Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.10

                             STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON THE EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE BEEN
ACQUIRED SOLELY FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH SEAS MAY
NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN
THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION, AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH SALE, OFFER, PLEDGE OR
HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY
REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND OF ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

                                                        Void after July 18, 2005

No. 2000 -1                 LAWSON ASSOCIATES, INC.

THIS CERTIFIES THAT, for value received CIS Holdings, Inc., a Nevada
Corporation, (the "Holder") is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below,
to purchase from Lawson Associates, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the
"Company"), 750,000 shares (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5 hereof) of the
Company's fully paid and nonassessable Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(the "Common Stock"), at the exercise price of six dollars and sixty-seven cents
($6.67) per share (the "Exercise Price"), subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 5 hereof. This Warrant is issued in connection with the transactions
described in Section 1.2 of the Warrant Purchase Agreement between the Company
and Holder described therein, dated as of July 18, 2000 (the "Warrant Purchase
Agreement"). The holder of this Warrant is subject to certain restrictions set
forth in the Warrant Purchase Agreement and shall be entitled to certain rights
and privileges set forth therein.

         1. Exercise Period. This Warrant shall be exercisable, in whole or in
part, commencing on the date hereof, and shall expire and no longer be
exercisable at 5:00 p.m., Minnesota local time, on July 18, 2005 (the
"Expiration Date").

         2. Method of Exercise Payment.

         (a) Cash Exercise. The purchase rights represented by this Warrant may
be exercised by the Holder, in whole or in part, by the surrender of this
Warrant (with the notice of exercise form attached hereto as Attachment A duly
executed) at the principal office of the Company, and by the payment to the
Company, by certified, cashier's or other check, of an amount equal to the
aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Common Stock being
purchased provided that if the Holder is subject to HSR Act Restrictions (as
defined in Section 2(e) below), the aggregate Exercise Price shall be paid to
the Company within five (5) business days of the termination of all HSR Act
Restrictions.

         (b) Net Issue Exercise. In lieu of exercising this Warrant pursuant to
Section 2(a) above, the Holder may elect to receive, without the payment by the
Holder of any additional

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consideration, shares of Common Stock equal to the value of this Warrant (or the
portion thereof being canceled) by surrender of this Warrant at the principal
office of the Company together with notice of such election, in which event the
Company shall issue to the Holder upon termination of any HSR Act Restrictions a
number of shares of Common Stock of the Company computed using the following
formula:

         X = Y - B
             ----
               A

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>      <C>
Where X  =        the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Holder pursuant to the net issue exercise.

Y        =        the number of shares in respect of which the net issue exercise is made.

A        =        the fair market value of one share of Common Stock at the time the net issue exercise is made.

B        =        the Exercise Price (as adjusted to the date of the net issue exercise).
</TABLE>

         (c) Fair Market Value. For purposes of Section 2(b), the fair market
value of one share of Common Stock as of a particular date shall be determined
as follows: (i) if traded on a securities exchange or through the Nasdaq
National Market, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing
prices, as quoted in the Central Edition of the Wall Street Journal of the
Common Stock on such exchange over the ten (10) trading day period ending three
(3) trading days prior to the net issue exercise election; (ii) if traded
over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid
or sale prices (whichever is applicable), as quoted in the Central Edition of
the Wall Street Journal, over the ten (10) trading day period ending three (3)
trading days prior to the net exercise election; and (iii) if there is no active
public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof, as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (d) Stock Certificates. This Warrant shall be deemed to have been
exercised immediately prior to the close of business on the date of surrender
for exercise as provided above. However, if the Holder is subject to HSR Act
filing requirements, this Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised on the
date immediately following the date of the expiration of all HSR Act
Restrictions. The person entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of this Warrant shall be treated for all purposes as the holder of
record of such shares as of the close of business on the date the Holder is
deemed to have exercised this Warrant. In the event of any exercise of purchase
rights represented by this Warrant, certificates for the number of shares of
Common Stock so purchased shall be delivered to the Holder as soon as
practicable thereafter, and in any event within thirty (30) days of the delivery
of the exercise notice, and, unless this Warrant has been fully exercised or has
expired, a new Warrant representing the shares with respect to which this
Warrant shall not have been exercised shall also be issued to the Holder within
such time.

         (e) Hart-Scott-Rodino Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act"). The
Company hereby acknowledges that exercise of this Warrant by the Holder may
subject the Company and/or the Holder to the filing requirements of the HSR Act
and that the Holder may

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be prevented from exercising this Warrant until the expiration or early
termination of all waiting periods imposed by the HSR Act ("HSR Act
Restrictions"). If on or before the Expiration Date Holder has sent the notice
of exercise to the Company and the Holder has not been able to complete the
exercise of this Warrant prior to the Expiration Date because of HSR Act
Restrictions, the Holder shall be entitled to complete the process of exercising
this Warrant in accordance with the procedures contained herein notwithstanding
the fact that completion of the exercise of this Warrant would take place after
the Expiration Date.

         3. Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. Upon receipt by
the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon reimbursement
to the Company of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender
and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will make and
deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu
of this Warrant.

         4. Stock Fully Paid, Reservation of Shares. All of the Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant will, upon
issuance and receipt of the Exercise Price therefor, be duly and validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable, and free from all taxes, liens and charges with
respect to the issue thereof. During the period within which the rights
represented by this Warrant may be exercised, the Company shall at all times
have authorized and reserved for issuance a sufficient number of shares of its
Common Stock to provide for the exercise of the rights represented by this
Warrant.

         5. Adjustment of Exercise Price and Number of Shares.

         (a) In the event that the Company shall at any time prior to the
expiration of this Warrant subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock or
shall issue a stock dividend on its outstanding shares of Common Stock payable
in shares of Common Stock, then the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to such subdivision or to the
issuance of such stock dividend shall be proportionately increased, and the
Exercise Price shall be proportionately decreased, and in the event that the
Company shall at any time combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock then
the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant
immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately decreased, and
the Exercise Price shall be proportionately increased, effective at the close of
business on the effective date of such subdivision, stock dividend or
combination, as the case may be.

