Form of Restated Tier I Employment  Agreement



 Exhibit 10.1 
 EXECUTION COPY 
 RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

 of 
 [Executive] 
  
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 11, 2009 (the “Effective Date”), between NEWSTAR FINANCIAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”), and [Executive] (“Executive”). This Agreement fully supersedes the Employment Agreement that Executive executed on December 13, 2006. 
 In consideration of the mutual agreements set forth below and for other good and valuable consideration given by each party to this
Agreement to the other, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company agrees to employ Executive and Executive agrees to serve the Company as an employee pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions that follow.

 1. Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to accept employment
with the Company, upon the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date. Executive’s employment with the Company shall continue, subject to earlier termination of such employment pursuant to the terms
hereof, until the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date and thereafter shall automatically renew for one additional one (1) year period unless a notice of intent not to renew shall be delivered in accordance with Section 15 by
either the Company or Executive, as the case may be, at least ninety (90) days prior to the third (3rd) anniversary date (such term, as and when so extended, the “Employment Period”), provided that either party may make
any renewal contingent upon the parties’ agreement to add to, delete, or modify the terms of this Agreement by providing a notice to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to the third (3rd) anniversary date. The parties
shall have a 30-day window to agree to any additional, deleted or modified terms and, if no agreement can be reached, then the initial contingent notice of renewal shall be deemed a notice of non-renewal unless the parties agree otherwise. Executive
represents to the Company that he has no present intention to terminate employment with the Company. 
 2. Duties.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve on a full-time basis as the [title] of the Company. Executive’s duties and responsibilities as the [title] of the Company shall include those duties customarily associated with an officer with
a similar title or as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof (the “Board of Directors”). Executive shall devote his full business-time
attention and energies and use his best efforts in his employment with the Company; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be interpreted as prohibiting Executive from (i) serving on the Boards of Directors of unrelated companies or
(ii) managing his personal affairs or engaging in charitable or civic activities, so long as, in








 
each case, such activities do not interfere in any material respect with the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder and are in accordance with the policies and
procedures of the Company. 
 3. Compensation and Benefits. In consideration of entering into this Agreement and
as full compensation for Executive’s services hereunder, during the Employment Period, Executive shall receive the following compensation and benefits: 
 (a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay to Executive a base salary (“Base Salary”) at a rate of $[salary] per annum, payable in accordance with the payroll policies from time to
time in effect at the Company. Executive’s Base Salary may be subject to increase (but shall not be subject to decrease) on an annual basis as the Board of Directors shall determine. 
 (b) Incentive Bonuses. Executive shall be entitled to participate in such incentive bonus programs as the Board of Directors may
adopt from time to time for members of senior management of the Company (“Incentive Bonus”). 
 (c)
Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, accrued in accordance with the usual vacation policies in effect at the Company. 
 (d) Other Benefits. Executive shall participate in and be eligible to receive, but without duplication, all other benefits
(i.e., benefits other than those of the types covered in Sections 3(a)—(c)) offered to senior executives of the Company, including, without limitation, retirement income plans and health and welfare plans, under and in accordance with
the provisions of any employee benefit plan adopted or to be adopted by the Company (collectively, the “Benefit Plans”) other than any severance benefits offered to senior executives in accordance with any such plan. Except as set
forth herein, Executive shall not be entitled to any other benefits. 
 (e) Retiree Health Program. For purposes of
Section 6 hereof, the “Retiree Health Program” shall mean a health insurance plan, with a reputable insurance provider that is sponsored by the Company and provides benefits that are substantially similar to those provided to
then current employees, participation in which is paid for solely by Executive. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that any Retiree Health Program provides coverage for Executive if, as of the date hereof, Executive is
eligible for insurance under the Company’s current health insurance plan. 
 4. Reimbursement for Expenses.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to incur on behalf of the Company reasonable and necessary expenses in connection with his duties in accordance with Company’s policies and the Company shall pay for or reimburse
Executive for all such expenses upon presentation of proper receipts therefor. Executive shall comply with such reasonable limitations and reporting requirements with respect to such expenses as the Board of Directors may establish from time to
time. 
  

