Document:

Outside Directors' Option Plan, as amended

 Exhibit 10.1 
  
 Outside Directors’ Option Plan 
  
 On May 4, 2004, Section 5.1.2 of the Outside Directors’ Option Plan was amended to reduce the annual grant to continuing
directors from 24,000 shares to 12,000 shares. No other changes were made. The full text of the Outside Directors’ Option Plan, as amended and restated May 4, 2004, is attached hereto. 

 OUTSIDE DIRECTORS’ OPTION PLAN 
  
 OF 
  
 ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. 
  
 (As Amended and Restated Effective May 4, 2004) 
  
 1.    DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Plan, the following terms have the following meanings: 
  
 Administrator means the Board or a committee appointed
by the Board. 
  
 Affiliate means a
“parent” or “subsidiary” corporation, as defined in Sections 425(e) and 425(f), respectively, of the Code. 
  
 Annual Organizational Meeting means the first meeting of the Board after the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders.

  
 Board means the Board of Directors of
the Company. 
  
 Change in Control. A
Change in Control means any of the following events: 
  
 (a) Any person or group (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or a subsidiary thereof or a corporation owned (directly or indirectly), by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions of the ownership of stock of the Company, shall become the beneficial owner of securities of the Company representing 20% or more, or commences a tender or exchange offer following
the successful consummation of which the offerer and its affiliates would beneficially own securities representing 20% or more, of the combined voting power of then outstanding securities ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing in special
circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors, as a result of a tender or exchange offer, open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be
deemed to include the acquisition by any such person or group of securities representing 20% or more of the Company if such party has acquired such securities not with the purpose nor with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the
Company, nor in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purposes or effect, including, without limitation, not in connection with such party (i) making any public announcement with respect to the voting of such shares at
any meeting to consider a merger, consolidation, sale of substantial assets or other business combination or extraordinary transaction involving the Company, (ii) making, or in any way participating in, any “solicitation” of
“proxies” (as such terms are defined or used in Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act) to vote any voting securities of the Company 

 (including, without limitation, any such solicitation subject to Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act) or
seeking to advise or influence any party with respect to the voting of any voting securities of the Company, directly or indirectly, relating to a merger or other business combination involving the Company or the sale or transfer of substantial
assets of the Company, (iii) forming, joining or in any way participating in any “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act with respect to any voting securities of the Company, directly or indirectly, relating to a
merger or other business combination involving the Company or the sale or transfer of any substantial assets of the Company, or (iv) otherwise acting, alone or in concert with others, to seek control of the Company or to seek to control or influence
the management or policies of the Company. 
  
 (b)
The stockholders of the Company shall approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 
  
 (c) A change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company occurring within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer
than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (i) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (ii) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of
Directors of the Company with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or
threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company). As a result of or in connection with any cash tender offer, merger, or other business combination, sale of assets or contested election, or combination of the foregoing,
the persons who were directors of the Company just prior to such event shall cease within one year to constitute a majority of the Board. 
  
 (d) The Company’s stockholders approve a definitive agreement providing for a transaction in which the Company will cease to be an
independent publicly owned corporation. 
  
 (e)
The stockholders of the Company approve a definitive agreement (i) to merge or consolidate the Company with or into another corporation in which the holders of the Stock immediately before such merger or reorganization will not, immediately
following such merger or reorganization, hold as a group on a fully-diluted basis both the ability to elect at least a majority of the directors of the surviving corporation and at least a majority in value of the surviving corporation’s
outstanding equity securities, or (ii) to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. 
  
 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 
  

Company means Robert Half International Inc. 
  
 Director means a member of the Board. 

 Eligible Director means a Director who is not also an employee of the Company or an Affiliate.

  
 Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended. 
  
 Grant Date means the date on which an
Option is granted. 
  
 New Option means an Option granted
on or after January 1, 1999. 
  
 Offer means a tender offer
or an exchange offer for shares of the Company’s Stock. 
  
 Old Option means an Option granted before January 1, 1999. 
  
 Option means an option to purchase Stock as described in Section 5.1 hereof. An Option granted under this Plan is a nonstatutory option to purchase Stock which does not meet the requirements set forth in
Section 422A of the Code. 
  
