Document:

Document

Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is effective as of the Effective Date (defined below), by and between Twin River Management Group, Inc. (“TRMG”), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Robert Lavan (“Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
    WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive as its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive desires to accept said employment, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.
    NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises, representations and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.EMPLOYMENT.  The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such employment, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.  Executive will hold the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “Position”) and will report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer  (the CEO).
2.TERM.  The initial term of employment under this Agreement will begin on the Effective Date and will continue until December 31, 2024, subject to prior termination in accordance with the terms hereof (the “Initial Term”). The Initial Term will be automatically extended for successive additional terms of one year first commencing on the day immediately following each December 31st in the Initial Term (each such period, an “Additional Term”), and subsequently on each annual anniversary of the end of an Additional Term, unless either Party gives written notice to the other Party of non-extension at least 60 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or to the end of the then-applicable Additional Term (the Initial Term and any Additional Term(s), collectively, the “Term”). The Executive acknowledges that his/her employment may be terminated at any time for any reason or for no reason, in accordance with the terms of Section 7.  
3.COMPENSATION.  
(a)     The Company will pay to Executive, in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, an annual base salary of Five Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($525,000.00), which will be adjusted annually.
(b)    Executive will be eligible to receive an annual cash performance bonus for each calendar year that ends during the Term, based on performance against performance criteria (each, an “Annual Bonus”).  The performance criteria for any particular calendar year will be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or designated Committee (the “Board”).  Such performance criteria may, at the sole and exclusive discretion of the Board, include factors and considerations not directly related to the Company’s financial performance.  Executive’s target Annual Bonus for a calendar year will be in an amount equal to One Hundred percent 