         (b) In the case of any reclassification, recapitalization or change in
the Common Stock (other than any action for which adjustment is made pursuant to
Section 5(a) hereof), the Company shall execute a new warrant providing that the
Holder of this Warrant shall have the right to exercise such new warrant and to
procure upon such exercise and payment of the same aggregate Exercise Price, in
lieu of the shares of Common Stock theretofore exercisable upon exercise of this
Warrant, the kind and amount of shares, other securities, money or property
receivable upon such reclassification, recapitalization or change of the Common
Stock. In any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the
rights and interest of the Holder so that the provisions hereof shall thereafter
be applicable with respect to any shares of stock or other securities and
property deliverable upon exercise hereof and appropriate

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adjustments shall be made to the purchase price per share payable hereunder,
provided the aggregate purchase price shall remain the same.

         (c) No adjustment on account of cash dividends shall be made to the
Exercise Price under this Warrant.

         (d) (i) If at any time prior to the expiration of this Warrant the
Company shall issue any Common Stock or securities exercisable for or
convertible into Common Stock without consideration or for a consideration per
share less than the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the issuance
of such Common Stock or securities (excluding stock dividends, subdivisions,
combinations, dividends or recapitalizations which are covered by Sections 5(a)
and (b)), the Exercise Price in effect after each such issuance shall thereafter
(except as provided in this Section 5(d)) be adjusted to a price equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing:

                           (A) an amount equal to the sum of

                                    (1) the total number of shares of Common
                           Stock outstanding (including any shares of Common
                           Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant or
                           deemed to have been issued pursuant to subdivision
                           (ii) (C) of this clause (d) below) immediately prior
                           to such issuance multiplied by the Exercise Price in
                           effect immediately prior to such issuance, plus

                                    (2) the consideration received by the
                           Company upon such issuance, by

                           (B) the total number of shares of Common Stock
                  outstanding (including any shares of Common Stock issuable
                  upon exercise of this Warrant or deemed to have been issued
                  pursuant to subdivision (ii) (C) of this clause (d) below)
                  immediately prior to such issuance plus the additional shares
                  of Common Stock or securities exercisable for or convertible
                  into Common Stock issued in such issuance (but not including
                  any additional shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued as a
                  result of any adjustment in the Exercise Price resulting from
                  such issuance).

             (ii) For purposes of any adjustment of the Exercise Price
         pursuant to this clause (d), the following provisions shall be
         applicable:

                           (A) In the case of the issuance of Common Stock for
                  cash, the consideration shall be deemed to be the amount of
                  cash paid therefor after deducting any discounts, commissions
                  or fees paid or incurred by the Company in connection with the
                  issuance and sale thereof.

                           (B) In the case of the issuance of Common Stock for a
                  consideration in whole or in part other than cash, the
                  consideration other than cash shall be deemed to be the fair
                  market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board
                  of Directors of the Company, irrespective of any accounting
                  treatment; provided, however, that if, at the time of such
                  determination, the Company's Common Stock is traded in the
                  over-the-counter market or on a national or regional
                  securities exchange, such fair market value as determined by
                  the Board of Directors of the Company shall not exceed the
                  aggregate fair market value of the shares of

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                  Common Stock being issued as determined in accordance with the
                  procedures set forth in Section 2(c) hereof.

                           (C) In the case of the issuance of (1) options to
                  purchase or rights to subscribe for Common Stock, (2)
                  securities by their terms convertible into or exchangeable for
                  Common Stock, or (3) options to purchase or rights to
                  subscribe for such convertible or exchangeable securities:

                                    (w) the aggregate maximum number of shares
                           of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of such
                           options to purchase or rights to subscribe for Common
                           Stock shall be deemed to have been issued at the time
                           such options or rights were issued and for a
                           consideration equal to the consideration (determined
                           in the manner provided in subdivisions (A) and (B)
                           above), if any, received by the Company upon the
                           issuance of such options or rights plus the minimum
                           purchase price provided in such options or rights for
                           the Common Stock covered thereby;

                                    (x) the aggregate maximum number of shares
                           of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of or in
                           exchange for any such convertible or exchangeable
                           securities or upon the exercise of options to
                           purchase or rights to subscribe for such convertible
                           or exchangeable securities and subsequent conversion
                           or exchange thereof, shall be deemed to have been
                           issued at the time such securities were issued or
                           such options or rights were issued and for
                           consideration equal to the consideration received by
                           the Company for any such securities and related
                           options or rights (excluding any cash received on
                           account of accrued interest or accrued dividends),
                           plus the minimum additional consideration, if any, to
                           be received by the Company upon the conversion or
                           exchange of such securities or the exercise of any
                           related options or rights (the consideration in each
                           case to be determined in the manner provided in
                           subdivisions (A) and (B) above);

                                    (y) on any change in the number of shares of
                           Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of any such
                           options or rights or conversion of or exchange for
                           such convertible or exchangeable securities, or on
                           any change in the minimum purchase price of such
                           options, rights or securities, other than a change
                           resulting from the antidilution provisions of such
                           options, rights or securities, the Exercise Price
                           shall forthwith be readjusted to such Exercise Price
                           as would have obtained had the adjustment made upon
                           the issuance of such options, right or securities not
                           exercised, converted or exchanged prior to such
                           change, as the case may be, been made upon the basis
                           of such change; and

                                    (z) on the expiration of any such options or
                           rights, the termination of any such rights to convert
                           or exchange or the expiration of any options or
                           rights related to such convertible or exchangeable
                           securities, the Exercise Price shall forthwith be
                           readjusted to such Exercise Price as would have
                           obtained had the adjustment made upon the issuance of
                           such options, rights, convertible or exchangeable
                           securities or options or rights related to such
                           convertible or exchangeable securities, as the case
                           may be, been made upon the basis of the issuance of
                           only the number of shares of Common Stock actually
                           issued upon the exercise of such options or rights,
                           upon the conversion or exchange of such convertible
                           or exchangeable securities or upon the exercise of
                           the options or rights related to such convertible or
                           exchangeable securities, as the case may be.

