Document:

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

A123SYSTEMS, INC.

 

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

 

THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), made as of January 29, 2013 (the “Effective Date”), sets forth the terms and conditions under which David Prystash (“Contractor”) will provide consulting services to A123 Systems, Inc. (“A123”) with a principal office at 200 West Street, Waltham, MA 02451.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Scope of Contractor’s Services.  The services to be performed by Contractor are described and identified in the Statement of Work form attached to this Agreement as Appendix A (the “Services”).

 

2.                                      Consulting Fees and Expenses.  Contractor’s fees and entitlements for the full and proper performance of this Agreement shall be as set forth in Appendix A, and fees shall be payable in installments as more fully described in Appendix A.  Contractor shall be reimbursed for all travel and other expenses incurred by Contractor in connection with or related to the performance of the Services subject to A123’s expense policies.

 

(a)                                 Independent Contractor.  It is the express intention of the parties to this Agreement that Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee, agent, joint venturer or partner of A123 for any purposes whatsoever.  Contractor shall not be entitled to any benefits.  Contractor shall be solely responsible for all state and federal income taxes, unemployment insurance and social security taxes and for maintaining adequate workers’ compensation insurance coverage for him/herself.

 

(b)                                 Performance of Services.  Contractor shall have the right to control and determine the time, place, methods, manner and means of performing the Services.  In performing the Services, the amount of time devoted by Contractor on any given day will be entirely within Contractor’s control, and A123 will rely on Contractor to put in the necessary amount of time as is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Final Results.  In the performance of the Services, Contractor has the authority to control and direct the performance of the details of the Services, A123 being interested only in the results obtained.  However, the Services contemplated herein must meet A123’s standards and approval and shall be subject to the Company’s general right of inspection and supervision to secure their satisfactory completion.

 

 

3.                                      Non-Disclosure.

 

(a)                                 In the course of providing the Services and at all times thereafter, Contractor will maintain as strictly confidential all Confidential Information (as defined below) which Contractor may access, create, or obtain in the course of providing the Services, and Contractor will not (nor will Contractor assist any other person or entity to), directly or indirectly: (i) reveal, report, publish or disclose such Confidential Information to any person or entity for any reason (other than in the course of performing the Services, as expressly authorized by A123); or (ii) use such Confidential Information, except as reasonably required by Consultant’s performance of the Services or otherwise authorized in writing by A123.  The foregoing will not apply to the extent Contractor is required to disclose any Confidential Information by applicable law or legal process so long as Contractor promptly notifies A123 of such pending disclosure and consults with A123 prior to such disclosure concerning the advisability of seeking a protective order or other means of preserving the confidentiality of the Confidential Information.

 

(b)                                 “Confidential Information” shall mean all trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information designated as such in writing by A123, whether by letter or by the use of an appropriate proprietary stamp or legend, prior to or at the time any such trade secret or confidential or proprietary information is disclosed by A123 to Contractor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, information which is orally or visually disclosed to Contractor by A123, or is disclosed in writing without an appropriate letter, proprietary stamp or legend, shall constitute Confidential Information if (i) it would be apparent to a reasonable person, familiar with A123’s business and the industry in which it operates, that such information is of a confidential or proprietary nature the maintenance of which is important to A123 or if (ii) A123, within 30 days after such disclosure, delivers to Contractor a written document or documents describing such Confidential Information and referencing the place and date of such oral, visual or written disclosure and the names of the representatives of Contractor to whom such disclosure was made.  In addition, the term “Confidential Information” shall be deemed to include:  (a) any notes, analyses, compilations, studies, interpretations, memoranda or other documents prepared by Contractor or Contractor’s representatives which contain, reflect or are based upon, in whole or in part, any Confidential Information furnished to Contractor or its representatives pursuant hereto; and (b) the existence or status of, and any information concerning, the discussions between the parties concerning the possible establishment of a business relationship.

 

Contractor also acknowledges that clients and vendors of A123 furnish to A123 information concerning their respective business affairs, finances, properties, methods of operation or other data which are not public and which are proprietary or confidential.  Accordingly, Confidential Information also includes any information described above which A123 obtains from another party and which A123 treats and/or has an obligation to treat as confidential or designates as Confidential Information, whether or not owned or developed by A123.  Except for Confidential Information disclosed to Contractor by A123, Contractor agrees not to use the confidential information of any third party in the performance of Services hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section 3 are necessary for the protection of the business and goodwill of A123 and are considered by Contractor to be reasonable for such purpose.

