Document:

exv10w1

EXHIBIT 10.1

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

     THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is being entered into on January 31, 2009, between
Marco Emrich, an individual residing at 20 Sheffield Court, Phoenixville, PA 19460 (hereinafter
referred to as “Employee”) and Sedona Corporation, a Pennsylvania Corporation with offices at 1003
West 9th Avenue, King of Prussia, PA 19406 (the “Company”);

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of an Employment Agreement dated as of June 24, 2004 between
the Employee and the Company, the Employee was employed as Chief Executive Officer and President of
the Company (the “Employment Agreement”); and

     WHEREAS, Employee has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director of the
Company effective September 17, 2008 and both the Company and Employee desire to enter into this
Agreement to finally resolve all questions of compensation, entitlement to benefits, and any and
all other claims, whether known or unknown, which Employee may have relating to his employment with
and his separation from the Company;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Agreement and
intending to be legally bound, the parties agree as follows:

          1. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the
Employment Agreement.

          2. Employee’s employment with the Company terminated effective September 17, 2008 (the
“Termination Date”).

          3. In consideration of the execution and delivery of this Agreement to the Company, and
subject to the provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the Company will pay the
following to the Employee:

a. Wages and Severance. The Company will pay the Employee a total
of $63,176.03 for Employee’s services to the Company through and including
September 17, 2008.  The Company will also pay Employee severance based on
three months salary, totaling $56,250.00.  The wages and severance amounts
will be paid to Employee at a biweekly rate of $4,593.30, on a continuing
payroll basis, over a one year period and will be paid at the same time as
salaries to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Technology
Officer, and their successors, are paid, in accordance with the regular
payroll practices of the Company until December 31, 2009 (the “Expiration
Date”). Should the base salaries to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer
and Chief Technology Officer be

 

 

prorated or accelerated at any time during the term of the Agreement,
payments to Employee will be equally prorated or accelerated. The amounts
due hereunder to Employee for wages and severance will be paid to Employee
even if Employee becomes employed elsewhere. Employee is not eligible to
participate in, or contribute to, the Company 401(k) plan, once Employee
begins receiving severance payments

b. Accrued Vacation. In lieu of cash compensation for accrued
vacation, the Company will grant the Employee 450,000 shares of unrestricted
common stock under the “Sedona Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan.”

c. Reimbursement for Expenses. Expenses incurred by the Employee,
which are subject to reimbursement by the Company, amount to $2,876.30.
These expenses will be paid to the Employee within 30 days of Employee’s
execution of this Separation Agreement.

d. Benefits. Effective on the Termination Date, Employee is
eligible to continue medical, dental and vision coverage for a maximum
period of 18 months in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”).  Employee will continue to be eligible
to participate and the Company shall provide the Employee and the Employee’s
spouse with (to the extent permissible under the terms of such plans or
programs) medical, dental and vision insurance coverage until March 31,
2009.  Thereafter, the Employee may elect, at his own expense, to continue
coverage for the remaining period in accordance with COBRA.  Medical, dental
and vision coverage will be canceled if the Company no longer provides group
health coverage to any of its full time employees; the premium for the
continuation coverage is not paid by the 1st day of each month
Employee elects coverage; Employee becomes covered under another group
health plan; or Employee becomes eligible for Medicare coverage.

          4. The Employee shall also be entitled to indemnification against any liability incurred in
connection with the Employee’s service as an officer or director of the Company, to the extent that
such indemnification is provided for in the Bylaws of the Company.

          5. Stock options previously granted to the Employee were fully vested as of September 17,
2008. The terms and conditions of such options are governed by the 2000 Incentive Stock Option
Plan of the Company and the related award agreements between the Employee and the Company.

          6. In consideration of the sums and other consideration paid to Employee hereunder, Employee
agrees that for the period of time commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the Expiration
Date, Employee will use best efforts to make himself available on a limited basis as a consultant
during normal business hours, upon reasonable advance notice from

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the Company and, to the extent requested by the Company without unreasonably interfering with
any employment (full-time or part-time) or consulting engagements Employee may have at the time of
such request , on site at the Company’s facilities in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, by telephone
or at such other locations as may be reasonably requested by the Company. The Company will be
responsible for reimbursement to Employee of actual and reasonable associated expenses, including,
but not limited to, airfare, lodging, and meal expenses incurred with any consulting services set
forth herein.

