Document:

Exhibit 10.6

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CONTINUING GUARANTY

 

This Amended and Restated Continuing Guaranty (“Guaranty”), dated as of December 7, 2011, is executed and delivered by SPELL C. LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Guarantor”), in favor of U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Bank”) and in light of the following:

 

A.            Bank previously provided financial accommodations to Cherokee Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”) pursuant to that certain Term Loan Agreement dated as of February 16, 2011 between Borrower and Bank (as amended, supplemented and restated from time to time, the “Original Loan Agreement”);

 

B.            Guarantor executed that certain Continuing Guaranty dated as of February 16, 2011 in favor of Bank, guaranteeing Borrower’s obligations under the Original Loan Agreement (“Original Guaranty”);

 

C.            Bank and Borrower have or are about to amend and restate the Original Loan Agreement to provide additional financial accommodations to Borrower pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement dated as of even date herewith between Borrower and Bank (as amended, supplemented and restated from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”); and

 

D.            In order to induce Bank to extend, or continue to extend, certain credit to Borrower pursuant to the Loan Agreement, Guarantor has agreed to enter into this Guaranty in order to reaffirm its obligations under the Original Guaranty and to confirm its guarantee of the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined below).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Guarantor hereby agrees, in favor of Bank, as follows:

 

1.             Definitions and Construction.

 

(a)           Definitions.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.  As used in this Guaranty, “Guaranteed Obligations” shall mean and include any and all obligations, indebtedness, or liabilities of any kind or character owed by Borrower to Bank arising under the Loan Agreement and the other Term Loan Documents, including all such obligations, indebtedness, or liabilities, whether for principal, interest (including any interest which, but for the application of the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such amounts), premium, reimbursement obligations, fees, costs, expenses (including, attorneys’ fees), or indemnity obligations, whether heretofore, now, or hereafter made, incurred, or created, whether voluntarily or involuntarily made, incurred, or created, whether secured or unsecured (and if secured, regardless of the nature or extent of the security), whether absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or indeterminate, whether Borrower is liable individually or jointly with others, and whether recovery is or hereafter becomes barred by any statute of limitations or otherwise becomes unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, including any act or failure to act by Bank.

 

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(b)           Construction.  Unless the context of this Guaranty clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, and the term “including” is not limiting.  The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and other similar terms refer to this Guaranty as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Guaranty.  Any reference herein to any of the Term Loan Documents includes any and all alterations, amendments, extensions, modifications, renewals, or supplements thereto or thereof, as applicable.  Neither this Guaranty nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against Bank or Guarantor, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Guaranty has been reviewed by Guarantor, Bank, and their respective counsel, and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of Bank and Guarantor.

 

2.             Guaranteed Obligations.  Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to Bank, as and for its own debt, until final and indefeasible payment thereof has been made, (a) payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, in each case when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, pursuant to a mandatory prepayment requirement, by acceleration, or otherwise; it being the intent of Guarantor that the guaranty set forth herein shall be a guaranty of payment and not a guaranty of collection; and (b) the punctual and faithful performance, keeping, observance, and fulfillment by Borrower of all of the agreements, conditions, covenants, and obligations of Borrower contained in the Loan Agreement  and in each of the other Term Loan Documents.

 

3.             Continuing Guaranty.  This Guaranty includes Guaranteed Obligations arising under successive transactions continuing, compromising, extending, increasing, modifying, releasing, or renewing the Guaranteed Obligations, changing the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof, or creating new or additional Guaranteed Obligations after prior Guaranteed Obligations have been satisfied in whole or in part.  Guarantor hereby absolutely, knowingly, unconditionally, and expressly waives and agrees not to assert any right it has under Section 2815 of the California Civil Code, or otherwise, to revoke this Guaranty as to future indebtedness.  If such a revocation is effective notwithstanding the foregoing waiver, Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that (a) no such revocation shall be effective until written notice thereof has been received by Bank, (b) no such revocation shall apply to any Guaranteed Obligations in existence on such date (including, any subsequent continuation, extension, or renewal thereof, or change in the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof), (c) no such revocation shall apply to any Guaranteed Obligations made or created after such date to the extent made or created pursuant to a legally binding commitment of Bank in existence on the date of such revocation, (d) no payment by Guarantor, Borrower, or from any other source, prior to the date of such revocation shall reduce the maximum obligation of Guarantor hereunder, and (e) any payment by Borrower or from any source other than Guarantor, subsequent to the date of such revocation, shall first be applied to that portion of the Guaranteed Obligations as to which the revocation is effective and which are not, therefore, guaranteed hereunder, and to the extent so applied shall not reduce the maximum obligation of Guarantor hereunder.

