ffwm-ex1099_6.htm


 

 

Exhibit 10.99

FORM OF

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of ________ __, 201_, by and between First Foundation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ________________________ (“Indemnitee”).

R E C I T A L S

A.Indemnitee is a director or an officer of the Company or of one of its subsidiaries.

B.In recognition of the need to provide Indemnitee with substantial protection against personal liability, in order to procure Indemnitee’s continued service as a director or officer of the Company and to enhance Indemnitee’s ability to serve the Company in an effective manner, and in order to provide such protection pursuant to express contract rights (intended to be enforceable irrespective of, among other things, any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws (collectively, the “Constituent Documents”), any change in the composition of the Board or any change in control or business combination transaction relating to the Company), the Company desires to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of, and the advancement of Expenses (as defined in Section 2 below) to, Indemnitee as set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the Indemnitee’s agreement to continue to provide services to the Company, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.Services to the Company.  Indemnitee agrees to continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed, until Indemnitee tenders Indemnitee’s resignation or until Indemnitee service is terminated by the Company or any such subsidiary or other Enterprise (as defined in Section 2 below), as applicable.  This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment agreement between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any other Enterprise).  Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that Indemnitee’s service to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or another Enterprise is at will and the Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment agreement between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or another Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, by the Company’s Constituent Documents or Delaware law.  This Agreement shall continue in force after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries or Enterprise, as applicable.

2.Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a)“Agreement” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the prefatory language above.

(b)“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given to the term “beneficial owner” in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

(c)“Board” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Recitals above.

(d)“Business Combination” means a reorganization, a merger or a consolidation

(e)“Change in Control” means the occurrence after the date hereof of any of the following events:

(i)Acquisition of Stock by Third Party.  Any Person (as defined below) who, or any Group (as defined below) which, is not a current stockholder of the Company becomes hereafter the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the Company’s 

 




 

Voting Securities, unless the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person or Group results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding Voting Securities; 

(ii)Corporate Transactions.  The consummation of a Business Combination, unless immediately following such Business Combination, (a) the Beneficial Owners of the Voting Securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the entity resulting from such transaction, (b) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (c) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors (as defined below), at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination;

(iii)Change in Board of Directors.  The Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; or

(iv)Liquidation.  The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions).

(f)“Claim” means:

(i)any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, demand, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, investigative or other, and whether made pursuant to federal, state or other law; or

(ii)any inquiry, hearing or investigation that the Indemnitee determines might lead to the institution of any such action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

(g)“Company” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the prefatory language above.

(h)“Constituent Documents” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Recitals above.

(i)“Continuing Directors” means, during a period of two consecutive years, not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement, the individuals collectively who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board (including for this purpose any new directors whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved).

(j)“Delaware Court” means the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.

(k)“Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Claim in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(l)“Enterprise” means, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity.

(m)“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(n)“Expense Advance” means any payment of Expense advanced to Indemnitee by the Company pursuant to Section 4 or Section 5 hereof.

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(o)“Expenses” means any and all expenses, including attorneys’ and experts’ fees, court costs, transcript costs, travel expenses, duplicating, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, and all other costs and expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in, any Claim. Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Claim, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 5 only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee. 

(p)“Group” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 13d-1 under the Exchange Act.

(q)“Indemnifiable Event” means any event or occurrence, whether occurring before, on or after the date of this Agreement, related to or arising out of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of another Enterprise or by reason of an action or inaction by Indemnitee in any such capacity (whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss (as defined below) is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement).

(r)“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the prefatory language above.

(s)“Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporate law and neither presently performs, nor in the past five (5) years has performed, services for either: (i) the Company or Indemnitee (other than in connection with matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or other indemnitees under similar agreements) or (ii) any other party to the Claim giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

(t)“Losses” means any and all Expenses, damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties (whether civil, criminal or other), ERISA excise taxes, amounts paid or payable in settlement, including any interest, assessments, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement and all other charges paid or payable in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in, any Claim. 

(u)“Notification Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 10(c) below.

(v)“Other Indemnity Provisions” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 14 below.

(w)“Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity and includes the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act. 

(x)“Standard of Conduct Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 10(b) below.

(y)“Voting Securities” means any securities of the Company that vote generally in the election of directors.

3.Indemnification.  On the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware in effect on the date hereof, or as such laws may from time to time hereafter be amended to increase the scope of such permitted indemnification, against any and all Losses if Indemnitee was or is or becomes a party to or participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or participant in, any Claim by reason of or arising, whether in part or in whole, out of an Indemnifiable Event, 

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including, without limitation, Claims brought by or in the right of the Company, Claims brought by third parties, and Claims in which the Indemnitee is solely a witness. 

