Document:

Exhibit 10.28

 

	

    	
The World Leader in Digital Investigations
    

 

November 5, 2009

 

Ms. Amanda Berger:

 

Re:                             AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT TERMS

 

Dear Amanda:

 

Reference is hereby made to your employment offer letter with Guidance Software, Inc. (the “Company”), dated as of April 15, 2009, as amended if applicable (the “Employment Letter”). You and the Company have mutually agreed to amend the Employment Letter as set forth herein in order to provide for certain post-employment severance benefits. You and the Company hereby agree that this Amendment shall supersede any and all other agreements, offers or promises, whether oral or written, made to you with respect to any post-employment severance benefits, including, without limitation, any severance benefits included in your Employment Letter prior to this amendment.

 

Accordingly, effective as of the date first written above, the Employment Letter shall be amended as follows:

 

1.                                      The following sections are hereby added to the end of your Employment Letter as follows:

 

“Severance

 

Section 1 — Severance. Subject to Section 2 below, in the event that you incur a “separation from service” from the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) (a “Separation from Service”) by reason of a termination of your employment by the Company without “Cause” or by you for “Good Reason” (each as defined below), then, the Company shall pay you severance in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 12 months of base salary (at the base salary rate in effect immediately prior to your Separation from Service, without giving effect to any reduction that constitutes Good Reason, and for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any bonus, commission or other payment), or (ii) the limit set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A) (in effect immediately prior to your Separation from Service), in a form to be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, commencing within the 60-day period immediately following the date of your Separation from Service and ending no later than the last day of the second year following the year in which the date of your Separation from Service occurs (with the exact commencement and ending dates to be determined by the Company in its sole discretion). The severance payments made pursuant to this Section 1 shall be conditioned on and subject to your execution and compliance with the terms of a release of claims in a form prescribed by the Company (the “Release”) within 21 days (or, to the extent required by applicable law, 45 days) following the date of your Separation from Service and your non-revocation of such Release within 7 days thereafter.

 

215 North Marengo Avenue, Second Floor · Pasadena, California 91101 | tel. 626 229 9191 | fax. 626 229 9199 | www.guidancesoftware.com

 

1

 

Section 2 — Six Month Delay. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this letter, no payment or benefits, including without limitation the amounts payable under Section 1 hereof, shall be paid to you during the six-month period following your Separation from Service if the Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this letter would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code (the “Six Month Delay”). If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first business day following the end of such six-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A of the Code without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of your death), the Company shall pay you a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to you during such period.

 

Section 3 —Definition of “Cause.” For purposes of this letter, “Cause” shall mean:

 

(i)                                     any action or omission by you involving willful misconduct or gross negligence relating to your duties and responsibilities to the Company or its affiliates, including without limitation, disloyalty, dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty;

 

(ii)                                  your commission of (as determined by the Company) or indictment for a crime, either in connection with the performance of your obligations to the Company or its affiliates or which otherwise shall adversely affect your ability to perform such obligations or which shall adversely affect the business activities, reputation, goodwill or image of the Company or its affiliates;

 

(iii)                               your breach of any material obligation you have under any written agreement with the Company or its affiliates or which have been delegated to you by the Company which, if capable of cure, is not cured within five days from receipt of notice from the Company; or

 

(v)                                 any act of fraud, embezzlement, theft or misappropriation from the Company or its affiliates by you.

 

Section 4 — Definition of “Good Reason” For purposes of this letter, “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following without your prior consent:

 

(i)                                     a material diminution by the Company of your then current annual base salary;

 

(ii)                                  a material diminution by the Company in your authority, duties or responsibilities;

 

(iv)                              a material change in the geographic location at which you must perform services to the Company, provided that in no event will a relocation to a location within a 30 mile radius of the Company’s then current offices be deemed material for purposes of this clause; or

 

(v)                                 a material breach by the Company or any successor of any provision of this letter;

 

provided, however, that a change in your authority, duties, or responsibilities which results solely by virtue of the Company ceasing to be a publicly-held corporation or by virtue of the Company becoming a subsidiary of another entity, shall not, in and of itself, constitute Good Reason for purposes of this letter.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, your resignation shall only constitute a resignation for Good Reason hereunder if (x) you provide the Company with a written notice of resignation setting forth the specific facts or circumstances constituting Good Reason within 30 days after the initial existence of such facts or circumstances, (y) the Company has failed to cure such facts or circumstances within 30 days after receipt of such notice, and (z) the date of your termination of employment occurs no later than 90 days after the initial occurrence of the event constituting Good Reason.