(100%) of his annual base salary.  The actual amount of the Annual Bonus paid, if any, shall be subject to the achievement of the performance criteria established by the Board for that year to the satisfaction of the Board, with greater or lesser amounts paid for performance above and below target levels, as determined in the Board’s sole and exclusive discretion, and with no amount payable for performance below a threshold level of performance established by the Board.  Executive’s Annual Bonus for a bonus period, if any, will be paid in the fiscal year following the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates at the time as annual bonuses are paid to other similarly-situated employees generally, but in any event no later than March 15th of the year following the year to which the Annual Bonus relates.
(c)    During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual equity grant in such form and in such amount as approved by the Board’s Compensation Committee and subject the Executive’s execution of any related documentation required by the Company.   These awards will be reflected in the Company’s standard Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”)  and Performance Stock Units (“PSU”) agreements and the number of shares will be calculated based on the closing price on the Commencement Date.  
4.BUSINESS EXPENSES.  During the Term, the Company will reimburse Executive, upon presentment of suitable receipts, vouchers, and completed expense reports, for all reasonable business expenses which may be incurred by Executive in connection with his employment.  Executive will comply with such restrictions and will keep such records as the Company may deem necessary to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”).  
5.OTHER BENEFITS.  During the Term, Executive will be eligible for paid time off (“PTO”) in accordance with Company policy as established and amended from time to time, and will be eligible to participate in such benefit plans and arrangements and to receive any other benefits customarily provided by the Company to its management personnel (the “Benefit Plans”).  Unused PTO in any calendar year may not be carried over to any subsequent calendar year (or partial portions thereof).  
6.DUTIES.  
(a)     Executive will perform such duties and functions as the CEO may assign to him, consistent with the duties and functions customarily associated with Chief Financial Officer, including any duties or functions with or for any member of the Company Group (as hereinafter defined).  Executive will comply in the performance of his duties with the policies of TRMG and the Company.
(b)    During the Term, Executive will devote all of his business time and attention to the business of the Company, as necessary to fulfill his duties; provided that the foregoing will not prevent Executive from (i) serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations and, subject to the prior written approval of the Board, other for-profit companies; (ii) participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or 
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industry affairs; and (iii) managing Executive’s passive personal investments, so long as all such activities in the aggregate do not interfere or conflict with Executive’s duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict.
(c)    Executive will perform the duties assigned to him with fidelity and to the best of his ability.
(d)    Executive agrees that, at all times during the Term, he will obtain and maintain, in full force and effect, any and all licenses, permits and work authorizations in respect of the Position that may be required by any government authority or agency to enable him to properly work and perform the duties of his Position.
7.TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  
(a)     Executive’s employment hereunder will terminate upon the first to occur of the following:
(i)    in accordance with the terms of Section 7(f) upon written notice to Executive upon the determination by the Company that Executive’s employment will be terminated for any reason which would not constitute Justifiable Cause (as herein defined);
(ii)    upon written notice to Executive upon the determination by the Company that there is Justifiable Cause for such termination;
(iii)    automatically upon the death of Executive;
(iv)    in accordance with the terms of Section 7(e) upon the Disability (as herein defined) of Executive;
(v)    in accordance with the terms of Section 7(f) upon Executive’s notice to the Company of Executive’s determination to voluntarily terminate his employment for Good Reason (as hereinafter defined); or
(vi)    upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice by Executive to the Company of Executive’s voluntary termination of employment, other than as provided in Section 7(a)(v).
(b)    For the purposes of this Agreement:
(i)    “Beneficial Owner” has the definition given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor rule thereto); 
(ii)    “Change-In-Control” means, after the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the occurrence of either of the following:  (1) the acquisition of Beneficial Ownership by any Person (as hereinafter defined) or group of affiliated Persons of more than fifty percent (50%) of the shares of capital stock and/or membership 
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interests of the Company or Parent (or any of their respective successors by merger or consolidation) or (2) the closing of any sale or transfer by the Company or Holdings of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person or group of affiliated Persons.  
(iii)    “Disability” means the inability of Executive, due to illness, accident or any other physical or mental incapacity, substantially to perform the material and essential functions of his duties for a period exceeding a total of thirteen (13) weeks (whether or not consecutive) in any twelve (12) month period, as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith, with a reasonable accommodation (as defined under applicable law).
(iv)    “Good Reason” means, without Executive's consent:
(1)a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary in the amount of fifteen percent (15%) or more, other than a general reduction in Base Salary that affects all similarly-situated executives of TRMG or the Company in substantially the same proportion; 
(2)a material adverse change in Executive’s duties, reporting line or responsibilities to the Company (other than temporarily while Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law);
(3)a relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the location at the date of hire;
provided, however, that the foregoing conditions will constitute Good Reason only if (a) Executive provides written notice to the Company within forty-five (45) days of the initial existence of the condition(s) constituting Good Reason and (b) both TRMG and the Company fail to cure such condition(s) within sixty (60) days after receipt from Executive of such notice; and provided further, that Good Reason will cease to exist with respect to a condition six (6) months following the initial existence of such condition. 
(v)    “Justifiable Cause” means:
(1)    Executive's continued failure or refusal to perform his duties pursuant to this Agreement after notice from the Company which, if curable, is not cured within ten (10) business days of Executive's receipt of written notice thereof from the Company;