 

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4.             Performance Under This Guaranty.  In the event that Borrower fails to make any payment of any Guaranteed Obligations on or before the due date thereof, or if Borrower shall fail to perform, keep, observe, or fulfill any other obligation referred to in clause (b) of Section 2 hereof in the manner provided in the Term Loan Documents, as applicable, Guarantor immediately shall cause such payment to be made or each of such obligations to be performed, kept, observed, or fulfilled.

 

5.             Primary Obligations.  This Guaranty is a primary and original obligation of Guarantor and is an absolute, unconditional, and continuing guaranty of payment and performance which shall remain in full force and effect without respect to future changes in conditions, including any change of law.  Guarantor agrees that it is directly, and jointly and severally with any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, liable to Bank, that the obligations of Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of Borrower or any other guarantor, and that a separate action may be brought against Guarantor whether such action is brought against Borrower or any other guarantor or whether Borrower or any such other guarantor is joined in such action.  Guarantor agrees that its liability hereunder shall be immediate and shall not be contingent upon the exercise or enforcement by Bank of whatever remedies it may have against Borrower or any other guarantor, or the enforcement of any lien or realization upon any security Bank may at any time possess.  Guarantor agrees that any release which may be given by Bank to Borrower or any other guarantor shall not release Guarantor.  Guarantor consents and agrees that Bank shall be under no obligation (under Sections 2899 or 3433 of the California Civil Code or otherwise) to marshal any assets of Borrower or any other guarantor in favor of Guarantor, or against or in payment of any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

6.             Waivers.

 

(a)           Guarantor absolutely, unconditionally, knowingly, and expressly waives:

 

(i)            (1) notice of acceptance hereof; (2) notice of any loans or other financial accommodations made or extended under the Term Loan Documents or the creation or existence of any Guaranteed Obligations; (3) notice of the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations, subject, however, to Guarantor’s right to make inquiry of Bank to ascertain the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations at any reasonable time; (4) notice of any adverse change in the financial condition of Borrower or of any other fact that might increase Guarantor’s risk hereunder; (5) notice of presentment for payment, demand, protest, and notice thereof as to any instruments among the Term Loan Documents; (6) notice of any unmatured event of default or event of default under the Loan Agreement; and (7) all other notices (except if such notice is specifically required to be given to Guarantor hereunder or under any Term Loan Document to which Guarantor is a party) and demands to which Guarantor might otherwise be entitled.

 

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(ii)           its right, under Sections 2845 or 2850 of the California Civil Code, or otherwise, to require Bank to institute suit against, or to exhaust any rights and remedies which Bank has or may have against, Borrower or any third party, or against any collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations provided by Borrower, Guarantor, or any third party.  In this regard, Guarantor agrees that it is bound to the payment of all Guaranteed Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter accruing, as fully as if such Guaranteed Obligations were directly owing to Bank by Guarantor.  Guarantor further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense (other than the defense that the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been fully and finally performed and indefeasibly paid) of Borrower or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of Borrower in respect thereof.