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 5. Termination. Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated as
follows (each, a “Termination Event”): 
 (a) Automatically in the event of the death of Executive; 

(b) At the option of the Company, by the Board of Directors (acting through the Chairman or Secretary) or by written notice to Executive
in the event of the Permanent Disability of Executive. As used herein, the term “Permanent Disability” shall mean a physical or mental incapacity or disability which renders Executive unable, with or without a reasonable
accommodation, to render the services required hereunder (A) for one hundred eighty (180) days in any twelve (12) month period or (B) for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days. 
 (c) At the option of the Company for Cause (as defined in Section 6(e)); 
 (d) At the option of the Company at any time without Cause, subject to the Company’s obligations under Section 6(c) hereof;

 (e) At the option of Executive for Good Reason (as defined in Section 6(j)); 
 (f) At the option of Executive, at any time, for any reason, on ninety (90) days prior written notice to the Company; 
 (g) At the option of Executive upon Early Retirement (as defined in Section 6(h)) of Executive or upon Retirement (as defined in
Section 6(l)) of Executive; or 
 (h) At the option of Executive for Company Failure to Renew (as defined in
Section 6(m)). 
 6. Payments. 
 (a) Death. If the Termination Event is due to Executive’s death, Executive’s legal representatives shall be entitled to receive, as soon as practicable following the date of termination:

 (i) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, plus 
 (ii) an amount equal to the average Incentive Bonus paid or earned but unpaid to Executive in respect of the three (3) previous fiscal
years, pro-rated for the period from the beginning of the then current fiscal year and ending on the date of termination (the “Pro Rated Bonus”), plus 
  


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 (iii) any accrued and unpaid vacation pay or other benefits which may be owing in
accordance with the Company policies and applicable law, plus 
 (iv) acceleration of vesting and exercisability of all equity
incentive awards (the “Incentive Equity”) issued to Executive under the Company’s Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”). For purposes of this Agreement, “vesting” shall mean, in the case of any
restricted stock issued under the Plan, ceasing to be subject to forfeiture, plus 
 (v) a period of two (2) years
following the date of termination to exercise any vested stock options. 
 (b) Permanent Disability. If the Termination
Event is due to Executive’s Permanent Disability, Executive or his legal representatives shall be entitled to receive, as soon as practicable following the date of termination: 
 (i) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary payable through the date of termination, plus 
 (ii) the Pro Rated Bonus, plus 
 (iii) any accrued and unpaid vacation pay or other benefits which may be owing in accordance with Company policies and applicable law, plus 
 (iv) acceleration of vesting and exercisability of all Incentive Equity, plus 
 (v) a period of one (1) year following the date of termination to exercise any vested stock options. 
 (c) Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. If the Termination Event is termination by the Company at any time during the
Employment Period without Cause or by Executive at any time during the Employment Period for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to: 
 (i) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, plus 
 (ii) the Pro Rated Bonus payable as soon as practicable following the date of termination, plus 
 (iii) any accrued
and unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed expenses or other benefits which may be applicable to and owing in accordance with Company policies or applicable law, plus 
  

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 (iv) the Base Salary (which shall be the Base Salary as of the date of termination) during
the Severance Period (as defined in Section 6(k)), payable in accordance with the payroll practices then in effect at the Company, plus 
 (v) an amount equal to two times the average Incentive Bonus paid or earned but unpaid to Executive in respect of the three (3) previous fiscal years, payable as soon as practicable following the
date of termination, plus 
 (vi) the continuation of all health benefits during the Severance Period at the same cost to
Executive as though Executive continued his employment with the Company, plus 
 (vii) the acceleration of vesting and
exercisability of all Incentive Equity, plus 
 (viii) a period equal to the full length of the remaining term (as set forth in
the applicable grant notice) to exercise any vested stock options 
 provided, however, that if Executive’s employment is
terminated pursuant to this Section following the completion of Liquidation Event, the amounts payable in subsection 6(c)(iv) shall be paid out in a lump sum within sixty (60) days of the date of termination, and no amount will be paid under
subsection 6(c)(v); provided further, once the Company makes the required payment following a Liquidation Event, Executive shall be released from the non-competition provisions set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement; provided,
further, the Company’s obligations under Section 6(c)(vi) shall terminate prior to the end of the Severance Period if, during the Severance Period, Executive obtains health benefits from a new employer that are substantially equivalent
to those provided by the Company; provided, further, if Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”), and the payments
described above do not satisfy any applicable exemptions, then such payments shall not be made prior to the first day following the six-month period beginning on the date of termination of employment if such payments would otherwise violate
Section 409A, Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date (“Section 409A
Guidance”) and such payments shall instead be accumulated and paid to Executive on the first day of the seventh month following his termination of employment. All payments due Executive under this Section 6(c) after the six-month
period following Executive’s termination of employment shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Section 6(c). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Liquidation Event” shall mean the approval by the Board of
Directors and/or the Company’s stockholders of a plan to liquidate materially all of the Company’s assets. 
 (d)
Termination for Cause or Voluntary Termination by Executive. If the Termination Event is termination by the Company for Cause pursuant to Section 5(c) or termination by Executive pursuant to Section 5(f), except for Base Salary
through the day on which Executive’s employment was terminated and any accrued and unpaid