 Option Agreement means a
written agreement evidencing an Option, in form satisfactory to the Company, duly executed on behalf of the Company and delivered to and executed by an Optionee. 
  
 Optionee means an Eligible Director who has been granted an Option. 
  
 Plan means the Outside Directors’ Option Plan. 
  
 Retirement Age means, with respect to any Optionee, the later to occur
of (i) the 7th anniversary of Optionee’s first day of service with the Company as a Director and (ii)
Optionee’s 55th birthday. 
  
 Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 
  
 Stock means the Common Stock, $.001 par value, of the Company.

  
 Stock Purchase Agreement means a written agreement, in
form satisfactory to the Company, duly executed by the Company and an Optionee who has exercised an Option to purchase Stock. 
  
 Termination Date means the date on which an Optionee ceases to be either a Director of or a consultant to the Company. 
  
 Vesting Date means, with respect to each calendar year, the last day
of the month in which the Annual Organization Meeting is held; provided, however, that the “Vesting Date” with respect to a particular Option shall not include the last day of the month in which such Option is granted. 

 Voting Shares means the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote for the election of
directors. 
  
 2.    PURPOSES OF THE
PLAN.  The purposes of the Plan are to attract and retain the best available candidates for the Board, to provide additional equity incentives to Eligible Directors through their participation in the growth value of the Stock, and to
promote the success of the Company’s business. To accomplish the foregoing objectives, this Plan provides a means whereby Eligible Directors will receive Options to purchase Stock. 
  
 3.    STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.  The number of authorized but previously unissued
shares of the Company’s Stock available for issuance hereunder shall equal the number of shares of Stock with respect to which Options are granted pursuant to Section 5 hereof. 
  
 4.    ADMINISTRATION.  The Administrator shall have the authority to grant Options upon
the terms and conditions of this Plan, and to determine all other matters relating to this Plan. The Administrator may delegate ministerial duties to such employees of the Company as it deems proper. All questions of interpretation, implementation
and application of this Plan shall be determined by the Administrator, and such determinations shall be final and binding on all persons. 
  
 5.    TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. 
  

5.1.  Grant of Option. Options shall be granted pursuant to this Plan as follows: 
  
 5.1.1.  Grant on Effective Date. Upon the
effective date of this Plan, an Option for 60,000 shares of Stock shall be granted to each Eligible Director who shall not previously have been granted an option by the Company for the purchase of shares of Stock. 
  
 5.1.2.  Subsequent Grants. On the date of
each Annual Organizational Meeting subsequent to the effective date of this Plan, an Option shall be granted to each Eligible Director. With respect to any Eligible Director who, prior to such date, shall not have been granted an option by the
Company, whether pursuant to this Plan or any other plan or arrangement with the Company, the Option shall be for 30,000 shares of Stock. Otherwise, the Option shall be for 24,000 shares of Stock if granted prior to May 4, 2004, and shall be for
12,000 shares of Stock if granted on or subsequent to such date. 
  
 5.2.  Exercise Price. The exercise price of an Option shall be 100% of the value of the Stock on the Grant Date, determined in accordance with Section 6 hereof. 
  
 5.3.  Option Term. Each Option granted under
this Plan shall expire ten (10) years from the Grant Date. 

 5.4.  Option Exercise. 
  
 5.4.1.  Initial Exercise. No Option may be
exercised in whole or in part until the later to occur of (i) the first Vesting Date following the Grant Date of such Option and (ii) six months after the Grant Date of such Option. 
  
 5.4.2.  Stockholder Approval. If stockholder approval of this Plan is required (a) under
the rules and regulations promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act in order to exempt any transaction contemplated by this Plan from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or (b) by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, if the Company’s
securities are listed thereon, or (c) by the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers automated quotation system (“NASDAQ”), National Market System, if the Company’s securities are quoted thereon, then no Option may be
exercised in whole or in part until the stockholders of the Company have approved this Plan. 
  
 5.4.3.  Compliance with Securities Laws. Stock shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the
exercise of the Option and the issuance and delivery of Stock pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, applicable state securities laws, the rules and
regulations promulgated under each of the foregoing, the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (if the Company’s securities are listed thereon) and the requirements of NASDAQ pertaining to the National Market System (if the Company’s
securities are quoted thereon), and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. 
  