 

 

Contractor agrees that any breach will cause A123 substantial and irreparable injury and, therefore, in the event of any such breach, in addition to other remedies which may be available, A123 shall have the right to specific performance and other injunctive and equitable relief.

 

4.                                      Term of Agreement.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date and shall remain in effect for a period of 12 months, unless terminated by either party as set forth below.

 

(b)                                 This Agreement may be terminated at any time (i) upon the mutual written consent of the parties hereto or (ii) by either party, for any reason, upon fifteen (15) days written notice; provided, however, that A123 shall not be entitled to terminate under this subsection (b)(ii) until after April 30, 2013, unless such termination is for cause.

 

(c)                                  Following the termination or expiration of this Agreement, no further Services shall be provided hereunder.  Contractor shall be entitled only to payment for Services performed prior to the effective date of termination, and such payment shall constitute full settlement of any and all claims of Contractor of every description against A123 under this Agreement. All other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

5.                                      Evidence of Federal Tax Return Filing.  Contractor agrees to furnish to A123, by no later than May 15 of the year after the calendar year in which fees hereunder are paid, evidence that the income received from A123 for independent contractor services was reported consistent with the reporting requirements of an independent contractor.  A123 shall file Form 1099 to report the fees paid to Contractor.

 

6.                                      General.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement is the entire agreement of the parties, on the subject hereof, and supersedes all previous communications.  No waiver or modification of its provisions shall be effective without a writing signed by the party against whom such waiver or modification is sought to be enforced.

 

(b)                                 The invalidity of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any other provision hereof.  In the event that the terms of any provision hereof are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, such provision shall be enforced to the extent that it is legally enforceable.

 

(c)                                  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA.  The parties hereby agree that the courts located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA, shall constitute the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any and all disputes arising under, out of, or in connection with this Agreement and hereby consent to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably waive any objections thereto, including, without limitation, on grounds of improper venue or forum non conveniens.

 

(d)                                 Contractor agrees that, upon the completion of the provision of Services to A123 or upon request by A123, Contractor will deliver promptly to A123 all property belonging

 

 

to, prepared by, purchased by, or held in the custody of A123, as well as all Confidential Information, and Consultant further agrees not to make, retain, or distribute copies thereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement under seal as of the date first set forth above.

 

	
CONTRACTOR
    	
A123   SYSTEMS, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/   David Prystash
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   David P. Vieau
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
Chief   Liquidating Officer
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Director
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
01/31/13
    	
 
    	
Date:
    	
01/31/13
    

 

 

APPENDIX A

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

This Statement of Work #1 is entered into between A123 Systems, Inc. (“A123”) and Contractor pursuant to the Consulting Agreement between A123 and Contractor dated January 29th, 2013 and shall be in all respects subject to the terms and conditions of said Consulting Agreement, which are incorporated herein by reference.  The terms and conditions below may be revised by mutual agreement in future Statements of Work.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND PROJECT MILESTONES

 

Contractor shall serve as A123 Systems, Inc.’s General Counsel and will perform such services as are necessary and normally associated with such position, in connection with the wind down, closing and liquidation of A123 Systems, Inc.’s estate in Chapter 11 bankruptcy (Case No. 12-12859), including, without limitation, (i) ensuring A123’s compliance with applicable law, (ii) continuing performance of A123’s duties as a debtor in possession, (iii) reviewing, reconciling and assisting with objections to proofs of claim filed against A123; (iv) assisting with any post-closing issues under the asset purchase agreements entered into by A123; (v) supporting the effort to file a disclosure statement and plan of liquidation, obtain approval of the disclosure statement and obtain confirmation of the plan, and (vi) supporting the effort to bring about the occurrence of the effective date of the confirmed plan (the “Services”).  The Services performed shall commence on January 30th, 2013 and shall continue until April 30, 2013, unless otherwise extended by written agreement of the parties, including any mutually agreed terms and conditions (“Service Period”).

 

COMPENSATION

 

Contractor will be compensated for the performance of Services during the Service Period as follows:

 

Contractor shall provide 40 hours of services per calendar week and shall be paid a fixed rate of $38,000 per month in arrears for the consulting services (“Monthly Consulting Fee”). Contractor shall be paid 50% of the Monthly Consulting Fee on the 15th day of the month and 50% of the Monthly Consulting Fee on the last of the Month.  Any partial month of services will be compensated on a pro-rata basis to be calculated by dividing the monthly rate by the number of week days in the applicable month to determine the applicable daily rate.