  

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vacation pay or other benefits which may be owing in accordance with the Company’s policies or applicable law, Executive shall not be entitled to receive severance or any other compensation
or benefits after the last date of employment with the Company. If termination is for Cause, all of (i) the Incentive Equity that is unvested as of the date of termination and (ii) the stock options that remain unexercised as of the date
of termination, shall be forfeited for no consideration. If termination is by Executive pursuant to Section 5(f), (i) all of the Incentive Equity that is unvested as of the date of termination shall be forfeited for no consideration and
(ii) Executive shall have one (1) year following the date of termination to exercise any vested stock options. 
 (e)
Cause Defined. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall mean (i) the willful and continued failure of Executive to perform substantially Executive’s duties with the Company or one of its affiliates
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by the Board of Directors, which specifically identifies the manner in which the
Board of Directors believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties, or (ii) willful engaging by Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company or
its affiliates, or (iii) conviction of or made a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony, or (iv) a material breach of his or her obligations under Section 7 or Section 8 hereof. For purposes of
this definition of “Cause”, no act or failure to act on the part of Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that Executive’s
actions or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon express authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors with respect to such act or omission or based upon the
advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive cannot be terminated for
“Cause” unless the Company has notified Executive in writing that his or her employment is being terminated for Cause which notice shall specify the Cause event and Executive is given an opportunity, at least 30 days after receipt of such
written notice from the Company, to make a presentation to the Board of Directors that Executive should not be terminated for Cause. 
 (f) Termination Upon Retirement. If the Termination Event is due to the Retirement of Executive, Executive shall be entitled to receive, as soon as practicable following the date of termination: 
 (i) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, plus 
 (ii) the Pro Rated Bonus, plus 
 (iii) any accrued and unpaid vacation pay or other benefits which may be owing in accordance with Company policies and applicable law, plus 
  

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 (iv) the right to participate in the Retiree Health Program, plus 
 (v) acceleration of vesting of all Incentive Equity, plus 
 (vi) a period equal to the full length of the remaining term (as set forth in the applicable grant notice) to exercise any vested stock options; 
 provided, however, that the Company’s obligations under Section 6(f)(iv) shall terminate if at any time Executive obtains retiree
health benefits from a different employer and provided, further, if Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A, and the payments described above do not satisfy any applicable exemptions, then such
payments shall not be made prior to the first day following the six-month period beginning on the date of termination of employment if such payments would otherwise violate Section 409A Guidance and such payments shall instead be paid to
Executive on the first day of the seventh month following his termination of employment. 
 (g) Company Failure to Renew.
If the Termination Event is Company Failure to Renew, Executive shall be entitled to receive: 
 (i) any accrued but unpaid
Base Salary through the date of termination, plus 
 (ii) the Pro Rated Bonus, payable as soon as practicable following the
date of termination, plus 
 (iii) any accrued and unpaid vacation pay or other benefits which may be owing in accordance with
Company policies and applicable law, plus 
 (iv) once Executive reaches the age of 55, the right to participate in the Retiree
Health Program, plus 
 (v) acceleration of vesting of all Incentive Equity 
 provided, however, that the Company’s obligations under Section 6(g)(iv) shall terminate if at any time Executive obtains retiree
health benefits from a different employer and provided, further, if Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A, and the payments described above do not satisfy any applicable exemptions, then such
payments shall not be made prior to the first day following the six-month period beginning on the date of termination of employment if such payments would otherwise violate Section 409A Guidance and such payments shall instead be paid to
Executive on the first day of the seventh month following his termination of employment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, if the Company provides notice of its intent not to renew this Agreement following a Liquidation
Event, Executive’s potential severance benefits shall be calculated as set forth in subsection 6(c), and not as set forth in this subsection. 
  