4.Advancement of Expenses.  Indemnitee shall have the right to advancement by the Company, prior to the final disposition of any Claim by final adjudication to which there are no further rights of appeal, of any and all Expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Claim arising out of an Indemnifiable Event.  Indemnitee’s right to such advancement is not subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct.  Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, within twenty (20) calendar days after any request by Indemnitee, the Company shall, in accordance with such request, (a) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (c) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses.  In connection with any request for Expense Advances, Indemnitee shall not be required to provide any documentation or information to the extent that the provision thereof would undermine or otherwise jeopardize attorney-client privilege. Execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement by Indemnitee constitutes an undertaking by the Indemnitee, and Indemnitee hereby agrees, to repay any amounts paid, advanced or reimbursed by the Company pursuant to this Section 4 in respect of Expenses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Claim in respect of which it is determined, pursuant to Section 10, following the final disposition of such Claim, that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification either pursuant to this Agreement or applicable law.  No other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of this Agreement.  Indemnitee’s obligation to reimburse the Company for Expense Advances shall be unsecured and no interest shall accrue or be charged thereon.

5.Indemnification for Expenses in Enforcing Rights.  To the fullest extent allowable under applicable law, the Company shall also indemnify against, and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall advance to Indemnitee subject to and in accordance with Section 4, any Expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action or proceeding by Indemnitee for (a) indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under any provision of this Agreement, or under any other agreement or provision of the Constituent Documents now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims relating to Indemnifiable Events, and/or (b) recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company.  However, in the event that Indemnitee is ultimately determined not to be entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the case may be, then all amounts advanced under this Section 5 shall be repaid.  Indemnitee shall be required to reimburse the Company in the event that a final judicial determination is made that such action brought by Indemnitee was frivolous or not made in good faith.

6.Partial Indemnity.  If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of any Losses in respect of a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event but not for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled. 

7.Contribution in the Event of Joint Liability.  To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification and hold harmless rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying and holding harmless Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Indemnifiable Event, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Indemnifiable Event in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees, trustees, fiduciaries and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

8.Notification and Defense of Claims.

(a)Notification of Claims.  Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing as soon as practicable of any Claim which could constitute or relate to an Indemnifiable Event or for which Indemnitee could seek Expense Advances, including a brief description (based upon information then available to Indemnitee) of the nature of, and the facts underlying, such Claim.  The failure by Indemnitee to timely notify the Company hereunder 

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shall not relieve the Company from any liability hereunder other than to the extent the Company’s ability to participate in the defense of such claim was materially and adversely prejudiced by such failure. 

(b)Defense of Claims.  The Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event at its own expense and, except as otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee.  After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any such Claim, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently directly incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee’s defense of such Claim other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below.  Indemnitee shall have the right to employ its own legal counsel in such Claim, but all Expenses related to such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense shall be at Indemnitee’s own expense; provided, however, that if (i) Indemnitee’s employment of its own legal counsel has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee’s counsel has reasonably determined that there may be a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in the defense of such Claim, (iii) after a Change in Control, Indemnitee’s employment of its own counsel has been approved by the Independent Counsel or (iv) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume or ceases the defense of such Claim, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain its own separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel in respect of any such Claim) and all Expenses related to such separate counsel shall be borne and paid by the Company within not more than twenty (20) calendar days after any request therefor by Indemnitee.

9.Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.  In order to obtain indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, including in such request such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of the Claim.  Indemnification shall be made insofar as the Company determines, in accordance with Section 10 below, that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder.

10.Determination of Right to Indemnification.

(a)Mandatory Indemnification; Indemnification as a Witness.

(i)Mandatory Indemnification.  To the extent that Indemnitee shall have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Claim constituting or relating to an Indemnifiable Event or any portion thereof or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including without limitation dismissal without prejudice or settlement of the Claim (subject to the terms of Section 12 below), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Losses relating to such Claim in accordance with Section 3 to the fullest extent allowable by law.

(ii)Indemnification as a Witness.  To the extent that Indemnitee’s involvement in a Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event is to prepare to serve and serve as a witness, and not as a party, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Losses and Expenses incurred in connection therewith to the fullest extent allowable by law.

(b)Standard of Conduct.  To the extent that the provisions of Section 10(a) are inapplicable to a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event that shall have been finally disposed of, any determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law that is a legally required condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against Losses relating to or arising out of or in connection with such Claim and any determination that Expense Advances must be repaid to the Company (a “Standard of Conduct Determination”) shall be made as follows:

(i)if no Change in Control has occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum or (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; and

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(ii)if a Change in Control shall have occurred, (A) if the Indemnitee so requests in writing, by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board or (B) otherwise, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. 

