Document:

EX-10.01

 Exhibit 10.01 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into between Audentes Therapeutics, Inc. (the
“Company”) and                      (the “Executive”). This Agreement is effective as of
                 , 20     (the “Effective Date”). [This Agreement supersedes and
replaces in its entirety the                      dated
                 ,          between Executive and the Company.]1 
 In consideration of the promises and the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the parties agree as follows: 
 1. Position, Duties and Place. As of the Effective Date, Executive will
serve as                      of the Company and will report to the
                    2. Executive shall perform the duties commonly associated with the
position of                      and that may be assigned to the Executive by the
                    3 from time to time. Executive will work primarily from the
Company’s offices in                     . [Executive may be removed from the Board in accordance with applicable law and the
Company’s Bylaws.]4 Upon a termination of employment, and to the extent requested in writing by the Company, Executive agrees to resign from all positions Executive may hold with the Company
at such time. 
 2. Exclusive Service. During the Executive’s employment term (the “Employment
Term”), Executive (i) will be expected to devote his or her full working time and attention to the business of the Company, (ii) will not render services to any other business without the prior approval of the Company and
(iii) will not directly or indirectly, engage or participate in any business that is competitive in any manner with the business of the Company. Executive will also be expected to comply with and be bound by the Company’s operating
policies, procedures and practices that are from time to time in effect during the Employment Term. 
 3. At-Will Employment. Executive and the Company understand and acknowledge that Executive’s employment with the Company constitutes “at-will” employment,
and the employment relationship may be terminated at any time, with or without Cause (as defined below) and with or without notice. The Company may modify the Executive’s position, duties, goals, reporting relationship, work location, and
compensation based on the Executive’s performance and Company needs. 
 4. Compensation and Benefits. 

4.1. Base Salary. During the Employment Term, Executive’s annual base salary will be
$                    , payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, less any payroll deductions and withholdings as
are required by law. The Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Company’s Board of 

 

	1 	Insert the bracketed language for existing executives and include reference to relevant employment agreement or offer letter. 

	2 	Insert for the CEO “the Company’s Board of Directors” and for the SVPs and VPs “the Chief Executive Officer”. 

	3 	Insert for the CEO “the Company’s Board of Directors” and for the SVPs and VPs “the Chief Executive Officer”. 

	4 	 Insert the bracketed language for the CEO and other members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 
Directors (the “Board”) shall periodically review (at least annually) Executive’s compensation and benefits, provided that any changes thereto shall be determined by
the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. Executive’s base salary in effect from time to time is referred to herein as the “Base Salary”. 

4.2. Target Bonus. During the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus, with a target amount
equal to a percentage of Executive’s Base Salary for each full calendar year as determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion (the “Target Bonus” and the
actual amount awarded, the “Actual Bonus”), based upon achievement of corporate performance (including financial) and/or personal performance objectives to be established by the Compensation Committee from time to time and
subject to the terms of the applicable bonus plan(s). To receive payment of any Actual Bonus, Executive must be employed by the Company on the last day of such fiscal year to which such bonus relates and at the time the bonus is paid.
Executive’s Actual Bonus will be paid by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the Company’s taxable year in
which it is earned. Executive will be eligible to receive the Actual Bonus in such amount and upon such terms as shall be determined by the Compensation Committee at its sole discretion. [The annual bonus for the current year may be subject to
proration taking into account the Effective Date at the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee.]5 

4.3. Employee Benefits. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans and arrangements,
including, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance benefits and arrangements, as are made available by the Company to its senior executives, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, on terms not less
favorable than are made available to the Company’s senior executives. The Company reserves the right to modify benefits, contribution, and reimbursement levels from time to time, as it deems necessary. 

4.4. Vacation. Executive will be entitled to paid vacation and holidays pursuant to the terms of the Company’s
vacation policy as may exist from time to time. 
 4.1. Equity Awards. [Subject to the approval by the
Compensation Committee, the Company will grant the Executive a stock option for                      shares of the Company’s common stock
under the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), on such terms as determined at the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee. Vesting will depend on the Executive’s continued employment
with the Company and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the written agreement governing the equity award.]6 Executive shall be eligible for future equity grants as
determined by and pursuant to the terms established by the Compensation Committee. 
 5. Expenses. The Company will, in
accordance with applicable Company policies and guidelines, reimburse Executive for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Executive in connection with the performance of services on behalf of the Company, subject to Executive’s
presentation of appropriate vouchers or receipts in accordance with such policies and approval procedures as the Company may from time to time establish for employees. 

 

	5 	Insert the bracketed language for new executives. 

	6 	Insert the bracketed language for new executives. 

 6. Inventions and Proprietary Information. Executive hereby acknowledges and
agrees that he or she has executed the Executive Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, and that such agreement remains in full force and effect. 