 5.5.  Registration and Resale. If the Stock subject to this Plan is not registered under the Securities Act and under
applicable state securities laws, the Administrator may require that the Participant deliver to the Company such documents as counsel for the Company may determine are necessary or advisable in order to substantiate compliance with applicable
securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 
  
 5.6.  Vesting Schedule. An Optionee’s right to exercise an Option shall vest, as to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Stock (as adjusted, pursuant to Section 5.8.1 hereof, if applicable) initially
subject to the Option, on each of the first through fourth Vesting Dates following the Grant Date. 
  
 5.7.  Payment Upon Exercise. At the time written notice of exercise of an Option is given to the Company, the Optionee
shall make payment in full, in cash or check or by one of the methods specified in Section 5.7.1 or Section 5.7.2 below, for all Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of such Option. Proceeds of any such payment shall constitute general funds of
the Company. 
  
 5.7.1.  Promissory
Note. An Option may be exercised by delivery of the Optionee’s full recourse promissory note for any portion or all of the aggregate exercise price of the Stock as to which the Option is being exercised. Such note shall (a) bear 

 interest at the lowest rate which will not result in interest being imputed pursuant to the Internal
Revenue Code, (b) mature four years after the date of exercise and (c) be on such other terms as determined by the Administrator. Such promissory note shall be secured by a security interest in the Stock purchased pursuant to the Option and in such
other manner, if any, as the Administrator shall approve. 
  
 5.7.2.  Delivery of Stock. An Option may be exercised by delivery by the Optionee of Stock already owned by the Optionee for all or part of the aggregate exercise price of the Stock as to which the
Option is being exercised, so long as (i) the value of such Stock (determined as provided in Section 6) is equal on the date of exercise to the aggregate exercise price of the shares of Stock as to which the Option is being exercised, or such
portion thereof as the Optionee is authorized to pay by delivery of Stock and (ii) such previously owned shares have been held by the Optionee for at least six months. 
  
 5.8.  Adjustments. 
  
 5.8.1.  Changes in Capital Structure. If the Stock is changed by reason of a stock split,
reverse stock split, stock dividend, or recapitalization, or is converted into or exchanged for other securities other than as a result of a Change of Control, the Administrator shall make such appropriate adjustments in (i) the number of shares of
Stock to be covered by options granted under Section 5.1.2 hereof, (ii) each Option outstanding under this Plan, and (iii) the exercise price of each outstanding Option; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to issue fractional
shares as a result of any such adjustment. Each such adjustment shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding on all persons. Any new or additional Stock to which an Optionee may be
entitled under this Section 5.8.1 shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth in Section 5 of this Plan. 
  
 5.8.2.  Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, all Options shall vest immediately, and each New Option
then held by the Director shall remain outstanding until the earlier of its exercise or its original option term (as defined in Section 5.3). 
  
 5.9.  No Assignment. No right or benefit under, or interest in, the Plan shall be subject to assignment or transfer
(other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or under such other circumstances as the Administrator may determine), and no such right, benefit or interest shall be subject to attachment or legal process for or against Participant or
his or her beneficiaries, as the case may be. During the life of the Optionee, an Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or, in the event of disability of the Optionee, by the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative. 

 
 5.10.  Termination. 
  
 5.10.1.  Death or Disability. If an Optionee
ceases to be a Director by reason of death or Disability, then (a) each unvested New Option then held by the 

 Director shall immediately vest and (b) each New Option then held by the Director shall remain
outstanding until the earlier of its exercise or its original option term (as defined in Section 5.3). “Disability” shall mean (a) a physical or mental condition which, in the judgment of the Administrator based on competent medical
evidence satisfactory to the Administrator (including, if required by the Administrator, medical evidence obtained by an examination conducted by a physician selected by the Administrator), renders Optionee unable to engage in any substantial
gainful activity and which condition is likely to result in death or to be of long, continued and indefinite duration, or (b) a judicial declaration of incompetence. 
  
 5.10.2.  Other Termination Prior to Retirement Age. If an Optionee’s Termination Date
shall occur prior to Optionee’s Retirement Age, other than by reason of death or Disability, the vested portion of any then outstanding Option held by such Optionee shall, unless otherwise provided by Section 5.8.2., remain outstanding and
exercisable through and including the 30th day following the Termination Date. The unvested portion of any then
outstanding Option held by such Optionee shall expire on the Termination Date. 
  
