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Exhibit 10.21

CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT HAVE BEEN OMITTED AND REPLACED WITH “[***]”. SUCH IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS (I) NOT MATERIAL AND (II) THE REGISTRANT CUSTOMARILY AND ACTUALLY TREATS THAT INFORMATION AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL.

THIRD AMENDMENT TO PROCESSING AGREEMENT

This THIRD AMENDMENT TO PROCESSING AGREEMENT (3rd Amendment”) is entered into effective this 1st day of January, 2017 (“Effective Date”) by and between Vertex Energy, Inc., a Texas Corporation having an office at 200 Atlantic Pipeline Road (“CUSTOMER”) and KMTEX LLC, Texas Limited Liability Corporation, having an office at 363 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 1040, Houston, Texas 77060 (“KMTEX”).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, effective July l, 2012, CUSTOMER and KMTEX entered into an agreement for the processing of certain petroleum distillates (“Processing Agreement”);

WHEREAS, effective November 1, 2013, CUSTOMER and KMTEX amended the Agreement for the processing of certain petroleum distillates (“First Amendment to the Processing Agreement”);

WHEREAS, effective January 1, 2015, CUSTOMER and KMTEX amended the Agreement for the processing of certain petroleum distillates (“Second Amendment to the Processing Agreement”);

WHEREAS, CUSTOMER and KMTEX wish to restate and revise the term and fee schedule of the Processing Agreement;

NOW THEREFORE, these premises considered, the parties agree to amend the Processing Agreement as follows:

l.    Section 2.1 of the Agreement under Article 2 entitled Term and Termination will be deleted in its entirety and the following substituted in its place:

						
		
	Section 2.1	This agreement commences on the Effective Date and its Initial Term shall expire on December 31, 2018, subject to the other provisions in this Agreement, or as otherwise agreed to by the Parties.

2.Attachment D entitled Fees & Quantities will be deleted in its entirety and the following substituted in its place:

Attachment-D - Fees & Quantities

•    PYGAS FEED
o    Processing fee:
															
	

				
	 	1/1/17 thru
6/30/17
	7/1/17 thru
12/31/17
	1/1/18 thru
12/31/18

	

Processing Fee $/lb of
Feed Processed
	

$[***]
	

$[***]
	

$[***]

		
	•	Includes a dedicated [***] barrel tank for overheads. This tank will be provided at no charge as long as a minimum cumulative throughput of [***] barrels of material is processed quarterly. In the event the throughput falls below target, KMTEX reserves the right to charge tank rental or designate the tanks for other service.

						
		
	•	The Pygas TOPS portion of the finished product must ship out within 10 calendar days after processing is complete and the material balance has been reported. After such time KMTEX shall charge $[***] per day penalty for each day the material remains in KMTEX storage.

•VSR FEED
						
		
	o	Processing Fee: $[***] per pound of VSR Feed processed. In the event that the processing rates of a feed material are significantly reduced due to a change in composition that directly effects processing, KMTEX reserves the right to renegotiate the processing fee of that particular feed material.

						
		
	•	Includes a [***] barrel tank for overheads which must ship out within 10 calendar days after processing is complete and the material balance has been reported. After such time KMTEX shall charge $[***] per day penalty for each day the material remains in KMTEX storage.

•TANK RENTAL
o    Tank rental rates to support VSR Feed processing as follows:
•    $[***]/month for the following tanks:
o    Pygas Feed: [***] barrel tank
o    VSR Feed: [***] or [***] barrel tank
						
	

	
	o	VSR & Pygas Bottoms: [***] barrel tank for combined use to support Pygas and VSR Feed processing

						
		
	o	Additional [***] gallons of storage to supplement Pygas and VSR Feed processing

•    Additional Tank rental rates as follows
o    $[***]/month ($[***]/day) for an [***] barrel tank
o    $[***]/month ($[***]/day) for a [***] barrel tank
◦$[***]/month ($[***]/day) for a [***] barrel tank
◦$[***]/month ($[***]/day) for a [***] gallon tank
◦$[***]/month ($[***]day) for a [***] gallon tank
•GENERAL TERMS:

						
		
	o	KMTEX will terminal, accumulate and blend materials and charge for tank rental and handling.

•     In and out charges for additional terminalled product as follows:
•$[***] per tank truck of incoming unprocessed material
•$[***] per railcar unloaded of unprocessed material

						
	

	
	◦	PROCESSING BY-PRODUCTS: CUSTOMER will be responsible for the expense associated with disposal of any high flash non-hazardous water generated from processing at a cost of $[***]/gallon, and any low flash hazardous water generated from processing at a cost of $[***]/gallon; provided, however, such disposal cost shall be limited to disposal of water that is attributable to the water content of the Feed.

						
		
	◦	Regarding Additives

						
		
	•	All additives being delivered to KMTEX will have to be scheduled with the KMTEX logistics department and an unloading time assigned.