7. Employment and Termination. Executive’s employment with the Company will be
at-will and may be terminated by Executive or by the Company at any time for any reason as follows: (a) Executive may terminate Executive’s employment upon written notice to the Company for
“Good Reason,” as defined below (a “Constructive Termination”); (b) Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment upon written notice to the Company at any time in Executive’s discretion
without Good Reason (“Voluntary Termination”); (c) the Company may terminate Executive’s employment upon written notice to Executive at any time following a determination that there is “Cause,” as
defined below, for such termination (“Termination for Cause”); and (d) the Company may terminate Executive’s employment upon written notice to Executive at any time without Cause for such termination
(“Termination without Cause”). 
 8. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms have the following meanings: 
 8.1. Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Cause” means (i) Executive’s failure to satisfactorily perform Executive’s duties after there has been delivered to Executive a written demand for performance which describes the specific deficiencies in
Executive’s performance and the specific manner in which Executive’s performance must be improved, and which provides thirty (30) business days from the date of notice to remedy such performance deficiencies;
(ii) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude which the Board believes has had or will have a detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business,
(iii) Executive engaging in an act of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his or her employment obligations and duties, (iv) Executive’s committing an act of fraud against, material misconduct or willful
misappropriation of property belonging to the Company; (v) Executive engaging in any other misconduct that has had or will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation or business; or (vi) Executive’s breach of any
material written Company policy that has been communicated to Executive in advance of Executive’s breach, the Executive Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement or other unauthorized misuse of the Company’s trade secrets or
proprietary information. 
 8.2. Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement “Change in
Control” means (i) a sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (excluding any venture-backed or similar investments in the Company) in which any person or entity, other than persons or entities who as of immediately prior to such
sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer own securities in the Company, either directly or indirectly, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty (50%) percent of the total voting
power of all its then outstanding voting securities; (ii) a merger or consolidation of the Company in which its voting securities immediately prior to the merger or consolidation do not represent, or are not converted into securities that
represent, a majority of the voting power of all voting securities of the surviving entity immediately after the merger or consolidation; or (iii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company or a liquidation or dissolution of the
Company. 

 8.3. COBRA. For purposes of this Agreement, “COBRA”
shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended. 
 8.4. Disability.
For purposes of this Agreement “Disability” shall have that meaning set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). 

8.5. Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means any of the
following taken without Executive’s written consent and provided (a) the Company receives, within thirty (30) days following the occurrence of any of the events set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) below, written notice
from Executive specifying the specific basis for Executive’s belief that Executive is entitled to terminate employment for Good Reason, (b) the Company fails to cure the event constituting Good Reason within thirty (30) days after
receipt of such written notice thereof, and (c) Executive terminates employment within the earlier of ten days (10) days following expiration of such cure period or receipt from the Company that such deficiencies will not be cured:
(i) a material change, adverse to Executive, in Executive’s position, titles, offices or duties; (ii) an assignment of any significant duties to Executive that are inconsistent with Executive’s positions or offices held under
this Agreement; (iii) a decrease in Executive’s Base Salary by more than 10% (other than in connection with a general decrease in the base salary of all other officers); (iv) the relocation of the Executive to a facility or a location
more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s then current location. 
 9. Effect of Termination of Employment.
For purposes of this Agreement, no payment will be made to Executive upon termination of Executive’s employment unless such termination constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and
Section 1.409A-1(h) of the regulations promulgated thereunder. 
 9.1. Termination for
Cause, Death or Disability or Voluntary Termination. In the event Executive is terminated by the Company pursuant to a Termination for Cause, in the event of Executive’s death or Disability or in the event of the Executive’s
Voluntary Termination, Executive will be paid only (i) any earned but unpaid Base Salary and earned but unused vacation or paid time off, and (ii) other unpaid and then vested amounts, including any amount payable to the Executive under
the specific terms of any agreements, plans or awards in which Executive participates, unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, and (iii) reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Executive in
connection with his or her performance of services on behalf of the Company in accordance with applicable Company policies and guidelines, in each case as of the effective date of such termination of employment (the “Accrued
Compensation”). Executive will be allowed to exercise his or her vested stock options to purchase Company common stock, if any, during the time period set forth in, and in accordance with, the applicable equity plan and governing
stock option agreement(s). 
 9.2. Termination without Cause or Constructive Termination Not in Connection With a Change in
Control, Death or Disability. In the event of Executive’s Termination without Cause or Constructive Termination during the Employment Term , in each 

 
case not in connection with a Change in Control (as set forth in Section 9.3 below), provided that (except with respect to the Accrued Compensation) Executive delivers to the Company a
signed settlement agreement and general release of claims in favor of the Company in a form reasonably specified by the Company (the “Release”), and satisfies all conditions to make the Release effective within sixty
(60) days following Executive’s termination of employment, then, Executive shall be entitled to: 
 (a) The Accrued
Compensation; 
 (b) A lump sum cash payment equal to
            7 months of Executive’s then current Base Salary, payable on the first (1st) business day after the Sixtieth (60th) day following the date of Executive’s termination of employment; 