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                  (iii) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the
         Company shall not be required to make any adjustments to the Exercise
         Price upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

                           (A) the issuance of Common Stock upon conversion of
                  warrants, options or other instruments or securities directly
                  or indirectly convertible or exchangeable for Common Stock
                  outstanding on the date of this Warrant;

                           (B) the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon
                  exercise of options granted or to be granted by the Company to
                  employees, officers, consultants and directors of the Company;
                  or

                           (C) the issuance of shares of Common Stock in
                  accordance with the terms and conditions of the Company's
                  employee stock ownership plan.

         (e) If at any time while this Warrant, or any portion hereof, is
outstanding and unexpired there shall be (i) a reorganization (other than a
combination, reclassification, exchange or subdivision of shares otherwise
provided for herein), (ii) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
another corporation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, or a
reverse triangular merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but the
shares of the Company's capital stock outstanding immediately prior to the
merger are converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the
form of securities, cash, or otherwise, or (iii) a sale or transfer of the
Company's properties and assets as, or substantially as, an entirety to any
other person, then, as a part of such reorganization, merger, consolidation,
sale or transfer, lawful provision shall be made so that the holder of this
Warrant shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon exercise of this Warrant,
during the period specified herein and upon payment of the Exercise Price then
in effect, the number of shares of stock or other securities or property of the
successor corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger, consolidation,
sale or transfer that a holder of the shares deliverable upon exercise of this
Warrant would have been entitled to receive in such reorganization,
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer if this Warrant had been exercised
immediately before such reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale or transfer,
all subject to further adjustment as provided in this Section 5. The foregoing
provisions of this Section 5(e) shall similarly apply to successive
reorganizations, consolidations, mergers, sales and transfers and to the stock
or securities of any other corporation that are at the time receivable upon the
exercise of this Warrant.

         6. Notice of Adjustments. Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock
purchasable hereunder or the Exercise Price thereof shall be adjusted pursuant
to Section 5 hereof, the Company shall promptly provide notice to the Holder
setting forth, in reasonable detail, the event requiring the adjustment, the
amount of the adjustment, the method by which such adjustment was calculated,
and the number of shares of Common Stock which may be purchased and the Exercise
Price therefor after giving effect to such adjustment.

         7. Fractional Shares. This Warrant may not be exercised for fractional
shares. In lieu of such fractional shares the Company shall make a cash payment
therefor on the basis of the Exercise Price then in effect.

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         8. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of certificates for shares of
Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to
the holder hereof for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in
respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses
shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name
of the holder of this Warrant.

         9. Representations of the Company. The Company represents that all
corporate actions on the part of the Company, its officers, directors and
shareholders necessary for the sale and issuance of shares of Common Stock and
the performance of the Company's obligations hereunder were taken prior to and
are effective as of the effective date of this Warrant.

         10. Restrictive Legend. The Common Stock issuable on exercise of this
Warrant shall (unless registered under the Act) be stamped or imprinted with a
legend in substantially the following form:

         "THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
         1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"). THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE,
         PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN
         EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SUCH ACT, AN EXEMPTION FROM
         THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
         REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT
         REQUIRED OR UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OF SUCH ACT. THESE
         SECURITIES MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN JULY 18, 2000 PURSUANT TO WHICH
         THE SECURITIES WERE ISSUED AND A WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT, DATED JULY
         18, 2000, COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE
         COMPANY."

         11. Restrictions Upon Transfer and Removal of Legend. The Company need
not register a transfer of this Warrant or shares of Common Stock issued on
exercise of this Warrant bearing the restrictive legend set forth in Section 10
hereof, unless the conditions specified in such legend are satisfied. The
Company may also instruct its transfer agent not to register the transfer of the
Shares unless one of the conditions specified in the legend referred to in
Section 10 hereof is satisfied.

         12. No Rights as Stockholders. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder
to any additional voting rights or other rights as a stockholder of the Company
prior to the exercise of the Warrants.

         13. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective when given, and shall in any
event be deemed to be given upon receipt or, if earlier, (a) five (5) days after
deposit with the U.S. Postal Service or other applicable postal service, (b)
upon delivery, if delivered by hand, (c) two (2) business days after the
business day of deposit with Federal Express or similar overnight courier,
freight prepaid or (d) one (1) business day after the business day of facsimile
transmission, if delivered by facsimile transmission with copy by first class
mail, postage prepaid, and shall be addressed (i) if to the Holder, at the
Holder's address as provided to the Company, and (ii) if

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to the Company, at the address of its principal corporate offices (attention:
Bruce McPheeters, Vice President, Secretary and Corporate Counsel), or at such
other address as the Company shall have furnished to the other parties hereto in
writing.

         14. Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Warrant may be amended and
the observance of any term of this Warrant may be waived (either generally or in
a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), with the
written consent of the Company and the Holder.

         15. Attorneys' Fees. If any action of law or equity is necessary to
enforce or interpret the terms of this Warrant, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to its reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and disbursements in addition
to any other relief to which it may be entitled.

         16. Headings. The section and subsection headings of this Warrant are
inserted for convenience only and shall not constitute a part of this Warrant in
construing or interpreting any provision hereof.

         17. Governing Law. This Warrant and all actions arising out of or in
connection with this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Minnesota without regard to conflicts of law
provisions.

         18. Assignment. This Warrant and the rights represented by this Warrant
may not be transferred, assigned or pledged, in whole or in part, without the
prior written consent of the Company, except that a transfer from the Holder to
any other entity which controls, is controlled by or is under common control
with the Holder, may be effected by delivery by the Holder of a form of transfer
attached hereto as Attachment B duly executed to the principal office of the
Company. The transfer shall be recorded on the books of the Company upon the
surrender of this Warrant, properly endorsed, to the Company at its principal
offices. In the event of a partial transfer, the Company shall issue to the
holders one or more appropriate new warrants.

         19. Successors and Assigns. The terms and provisions of this Warrant
and the Warrant Purchase Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding
upon, the Company and the Holders hereof and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.

         20. Entire Agreement. This Warrant constitutes the entire agreement
among the parties hereto and supersedes in its entirety any prior agreements,
whether written or oral, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof.

Issued as of the 18th day of July, 2000.

                                       LAWSON ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                       By: /s/ H. Richard Lawson
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Its: CEO

                                       8<PAGE>   1

                                                                   Exhibit 10.11
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated effective as of February 15, 2001, is
made and entered into between Lawson Associates, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
("Lawson") and Jay Coughlan, an individual resident of the state of Minnesota
("Employee").