(2)    Executive’s material breach of this Agreement which, if curable, is not cured within ten (10) business days of Executive's receipt of written notice thereof from the Company;
(3)    Executive's commission of for, conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony;
(4)    Executive's performance of any act, or his failure to act, which constitutes, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Company, dishonesty or 
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fraud, including misappropriation of funds or a misrepresentation of the operating results or financial condition of TRMG or the Company to the Board or to any executive of TRMG or the Company;
(5)    Executive's illegal use of controlled substances;
(6)    Executive’s violation of a material Company policy or code of conduct;
(7)    the revocation, loss, or non-renewal of Executive's gaming license; or
(8)    any act or omission by Executive Involving malfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of Executive's duties, or the failure to meet performance standards for Executive’s role; and
(vi)    “Person” means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, association, partnership, joint venture, organization, business, trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or any subdivision or agency thereof, other than any direct or indirect subsidiary of Holdings.
(c)    Upon termination of Executive's employment by the Company for Justifiable Cause, or a resignation by Executive pursuant to the notice provisions of Section 7(a)(vi), Executive will not be entitled to any amounts or benefits hereunder, other than such unpaid portion of Executive's Base Salary and any other monies Executive is entitled to as a matter of right under the Company's written and established policies and Benefit Plans and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to Section 4 as have been accrued through the date of his termination of employment, which amounts will be paid as soon as reasonably practicable following the termination date (collectively, the “Accrued Amounts”).
(d)    If Executive should die during the Term, this Agreement will terminate immediately.  In such event, Executive's estate will thereupon be entitled to receive (i) any Accrued Amounts and (ii) a pro-rata portion of the Annual Bonus (determined by multiplying the Annual Bonus otherwise payable to Executive for the year in which his termination of employment occurred by a fraction equal to (1) the number of days Executive was employed by the Company during the applicable performance period, divided by (2) the total number of days in the applicable performance period), payable when annual bonuses for the applicable performance period are paid to other senior executives of the Company and TRMG generally, but in no event later than two and one-half (2 1⁄2) months following the calendar year of Executive's termination (a “Pro-Rata Bonus”).  Executive's estate also will be entitled to any benefits payable under the terms of the Benefit Plans.
(e)    Upon a finding by the Company of Executive's Disability in accordance with Section 7(b)(iii), the Company will have the right to terminate Executive's employment.  Any termination of Executive's employment pursuant to this Section 7(e) will be effective on 
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the date thirty (30) days after the date on which the Company notifies Executive of the Company's election to terminate.  In such event, Executive will thereupon be entitled to receive any Accrued Amounts and a Pro-Rata Bonus for the year in which his termination of employment occurred.  Executive will also be entitled to any benefits payable under the terms of the Benefit Plans.
(f)    (i) Termination By the Company Without Justifiable Cause.  In the event that Executive's employment is terminated during the Term by the Company without Justifiable Cause (other than due to Executive's death or Disability), in addition to any Accrued Amounts, subject to Section 7(f)(ii), (1) Executive will be entitled to receive, to the extent earned but not yet paid, Executive's Annual Bonus for the year prior to the year in which his termination of employment occurred (which, for purposes of this Section 7(f)(i), will be deemed to be earned if Executive remained employed by the Company through the end of the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates); (2) Executive will be entitled to receive a Pro-Rata Bonus for the year in which his termination of employment occurred; and (3) the Company will continue to pay Executive his Base Salary for twelve (12) months in accordance with ordinary payroll practices (the “Severance Period”).  In addition, the Executive will receive a monthly payment during the Severance Period in the amount of the current monthly COBRA Premium, that he/she may use to purchase continuation coverage benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”)), subject to the requirements of Section 7(f)(ii) below.   The payments and benefits set forth in this Section 7(f)(i) will be in lieu of any and all other payments due and owing to Executive under the terms of this Agreement (other than any Accrued Amounts or benefits payable under the Benefit Plans).
          (ii)    Change-ln-Control. In the event that, during the Term and within 12 months following a Change-ln-Control, Executive’s employment is terminated by (1) the Company without Justifiable Cause (other than due to Executive’s death or Disability) or (2) Executive for Good Reason, subject to Section 7(g), Executive will be entitled to all the payments and benefits set forth in Section 7(f)(i), except that the Severance Period will instead equal the greater of (A) the amount of time remaining in the Term and (B) 24 months. The payments and benefits set forth in this Section 7(f)(ii) will be in lieu of any and all other payments due and owing to Executive under the terms of this Agreement (other than any accrued amounts or benefits payable under the Benefit Plans).
(iii)    Release and Compliance Requirement.  The payments and benefits payable pursuant to Section 7(f)(i), other than any Accrued Amounts, are collectively referred to as the “Severance Payments.”  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company's obligation to make or pay any portion of any Severance Payment is conditional upon (1) within sixty (60) days following Executive's termination of employment, Executive delivering to the Company a valid and effective separation and general release agreement in favor of Bally’s Corporation (“Parent”) and TRMG  arising from Executive's employment in the Position, waiving all claims against Parent and TRMG in a form and substance acceptable to Parent and TRMG with all periods for revocation therein having expired; and (2) Executive's compliance with his obligations under Sections 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 hereof.  Subject to the foregoing, any 
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Severance Payments due hereunder will commence with the Company's first regularly scheduled payroll date upon or following the 60th day after Executive's  termination of employment (the “Severance Payment Commencement Date”), with any such Severance Payments that would otherwise have been payable prior to the Severance Payment Commencement Date instead being accumulated (without interest) and paid on the Severance Payment Commencement Date.