(c) A lump sum payment equal to             8 of the Target Bonus for the then-current fiscal year and paid when annual bonuses are otherwise paid to active employees, but no later than March
15th of the year following the year in which Executive’s termination of employment occurs; and 

(d) Provided Executive timely elects to continue health coverage under COBRA, for Executive and/or Executive’s eligible
dependents, the Company shall reimburse Executive for any monthly COBRA premium payments made by Executive to continue such coverage for the             9 month period (“Benefit Continuation Period”) measured from the first (1st) month following the month in which
Executive’s termination of employment occurs, until the earlier of: (1) the last day of the Benefit Continuation Period after the date of Executive’s termination of employment, (2) the date Executive becomes eligible for group
health insurance coverage through a new employer, or (3) the date Executive ceases to be eligible for COBRA coverage for any reason, including plan termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive is eligible for, and the Company
determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot pay, the COBRA premiums without a substantial risk of violating applicable law (including Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company instead shall pay to Executive, on the
first day of each calendar month, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable COBRA premiums for that month (including premiums for Executive’s and Executive’s eligible dependents who have elected and remain enrolled in such COBRA
coverage), subject to applicable tax withholdings (such amount, the “Special Cash Payment”), for the remainder of the period Executive remains eligible for the benefit under the foregoing sentence. Executive may, but is not
obligated to, use such Special Cash Payments toward the cost of COBRA premiums. In the event the Company opts for the Special Cash Payments, then on the first (1st) business day after the Sixtieth
(60th) day following the Executive’s termination of employment, the Company will make the first payment to Executive under this Section 9.2(d), in a lump sum, equal to the aggregate Special
Cash Payments that the Company would have paid through such date had the Special Cash Payments commenced on the first (1st) day of the first
(1st) month following the Executive’s termination of employment through such first (1st) business day after the Sixtieth (60th) day following the Executive’s termination of employment, with the balance of the Special Cash Payments paid monthly thereafter. 

 

	7 	Insert the applicable period: CEO: Twelve (12) months, SVPs: Nine (9) months and VPs: Six (6) months. 

	8 	Insert the applicable percentage: CEO: one hundred percent (100%), SVPs: seventy-five percent (75%) and VPs: fifty percent (50%). 

	9 	Insert the applicable period: CEO: Twelve (12) months, SVPs: Twelve (12) months and VPs: Six (6) months. 

 9.3. Termination without Cause or Constructive Termination In Connection With a
Change in Control. In the event of Executive’s Termination without Cause or Constructive Termination during the Employment Term, in each case during the period of time commencing ninety (90) days prior to the execution of a
definitive agreement providing for the consummation of a Change in Control and ending on the first anniversary of the consummation of such Change in Control, provided that (except with respect to the Accrued Compensation) Executive delivers to the
Company the signed Release, and satisfies all conditions to make the Release effective, within sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination of employment, then (in lieu of any benefits pursuant to Section 9.2), the Executive
shall be entitled to: 
 (a) The Accrued Compensation; 

(b) A lump sum cash payment equal to             10 months of Executive’s the current Base Salary, payable the first (1st) business day after the Sixtieth (60th) day following the date of Executive’s termination of employment; 
 (c) A
lump sum payment equal to             11 the Target Bonus for the then-current fiscal year and paid when annual bonuses are
otherwise paid to active employees, but no later than March 15th of the year following the year in which Executive’s termination of employment occurs; 

(d) The payments set forth above in Section 9.2(d) with a Benefit Continuation Period of
            12 months; and 

(e) Acceleration as to one hundred percent (100%) the then-unvested portion of any then-outstanding Company equity award granted to
Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any equity award subject to performance-based vesting will vest at the target level unless otherwise provided in such grant. 

9.4. Miscellaneous. For the avoidance of doubt, the benefits payable pursuant to Section 9.2 or Section 9.3 are
not cumulative. 
 9.5. Parachute Payments. In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this
Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code, then, Executive’s severance and other benefits under this Agreement shall be either (i) delivered in full, or (ii) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such severance and other benefits being

  

	10 	Insert the applicable period: CEO: Eighteen (18) months, SVPs: Twelve (12) months and VPs: Nine (9) months. 

	11 	Insert the applicable percentage: CEO: one hundred and fifty percent (150%), SVPs: one hundred percent (100%) and VPs: seventy-five percent (75%). 

