xoma-ex108_173.htm



 

Exhibit 10.8

OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT  

This Officer Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) between Thomas Burns (“Employee”) and XOMA Corporation (“XOMA”) (collectively, the “Parties”) is effective as of August 7, 2017 (the “Agreement Effective Date”).  

1.Employment.  Employee’s employment with XOMA in the position of Chief Financial Officer shall commence on the Agreement Effective Date.  Employee’s employment with XOMA will be governed by the terms set forth in this Agreement.    

2.Position and Responsibilities.   Employee shall devote reasonable best efforts and substantially all of Employee’s time and attention to employment with XOMA.  Employee shall perform those duties and responsibilities as may be directed by James R. Neal (“Mr. Neal”), to whom Employee will report.  While employed by XOMA, Employee may not accept consulting or other business or non-profit opportunities without first obtaining written approval from Mr. Neal.  In addition, while employed by XOMA, except on behalf of XOMA, Employee will not directly or indirectly serve as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, proprietor, investor, joint venturer, associate, representative or consultant of any other person, corporation, firm, partnership or other entity whatsoever known by Employee to compete with XOMA (or that is planning or preparing to compete with XOMA), anywhere in the world, in any line of business engaged in (or planned to be engaged in) by XOMA; provided, however, that Employee may purchase or otherwise acquire up to (but not more than) five percent (5%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without participating in the activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange    

3.Term of Employment.    The term of Employee’s employment with XOMA shall be the period from the Agreement Effective Date until Employee’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7.  Consistent with XOMA policy, Employee’s employment relationship with XOMA is at-will.  Accordingly, Employee may resign Employee’s employment with XOMA at any time and for any reason whatsoever simply by notifying XOMA; and XOMA may terminate Employee’s employment at any time, with or without Cause (as defined in Section 7(d)) or advance notice, subject to the provisions of Sections 7 and 8.   

4.Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses.  

(a)Compensation. Employee will receive for services to be rendered hereunder base salary paid at the rate of $350,000 per year, less applicable payroll deductions and withholdings (the “Base Salary”), paid on XOMA’s ordinary payroll cycle.  In addition, Employee shall be eligible to participate in XOMA’s Corporate Achievement Goals plan (“CAGs”), as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, at a target rate to be determined from time to time by the Board.      

(b)Equity Awards.  Employee has already been granted Stock Awards, which will continue to be governed by the terms of the applicable stock option and equity incentive award plans or agreements and grant notices.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Stock Awards” shall mean all stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units and such other awards granted pursuant to XOMA’s stock option and equity incentive award plans or agreements and any shares of stock issued upon exercise thereof.

 



 

(c)Reimbursement of Expenses. XOMA shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in performing Employee’s obligations under this Agreement in a manner consistent with XOMA policies. 

5.Participation in Benefit Plans. The payments provided in Section 4 are in addition to benefits Employee is entitled to under any employee benefit plan of XOMA for which Employee is or becomes eligible.  

6.Compliance with Proprietary Information Agreement and XOMA Policies.  As a condition of employment with XOMA, Employee must sign and comply with the Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), which prohibits unauthorized use or disclosure of XOMA proprietary information, among other obligations.  In addition, Employee is required to abide by XOMA’s policies and procedures (including but not limited to XOMA’s Employee Handbook), as adopted or modified from time to time within XOMA’s discretion; provided, however, that in the event the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with XOMA’s general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.

7.Termination of Employment.