 

At all times during the Service Period A123 shall provide Contractor with directors and officers liability insurance (“D&O”) commensurate with the level of D&O insurance maintained by A123 on its officers on the date hereof, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the benefits of all “wind down” and “tail” endorsements being provided under such policies. Additionally, during the Service Period A123 will indemnify Contractor as an officer under its Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation and Contractor will be entitled to indemnification to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Delaware law.

 

 

Contractor shall also be allowed to use his current laptop computer and Blackberry device as well as be provided with an office at A123’s Waltham, MA facility and all telephone, Internet, copying and other office amenities reasonably necessary to perform the Services.

 

Acknowledged and agreed:

 

	
CONTRACTOR
    	
A123   SYSTEMS, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/   David Prystash
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   David P. Vieau
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
Chief   Liquidating Officer
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Director
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
01/31/13
    	
 
    	
Date:
    	
01/31/13Exhibit 10.1

 

CONFIDENTIAL  SETTLEMENT  AGREEMENT

 

This Confidential Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into between Batesville Casket Company, Inc. (“Batesville”), Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. f/k/a Hillenbrand Industries, Inc., Service Corporation International (“SCI”) and Alderwoods Group, Inc. (collectively “Defendants”), on the one hand, and Funeral Consumer Alliance, Inc., Gloria Jaccarino Bender, Anthony J. Jaccarino, John Clark, Maria Magsarili, Tony Magsarili, Frances H. Rocha, Marsha Burger, Sandra Gonzalez, Deborah (Winch) Kidd, Anna Kain, and Gay Holtz (“Plaintiffs”), on the other hand, with reference to the following:

 

The parties enter into this Agreement and by so doing intend to resolve, terminate, and settle all disputes, claims, judgments, and actions between Defendants and Plaintiffs, including, without limitation, those claims asserted against Defendants in the litigation entitled Funeral Consumers Alliance, Inc. et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al., Civil Action No. 4:05-cv-03394, now pending on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Case No. 10-20719, (the “Action”), and to preclude the possibility of further disputes between them based on the claims herein.

 

WHEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, covenants, warranties, and representation set forth below, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                        Payment to Plaintiffs.

 

In order to avoid further expense and business distraction, and without any admission of liability, Batesville shall pay $5,000,000 to Plaintiffs and SCI shall pay $1,000,000 to Plaintiffs, within 10 business days of the execution of this Agreement or of the receipt by Defendants from Plaintiffs of Constantine Cannon LLP’s tax identification number (whichever is later), by wire

 

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transfer to the following account, in full and complete settlement of all asserted and unasserted claims, including any claims for attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses: Bank of New York Mellon, One Wall Street 21st Floor, New York, NY 10286, Acct # 630-0597503, ABA# 021000018, Acct. Name: Constantine Cannon LLP.

 

2.                                          Dismissal and End of the Action.

 

Upon the delivery of an executed copy of this Agreement by Defendants, Plaintiffs shall file in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit an unopposed motion to dismiss the appeal, in the form attached as Exhibit A, and shall take any further steps, in either the Fifth Circuit or the district court, that are necessary to effectuate dismissal of the Action.  This agreement shall constitute a full release of the Fifth Circuit’s September 13, 2012 judgment, and Plaintiffs do hereby and forever discharge and release Defendants from that judgment.

 

3.                                         Release of Claims Against Defendants.

 

Plaintiffs absolutely and forever release and discharge each Defendant, together with each Defendant’s current and former agents, employees, officers, directors, attorneys, owners, shareholders, policyholders, associated and affiliated companies, divisions, subsidiaries, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Defendant Parties”) from any and all claims for injunctive relief, damage claims, rights, demands, covenants, agreements, contracts, invoices, duties, obligations, responsibilities, representations, warranties, promises, liens, accounts, debts, liabilities, damages, expenses, attorneys’ fees, costs and causes of action, known or unknown of whatever kind and howsoever arising, whether in law or equity, which each now has, ever has had, or may have had against the Defendant Parties up to and until the execution of this Agreement.

 

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4.                                          Constantine Cannon Representations.