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 (h) Termination Upon Early Retirement. If the Termination Event is by Executive due
to Early Retirement, Executive shall be entitled to receive: 
 (i) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of
termination, plus 
 (ii) any accrued and unpaid vacation pay or other benefits which may be owing in accordance with Company
policies and applicable law, plus 
 (iii) the right to participate in the Retiree Health Program, plus 
 (iv) a period equal to the lesser of (x) three years or (y) the full length of the remaining term (as set forth in the applicable
grant notice) to exercise any vested Options, provided, however, that all of the Incentive Equity that is unvested as of the date of termination shall be forfeited for no consideration; 
 provided, however, that the Company’s obligations under Section 6(h)(iii) shall terminate if at any time Executive obtains retiree health benefits from a different employer. For
purposes of this subsection, “Early Retirement” shall mean when Executive’s age plus his years of employment with the Company equal fifty-five (55). 
 (i) Change of Control. 
 (i) Special Payment. If, at any time during
the two (2) year period following a Change of Control (as defined in Section 6(i)(ii)), Executive’s employment is terminated without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, then instead of the payment set forth in subsection 6(c)
Executive will receive (A) his Base Salary through the date of termination, plus (B) an amount equal to two (2) times Base Salary (which shall be the Base Salary as of the date of termination), payable in a lump sum as soon as
practicable following the date of termination, plus (C) the Pro Rated Bonus, payable as soon as practicable following the date of termination, plus (D) an amount equal to two (2) times the average Incentive Bonus paid or earned but
unpaid to Executive in respect of the three (3) previous fiscal years, payable as soon as practicable following the date of termination, plus (E) any accrued and unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed expenses or other benefits which may be
applicable to and owing in accordance with Company policies or applicable law, plus (F) the continuation of all health benefits during the Severance Period, plus (G) acceleration of vesting and exercisability of all Incentive Equity, plus
(H) a period equal to the full length of the remaining term (as set forth in the applicable grant notice) to exercise any vested stock options; provided, however, if Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in
Section 409A and the payments described above do not satisfy any applicable exemptions, then such payments shall not be made prior to the first day following the six-month period beginning on the date of termination of employment if such
payments would otherwise violate 409A Guidance and such payments shall instead be accumulated and paid to Executive on the first day of the seventh month following his termination of employment. All payments due Executive under this
Section 6(i) after the six-month period following Executive’s termination of employment shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Section 6(i). 
  


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 (ii) Change of Control Defined. For purposes of this Section, the term
“Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events: 
 (A) the consummation
of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity in which holders of the Company’s voting securities immediately prior to such merger or consolidation will not, directly or indirectly, continue to
hold at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; 
 (B) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer
(in one transaction or a related series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; 
 (C) the
acquisition by any person or any group of persons, acting together in any transaction or related series of transactions, of such quantity of the Company’s voting securities as causes such person, or group of persons, to own beneficially,
directly or indirectly, as of the time immediately after such transaction or series of transactions, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company other than as a result of (X) an acquisition of securities
directly from the Company or (Y) an acquisition of securities by the Company which by reducing the voting securities outstanding increases the proportionate voting power represented by the voting securities owned by any such person or group of
persons to 50% or more of the combined voting power of such voting securities; or 
 (D) a change in the composition of the
Board within a two (2) year period such that a majority of the members of the Board are not Continuing Directors. As used herein, the term “Continuing Directors” shall mean as of any date of determination, any member of the
Board of Directors of the Company who (i) was a member of Board of Directors of the Company immediately after the Effective Date of this Agreement, or (ii) was nominated for election or elected to the Company’s Board of Directors with
the approval of, or whose election to the Board of Directors was ratified by, at least a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of the Company’s Board of Directors at the time of that nomination or election; 
 provided, however, that in no case shall (1) the public offering and sale of the Company’s Common Stock by its stockholders pursuant
to a registered secondary offering or (2) the voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy of the Company constitute a Change of Control. 
 (j) Good Reason Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean in the absence of written consent of Executive (i) a reduction in Executive’s annual Base Salary from such Executive’s
annual base salary then in effect; (ii) a material diminution of Executive’s duties following a Change in Control; or (iii) a forced relocation by the Company of Executive’s place of employment to a location greater than thirty
(30) miles from his or her initial place of employment.