(a)Termination by Employee.  As provided in Section 3, Employee may resign Employee’s employment with XOMA at any time and for any reason.  Employee will not be entitled to any of the severance benefits set forth in Section 8 if Employee resigns, unless such resignation is for Good Reason.  For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall have “Good Reason” for resignation from employment with XOMA if any of the following actions are taken by XOMA without Employee’s prior written consent: (i) a material reduction in Employee’s Base Salary, unless pursuant to a salary reduction program applicable generally to XOMA’s senior employees; (ii) a material reduction in Employee’s duties (including responsibilities and/or authorities), provided, however, that a change in job position (including a change in title) shall not be deemed a “material reduction” in and of itself unless Employee’s new duties are materially reduced from the prior duties; (iii) relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment to a place that increases Employee’s one-way commute by more than thirty (30) miles as compared to Employee’s then-current principal place of employment immediately prior to such relocation, or (iv) any other material breach of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a breach of Section 12 of this Agreement.  In order for Employee to resign for Good Reason, each of the following requirements must be met:  (A) Employee must provide written notice to the Board within ninety (90) days after the first occurrence of the event giving rise to Good Reason setting forth the basis for Employee’s resignation, (B) Employee must allow XOMA at least sixty (60) days from receipt of such written notice to cure such event, (C) such event is not reasonably cured by XOMA within such sixty (60) day period (the “Cure Period”), and (D) Employee must resign from all positions Employee then holds with XOMA not later than one hundred eighty (180) days following the first occurrence of the event giving rise to Good Reason.  If Employee resigns for Good Reason, Employee shall be entitled to the severance benefits set forth in Section 8.

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(b)Termination by XOMA Without Cause.  Employee may be terminated by XOMA without Cause, but in such case, Employee shall be entitled to the severance benefits set forth in Section 8.  

(c)Termination Upon Death or Permanent Disability.  Except as required by law and as provided in Section 8, all benefits and other rights of Employee under this Agreement shall be terminated by Employee’s death or Permanent Disability.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Permanent Disability” is defined as Employee being incapable of performing duties to XOMA by reason of any medically determined physical or mental impairment that can be expected to last for a period of more than six (6) consecutive months from the first date of Employee’s absence due to the disability.  XOMA will give Employee at least four (4) weeks written notice of termination due to such disability.

(d)Termination by XOMA for Cause.  XOMA may terminate Employee’s employment for Cause, in which case, Employee will not be entitled to any severance benefits under Section 8.  For purposes of this Agreement, XOMA will have Cause to terminate Employee’s employment as the result of:  

(i)willful material fraud or material dishonesty in connection with Employee’s performance under this Agreement; 

(ii)failure by Employee to materially perform the duties of CFO;  

(iii)material breach of this Agreement or of XOMA’s Code of Ethics;  

(iv)misappropriation of a material business opportunity of XOMA; 

(v)misappropriation of any XOMA funds or property; or

(vi)conviction of, or the entering of a plea of guilty or no contest with respect to, a felony.

(e)Notice and Opportunity to Cure.  It shall be a condition precedent to XOMA’s right to terminate Employee’s employment for the reasons set forth in Sections 7(d)(ii) or (iii) of this Agreement that (i) XOMA shall first have given Employee written notice stating with specificity the reason for the termination (“Breach”) and (ii) if such Breach is capable of cure or remedy, Employee will have a period of thirty (30) days after the notice is given to remedy the Breach.

(f)Resignation from any XOMA Boards.  Upon termination of employment for any reason, and as a precondition to Employee’s receipt of the severance benefits set forth in Section 8, Employee shall resign from any and all positions Employee holds with any board of directors of XOMA subsidiaries, to be effective no later than the date of Employee’s employment termination (or such other date requested or permitted by Mr. Neal).

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(g)Return of XOMA Property.  Upon termination of employment for any reason, and as a precondition to Employee’s receipt of the severance benefits set forth in Section 8, Employee shall immediately return to XOMA all documents, telephones, computers, keys, credit cards, other property and records of XOMA, and all copies, within Employee’s possession, custody or control. 

(h)Release of Claims.  As a condition of entering into this Agreement and receiving the severance benefits set forth in Section 8, Employee shall execute and deliver to XOMA a release of claims in favor of XOMA substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Release Agreement”) within the timeframe set forth in the Release Agreement, but not later than forty-five (45) days following Employee’s employment termination date, and allow the Release Agreement to become effective according to its terms (by not invoking any legal right to revoke it) within any applicable time period set forth in the Release Agreement.