          7. If Employee has knowledge of or is alleged to have knowledge of any matters which are the
subject of any pending, threatened or future litigation involving the Company, he will make himself
available to testify if and as necessary. Employee will also make himself available to the
attorneys representing the Company in connection with any such litigation or dispute for such
purposes as they may deem necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to the review of
documents, discussion of the case and preparation for any legal proceedings, provided that they do
not unreasonably interfere with any employment (full-time or part-time) or consulting engagements
Employee may have at that time. This Agreement is not intended to and shall not be construed so as
to in any way limit or affect the testimony which Employee gives in any such proceedings. Further,
it is understood and agreed that Employee will at all times testify fully, truthfully and
accurately, whether in deposition, hearing, trial or otherwise. The Company will be responsible for
reimbursement to Employee of actual and reasonable associated expenses, including, but not limited
to, airfare, lodging, and meal expenses incurred with any services set forth herein.

          8. Employee acknowledges that the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, including but
not limited to the obligations set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement are subject to the
Employee’s continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenants of this Agreement. In the event
that the Employee fails to fully and faithfully comply with the foregoing, then in addition to all
other remedies available to the Company at law or equity, the Company’s obligation to pay any sum
otherwise due and payable under this Agreement and to perform any obligation pursuant to this
Agreement shall forthwith terminate. Any action available to or taken by the Company shall not
impair or affect any of the Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, including without
limitation the release of claims in Section 13 which shall remain in full force and effect.

          9. Employee agrees that he will not make any statement, whether oral or written, if such
statement is intended to or will have the effect of disparaging, defaming, discrediting or
belittling the Company, its products, affiliates, customers and their past and/or present
employees, officers, members, directors, managers, nor will he communicate to any third party
information concerning the Company, its affiliates or customer’s business practices which are not
otherwise generally known to the public. The Company agrees that it will not make any statement,
whether oral or written, if such statement is intended to or will have the effect of disparaging,
defaming, discrediting or belittling the Employee, nor will it communicate to any third party
person information concerning the Employee.

          10. Employee shall keep in strictest all information relating to the Business, affairs and
customers of the Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively hereinafter

3

 

referred to as the “Confidential Information”), including among other things but without
limitation the Company, its affiliates and customers, methods, know-how finances or procedures
which Employee may have acquired during the performance of his services and duties and which are
not otherwise generally known to the public. Employee acknowledges that such Confidential
Information is of great value, and has been developed and/or acquired at great expense to the
Company and Employee agrees that he shall not publish, communicate, divulge, disclose or issue,
whether or not for his own benefit any Confidential Information without the prior written consent
of the Company. Employee further acknowledges that disclosure of any Confidential Information
without the prior written consent of the Company will result in irreparable injury to the Company.
In the event of such disclosure, the Employee consents to the grant by any court of equitable
relief, including specific performance, restraining order and/or injunction in favor of the
Company, without prejudice to any and all other rights or remedies to which the Company may be
entitled.

          11. The parties acknowledge that Employee has acquired much knowledge and information
concerning the Business of the Company and its affiliates and customers as the result of Employee’s
employment. The parties acknowledge the Company’s business is as a provider of Customer
Relationship Management products and services for the banking and credit union markets (herein
referred to as the Company “Business”). The parties further acknowledge that the scope of this
Business as of the date of this Agreement is global and very competitive and one in which few
companies can successfully compete. Accordingly:

a. For six months from the Effective Date of this Agreement, Employee will
not, within any jurisdiction or marketing area in which the Company or any
of its affiliates or customers is doing business or is qualified to do
business, directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, control, be employed
by or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or
be connected in any manner with, any business that is a provider of Customer
Relationship Management products and services for the banking and credit
union markets. For these purposes, ownership of securities of not in excess
of 1% of any class of securities of a public company shall not be considered
to be competition with the Company or any of its affiliates;

b. Until the Expiration Date of this Agreement, Employee will not persuade
or attempt to persuade any potential customer to which the Company or any of
its affiliates has made a proposal or sale of the Company’s products, or
with which the Company or any of its affiliates has been having discussions,
not to transact Business with the Company or such affiliate, or instead to
transact Business with another person or organization;

c. Until the Expiration Date of this Agreement, Employee will not solicit
the Business of any company which is a customer of the Company or any of its
affiliate at any time during Employee’s employment by the Company; or