	12 	 Insert the applicable period: CEO: Eighteen (18) months, SVPs: Twelve (12) months and VPs: Nine
(9) months. 

 
subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits under this Agreement, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be
taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section shall be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants (the
“Accountants”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section, the Accountants may make reasonable
assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Accountants such
information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this
Section. 
 10. Company Policies. Executive shall sign and abide by the Company’s insider trading policy,
code of conduct, and any other policies and programs adopted by the Company regulating the behavior of its employees, as such policies and programs may be amended from time to time. 

11. Arbitration. Executive and the Company agree to submit to mandatory binding arbitration, in San Francisco County,
California, any and all claims arising out of or related to this agreement and Executive’s employment with the Company and the termination thereof, except that each party may, at its or his or her option, seek injunctive relief in court related
to the improper use, disclosure or misappropriation of a party’s proprietary, confidential or trade secret information. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO SUCH CLAIMS. This agreement to arbitrate
does not restrict Executive’s right to file administrative claims. Executive may bring before any government agency where, as a matter of law, the parties may not restrict the Executive’s ability to file such claims (including, but not
limited to, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor). However, Executive and the Company agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, arbitration shall be the exclusive
remedy for the subject matter of such administrative claims. The arbitration shall be conducted through JAMS before a single neutral arbitrator, in accordance with the JAMS employment arbitration rules then in effect. The arbitrator shall issue a
written decision that contains the essential findings and conclusions on which the decision is based. 
 12.
Indemnification. Executive will be named as an insured on the director and officer liability insurance policy currently maintained, or as may be maintained by the Company from time to time, and, in addition, Executive will enter into
the form of indemnification agreement provided to other similarly situated executive officers and directors of the Company. 
 13.
Section 409A. 
 (a) To the extent (a) any payments or benefits to which Executive becomes entitled under this
Agreement, or under any agreement or plan referenced herein, in 

 
connection with Executive’s termination of employment with the Company constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and (b) Executive is deemed at the time of
such termination of employment to be a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code, then such payments shall not be made or commence until the earliest of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date
of Executive’s “separation from service” (as such term is at the time defined in Treasury Regulations under Section 409A of the Code) from the Company; or (ii) the date of Executive’s death following such separation from
service; provided, however, that such deferral shall only be effected to the extent required to avoid adverse tax treatment to Executive, including (without limitation) the additional twenty percent (20%) tax for which Executive would otherwise be
liable under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code in the absence of such deferral. Upon the expiration of the applicable deferral period, any payments which would have otherwise been made during that period (whether in a single sum or in installments)
in the absence of this paragraph shall be paid to Executive or Executive’s beneficiary in one lump sum (without interest). 

(b) It is intended that each installment of the payments provided hereunder constitute separate “payments” for purposes of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(i). 
 (c) It is further intended that payments
hereunder satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Code (and any state law of similar effect) provided under Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(b)(4) (as a “short-term deferral”) and/or Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) (iii) (as “involuntary separation pay”). 

(d) To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision
will be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder comply with Section 409A of the Code. 
 (e) Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, to the extent any expense reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit under this Agreement is determined to be subject to Section 409A of the Code, the amount of any such
expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year (except for any lifetime or
other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses), in no event shall any expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive incurred such expenses, and in no event shall any
right to reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. 

14. Miscellaneous. 

14.1. Absence of Conflicts. Executive represents that Executive’s performance of the duties under this
Agreement will not breach any other agreement as to which Executive is a party. 

 14.2. Successors. This Agreement is binding on and may be enforced by the
Company and its successors and assigns and is binding on and may be enforced by Executive and Executive’s heirs and legal representatives. 

14.3. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be found by any arbitrator or court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, then the parties hereby waive such provision to the extent of its invalidity or unenforceability, and agree that all other provisions in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. 

14.4. No Waiver. The failure by either party at any time to require performance or compliance by the other of any of its
obligations or agreements shall in no way affect the right to require such performance or compliance at any time thereafter. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision hereof shall not be taken or held to be a waiver of any preceding or
succeeding breach of such provision or as a waiver of the provision itself. No waiver of any kind shall be effective or binding, unless it is in writing and is signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced. 

14.5. Assignment. This Agreement and all rights hereunder are personal to Executive and may not be transferred or
assigned by Executive at any time. The Company may assign its rights, together with its obligations hereunder, to any parent, subsidiary, affiliate or successor, or in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially
all of its business and assets, provided, however, that any such assignee assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder. 
 14.6.
Withholding. All sums payable to Executive hereunder shall be in United States Dollars and shall be reduced by all federal, state, local and other withholding and similar taxes and payments required by applicable law. 