  

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Executive provides written notice of termination for Good Reason in reliance upon this provision, the Company shall have the opportunity to cure
such circumstances within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice. 
 (k) Severance Period Defined. For purposes
of this Agreement, “Severance Period” shall mean the period beginning on the date of termination of Executive’s employment and ending on the date which is two (2) years thereafter. 
 (l) Retirement Defined. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Retirement” shall mean when Executive is
fifty-five (55) years of age or older and such Executive terminates employment for no reason other than the expiration of the three-year Employment Period, or the one-year renewal thereof, provided that neither party shall be obligated to renew
the Employment Period as provided in Section 1 above. 
 (m) Company Failure to Renew Defined. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term “Company Failure to Renew” shall mean the delivery by the Company of a notice of intent not to renew pursuant to Section 1 and the notification by Executive within ninety (90) days after receipt of a
notice of intent not to renew that Executive intends to terminate his employment. 
 (n) Condition to Payment. All
payments and benefits due to Executive under this Section 6 which are not otherwise required by law shall be contingent upon (i) execution by Executive (or Executive’s beneficiary or estate) of a separation agreement in such form as
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, including a general release of all claims to the maximum extent permitted by law against the Company, its affiliates and its and their current and former stockholders, directors, employees and agents
and (ii) compliance by Executive with his obligations under any stockholders, restricted stock or other agreement to which the Company and Executive are a party. 
 (o) No Other Severance. Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that, other than the severance payments described in this Section 6, upon termination, Executive shall not be entitled to any
other severance under any Company benefit plan or severance policy generally available to the Company’s employees or otherwise. 
 (p) Survival; Conflicting Terms. Any provision in this Section 6 regarding Incentive Equity or the right to participate in the Retiree Health Program shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
Section 6(i) shall survive a Change of Control regardless of whether this Agreement is terminated in connection with a Change of Control or expires by its terms following a Change of Control. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this
Agreement and any Incentive Equity documentation, the terms of this Agreement regarding the Incentive Equity shall prevail. 
 7. Confidentiality. 
 (a) Executive agrees that Confidential Information was and shall be made available
in connection with Executive’s employment by or consultancy with the

  

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Company. Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Information that he or she develops or invents in connection with his or her employment by the Company or has obtained or will obtain in
connection therewith is the property of the Company. Executive agrees that he or she will not disclose any Confidential Information to any other Person, except that Confidential Information may be disclosed: (i) to the extent required by
applicable law, rule or regulation (including complying with any oral or written questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process to which Executive is subject);
provided that Executive gives the Company prompt notice of such requests, to the extent practicable, so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or similar relief (and Executive shall cooperate with such efforts by the
Company at the Company’s expense, and shall in any event make only the minimum disclosure required by such law, rule or regulation unless Executive reasonably believes that other disclosure is necessary or advisable in order to avoid adverse
consequences to Executive), (ii) if the prior written consent of the Board of Directors shall have been obtained, or (iii) to such Persons to the extent necessary in the reasonable judgment of Executive to perform his duties as an employee
of the Company and, in his reasonable judgment, such disclosure is not harmful to the Company. 
 (b) “Confidential
Information” shall mean any information relating to the business or affairs of the Company or, as provided below, any of its affiliates, including, but not limited to, customer identities, potential customers, employees, business and
financial strategies, methods or practices, business plans, financial models, proposals, documents or materials owned, developed or possessed by the Company, profit margins or other proprietary information used by the Company or any of its
affiliates; provided that Confidential Information shall not include (i) information that is or becomes generally known to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by Executive in violation of this Agreement,
(ii) information that was known to Executive prior to becoming an employee of the Company or (iii) information which becomes known to Executive following a Termination Event, through no wrongful act of Executive, by disclosure from a third
party unless Executive has reason to believe that such third party is under an obligation or duty of confidentiality or secrecy with respect to such information or is an employee, officer, director or stockholder of the Company; and provided,
further, that (A) in such case where any affiliate has a separate confidentiality requirement or agreement to which the Company is subject, such confidentiality requirement or agreement shall supersede the requirements herein and
(B) unless a confidentiality requirement or agreement referred to in the preceding clause (A) exists with respect to an affiliate, Confidential Information for purposes of this definition as it relates to affiliates shall be deemed to
include only Confidential Information of affiliates, the employees or consultants of which, are participants or observers at meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company. 
 8. Restrictive Covenants. 
 (a) During the Employment Period and for a period of two (2) years after the effective date of the Termination Event, Executive shall not, directly or