4

 

d. Until the Expiration Date of this Agreement, Employee will not solicit,
endeavor to entice away from the Company or any of its affiliates or
customers, or otherwise interfere with the relationship of the Company or
any of its affiliates or customers with, any person who is employed by or
otherwise engaged to perform services for the Company or any of its
affiliates or customers, whether for Employee’s account or for the account
of any other any other person or organization.

          12. Employee warrants and represents that he will immediately return to the Company all
information and related reports, files, memoranda, records, statements, information, credit cards,
computer access codes, software and all other physical or personal property and equipment, with the
exception of the Company’s DELL Latitude D430 laptop computer which the Employee may retain as his
own property, pertaining to or owned by the Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries (“Company
Information and Assets”). Employee further warrants and represents that he has not and will not
retain any copies, duplicates, reproductions or excerpts in any form of Company Information and
Assets, or provide such Company Information and Assets to any third party including any person,
firm, corporation or other entity.

          13. Employee represents that he has not filed, will not file at any time in the future, nor
permit any other person or entity to file on his behalf against the Releasees (as defined in
Section 14) individually or collectively, any statutory, civil or administrative claim, complaint
or charge of any kind whatever with any state or federal court, administrative agency, or tribunal
of any kind whatever asserting any claims that are released by paragraph 14.a of this Agreement, or
concerning any subject matter connected with, or pertaining to or relating to his employment or
termination thereof, except for an application for unemployment compensation benefits. The parties
agree that this Agreement and the additional consideration exchanged in this Agreement are
contingent upon this promise by Employee not to file any such claim, complaint or charge of any
kind whatever, and contingent upon the Company’s full payment to Employee of its obligations under
paragraph 3 of this Agreement. Employee his family, heirs, representatives, successor and assigns
agree not to seek to challenge the validity of this Agreement. Employee further agrees not to
voluntarily participate in any employment related claim brought by any other party against the
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall prevent the Employee from
filing an action against the Company due to a breach by the Company of the terms contained in this
Agreement.

          14. Parties acknowledge and understand that:

a. In exchange for and conditioned upon the Company’s full payment to
Employee of its obligations under paragraph 3 of this Agreement, Employee,
on behalf of himself as well as on behalf of his descendants, dependents,
agents, heirs, distributees, beneficiaries, executors, administrators,
assigns and successors and each of them, hereby covenants not to sue and
fully and forever relieves, releases and discharges the Company and its
predecessors, successors, heirs and assignees, owners, members,
shareholders, representatives, affiliates, parent companies,

5

 

subsidiaries, divisions, and partners and their respective past, present and
future, officers, directors, agents, employees, managers, servants,
executors, administrators, accountants, insurers, attorney in their
individual and official capacities, and any and all other related
individuals and entities, if any (collectively the “Releasees”) from any and
all rights, demands, debts, damages, injuries, causes of actions, or claims,
past, present or future, known or unknown that he ever had or might have
including, but not limited to claims, relating to or arising out of his
relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship, for
any and all reasons, including but not limited to claims of breach of
contract, wrongful termination, failure to pay wages due or other monies
owed, failure to provide benefits under any Company employee benefit plan,
breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional or negligent
infliction of emotional distress, financial loss, fraud, defamation,
violation of privacy, interference with prospective economic advantage, or
any other tort, common law or statutory and claims for discrimination on the
basis of race, sex, national origin, citizenship, color, religion, martial
status, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, harassment of any
kind and retaliation, whether or not he knows of such claims now. This
release of claims includes but is not limited to any rights or claims he may
have under, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the
Equal Pay Act, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (the “ADEA”), the Americans with
Disabilities Act, or any other similar federal or state law or local
ordinance dealing with employment or the termination thereof.