(g)    Upon Executive's voluntary termination of his employment hereunder  without Good Reason, this Agreement (subject to Section 26) will terminate.  Executive will be entitled to (1) any Accrued Amounts and (2) continue to participate in the Benefit Plans to the extent participation by former employees is required by law, with the expense of such participation to be as specified in such plans for former employees.  Executive will also be entitled to any benefits payable under the terms of the Benefit Plans.
(h)    Upon the Company giving notice of termination pursuant to Section 7(a)(i), or 7(a)(ii) or 7(a)(iii) or Executive giving notice of termination pursuant to Section 7(a)(v) or 7(a)(vi), the Company may require that Executive immediately leave the Company's premises and cease reporting to work, but such requirement will not affect the effective date of termination of employment or any other amounts payable pursuant to this Section 7.
(i)    Following the termination of Executive's employment for any reason, if and to the extent requested by the Board, Executive agrees to resign from all fiduciary positions (including as trustee) and all other offices and positions Executive holds with the Company Group; provided, however, that if Executive refuses to tender Executive's resignation after the Board has made such request, then the Board will be empowered to remove Executive from such offices and positions without providing Employee any additional consideration.
8.REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE.  Executive represents and warrants that he is free to enter into this Agreement and to perform the duties required hereunder, and that there are no employment contracts or understandings, restrictive covenants or other restrictions, whether written or oral, preventing or hindering the performance of his duties hereunder.
9.NON-COMPETITION.  
(a)    In view of the unique and valuable services expected to be rendered by Executive to the Company, Executive's knowledge of the trade secrets and other proprietary information relating to the business of Parent and the Company and in consideration of the compensation to be received hereunder, Executive agrees that, during his employment by the Company and during the twelve (12) month period following termination of Executive's employment for any reason (the “Non-Competition Period”), Executive will not, whether for compensation or without compensation, directly or indirectly, as an owner, principal, partner, member, shareholder, independent contractor, consultant, joint venture, investor, licensor, lender or in any other capacity whatsoever, alone, or in association with any other person or entity, carry on, be engaged or take part in, or render services (other than services which are 
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generally offered to third parties) or advice to, own, share in the earnings of, invest in the stocks, bonds or other securities of, or otherwise become financially interested in, any person or entity engaged in the business of owning, operating, or managing any gaming, gambling, pari-mutuel, wagering, horseracing, video lottery terminal, or lottery-related enterprise or facility or any additional business activities undertaken by Parent, or the Company (or any of their subsidiaries) or proposed to be undertaken by Parent, or the Company (or any of their subsidiaries) and related services, including digitally (collectively, the “Company Business”) anywhere within the states of Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey or Massachusetts or within fifty (50) miles of any location or facility where Parent, or the Company (or any of their subsidiaries) is engaged in or undertaking, or proposing to engage in or undertake, any Company Business.  The record or beneficial ownership by Executive of up to one percent (1%) of any class of securities of any corporation whose securities are publicly traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market will not of itself constitute a breach hereunder.
(b)    Executive will not, directly or indirectly, during his employment by the Company or during the Non-Competition Period, alone, or in association with any other person or entity, request or cause any suppliers or customers with whom Parent, the Company, their parent(s), subsidiaries or affiliates (collectively, the “Company Group”) has a business relationship, to cancel or terminate any such business relationship with any member of the Company Group or solicit, interfere with, entice from any member of the Company Group any employee or other service provider of any member of the Company Group.
(c)    At no time after the termination of Executive's employment for any reason will Executive utter, issue or circulate publicly any false statements, remarks or rumors about any member of the Company Group and/or any of their respective businesses, or any of their respective officers, employees, directors, agents or representatives.  At no time after the termination of Executive's employment for any reason will the Company, by press release or other formally released announcement, make any false statements about Executive.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, statements made in the course of sworn testimony in administrative, judicial or arbitral proceedings (including depositions in connection with such proceedings) will not be subject to this Section 10(c).
(d)    If any portion of the restrictions set forth in this Section 10 is, for any reason whatsoever, declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity or enforceability of the remainder of such restrictions will not thereby be adversely affected.
(e)    Executive acknowledges that the territorial and time limitations set forth in this Section 10 are reasonable and properly required for the adequate protection of the business of the Company Group.  Executive hereby waives, to the extent permitted by law, any and all right to contest the validity of this Section 10 on the grounds of reasonableness or the breadth of its geographic or product and service coverage or length of term.  In the event any such territorial or time limitation is deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent 
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jurisdiction, Executive agrees to the reduction of the territorial or time limitation to the area or period which such court will deem reasonable.
(f)    The existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against Parent, TRMG, the Company or any other member of the Company Group will not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company Group of the foregoing restrictive covenants, but such claim or cause of action will be litigated separately.
10.MUTUAL NONDISPARAGEMENT.  
Executive agree that following the termination of your employment for any reason, you shall not publicly make any negative, disparaging, detrimental or derogatory remarks or statements (written, oral, telephonic, electronic, or by any other method) about the Company or its subsidiaries or any of their respective owners, partners, managers, directors, officers, employees or agents, including, without limitation, any remarks or statements that could be reasonably expected to adversely affect in a material manner (i) the conduct of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ businesses or (ii) the business reputation or relationships of the Company or its subsidiaries and/or any of their past or present officers, directors, agents, employees, attorneys, successors and assigns, in each case, except to the extent required by law or legal process. Similarly, following termination of your employment for any reason, neither the Company’s officers in their official capacity, nor the members of the Board, shall make any such statements about you.