8.Severance Benefits.  Subject to Sections 7(f), 7(g) and 7(h) and Employee’s continued compliance with the terms of this Agreement, the following provisions of this Section 8 shall apply upon the occurrence of an event of termination of Employee’s employment with XOMA as provided in Section 7(a) for Good Reason, Section 7(b), or Section 7(c) due to death or Permanent Disability.

(a)Cash Severance.  XOMA shall pay Employee, or in the event of Employee’s death or Permanent Disability, Employee’s beneficiaries, as severance pay or liquidated damages, or both: (i) three quarters (.75) times Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of Employee’s employment termination date; and (ii) a prorated portion of Employee’s target CAGs bonus for the fiscal quarter in which the termination occurs, calculated by multiplying the quarterly target CAGs bonus by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of months (including a portion of a month) of the fiscal quarter during which Employee was employed prior to the occurrence of the termination, and the denominator of which shall be three (3).  In addition, if Employee is terminated without Cause after the completion of any fiscal quarter for which Employee was eligible to receive a bonus payment under CAGs, but before such CAGs payment is made, Employee shall be entitled to receive a bonus payment for such quarter consistent with Employee’s performance against CAGs objectives and the good faith determination by the Board that CAGs bonuses are payable for such quarter.  Such payments shall be in lieu of any other severance payment to which Employee shall be entitled as a result of such termination under this Agreement, any other employment agreement with XOMA or any of its affiliates, or XOMA’s or any of its affiliates’ then existing severance plans and policies.  However, in those circumstances where the provisions of the Parties’ Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Agreement, effective as of August 7, 2017 (the “CoC Agreement”) apply, the provisions of the CoC Agreement providing for severance benefits to Employee as a result of such termination shall apply in lieu of the provisions of this Agreement.  The severance payment described in Section 8(a)(i) shall be paid in monthly installments over twelve (12) months, with the first two (2) of such monthly installments being paid in a lump sum sixty (60) days after Employee’s employment termination date, and the remaining installments being paid monthly thereafter until fully paid. The severance payments described in Section 8(a)(ii) shall be paid in a lump sum sixty (60) days after Employee’s employment termination date.  

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(b)Group Health Coverage and Certain Other Benefits.  For a period of nine (9) months following an event of termination under Section 7(a) for Good Reason only or under Section 7(b) (the “COBRA Premium Period”), XOMA shall pay the full cost of COBRA continuation coverage (the “COBRA Premiums”) of Employee and Employee’s spouse and eligible dependents (collectively “Covered Persons”), provided, however, that (A) each Covered Person constitutes a qualified beneficiary, as defined in Section 4980B(g)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”); and (B)  Employee elects continuation coverage within the prescribed time period under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”).  The payments by XOMA for such group health coverage shall cease prior to the expiration of the nine (9)-month period in this Section 8(b), upon commencement of substantially similar coverage for all Covered Persons as a result of the employment of Employee by another employer, or when Employee ceases to be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage for any reason, including plan termination.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if XOMA determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot pay the COBRA Premiums without potentially incurring financial costs or penalties under applicable law  (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), regardless of whether Covered Persons elect or are eligible for COBRA coverage, XOMA instead shall pay to Employee, on the first day of each calendar month following Employee’s employment termination date, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable COBRA premiums for that month (including the amount of COBRA premiums for all Covered Persons), less required payroll deductions and withholdings (such amount, the “Special Cash Payment”), for the remainder of the COBRA Premium Period.  Employee may, but is not obligated to, use such Special Cash Payments toward the cost of COBRA premiums.

(c)Outplacement Program.  Upon the occurrence of an event of termination under Section 7(a) for Good Reason only or under Section 7(b), Employee will be entitled to participate in a nine (9)-month executive outplacement program provided by an executive outplacement service selected by XOMA, at XOMA’s expense not to exceed $15,000 and paid directly to the outplacement service (the “Outplacement Services”).  The Outplacement Services will commence after the Effective Date of the Release Agreement (as defined therein).     