          15.    a. The Company represents that it has not filed, will not file at any time in the future,
nor permit any other person or entity to file on its behalf against the Employee, any statutory,
civil or administrative claim, complaint or charge of any kind whatever with any state or federal
court, administrative agency, or tribunal of any kind whatever asserting any claims against the
Employee concerning any subject matter connected with, or pertaining to or relating to his
employment or termination thereof except as otherwise set forth herein.

                    b. The Company releases and discharges the Employee from any and all rights, demands, debts,
damages, injuries, causes of actions, or claims, past, present or future, known or unknown that he
ever had or might have including, but not limited to claims, relating to or arising out of his
relationship with the Company except as follows: (i) claims related to fraudulent conduct of the
Employee in the performance of his duties at the Company; or (ii) claims related to any breach of
this Agreement.

          16. Employee acknowledges and understands that:

a. he was advised in writing to consult with an attorney at his own expense
before executing this Agreement and that the Employee has been

6

 

advised by an attorney or has knowingly waived Employee’s rights to do so.

b. he has read this Agreement, understands its contents, and was given a
copy of the initial draft of the Agreement on December 29, 2008. Employee
was given at least twenty-one (21) days to review and consider this
Agreement prior to executing. If he signs the Agreement in less than twenty
one (21) days he did so voluntarily and not as a result of any pressure,
coercion or duress.

c. he has read this Agreement, understands its contents. Employee signed
this agreement voluntarily and not as a result of any pressure, coercion or
duress.

d. for a period of seven (7) days following Employee’s signing of this
Agreement, Employee may revoke this Agreement by providing the Company with
written notice of such revocation. The Agreement shall not become effective
until seven (7) days following its execution by the Employee (the “Effective
Date”) and provided that he shall not have revoked his waiver of claims
under the ADEA. The Company shall have no obligation to make any payments
to the Employee until the Agreement becomes effective.

          17. Employee acknowledges that all payments set forth in this Agreement will be subject to all
applicable state, federal and local income tax laws and regulations.

          18. This Agreement constitutes the complete understanding between the parties and supersedes
any prior agreement concerning its subject matter. The Employment Agreement shall be deemed
terminated and of no further force and effect as of the Termination Date. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors,
assigns, heirs and legal representatives but neither this Agreement, nor any rights hereunder shall
be assignable by the Employee without the Company’s written consent.

          19. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and shall be deemed fully executed when
each party has signed and transmitted a counterpart to the other. All counterparts taken together
shall constitute a single agreement.

          20. Any changes to this Agreement must be in writing and initialed by both parties.

          21. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, except to the extent superseded by applicable federal law.

          22. If any provisions of this Agreement are determined to be invalid or unenforceable by any
court or agency of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall have no

7

 

effect upon and shall not impair the legality, enforceability or validity of, any other
provision of this Agreement,, provided however, that upon any finding by such court of competent
jurisdiction, that a release or waiver of claims or rights, is illegal, void, unenforceable or
invalid, Employee agrees to execute a release and or waiver that is legal, valid and enforceable.

          23. Any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this Agreement, or its breach,
shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the then governing rules of the National Rules
for the Resolution of Employment Duties in the City of Philadelphia. Judgment upon the award
rendered may be entered and enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. The prevailing party
shall be entitled to the costs of arbitration and reasonable attorney’s fees, as well as travel and
lodging expenses. Any arbitration shall be held in the State of Pennsylvania, unless otherwise
agreed to by the parties.

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

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Sedona Corporation	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	BY:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 

Scott C. Edelman, President & CEO
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	BY:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 

Anita M. Primo, VP & CFO
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	BY:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 

Marco A. Emrich
	 	 

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State of Pennsylvania       )

                                          )ss:

County Of Montgomery   )

     On January                      , 2009, before me personally came Marco Emrich, an individual residing at
                     to me known, and known to me to be the individual described in, and who executed
the foregoing Separation and Release Agreement, and duly acknowledged to me that he executed the
same.