Nothing in this paragraph 11, or in the remainder of this Agreement, shall prohibit Executive from filing a charge with a government agency, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any similar state or local fair employment practices agency, or from talking to or cooperating in any investigation by with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, any similar state or local fair employment practices agency, or the Securities and Exchange Commission, and no notice to the Company is required under these circumstance

11.INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES.  
(a)     Executive will promptly and fully disclose  to Parent and the Company, with all necessary detail for a complete understanding of the same, all developments, know-how, discoveries, inventions, improvements, concepts, ideas, writings, formulae, processes and methods (whether copyrightable, patentable or otherwise) made, received, conceived, developed, acquired or written during working hours, or otherwise, by Executive (whether or not at the request or upon the suggestion of Parent or the Company) during the Term, solely or jointly with others or relating to any current or proposed business or activities of the Company Group known to him as a consequence of his employment or the rendering of advisory and consulting services hereunder (collectively, the “Subject Matter”).
(b)    Executive hereby  assigns and transfers, and agrees  to assign and transfer, to the Company all his rights, title and interest in and to the Subject Matter, and Executive further agrees to deliver to the Company any and all drawings, notes, specifications 
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and data relating to the Subject Matter, and to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further papers, including applications for trademarks, copyrights or patents, as may be necessary to obtain trademarks, copyrights and patents for any thereof in any and all countries and to vest title thereto in the Company.  Executive will assist the Company in obtaining such trademarks, copyrights or patents during the Term, and any time thereafter, on reasonable notice and at mutually convenient times, and Executive agrees to testify in any prosecution or litigation involving any of the Subject Matter.