  

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indirectly (i) cause, solicit, induce or encourage any employees, consultants or contractors of the Company to leave such employment or service, or hire, employ or otherwise engage any such
individual, or (ii) cause, induce or encourage any customer, supplier or licensor of the Company, or any other Person who has a material business relationship with the Company, to terminate or modify any such relationship. 
 (b) During the Employment Period and for a period of two (2) years after the effective date of the Termination Event, Executive shall
not, directly or indirectly alone or as a partner, officer, director, shareholder, member, sole proprietor, employee or consultant of any other firm or entity, personally engage or participate in any Restricted Business, as such term is defined
below, as a material portion of his or her responsibilities. 
 (c) The parties hereto agree that, if any court of competent
jurisdiction in a final nonappealable judgment determines that a specified time period, a specified business limitation or any other relevant feature of this Section 8 is unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, then a lesser
time period, business limitation or other relevant feature which is determined to be reasonable, not arbitrary and not against public policy may be enforced against the applicable party. 
 (d) “Restricted Business” shall mean any of the following: (i) the business of extending senior, subordinated or
asset-based loans to middle-market companies as targeted by the Company at the effective date of the Termination Event, (ii) providing real estate financing of the types offered by the Company at the effective date of the Termination Event,
(iii) extending asset-backed loans or investing in asset-backed securities with financial products of the types then offered by the Company at the effective date of the Termination Event or (iv) any other material line of business engaged
in by the Company at the effective date of the Termination Event. 
 (e) The Board of Directors shall, in its sole discretion,
have the authority and discretion to waive any provision of this Section 8 or to make a determination that a business is not a Restricted Business for purposes hereof. 
 9. Injunctive Relief. The parties acknowledge and agree that restrictions contained in Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement are
necessary for the protection of the business and goodwill of the Company and are considered by Executive to be reasonable for such purpose. Executive agrees that any breach or threatened breach of Sections 7 or 8 will cause the Company substantial
and irrevocable damage that is difficult to measure. Therefore, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, Executive agrees that the Company, in addition to such other remedies which may be available, shall have the right to obtain an
injunction from a court restraining such a breach or threatened breach and the right to specific performance of the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement and Executive hereby waives the adequacy of a remedy at law as a defense to such
relief. 
 10. Indemnification. If Executive is a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact
that Executive is or was an officer or agent of the Company, the

  

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Company will indemnify Executive to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the state of the Company’s incorporation, in effect at that time, or the certificate of incorporation and
bylaws of the Company, whichever affords the greater protection to Executive. 
 11. Withholding Taxes. Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the Company may directly or indirectly withhold from any payments under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes that will be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation. 
 12. Section 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with 409A Guidance.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Agreement to the contrary, (i) if, at the time of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company, Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in 409A Guidance and the deferral of
the commencement of any payments or benefits otherwise payable hereunder as a result of such termination of employment is necessary in order to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under 409A Guidance, then the Company will defer the
commencement of the payment of any such payments or benefits hereunder (without any reduction in such payments or benefits ultimately paid or provided to Executive) until the date that is six months following Executive’s termination of
employment with the Company (or the earliest date as is permitted under Section 409A) and (ii) if any other payments of money or other benefits due to Executive hereunder could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax
under Section 409A, the Company may (a) adopt such amendments to the Agreement, including amendments with retroactive effect, that the Company determines necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits
provided by the Agreement and/or (b) take such other actions as the Company determines necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of 409A Guidance. The Company shall consult with Executive in good faith regarding the
implementation of this Section 12; provided that none of the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of their employees or representatives shall have any liability to Executive with respect thereto. 
 13. Certain Additional Payments by the Company. 
 (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment, award, benefit or distribution (or any acceleration of any payment, award, benefit or
distribution) to or for the benefit of Executive payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (the “Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”), or any interest or penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise
Tax”), then the Company shall pay to Executive an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount retained by Executive, after deduction of all Excise Taxes on the Payments, and all Excise Taxes,
federal, state and local income taxes, and federal employment taxes on the Gross-Up Payment, and any interest, penalties or additions to tax payable by Executive with respect thereto, shall be equal to the total present value (using the applicable
federal