 5.10.3.  Other Termination on or after Retirement Age. If an Optionee’s Termination Date shall occur on or after Optionee’s Retirement Age, the vested portion of any then outstanding Old
Option held by such Optionee shall, unless otherwise provided by Section 5.8.2., remain outstanding and exercisable through and including the 30th day following the Termination Date. The unvested portion of any then outstanding Old Option held by such Optionee shall expire on the Termination Date. 
  
 5.10.4.  Extension of Post Termination Exercise
Period. If exercise of an Option during the 30 day period following the Termination Date specified in Sections 5.10.2 and 5.10.3 above would subject the Optionee to liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act by reason of a Stock
transaction by Optionee prior to the Termination Date, such 30 day period shall not begin to run until six months following the last such Stock transaction. 
  
 5.10.5.  May 1999 Options. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 5.10.2 or 5.10.3 hereof, each option
granted in May 1999 pursuant to Section 5.1.2 shall remain outstanding until the earlier of its exercise or its original option term (as defined in Section 5.3). 
  
 6.    DETERMINATION OF VALUE.  For purposes of this Plan, the value of the Stock shall
be the closing sales price on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System, as the case may be, on the date the value is to be determined as reported in The Wall Street Journal (Western Edition). If there are no trades on
such date, the closing sale price on the last preceding business day upon which trades occurred shall be the fair market value. If the Stock is not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System, the fair market
value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator. 

 7.    MANNER OF EXERCISE.  An Optionee wishing to exercise an Option
shall give written notice to the Company at its principal executive office, to the attention of the Secretary of the Company, accompanied by an executed Stock Purchase Agreement and by payment of the Option exercise price in accordance with Section
5.7. The date the Company receives written notice of an exercise hereunder accompanied by payment of the Option exercise price will be considered the date such Option was exercised. Promptly after receipt of such written notice and payment, the
Company shall deliver to the Optionee or such other person permitted to exercise such Option under Section 5.9, a certificate or certificates for the requisite number of shares of Stock. The Company shall pay any stock issue or transfer tax incurred
with respect to such exercise and issuance. 
  
 8.    RIGHTS. 
  
 8.1.  Rights as Optionee. No Eligible Director shall acquire any rights as an Optionee unless and until an Option Agreement has been duly executed on behalf of the Company, delivered to the Optionee and executed by the
Optionee. 
  
 8.2.  Rights as
Stockholder. No person shall have any rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Stock subject to an Option until the date that a stock certificate has been issued and delivered to the Optionee. 
  
 8.3.  No Right to Reelection. Nothing
contained in the Plan or any Option Agreement shall be deemed to create any obligation on the part of the Board to nominate any Director for reelection by the Company’s stockholders, or confer upon any Director the right to remain a member of
the Board for any period of time, or at any particular rate of compensation. 
  
 9.    REGISTRATION AND RESALE.  The Board may, but shall not be required to, cause the Plan, the Options, and Stock subject to the Plan to be registered under the Securities Act
and under the securities laws of any state. No Option may be exercised, and the Company shall not be obliged to grant Stock upon exercise of an Option, unless, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such exercise and grant is in compliance with
all applicable federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. As a condition to the grant of an Option for the issuance of Stock upon the exercise of an Option, the Administrator may require that the Optionee
agree to comply with such provisions and federal and state securities laws as may be applicable to such grant or the issuance of Stock, and that the Optionee delivers to the Company such documents as counsel for the Company may determine are
necessary or advisable in order to substantiate compliance with applicable securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 
  