12.NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  
(a)     Executive will not, during the Term, or at any time following expiration or termination of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, disclose or permit to be disclosed, other than as is required In the regular and proper course of his duties hereunder (including required disclosures to the Company's advisors and consultants) or as is required by law (in which case Executive will give the Company prior written notice of such required disclosure as soon as possible and will make the most minimal disclosure required), or with the prior written consent of the Board, to any person, firm, corporation or other entity, any confidential information acquired by him during the course of, or as an incident to, his employment with the Company Group, relating to the Company Group, any client of the Company Group, or any corporation, partnership or other entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any of the foregoing, or in which any of the foregoing has a beneficial interest, including  the business affairs of each of the foregoing.  Such confidential information shall include proprietary technology, trade secrets, patented processes, research and development data, know-how, market studies and forecasts, competitive analyses, pricing policies, employee lists, personnel policies, the substance of agreements with customers, suppliers and others, marketing or dealership arrangements, servicing and training programs and arrangements, customer lists, patron data and any other documents embodying such confidential information.  These confidentiality obligations shall not apply to any confidential information which becomes publicly available from sources unrelated to the Company Group and without Executive's direct or indirect involvement.
(b)    All information and documents relating to the Company Group as hereinabove described (or other business affairs) will be the exclusive property of the Company Group, and Executive will use his best efforts to prevent any publication or disclosure thereof.  Upon termination of Executive's employment with the Company, all documents, records, reports, writings, and other similar documents containing confidential information, including copies thereof, then in Executive's possession or control shall be returned to the Company.
13.SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  Executive agrees that if he breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions of Sections 10, 11, 12 or 13 (the “Restrictive Covenants”), the Company and each other member of the Company Group shall have, in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available under law and in equity, the right to injunctive relief and/or to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by a 
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court of competent jurisdiction, without the posting of any bond or other security, it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall constitute a waiver by Executive of his right to contest whether a breach or threatened breach of any Restrictive Covenant has occurred.  Executive shall, and the Company may, inform any future employer of the Restrictive Covenants and provide such employer with a copy thereof, prior to the commencement of that employment (or, in the Company's case, at any time thereafter).
14.INDEMNIFICATION.  During Executive's employment by the Company, and thereafter, Executive will be indemnified and held harmless for his activities as an officer to the fullest extent provided by the governing documents of the Company.
15.LIABILITY INSURANCE.  During Executive's employment by the Company, the Company will cover Executive under directors' and officers' liability insurance in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other directors and executive employees.
16.AMENDMENT OR ALTERATION.  No amendment or alteration of the terms of this Agreement will be valid unless made in writing and signed by both of the parties hereto. Any amendment or alteration of this Agreement in violation of this section shall be void.
17.GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Rhode Island applicable to agreements made and to be performed therein.  The parties hereto consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Rhode Island, as well as to the jurisdiction of courts to which an appeal may be taken from such courts, for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement or that otherwise arises out of the employment relationship.  Each of the parties agrees that a final and non-appealable judgment in any action so brought will be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment in any jurisdiction within or outside the United States or in any other manner provided in law or in equity.  Each party hereby expressly waives (a) any and all rights to bring any suit, action or other proceeding in or before any court or tribunal other than the courts described above, and covenants that it will not seek in any manner to resolve any dispute other than as set forth in this paragraph, and (b) any and all objections either may have to venue, including the Inconvenience of such forum, in any of such courts.  In addition, each party consents to the service of process by personal service or any manner in which notices may be delivered hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no claim or controversy for injunctive or equitable relief contemplated by or allowed under applicable law pursuant to Sections 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 will be subject to the limitations in this Section 18.
18.SEVERABILITY.  The holding of any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction will not affect any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.
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19.WITHHOLDING.  The Company shall deduct and withhold from the payments to be made to Executive hereunder all     amounts required to be deducted and withheld under the provisions of any applicable statute, law, regulation or ordinance now or hereafter enacted, or as otherwise authorized by Executive in writing.
20.SECTION 409A.  The parties intend that any amounts payable under this Agreement, and the Company's and Executive's exercise of authority or discretion hereunder, comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”).  To the extent Executive would otherwise be entitled to any payment under this Agreement, or any plan or arrangement of the Company Group, that constitutes a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A and that if paid during the six (6) months beginning on the date of termination of Executive's employment would be subject to the Section 409A additional tax because Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A and as determined by the Company), the payment will be paid to Executive on the earlier of the six (6) month anniversary of his date of termination or on the date of his death.  To the extent Executive would otherwise be entitled to any benefit (other than a payment) during the six (6) months beginning on termination of Executive's employment that would be subject to the Section 409A additional tax, the benefit will be delayed and will begin being provided on the earlier of the first day following the six (6) month anniversary of Executive's date of termination or on the date of his death.  Any payment or benefit due upon a termination of employment that represents a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A will be paid or provided only upon a “separation from service” as defined in Treas. Reg.§ 1.409A-1(h).  Each payment made under this Agreement will be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.  Amounts payable under this Agreement will be deemed not to be a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4) (“short-term deferrals”) and (b)(9) (“separation pay plans,” including the exception under subparagraph (iii)) and other applicable provisions of Treas. Reg. §§ 1.409A-1 through A-6.  With respect to any amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefits under this Agreement, to the extent such payment or benefit would be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A or is required to be included in Executive's gross income for federal income tax purposes, such expenses (including expenses associated with in-kind benefits) will be reimbursed no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which Executive incurs the related expenses.  In no event will the reimbursements or in-kind benefits to be provided by the Company in one taxable year affect the amount of reimbursements or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year, nor will Executive's right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no particular tax result for Executive with respect to any income recognized by Executive in connection with this Agreement is guaranteed, and Executive will be responsible for any and all income taxes due with respect to the arrangements contemplated by this Agreement.
21.ADDITIONAL COMPANY COVENANTS.  For purposes of this Section 22:  (a) “Excise Tax” means the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such excise tax and (b) “Payment” means any 
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payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.  The parties hereto agree to work in good faith in order to mitigate the potential impact of the Excise Tax on Executive.  In the event that the Company determines (after consulting with an independent accounting or compensation consulting company) that any Payment would subject Executive to the Excise Tax, then the Payments will be reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion thereof is subject to the Excise Tax.
22.NOTICES.  All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed given when delivered (a) personally, (b) by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid with return receipt requested or (c) by PDF email scan with evidence of completed transmission. 
23.COUNTERPARTS AND FACSIMILE/PDF SIGNATURES.  This Agreement may be signed in counterparts with the same effect as if the signatures to each counterpart were upon a single instrument, and all such counterparts together will be deemed an original of this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, a facsimile or PDF copy of a party's signature will be sufficient to bind such party.
24.WAIVER OF BREACH.  It is agreed that a waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement will not operate, or be construed, as a waiver of any subsequent breach by that same party.
25.ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (including any employment agreement previously entered into by the Company (or any of their respective predecessors) and Executive).  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, heirs, distributors, successors and assigns; provided, however, that Executive will not be entitled to assign or delegate any of his rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company.  It is intended that Sections 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are to the benefit of each of Parent, TRMG, the Company and each other member of the Company Group, each of which is entitled to enforce the provisions of Sections 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 and is deemed to be an intended third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.
26.SURVIVAL.  The obligations of the parties under this Agreement that by their nature may require either partial or total performance after the expiration or termination of the Term or this Agreement (including those under Sections 10, 11, 12. 13 and 14) shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
27.FURTHER ASSURANCES.  The parties agree to execute and deliver all such further documents, agreements and instruments and take such other and further action as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
~ 13 ~