14.7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (and the exhibit(s) hereto) constitutes the entire and only agreement and
understanding between the parties relating to Executive’s employment with Company. This Agreement supersedes and cancels any and all previous contracts, arrangements or understandings other than the exhibits hereto with respect to
Executive’s employment. 
 14.8. Amendment. The parties understand and agree that this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or waived, in whole or in part, except in a writing executed by (i) Executive and (ii) either (A) an authorized executive officer of the Company or (B) an authorized independent member of the Board, in each
case, other than Executive. 
 14.9. Notices. All notices, if any, and all other communications, if any, required or
permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and hand delivered, sent via facsimile, sent by registered first class mail, postage pre-paid, or sent by nationally recognized express courier service. Such
notices and other communications shall be effective upon receipt if hand delivered or sent via facsimile, five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail, and one (1) day after dispatch if sent by express courier, to the following addresses,
or such other addresses as any party shall notify the other parties: 

			
	If to the Company:	  	Audentes Therapeutics, Inc.
		  	600 California Street, 17th Floor
		  	San Francisco, CA 94108
	Attention:	  	                                     
                                     13
		
	If to Executive:	  	  

		  	  

		  	  

 14.10. Binding Nature. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of,
the successors and personal representatives of the respective parties hereto. 
 14.11. Counterparts. This Agreement
may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which, taken together, constitute one and the same agreement. 

14.12. Survival. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment for
any reason to the extent necessary to enable the parties to enforce their respective rights under this Agreement. 
 14.13.
Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Executive have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written. This Agreement is
contingent upon successful completion of a final reference evaluation and background check to be conducted by the Company. 
  

									
	AUDENTES THERAPEUTICS, INC.	 	                                      
              	 		 	
        

									
					
	By:	 	     
	 	                                      
              	 		 	         

	Name:	 	     
	 	                                      
              	 		 	         

	Title:	 	     
	 	                                      
              	 		 	         

 [SIGNATURE PAGE TO EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT] 
  

	13 	Insert for the CEO “the Company’s Board of Directors” and for the SVPs and VPs “the Chief Executive Officer”. 

 EXHIBIT A 

Executive Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreementmsci-ex101_410.htm

Exhibit 10.1

20[●] AWARD AGREEMENT
FOR RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
FOR DIRECTORS
UNDER THE MSCI INC. 2016 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS COMPENSATION PLAN

MSCI Inc. (“MSCI,” together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) hereby grants to you Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) as described below.  The awards are being granted under the MSCI Inc. 2016 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan (as may be amended from time to time, the “Plan”).

Participant:[NAME]

Number of RSUs Granted:[#] RSUs

	
Grant Date:
	
[●] (the “Grant Date”)

	
Vesting Schedule:
	
[●] (such date, the “Vesting Date”)

Provided you continue to provide services to the Company through the Vesting Date, the RSUs will vest and convert as provided above and as further described in Exhibit A attached hereto.  Your RSUs may be subject to forfeiture if you terminate service with the Company before the Vesting Date, as set forth in the Plan and this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (including Exhibit A and Exhibit B attached hereto, this “Award Agreement”).

You agree that this Award Agreement is granted under the Plan and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and Exhibit A and Exhibit B attached hereto.  You will be able to access a prospectus and tax supplement that contains important information about this award via the MSCI website or your brokerage account.  Unless defined in this Award Agreement, capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MSCI has duly executed and delivered this Award Agreement as of the Grant Date.

 

 

		
	
MSCI Inc.

	
 

	
Name:
	
Scott Crum

	
Title:
	
Chief Human Resources Officer

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 
OF THE 20[●] RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

Section 1.RSUs Generally.  MSCI has awarded you RSUs as an incentive for you to continue to provide services as a director of MSCI and to, among other things, align your interests with those of the Company and to reward you for your continued service as a director of MSCI in the future.  As such, you will earn your RSUs for 20[●] only if you remain in continuous service as a director of MSCI through the Vesting Date, or as otherwise set forth below.  Each RSU corresponds to one share of MSCI common stock, par value $0.01 per share (each, a “Share”).  Each RSU constitutes a contingent and unsecured promise by MSCI to deliver one Share on the conversion date for such RSU.  As the holder of RSUs, you have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of MSCI. To the extent that you are subject to taxation in the United States, Section 409A of the Code imposes rules relating to the taxation of deferred compensation, including your 20[●] RSU award.  The Company reserves the right to modify the terms of your 20[●] RSU award, including, without limitation, the payment provisions applicable to your RSUs, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with Section 409A of the Code. 

Section 2.Vesting Schedule and Conversion.

(a)Vesting Schedule.  Your RSUs will vest on the Vesting Date; provided that, subject to Section 4 and Section 5, you continue to provide future services to the Company by remaining in continuous service as a director of MSCI through the Vesting Date.

(b)Conversion.

(i)Except as otherwise provided in this Award Agreement or pursuant to any election form submitted in connection with the MSCI Inc. Non-Employee Directors Deferral Plan (as amended), each of your vested RSUs will convert to one Share within 30 days following the Vesting Date.

