Exhibit 10.6

 

Continuing Guaranty

 

Dated as of September 4, 2012

 

Guaranty.  To induce JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., whose address is 300 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071-3109 (together with its successors and assigns, the “Bank”), at its option, to make financial accommodations, make or acquire loans, extend or continue credit or some other benefit, including letters of credit, present or future, direct or indirect, and whether several, joint or joint and several, to CHEROKEE INC. (whether one or more, the “Borrower”, individually and collectively, if more than one), and because the undersigned (the “Guarantor”) has determined that executing this Guaranty is in its interest and to its financial benefit, the Guarantor absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to the Bank, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, the performance of and full and prompt payment of the Liabilities (as defined below) when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.  The Guarantor will not only pay the Liabilities to the Bank, but will also reimburse the Bank for any and all fees, charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (including fees and expenses of counsel for the Bank that are employees of the Bank or its affiliates) and court costs, that the Bank may pay in collecting from the Borrower or the Guarantor, and for liquidating any Collateral (collectively, “Collection Amounts”).  The Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Liabilities.  The term “Liabilities” in this Guaranty means all debts, obligations, indebtedness and liabilities of every kind and character of the Borrower, whether individual, joint and several, contingent or otherwise, now or hereafter existing in favor of the Bank, including, without limitation, all liabilities, interest, costs and fees, arising under or from any note, open account, overdraft, credit card, lease, Rate Management Transaction, letter of credit application, endorsement, surety agreement, guaranty, acceptance, foreign exchange contract or depository service contract, whether payable to the Bank or to a third party and subsequently acquired by the Bank, any monetary obligations (including interest) incurred or accrued during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or  other similar proceedings, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceedings, and all renewals, extensions, modifications, consolidations, rearrangements, restatements, replacements or substitutions of any of the foregoing.  The Guarantor and the Bank specifically contemplate that Liabilities include indebtedness to the Bank that may be hereafter incurred by the Borrower.  The term “Rate Management Transaction” in this Guaranty means any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) that is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, forward transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option, derivative transaction or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether linked to one or more interest rates, foreign currencies, commodity prices, equity prices or other financial measures.

 

Limitation.  The Guarantor’s obligation under this Guaranty shall be UNLIMITED.

 

Continued Reliance.  This Guaranty shall remain in effect until payment in full of the Remaining Liabilities (as defined below) following termination of this Guaranty by the Guarantor in accordance with this paragraph.  This Guaranty will continue to be in effect until final payment and performance in full of all Liabilities and the termination of any commitment of the Bank to make loans or other financial accommodations to the Borrower.  The Guarantor may terminate the Guarantor’s liability for Liabilities not in existence or for which the Bank has no commitment to advance or acquire by delivering written notice to the Bank as set forth in the paragraph below captioned “Notice.” After the Guarantor’s termination of this Guaranty, the Guarantor will continue to be liable for the following amounts (the “Remaining Liabilities”): (i) all Liabilities existing on the effective date of termination, (ii) all Liabilities to which the Bank has committed to advance or acquire prior to the effective termination date (whether or not the Bank is contractually obligated to advance or acquire the loans or extensions of credit), (iii) all subsequent renewals, extensions, modifications, consolidations, rearrangements, restatements, replacements and amendments (but not increases) of those Liabilities, (iv) all interest accruing on those Liabilities after the effective termination date, and (v) all Collection Amounts incurred with respect to those Liabilities, on or after the effective termination date.  The Bank may continue to permit the Borrower to incur Liabilities and to issue commitments to the Borrower to advance or acquire Liabilities in reliance on this Guaranty until the effective date of termination hereunder, regardless of whether at any time, or from time to time, there are no existing Liabilities nor commitments by the Bank to advance or acquire Liabilities.

 

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Security.  The term “Collateral” in this Guaranty means all real or personal property described in all security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments, or other instruments now or hereafter executed in connection with any of the Liabilities, including, without limitation, the Continuing Security Agreement dated as of even date herewith between the Borrower and the Bank.  If applicable, the Collateral secures the payment of the Liabilities.