 

Constantine Cannon LLP (“Constantine Cannon”) represents and warrants the following: (i) it has no current intention of suing any Defendant on behalf of any non-party based on any of the facts and claims alleged in the Action; (ii) it has not been engaged by any individual, association, or other person or entity to investigate or pursue claims against any Defendant based on the facts and claims alleged in the Action; (iii) it has no knowledge of any other law firm or attorney intending to pursue claims against any Defendant based on the facts and claims alleged in the Action; (iv) it will not directly or indirectly provide financial support to any law firm or attorney pursuing litigation against any Defendant based on the facts and claims alleged in the Action; and (v) it will not encourage nonparties to pursue litigation against any Defendant based on the facts and claims alleged in the Action.  Distribution of fees and costs incurred in this action by Constantine Cannon to plaintiffs’ counsel does not constitute the provision of direct or indirect financial support under clause (iv) of this Paragraph 4.  Constantine Cannon agrees that the representation and warranties set forth in this Paragraph 4 represent a material inducement for each Defendant to enter into this Agreement.

 

5.                                         Attorneys’ Fees and Costs.

 

The parties agree that this Agreement includes the release of all claims for costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees, incurred by each of them in connection with or arising out of the Action and that each party shall bear and be fully responsible for its own costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees.

 

6.                                         Confidentiality.

 

The parties and their counsel shall keep the terms of this Agreement strictly confidential as to non-parties to this Agreement and they shall not disclose such terms to the Court or to

 

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anyone else, except their respective accountants, tax or financial consultants, attorneys, and insurers or as may be required by law or regulation, including any disclosures that any Defendant, in its sole discretion, may determine to be required in public financial statements. Neither plaintiffs nor their counsel shall make any statements to the press relating to this Agreement other than to acknowledge that the Action has been concluded.  In the event of a breach, this confidentiality agreement may be enforced on appropriate motion or separate action in a court in Indiana or any other court with subject matter jurisdiction, at the option of the party seeking enforcement.   Constantine Cannon agrees that its representations and warranties regarding confidentiality represent a material inducement for each Defendant to enter into this Agreement.

 

7.                                         Demand for Disclosure by Third Parties.

 

If another person or entity requests or demands the production of the Agreement from  any Defendant, Plaintiffs, or their counsel, by discovery, subpoena, or otherwise, the party receiving such a request will immediately notify counsel for the opposing party and will oppose the production by asserting all applicable objections, rights and privileges.  Defendants and Plaintiffs further agree that in the event a court orders the production of the Agreement, they will seek to produce the Agreement in camera, if permitted by the Court, or, alternatively, subject to the terms of a protective order which would prohibit the public dissemination of the Agreement.

 

8.                                        No Admission of Liability.

 

The parties acknowledge and agree that neither this Agreement, nor any exhibit, document or instrument delivered hereunder is intended to be or shall be construed as or deemed to be evidence of any admission or concession by any Defendant of any liability or wrongdoing. The Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, drafts, motions, court papers,

 

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conversations, negotiations and correspondence, the payment to Plaintiffs by Batesville and SCI, and all statements made in connection with negotiation of this Agreement, constitute an offer to compromise and a compromise within the meaning of Federal Rule of Evidence 408, and any equivalent rule of evidence of any state.

 

9.                                         Applicable Law.

 

This Agreement and the rights, duties, and obligations of the Parties to this Agreement shall be interpreted, construed, performed, and enforced in accordance with and governed by the internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Indiana.

 

10.                                  Assumption of Risk.

 

The Parties fully understand and agree that the assumptions and perceived circumstances upon which this Agreement is executed may be mistaken or otherwise in error.  With such understanding and agreement, the Parties expressly accept and assume the risk of facts being other than or different from its or their assumptions or perceptions as of any date prior to and including the date hereof; the Parties fully agree that this Agreement shall be in all respects effective, and shall not be subject to termination, rescission, or modifications by reason of any mistaken or erroneous assumption of perceived circumstances.

 

11.                                  No Promises.

 

The Parties acknowledge to one another that no promise, inducement or agreement not contained herein has been expressed or made to any of them in connection with this Agreement.

 

12.                                  Complete Agreement.

 

This Agreement is intended by the Parties as a final and complete expression of their agreement and understanding with respect to its subject manner. The terms of this Agreement are contractual, and may not be changed, modified, altered, interlineated, or supplemented, nor

 

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may any covenant, representation, warranty, or other provisions hereof be waived, except by agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the change, modification, alteration, interlineation, waiver or supplementation is sought.

 

13.                                  General Provisions.

 

(a)                                    This Agreement may be executed in counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together will constitute but one agreement.

 

(b)                                    In the event any provision of the Agreement is found to be unenforceable, that finding shall not affect the enforceability of any other provision hereof.

 

(c)                                     This Agreement shall not be construed for or against any of the Parties on the basis of the extent to which that party anticipated in drafting it.

