EX-10.2


 Exhibit 10.2 

BINDING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 

THIS BINDING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (“MOU”) is made as of September 26, 2016, by and between RAIT Financial Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”) and Scott F. Schaeffer (the “Executive”). 
 R E C
I T A L S: 
 WHEREAS, the Company intends to enter into that certain Securities and Asset Purchase Agreement (the
“Purchase Agreement”) by and among the Company, RAIT TRS, LLC, Jupiter Communities, LLC, the RAIT Selling Stockholders (as defined therein), Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP; 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Executive will resign from his positions as Chief
Executive Officer (“CEO”) and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Company; and 
 WHEREAS, the Company and the
Executive desire to memorialize the terms under which the Executive will resign from such positions. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, for
consideration recognized by each party and intending to be bound by the terms hereof, the Company and the Executive agree as follows: 
 1.
Recitals. The foregoing recitals are incorporated into this MOU as if separately restated herein. 
 2. Severance Terms.

 a) On the Second Closing Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement): 

(1) Executive shall resign from his position as CEO and from the Board of Trustees of the Company. 

(2) Executive shall enter into a consultancy agreement with the Company for a term of one year. Under the terms of such consultancy agreement,
Executive shall receive consulting fees in an amount equal to $375,000. 
 b) On a date to be determined by the Company, but not after the
later to occur of the Second Closing Date or February 1, 2017, Executive shall receive a Share Award (as defined in the RAIT Financial Trust 2012 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”)) under the Plan of 150,000 restricted shares of the
Company’s common shares of beneficial interest (the “Award”). The Award may be granted as two separate awards. To the extent the Award is granted in multiple awards, the amount of shares granted in each award shall be
determined at the sole discretion of the Company. In no event shall the number of shares granted exceed 150,000 in the aggregate. Fifty percent (50%) of the shares granted pursuant to the Award 






 
shall vest six (6) months after the date of grant. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of the shares granted pursuant to the Award shall vest on the one year anniversary of the date of grant. The
Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, as they be may be amended from time to time. 
 c) On a date to be determined by
the Company, but not after the later to occur of the Second Closing Date or February 1, 2017, Executive shall receive a cash payment in the amount of $500,000 (the “Cash Payment”). 

d) All equity awards previously granted to Executive and equity awards to be granted to Executive as performance compensation for 2016, pending
the completion of 2016, if any, shall neither terminate nor accelerate but shall be governed by the applicable vesting schedule. 
 e)
Executive’s annual cash bonus and any other award granted to Executive under the Plan as compensation for performance during 2016, if any, shall be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Company in accordance with the agreed upon 2016
incentive compensation plan and awarded to Executive in a manner consistent with past practices for determining and awarding such bonuses or awards. 

f) Executive acknowledges and agrees that the terms set forth in this MOU supersede any other terms, agreements or understandings between the
parties with respect to the subject matter set forth herein, including the terms set forth in the Executive’s existing employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”). In consideration of the terms set forth in this MOU, upon
his resignation: 
 (1) Executive shall release any and all rights he may have with respect to any and all awards that have been granted or
that will be granted to him under the Plan; 
 (2) Executive shall release any and all rights he may have under the Employment Agreement,
including but not limited to those set forth in Section 2.1(c) of the Employment Agreement; and 
 (3) Executive shall sign a release
of claims (the “Release”) releasing the Company from all obligations under the Employment Agreement and from any and all claims against the Company and all related parties with respect to all matters arising out of Executive’s
employment by the Company, or the termination thereof. The Release shall also exclude any claims relating to any right Executive may have to payments pursuant to this MOU, any claim for workers’ compensation benefits and any rights Executive
may have to indemnification or directors’ and officers’ liability insurance under the Company’s bylaws or charter, any indemnification agreement to which Executive is a party or beneficiary or applicable law, as a result of having
served as an officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates. 

  
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 3. General Provisions.

a) The obligations of the parties set forth in this MOU are contingent upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement. In the event the Second Closing (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) does not occur, this MOU shall be null and void. 
 b) This
MOU shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this MOU, or the breach, termination or validity thereof, will be submitted by
the parties to arbitration under the commercial rules then in effect for the American Arbitration Association except as provided in this Section. Such arbitration shall be conducted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All proceedings will be held in
English and a record transcribed in English will be prepared. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. 

c) Neither party may assign its rights under this MOU except as agreed by the parties in writing. 

d) This MOU may be amended or supplemented only by a writing that is signed by duly authorized representatives of both parties. 

e) If any part of this MOU is found invalid or unenforceable, that part will be amended to achieve as nearly as possible the same economic
effect as the original provision and the remainder of this MOU will remain in full force. 
 f) This MOU constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties relating to this subject matter and supersedes all prior or simultaneous representations, discussions, negotiations, and agreements, whether written or oral. 

[Signature Page Follows] 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto agree to the terms of this MOU and have executed
the same as of the date first written above. 
  

			
	RAIT FINANCIAL TRUST,
	 a Maryland real estate investment trust

		
	 By:
	 	 /s/ Scott Davidson

	 Title:
	 	 President

	
	 /s/ Scott F. Schaeffer

	Scott F. Schaeffer


 [Signature Page to Schaeffer MOU]