Document:

EX-10.7 FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT 10.7

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

     THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the _____ day of
________, 20___, by and between NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation
(the “Company”), and
____________ (“Indemnitee”).

     WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as a [director] [and]
[officer] of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising
as a result of his service; and

     WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to continue to serve as such [director] [and]
[officer], the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by
Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings; and

     WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding
indemnification and advance of expenses;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the
Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

     Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

          (a) “Applicable Legal Rate” means a fixed rate of interest equal to the applicable federal
rate for mid-term debt instruments as of the day that it is determined that Indemnitee must repay
any advanced expenses.

          (b) “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective
Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of
Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the
Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation,
such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date (i) any
“person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the
“beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing 15% or more of the combined voting power of all of the
Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in
office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Company is a
party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not
approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, as a
consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such
transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or (iii)
at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not individuals (A) who were
directors as of the Effective Date or (B) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination
for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors as of the Effective Date or whose election for nomination for election was
previously so approved.

 

 

          (c) “Corporate Status” means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing
member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that
such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification
and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the
Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company if Indemnitee
serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary,
employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise (i) of which a majority of the voting power or equity
interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company or (ii) the management of which is
controlled directly or indirectly by the Company.

          (d) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to
the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advance of Expenses is sought by
Indemnitee.

          (e) “Effective Date” means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

          (f) “Expenses” means any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs,
retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses,
duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees,
federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed
receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and any other
disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to
prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise
participating in a Proceeding. Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with
any appeal resulting from any Proceeding including, without limitation, the premium, security for
and other costs relating to any cost bond supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.

          (g) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in
matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to
represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than
with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under
similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the
Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who,
under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of
interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s
rights under this Agreement.

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          (h) “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration,
alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other
proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil
(including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative
(formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, except one pending or completed on or
before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and
Indemnitee. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in
the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.

     Section 2. Services by Indemnitee. Indemnitee will serve as a [director] [and]
[officer] of the Company. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on
Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company. This Agreement shall
not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.

     Section 3. General. Subject to the limitations in Section 5, the Company shall
indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) as
otherwise permitted by Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to
time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the
benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective
Date. Subject to the limitations in Section 5, the rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3
shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement,
including any additional indemnification permitted by Section 2-418(g) of the Maryland General
Corporation Law (the “MGCL”).

     Section 4. Standard for Indemnification. Subject to the limitations in Section 5, if,
by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to
any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts
paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in
connection with any such Proceeding unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of
Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad
faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) Indemnitee actually received
an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal
Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

     Section 5. Certain Limits on Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any payment to
Indemnitee for indemnification with respect to any Proceeding:

          (a) for any loss or liability unless all of the following conditions are met: (i) Indemnitee
has determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in
the best interests of the Company; (ii) Indemnitee was acting on behalf of or performing services
for the Company; (iii) such loss or liability was not the result of negligence or misconduct, or,
if Indemnitee is an independent director, gross negligence or willful misconduct; and (iv) such
indemnification is recoverable only out of the Company’s net assets and not from the Company’s
stockholders; or

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          (b) for any loss or liability arising from an alleged violation of federal or state securities
laws unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful
adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to
Indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of
competent jurisdiction as to Indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a
settlement of the claims against Indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and
the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has
been advised of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of the published
position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities of the Company were
offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

          (c) (i) that was by or in the right of the Company and in which Indemnitee is adjudged to be
liable to the Company; (ii) where Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal
benefit was improperly received and which charges improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether
or not involving action in the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status; or (iii) brought by Indemnitee
unless: (1) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then
only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (2) the
Company’s charter or Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of
Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise.

     Section 6. Court-Ordered Indemnification. Subject to the limitations in Section 5, a
court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court
shall require, may order indemnification in the following circumstances:

          (a) if it determines Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the
MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover
the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or

          (b) if it determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in
view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of
conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of
an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such
indemnification as the court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with respect to any
Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the
circumstances described in Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL shall be limited to Expenses.

     Section 7. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful.
Subject to the limitations in Section 5, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his
Corporate Status, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be
indemnified for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection
therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the
merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such
Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all

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Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each such
claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this
Section 7, and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a
Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to
such claim, issue or matter.

     Section 8. Advance of Expenses for a Party. If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate
Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness or other participant in
any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitee’s
ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or
on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with (a) such Proceeding which is initiated by a third party
who is not a stockholder of the Company, or (b) such Proceeding which is initiated by a stockholder
of the Company acting in his or her capacity as such and a court of competent jurisdiction
specifically approves such advancement, and which relates to acts or omissions with respect to the
performance of duties or services on behalf of the Company, within ten days after the receipt by
the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time,
whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall
reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or
accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee of Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by law and by this
Agreement has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable
law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to reimburse the portion of any Expenses
advanced to Indemnitee, together with the Applicable Legal Rate of interest thereon, relating to
claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which it shall ultimately be established that the
standard of conduct has not been met by Indemnitee and which have not been successfully resolved as
described in Section 7 of this Agreement. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do
not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated
on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an
unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference
to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to
post security therefor. 