 

(d)                                    This Agreement constitutes a single, integrated contract expressing the entire agreement of the Parties concerning its subject matter.  All prior discussions and negotiations have been merged and integrated into, and are suspended by, this Agreement.

 

(e)                                     Counsel for the Parties expressly represent and warrant that they have authority to sign for their respective clients and that, before executing this Agreement, their clients  completely read the terms of this Agreement and/or that this Agreement has been completely read and explained to their clients and that the terms of the Agreement are fully understood and voluntarily accepted by them.  Counsel further represent and acknowledge that they have explained to their respective clients, and their clients have taken into account, not only the known and anticipated claims and defenses, but also unknown and unanticipated claims and defenses which they hereby recognize and agree are covered by this Agreement and the releases contained herein.  Counsel further acknowledge and agree that this Agreement has not been procured through coercion, duress, fraud or any other improper means.

 

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(f)                                      The Parties make no warrant or representation with respect to the tax consequences, if any, or other consequences of the Settlement Amount paid to Plaintiffs.

 

(g)                                     The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Protective Order herein shall continue in full force and effect even after settlement of this action, and that the Parties and their counsel have an ongoing obligation fully to comply with the terms of that Protective Order. If Constantine Cannon intentionally or recklessly breaches a material representation or warranty, or material obligation contained in this Agreement, it shall be obligated to pay Batesville $4,000,000 and SCI $500,000 as damages. Constantine Cannon will not be deemed to have recklessly breached any material representation or warranty contained in the Protective Order or material obligation contained in this Agreement if it takes reasonable precautions to ensure its compliance with such representations, warranties and obligations. In view of the difficulty of predicting with certainty the likely damages from a material breach of Constantine Cannon’s representations, warranties, or obligation, Constantine Cannon agrees that the amount set forth above is a reasonable provision for liquidated damages and not a penalty IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties have executed this Agreement as of September 30, 2012.

 

	
CONSTANTINE   CANNON LLP
    	
BOIES,   SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 /s/ Matthew L. Cantor
    	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   Richard B. Drubel
    
	
 
    	
Matthew   L. Cantor
    	
 
    	
Richard   B. Drubel
    
	
 
    	
Gordon   Schnell
    	
 
    	
26   South Main Street
    
	
 
    	
450   Lexington Avenue
    	
 
    	
Hanover,   New Hampshire 03755
    
	
 
    	
17th Floor
    	
 
    	
Telephone:   (603) 643-9090
    
	
 
    	
New   York, New York 10017
    	
 
    	
Facsimile:   (603) 643-9010
    
	
 
    	
Telephone:   (212) 350-2700
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Facsimile:   (212) 350-2701
    	
 
    	
Attorneys   for Batesville Casket Co., Inc. 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
and   Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. f/k/a
    
					

 

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Lead   Counsel for Gloria Jaccarino Bender
    	
Hillenbrand   Industries, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
Anthony   J. Jaccarino
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
John   Clark
    	
BRACEWELL &   GIULIANI, LLP
    
	
 
    	
Maria   Magsarili
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Tony   Magsarili
    	
By:
    	
/s/   J. Clifford Gunter, III
    
	
 
    	
Frances   H. Rocha
    	
 
    	
J.   Clifford Gunter, III
    
	
 
    	
Marsha   Burger
    	
 
    	
Pennzoil   Place — South Tower
    
	
 
    	
Sandra   Gonzales
    	
 
    	
711   Louisiana Street
    
	
 
    	
Deborah   Winch
    	
 
    	
Suite 2300
    
	
 
    	
Anna   Kain
    	
 
    	
Houston,   TX 77002-2770
    
	
 
    	
Gay   Holtz
    	
 
    	
Telephone:   (713) 223-2300
    
	
 
    	
Funeral   Consumers Alliance, Inc.
    	
 
    	
Facsimile:   (713) 221-1212
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCE, INC.
    	
Attorneys   for Service Corporation
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
International
    
	
By:   
    	
/s/   Joshua Slocum
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
JOSHUA   SLOCUM
    	
EDISON,   McDOWELL &
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
HETHERINGTON   LLP
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Andrew M. Edison
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Andrew   M. Edison
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Phoenix   Tower
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
3200   Southwest Freeway
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Suite 2920
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Houston,   TX 77027
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Telephone:   (713) 337-5580
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Facsimile:   (713) 337-8850
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Attorneys   for Alderwoods Group, Inc.
    