						
		
	•	All additives will have to be labeled with CUSTOMER name on the side of the drum / tote.

						
		
	•	There will be a charge of [***] per gallon for each additive administered with a minimum charge of $[***] for each additive.

						
		
	•	It will be the responsibility of the CUSTOMER for the disposal of their empty drums. In the event that KMTEX has to dispose of any drums, there will be a charge of $[***] per drum.

						
		
	•	Anytime CUSTOMER requests a nitrogen roll on a take there will be a charge of $[***] per hour.

						
		
	•	It will be the responsibility of the CUSTOMER for the disposal of their empty drums. In the event that KMTEX has to dispose of any drums, there will be a charge of $[***] per drum.

						
		
	◦	Shipping Charges for samples and other customer requested shipments will be billed at cost plus [***]%

						
		
	◦	Overtime Charges. Overtime rate is $[***] per hour with a four (4) hour minimum for overtime services.

						
		
	◦	Charges for Late Scheduling. All truck loads must be scheduled at least a day in advance and such scheduling must be done between the hours of 9 AM - 3 PM. Anything scheduled after these hours for next day pick up or scheduled on the day of the pickup will result in a $[***] charge per load. No trucks will automatically be “rolled over” to the next day. They must be scheduled.

3.Miscellaneous

All other provisions of the Processing Agreement not specifically amended herein shall remain the same and shall be in full force and effect.

This 3rd Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be signed by their duly authorized representative effective on January 1, 2016.

Page 4 of 4 Page 4 of 4 CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED BY
Vertex Energy, Inc.Document

Exhibit 4.4

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

The following summary sets forth certain material terms and provisions of our securities that are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). This description also summarizes relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The following description is a summary and does not purport to be a complete description of the rights and preferences of our securities. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the applicable provisions of the DGCL and our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation (our “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), and our restated bylaws (our “Bylaws”), each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.3 is a part. We encourage you to read our Amended and Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws, and the applicable provisions of the DGCL for additional information.

Authorized and Outstanding Stock
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 400,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share. The outstanding shares of our common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. As of December 31, 2021, there were 242,647,604 shares of our Class A common stock outstanding, no shares of preferred stock outstanding and 21,994,972 warrants outstanding. 
Common Stock
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that each share of our common stock has the same relative rights and is identical in all respects to each other share of our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue in the future.
Voting Power
Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, or under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of common stock possess all voting power for the election of our directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action and are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders. The holders of common stock shall at all times vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of common stock under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Dividends
Subject to the rights, if any of the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors (the “Board”) in its discretion out of funds legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up
In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of common stock will be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of common stock held by them, after the rights of the holders of the preferred stock have been satisfied.
Preemptive or Other Rights
Under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to our common stock.
Election of Directors
Under the terms of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the term of the Class I Directors in place at such time will expire at our first annual meeting of the stockholders of the following the effectiveness of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; the term of the Class II Directors in place at such time will expire at our second annual meeting of the stockholders following the effectiveness of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; and the term of the Class III Directors in place at such time will expire at our third annual meeting of the stockholders following the effectiveness of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Preferred Stock
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our Board is authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our Board is able, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our Board to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.
Warrants
Public Warrants
Each whole public warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per whole share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of 12 months from the closing of CMLS’s initial public offering (“IPO”) or 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its public warrants only for a whole number of shares of common stock. This means that only a whole public warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrant holder. No fractional public warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole public warrants will trade. The public warrants will expire five years after the completion of CMLS’ initial business combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We are not obligated to deliver any shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of a public warrant and will have no obligation to settle such public warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) with respect to the shares of common stock underlying the public warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No public warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their public warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, or an exemption is available. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a public warrant, the holder of such public warrant will not be entitled to exercise such public warrant and such public warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised public warrants, the purchaser of a unit containing such public warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the share of common stock underlying such unit.
Redemption of Warrants When the Price per Share of Class A Common Stock Equals or Exceeds $18.00 - Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding public warrants:
•     in whole and not in part;
•     at a price of $0.01 per public warrant;
•     upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and
•     if, and only if, the closing price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three trading days before sending the notice of redemption to warrant holders (the “Reference Value”)
If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
Redemption of Warrants When the Price per Share of Class A Common Stock Equals or Exceeds $10.00 - Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants:
•     in whole and not in part;
•     at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares based on the redemption date and the fair market value of the Class A common stock;