 

Bank’s Right of Setoff.  In addition to the Collateral, if any, the Guarantor grants to the Bank a security interest in the Accounts, and the Bank is authorized to setoff and apply, all Accounts, Securities and Other Property, and Bank Debt against any and all Liabilities and all obligations of the Guarantor under this Guaranty.  This right of setoff may be exercised at any time and from time to time, and without prior notice to the Guarantor.  This security interest in the Accounts and right of setoff may be enforced or exercised by the Bank regardless of whether or not the Bank has made any demand under this paragraph or whether the Liabilities are contingent, matured or un-matured.  Any delay, neglect or conduct by the Bank in exercising its rights under this paragraph shall not be a waiver of the right to exercise the right of setoff or to enforce the security interest in the Accounts.  The rights of the Bank under this paragraph are in addition to other rights the Bank may have by law.  In this paragraph: (a) the term “Accounts” means any and all accounts and deposits of the Guarantor (whether general, special, time, demand, provisional or final) at any time held by the Bank (including all Accounts held jointly with another, but excluding any IRA or Keogh Account, or any trust Account in which a security interest would be prohibited by law); (b) the term “Securities and Other Property” means any securities entitlements, securities accounts, investment property, financial assets and all securities and other property of the Guarantor in the custody, possession or control of the Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates (other than property held by the Bank in a fiduciary capacity); and (c) the term “Bank Debt” means all indebtedness at any time owing by the Bank to or for the credit or account of the Guarantor and any claim of the Guarantor (whether individual, joint and several or otherwise) against the Bank now or hereafter existing.

 

Remedies/Acceleration.  If the Guarantor fails to pay any amount owing under this Guaranty, the Bank shall have all of the rights and remedies provided by law or under any other agreement.  The Bank is authorized to cause all or any part of the Collateral to be transferred to or registered in its name or in the name of any other person or business entity with or without designation of the capacity of that nominee.  The Guarantor is liable for any deficiency in payment of any Liabilities whether of principal, interest, fees, costs or expenses remaining after the disposition of any Collateral.  The Guarantor is liable to the Bank for all Collection Amounts related to the making and collection of this Guaranty, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs or costs or expenses incurred by the Bank in any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or other similar proceeding.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Guaranty, the Bank’s rights to recover attorneys’ fees and other legal expenses hereunder is subject to California Civil Code Section 1717,  including any revision or replacement of such statute or rule hereafter enacted.  All obligations of the Guarantor to the Bank under this Guaranty, whether or not then due or absolute or contingent, shall, at the option of the Bank, without notice or demand, become due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of any default or event of default under the terms of any of the Liabilities or otherwise with respect to any agreement related to the Liabilities (or any other event that results in acceleration of the maturity of any Liabilities, including without limitation, demand for payment of any Liabilities constituting demand obligations or automatic acceleration in a legal proceeding) or the occurrence of any default under this Guaranty.

 

