Exhibit 10.2


 


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


 


THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”)
is entered into by and between B. Riley Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) and Thomas J. Kelleher (“Executive”),
effective as of January 1, 2018 (“Effective Date”).


 


WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to retain
the services of Executive, and Executive desires to continue to be employed by the Company.


 


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration
of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, the Company and Executive, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree
as follows:


 


AGREEMENT


 


1.      Employment.
The Company shall employ Executive as President of the Company (“Position”), and Executive accepts such employment
commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until terminated in accordance with the termination provisions below (the “Employment
Period”).


 


2.      Position
and Duties.


 


2.1        Services
with the Company. Executive shall perform all duties and functions customarily performed by the Position of a business
of the size and nature similar to that of the Company, and such other employment duties as the Company shall assign to him from
time to time. Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time and attention to the performance of the Executive’s
duties hereunder and will not engage in any other business, profession or occupation for compensation or otherwise which would
conflict or interfere with the performance of such services either directly or indirectly without the prior written consent of
the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive will be permitted to act or serve as
a director, trustee, committee member or principal of any type of business, civic or charitable organization as long as such activities
are disclosed in writing in advance to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and does not interfere with the discharge of his duties
hereunder.


 


3.      Compensation.


 


3.1        Base
Salary. As compensation for all services to be rendered by Executive under this Agreement, the Company shall pay to
Executive an annualized salary of five hundred thousand Dollars ($500,000), less applicable tax and other authorized applicable
withholdings (the “Base Salary”), which shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll
procedures and policies. Executive’s salary will be reviewed, and if appropriate, adjusted, on an annual basis at or after
the end of each calendar year.





 




     


     


    

  


 3.2
       Performance Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual
performance bonus based upon his performance and/or the Company’s performance after Executive’s first anniversary
with the Company in accordance with the Company’s Management Bonus Plan. Executive’s target bonus shall be equal
to not less than 100% of Executive’s Base Salary. Each annual performance bonus will be paid by the Company in full,
less applicable tax and other authorized withholdings, by no later than March 30th of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which the services were rendered.


 


3.3
        Equity
Awards. With respect to each fiscal year of the Company ending during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible
to receive an annual long-term incentive award with a value of no less than fifty percent (50%) of the Base Salary (but in no event
more than 50,000 restricted stock units). Each such award shall be subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of the
Company’s Board of Directors, (the “Committee”) and vest annually over a three year period. Such Awards
shall be issued pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (or successor plan). All other terms
and conditions applicable to each such award shall be determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the terms of any equity incentive
plan or award agreements, as applicable all outstanding unvested stock options, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights
and other unvested equity linked awards granted to the Executive during the Employment Period shall become fully vested upon a
Change of Control (as hereinafter defined) and exercisable for the remainder of their full term.


 


3.4        Participation
in Benefit Plans. Executive shall be included to the extent eligible thereunder in any and all plans of the Company providing
benefits for the Company’s executives, including, but not limited to, medical, retirement and disability plans. Executive’s
participation in any such plan or program shall be subject to the Company’s policies and the provisions, rules, and regulations
applicable to any plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall impose on the Company any affirmative obligation to establish any benefit
plan. The Company reserves the right to prospectively terminate or change benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees
at any time.


 


3.5        
Expenses. In accordance with the Company’s policies established from time to time, the Company will pay or
reimburse Executive for all reasonable and necessary out- of-pocket expenses incurred by him or her in the performance of his/her
duties under this Agreement, subject to the presentment of appropriate receipts or expense reports in connection with the Company’s
policies and procedures.


 


3.6
         Taxes.
The Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as shall be required
pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.


 


4.     Annual
Paid Time Off. Executive shall be entitled to accrue and take vacation and sick leave in accordance with the Company’s
Leave Policy.





 




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5.     Compensation
upon Termination/Resignation. The Employment Period and the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by
either the Company or the Executive at any time and for any reason; provided that, unless otherwise provided herein, either
party shall be required to give the other party at least twenty (20) days advance written notice of any termination of the
Executive’s employment. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall be entitled to the
compensation and benefits described in this Section 5 and shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other
benefits from the Company or any of its affiliates.


 


Notwithstanding the foregoing:


 


(a) the Executive may not Resign
for Good Reason unless he has provided written notice to the Company of the existence of the circumstances providing grounds for
termination for Good Reason within 30 days of the initial existence of such grounds and the Company has had at least ten 10 days
from the date on which such notice is provided to cure such circumstances; provided however, if such termination for Good Reason
is due to a Change of Control, then the Executive may deliver such notice within 90 days following the Change of Control. If the
Executive does not terminate his employment for Good Reason within the number days set forth above, then the Executive will be
deemed to have waived his right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such grounds.