(ii)Shares to which you are entitled to receive upon conversion of RSUs under any provision of this Award Agreement shall not be subject to any transfer restrictions, other than those that may arise under securities laws or the Company’s policies.

Section 3.Dividend Equivalent Payments.  Until your RSUs convert to Shares, if and when MSCI pays a dividend on Shares, you will be entitled to a dividend equivalent payment in the same amount as the dividend you would have received if you held Shares for your vested and unvested RSUs immediately prior to the record date.  No dividend equivalents will be paid to you with respect to any canceled or forfeited RSUs.  MSCI will decide on the form of payment and may pay dividend equivalents in Shares, in cash or in a combination thereof, unless otherwise provided in Exhibit B.  MSCI will pay the dividend equivalent when it pays the corresponding dividend on its common stock.  The gross amount of any dividend equivalents paid to you with respect to RSUs that do not vest and convert to Shares shall be subject to potential recoupment or payback (such recoupment or payback of dividend equivalents, the “Clawback”) following the cancellation or forfeiture of the underlying RSUs.  You consent to the Company’s implementation and enforcement of the Clawback and expressly agree that MSCI may take such actions as are necessary to effectuate the Clawback consistent with applicable law.  If, within a reasonable period, you do not tender repayment of the dividend equivalents in response to demand for repayment, MSCI may seek a court order against you or take any other actions as are necessary to effectuate the Clawback.

Section 4.Termination of Service. Upon termination of service as a director of MSCI prior to the Vesting Date, pursuant to this Section 4, the following special vesting and payment terms will apply to your RSUs:

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(a)Termination of Service Due to Death or Disability.  If your service as a director of MSCI terminates due to death or Disability, your unvested RSUs will immediately vest and convert into Shares on the date your service as a director of MSCI terminates or within 30 days thereafter.  Such Shares will be delivered to the beneficiary(ies) you have designated pursuant to Section 7 or the legal representative of your estate, as applicable.

(b)Termination of Service and Cancellation of Awards.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board, your unvested RSUs will be canceled and forfeited in full if your service as a director of MSCI terminates prior to the Vesting Date for any reason other than as set forth in Section 4 and Section 5 of this Award Agreement.

Section 5.Change in Control.  In the event of a Change in Control, all of your RSUs will immediately vest and convert into Shares effective on the date of such Change in Control.

Section 6.Nontransferability.  You may not sell, pledge, hypothecate, assign or otherwise transfer your RSUs, other than as provided in Section 7 (which allows you to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries in the event of your death) or by will or the laws of descent and distribution or otherwise as provided by the Board.  This prohibition includes any assignment or other transfer that purports to occur by operation of law or otherwise.  During your lifetime, payments relating to the RSUs will be made only to you.  Your personal representatives, heirs, legatees, beneficiaries, successors and assigns, and those of MSCI, shall all be bound by, and shall benefit from, the terms and conditions of your award.

Section 7.Designation of a Beneficiary.  Any designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive all or part of the Shares to be paid under this Award Agreement in the event of your death will be governed by local law.  To make a beneficiary designation, you must coordinate with your personal tax or estate planning representative.  Any Shares that become payable upon your death will be distributed to your estate in accordance with local law rules.  You may replace or revoke your beneficiary designation at any time.  If there is any question as to the legal right of any beneficiary(ies) to receive Shares under this Award Agreement, MSCI may determine in its sole discretion to deliver the Shares in question to your estate.  MSCI’s determination shall be binding and conclusive on all persons, and it will have no further liability to anyone with respect to such Shares.

Section 8.Ownership and Possession.

(a)Prior to Conversion.  Prior to conversion of your RSUs, you will not have any rights as a stockholder in the Shares corresponding to your RSUs.  However, you will receive dividend equivalent payments, as set forth in Section 3 of this Award Agreement.

(b)Following Conversion.  Following conversion of your RSUs, you will be the beneficial owner of the Shares issued to you, and you will be entitled to all rights of ownership, including voting rights and the right to receive cash or stock dividends or other distributions paid on the Shares.

Section 9.Securities Law Compliance Matters.  MSCI may, if it determines it is appropriate, affix any legend to the stock certificates representing Shares issued upon conversion of your RSUs and any stock certificates that may subsequently be issued in substitution for the original certificates.  MSCI may advise the transfer agent to place a stop order against such Shares if it determines that such an order is necessary or advisable.

Section 10.Compliance with Laws and Regulations.  Any sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, mortgage, encumbrance or other disposition of Shares issued upon conversion of your RSUs (whether directly or indirectly, whether or not for value, and whether or not voluntary) must be made in compliance with any applicable constitution, rule, regulation, or policy of any of the exchanges, associations or other institutions with which MSCI has membership or other privileges, and any applicable law, or applicable rule or regulation of any governmental agency, self-regulatory organization or state or federal regulatory body.