•     if, and only if, the closing price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted) for any 20 trading days within the 30-trading day period ending three trading days before we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders; and
•     if the closing price of the Class A common stock for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three trading days before we sends notice of redemption to the warrant holders is less than $18.00 per share (as adjusted), the Private Placement Warrants must also be concurrently called for redemption on the same terms as the outstanding Public Warrants, as described above.
We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the public warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its public warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the common stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price as well as the $11.50 warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
Redemption procedures and cashless exercise. 
If we call the public warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his, her or its public warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their public warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of public warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of our public warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of public warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering their public warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the public warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the public warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (ii) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of public warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of shares of common stock to be received upon exercise of the public warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the public warrants after our initial business combination. If we call our public warrants for redemption and our management does not take advantage of this option, the Sponsor and its permitted transferees would still be entitled to exercise their private placement warrants for cash or on a cashless basis using the same formula described above that other warrant holders would have been required to use had all warrant holders been required to exercise their public warrants on a cashless basis, as described in more detail below. 
A holder of a public warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such public warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
Anti-dilution Adjustments. If the number of outstanding shares of common stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of common stock, or by a split-up of shares of common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of each public warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of common stock. A rights offering to holders of common stock entitling holders to purchase shares of common stock at a price less than the fair market value will be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of common stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for common stock) multiplied by (ii) one minus the quotient of (a) the price per share of common stock paid in such rights offering divided by (b) the fair market value. For these purposes (1) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, in determining the price payable for common stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (2) fair market value means the volume weighted average price of common stock as reported during the 10 trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the public warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of common stock on account of such shares of 

common stock (or other shares of our capital stock into which the public warrants are convertible), other than (i) as described above; (ii) certain ordinary cash dividends; (iii) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of common stock in connection with a proposed initial business combination; (iv) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of common stock in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our current certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within 24 months from the closing of CMLS’s IPO, or (v) in connection with the redemption of our public shares upon our failure to complete our initial business combination, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of common stock in respect of such event.
If the number of outstanding shares of our common stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of each public warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of common stock.
Whenever the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the public warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the public warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of common stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of common stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such shares of common stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding shares of common stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the public warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the public warrants and in lieu of the shares of our common stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the public warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their public warrants immediately prior to such event. Additionally, if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of common stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of common stock in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the public warrant properly exercises the public warrant within 30 days following public disclosure of such transaction, the warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the warrant agreement based on the per share consideration minus Black-Scholes Warrant Value (as defined in the warrant agreement) of the public warrant.
The public warrants have been issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. You should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement pertaining to CMLS’s IPO, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the public warrants. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the public warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of public warrants.
The public warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of public warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their public warrants and receive shares of common stock. After the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the public warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of shares of common stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the public warrants. If, upon exercise of the public warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of common stock to be issued to the warrant holder. As a result, warrant holders not purchasing public warrants in multiples of three warrants will not obtain value from the fractional interest that will not be issued.

Private Placement Warrants
The private placement warrants are identical to the public warrants underlying the units sold in CMLS’s IPO, except that (1) the private placement warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the private placement warrants will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions, (2) the private placement warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis, (3) the private placement warrants will be non-redeemable (except as described above in “Redemption of Warrants When the Price per Share of Class A common stock Equals or Exceeds $10.00”) so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, and (4) the holders of the private placement warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the private placement warrants will have certain registration rights. If the private placement warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the public warrants.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of any cash dividends will be within the discretion of our Board at such time. In addition, our Board is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for our common stock and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. We have agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent, its agents and each of its stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the indemnified person or entity.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Provisions of the DGCL and our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with the board of directors. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging certain takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms and enhance the ability of our Board to maximize stockholder value. However, these provisions may delay, deter or prevent a merger or acquisition of us that a stockholder might consider is in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price of the common stock.
In addition, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provide for certain other provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect:
•     There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors.
•     Our Board is empowered to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the Board or the resignation, death, or removal of a director in certain circumstances.
•     Directors may only be removed from the Board for cause.
•     Our Board will be classified into three classes of directors. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our Board by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual meetings. 
•     A prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders.
•     A prohibition on stockholders calling a special meeting and the requirement that a meeting of stockholders may only be called by members of our Board, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors.

•    Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. Our Board is entitled, without further stockholder approval, to designate one or more series of preferred stock and the associated voting rights, preferences and privileges of such series of preferred stock. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Forum Selection Clause
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes a forum selection clause. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that, subject to limited exceptions, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and federal court within the State of Delaware will be exclusive forums for any 
•    derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;
•    action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by, any of our directors, officers, stockholders, employees or agents to us or our stockholders;
•    action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, stockholders, employees or agents arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; 
•    action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws; or
•    other action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, stockholders, employees or agents that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
This choice of forum provision does not apply to actions brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, in accordance with our Bylaws, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States will be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. We intend for this provision to apply to any complaints asserting a cause of action under the Securities Act despite the fact that Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for the federal and state courts over all actions brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Please see “Risk Factors - The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and federal court within the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that our stockholders may initiate, which could limit a stockholder’s ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.3 is a part for additional information.
Listing of Securities
Our common stock and warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “SMFR” and “SMFRW,” respectively.

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