28.CONSTRUCTION OF AGREEMENT.  No provision of this Agreement or any related document will be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other governmental or judicial authority by reason of such party having or being deemed to have structured or drafted such provision.  Unless otherwise indicated, any reference to a “Section” means a Section of this Agreement.  The word “including” (in its various forms) means including without limitation.  All references in this Agreement to “days” refer to “calendar days” unless otherwise specified.
29.HEADINGS.  The Section headings appearing in this Agreement are for the purposes of easy reference and are not considered a part of this Agreement nor do any Section heading(s) in any way modify, amend and/or affect any of the provisions of this Agreement.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set forth below, to be effective as of the date last executed below (the “Effective Date”).

															
	By:	/s/ Robert M. Lavan		Date:	3/11/2022
		[Name] Robert Lavan			
		[Title]			
					
		/s/ Lee D. Fenton		Date:	3/11/2022
		[Executive]			

~ 14 ~ABERDEEN STANDARD PLATINUM ETF TRUST 8-K

EXHIBIT 4.1

 

Execution Version

 

SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE

 

DEPOSITARY TRUST AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

ABERDEEN STANDARD PLATINUM ETF TRUST

 

This Second Amendment to the
Depositary Trust Agreement of the Aberdeen Standard Platinum ETF Trust (formerly, ETFS Platinum Trust), a New York common law trust (the
“Trust”), dated as of March 8, 2022 (this “Amendment”), is made by and between abrdn ETFs Sponsor
LLC (formerly, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC and ETF Securities USA LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, as sponsor
of the Trust (the “Sponsor”), and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as the trustee of the
Trust (the “Trustee”).

 

WITNESSETH THAT:

 

WHEREAS, the Sponsor and the
Trustee entered into the Depositary Trust Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2009, which created the Trust and which was amended effective
as of October 1, 2018 (the “Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section
6.1 of the Agreement, the Sponsor and the Trustee desire to amend the Agreement, effective as of March 31, 2022, so as to change the names
of the Trust and the shares issuable by the Trust as follows:

 

	Current Name	New Name
	Aberdeen Standard Platinum ETF Trust	abrdn Platinum ETF Trust
	Aberdeen Standard Physical Platinum Shares ETF	abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF

 

; and to reflect the change
in the name of the Sponsor from “Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC” to “abrdn ETFs Sponsor LLC”.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration
of the premises and the agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

		1.	(a)          Amendment to the Preamble. The first and second recitals of the Agreement are hereby deleted
in their entirety and replaced with the following:

 

WHEREAS the Sponsor desires to establish
a trust to be known as the “abrdn Platinum ETF Trust”, pursuant to the laws of the State of New York; and

 

WHEREAS the Sponsor desires to establish
the terms on which Platinum (as herein defined) may be deposited in the trust and provide for the creation of abrdn Physical Platinum
Shares ETF in Baskets (as herein defined) representing fractional undivided interests in the net assets of the trust and the execution
and delivery of the Certificates (as herein defined) evidencing the abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF; and

 

    -1- 

     

    

 

(b)          Amendment
to Section 1.1 of the Agreement. The defined terms for “Corporate Trust Office,” “Shares,” “Sponsor”
and “Trust” in Section 1.1 of the Agreement are hereby deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means
the office of the Trustee at which its depositary receipt business is administered which is located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York,
New York 10286.

 

“Shares” means abrdn Physical
Platinum Shares ETF created under this Agreement, each representing a fractional undivided ownership interest in the net assets of the
Trust, which interest shall equal a fraction, the numerator of which is 1 and the denominator of which is the total number of Shares outstanding.

 

“Sponsor” means abrdn ETFs
Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or its successor.

 

“Trust” means the abrdn Platinum
ETF Trust, the trust entity created by this Agreement.

 

(c)          Amendment
to Section 2.1(a) of the Agreement. The last sentence of Section 2.1(a) of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced
with the following:

 

The trust created by this Agreement shall
be known as the “abrdn Platinum ETF Trust.”

 

(d)          Amendment
to Section 7.5 of the Agreement. Section 7.5 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

Section 7.5 Notices.

 

(a) All notices given under this Agreement
must be in writing.