Permissible Actions.  If any monies become available from any source other than the Guarantor that the Bank can apply to the Liabilities, the Bank may apply them in any manner it chooses, including but not limited to applying them against obligations, indebtedness or liabilities which are not covered by this Guaranty.  The Bank may take any action against the Borrower, the Collateral, or any other person liable for any of the Liabilities.  The Bank may release the Borrower or anyone else from the Liabilities, either in whole or in part, or release the Collateral, and need not perfect a security interest in the Collateral.  The Bank does not have to exercise any rights that it has against the Borrower or anyone else, or make any effort to realize on the Collateral or any other collateral for the Liabilities, or exercise any right of set-off.  The Guarantor authorizes the Bank, without notice or demand and without affecting the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, from time to time, to: (a) renew, modify, compromise, rearrange, restate, consolidate, extend, accelerate, postpone, grant any indulgence or otherwise change the time for payment of, or otherwise change the terms of the Liabilities or any part thereof, including increasing or decreasing the rate of interest thereon; (b) release, substitute or add any one or more endorsers, sureties, Guarantor or other guarantors; (c) take and hold Collateral for the payment of this Guaranty or the Liabilities, and enforce, exchange, impair, substitute, subordinate, waive or release any Liabilities or any Collateral for the Liabilities; (d) proceed against such Collateral and direct the order or manner of sale of such Collateral as the Bank in its discretion may determine; (e) apply any and all payments from the Borrower, the Guarantor or any other obligor on the Liabilities, or recoveries from such Collateral, in such order or manner as the Bank in its discretion may determine; and (f) to accept any partial payment of Liabilities or collateral for the Liabilities.  The Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty shall not be released, diminished or affected by (i) any act or omission of the Bank, (ii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower, or any receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, or other similar proceedings affecting the Borrower, any other obligor or any of their respective assets, (iii) any change in the composition or structure of the Borrower, the Guarantor or any other obligor on the Liabilities, including a merger or consolidation with any other person or entity, or (iv) any payments made upon the Liabilities.  The Guarantor hereby expressly consents to any impairment of Collateral, including, but not limited to, failure to perfect a security interest and release Collateral and any such impairment or release shall not affect the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder.

 

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Nature of Guaranty.  This Guaranty is an absolute guaranty of payment and performance and not of collection.  Therefore, the Bank may insist that the Guarantor pay immediately, and the Bank is not required to attempt to collect first from the Borrower, the Collateral, or any other person liable for the Liabilities.  The obligation of the Guarantor shall be unconditional and absolute even if all or any part of any agreement between the Bank and the Borrower is unenforceable, void, voidable or illegal or uncollectible due to incapacity, lack of power or authority, discharge or for any reason whatsoever, and regardless of the existence of any defense, setoff, discharge or counterclaim (in any case, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory) which the Borrower may assert.  If the Borrower is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust, it is not necessary for the Bank to inquire into the powers of the Borrower or the officers, directors, members, managers, partners, trustees or agents acting or purporting to act on its behalf, and any of the Liabilities made or created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed hereunder.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Guarantor’s liability is absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and shall not be released, diminished or affected by: (a) any present or future law, regulation or order of any jurisdiction (whether of right or in fact) or of any agency thereof purporting to reduce, amend, restructure, render unenforceable or otherwise affect any term of any Liabilities; or (b) any war, riot or revolution impacting multinational companies or any act of expropriation, nationalization or currency inconvertibility or non-transferability arising from governmental, legislative or executive measures affecting any obligor or the property of any obligor on the Liabilities.

 

Other Guarantors.  If there is more than one Guarantor, the obligations under this Guaranty are joint and several.  In addition, each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be jointly and severally liable with any other guarantor of the Liabilities.  If the Bank elects to enforce its rights against fewer than all guarantors of the Liabilities, that election does not release the Guarantor from its obligations under this Guaranty.  The compromise or release of any of the obligations of any of the other guarantors or the Borrower shall not serve to impair, waive, alter or release the Guarantor’s obligations.

 

Rights of Subrogation.  The Guarantor waives and agrees not to enforce any rights of subrogation, contribution or indemnification that it may have against the Borrower, any person liable on the Liabilities, or the Collateral, until the Borrower and the Guarantor have fully performed all their obligations to the Bank, even if those obligations are not covered by this Guaranty.