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Section 11.No Advice Regarding Grant.  The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding your participation in the Plan, or your acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares.  You should consult with your own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding your participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

Section 12.Consents under Local Law.  Your award is conditioned upon the making of all filings and the receipt of all consents or authorizations required to comply with, or be obtained under, applicable local law.

Section 13.Award Modification and Section 409A. 

(a)Award Modification.  MSCI reserves the right to modify or amend unilaterally the terms and conditions of your RSUs, without first asking your consent, or to waive any terms and conditions that operate in favor of MSCI.  MSCI may not modify your RSUs in a manner that would materially impair your rights in your RSUs without your consent; provided, however, that MSCI may, without your consent, amend or modify your RSUs in any manner that MSCI considers necessary or advisable to comply with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations.  MSCI will notify you of any amendment of your RSUs that affects your rights.  Any amendment or waiver of a provision of this Award Agreement (other than any amendment or waiver applicable to all recipients generally), which amendment or waiver operates in your favor or confers a benefit on you, must be in writing and signed by the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel (or if such positions no longer exist, by the holders of equivalent positions) to be effective.

(b)Section 409A.  You understand and agree that all payments made pursuant to this Award Agreement are intended to be exempt and/or comply with Section 409A, and shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Award Agreement, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, if MSCI considers you to be one of its “specified employees” and you are a U.S. taxpayer, in each case, at the time of your “separation from service” (as such terms are defined in the Code) from the Company, no conversion specified hereunder shall occur prior to your death or the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of your separation from service from the Company (such period, the “Delay Period”).  Any conversion of RSUs into Shares that would have occurred during the Delay Period but for the fact that you are deemed to be a specified employee shall be satisfied either by (i) conversion of such RSUs into Shares on the first business day following the Delay Period or (ii) a cash payment on the first business day following the Delay Period equal to the value of such RSUs on the scheduled conversion date (based on the value of the Shares on such date) plus accrued interest as determined by MSCI.

Section 14.Severability.  In the event MSCI determines that any provision of this Award Agreement would cause you to be in constructive receipt for United States federal or state income tax purposes of any portion of your award, then such provision will be considered null and void and this Award Agreement will be construed and enforced as if the provision had not been included in this Award Agreement as of the date such provision was determined to cause you to be in constructive receipt of any portion of your award.

Section 15.Successors.  This Award Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of the Company and any person or persons who shall, upon your death, acquire any rights hereunder in accordance with this Award Agreement or the Plan.

Section 16.Venue.  For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises under this grant or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the jurisdiction of the State of New York, agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the courts of New York County, New York, or the federal courts for the United States for the Southern District of New York, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

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Section 17.Rule of Construction for Timing of Conversion.  With respect to each provision of this Award Agreement that provides for your RSUs to convert to Shares on the Vesting Date or upon a different specified event or date, such conversion will be considered to have been timely made, and neither you nor any of your beneficiaries or your estate shall have any claim against the Company for damages based on a delay in payment, and the Company shall have no liability to you (or to any of your beneficiaries or your estate) in respect of any such delay, as long as payment is made by December 31 of the year in which the Vesting Date or such other specified event or date occurs, or if later, by March 15th of the year following such specified event or date.

Section 18.Non-U.S. Directors.  The following provisions will apply to you if you are providing services as a director of MSCI and reside outside of the United States.  For the avoidance of doubt, if you reside in the United States and subsequently relocate to another country after the Grant Date, or if you reside in another country and subsequently relocate to the United States after the Grant Date, the following provisions may apply to you to the extent MSCI determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for tax, legal or administrative reasons.

(a)Tax and Other Withholding Obligations.

You acknowledge that, regardless of any action taken by the Company, the ultimate liability for all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items or liabilities, howsoever arising in any jurisdictions, related to your participation in the Plan and legally applicable to you (“Tax-Related Items”) is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company.  You further acknowledge that the Company (i) makes no representations or undertaking regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the RSUs, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the RSUs, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividend equivalents and/or dividends; and (ii) does not commit to and is under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the RSUs to reduce or eliminate your liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result.  Further, if you are subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, you acknowledge that the Company may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

Pursuant to rules and procedures that MSCI establishes, Tax-Related Items arising upon any relevant taxable or tax withholding event (as applicable) of your RSUs may be satisfied, in the Board’s sole discretion, by having MSCI withhold Shares, or by having MSCI withhold cash or amounts from your director fees or other compensation if MSCI provides for a cash withholding option, in each case in an amount sufficient to satisfy the  Tax-Related Items withholding obligations.  Shares withheld will be valued using the fair market value of the Shares on the date your RSUs convert, using a valuation methodology established by MSCI.  In order to comply with applicable accounting standards or the Company’s policies in effect from time to time, MSCI may limit the amount of Shares that you may have withheld.  If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes, you are deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested RSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.