	 	 	 
	 

Notary Publicnfx8k-02042009ex1015.htm

                                                                                                    Exhibit
10.15

    NEWFIELD
EXPLORATION COMPANY

    RESTRICTED
STOCK AGREEMENT

    

     

    THIS RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT
(this “Agreement”)
is made as of February 4, 2009 (the “Date of
Grant”) and is by and between Newfield Exploration Company (the “Company”)
and ___________________________ (“Employee”).

     

    1.    Grant.

     

    (a)    Restricted
Shares.  Pursuant to the Newfield Exploration Company 2004
Omnibus Stock Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”),
________ shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01, will be issued in
Employee’s name subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions described in
Section 2 below (the “Restricted
Shares”).

     

    (b)    Plan
Incorporated.  Employee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the
Plan and agrees that the Restricted Shares shall be subject to all of the terms
and provisions of the Plan (including any future amendments thereof), which
terms and provisions are incorporated herein for all
purposes.  Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement
shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.

     

    2.    Forfeiture
Restrictions.  Employee hereby accepts the award of the
Restricted Shares and agrees with respect thereto as follows:

     

    (a)    No
Transfer.  Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph X of the
Plan, the Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged,
hypothecated or otherwise transferred or disposed of to the extent then subject
to Forfeiture Restrictions.  The prohibition against transfer and the
obligation to forfeit and surrender the Restricted Shares to the Company as
provided in this Section 2 are herein referred to as “Forfeiture
Restrictions.”  Forfeiture Restrictions shall be binding upon
and enforceable against any permitted transferee of the Restricted
Shares.

     

    (b)    Termination of
Employment.  If, prior to the fourth year anniversary of the
Date of Grant, Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated for any
reason (including as described in the last sentence of Paragraph XII(b) of
the Plan) other than a separation from service by reason of (i) death or
Disability (as defined below) of Employee or (ii) Employee’s Qualified
Retirement (as defined below), Employee shall, for no consideration, forfeit to
the Company all Restricted Shares to the extent then subject to Forfeiture
Restrictions.

     

    (c)    Death or
Disability. If not previously
forfeited, Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to the Restricted Shares shall
lapse upon a separation from service by reason of Employee’s death or
Disability.

     

    (d)    Qualified
Retirement. If Employee’s employment
is terminated by reason of Employee’s Qualified
Retirement, if not
previously forfeited, Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse with respect to the
Pro Rata Shares, if any, and Employee shall, for no consideration, forfeit to
the Company all Restricted Shares to the extent thereafter still subject to
Forfeiture Restrictions.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

    (e)    Continuous
Employment.  If not previously forfeited, Forfeiture
Restrictions with respect to the Restricted Shares shall lapse on the indicated
anniversary of the Date of Grant (each, an “Anniversary
Date”) in accordance with the following schedule:

     

    
      	
              
                Annual
      Anniversary of Date of Grant

              

            	
              
                Percentage
      of Restricted

                Shares
      Subject to Forfeiture Restrictions as

                to
      which Forfeiture Restrictions Lapse

              

            
	
              Second

            	
              33
      1/3%          
                                                         
      

            
	
              Third

            	
              50%           
                                                      
       

            
	
               
      Fourth

            	
              100%          
                                                        
      

            

    

    

    3.    Definitions.  The
following terms shall have the indicated meanings:

     

    (a)    “Disability”
has the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Code.

     

    (b)    “Pro Rata
Shares” means, as of the date of Employee’s Qualified Retirement (the
“Retirement
Date”), the number of Restricted Shares, if any, equal to the product of
(i) the number of Restricted Shares with respect to which Forfeiture
Restrictions will lapse on the next Anniversary Date following the Retirement
Date multiplied by (ii)
the result of (A) the number of days, if any, that have elapsed (excluding the
Retirement Date) since the most recent Anniversary Date divided by (B)
365.

     

    (c)    “Qualified
Retirement” means Employee (i) either is (A) at least age 60 and signs a
non-compete agreement (the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A)
that is effective until reaching age 62 or (B) is at least age 62, (ii) has at
least 10 years of Qualified Service and (iii) provides the Requisite
Notice.

     

    (d)    “Qualified
Service” means (i) Employee’s continuous employment with (A) the Company
or (B) a subsidiary of the Company during the time that such subsidiary is,
directly or indirectly, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company plus (b) any
additional service credit granted to Employee (or a group of employees of which
Employee is a member) by the Board.