 

Waivers.  The Guarantor waives (a) to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, all rights and benefits under any laws or statutes regarding sureties, as may be amended, and (b) any right the Guarantor may have to receive notice of the following matters before the Bank enforces any of its rights: (i) the Bank’s acceptance of this Guaranty, (ii) incurrence or acquisition of any Liabilities, any credit that the Bank extends to the Borrower, Collateral received or delivered, default by any party to any agreement related to the Liabilities or other action taken in reliance on this Guaranty, and all notices and other demands of any description, (iii) diligence and promptness in preserving liability against any obligor on the Liabilities, and in collecting or bringing suit to collect the Liabilities from any obligor on the Liabilities or to pursue any remedy in the Bank’s power to pursue; (iv) notice of extensions, renewals, modifications, rearrangements, restatements and substitutions of the Liabilities or any Collateral for the Liabilities; (v) notice of failure to pay any of the Liabilities as they mature, any other default, adverse change in the financial condition of any obligor on the Liabilities, release or substitution of any Collateral, subordination of the Bank’s rights in any Collateral, and every other notice of every kind that may lawfully be waived; (vi) the Borrower’s default, (vii) any demand, diligence, presentment, dishonor and protest, or (viii) any action that the Bank takes regarding the Borrower, anyone else, the Collateral, or any of the Liabilities, which it might be entitled to by law or under any other agreement, (c) any right it may have to require the Bank to proceed against the Borrower, any other obligor or guarantor of the Liabilities, or the Collateral for the Liabilities or the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty, or pursue any remedy in the Bank’s power to pursue, (d) any defense based on any claim that the Guarantor’s obligations exceed or are more burdensome than those of the Borrower, (e) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (f) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of the Borrower or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever (other than payment in full) of the obligation of the Borrower for the Liabilities,  and (g) any defense based on or arising out of any defense that the Borrower may have to the payment or performance of the Liabilities or any portion thereof.  The Bank may waive or delay enforcing any of its rights without losing them.  Any waiver affects only the specific terms and time period stated in the waiver.  No modification or waiver of this Guaranty is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom it is being enforced.

 

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Additional Waivers.  If the Liabilities are secured by an interest in real property, the Guarantor waives all rights and defenses that the Guarantor may have because the Liabilities are secured by real property.  This means, among other things: (a) the Bank may collect from the Guarantor without first foreclosing on any real or personal property collateral pledged by the Borrower or any other person or entity to secure the Liabilities; and (b) if the Bank forecloses on any real property collateral pledged by the Borrower or any other person or entity to secure the Liabilities: (i) the amount of the Liabilities may be reduced only by the price for which the collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sales price; and (ii) the Bank may collect from the Guarantor even if the Bank, by foreclosing on the real property collateral, has destroyed any right the Guarantor may have to collect from the Borrower or any other person or entity.  This is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses the Guarantor may have because the Liabilities are secured by real property.  The Guarantor waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by the Bank, even though that election of remedies, such as a non-judicial foreclosure with respect to security for a guaranteed obligation, has destroyed the Guarantor’s rights of subrogation and reimbursement against the Borrower by the operation of Section 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure or otherwise.  Without limiting any waiver, consent or agreement in this Guaranty, the Guarantor further expressly waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law any and all rights and defenses, including without limitation any rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification and contribution, that might otherwise be available to the Guarantor under California Civil Code Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, 2899 and 3433, or under California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 580a, 580b, 580d and 726, or any of such sections,  including any revision or replacement of such statutes or rules hereafter enacted.

 

Cooperation.  The Guarantor agrees to fully cooperate with the Bank and not to delay, impede or otherwise interfere with the efforts of the Bank to secure payment from the assets which secure the Liabilities, including actions, proceedings, motions, orders, agreements or other matters relating to relief from automatic stay, abandonment of property, use of cash collateral and sale of the Bank’s collateral free and clear of all liens.

 

Reinstatement.  The Guarantor agrees that, to the extent any payment or transfer is received by the Bank in connection with the Liabilities, and all or any part of the payment or transfer is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be transferred or repaid by the Bank or transferred or paid over to a trustee, receiver or any other entity, whether under any bankruptcy act or otherwise (any of those payments or transfers is hereinafter referred to as a “Preferential Payment”), then this Guaranty shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, and whether or not the Bank is in possession of this Guaranty, or whether the Guaranty has been marked paid, released or canceled, or returned to the Guarantor and, to the extent of the payment, repayment or other transfer by the Bank, the Liabilities or part thereof intended to be satisfied by the Preferential Payment shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as though the Preferential Payment had not been made.

