure of the terms of this Agreement to any
potential future employer.
e.    Survival. The terms of this entire Section 13 shall survive the
termination of Employee’s employment under this Agreement regardless of who
terminates employment or the reasons therefore.
14.    Confidential Information.
a.    During and after the Term of Employment, Employee will not, directly or
indirectly, in one (1) or a series of transactions, disclose to any person, or
use or otherwise exploit for the Employee’s own benefit or for the benefit of
anyone other than the Company, any Confidential Information, whether prepared by
Employee or not; provided, however, that any Confidential Information may be
disclosed (i) to officers, representatives, employees and agents of the Company
who need to know such Confidential Information in order to perform the services
or conduct the operations required or expected of them in the business, and
(ii) in good faith by the Employee in connection with the performance of
Employee’s duties hereunder to persons who are authorized to receive such
information by the Company. Employee shall use Employee’s best efforts to
prevent the removal of any Confidential Information from the premises of the
Company, except as required in Employee’s normal course of employment by the
Company. Employee shall use Employee’s best efforts to cause all persons or
entities to whom any Confidential Information shall be disclosed by Employee
hereunder to observe the terms and conditions set forth herein as though each
such person or entity was bound hereby. Employee shall have no obligation
hereunder to keep confidential any Confidential Information, if and to the
extent disclosure of any such information is specifically required by law or
requested by a governmental agency; provided, however, that in the event
disclosure is required by applicable law or requested by a governmental agency,
the Employee shall provide the Company with prompt notice of such requirement or
request, prior to making any disclosure, so that the Company may seek an
appropriate protective order. At the request of the Company, Employee agrees to
deliver to the Company, at any time during the Term of Employment, or
thereafter, all Confidential Information which Employee may possess or control.
Employee agrees that all Confidential Information of the Company (whether now or
hereafter existing) conceived, discovered or made by Employee during the Term of
Employment exclusively belongs to the Company (and not to Employee). Employee
will promptly disclose such Confidential Information to the Company and perform
all actions reasonably requested by the Company to establish and confirm such
exclusive ownership.
b.    The terms of this entire Section 14 shall survive the termination of
Employee’s employment under this Agreement regardless of who terminates
employment or the reasons therefore.
15.    Indemnification and Insurance. Employee will be covered under the
Company’s insurance policies and, subject to applicable law, will be provided
indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and by the
Company’s bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation and standard form of
Indemnification Agreement, if any, with such insurance coverage and
indemnification to be in accordance with the Company’s standard practices for
senior executive officers but on terms no less favorable than provided to other
Company senior executive officers.
16.    Notice. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given (a) when delivered personally or by courier, or (b) on the
third (3rd) business day following the mailing thereof by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, or (c) on the first (1st) business day
following the mailing thereof by overnight delivery service, in each case
addressed as set forth below:
If to the Company:
Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc.
14624 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 300
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

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Exhibit 10.1

With a copy to:
Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc.
14624 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 300
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
Attention: Chief Legal Officer

If to Employee:

Charles K. Thompson
3900 Essex Lane, Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77027

Any party may change the address to which notices are to be addressed by giving
the other party written notice in the manner herein set forth.

17.    Agreement to Arbitrate. Except with respect to an action instituted by
the Company to enforce the terms of Sections 13 or 14, which may be commenced
and venued in the state or federal courts located in Phoenix, Arizona, all
disputes or claims regarding this Agreement, Employee’s employment with the
Company or the termination of Employee’s employment shall be submitted for
resolution exclusively to binding arbitration under the Employment Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration Association in Maricopa County, Arizona. The
parties shall bear their own attorneys’ fees, and the Company shall bear the
expenses of the arbitral proceedings, including without limitation the fees of
the arbitrator.
18.    Successors; Binding Agreement.
a.    The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company, upon or prior to such succession, to
expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company would have been required to perform it if no
such succession had taken place. A copy of such assumption and agreement shall
be delivered to Employee promptly after its execution by the successor. Failure
of the Company to obtain such agreement upon or prior to the effectiveness of
any such succession shall be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement.
As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore
defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 18 or which
otherwise becomes bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement by
operation of law.
b.    This Agreement is personal to Employee, and Employee may not assign or
delegate any part of Employee’s rights or duties hereunder to any other person,
except that this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by,
Employee’s legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs and
beneficiaries.
19.    Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance shall to any extent be held to be invalid
or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such
provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held
invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby, and each provision of
this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by
law. A court, arbitrator or arbitration panel may reasonably modify this
Agreement by rewriting it and/or may “blue-pencil” this Agreement by striking
things out.
20.    Headings. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.
21.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or more identical
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one (1) and the same instrument.

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Exhibit 10.1

22.    Waiver. Neither any course of dealing nor any failure or neglect of
either party hereto in any instance to exercise any right, power or privilege
hereunder or under law shall constitute a waiver of such right, power or
privilege or of any other right, power or privilege or of the same right, power
or privilege in any other instance. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Employee’s continued employment without objection shall not
constitute Employee’s consent to, or a waiver of, Employee’s rights with respect
to any circumstances constituting Good Reason. All waivers by either party
hereto must be contained in a written instrument signed by the party to be
charged therewith.
23.    Entire Agreement. This instrument constitutes the entire agreement of the
parties in this matter and shall supersede any other agreement between the
parties, oral or written, concerning the same subject matter, except and to the
extent as may be specified in any such other agreement.
24.    Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a writing which makes
express reference to this Agreement as the subject of such amendment and which
is signed by Employee and by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors or the Chairman’s designee.
25.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Arizona, without regard for any
conflict/choice of law principles.
26.    Taxes. All payments and benefits under this Agreement are subject to
applicable tax withholdings, and the tax treatment of such payments and benefits
is not warranted or guaranteed by the Company. Neither the Company nor its
affiliates shall be liable for any taxes, penalties, or other monetary amounts
owed by Employee or any other person as a result of any payments or the
provision of any benefits under this Agreement.
[Signatures appear on following page.]

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Exhibit 10.1

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and the Company have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.

NUVERRA ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

By:
 
/s/ Michael Y. McGovern
Name:
 
Michael Y. McGovern
Title:
 
Director and Chairman of the Compensation and Nominating Committee

EMPLOYEE

/s/ Charles K. Thompson

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