     

    (e)    “Requisite
Notice” means (a) if employee is an officer of the Company, at least six
months prior written notice to the Board or (b) otherwise, at least three months
prior written notice to the chief executive officer of the Company.

     

    4.    Certificates.  Restricted
Shares shall remain in the custody of the Company or its depository for
safekeeping until Forfeiture Restrictions lapse or forfeiture occurs pursuant to
the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph
XII(c) of the Plan, upon the lapse of Forfeiture Restrictions without
forfeiture, the Company will cause the shares to be issued in the name of
Employee without any legend with respect to the Forfeiture
Restrictions.

    
      
        
        

      

      
        2

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    5.    Community
Interest Of Spouse.  The community interest, if any, of any
spouse of Employee in any of the Restricted Shares shall be subject to all of
the terms, conditions and restrictions of this Agreement and the Plan, and shall
be forfeited and surrendered to the Company upon the occurrence of any of the
events requiring Employee’s interest in such Restricted Shares to be so
forfeited and surrendered pursuant to this Agreement.

     

    6.    Binding
Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of any successors to the Company and all persons lawfully claiming under
Employee.

     

    7.    Entire
Agreement.  This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire
agreement of the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof, and
contain all the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to the
Restricted Shares.  Without limiting the scope of the preceding
sentence, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties
hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no
further force and effect.

     

    
      
         

      

      
        3 

        
          

        

      

      
         

      

    

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
Company has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by an authorized officer
and Employee has executed this Agreement, all as of the date first above
written.

     

    

     

                NEWFIELD EXPLORATION
COMPANY

    

    

    

                By:                                                                

                Name:

                Title:

    

    

                EMPLOYEE

    

    

                [Employee]

    
      
         

      

      
        4 

        
          

        

      

      
         

      

    

    EXHIBIT
A

     

    NON-COMPETE
AGREEMENT

     

    THIS NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT
(this “Agreement”)
is dated as of [date of Qualified Retirement] and is by and between Newfield
Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”)
and ________________, a retiring employee of the Company (“Retiring
Employee”).

     

    R
E C I T A L S:

     

    WHEREAS, Retiring Employee has
been granted the awards set forth on Annex A
hereto (the “Awards”)
by the Company;

     

    WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms
of the agreements governing the Awards (the “Award
Agreements”), Retiring Employee is entitled to certain benefits (the
“Retirement
Benefits”) if Retiring Employee’s termination of employment with the
Company is by reason of a “Qualified Retirement” (as defined in each of the
Award Agreements); and

     

    WHEREAS, it is a condition to
Retiring Employee being entitled to the Retirement Benefits that Retiring
Employee enter into a Non-Compete Agreement substantially in the form of this
Agreement;

     

    NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises, the Retirement Benefits to be provided to
Retiring Employee and the other covenants and agreements herein contained, and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

     

        1.           Definitions;
Rules of Construction.

     

    (a)           Definitions.  The following
capitalized terms shall have the meaning given to it below:

     

    “Affiliate”
means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is
under common control with, such specified Person and, if such specified Person
is a natural person, the immediate family members of such specified
Person.  “Control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under
common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or
more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, as general
partner or manager, by contract or otherwise, including the ownership, directly
or indirectly, of securities having the power to elect a majority of the board
of directors or similar body governing the affairs of such Person.

    
      
        
        

      

      
        A-1

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    “Competing
Business” means any business involved in the acquisition or development
of, or exploration for, crude oil or natural gas or any rights in or with
respect crude oil or natural gas within the Covered Area.

     

    “Covered
Area” means (a) the United States of America and (b) any foreign
jurisdiction (i) in which the Company is operating or (ii) with respect to which
the Company is actively considering for operations, in the case of clause (b)
only, as of the date hereof.

     

    “Person”
means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company,
trust, incorporated or unincorporated organization or association or other legal
entity of any kind.

     

    “Term”
means the period from the date hereof and the date on which Retiring Employee
reaches 62 years of age.