 

2

 

Post-Employment Consulting Services

 

If the Company so requests, you agree to enter into and to provide certain consulting services under a post-employment consulting agreement with the Company, which may include, without limitation, certain continuing duties on your part to assist in the orderly transition of your duties and to otherwise continue to comply with certain obligations in your Employment Agreement.

 

Section 409A of the Code

 

(i)                                     To the extent applicable, this letter shall be interpreted and applied consistent and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of this letter to the contrary, if the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this letter may not be either exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Company may in its sole discretion adopt such amendments to this letter or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to (A) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this letter from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of such compensation and benefits, or (B) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance; provided, however, that this Section does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action.

 

(ii)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any separate payment or benefit under this letter or otherwise shall not be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and the Six-Month Delay to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and (b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision under Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), your right to receive the severance pay installment payments payable pursuant to “Section 1 — Severance” above shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. Specifically, to the extent the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) are applicable to any individual installment payment that becomes payable under this letter, the portion of the such payment that is less than the limit prescribed under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1 (b)(9)(iii)(A) (or any successor provision) shall be payable to you in the manner prescribed herein without any regard to the Six Month Delay.”

 

2.                                      This Amendment shall be and is hereby incorporated in and forms a part of the Employment Letter.

 

3.                                      Except as amended and set forth herein, the Employment Letter shall continue in full force and effect.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

3

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this amendment to the Employment Letter as of the date first above written.

 

	
 
    	
GUIDANCE SOFTWARE, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Sandy Gyenes
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Sandy Gyenes
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
VP, Human Resources
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
EXECUTIVE
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/ Amanda Berger
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Amanda Berger
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

4Exhibit 10.29

 

	

    	
The World Leader in Digital Investigations
    

 

Amanda Berger

[***]

[***]

 

Dear Amanda:

 

We are pleased to offer you the position of Vice President of Professional Services, based out of our Northern California (Emeryville) office. You will be reporting to Victor Limongelli, President & CEO.

 

The principle terms and conditions of our offer are as indicated in the following:

 

	
Start   Date
    	
 
    	
June 1,   2009
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Salary
    	
 
    	
You   will receive a semi-monthly base salary of $9,375.00 ($225,000.00 per year annualized). In   addition to your base salary, you will be eligible for participation in the   company’s Professional Services Division (PSD) Incentive Plan, which is tied   to Division performance including MBO’s and revenue achievement. Under the   PSD Incentive Plan for FY2009, the Company will guarantee a minimum gross   incentive payment of $90,000.00 for services rendered from June 1, 2009   through December 31, 2009 (50%   payable after the Q3-09 financial close and 50% payable after the Q4-09   financial close).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
In   addition to the PSD Incentive Plan bonus guarantee detailed above, you will   be eligible for an additional quarterly revenue performance incentive for   FY2009. As consideration for successfully achieving gross revenue growth of   12% or better quarter-over-quarter (Q3   over Q2; Q4 over Q3) you will receive a performance bonus totaling   $25,000.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Guidance   Software, Inc. pays its employees twice each month on a semi-monthly   basis. Therefore, your first paycheck will be delivered to you on June 17,   2009.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signing   Bonus
    	
 
    	
As   consideration for joining the company as a key member of Senior Management,   and pursuant to submittal and approval of a 90 day business plan for the   Professional Services Division, you will receive a signing bonus in the gross   amount of $20,000.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Equity
    	