(d)Section 409A of the Code.  If Employee is deemed on the date of “separation from service” (under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)) to be a “specified employee” (under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(i)), then with regard to any payment or benefit that is considered deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code payable on account of a “separation from service” that is required to be delayed under Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code (after taking into account any applicable exceptions to such requirement), such payment or benefit shall be made or provided on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Employee’s “separation from service,” or (ii) the date of Employee’s death (“Delay Period”).  Upon expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed under this Section 8(d) shall be paid or reimbursed to Employee in a lump sum and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided on the payment dates specified.  For purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts 

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or benefits upon or following a termination of employment, references to Employee’s “termination of employment” (and corollary terms) shall be construed to refer to Employee’s “separation from service” (under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)). 

9.Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.  

10.Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

(a)It is intended that this Agreement will comply with Section 409A of the Code and its regulations and guidelines (collectively, “Section 409A”), to the extent the Agreement is subject to Section 409A, and the Agreement shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent.  If an amendment of the Agreement is necessary in order for it to comply with Section 409A, the Parties will negotiate in good faith to amend the Agreement in a manner that preserves the original intent of the Parties to the extent reasonably possible.  No action or failure to act under this Section 10 shall subject XOMA to any claim, liability, or expense, and XOMA shall not have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise protect Employee from the obligation to pay any taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A.

(b)With respect to any reimbursement or in-kind benefit arrangements of XOMA and its subsidiaries that constitute deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A, except as otherwise permitted by Section 409A, the following conditions shall be applicable: (A) the amount eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, under any such arrangement in one calendar year may not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, under such arrangement in any other calendar year (except that the benefit plans may impose a limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid), (B) any reimbursement must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred, and (C) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.  Whenever payments under this Agreement are to be made in installments, each such installment shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.

11.Notices.  Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon actual confirmed receipt by mail, courier or email.  In the case of Employee, mailed notices shall be addressed to Employee at the home or personal email address that Employee most recently communicated to XOMA in writing.  In the case of XOMA, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Secretary.

12.Successors.  

(a)XOMA’s Successors.  Any successor to XOMA (direct or indirect, by purchase, lease, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of XOMA’s business or assets shall assume XOMA’s obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform XOMA’s obligations under this 

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Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as XOMA would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession.  For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “XOMA” shall include any successor to XOMA’s business or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this Section 12(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.

(b)Employee’s Successors.  Without the written consent of XOMA, Employee shall not assign or transfer this Agreement or any right or obligation under this Agreement to any other person or entity.  However, except as otherwise set forth herein, the terms of this Agreement and all rights of Employee shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Employee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.  

13.Amendment of Agreement. Changes in Employee’s employment terms, other than those changes expressly reserved to XOMA’s or the Board’s discretion in this Agreement, require a written modification approved by XOMA and signed by Employee and a duly authorized officer of XOMA other than Employee.  

14.Waiver. Any party’s failure to enforce any provision or provisions of the Agreement will not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions, nor prevent any party from thereafter enforcing each and every other provision of the Agreement.  The rights granted to the Parties herein are cumulative and will not constitute a waiver of any party’s right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the circumstances.   

15.Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination shall not affect any remaining part of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question shall be modified so as to be rendered enforceable in a manner consistent with the intent of the Parties insofar as possible under applicable law.  

16.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts of law principles.  Employee expressly consents to personal jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts for Alameda County, California for any lawsuit filed there against Employee by XOMA arising from or related to this Agreement.

17.Fees and Costs.  The Parties shall each bear their own costs, expert fees, attorneys’ fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement.

18.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which shall be deemed to be part of one original, and facsimile and electronic signatures shall be equivalent to original signatures.

19.Complete Agreement. This Agreement, together with Employee’s Confidentiality Agreement and the CoC Agreement, forms the complete and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Parties with regard to this subject matter, and supersedes and replaces any other agreements or promises made to Employee by anyone, whether oral or written.   