 

Information.  The Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Liabilities and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that the Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Guaranty, and agrees that the Bank does not have any duty to advise the Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.

 

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Financial Information.  The Guarantor further agrees that the Guarantor shall provide to the Bank such financial statements and other information relating to the financial condition, properties and affairs of the Guarantor as the Bank requests from time to time.

 

Severability.  The provisions of this Guaranty are severable, and in any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state, federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guaranty would otherwise be held or determined to be avoidable, invalid or unenforceable on account of the amount of the Guarantor’s liability under this Guaranty, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by the Guarantor or the Bank, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable as determined in such action or proceeding.

 

Representations and Warranties by Guarantor.  The Guarantor represents and warrants that the following statements are true as of the date of this Guaranty and will remain true until termination of this Guaranty and payment in full of all Liabilities: (a) the execution and delivery of this Guaranty and the performance of the obligations it imposes do not violate any law, do not conflict with any agreement by which it is bound, or require the consent or approval of any governmental authority or any third party; (b) this Guaranty is a valid and binding agreement, enforceable against Guarantor according to its terms; (c) all balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and other financial statements furnished to the Bank in connection with the Liabilities are accurate and fairly reflect the financial condition of the organizations and persons to which they apply on their effective dates, including contingent liabilities of every type, which financial condition has not changed materially and adversely since those dates; (d) the Guarantor has filed all federal and state and, to the extent applicable foreign, tax returns that are required to be filed, has paid all due and payable taxes and assessments against the property and income of the Guarantor and all payroll, excise and other taxes required to be collected and held in trust by the Guarantor for any governmental authority; (e) the Guarantor has determined that this Guaranty will benefit the Guarantor directly or indirectly; (f) the Guarantor has (i) without reliance on the Bank or any information received from the Bank and based upon the records and information the Guarantor deems appropriate, made an independent investigation of the Borrower, the Borrower’s business, assets, operations, prospects and condition, financial or otherwise, and any circumstances that may bear upon those transactions, the Borrower or the obligations, liabilities and risks undertaken in this Guaranty with respect to the Liabilities; (ii) adequate means to obtain from the Borrower on a continuing basis information concerning the Borrower and the Bank has no duty to provide any information concerning the Borrower or any other obligor to the Guarantor; (iii) full and complete access to the Borrower and any and all records relating to any Liabilities now and in the future owing by the Borrower; (iv) not relied and will not rely upon any representations or warranties of the Bank not embodied in this Guaranty or any acts taken by the Bank prior to and after execution or other authentication and delivery of this Guaranty (including but not limited to any review by the Bank of the business, assets, operations, prospects and condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower); and (v) determined that the Guarantor will receive benefit, directly or indirectly, and has or will receive fair and reasonably equivalent value for, the execution and delivery of this Guaranty; (g) by entering into this Guaranty, the Guarantor does not intend to incur or believe that the Guarantor will incur debts that would be beyond the Guarantor’s ability to pay as those debts mature; (h) the execution and delivery of this Guaranty are not intended to hinder, delay or defraud any creditor of the Guarantor; and (i) the Guarantor is neither engaged in nor about to engage in any business or transaction for which the remaining assets of the Guarantor are unreasonably small in relation to the business or transaction, and any property remaining with the Guarantor after the execution or other authentication of this Guaranty is not unreasonably small capital.  Each Guarantor, other than a natural person, further represents that: (1) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state where it is organized and in good standing in each state where it is doing business; and (2) the execution and delivery of this Guaranty and the performance of the obligations it imposes (A) are within its powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action of its governing body, and (B) do not contravene the terms of its articles of incorporation or organization, its by-laws, or any agreement or document governing its affairs.