 10.    AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.  The Board or the Administrator may at any time amend,
alter, suspend, or discontinue this Plan, except to the extent that stockholder approval is required for any amendment or alteration (a) by Rule 16b-3 or applicable law in order to exempt from Section 16(b) of 

 the Exchange Act any transaction contemplated by this Plan, or (b) by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, if the
Company’s securities are listed thereon, or (c) by the rules of NASDAQ pertaining to the National Market System, if the Company’s securities are quoted thereon; provided, however, no amendment, alteration, suspension or discontinuation
shall be made that would impair the rights of any Optionee under an Option without such Optionee’s consent; and provided further, any provision in this Plan relating to the eligibility of Directors to participate in this Plan, the timing of
Option grants made under this Plan or the amount of Options granted to a Director under this Plan shall not be amended, to the extent so provided by Rule 16b-3, more than once every six months, other than to comport with the changes in the Code or
the rules thereunder. Subject to the foregoing, the Administrator shall have the power to make such changes in the regulations and administrative provisions hereunder, or in any Option (with the Optionee’s consent), as in the opinion of the
Administrator may be appropriate from time to time. If not sooner terminated by the Board or the Administrator, this Plan shall terminate on May 1, 2006. Notwithstanding any termination of the Plan, any options granted and outstanding prior to the
termination date shall be unaffected by the termination of the Plan. 
  
 11.    INDEMNIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATOR.  Members of the group constituting the Administrator shall be indemnified for actions with respect to the Plan to the fullest extent permitted by the Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, and the By-laws of the Company and by the terms of any indemnification agreement that has been or shall be entered into from time to time between the Company and any such person. 
  
 12.    HEADINGS.  The headings used in
this Plan are for convenience only, and shall not be used to construe the terms and conditions of the Plan. 
  
 13.    EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Plan shall become effective upon adoption by the Board. If stockholder approval is
required (a) under the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act in order to exempt any transaction contemplated by this Plan from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or (b) by the rules of the New York Stock
Exchange, if the Company’s securities are listed thereon, or (c) by the rules of NASDAQ pertaining to the National Market System, if the Company’s securities are quoted thereon, then this Plan shall be submitted to the stockholders of the
Company for consideration at the next annual meeting of stockholders. The Administrator may make Options conditioned on such approval, and any Option so made shall be effective as of the date of grant, subject only to such approval.Consulting Agreement for George Martinez

 Exhibit 10.1 
  
 CONSULTING AGREEMENT 
  
 This Consulting Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of June 1, 2004 (the “Effective Date”) at Houston,
Texas between Sterling Bancshares, Inc., a Texas corporation (“Bancshares”), and George Martinez, an individual residing in Houston, Texas (“Consultant”). 
  
 WITNESSETH: 
  
 WHEREAS, Consultant is currently a director of Bancshares and its indirect subsidiary, Sterling Bank, a Texas banking association (“Bank”), and
has been a senior executive officer of, and employed by, Bancshares and the Bank, including, pursuant to that certain Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2002 (the “Employment Agreement”); 
  
 WHEREAS, Consultant has notified Bancshares and the Bank of his desire to
retire and resign from his current employment with Bancshares and the Bank pursuant to the Employment Agreement, such retirement and resignation to be effective on the date herein provided; 
  
 WHEREAS, Consultant is a director of Bancshares and the Bank and has been a
senior executive officer of Bancshares and the Bank for a number years and in that capacity has gained unique and important knowledge about the operations, strategies and business prospects of Bancshares and the Bank, which knowledge Bancshares
desires to continue to obtain the benefit of by engaging Consultant as a consultant hereunder, an engagement that the Consultant desires to accept; and 
  
 WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their agreements pertaining to Bancshares’ engagement of the Consultant. 
  
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows: 
  

	 	1.	Effective Date of Consulting Agreement; Resignation; Term. 

  
 (a) Consultant shall retire from and resign as an employee of, and from all officer positions other than Chairman of the Board with,
Bancshares and the Bank effective as of May 31, 2004 (the “Employment Termination Date”). Effective as of the Employment Termination Date, the Employment Agreement shall be terminated except for the provisions thereof which, by their
terms, are intended to survive such termination. Effective as of the Effective Date, Bancshares does engage Consultant as a consultant pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and Consultant agrees to accept such engagement as of the Effective Date.

  
 (b) The term of this Agreement (the
“Consulting Term”) shall be the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2006, unless sooner terminated by Consultant in accordance with Section 6 hereof. 