 

(b) Any and all notices
to be given to the Trustee or the Sponsor shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when it is actually delivered by a messenger or
recognized courier service, (ii) five days after it is mailed by registered or certified mail, postage paid or (iii) when receipt of an
email transmission is acknowledged via a return receipt or receipt confirmation as requested by the original transmission, in each case
to or at the address set forth below:

 

To the Trustee:

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

240 Greenwich Street

8th Floor

New York, New York 10286

Attention: ETF Services

Telephone: (212) 815-2698

Email: etfcsm@bnymellon.com

 

    -2- 

     

    

 

or any other place to which the Trustee
may have transferred its Corporate Trust Office with notice to the Sponsor.

 

To the Sponsor:

 

arbdn ETFs Sponsor LLC 

c/o abrdn  Inc.

1900 Market Street, Suite 200

Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Attention: Product Governance

Email: ProductGovernanceUS@abrdn.com

 

With a copy to:

 

abrdn ETFs Sponsor LLC 

c/o abrdn  Inc.

712 Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor 

New York, NY 10019 

Attention: Adam Rezak 

Email: adam.rezak@abrdn.com

 

or any other place to which the Sponsor
may have transferred its principal office with notice to the Trustee.

 

(c) Any and all notices
to be given to a Registered Owner shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when actually delivered by messenger or a recognized courier
service, (ii) when mailed, postage prepaid or (iii) when sent by facsimile or e-mail transmission confirmed by letter, in each case at
or to the address of such Registered Owner as it appears on the transfer books of the Trustee, or, if such Registered Owner shall have
filed with the Trustee a written request that any notice or communication intended for such Registered Owner be delivered to some other
address, at the address designated in such request, provided that, if the Registered Owner is DTC, notices may be given to the Registered
Owner in any manner consistent with the rules of DTC as they may exist from time to time. Notices to Beneficial Owners shall be delivered
to Authorized Participants and DTC Participants designated by DTC or any successor Depository.

 

(e)          Amendment
to Section 7.6 of the Agreement. The reference to “Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, located at 575 Madison Avenue, New York, New
York 10022” in Section 7.6 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

Dechert LLP, located at Three Bryant Park,
1095 6th Ave, New York, New York 10036

 

    -3- 

     

    

 

(f)        Amendments
to Exhibit A of the Agreement.

 

(i)           The
last two sentences of the first paragraph which follows the caption for the form of Certificates evidencing Shares set forth in Exhibit
A of the Agreement are hereby deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:

 

The Trustee’s Corporate Trust
Office and the Trustee’s principal executive office are each located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.

 

(ii)          The
last sentence set forth in Exhibit A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

THE TRUSTEE’S
CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE ADDRESS IS 

240 GREENWICH STREET,
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10286.

 

		(g)	Amendment to Textual References in the Agreement.

(i)        All other
references to “Aberdeen Standard Platinum ETF Trust” in the Agreement are hereby deleted and replaced with “abrdn Platinum
ETF Trust.”

 

(ii)        All
other references to “Aberdeen Standard Physical Platinum Shares ETF” in the Agreement are hereby deleted and replaced with
“abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF.”

 

(iii)        All
other references to “Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC” in the Agreement are hereby deleted and replaced with
“abrdn ETFs Sponsor LLC.”

 

2.       In
accordance with Section 6.1 of the Agreement, the Sponsor hereby certifies to the Trustee that the amendments contemplated by this Amendment
do not impose or increase any fees or charges relating to the Trust and do not otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of the
Registered Owners.

 

3.       The
amendments contemplated by this Amendment shall, upon execution of this Amendment by the Sponsor and the Trustee, be effective as of March
31, 2022, and no further action shall be required to make such amendments effective.

 

4.       Except
as expressly amended by this Amendment, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

5.       This
Amendment shall be interpreted under, and all rights and duties under this Amendment shall be governed by, the internal substantive laws
(but not the choice of law rules) of the State of New York.

 

6.       Except
as otherwise specified in this Amendment, or as the context may otherwise require, capitalized terms shall have the meaning ascribed to
them in the Agreement.

 

7.       This
Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together
shall constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile and electronic counterpart signatures shall be acceptable and binding.

 

[remainder of page intentionally blank]

 

    -4- 

     

    

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned
have executed this Amendment as of the date first set forth above. 

 

abrdn ETFs Sponsor LLC

(formerly, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC),

as Sponsor 

 

/s/ Lucia Sitar

 

Name: Lucia Sitar

Title: Vice President

 

The Bank of New York Mellon,

as Trustee 

 

/s/ Jeffrey McCarthy

 

Name: Jeffrey McCarthy

Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Second Amendment to Depositary
Trust Agreement]

 

    -5-

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