     

    (b)           Rules of
Construction.  For purposes of this Agreement (i) unless the
context otherwise requires, (A) “or” is not exclusive; (B) words applicable to
one gender shall be construed to apply to each gender; (C) the terms “hereof,”
“herein,” “hereby,” “hereto” and derivative or similar words refer to this
entire Agreement and (D) the term “Section” refers to the specified Section of
this Agreement, (ii) the Section and other headings and titles contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement, (iii) a reference to any Person
includes such Person’s successors and assigns.

     

        2.           Non-Compete. During the Term,
Retiring Employee covenants and agrees with the Company that Retiring Employee
shall not, directly or indirectly, individually, through an Affiliate or
otherwise (including as an officer, director, employee or consultant) own an
interest or engage in, participate with or provide any financial or other
support, assistance or advice to any Competing Business; provided, however, that Retiring
Employee may (i) when taken together with the ownership, directly or indirectly,
of all of his Affiliates, own, solely as an investment, up to 5% of any class of
securities of any Person if such securities are listed on any national
securities exchange or traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market so long as Retiring
Employee is not a director, officer, employee of, or analogously employed or
engaged by, such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or (ii) own
securities issued by the Company.

    
    3.        Specific
Performance; Injunctive Relief. Retiring Employee
specifically acknowledges and agrees that the Company, in proving the Retirement
Benefits, has relied on the agreements and covenants of Retiring Employee
contained in this Agreement and that the terms of this Agreement are reasonable
and necessary for the protection of the Company.  Retiring Employee
specifically acknowledges and agrees that any breach or threatened breach by
Retiring Employee of his or her agreements and covenants contained herein would
cause the Company irreparable harm not compensable solely in
damages.  Retiring Employee further acknowledges and agrees that it is
essential to the effective enforcement of this Agreement that Company be
entitled to the remedies of specific performance, injunctive relief and similar
remedies and Retiring Employee agrees to the granting of any such remedies upon
a breach or threatened breach by Retiring Employee of any of the terms
hereof.  The Company also shall be entitled to pursue any other
remedies (at law or in equity) available to it for any breach or threatened
breach of this Agreement, including the recovery of money damages; provided, however, that in no event
shall Retiring Employee be liable for any damages hereunder in excess of 150% of
the Retirement Benefits.

    
      
        
        

      

      
        A-2

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

        4.         Severability.  If
any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and
provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect
so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated
hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any
party.  Upon such determination that any term or other provision is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original
intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end
that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent
possible.

     

        5.         Amendment;
Modification; Waiver.  No amendment or modification of the
terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be binding unless the same shall be
in writing and duly executed by the Company and Retiring Employee, except that
any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived in writing at any
time by the party that is entitled to the benefits of such waived terms or
provisions.  No single waiver of any of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute, absent an express statement
otherwise, a continuous waiver of such provision or a waiver of any other
provision hereof (whether or not similar).

     

        6.         Failure
or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.  No failure or
delay on the part of any party hereto in the exercise of any right hereunder
shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of, or acquiescence in,
any breach of any covenant or agreement herein, nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any such right preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any
other right.  All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement
are cumulative with, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise
available.

     

        7.         No Affect
on Retiring Employee’s Obligations.  This Agreement shall in no
way affect any other duties or obligations Retiring Employee owes to the Company
by contract, law or otherwise.

     

        8.         Legal
Fees.  If either party hereto institutes any legal proceedings
against the other for breach of any provision hereof, the losing party shall be
liable for the costs and expenses of the prevailing party, including without
limitation its reasonable attorneys’ fees.

     

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

     

        10.         Governing
Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Texas applicable to
agreements made and to be performed wholly within that
jurisdiction.

     

    

     

    [Signature page
follows.]

     

    
      
         

      

      
          A-3

        
          

        

      

      
         

      

    

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
Company has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by an authorized officer
and Retiring Employee has executed this Agreement, in each case, as of the day
and year first above written.

     

    

    

                NEWFIELD EXPLORATION
COMPANY

    

    

    

    

                By:                                                                  

                Name:

                Title:

    

    

    

                RETIRING
EMPLOYEE

    

    

    

    

                [Retiring
Employee]

     

     

     

            

    

    

    

    

    A-4

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