 

(iii)          (1) any rights to assert against Bank any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against Borrower or any other party liable to Bank; (2)  any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor; (3) any defense Guarantor has to performance hereunder, and any right Guarantor has to be exonerated, provided by Sections 2819, 2822, or 2825 of the California Civil Code, or otherwise, arising by reason of:  the impairment or suspension of Bank’s rights or remedies against Borrower; the alteration by Bank of the Guaranteed Obligations; any discharge of Borrower’s obligations to Bank by operation of law as a result of Bank’s intervention or omission; or the acceptance by Bank of anything in partial satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations; (4) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof, and any act which shall defer or delay the operation of any statute of limitations applicable to the Guaranteed Obligations shall similarly operate to defer or delay the operation of such statute of limitations applicable to Guarantor’s liability hereunder.

 

(b)           Guarantor absolutely, unconditionally, knowingly, and expressly waives any defense arising by reason of or deriving from (i) any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by Bank; or (ii) any election by Bank under Bankruptcy Code Section 1111(b) to limit the amount of, or any collateral securing, its claim against the Borrower.

 

(c)           Until such time as all of the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully, finally, and indefeasibly paid in full in cash: (i) Guarantor hereby postpones any right of subrogation Guarantor has or may have as against Borrower with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations;  (ii) Guarantor hereby postpones any right to proceed against Borrower or any other Person, now or hereafter, for contribution, indemnity, reimbursement, or any other suretyship rights and claims, whether direct or indirect, liquidated or contingent, whether arising under express or implied contract or by operation of law, which Guarantor may now have or hereafter have as against Borrower with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; and (iii) Guarantor also hereby postpones any right to proceed or seek recourse against or with respect to any property or asset of Borrower.

 

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(d)           WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF ANY OTHER WAIVER OR OTHER PROVISION SET FORTH IN THIS GUARANTY, GUARANTOR HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, KNOWINGLY, UNCONDITIONALLY, AND  EXPRESSLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY AND ALL BENEFITS OR DEFENSES ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY UNDER ANY ONE OR MORE OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTIONS 2799, 2808, 2809, 2810, 2815, 2819, 2820, 2821, 2822, 2825, 2839, 2845, 2848, 2849, AND 2850, AND CHAPTER 2 OF TITLE 14 OF THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE.

 

7.             Releases.  Guarantor consents and agrees that, without notice to or by Guarantor and without affecting or impairing the obligations of Guarantor hereunder, Bank may, by action or inaction:

 

(a)           compromise, settle, extend the duration or the time for the payment of, or discharge the performance of, or may refuse to or otherwise not enforce the Term Loan Documents;

 

(b)           release all or any one or more parties to any one or more of the Term Loan Documents or grant other indulgences to Borrower in respect thereof;

 

(c)           amend or modify in any manner and at any time (or from time to time) any of the Term Loan Documents; or

 

(d)           release or substitute any other guarantor, if any, of the Guaranteed Obligations, or enforce, exchange, release (by action or inaction), or waive any security for the Guaranteed Obligations (including, the collateral referred to in Section 18 hereof) or any other guaranty of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any portion thereof.

 

8.             No Election.  Bank shall have the right to seek recourse against Guarantor to the fullest extent provided for herein, and no election by Bank to proceed in one form of action or proceeding, or against any party, or on any obligation, shall constitute a waiver of Bank’s right to proceed in any other form of action or proceeding or against other parties unless Bank has expressly waived such right in writing.  Specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no action or proceeding by Bank under any document or instrument evidencing the Guaranteed Obligations shall serve to diminish the liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty except to the extent that Bank finally and unconditionally shall have realized indefeasible payment by such action or proceeding.

 

9.             Indefeasible Payment.  The Guaranteed Obligations shall not be considered indefeasibly paid for purposes of this Guaranty unless and until all payments to Bank are no longer subject to any right on the part of any person, including Borrower, Borrower as a debtor in possession, or any trustee (whether appointed under the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise) of Borrower’s assets to invalidate or set aside such payments or to seek to recoup the amount of such payments or any portion thereof, or to declare same to be fraudulent or preferential.  Upon such full and final performance and indefeasible payment of the Guaranteed Obligations whether by Guarantor or Borrower, Bank shall have no obligation whatsoever to transfer or assign its interest in the Term Loan Documents to Guarantor.  In the event that, for any reason, any portion of such payments to Bank is set aside or restored, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, after the making thereof, then the obligation intended to be satisfied thereby shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if said payment or payments had not been made, and Guarantor shall be liable for the full amount Bank is required to repay plus any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) paid by Bank in connection therewith.