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COMPANY:
	
XOMA CORPORATION

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
By:
	
/s/ Jack L. Wyszomierski

	
 
	
 
	
Jack L. Wyszomierski

Director and Chairman of the

Compensation Committee

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
EMPLOYEE:
	
 
	
/s/ Thomas Burns

	
 
	
 
	
Thomas Burns




 

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

Employee Confidential Information and 

Inventions Assignment Agreement




 



 

EXHIBIT B

FORM RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGREEMENT

This Release of Claims Agreement (“Release Agreement”) is entered into between XOMA Corporation (“XOMA”) and Thomas Burns (“Employee”).  XOMA and Employee (collectively, the “Parties”) are parties to an Amended and Restated Officer Employment Agreement effective August 7, 2017 (“Employment Agreement”) and agree as follows:

1.Termination.  Employee’s employment with XOMA terminated on _________, 20__.

2.Release of Claims.  In exchange for the compensation, benefits and other consideration to be provided to Employee under the Employment Agreement that Employee is not otherwise entitled to receive, Employee hereby generally and completely releases XOMA and XOMA (US) LLC, and their past and present officers, agents, directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, partners, attorneys,  agents, insurers, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from, and agrees not to sue or otherwise institute any legal or administrative proceedings concerning, any and all claims, duties, liabilities, obligations and causes of action, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct or omissions occurring prior to or on the date Employee signs this Release Agreement (collectively, the “Released Claims”).

The Released Claims include but are not limited to:

(a)all claims arising out of or in any way related to Employee’s employment with XOMA or the termination of that employment;

(b)all claims related to  compensation or benefits from XOMA, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation, paid time off, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership, equity or profits interests in XOMA (including but not limited to any right to purchase, or actual purchase, of shares of stock of XOMA);

(c)all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing;

(d)all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress and discharge in violation of public policy;

(e)all federal, state and local statutory claims, including  claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees or other claims arising under the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1991, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (the “ADEA”), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the California Labor Code, and all amendments to and regulations issued under each such statute;

 



 

(f)all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution;

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

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

3.Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA.  Employee acknowledges that Employee is knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights Employee may have under the ADEA, and that the consideration given for the waiver and release in this Section 3 is in addition to anything of value to which Employee is already entitled.  Employee further acknowledges that Employee has been advised, as required by the ADEA, that:  (a) Employee’s waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date Employee signs this Release Agreement; (b) Employee should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release Agreement (although Employee may choose voluntarily not to do so); (c) Employee has twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release Agreement (although Employee may choose voluntarily to sign it earlier); (d) Employee has seven (7) days following the date Employee signs this Release Agreement to revoke the Release Agreement (by providing written notice of Employee’s revocation to the Legal Department at XOMA); and (e) this Release Agreement will not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which will be the eighth (8th) day after the date that this Release Agreement is signed by Employee provided that Employee does not revoke it (the “Effective Date”).  

4.Waiver of Unknown Claims.  In giving the releases set forth in this Release Agreement, which include claims which may be unknown to Employee at present, Employee acknowledges that Employee has read and understands Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows:

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

Employee hereby expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits under that section and any law or legal principle of similar effect in any jurisdiction with respect to Employee’s release of claims herein, including but not limited to the release of unknown and unsuspected claims.

5.Excluded Claims.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following are not included in the Released Claims (the “Excluded Claims”):  (a) any rights or claims for indemnification Employee may have pursuant to any written indemnification agreement with XOMA to which Employee is a party or under applicable law; (b) any rights which cannot be waived as a matter of law; (c) any rights Employee has to file or pursue a claim for workers’ compensation or unemployment insurance; and (d) any claims for breach of the Employment Agreement or this Release Agreement.  In addition, nothing in this Release Agreement prevents Employee from filing, cooperating with or participating in any proceedings before the Equal 

 



 

Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing or any analogous federal or state government agency, except that Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee hereby waives Employee’s right to any monetary benefits in connection with any such claim, charge or proceeding.  Employee represents and warrants that, other than the Excluded Claims, Employee is not aware of any claims Employee has or might have against any of the Released Parties that are not included in the Released Claims.