 

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Notice.  Except as otherwise provided in this Guaranty, any notices and demands under or related to this document shall be in writing and delivered to the intended party at its address stated herein, and if to the Bank, at its main office if no other address of the Bank is specified herein, by one of the following means: (a) by hand, (b) by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (c) by certified mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested.  Notice shall be deemed given: (i) upon receipt if delivered by hand, (ii) on the Delivery Day after the day of deposit with a nationally recognized courier service, or (iii) on the third Delivery Day after the notice is deposited in the mail.  “Delivery Day” means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or any other day on which national banking associations are authorized to be closed.  Any party may change its address for purposes of the receipt of notices and demands by giving notice of such change in the manner provided in this provision.  In connection with notices of termination, as provided above, such notices shall not be deemed received by the Bank until actually received by the [Manager of Commercial Loan Documentation Division, IL1-1145 (Floor 7), 10 S. Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60670, Attn: Manager of Commercial Loan Documentation Division] under written receipt and shall be effective at the opening of the Bank for business on the third Delivery Day after receipt of the notice.

 

Governing Law and Venue.  This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California (without giving effect to its laws of conflicts).  The Guarantor agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to any of its obligations under this agreement may be brought by the Bank in any state or federal court located in the State of California, as the Bank in its sole discretion may elect.  By the execution and delivery of this agreement, the Guarantor submits to and accepts, for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.  The Guarantor waives any claim that the State of California is not a convenient forum or the proper venue for any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

Miscellaneous.  The Guarantor’s liability under this Guaranty is independent of its liability under any other guaranty previously or subsequently executed by the Guarantor or any one of them, singularly or together with others, as to all or any part of the Liabilities, and may be enforced for the full amount of this Guaranty regardless of the Guarantor’s liability under any other guaranty.  This Guaranty binds the Guarantor’s heirs, successors and assigns, and benefits the Bank and its successors and assigns.  The Bank may assign this Guaranty in whole or in part without notice.  The Guarantor agrees that the Bank may provide any information or knowledge the Bank may have about the Guarantor, or about any matter relating to this Guaranty, to JPMorgan Chase & Co., or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or their successors, or to one or more purchasers or potential purchasers of this Guaranty or the Liabilities guaranteed hereby.  The use of headings does not limit the provisions of this Guaranty.  Time is of the essence under this Guaranty and in the performance of every term, covenant and obligation contained herein.

 

WAIVER OF SPECIAL DAMAGES.  THE GUARANTOR WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT THE UNDERSIGNED MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER FROM THE BANK IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

 

JURY WAIVER AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.  THE GUARANTOR AND THE BANK (BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF) HEREBY VOLUNTARILY, KNOWINGLY, IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) BETWEEN THE GUARANTOR AND THE BANK ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS DOCUMENT.  THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO THE BANK TO PROVIDE THE FINANCING DESCRIBED HEREIN.

 

IN THE EVENT ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING IS FILED IN A COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (THE “COURT”) BY OR AGAINST THE GUARANTOR OR THE BANK IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CLAIM DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY) (EACH, A “CLAIM”) AND THE WAIVER SET FORTH IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH IS NOT ENFORCEABLE IN SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING, THE GUARANTOR AND THE BANK (BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF) AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

 

(1) WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MATTERS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (2) BELOW, ANY CLAIM WILL BE DETERMINED BY A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTIONS 638 THROUGH 645.2, INCLUDING ANY REVISION OR REPLACEMENT OF SUCH STATUTES OR RULES HEREAFTER ENACTED.  THE GUARANTOR AND THE BANK INTEND THIS GENERAL REFERENCE AGREEMENT TO BE SPECIFICALLY ENFORCEABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 638, INCLUDING ANY REVISION OR REPLACEMENT OF SUCH STATUTE OR RULE HEREAFTER ENACTED.  EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE LIABILITIES , VENUE FOR THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING WILL BE IN THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN THE COUNTY OR DISTRICT WHERE VENUE IS OTHERWISE APPROPRIATE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

 