 

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10.           Financial Condition of Borrower.  Guarantor represents and warrants to Bank that Guarantor is currently informed of the financial condition of Borrower and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would reveal and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations.  Guarantor further represents and warrants to Bank that Guarantor has read and understands the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and the other Term Loan Documents.  Guarantor hereby covenants that Guarantor will continue to keep informed of Borrower’s financial condition, the financial condition of other guarantors, if any, and of all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of nonpayment or nonperformance of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

11.           Subordination.  Guarantor hereby agrees that any and all present and future indebtedness of Borrower owing to Guarantor is postponed in favor of and subordinated to payment, in full, in cash, of the Guaranteed Obligations.  In this regard, no payment of any kind whatsoever shall be made with respect to such indebtedness until the Guaranteed Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full.

 

12.           Payments; Application.  All payments to be made hereunder by Guarantor shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the time of payment, shall be made in immediately available funds, and shall be made without deduction (whether for taxes or otherwise) or offset.  All payments made by Guarantor hereunder shall be applied as follows: first, to all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Bank in enforcing this Guaranty or in collecting the Guaranteed Obligations; second, to all accrued and unpaid interest, premium, if any, and fees owing to Bank constituting Guaranteed Obligations; and third, to the balance of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

13.           Attorneys’ Fees and Costs.  Guarantor agrees to pay, on demand, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other costs and expenses which may be incurred by Bank in the enforcement of this Guaranty (including those brought relating to proceedings pursuant to 11 U.S.C.) or in any way arising out of, or consequential to the protection, assertion, or enforcement of the Guaranteed Obligations (or any security therefor), whether or not suit is brought.

 

14.           Indemnification.  Guarantor agrees to indemnify Bank and hold Bank harmless against all obligations, demands, or liabilities asserted by any party and against all losses in any way suffered, incurred, or paid by Bank as a result of or in any way arising out of, following, or consequential to Bank’s transactions with Borrower.

 

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15.           Notices.  All notices or demands by Guarantor or Bank to the other relating to this Guaranty shall be in writing and either personally served or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, overnight delivery service, or by telefacsimile, and shall be deemed to be given for purposes of this Guaranty on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or three days after the deposit thereof in the mail.  Unless otherwise specified in a notice sent or delivered in accordance with the provisions of this section, such writing shall be sent as follows:

 

If to Bank:

 

U.S. Bank National Association

15910 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1712

Encino, CA  91436

Attn:  Gary Terrasi

Telefacsimile:  (818) 789-3041

 

If to Guarantor:

 

Spell C. LLC

6835 Valjean Avenue

Van Nuys, California 91406

Telefacsimile: (818) 908-9191

 

16.           Cumulative Remedies.  No remedy under this Guaranty or under any Term Loan Document is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, but each and every remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any and every other remedy given hereunder or under any Term Loan Document, and those provided by law or in equity.  No delay or omission by Bank to exercise any right under this Guaranty shall impair any such right nor be construed to be a waiver thereof.  No failure on the part of Bank to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

 

17.           Books and Records.  Guarantor agrees that Bank’s books and records showing the account between Bank and Borrower shall be admissible in any action or proceeding and shall be binding upon Guarantor for the purpose of establishing the items therein set forth and shall constitute prima facie proof thereof.

 

18.           Severability of Provisions.  Any provision of this Guaranty which is prohibited or unenforceable under applicable law, shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof.

 

19.           Entire Agreement; Amendments.  This Guaranty constitutes the entire agreement between Guarantor and Bank pertaining to the subject matter contained herein.  This Guaranty may not be altered, amended, or modified, nor may any provision hereof be waived or noncompliance therewith consented to, except by means of a writing executed by both Guarantor and Bank.  Any such alteration, amendment, modification, waiver, or consent shall be effective only to the extent specified therein and for the specific purpose for which given.  No course of dealing and no delay or waiver of any right or default under this Guaranty shall be deemed a waiver of any other, similar or dissimilar right or default or otherwise prejudice the rights and remedies hereunder.