 


(b) the Company may not terminate
the Executive’s employment with Cause unless it has provided written notice to the Executive of the existence of the circumstances
providing grounds for Termination with Cause within 90 days following the later of (i) the circumstances constituting “Cause”
or (ii) the date that senior management of the Company has knowledge of such circumstances, and the Executive has had at least
ten 10 days from the date on which such notice is provided to cure such circumstances (if possible).


 


5.1         
Termination
with Cause; Resignation. In the event Executive is terminated by the Company with Cause or in the event Executive resigns,
Executive shall be paid his Base Salary, a pro rata portion of any target bonus for the year of termination or if no target bonus
for such calendar year has been set on or prior to the effective date of termination, the target bonus for the prior year, other
benefits through termination, and accrued unused leave owed through the termination/resignation date as well as reasonable unreimbursed
business expenses incurred through the termination/resignation date.


 


5.2
        Termination Without Cause, for death or Disability or Resignation for Good
Reason. In the event that Executive is terminated without Cause, for death or Disability or resigns for Good Reason, in
addition to the amounts set forth in 5.1 above, Executive shall also receive a Severance Payment (as defined below) payable
no later than 45 days after the effective date of termination, subject to the Executive’s prior execution and delivery
of a full general release in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company. The “Severance Payment”
shall be the sum of one (1) times the Executive’s base salary (as in effect immediately prior to such termination) and one
(1) times the Executive’s target bonus for the calendar year in which the effective date of termination (or resignation)
occurs, or if no target bonus for such calendar year has been set on or prior to the effective date of termination (or
resignation), the target bonus for the prior year. If the Executive timely and properly elects continuation coverage under
the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), the Company shall reimburse the Executive for the
difference between the monthly COBRA premium paid by the Executive for himself (and his dependents, if applicable) and the
monthly premium amount paid by similarly situated active executives. Such reimbursement shall be paid to the Executive on the
tenth of the month immediately following the month in which the Executive timely remits the premium payment. The
Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (i) the twelve month anniversary of the
Termination Date; and (ii) the date on which the Executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from
another employer.


 




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5.3       Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this Agreement:


 


    5.3.1      A “Change
of Control” which shall be defined as either: (i) a sale or exchange by the stockholders of more than fifty percent (50%)
of the Company’s voting stock (whether in a single or a series of related transactions) other than transaction(s) in which (A)
the stockholders of the Company or such stockholders’ affiliates immediately before such event retain immediately after such event
direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding
voting stock of the Company, its successor, or the corporation to which the assets of the Company were transferred, as the case
may be; or (B) one of the stockholders of the Company or such stockholder’s affiliates immediately before such event becomes immediately
after such event the beneficial owner of one hundred percent (100%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding voting
stock of the Company, its successor, or the corporation to which the assets of the Company were transferred, as the case may be
(subsections (A) and (B) are referred to herein as “Affiliate Transactions”); (ii) a merger or consolidation
in which the Company is a party other than Transaction(s) that are Affiliate Transactions; (iii) the sale, exchange or transfer
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (whether in a single or a series of related transactions); or (iv) a liquidation
or dissolution of the Company, wherein, upon any such event listed in (i) — (iv), the stockholders of the Company immediately
before such event do not retain immediately after such event direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent
(50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the Company, its successor, or the corporation to which
the assets of the Company were transferred, as the case may be. For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership
shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting stock of one or more corporations which,
as a result of such event, own the Company or the transferee corporation(s), as the case may be, either directly or through one
or more subsidiary corporations. In addition to the foregoing, in the event that Bryant Riley is no longer the Chairman of the
Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred as of the
date of his resignation or termination from both such positions.


 


    5.3.2       “Disability”
shall mean the Executive’s inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to substantially perform his duties and responsibilities
under this Agreement for one hundred eighty (180) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period or one hundred twenty
(120) consecutive days.


 


    5.3.3
     “Termination with Cause” shall mean (i) the Executive’s willful,
intentional and continued substantial misconduct in the reasonable judgment of the Company; (ii) other than due to a
Disability, the Executive’s repeated, intentional gross negligence of duties or intentional gross failure to act which can
reasonably be expected to affect materially and adversely the business or affairs of the Company or any subsidiary or
affiliate thereof in the reasonable judgment of the Company; (iii) the Executive’s gross material breach of any of the
obligations contained herein; or (iv) the commission by the Executive of any intentional material fraudulent act with respect
to the business and affairs of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, in the reasonable judgment of the Company.
Executive shall be given written notice of the Company’s intent to terminate his employment for cause and shall have 15
days in which to cure such claimed defect.