  

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rate (as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code in such calculation) of the Payments at the time such Payments are to be made. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rates of federal income taxation applicable to individuals in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest
marginal rates of taxation applicable to individuals as are in effect in the state and locality of Executive’s residence in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that
can be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes, taking into account any limitations applicable to individuals subject to federal income tax at the highest marginal rates. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 13(a), if it shall be determined that Executive is entitled to the Gross-Up Payment, but that the Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest amount that could be paid to Executive such that the receipt of the Payments would not give
rise to any Excise Tax (the “Reduced Amount”), then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. 
 (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 13(a), all determinations required to be made under this Section 13, including whether
and when a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by a nationally recognized public accounting firm that is retained by the Company (the
“Accounting Firm”). In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the change in ownership or control giving rise to the Excise Tax, the Company may appoint
another nationally recognized public accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations
both to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from the Company or Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company (collectively, the
“Determination”). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company and the Company shall enter into any agreement requested by the Accounting Firm in connection with the performance of the services
hereunder. The Gross-up Payment under this Section 13 with respect to any Payments shall be made no later than thirty (30) days following such Payment. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Executive, it shall
furnish Executive with a written opinion to such effect. 
 (c) As a result of the uncertainty in the application of
Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the Determination, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”) or Gross-Up Payments are made by the Company
which should not have been made (“Overpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that Executive thereafter is required to make payment of any Excise Tax or additional Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment (together with interest at

  

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the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2) of the Code) shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive. In the event the amount of the Gross-up Payment exceeds the
amount necessary to reimburse Executive for his Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Overpayment that has been made and any such Overpayment (together with interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2) of the
Code) shall be promptly paid by Executive to or for the benefit of the Company. Executive shall cooperate, to the extent his expenses are reimbursed by the Company, with any reasonable requests by the Company in connection with any contests or
disputes with the Internal Revenue Service in connection with the Excise Tax. 
 (d) This Section 13 will apply only in the
event that, immediately prior to the change in ownership or control giving rise to Excise Tax, the Company has stock that is “readily tradeable on an established securities market” as defined in regulations issues under Section 280G
of the Code. 
 14. Effect of Prior Agreements. This Agreement constitutes the sole and entire agreement and
understanding between Executive and the Company with respect to the matters covered hereby and thereby, and there are no other promises, agreements, representations, warranties or other statements between Executive and the Company in respect to such
matters not expressly set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings or other arrangements, whether written or oral, concerning the subject matter thereof. 
 15. Notices. Any notice required, permitted, or desired to be given pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall
be deemed to have been sufficiently given or served for all purposes when telecopied, when delivered by hand or received by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by nationally reorganized overnight courier service addressed to the party
to receive such notice at the following address or any other address substituted therefor by notice pursuant to these provisions: 
  

					
	If to the Company, at:
		
		 	NewStar Financial, Inc.
		 	500 Boylston Street
		 	Suite 1600
		 	Boston, MA 02116
		 	Attention:	 	 [contact]

		 	Facsimile:	 	 [fax #]


  

					
	If to Executive, at:
			
		 	 [name]
	 	
			
		 	 [address]
	 	
			
		 	  
	 	

  

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 16. Assignability. The obligations of Executive may not be delegated and
Executive may not, without the Company’s written consent thereto, assign, transfer, convey, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this Agreement or any interest herein. Any such attempted delegation or disposition shall be null
and void and without effect. The Company and Executive agree that this Agreement and all of the Company’ rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned or transferred by the Company to and may be assumed by and become binding upon and may
inure to the benefit of any affiliate of or successor to the Company. The term “successor” shall mean, with respect to the Company, any other corporation or other business entity which, by merger, consolidation, purchase of the assets, or
otherwise, acquires all or a material part of its assets. Any assignment by either of the Company of its rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or successor of the Company shall not be a termination of employment for purposes of this
Agreement. 
 17. Modification. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except in writing signed by the
parties. No term or condition of this Agreement will be deemed to have been waived except in writing by the party charged with waiver. A waiver will operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and will not constitute a waiver for the
future or act on anything other than that which is specifically waived. 
 18. Governing Law. This Agreement has
been executed and delivered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement will be governed by the laws of that state applicable to contacts made and to be performed entirely within that state.