         Lawson and Employee hereby agree as follows:

         1. Employment. Lawson hereby employs Employee, and Employee accepts
such employment and agrees to perform services for Lawson, for the period and
upon the other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Except as
expressly provided herein, termination of this Agreement by either party or by
mutual agreement shall also terminate Employee's employment by Lawson.

         2. Term. The term of Employee's employment hereunder shall be effective
on the date hereof and shall thereafter continue on an "at will" basis, until
terminated by Employee or Lawson, with or without cause, subject to the
provisions of this Agreement.

         3. Position and Duties.

         3.01 Service with Company. During the term of this Agreement, Employee
agrees to serve as Chief Executive Officer and President. Employee shall report
to Lawson's Board of Directors and shall perform such duties, consistent with
the position of Chief Executive Officer and President, as the Board of Directors
of Lawson (the "Board") shall assign to Employee from time to time. Employee
shall have the power and authority of Chief Executive Officer and President of
Lawson to the full extent provided by Minnesota law, subject to the authority of
the Board to modify Employee's power and authority.

         3.02 Performance of Duties. Employee agrees to serve Lawson faithfully
and to the best of Employee's ability and to devote Employee's full time,
attention and efforts to the business and affairs of Lawson during the term of
his employment. Employee hereby confirms that Employee is under no contractual
commitments inconsistent with his obligations set forth in this Agreement and
that, during the term of his employment, Employee will not render or perform any
services for any other corporation, firm, entity or person which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement or which would otherwise
impair his ability to perform his duties hereunder. Employee shall comply with
Lawson's policies and procedures; provided, that to the extent such policies and
procedures are inconsistent with this Agreement, this Agreement shall control.

         4. Compensation.

         4.01 Base Salary. As base compensation for all services to be rendered
by Employee under this Agreement during the term of this Agreement, Lawson shall
pay to Employee an annual salary in the amount $400,000.00 commencing February
16, 2001, to be paid in substantially equal regular periodic payments (at least
monthly) in accordance with Lawson's normal payroll procedures and policies. The
Board of Directors of Lawson will review Employee's compensation annually and
may, at its sole discretion, increase Employee's base compensation from time to
time in the future. If Employee's base compensation is increased from time to
time by the Board during the term of Employee's employment under this Agreement,
the increased base compensation shall become Employee's base compensation for
the remainder of the term of this Agreement, including any extensions thereof,
subject to subsequent increases.

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         4.02 Incentive Compensation. For Lawson's fiscal year ending May 31,
2001, Employee shall be eligible to participate in Lawson's FY01 Executive
Leadership Results Plan (ELRP), with the annual target incentive plan amount and
criteria that were in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this
Agreement. For fiscal years after May 31, 2001, Employee will participate in the
incentive compensation program then in effect and approved by the Compensation
Committee of Lawson's Board of Directors and applicable to Lawson's executive
officers, based on Employee's position and responsibilities.

         4.03 Options. Lawson has previously granted Employee options to
purchase shares of Common Stock of Lawson under Lawson's 1996 Stock Incentive
Plan ("Plan"), subject to the terms of each applicable stock option agreement
between Lawson and Employee under the Plan ("Options"). The Options are governed
by such option agreements and the Plan, and are not amended by this Agreement.
The Board of Directors of Lawson may, at its sole discretion, grant Employee in
the future additional stock options, on such terms as the Board may determine.

         4.04 Club Membership Expenses. Lawson shall reimburse Employee's then
current monthly and annual cost of Employee's current country club and golf
membership, and for Lawson business conducted by Employee at that club.

         4.05 Participation in Benefit Plans. During the term of Employee's
employment by Lawson, Employee shall be entitled to receive such life,
disability, medical, dental and other insurance coverage (including directors
and officers insurance) as is then generally being provided by Lawson to its
executive vice president level and above employees to the extent that Employee's
age, position or other factors qualify Employee for such benefits. Employee
shall be entitled to annual flexible time off (FTO) consistent with that
received by Lawson's executive vice president level and above employees. Nothing
in this Agreement is intended to or shall in any way restrict Lawson's right to
amend, modify or terminate any of its benefit plans during the term of
Employee's employment.

         4.06 Expenses. In accordance with Lawson's normal policies for expense
verification, Lawson will pay or reimburse Employee for all reasonable and
necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Employee in the performance of his
duties under this Agreement, subject to the presentment of appropriate
documentation.

         5. Termination and Severance. Upon the termination of Employee's
employment, Employee shall be entitled to severance benefits to the extent
provided below.

         5.01 Termination Without Severance Benefits. Employee's employment and,
except as provided below (and except for benefits applicable under COBRA), any
rights to base salary, bonus and benefits, shall immediately terminate in the
event at any time:

                  (i)      Employee dies;

                  (ii) Employee becomes totally disabled which results in
         Employee's inability to perform the essential functions of Employee's
         position, with or without reasonable accommodation;

                  (iii) Employee's breach of any material contractual obligation
         to Lawson under the terms of this Agreement or limitation, the Lawson
         Associates Inc. Employee Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement
         previously entered into between Lawson and Employee (the "Employee

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         Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement"),provided that Employee is
         first provided at least 30 days written notice and opportunity to cure
         the alleged breach;

                  (iv) Employee is convicted of any felony (whether or not
         Lawson is a victim of such offense) after the date of this Agreement;

                  (v) Employee commits fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement
         in connection with Lawson's business; or

                  (vi) Employee elects to terminate Employee's employment by
         Lawson, other than as provided in Sections 5.02 or 5.03.