     Section 9. Indemnification and Advance of Expenses of a Witness. Subject to the
limitations in Section 5, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of his Corporate
Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by
the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be advanced all
reasonable Expenses and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or
on his behalf in connection therewith within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a
statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or
after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence
the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee.

     Section 10. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.

          (a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a
written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and

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information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine
whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or
more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his
sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall,
promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in
writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

          (b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a
determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto
shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by
Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be
delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Indemnitee and approved
by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval
will not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by
the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors or, if
such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a duly authorized committee of the
Board of Directors consisting solely of one or more Disinterested Directors, (B) if Independent
Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of
the MGCL and approved by the Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, by
Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be
delivered to Indemnitee or (C) if so directed by a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors, by the stockholders of the Company. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled
to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten days after such determination.
Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with
respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons
or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged
or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and
reasonably necessary to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or
Independent Counsel if retained pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b). Any Expenses
incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such
determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s
entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless
therefrom.

          (c) The Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is
appointed.

     Section 11. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

          (a) In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the
person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in
accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to
overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that
presumption.

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          (b) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment,
order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent,
or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee
did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

          (c) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee
or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member,
fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be
imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this
Agreement.

     Section 12. Remedies of Indemnitee.

          (a) If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee
is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely
made pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to
indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within 60 days
after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is
not made pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a
written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this
Agreement or the charter or Bylaws of the Company is not made within ten days after a determination
has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an
adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of Maryland, or in any other court of
competent jurisdiction, of his entitlement to such indemnification or advance of Expenses.
Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a
single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in
arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence
such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall
not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under Section 7 of this
Agreement. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its
conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose
Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

          (b) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12,
Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case
may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is
not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee
commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be
required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a
final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to
which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the fullest
extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration
commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are
not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such
arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.

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          (c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any
judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by
Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s
statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification.

          (d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 12, seeks a judicial adjudication
of or an award in arbitration to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of,
this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified
by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial
adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or
arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or
advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial
adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

          (e) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be
charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of
Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay hereunder for the period
commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, reimbursement or advance of
any Expenses and ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

     Section 13. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding.

          (a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with any
summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any
Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder
and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of
the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify
Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to
indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to
defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and
adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so
prejudiced.

          (b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c)
below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise
to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any
such decision to defend within 15 calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding
under Section 13(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against
Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of
Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an

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unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of
such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee
or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This
Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this
Agreement.

          (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which
Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably
concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld, that he may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect
to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee
reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential
conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to
assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be
represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the
Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if
the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that
the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable,
or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be
provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s
choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, at
the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in
connection with any such matter.

     Section 14. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation.

          (a) The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under
applicable law, the charter or Bylaws of the Company, any agreement or a resolution of the
stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors,
or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of
this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under
this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status
prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such
action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right
or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every
other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given
hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment
of any other right or remedy.

          (b) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the
extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers
required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents
as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

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     Section 15. Insurance. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire
directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board
of Directors, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee
by reason of his Corporate Status and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of
Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of his
Corporate Status. Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the
Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee arising out of the amount of any
deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties,
fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the
coverage of any insurance referred to in the previous sentence. The purchase, establishment and
maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of
the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Indemnitee shall not in any way
limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at
the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party
or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) the Company has director and officer liability
insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.

     Section 16. Coordination of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this
Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as
Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such
payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

     Section 17. Reports to Stockholders. To the extent required by the MGCL, the Company
shall report in writing to its stockholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or
advance of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the
right of the Company with the notice of the meeting of stockholders of the Company next following
the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advance of Expenses or prior to such
meeting.

     Section 18. Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect.

          (a) This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) the date that
Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or
as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of
any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person
is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee
is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto
and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).

-10-

 

          (b) The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this
Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company),
shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of
the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee
or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving
in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and
his spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

          (c) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase,
merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the
business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to
Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

          (d) The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this
Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further
agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto
agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific
performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by
seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from
seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be
entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining
orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds
or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a
waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby
waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.

     Section 19. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation,
each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable)
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest
extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent
necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties
hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including,
without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing
any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid,
illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

-11-

 

     Section 20. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. One such counterpart signed by the party
against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this
Agreement.

     Section 21. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted
for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the
construction thereof.