						

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

NO.  10-20719

 

 

	
 
    	
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
    	
 
    

 

 

	
 
    	
FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCE INC., et al.,
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
                        Plaintiffs-Appellants,
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
v.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL, et al.,
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
                        Defendants-Appellees.
    	
 
    

 

 

On appeal from the United States District Court

for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division

 

 

APPELLANTS’ UNOPPOSED MOTION

TO DISMISS THE APPEAL

 

 

Pursuant to Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure 27 and 42, and  Fifth Circuit Rule 42.1, Plaintiffs-Appellants Funeral Consumer Alliance, Inc., Gloria Jaccarino Bender, Anthony J. Jaccarino, John Clark, Maria Magsarili, Tony Magsarili, Frances H. Rocha, Marsha Burger, Sandra Gonzalez, Deborah (Winch) Kidd, Anna Kain, and Gay Holtz (collectively, “Appellants”) file this Unopposed Motion to Dismiss the Appeal.

 

A panel of this Court issued an opinion and judgment in this case on September  13, 2012.    The Court’s  judgment  directed  that  “the judgment  of the District Court is affirmed in part and reversed in part,” that “the cause is remanded

 

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to the District Court for further proceedings in accordance with the opinion of this Court,” and that “defendants-appellees pay to plaintiffs-appellants the costs on appeal to be taxed by the Clerk of this Court.”

 

The parties have since reached a settlement agreement that fully and finally resolves the dispute between them. To effectuate  the  parties’  settlement, Appellants request that the Court enter an order dismissing this appeal in  its entirety and specifying that the parties shall each bear their own costs and fees, and that, pursuant to Fifth Circuit Rule 42.1, a copy of the dismissal order be issued as the mandate. Appellants do not request that the Court vacate its opinion. Appellees are unopposed to this request.

 

PRAYER

 

For these reasons, Plaintiffs-Appellants Funeral Consumer Alliance, Inc., Gloria Jaccarino Bender, Anthony J. Jaccarino, John Clark, Maria Magsarili, Tony Magsarili, Frances H. Rocha, Marsha Burger, Sandra Gonzalez, Deborah (Winch) Kidd, Anna Kain, and Gay Holtz pray that this Court enters an order dismissing this appeal and specifying that the parties shall each bear their own costs and fees.

 

	
 
    	
Respectfully   submitted,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
CONSTANTINE   CANNON, LLP
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Matthew L. Cantor
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Attorney-in-Charge,   Plaintiffs
    

 

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and
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Gordon   Schnell
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Attorney-in-Charge,   Plaintiffs
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Matthew   L. Cantor (admitted pro hac vice)
    
	
 
    	
Gordon   Schnell (admitted pro hac vice) 
    
	
 
    	
Kerin   E. Coughlin (admitted pro hac vice) 
    
	
 
    	
Jean   Kim (admitted pro hac vice)
    
	
 
    	
450 Lexington Avenue
    
	
 
    	
New   York, New York 10017 
    
	
 
    	
Telephone:   (212) 350-2700
    
	
 
    	
Facsimile:   (212) 350-2701
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Counsel   for Funeral Consumers Alliance, Inc., 
    
	
 
    	
Gloria   Jaccarino Bender, Anthony J. Jaccarino, 
    
	
 
    	
John   Clark, Maria and Tony Magsarili,
    
	
 
    	
Frances   H. Rocha, Marsha Burger, Sandra 
    
	
 
    	
Gonzales,   Deborah (Winch) Kidd, Anna Kain, 
    
	
 
    	
Gay   Holtz
    

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE

 

I certify that counsel for Appellants has conferred with counsel for Appellees, and that Appellees are not opposed to the relief sought in this motion.

 

 

	
 
    	
/s/   Matthew L. Cantor
    
	
 
    	
Matthew L. Cantor
    

 

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

 

I certify that I served a copy of this Appellants’  Unopposed Motion to Dismiss the Appeal in electronic form on counsel of record on                              , 2012, as follows:

 

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

J. Clifford Gunter III (clifford.gunter@bgllp.com)

Jeffrey L. Oldham (jeff.oldham@bgllp.com)

 

Edison, McDowell & Hetherington LLP

Andrew M. Edison (andrew.edison@emhllp.com)

 

Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP

Richard B. Drubel (rdrubel@bsfllp.com)

John F. Cove, Jr. (jcove@bsfllp.com)

Kieran P. Ringgenberg (kringgenberg@bsfllp.com)

 

 

	
 
    	
/s/   Matthew L. Cantor
    
	
 
    	
Matthew L. Cantor
    

 

4

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