         5.02 Termination With Severance Benefits.

                  (i) If Lawson terminates Employee's employment at any time for
         any reason other than the reasons set forth in clauses (i) - (v) of
         Section 5.01 or if Employee elects to terminate Employee's employment
         because of a material diminution or adverse change in the title,
         duties, or hierarchical reporting relationships of Employee (if
         Employee no longer serves as President, but continues to serve as Chief
         Executive Officer, that change will not be considered a material
         diminution or adverse change in title, duties or hierarchical reporting
         relationships under this clause (i)): (a) Lawson shall pay Employee
         severance payments equal to (1) 100% of Employee's annual base salary
         (less applicable Taxes as defined in Section 7.03) and (2) 100% of
         Employee's then current annual target incentive compensation (less
         applicable Taxes) at the time of termination, (b) Lawson shall pay
         Employee accrued and unpaid salary and flexible time off (FTO) benefits
         through the date of termination, and (c) Lawson shall pay Employee any
         unpaid incentive compensation earned for the fiscal quarter preceding
         the fiscal quarter during which termination occurs, but Lawson shall
         have no obligation (other than the annual target incentive compensation
         under clause (a) above) to pay Employee any incentive compensation for
         the fiscal quarter during which termination occurs (whether or not
         Employee would otherwise have been eligible to receive such incentive
         compensation) (the amounts under clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this
         Section 5.02(i) are collectively referred to as "Severance Payments").
         The Severance Payments shall be payable in full promptly following
         termination of Employee's employment and completion of the rescission
         period identified in Exhibit A. Employee shall receive Severance
         Payments to the extent described in this Section 5.02 only if Employee
         signs a general release of claims in a form attached to this Agreement
         as Exhibit A (and the rescission period thereunder has expired) and
         continues to comply with this Agreement. If Employee does not sign, or
         if Employee rescinds, such a general release of claims, Employee shall
         not be entitled to receive any Severance Payments under the provisions
         of this Agreement. Any Severance Payments or other payment made under
         this Section 5.02 will be paid according to Lawson's normal payroll
         policies. No severance payments shall commence until completion of the
         rescission period identified in Exhibit A (and no severance payments
         shall be payable to Employee if at the time of completion of the
         rescission period, Employee has exercised Employee's right of
         rescission described in Exhibit A).

                  (ii) As used in this Section 5.02(ii), the term "IPO" means
         the effective date of a registration statement filed by Lawson with the
         Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933,
         pertaining to the initial public offering of common stock of Lawson.
         Lawson shall pay Employee an amount equal to twice the amount of the
         Severance Payments under Section 5.02(i) if and only if Lawson
         terminates Employee's employment before the earlier of an IPO, a
         "Change in Control" (as defined in Section 5.04) or the close of
         business on

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

         February 15, 2002, and as a result of such termination Employee is
         entitled to Severance Payments pursuant to Section 5.02(i). In no event
         shall Lawson be obligated to pay Severance Payments under both Sections
         5.02(i) and 5.02(ii). This Section 5.2(ii) shall not apply to any
         termination of employment occurring after the earlier of an IPO, a
         Change in Control or February 15, 2002.

         5.03 Termination Upon Change in Control. Notwithstanding Section
         5.01(vi), if Employee terminates Employee's employment, at Employee's
         option, within 3 months after a Change in Control (as defined below):
         (i) Lawson shall pay Employee Severance Payments, as defined in Section
         5.02(i). Employee shall receive Severance Payments to the extent
         described in this Section 5.03 only if Employee signs a general release
         of claims in a form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A (and the
         rescission period thereunder has expired) and continues to comply with
         this Agreement. If Employee does not sign, or if Employee rescinds,
         such a general release of claims, Employee shall not be entitled to
         receive any Severance Payments under the provisions of this Agreement.
         Any Severance Payments or other payment made under this Section 5.03
         will be payable in full promptly following termination of Employee's
         employment according to Lawson's normal payroll policies. No severance
         payments shall commence until completion of the rescission period
         identified in Exhibit A (and no severance payments shall be payable to
         Employee if at the time of completion of the rescission period,
         Employee has exercised Employee's right of rescission described in
         Exhibit A). In no event shall Lawson be obligated to pay Severance
         Payments under both Sections 5.02 and 5.03.

         5.04 "Change in Control" Defined. As used in Sections 5.02(ii) and 5.03
of this Agreement, "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) a
tender offer shall be made and consummated for the ownership of 50% or more of
the outstanding voting securities of Lawson, (ii) Lawson shall be merged or
consolidated with another corporation and as a result of such merger or
consolidation less than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the
surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the former
shareholders of Lawson, other than affiliates (within the meaning of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")) of any party to such
merger or consolidation, as the same shall have existed immediately prior to
such merger or consolidation, (iii) Lawson shall sell substantially all of its
assets to another corporation which is not a wholly owned subsidiary of Lawson,
(iv) a person, within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9) or of Section 13(d)(3) (as
in effect on the date hereof) of the Exchange Act, shall acquire 50% or more of
the outstanding voting securities of Lawson (whether directly, indirectly,
beneficially or of record) (for purposes hereof, ownership of voting securities
shall take into account and shall include ownership as determined by applying
the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) as in effect on the date hereof) pursuant
to the Exchange Act, or (v) individuals who constitute the Lawson's Board of
Directors on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for
election by Lawson's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least 50% of the
directors comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this clause
(v), considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, no Change in Control
of Lawson shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Agreement by
virtue of any transaction which results in Employee, or a group of persons which
includes Employee, acquiring, directly or indirectly more than 50% of the
combined voting power of Lawson's outstanding voting securities.

         5.05 Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of
Employee's employment with Lawson, Employee, in consideration of Employee's
employment hereunder to the date of such termination, shall remain bound by the
provisions of this Agreement which specifically relate to periods, activities or
obligations upon or subsequent to the termination of Employee's employment,
including, but

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

not limited to, the covenants contained in Section 6 hereof (to the extent
described in Section 6) and the Employee Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Upon termination of employment, Employee's outstanding stock options will be
exercisable to the extent set forth in the terms of the applicable stock option
agreement for each stock option and the terms and conditions of the stock option
plan.

         5.06 Surrender of Records and Property. Upon termination of Employee's
employment with Lawson, Employee shall deliver promptly to Lawson all records,
manuals, Lawson employee directories, books, blank forms, documents, letters,
memoranda, notes, notebooks, reports, computer disks, computer software,
computer programs (including source code, object code, on-line files, e-mail
files, documentation, testing materials and plans and reports), computer
hardware, designs, drawings, formulae, data, tables or calculations or copies
thereof, which are the property of Lawson or which relate in any way to the
business, products, practices or techniques of Lawson, and all other property,
trade secrets and confidential information of Lawson, including, but not limited
to, all tangible, written, graphical, machine readable and other materials
(including all copies) which in whole or in part contain any trade secrets or
confidential information of Lawson which in any of these cases are in Employee's
possession or under Employee's control.