 19. Severability. All provisions of this Agreement are intended to be severable. In the event any provision or
restriction contained herein is held to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, in whole or in part, such finding will in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. The parties hereto further agree
that any such invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed modified so that it will be enforced to the greatest extent permissible under law, and to the extent that any court of competent jurisdiction determines any restriction herein to be
unreasonable in any respect, such court may limit this Agreement to render it reasonable in the light of the circumstances in which it was entered into and specifically enforce this Agreement as limited. 
 20. No Waiver. No course of dealing or any delay on the part of the Company or Executive in exercising any rights hereunder
shall operate as a waiver of any such rights. No waiver of any default or breach of this Agreement shall be deemed a continuing waiver of any other breach or default. 
 21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original
by the party executing the same but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. For the convenience of the parties, facsimile and pdf signatures shall be accepted as originals. 
  

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 22. Binding Arbitration. 
 (a) Generally. Except with respect to the Company’s right to seek injunctive relief pursuant to Section 9, Executive and the
Company hereby agree that any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the employment relationship between Executive and the Company, or the termination thereof, including the arbitrability of any controversy or claim,
which cannot be settled by mutual agreement will be finally settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (or if not applicable, the applicable state arbitration law) as follows: Any party who is aggrieved will
deliver a notice to the other party setting forth the specific points in dispute. Any points remaining in dispute twenty (20) days after the giving of such notice may, upon ten (10) days’ notice to the other party, be submitted to
arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, to the American Arbitration Association, before a single arbitrator appointed in accordance with the Commercial Dispute Resolution Procedures and Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as such procedures
and rules may be amended from time to time and modified only as herein expressly provided. The arbitrator may enter a default decision against any party who fails to participate in the arbitration proceedings. 
 (b) Binding Effect. The decision of the arbitrator on the points in dispute will be final, unappealable and binding, and judgment on
the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The parties agree that this provision has been adopted by the parties to rapidly and inexpensively resolve any disputes between them and that this provision will be grounds for
dismissal of any court action commenced by either party with respect to this Agreement, other than post-arbitration actions seeking to enforce an arbitration award. In the event that any court determines that this arbitration procedure is not
binding, or otherwise allows any litigation regarding a dispute, claim, or controversy covered by this Agreement to proceed, the parties hereto hereby waive any and all right to a trial by jury in or with respect to such litigation. 
 (c) Fees and Expenses. Executive or his beneficiaries shall pay all attorney’s fees and expenses incurred by Executive or his
beneficiaries in resolving any claim or dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement. If it is finally determined that Executive or his beneficiaries prevailed with respect to such claim or dispute, the Company shall reimburse all
attorney’s fees and expenses incurred by Executive. 
 (d) Confidentiality. The parties will keep confidential, and
will not disclose to any person, except as may be required by law, the existence of any controversy under this Section 22, the referral of any such controversy to arbitration or the status or resolution thereof. In addition, the confidentiality
restrictions set forth in the Non-Competition Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. 
 (e) Waiver. Executive
acknowledges that this agreement to submit to arbitration includes all controversies or claims of any kind (e.g., whether in contract or in tort, statutory or common law, legal or equitable) now existing or hereafter arising under any federal,
state, local or foreign law (except for any claims for injunctive relief that the

  

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Company may bring pursuant to Section 9), including, but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1866,
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act and all similar federal, state and local laws, and Executive hereby waives all rights thereunder to have a judicial tribunal and/or a
jury determine such claims. 
 23. Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that before entering into this
Agreement, Executive has had the opportunity to consult with any attorney or other advisor of Executive’s choice, and that this provision constitutes advice from the Company to do so if Executive chooses. Executive further acknowledges that
Executive has entered into this Agreement of Executive’s own free will, and that no promises or representations have been made to Executive by any person to induce Executive to enter into this Agreement other than the express terms set forth
herein. Executive further acknowledges that Executive has read this Agreement and understands all of its terms, including the waiver of rights set forth in Section 22(e). 
 The remainder of this page is left blank intentionally. Signature page to follow. 
  

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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day
written above. 
  

			
	NEWSTAR FINANCIAL, INC.
		
	By:	 	  

		 	Name:
		 	Title:
	
	[Executive]
	
	  



  

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