 

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20.           Successors and Assigns.  The death of Guarantor shall not terminate this Guaranty.  This Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantor’s heirs, executors, administrators, representatives, successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of Bank; provided, however, Guarantor shall not assign this Guaranty or delegate any of its duties hereunder without Bank’s prior written consent.  Any assignment without the consent of Bank shall be absolutely void.  In the event of any assignment or other transfer of rights by Bank, the rights and benefits herein conferred upon Bank shall automatically extend to and be vested in such assignee or other transferee.

 

21.           Choice of Law and Venue.  THE VALIDITY OF THIS GUARANTY, ITS CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT, AND THE RIGHTS OF GUARANTOR AND BANK, SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.  GUARANTOR HEREBY AGREES THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE TRIED AND DETERMINED ONLY IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OR, AT THE SOLE OPTION OF BANK, IN ANY OTHER COURT IN WHICH BANK SHALL INITIATE LEGAL OR EQUITABLE PROCEEDINGS AND WHICH HAS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OVER THE MATTER IN CONTROVERSY.  GUARANTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION.

 

22.           Waiver of Jury Trial.  GUARANTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY ACTION, CAUSE OF ACTION, CLAIM, DEMAND, OR PROCEEDING ARISING UNDER OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY, OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF GUARANTOR AND BANK WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE.  GUARANTOR HEREBY AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, CAUSE OF ACTION, CLAIM, DEMAND, OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE DECIDED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT BANK MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT OR OTHER TRIBUNAL AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF GUARANTOR TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

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23.           Waivers, Consents.  Guarantor warrants and agrees that each of the waivers and consents set forth herein is made after consultation with legal counsel and with full knowledge of its significance and consequence, with the understanding that events giving rise to any defense or right waived may diminish, destroy, or otherwise adversely affect rights which Guarantor otherwise may have against Borrower, Bank, or others, or against any collateral, and that, under the circumstances, the waivers and consents herein given are reasonable and not contrary to public policy or law.  If any of the waivers or consents herein are determined to be unenforceable under applicable law, such waivers and consents shall be effective to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

24.           Amended and Restated Agreement.  This Guaranty amends, restates and replaces the Original Guaranty.  Nothing expressed or implied in this Guaranty shall be construed as a release or other discharge of Guarantor from any of its obligations or liabilities under the Original Guaranty.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has executed and delivered this Guaranty as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

 

	
 
    	
SPELL   C. LLC,
    
	
 
    	
a   Delaware limited liability company
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Henry   Stupp
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Henry   Stupp
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Executive Officer
    

 

Amended and Restated Continuing Guaranty — Spell C. LLCExhibit 10.7

 

CALIFORNIA JUDICIAL REFERENCE AGREEMENT

 

This California Judicial Reference Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into in connection with any existing financing (other than consumer purpose financing) (“Financing”) provided by U.S. Bank National Association (“Bank”) to Cherokee Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”) evidenced, secured and/or supported by one or more promissory notes, loan agreements, security agreements, mortgages/deeds of trust, guaranties and/or other documents signed by the undersigned parties, including but not limited to the Amended and Restated Continuing Guaranty executed by Spell C. LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Guarantor”) in favor of Bank in connection with the Financing (said promissory note and such other agreements, together with amendments, modifications, substitutions and replacements thereto, are hereinafter referred to as the “Loan Documents”).

 

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto (collectively, the “Parties”) agree as follows:

 

1.             Any and all disputes, claims and controversies arising out of the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby (including, but not limited to, actions arising in contract or tort and any claims by a Party against Bank related in any way to the Financing) (individually, a “Dispute”) that are brought before a forum in which pre-dispute waivers of the right to trial by jury are invalid under applicable law shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement in lieu of the jury trial waivers otherwise provided in the Loan Documents.

 

2.             Any and all Disputes shall be heard by a referee and resolved by judicial reference pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 638 et seq.