6.Representations.  Employee represents that Employee has been paid all compensation owed and for all time worked; Employee has received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which Employee is eligible pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, any applicable law or XOMA policy; and Employee has not suffered any on the job injury for which Employee has not already filed a workers’ compensation claim. 

7.Confidentiality.  The provisions of this Release Agreement shall be held in strictest confidence by Employee and shall not be publicized or disclosed in any manner whatsoever; provided, however, that: (a) Employee may disclose this Release Agreement in confidence to Employee’s immediate family; (b) Employee may disclose this Release Agreement in confidence to Employee’s attorneys, accountants, auditors, tax preparers and financial advisors; and           (c) Employee may disclose this Release Agreement insofar as such disclosure may be necessary to enforce its terms or as otherwise required by law.  In particular, and without limitation, Employee agrees not to disclose the terms of this Release Agreement to any current or former employee, consultant or independent contractor of XOMA.

8.Nondisparagement.  Employee agrees not to disparage XOMA, and XOMA’s officers, directors, employees, shareholder, members and agents, in any manner likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputation or personal reputation.  Similarly, Employee understands that XOMA agrees to direct its directors and officers not to disparage Employee in any manner likely to be harmful to Employee’s business reputation or personal reputation.  Nothing in this provision, however, shall prevent either Employee or XOMA from responding accurately and fully to any request for information if required by legal process or in connection with a government investigation.  In addition, nothing in this provision or this Release Agreement is intended to prohibit or restrain Employee in any manner from making disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation or under other applicable law or regulation.

9.No Voluntary Adverse Action.  Employee agrees that Employee will not voluntarily provide assistance, information or advice, directly or indirectly (including through agents or attorneys), to any person or entity in connection with any proposed or pending litigation, arbitration, administrative claim, cause of action, or other formal proceeding of any kind brought against XOMA, its parent or subsidiary entities, affiliates, officers, directors, employees or agents, nor shall Employee induce or encourage any person or entity to bring any such claims; provided, however, that Employee must respond accurately and truthfully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process (e.g., a valid subpoena or other similar compulsion of law) or as part of a government investigation.

 



 

10.Return of XOMA Property; Compliance with Proprietary Information Agreement.  Employee represents that Employee has complied fully with Section 7(g) of the Employment Agreement and the provisions of Employee’s Employee Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement with XOMA (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), and further agrees to continue to abide by Employee’s continuing obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement.  

11.Fees and Costs.  The Parties shall each bear their own costs, expert fees, attorneys’ fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Release Agreement.

12.No Representations.  Employee represents that Employee has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Release Agreement.  Neither Party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the other Party which are not specifically set forth in this Release Agreement.

13.Severability.  In the event any provision of this Release Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination shall not affect any remaining part of such provision or any other provision of this Release Agreement and the provision in question shall be modified so as to be rendered enforceable in a manner consistent with the intent of the Parties insofar as possible under applicable law.

14.Entire Agreement.  This Release Agreement, together with the Employment Agreement, forms the complete and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Parties with regard to this subject matter.  This Release Agreement may only be modified or amended in a writing signed by Employee and a duly authorized officer of XOMA other than Employee.

15.Governing Law.  This Release Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts of law principles.  Employee expressly consents to personal jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts for Alameda County, California for any lawsuit filed there against Employee by XOMA arising from or related to this Release Agreement.  

16.Counterparts.  This Release Agreement may be executed in counterparts which shall be deemed to be part of one original, and facsimile and electronic signatures shall be equivalent to original signatures.  

 


	
COMPANY:
	
XOMA CORPORATION

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
By:
	
/s/ Jack L. Wyszomierski

	
 
	
 
	
Jack L. Wyszomierski

Director and Chairman of the

Compensation Committee

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
EMPLOYEE:
	
 
	
/s/ Thomas Burns

	
 
	
 
	
Thomas Burns