 




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    5.3.4   “Good
Reason” shall mean: termination by the Executive of his employment with the Company based on:


 


    (i)         A
reduction in Annual Salary of the Executive during the Employment Period;


 


    (ii)        The Company’s
material breach of this Agreement;


 


    (iii)       A material,
adverse change in the Executive’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Executive is physically
or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) taking into account the Company’s size, status as a public company
and capitalization as of the date of this Agreement;


 


    (iv)      Reassignment of Executive to
(i) a location greater than twenty-five (25) miles from Los Angeles, CA and (ii) a location requiring that the Executive relocate
from his principal residence as of the Effective Date; or


 


    (v)       An event
constituting a Change of Control has occurred.


 


6.        Compliance
With Section 409A. The parties intend that the payments and benefits contemplated in this Agreement either be exempt from
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively,
“Section 409A”), or be provided in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and any ambiguity herein shall be interpreted
so as to be consistent with the intent of this Section Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all payments and benefits
which are payable hereunder upon Executive’s termination of employment shall be paid or provided only upon a termination
of employment that constitutes a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A.


 


In furtherance of
this Section 6, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent any in-kind benefit or reimbursement to be
paid or provided under this Agreement constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section
409A, then (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit (within the meaning
of Section 409A) to Executive during any calendar year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or
provided as in-kind benefits to Executive in any other calendar year (subject to any lifetime and other annual limits
provided under the Company’s group health plans); (ii) any reimbursements for expenses incurred by Executive shall be
made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the applicable expense is incurred;
(iii) Executive shall not be entitled to any in-kind benefits or reimbursement for any expenses incurred subsequent to the
end of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive incurs a termination of employment; and (iv)
the right to any such reimbursement or in-kind benefit may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.


 




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7.         Certain
Permitted Activities. Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, the Executive may (i) own, directly or
indirectly, solely as a passive investment, securities of any person traded on any national exchange or automated quotation system
if the Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such person, and does not, directly or
indirectly, “beneficially own” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, without
regard to the 60 day period referred to in Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i)), 2.0% or more of any class of securities of such person and (ii)
serve as a member of a board of directors or board of advisors either during, or following the termination of, the Executive’s
employment with the Company.


 


8.         Return
of Records and Property. Upon termination of employment for any reason, Executive shall deliver promptly to the Company
all records, manuals, books, blank forms, documents, letters, memoranda, notes, notebooks, laptops, reports, data, tables, and
calculations or copies thereof, which are the property of the Company and which relate in any way to the business, products, practices
or techniques of the Company, and all other property of the Company and Proprietary Information, including, but not limited to,
all documents which in whole or in part, contain any trade secrets or confidential information of the Company or its clients, which
in any of these cases are in his or her possession or under his or her control.


 


9.         Assignment.
The performance of Executive is personal hereunder, and Executive agrees that Executive shall have no right to assign and shall
not assign or purport to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement may be assigned or transferred by
the Company, and nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the consolidation, merger or sale of the Company or a sale of any or all
or substantially all of its assets.


 


10.       Miscellaneous.


 


  10.1       Governing
Law; Arbitration. This Agreement is made under and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of California. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or any breach of this Agreement
shall be submitted to and decided by binding arbitration. Arbitration shall be administered exclusively by JAMS and shall be conducted
consistent with the rules, regulations and requirements thereof as well as any requirements imposed by state law. Any arbitral
award determination shall be final and binding upon the Parties.


 


  10.2       Prior
Agreements. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes
all prior agreements and understandings with respect to such subject matter. The parties hereto have made no agreements, representations
or warranties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement which are not set forth herein.


 




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10.3         Amendments.
No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be deemed effective unless made in writing signed by the parties hereto.


 


10.4         Mitigation.
In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and except as provided in Section 5.2 with respect to the
reimbursement of certain COBRA expenses, any amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5 shall not be reduced by compensation the
Executive earns on account of employment with another employer.


 


10.5         No
Conflicts. The Executive’s acceptance of employment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not
conflict with or result in a violation of, a breach of, or a default under any contract, agreement or understanding to which he
is a party or is otherwise bound.


 


10.6         No
Waiver. No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived nor shall there be any estoppel to enforce
any provisions of this Agreement, except by a statement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver or
estoppel is sought. Any written waiver shall not be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated, shall operate only as
to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition waived and shall not constitute
a waiver of such term or condition for the future or as to any act other than that specifically waived.


 


10.7         Severability.
To the extent any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be considered deleted herefrom and the
remainder of such provision and of this Agreement shall be unaffected and shall continue in full force and effect.


 


10.8          Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all which together
shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.


  


[Signature page
follows]


 




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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have
executed this Employment Agreement as of the Effective Date. 





	 	 	 	 
	 	B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.	 
	 	 	 	 
	Dated: January 1, 2018	By: 	/s/ Phillip
    J. Ahn	 
	 	 	Name:  Phillip J. Ahn	 
	 	 	Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
	 	 	 	 
	 	EXECUTIVE:	 
	 	 	 	 
	Dated: January 1, 2018	/s/
    Thomas J. Kelleher	 
	 	Name:    Thomas J.
    Kelleher




 








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