         5.07 Limitation of Liability. In no event shall Lawson be liable to
Employee under this Agreement for any amount in excess of the payments
potentially to be made under Sections 4 and 5. In no event shall Lawson be
liable to Employee under this Agreement for any indirect, special, consequential
or punitive damages.

         6. Noncompetition.

         6.01 Agreement Not to Compete. In consideration of Lawson's providing
Employee with the severance benefits under Section 5.02, Employee agrees that,
during the "Restricted Period" (as hereinafter defined), Employee shall not,
directly or indirectly, engage in any "Competing Business Activity" (as
hereinafter defined), in any manner or capacity (e.g., as an advisor,
consultant, principal, agent, partner, officer, director, shareholder, employee,
member of any association or otherwise). As used herein, "Restricted Period"
shall mean: (a) the period from the date hereof through the date of termination
of Employee's employment with Lawson and (b) the one year period commencing on
the date of termination of Employee's employment with Lawson, but only if Lawson
pays Employee the applicable Severance Payments under Section 5.02. If upon
termination of Employee's employment with Lawson, Lawson is not obligated to pay
Employee the Severance Payments under the terms of Section 5.02, but Lawson
elects to pay Employee the Severance Payments under Section 5.02(i) anyway, then
the Restricted Period shall continue for one year after termination of
Employee's employment with Lawson. If upon termination of Employee's employment
with Lawson, Lawson is not obligated to pay Employee the Severance Payments
under the terms of Section 5.02, and Lawson elects not to pay Employee the
Severance Payments under Section 5.02(i), then the Restricted Period shall end
on the date of termination of Employee's employment with Lawson. This Section
6.01 shall not excuse Lawson from making the applicable Severance Payments to
Employee under Section 5.02 if Employee complies with this Section 6. As used
herein, "Competing Business Activity" shall mean any business activities that
are competitive with the business conducted by Lawson at or prior to the date of
the termination of Employee's employment with Lawson.

         6.02 Geographical Extent of Covenant. The obligations of Employee under
this Section 6 shall apply to all markets, domestic or foreign, in which: (a)
Lawson operates during the term of the Restricted Period; and (b) Lawson has
plans to enter at the time of the termination of Employee's employment with
Lawson.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

         6.03 Limitation on Covenant. Ownership by Employee, as a passive
investment, of less than one percent of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of any corporation listed on a national securities exchange or publicly traded
in the over-the-counter market shall not constitute a breach of this Section 6.

         6.04 Nonsolicitation; Non-hire and Noninterference. During the
Restricted Period, Employee shall not (a) induce or attempt to induce any
employee of Lawson to leave the employ of Lawson, or in any way interfere
adversely with the relationship between any such employee and Lawson; (b) induce
or attempt to induce any employee of Lawson to work for, render services to,
provide advice to, or supply confidential business information or trade secrets
of Lawson to any third person, firm, corporation or entity; (c) employ, or
otherwise pay for services rendered by, any employee of Lawson in any business
enterprise with which Employee may be associated, connected or affiliated; or
(d) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor,
reseller or other business relation of Lawson to cease doing business with
Lawson, change how it does business with Lawson, or in any way interfere with
the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee, licensor,
reseller or other business relation and Lawson. While Employee is employed by
Lawson, this Section 6.04 will not restrict Employee from performing Employee's
duties as an officer and employee of Lawson.

         6.05 Indirect Competition or Solicitation. Employee agrees that, during
the Restricted Period, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, assist,
solicit or encourage any other person in carrying out, directly or indirectly,
any activity that would be prohibited by the provisions of this Section 6 if
such activity were carried out by Employee, either directly or indirectly; and,
in particular, Employee agrees that Employee will not, directly or indirectly,
induce any employee of Lawson to carry out, directly or indirectly, any such
activity.

         6.06 Disparaging Remarks. Employee shall refrain from making any
statements, whether written or oral, which are disparaging of Lawson or any of
its subsidiaries, directors, officers, agents, employees, successors, assigns
and controlling persons.

         7. Miscellaneous.

         7.01 Governing Law. This Agreement is made under and shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota without
regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

         7.02 Entire Agreement. This Agreement does not terminate or amend the
Employee Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement, which shall remain in effect
pursuant to its terms. This Agreement (including any other agreement
specifically mentioned in this Agreement) contains the entire agreement of the
parties relating to the employment of Employee by Lawson and the other matters
discussed herein and supersedes all prior promises, contracts, agreements and
understandings of any kind (other than any other agreement mentioned herein),
whether express or implied, oral or written, with respect to such subject matter
(including, but not limited to, the Employment Agreement between Lawson and
Employee dated March 9, 2000, as amended, and any other promise, contract or
understanding, whether express or implied, oral or written, by and between
Lawson and Employee), and the parties hereto have made no agreements,
representations or warranties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement
which are not set forth herein or in any other agreement mentioned herein.

         7.03 Withholding Taxes. Lawson may take such action as it deems
appropriate to insure that all applicable federal, state, city and other
payroll, withholding, income or other taxes ("Taxes") arising from any
compensation, benefits or any other payments made pursuant to this Agreement, or
any other contract, agreement or understanding which relates, in whole or in
part, to Employee's employment with

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

Lawson, are withheld or collected from Employee. In connection with the
foregoing, Employee agrees to notify Lawson promptly upon entering into any
contract, agreement or understanding relating to Employee's employment with
Lawson (other than this Agreement and those agreements expressly provided for
herein) and also to notify Lawson promptly of any payments or benefits paid or
otherwise made available pursuant to any such agreements.

         7.04 Amendments. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall
be deemed effective unless made in writing and signed by Employee and Lawson,
and approved by the Board of Directors of Lawson.

         7.05 No Waiver. No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed
to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel to enforce any provisions
of this Agreement, except by a statement in writing signed by the party against
whom enforcement of the waiver or estoppel is sought. Any written waiver shall
not be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated, shall operate only
as to the specific term or condition waived, and shall not constitute a waiver
of such term or condition for the future or as to any act other than as
specifically set forth in the waiver.