     Section 22. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this
Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of
any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other
provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

     Section 23. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand
and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed
or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day
after the date on which it is so mailed:

          (a)         If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

          (b)         If to the Company, to:

NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc.

399 Park Avenue, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attn: General Counsel

or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to
the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

     Section 24. Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed
by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without
regard to its conflicts of laws rules.

     Section 25. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include
usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

-12-

 

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

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	NORTHSTAR REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:  	 	 
	 
	 
	 	INDEMNITEE

	 	 	 
	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	Address:  	 	 

-13-

 

	 	 	 	 	 

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED

The Board of Directors of NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc.

			
	Re:	 	Undertaking to Repay Expenses Advanced

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     This undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement dated
the _________ day of _______________, 20___, by and between NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a
Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the “Indemnification
Agreement”), pursuant to which I am entitled to advance of Expenses in connection with [Description
of Proceeding] (the “Proceeding”).

     Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the
Indemnification Agreement.

     I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged
actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm my good belief that at all times,
insofar as I was involved as [a director] [an officer] of the Company, in any of the facts or
events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) did not act with bad faith or active or deliberate
dishonesty, (2) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and
(3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or
omission by me was unlawful.

     In consideration of the advance of Expenses by the Company for reasonable attorneys’ fees and
related Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the “Advanced Expenses”), I
hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or
omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in
bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an
improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal
proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall
promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses, together with the Applicable Legal Rate of
interest thereon, relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the
foregoing findings have been established.

     IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this _________ day of
________________, 20___.exv10w1

Exhibit 10.1

10 July 2009

Khaled Haram

Apartment 16F

460 East 79th Street

New York, NY 10075

Dear Khaled,

We are pleased to present the following offer of employment. This letter will summarize and
confirm the details of our offer to you of employment by Lighting Science Group Corporation (the
“Company”).

Start Date. Your employment by the Company will commence on 13 July 2009.

Position, Responsibilities & Duties. Your initial job title will be President & Chief
Operating Officer. You will initially report to Zach Gibler, Chief Executive Officer. Your
responsibilities and duties will be as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may specify.
Initially, those duties and responsibilities shall comprise finance and accounting, information
technology, and supply chain and manufacturing operations. You are expected to devote your full
time professional efforts to the fulfillment of your responsibilities and duties. The Company
recognizes that you are an operating advisor for Pegasus and that you may devote some time to
that role but without interfering with the fulfillment of your responsibilities and duties as
President & Chief Operating Officer of the Company.

Base Compensation. Your annual salary will be two hundred twenty five thousand United
States dollars (US$225,000.00), less standard payroll deductions and all required withholdings,
and paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll policies.

Car Allowance. The Company shall pay you or reimburse you a car allowance of one
thousand two hundred (US$1,200.00) per month. The car allowance shall cease immediately upon
the termination of your employment by the Company.

Initial Stock & Option Grants. Subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors,
you will be granted a to be determined number of shares of restricted stock and a to be
determined number of stock options. The number of shares and options are presently the subject
of negotiations and you and the Company agree to negotiate in good faith to reach a mutually
acceptable determination of those numbers. The issuance of the restricted stock and the stock
options will be subject to standard written Company agreements that will be presented to you in
due course.

Lighting Science Group Corporation www.Isgc.com

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Headquarters

	 	Administration & Accounting
	 	Display Technology Center
	 	Illumination Technology Center
	120 Hancock Lane

	 	Suite 1515
	 	Suite 800
	 	Building 2A
	Westhampton, NJ 08060 USA

	 	2100 McKinney Avenue
	 	11390 Sunrise Gold Circle
	 	1227 South Patrick Drive
	v 609.265.1401

	 	Dallas,Texas 75201 USA
	 	Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 USA
	 	Satellite Beach, FL 32937 USA
	f 609.265.9905

	 	v 214.382.3630
	 	v 916.852.1719
	 	v 321.779.5520
	800.808.5822

	 	f 214.382.3631
	 	f 916.852.1740
	 	f 321.779.5521

North America
                           Australia
                           Asia
                           Japan
                           Europe
                           Netherlands

 

 

Performance Bonus. You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s performance
bonus plan(s) up to forty percent (40%) of your base salary, based on a combination of Company
performance and personal achievements as determined by your manager.

Long Term Incentive Plan. You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s long
term incentive plans for executives.

Benefits. The Company currently offers a suite of benefits for you and your qualified
dependents including medical, dental, vision and life insurance options. Additionally, you are
eligible for paid sick time off and paid holidays. You will initially be eligible for twenty
(20) days of paid vacation per year of employment and you will accrue an additional five (5)
days of vacation for each year of employment, up to a maximum of thirty (30) days of paid
vacation per year. Additional details regarding benefits will be provided by the Company’s
human resources department in due course. Benefits shall cease immediately upon the termination
of your employment by the Company except as provided by law or as the Company’s policies may
allow.