 
    	
Additionally,   you will be eligible to receive a restricted   stock grant of 10,000 shares and a stock option grant of 20,000 shares, subject to the approval   of the company’s Board of Directors, as per the terms of the company’s Amended   2004 Equity Incentive Plan. The proposed grant will be submitted for approval   at the first regularly scheduled Quarterly Board of Director’s Meeting   following your first day of work. Since restricted stock is treated as income   once it vests, please be advised that the grant (should it be approved) will   have a tax liability at each vesting event. Recognizing that the stock price   will fluctuate between your hire date and the four separate dates of vesting,   you should also be advised that your tax liability will be directly related   to the closing stock price on the date of the vesting event. You may sell   vested shares to cover your tax liability during any open window allowed for   your insider designation.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Relocation
    	
 
    	
Guidance   Software will sponsor one house-hunting trip for you and your family (hotel accommodation not to exceed two nights),   plus the packing and moving of your household goods from Washington, DC to   the San Francisco area, up to an amount yet to be determined, by   Bekins Moving and Storage, our relocation company of record, who will work   with you to coordinate the move.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Also as part of your relocation package, you will receive one (1) month   of storage for your household goods, if needed; and we will assist you with   up to three (3) months of furnished temporary housing within commutable   distance to our Pasadena corporate office where you will be required to   report during your initial 3 month work period. (In the event that you leave our employ voluntarily, or you are   terminated for cause within 12 months, you will be responsible for the   re-payment of the entire relocation.) Your signature on a   Relocation Agreement will be required.
    

 

[***] Confidential treatment has been requested for the bracketed portions. The confidential redacted portion has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commisson.

 

 

	
Severance
    	
 
    	
Notwithstanding   the “At-Will” nature of your employment with Guidance Software, Inc., in   the event that your employment is terminated by the Company without cause   within your first year of employment, subject to your signature on a   Severance Agreement, the Company will pay a lump sum severance totaling six (6) months   salary at your prevailing base salary rate. Your signature on a Severance   Agreement outlining the requirements under Section 409A of the Internal   Revenue Code of 1986 as amended and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) will   be required.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Benefits
    	
 
    	
You   will become eligible for medical and dental health benefits on the first of   the month following 30 days of employment. You will receive detailed   information within two weeks of employment as to specific plans, costs and   timelines for enrollment.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
401(k)
    	
 
    	
As   a full time employee with Guidance Software, Inc., you will become   eligible to participate in the company matched 401(k) Savings Plan on   the 1st of the Qtr.   following the completion of three months of service with the Company.   However, you are eligible to immediately rollover funds from your current   eligible plan.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Vacation
    	
 
    	
You   will earn 15 days of vacation each year.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Holiday
    	
 
    	
There   are nine paid holidays, unless Christmas Eve falls on a weekday in which case   there are ten. Additionally, you will receive one floating holiday per year.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Trial   Service Period
    	
 
    	
Your   performance will be evaluated after six months.
    

 

The terms and conditions of this offer are contingent upon you passing a background check, including employment references.

 

This offer is also contingent upon you completing an Employment Eligibility Verification Form and providing evidence of your identity and employment eligibility on the date that you are to begin work.

 

In addition, you will be required to sign an Employment Agreement Form. As the form will state, it is an “At-Will Employment Agreement.” Therefore, neither the form nor this letter should be construed as an employment contract. Furthermore, Guidance Software. Inc. reserves the right to revoke the offer of employment at any time, for any or no reason.

 

If you have any questions regarding this offer, please give me a call. We look forward to you joining the Guidance Software Team.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sandy Gyenes

VP, Human Resources

 

cc: Victor Limongelli

 

If you understand and agree with the terms of our offer as set out above, please indicate acceptance with your signature below.

 

 

	
/s/ Amanda Berger
    	
 
    	
6/4/09
    
	
Amanda Berger
    	
 
    	
Date
    

 

2

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00212-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00212-of-00352.parquet"}]]