         7.06 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in
part, by any party without the written consent of the other party, except that
Lawson may, without the consent of Employee, assign its rights and obligations
under this Agreement to any affiliate or to any corporation, firm or other
business entity with or into which Lawson may merge or consolidate, or to which
Lawson may sell or transfer all or substantially all of its assets or applicable
operating division, or of which 50% or more of the equity investment and of the
voting control is owned, directly or indirectly, by, or is under common
ownership with, Lawson. After any such assignment by Lawson, Lawson shall be
discharged from all further liability hereunder and such assignee shall
thereafter be deemed to be Lawson for the purposes of all provisions of this
Agreement including this Section 7.06.

         7.07 Injunctive Relief. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the
services to be rendered by Employee hereunder are of a special, unique and
extraordinary character, that it would be difficult to replace such services and
that any violation of Sections 5.06, 6.01, 6.04 or 6.05 hereof or any violation
of the Employee Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement would be highly injurious
to Lawson and that it would be extremely difficult to compensate Lawson fully
for damages for any such violation. Accordingly, Employee specifically agrees
that Lawson shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief to
enforce the provisions of Sections 5.06, 6.01, 6.04 or 6.05 hereof and the
Employee Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement, and that such relief may be
granted without the necessity of proving actual damages. This provision with
respect to injunctive relief shall not, however, diminish the right of Lawson to
claim and recover damages, or to seek and obtain any other relief available to
it at law or in equity, in addition to injunctive relief.

         7.08 Arbitration. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the alleged breach of it, or the making of this Agreement,
including claims of fraud in the inducement, or any dispute arising from or
related in any way to Employee's employment, including any statutory or tort
claims, shall be discussed between the disputing parties in a good faith effort
to arrive at a mutual settlement of any such controversy. If such dispute cannot
be resolved, such dispute shall be settled by binding arbitration. Judgment upon
the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator shall be a retired state or federal judge
or an attorney who has practiced business or employment litigation for at least
10 years. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator within 20 days, either
party may request that the chief judge of the district court for Hennepin
County, Minnesota, select an arbitrator. If the chief judge does not select an
arbitrator within 30 days of such request, either party may request that the
American Arbitration Association (AAA) designate a

                                       7
<PAGE>   8
panel of five proposed arbitrators meeting the criteria set forth in this
Section, and the parties shall alternate striking members of the panel, with
Lawson having the first strike, until an arbitrator is thereby selected.
Arbitration will be conducted pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and
the applicable arbitration rules of the AAA, unless such rules are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement, but, unless an arbitrator is selected
through the AAA, without submission of the dispute to the AAA. Each party shall
be permitted reasonable discovery, including the production of relevant
documents by the other party, exchange of witness lists, and a limited number of
depositions, including depositions of any experts who will testify at the
arbitration. The summary judgment procedure applicable in Hennepin County,
Minnesota, District Court shall be available and apply to any arbitration
conducted pursuant to this Agreement. The arbitrator shall have the authority to
award to the prevailing party any remedy or relief that a court of the State of
Minnesota could order or grant, including costs and attorneys' fees. Unless
otherwise agreed by the parties, the place of any arbitration proceedings shall
be Minneapolis, Minnesota.

         7.09 Severability. To the extent any provision of this Agreement shall
be determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such provision
shall be deemed to be deleted from this Agreement as to such jurisdiction only,
and the validity and enforceability of the remainder of such provision and of
this Agreement shall be unaffected. In furtherance of and not in limitation of
the foregoing, Employee expressly agrees that should the duration of,
geographical extent of, or business activities covered by, any provision of this
Agreement be in excess of that which is valid or enforceable under applicable
law in a given jurisdiction, then such provision, as to such jurisdiction only,
shall be construed to cover only that duration, extent or activities that may
validly or enforceably be covered. Employee acknowledges the uncertainty of the
law in this respect and expressly stipulates that this Agreement shall be
construed in a manner that renders its provisions valid and enforceable to the
maximum extent (not exceeding its express terms) possible under applicable law
in each applicable jurisdiction.

         7.10 Confidentiality. The terms of this Agreement shall remain strictly
confidential between the parties hereto, except to the extent that disclosure of
such terms is required by law, and to the extent that Employee may disclose such
terms to Employee's spouse, and to the extent that either party may disclose
this Agreement to that party's advisors on a need-to-know basis, provided that
such persons agree to maintain the confidentiality of such information.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date set forth in the first paragraph.

                                          LAWSON ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                          By  /s/ H. Richard Lawson
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Name:  H. Richard Lawson
                                              Title:  Chairman

                                          /s/ Jay Coughlan
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Jay Coughlan

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                 GENERAL RELEASE

         This General Release is made and entered into as of the __________ day
of ________________, by ________________________ ("Employee") and Lawson
Associates, Inc. ("Lawson").

         WHEREAS, Lawson Associates, Inc. ("Lawson") and Employee are parties to
an Agreement dated February 15, 2001 (the "Agreement");

         WHEREAS, Employee intends to settle any and all claims that Employee
has or may have against Lawson as a result of Employee's employment with Lawson
and the cessation of Employee's employment with Lawson;

         WHEREAS, under the terms of the Agreement, which Employee agrees are
fair and reasonable, Employee agreed to enter into this General Release as a
condition precedent to the severance arrangements described in Section 5.02 or
5.03 of the Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the provisions and the mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

         1. SEVERANCE BENEFITS.

            A. Lawson agrees to provide severance pay of Ten Thousand Dollars
            ($10,000.00), out of the severance benefits described in the
            Agreement, in consideration of the release set forth in Paragraph
            2(B) below.

            B. Lawson agrees to provide all remaining severance benefits
            described in the Agreement in consideration of the release set forth
            in Paragraph 2(A) below.