In the event that withholding in Shares is problematic under applicable tax or securities law or has materially adverse accounting consequences, by your acceptance of the RSUs, you authorize and direct MSCI and any brokerage firm determined acceptable to MSCI to sell on your behalf a whole number of Shares from those Shares issued to you as MSCI determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy the obligation for Tax-Related Items.  Depending on the withholding method, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering maximum applicable rates, in which case you will receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the stock equivalent.

  Finally, you agree to pay to the Company, including through withholding from any director fees or other compensation paid to you by MSCI, any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company may be required to withhold or account for as a result of your participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by 

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the means previously described.  MSCI may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares if you fail to comply with your obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

	
(b)
	
Nature of Grant.  In accepting the RSUs, you acknowledge, understand and agree that:

(i)the Plan is established voluntarily by MSCI, it is discretionary in nature and it may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated by MSCI at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan;

(ii)this RSU award is not a director, employment and/or service agreement, and nothing in this Award Agreement or your participation in the Plan shall create a right to continued service as a director of MSCI or interfere with the ability of MSCI to terminate your service relationship (if any);

(iii)this award, and all other awards of RSUs and other equity-based awards, are exceptional, discretionary, voluntary and occasional.  This award does not confer on you any contractual or other right or entitlement to receive another award of RSUs, any other equity-based award or benefits in lieu of RSUs at any time in the future or in respect of any future period;

(iv)MSCI has made this award to you in its sole discretion.  All decisions with respect to future RSU or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of MSCI;

(v)you are voluntarily participating in the Plan;

(vi)the grant of RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs are not intended to replace any pension rights, director fees or other compensation;

(vii)this award does not confer on you any right or entitlement to receive director fees or other compensation in any specific amount;

(viii)the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown, indeterminable and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(ix)no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the RSUs resulting from the termination of your service as a director of MSCI; and

(x)the Company shall not be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your local currency and the U.S. Dollar that may affect the value of the RSUs or of any amounts due to you pursuant to the settlement of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon settlement.

	
 (c)
	
Data Privacy.  You hereby explicitly and unambiguously consent to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of your personal data as described in this Award Agreement and any other RSU grant materials by and among, as applicable, MSCI and any subsidiary of MSCI for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan.

You understand that the Company may hold certain personal information about you, including, but not limited to, your name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance number, passport or other identification number (e.g., resident registration number), salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in MSCI, details of all RSUs or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor (“Data”), for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.  

You understand that Data will be transferred to E*Trade Financial Corporate Services, Inc., or such other stock plan service provider as may be selected by MSCI in the future, which is assisting MSCI 

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with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.  You understand that the recipients of the Data may be located in the U.S. or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country of operation (e.g., the U.S.) may have different data privacy laws and protections than your country.  You understand that if you reside outside the United States, you may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting your local Human Resources representative.  You authorize MSCI, E*Trade Financial Corporate Services, Inc., and any other possible recipients which may assist MSCI (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan.  You understand that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your participation in the Plan.  You understand if you reside outside the U.S., you may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing your local Human Resources representative.  Further, you understand that you are providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis.  If you do not consent, or if you later seek to revoke your consent, your service and career with the Company will not be adversely affected; the only consequence of refusing or withdrawing your consent is that MSCI would not be able to grant you RSUs or other equity awards or administer or maintain such awards.  Therefore, you understand that refusing or withdrawing your consent may affect your ability to participate in the Plan.  For more information on the consequences of your refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, you understand that you may contact your local Human Resources representative.

	
(d)
	
Language.  If you have received this Award Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

	
(e)
	
Electronic Delivery and Acceptance.  MSCI may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means.  You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through an online or electronic system established and maintained by MSCI or a third party designated by MSCI.

	
(f)
	
Exhibit B.  Notwithstanding any provisions in this Award Agreement, the RSUs shall be subject to any special terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit B to this Award Agreement for your country.  Moreover, if you relocate to one of the countries included in Exhibit B, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to you, to the extent MSCI determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons.  Exhibit B constitutes part of this Award Agreement.

	
(g)
	
Insider Trading Restrictions/Market Abuse Laws.  You acknowledge that, depending on your country of residence, you may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws, which may affect your ability to acquire or sell Shares or rights to Shares (e.g., RSUs) under the Plan during such times as you are considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws in your country).  Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company insider trading policy.  You acknowledge that you are responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and you should consult your personal legal advisor on this matter.

Section 19.Defined Terms.  For purposes of this Award Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Disability” means “permanent and total disability” (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Code).

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code.

 

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EXHIBIT B

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS

[●]

 

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