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(2) THE FOLLOWING MATTERS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING: (A) NON-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF ANY SECURITY INTERESTS IN REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY; (B) EXERCISE OF SELF-HELP REMEDIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SET-OFF); (C) APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER; AND (D) TEMPORARY, PROVISIONAL OR ANCILLARY REMEDIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WRITS OF ATTACHMENT, WRITS OF POSSESSION, TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS OR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIONS).  THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE GUARANTOR OR THE BANK TO EXERCISE OR OPPOSE ANY OF THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES DESCRIBED IN CLAUSES (A) - (D) AND ANY SUCH EXERCISE OR OPPOSITION DOES NOT WAIVE THE RIGHT OF THE GUARANTOR OR THE BANK TO A REFERENCE PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO THIS DOCUMENT.

 

(3) UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE GUARANTOR OR THE BANK, THE GUARANTOR AND THE BANK SHALL SELECT A SINGLE REFEREE, WHO SHALL BE A RETIRED JUDGE OR JUSTICE.  IF THE GUARANTOR AND THE BANK DO NOT AGREE UPON A REFEREE WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS OF SUCH WRITTEN REQUEST, THEN, THE GUARANTOR OR THE BANK, MAY REQUEST THE COURT TO APPOINT A REFEREE PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 640(B), INCLUDING ANY REVISION OR REPLACEMENT OF SUCH STATUTE OR RULE HEREAFTER ENACTED.

 

(4) ALL PROCEEDINGS AND HEARINGS CONDUCTED BEFORE THE REFEREE, EXCEPT FOR TRIAL, SHALL BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT A COURT REPORTER, EXCEPT WHEN THE GUARANTOR OR THE BANK SO REQUESTS, A COURT REPORTER WILL BE USED AND THE REFEREE WILL BE PROVIDED A COURTESY COPY OF THE TRANSCRIPT.  THE PARTY MAKING SUCH REQUEST SHALL HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO ARRANGE FOR AND PAY COSTS OF THE COURT REPORTER, PROVIDED THAT SUCH COSTS, ALONG WITH THE REFEREE’S FEES, SHALL ULTIMATELY BE BORNE BY THE PARTY WHO DOES NOT PREVAIL, AS DETERMINED BY THE REFEREE.

 

(5) THE REFEREE MAY REQUIRE ONE OR MORE PREHEARING CONFERENCES.  THE GUARANTOR AND THE BANK SHALL BE ENTITLED TO DISCOVERY, AND THE REFEREE SHALL OVERSEE DISCOVERY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF DISCOVERY, AND MAY ENFORCE ALL DISCOVERY ORDERS IN THE SAME MANNER AS ANY TRIAL COURT JUDGE IN PROCEEDINGS AT LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.  THE REFEREE SHALL APPLY THE RULES OF EVIDENCE APPLICABLE TO PROCEEDINGS AT LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND SHALL DETERMINE ALL ISSUES IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.  THE REFEREE SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO ENTER EQUITABLE AS WELL AS LEGAL RELIEF AND RULE ON ANY MOTION WHICH WOULD BE AUTHORIZED IN A TRIAL, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, MOTIONS FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT OR SUMMARY JUDGMENT.  THE REFEREE SHALL REPORT THE REFEREE’S DECISION, WHICH REPORT SHALL ALSO INCLUDE FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW.

 

(6) THE GUARANTOR AND THE BANK RECOGNIZE AND AGREE THAT ALL CLAIMS RESOLVED IN A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING PURSUANT HERETO WILL BE DECIDED BY A REFEREE AND NOT BY A JURY.

 

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Guarantor:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:   5590 Sepulveda Blvd.
    	
SPELL   C. LLC
    
	
Sherman Oaks, CA 91411
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Cherokee   Inc., its sole member and manager
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Howard Siegel
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Howard   Siegel
    	
COO
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Printed   Name
    	
Title
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date   Signed: 
    	
9/4/12
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Mark Disiena
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Mark   DiSiena
    	
CFO
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Printed   Name
    	
Title
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date   Signed: 
    	
9/4/12