         2. RELEASE OF CLAIMS.

            A. For the consideration expressed in Paragraph 1(B) above, Employee
            does hereby fully and completely release and waive any and all
            claims, complaints, causes of action, demands, suits, and damages,
            of any kind or character, which Employee has or may have against the
            Releasees, as hereinafter defined, arising out of any acts,
            omissions, conduct, decisions, behavior, or events occurring up
            through the date of Employee's signature on this General Release,
            including Employee's employment with Lawson and the cessation of
            that employment, with the exception of possible claims under the Age
            Discrimination in Employment Act. For purposes of this General
            Release, the "Releasees" means collectively Lawson, its
            predecessors, successors, assigns, parents, affiliates,
            subsidiaries, related companies, officers, directors, shareholders,
            agents, servants, auditors, attorneys, employees, and insurers, and
            each and all thereof.

                        Employee understands and accepts that Employee's release
            of claims includes any and all possible claims, both known or
            unknown, asserted or unasserted, direct or indirect, including but
            not limited to claims based upon:

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

         (i)      the value of stock options that have not vested or are
                  unexercisable pursuant to the express terms of the applicable
                  stock option agreements, grant notices or stock option plans;

         (ii)     the value of stock options previously granted to Employee and
                  that have vested and are exercisable as of the date of
                  termination of Employee's employment with Lawson, but that
                  Employee elects not to exercise and pay for before the
                  applicable termination date of the stock options pursuant to
                  the express terms of the applicable stock option agreements,
                  grant notices or stock option plans;

         (iii)    Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended;

         (iv)     the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Equal Pay Act;

         (v)      the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Employee Retirement Income
                  Security Act;

         (vi)     the Minnesota Human Rights Act; Minn. Stat. Section 181.81;

         (vii)    the Minneapolis or St. Paul Code of Ordinances; or

         (viii)   any other federal, state or local statute, ordinance or law.

         Employee also understands that Employee is giving up all other claims,
         including those grounded in contract or tort theories, including but
         not limited to: wrongful discharge; violation of Minn. Stat. Section
         176.82; breach of contract; tortious interference with contractual
         relations; promissory estoppel; breach of the implied covenant of good
         faith and fair dealing; breach of express or implied promise; breach of
         manuals or other policies; assault; battery; fraud; sexual harassment;
         false imprisonment; invasion of privacy; intentional or negligent
         misrepresentation; defamation, including libel, slander, discharge
         defamation and self-publication defamation; discharge in violation of
         public policy; whistleblower; intentional or negligent infliction of
         emotional distress; or any other theory, whether legal or equitable.

                  Employee further understands that Employee is releasing, and
         does hereby release, any claims for damages, by charge or otherwise,
         whether brought by Employee or on Employee's behalf by any other party,
         governmental or otherwise, and agrees not to institute any claims for
         damages via administrative or legal proceedings against any of the
         Releasees. Employee also waives and releases any and all rights to
         money damages or other legal relief awarded by any governmental agency
         related to any charge or other claim against any of the Releasees.

         B. For the consideration expressed in Paragraph 1(A) above, Employee
         does hereby fully and completely release the Releasees, as above
         defined, from each and every legal claim or demand of any kind, that
         Employee ever had or might now have arising out of any action, conduct,
         or decision taking place during Employee's employment with Lawson,
         asserted or unasserted, known or unknown, direct or indirect, arising
         under or relating to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as
         amended.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

         C. This Release does not apply to any post-termination claim that
         Employee may have for benefits under the provisions of any employee
         benefit plan maintained by Lawson.

         D. Employee's release of claims shall not apply to any claims Employee
         might have to indemnification under Minnesota Statute Section
         302A.521, any other applicable statute or regulation, or Lawson's
         by-laws.

     3. RESCISSION. Employee has been informed of Employee's right to rescind
this General Release by written notice to Lawson within fifteen (15) calendar
days after the execution of this General Release. Employee has been informed and
understands that any such rescission must be in writing and delivered by hand,
or sent by mail within the 15-day time period to Lawson's General Counsel,
Lawson Software, 380 St. Peter Street, St. Paul, MN 55102. If delivered by mail,
the rescission must be: (1) postmarked within the applicable period and (2) sent
by certified mail, return receipt requested.

     Employee understands that Lawson will have no obligations under the General
Release in the event a notice of rescission by Employee is timely delivered.

     4. ACCEPTANCE PERIOD; ADVICE OF COUNSEL. The terms of this General Release
will be open for acceptance by Employee for a period of 21 days, during which
time Employee may consider whether or not to accept this General Release.
Employee agrees that changes to this General Release, whether material or
immaterial, will not restart this acceptance period. Employee is hereby advised
to seek the advice of an attorney regarding this General Release.

     5. BINDING AGREEMENT. This General Release shall be binding upon, and inure
to the benefit of, Employee and Lawson and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.

     6. REPRESENTATION. Employee hereby acknowledges and states that Employee
has read this General Release. Employee further represents that this General
Release is written in language which is understandable to Employee, that
Employee fully appreciates the meaning of its terms, and that Employee enters
into this General Release freely and voluntarily.

     7. NON-ADMISSION. It is understood and agreed that this General Release
does not constitute an admission by Lawson of any liability, wrongdoing, or
violation of any law. Further, Lawson expressly denies any wrongdoing of any
kind whatsoever in its actions and dealings with Employee.

     8. CONFIDENTIALITY. Employee agrees to keep the terms and existence of this
General Release strictly confidential in accordance with the confidentiality
provisions of the Agreement.

     9. CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS. Employee acknowledges and agrees to his
continuing obligations under the Agreement.

     10. SAVINGS CLAUSE. If any provision of this Release is determined later to
be unenforceable or illegal, other than the provisions contained in Paragraph 2
above, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. If the
release contained in Paragraph 2(A) is held to be void or unenforceable in any
respect, this entire General Release shall be voidable at Lawson's option.
Nothing in this General Release is intended to or shall be construed as
entitling Lawson to abrogate or require tender back of the severance payment of
Paragraph 1(A) relating to the enforcement of Paragraph 2(B).

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

     11. AMENDMENTS. No amendment or modification of this General Release shall
be deemed effective unless made in writing and signed by Employee and Lawson,
and approved by the Board of Directors of Lawson.

                           EMPLOYEE

                               Signature
                                         ---------------------------------------
                               Printed Name
                                            ------------------------------------

                               Date
                                    --------------------------------------------

                           LAWSON ASSOCIATES, INC.

                           By
                              --------------------------------------------------

                           Its
                               -------------------------------------------------

                  Date
                       ----------------

                                       12

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