The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse Indemnitee for, or advance to Indemnitee, within twenty (20) calendar days of such request, any and all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in cooperating with the Person or Persons making such Standard of Conduct Determination.  

(c)Making the Standard of Conduct Determination.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any Standard of Conduct Determination required under Section 10(b) to be made as promptly as practicable.  If the Person or Persons designated to make the Standard of Conduct Determination under Section 10(b) shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) calendar days after the later of (A) receipt by the Company of a written request from Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 9 (the date of such receipt being the “Notification Date”) and (B) the selection of an Independent Counsel, if such determination is to be made by Independent Counsel, then Indemnitee shall be deemed to have satisfied the applicable standard of conduct, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law; provided, however, that such thirty (30) calendar day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) calendar days, if the Person or Persons making such determination in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate information relating thereto.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of any Claim.

(d)Payment of Indemnification.  If, in regard to any Losses:

(i)Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a);

(ii)no Standard of Conduct Determination is legally required as a condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder; or

(iii)Indemnitee has been determined or deemed, pursuant to Section 10(b) or Section 10(c), to have satisfied the Standard of Conduct Determination;

Then, the Company shall pay to Indemnitee, within twenty (20) calendar days after the later of (A) the Notification Date or (B) the earliest date on which the applicable criterion specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) is satisfied, an amount equal to such Losses.

(e)Selection of Independent Counsel for Standard of Conduct Determination.  If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 10(b)(i), the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.  If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by the Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 10(b)(ii), the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee, and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.  In either case, Indemnitee or the Company, as applicable, may, within ten (10) calendar days after receiving written notice of selection from the other, deliver to the other a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not satisfy the criteria set forth in the definition of “Independent Counsel” in Section 2 above, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion.  Absent a proper and timely objection, the individual or firm so selected shall act as Independent Counsel.  If such written objection is properly and timely made and substantiated, (i) the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit; and (ii) the non-objecting party may, at its option, select an alternative Independent Counsel and give written notice to the other party advising such other party of the identity of the alternative Independent Counsel so selected, in which case the provisions of the two immediately preceding sentences, the introductory clause of this sentence and 

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numbered clause (i) of this sentence shall apply to such subsequent selection and notice.  If applicable, the provisions of clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to successive alternative selections.  If no Independent Counsel that is permitted under the foregoing provisions of this Section 10(e) to make the Standard of Conduct Determination shall have been selected within twenty (20) calendar days after the Company gives its initial notice pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 10(e) or Indemnitee gives its initial notice pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 10(e), as the case may be, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court to resolve any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or to appoint as Independent Counsel an individual or firm to be selected by the Court or such other person as the Court shall designate, and the individual or firm with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the individual or firm so appointed will act as Independent Counsel.  In all events, the Company shall pay all of the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel incurred in connection with the Independent Counsel’s determination pursuant to Section 10(b) and shall fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.   

(f)Presumptions and Defenses.

(i)Indemnitee’s Entitlement to Indemnification.  In making any Standard of Conduct Determination, the Person or Persons making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct and is entitled to indemnification, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption and establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.  Any Standard of Conduct Determination that is adverse to Indemnitee may be challenged by the Indemnitee in the Delaware Court.  No determination by the Company (including by its directors or any Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not satisfied any applicable standard of conduct or failure by the Company to reach such a determination may be used as a defense to any legal proceedings brought by Indemnitee to secure indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company hereunder or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct.

(ii)Reliance as a Safe Harbor.  For purposes of this Agreement, and without creating any presumption as to a lack of good faith if the following circumstances do not exist, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, if Indemnitee’s actions or omissions to act are taken in good faith reliance upon the records of the Company, including its financial statements, or upon information, opinions, reports or statements furnished to Indemnitee by the officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the course of their duties, or by committees of the Board or by any other Person (including legal counsel, accountants and financial advisors) as to matters Indemnitee reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company.  In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failures to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnity hereunder.

(iii)No Other Presumptions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any applicable standard of conduct or have any particular belief, or that indemnification hereunder is otherwise not permitted.

(iv)Defense to Indemnification and Burden of Proof.  It shall be a defense to any action brought by Indemnitee against the Company to enforce this Agreement (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for Losses incurred in defending against a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event in advance of its final disposition) that it is not permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed.  In connection with any such action or any related Standard of Conduct Determination, the burden of proving such a defense or that the Indemnitee did not satisfy the applicable standard of conduct shall be on the Company.