Required Documentation. To comply with the government-mandated confirmation of
employment eligibility, you will be required to complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility
Verification form. Please send the required completed I-9 document to John Mitchell on or
before your first day of employment by the Company.

At Will Employment. Please understand the Company is an employment-at-will company.
This means that you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time, for any reason or
for no reason, with or without notice. Accordingly, this letter is not a contract or commitment
for continued employment. The Company also reserves the right to amend its benefits, plans or
programs at any time.

Change Of Control. If your employment by the Company or its successor is terminated by
the Company or its successor due to a change of control of the Company and within three (3)
months of such change in control, you will receive a severance payment equal to one (1) year of
your base pay, paid out, at the discretion of the Company or its successor, in a lump sum within
thirty (30) days of termination or paid out in equal installments over one year (1) year. The
severance payment will be conditional upon your first executing (and not revoking) a valid
waiver and release of all claims that you may have against the Company and/or its successor.

General Termination. If your employment by the Company or its successor is terminated
by the Company or its successor for other than (a) a change of control or (b) for cause and you
return to being employed or retained by Pegasus or another portfolio company of Pegasus, you
will not be entitled to a severance payment. If your employment by the Company or its successor
is terminated by the Company or is successor for other than (a) a change of control or (b) for
cause and you return to being employed or retained by Pegasus or another portfolio company of
Pegasus but your return to being employed or retained by Pegasus or another portfolio company of
Pegasus, is for less than six (6)
months by other than your own
choice, then you will receive a severance payment equal to six (6) months of your base pay, paid
out, at the discretion of the Company or its successor, in a lump sum within thirty (30) days of
termination or paid out in equal installments over six (6) months. If your employment by the
Company or its successor is terminated by the Company or is successor for other than (a) a
change of control or (b) for cause and you do not return to being employed or retained by
Pegasus or another portfolio company of Pegasus, you will receive a severance payment equal to
six (6) months of your base pay, paid out, at the discretion of the Company or its successor, in
a lump sum within thirty (30) days of termination or paid out in equal installments over six (6)

Page 2 of 3

 

months. The severance payment will be conditional upon your first executing (and not revoking)
a valid waiver and release of all claims that you may have against the Company and/or its
successor.

Termination For Cause. If your employment by the Company or its successor is terminated
for “cause,” you will not be entitled to a severance payment. “Cause” strictly means: (a) a
misrepresentation of your education, work experience, and/or any matter upon which the Company
relied in considering and offering you employment; (b)willful breach of your employment
obligations, which, if curable, you fail to cure within (30) days after receipt of a written
notice of such breach; (c) gross negligence or recklessness in the performance of, or
intentional non-performance of, your duties to the Company; (d) commission of a felony or a
crime of moral turpitude; (e) commission of a material act of deceit, fraud, perjury or
embezzlement that involves or directly or indirectly causes harm to the Company or any of its
affiliates; or (f) repeatedly (i.e., on more than one occasion) being under the influence of
drugs or alcohol (other than over-the-counter or prescription medicine or other
medically-related drugs to the extent they are taken in accordance with their directions or
under the supervision of a physician) during the performance of your duties for the Company, or,
while under the influence of such drugs or alcohol, engaging in grossly inappropriate conduct
during the performance of your duties for the Company.

Additional Terms & Conditions Of Employment. The Company requires its employees to sign
and comply with additional terms and conditions of employment concerning confidentiality,
assignment of inventions and works of authorship, non-competition, and non-recruitment. The
additional terms and conditions of employment will be presented to you for your review,
consideration and signature in due course and must be signed by within ten (10) days of receipt
by you.

If you wish to accept employment under the terms described above, please sign and date a copy of
this letter and return the signed and dated copy to me no later than 10 July 2009.

By signing this letter, you acknowledge that this offer letter supersedes any other offer,
agreement, or promises made to you by anyone, whether oral or written, specifically concerning the
offer of employment by the Company, and with the exception of the determination of the number of
shares and options as noted above, this letter comprises the complete agreement between you and the
Company concerning the offer of employment by the Company. The Company acknowledges that this
letter and the offer of employment contained herein does not supersede any other offer, agreement,
or promises made to you by anyone, whether oral or written, concerning
consulting work for the Company prior to the date of this letter and/or in connection with your
role as an operating advisor for Pegasus.

If you have any questions regarding this offer, please do not hesitate to contact me or John
Mitchell.

I look forward to your favorable reply and to a productive and enjoyable work relationship.

	 	 	 	 	 
	Sincerely,

	 	Agreed & Accepted:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Zachary S. Gibler

	 	/s/ Khaled Haram
 

	 	 
	Zachary S. Gibler

	 	Khaled Haram	 	 
	Chief Executive Officer
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Date: July 13, 2009	 	 

Page 3 of 3

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