 

3.             The referee shall be a retired California state court judge or an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of California with at least ten (10) years’ experience practicing commercial law.  The Parties shall not seek to appoint a referee that may be disqualified pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 641 or 641.2 without the prior written consent of all Parties.

 

4.             If the Parties are unable to agree upon a referee within ten (10) calendar days after one Party serves a written notice of intent for judicial reference upon the other Party or Parties, then the referee will be selected by the court in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 640(b).

 

5.             The referee shall render a written statement of decision and shall conduct the proceedings in accordance with the California Code of Civil Procedure, the Rules of Court, and California Evidence Code, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the parties and approved by the referee.  The referee’s statement of decision shall set forth findings of fact and conclusions of law.  The decision of the referee shall be entered as a judgment in the court in accordance with the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 644 and 645.  The decision of the referee shall be appealable to the same extent and in the same manner that such decision would be appealable if rendered by a judge of the superior court.

 

6.             Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to apply to or limit the right of Bank (a) to exercise self help remedies such as (but not limited to) setoff, or (b) to foreclose judicially or nonjudicially against any real or personal property collateral, or to exercise judicial or nonjudicial power of sale rights, (c) to obtain from a court provisional or ancillary remedies (including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, a writ of possession, prejudgment attachment, a protective order or the appointment of a receiver), or (d) to pursue rights against a Party in a third-party proceeding in any action brought against Bank (including actions in bankruptcy court).  Bank may exercise the rights set forth in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d), inclusive, before, during or after the pendency of any judicial reference proceeding.  Neither the exercise of self help remedies nor the institution or maintenance of an action for foreclosure or provisional or ancillary remedies or the opposition to any such provisional remedies shall constitute a waiver of the right of any Party, including, but not limited to, the claimant in any such action, to require submission to judicial reference the merits of the Dispute occasioning resort to such remedies.  No provision in the Loan Documents regarding submission to jurisdiction and/or venue in any court is intended or shall be construed to be in derogation of the provisions in any Loan Document for judicial reference of any of Dispute.

 

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7.             If a Dispute includes multiple claims, some of which are found not subject to this Agreement, the Parties shall stay the proceedings of the Disputes or part or parts thereof not subject to this Agreement until all other Disputes or parts thereof are resolved in accordance with this Agreement.  If there are Disputes by or against multiple parties, some of which are not subject to this Agreement, the Parties shall sever the Disputes subject to this Agreement and resolve them in accordance with this Agreement.

 

8.             During the pendency of any Dispute which is submitted to judicial reference in accordance with this Agreement, each of the Parties to such Dispute shall bear equal shares of the fees charged and costs incurred by the referee in performing the services described in this Agreement.  The compensation of the referee shall not exceed the prevailing rate for like services.  The prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable court costs and legal fees, including customary attorney fees, expert witness fees, paralegal fees, the fees of the referee and other reasonable costs and disbursements charged to the party by its counsel, in such amount as is determined by the Referee.

 

9.             In the event of any challenge to the legality or enforceability of this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover the costs and expenses from the non-prevailing Party, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by it in connection therewith.

 

10.           THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES A “REFERENCE AGREEMENT” BETWEEN OR AMONG THE PARTIES WITHIN THE MEANING OF AND FOR PURPOSES OF CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 638.

 

[Signature page to follow]

 

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Dated as of: December 7, 2011

 

 

Agreed to:

 

	
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:   
    	
/s/ Gary   P. Terrasi
    	
 
    
	
Name
    	
Gary   P. Terrasi
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
Vice   President
    	
 
    

 

 

	
 
    	
CHEROKEE   INC.,
    
	
 
    	
a   Delaware corporation,
    
	
 
    	
as   Borrower
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   Henry Stupp
    
	
 
    	
Name
    	
Henry   Stupp
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SPELL   C. LLC,
    
	
 
    	
a   Delaware limited liability company,
    
	
 
    	
as   Guarantor
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   Henry Stupp
    
	
 
    	
Name
    	
Henry   Stupp
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Executive Officer

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