(v)Resolution of Claims.  The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful on the merits or otherwise for purposes of Section 10(a)(i) if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty.  In the event that any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment 

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against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such Claim, action or proceeding, with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise for purposes of Section 10(a)(i) above.  The Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome this presumption. 

11.Exclusions from Indemnification.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to:

(a)indemnify or advance funds to Indemnitee for Expenses or Losses with respect to proceedings initiated by Indemnitee, including any proceedings against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees and not by way of defense, except:

(i)proceedings referenced in Section 5 above (unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous); or

(ii)where the Company has joined in or the Board has consented to the initiation of such proceedings.

(b)indemnify Indemnitee if a final decision by a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such indemnification is prohibited by applicable law.

(c)indemnify Indemnitee for the disgorgement of profits arising from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company in violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or any similar successor statute, or state or other law.

(d)indemnify or advance funds to Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s reimbursement to the Company of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation previously received by Indemnitee or payment of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in connection with an accounting restatement of the Company or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act).

12.Settlement of Claims.  The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any threatened or pending Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event effectuated without the Company’s prior written consent, which written consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by the Company.  The Company shall not settle any Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event in any manner that would impose any Losses on the Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s prior written consent.  The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, effect any settlement of any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event which the Indemnitee is or could have been a party unless such settlement solely involves the payment of money and includes a complete and unconditional release of the Indemnitee from all liability on all claims and allegations that are the subject matter of such Claim.

13.Duration.  All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period that Indemnitee is a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, trustee or agent of another Enterprise) and shall continue thereafter (i) so long as Indemnitee may be subject to any possible Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event (including any rights of appeal thereto), and (ii) throughout the pendency of any proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto) commenced by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret his or her rights under this Agreement, even if, in either case, he or she may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any such Claim or proceeding.

14.Non-Exclusivity.  The rights of Indemnitee hereunder will be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Constituent Documents, the laws of the State of Delaware, any other contract or otherwise (collectively, “Other Indemnity Provisions”); provided, however, that (a) to the extent that Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification under any Other Indemnity Provision, Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right hereunder and (b) to the extent that any change is made to any Other Indemnity 

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Provision which permits any greater right or rights to indemnification than that provided under this Agreement as of the date hereof, Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right or rights hereunder.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy. 

15.Liability Insurance.  For the duration of Indemnitee’s service as a director or officer of the Company, and thereafter for so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any pending Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the scope and amount of coverage available relative to the cost thereof) to continue to maintain in effect policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage that is at least substantially comparable in scope and amount to that provided by the Company’s current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.  The insurance provided pursuant to this Section 15 shall be primary insurance to the Indemnitee for any Indemnifiable Event and/or Expense to which such insurance applies.  In all policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are provided to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director, or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is an officer by such policy.  Upon request, the Company will provide to Indemnitee copies of all directors’ and officers’ liability insurance applications, binders, policies, declarations, endorsements and other related materials.

16.No Duplication of Payments.  The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment to Indemnitee in respect of any Losses to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise received payment under any insurance policy, the Constituent Documents, Other Indemnity Provisions or otherwise of the amounts otherwise (including from another Enterprise) indemnifiable by the Company hereunder.

17.Subrogation.  In the event of payment to Indemnitee under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee.  Indemnitee shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. 

18.Amendments; Waivers.  No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding unless in the form of a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver is sought, and no such waiver shall operate as a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.  Except as specifically provided herein, no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall constitute a waiver thereof.

19.Enforcement and Binding Effect.  

(a)The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

(b)Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under any Other Indemnity Provisions as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(c)This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs and personal and legal representatives.  The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substances satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

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20.Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any portion thereof) are held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible. 

21.Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, or mailed, by postage prepaid, certified or registered mail:

(a)if to Indemnitee, to:  the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

(b)if to the Company, to:

First Foundation, Inc.

Attn:  Chief Financial Officer 

18101 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 700,

Irvine, CA 92612

Notice of change of address shall be effective only when given in accordance with this Section.  All notices complying with this Section shall be deemed to have been received on the date of hand delivery or on the third business day after mailing.

22.Governing Law and Forum.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such state without giving effect to its principles of conflicts of laws.  The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States or any other country, (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and (c) waive, and agree not to plead or make, any claim that the Delaware Court lacks venue or that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

23.Headings.  The headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction or interpretation thereof.

24.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

(Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank;
Signatures of Parties Follow on Next Page.)

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

COMPANY:

FIRST FOUNDATION INC., A Delaware corporation

By:

Name: 

Its:

INDEMNITEE:

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

(Print Name)

Address:

 

 

(Signature Page of Indemnification Agreement)