	 	2.	Performance of Consulting Services. 

  
 (a) The Consultant shall make himself available at reasonable times to consult with Bancshares and the Bank solely through the Chief
Executive Officer, or those individuals designated by the Chief Executive Officer concerning matters pertaining to the development and implementation of the Bank’s and Bancshares’ business strategies and leadership development as may be
specifically requested from time to time. To the greatest extent possible, Bancshares and Consultant shall schedule the requested occasions for consultation at least thirty (30) days in advance. Such consulting services shall include, without
limitation, the following: 
  
 (i) identification
and evaluation of potential growth opportunities, markets and acquisition candidates; 
  
 (ii) review of, and providing recommendations relating to, business development opportunities; 
  
 (iii) providing leadership development training and services
for the officers and employees of Bancshares and the Bank which shall include, without limitation, the design and delivery of training courses and seminars; 
  
 (iv) personalized consulting and mentoring to the executive officers of Bancshares and the Bank; 
  
 (v) attendance at mutually agreed upon internal Bancshares
and Bank meetings and meetings with third parties; and 
  
 (vi) such other tasks relating to the foregoing as may be designated in writing by Bancshares’ Chief Executive Officer. 
  
 (b) Bancshares understands that the Consultant shall, subject to the terms stated herein, be engaged in other business activities during
the Consulting Term including, without limitation, his continued involvement with Chrysalis Partners, L.L.P. (“Chrysalis”) which includes consulting, coaching, teaching courses, publishing books and other activities related to Chrysalis.
Furthermore, Consultant shall have the right to participate in the following activities so long as they do not conflict with the Consultant’s performance of his duties hereunder (i) engaging in and managing personal investments and other
business activities, and (ii) serving on civic, religious, educational and/or charitable boards or committees. Accordingly, Bancshares agrees that Consultant shall not be required to devote all of his business efforts to the consulting services
described above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is expected that Consultant shall provide, at Bancshares’ request, up to forty (40) hours of consulting services per month during the Consulting Term. 
  
 (c) Consultant shall be required to provide, at his own cost
and expense, office space, office supplies, computer and related software and hardware, and such other equipment as may be required by Consultant to provide services hereunder; provided, however, Bancshares shall (i) reimburse Consultant for the
actual cost of office rental 
  

 2 

 (inclusive of common area maintenance charges) in an amount not to exceed $3,300 per month during the
Consulting Term, and (ii) shall sell and convey to Consultant the personal computer currently utilized by Consultant in his employment by Bancshares and the Bank at a mutually agreed upon price. 
  
 (d) During the Consulting Term and for so long as she
continues to be employed by the Bank, the Bank shall make available to Consultant the services of his current Administrative Assistant, Diana Schmitt (“Schmitt”). For so long as she remains employed by the Bank, Schmitt shall remain on
payroll of the Bank and shall continue to be eligible to receive benefits as may be available under the terms of the Bank’s benefit programs. Consultant shall reimburse the Bank for an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Schmitt’s
salary and benefits, such reimbursement to be deducted from the compensation otherwise payable to Consultant pursuant to Section 3(a) below. 
  
 (e) It is possible that one or more employees of Bancshares or the Bank may participate in the consulting services, programs or seminars
provided by Consultant. The parties agree that for the purposes of obtaining the best results from all consulting work, all Bancshares and Bank employee participation in programs or seminars provided or sponsored by Consultant shall be voluntary and
not mandatory. Therefore, Bancshares acknowledges that all employees of Bancshares and the Bank that participate in the consulting sessions, if any, shall do so voluntarily and not as a result of coercion, pressure, a condition of employment or to
satisfy anyone other than the individual employee. Bancshares acknowledges that Bancshares has been informed by Consultant that in order for individual employees to receive the intended results of the consulting services, their individual
participation must be voluntary, free of any type of coercion, and the expression of their own individual free choice. 
  
 3. Compensation. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, during the Consulting Term Bancshares shall compensate Consultant as follows: 

 
 (a) Consultant shall be entitled to receive, and
Bancshares shall pay, the following: (i) a base consulting fee of $250,000 per year, payable in equal monthly installments on or before the 1st day of each month during the Consulting Term, and (ii) at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer and subject to the approval of the appropriate committee of Bancshares’ board of directors,
an annual bonus in an amount not to exceed $75,000, such annual bonus to be payable on or before February 28 of the year following the calendar year to which such bonus is attributable. Bancshares shall have no obligation to withhold any taxes that
may be due from Consultant with respect to such consulting fees, and Consultant agrees to comply with all reporting and payment obligations imposed on him as an independent contractor pursuant to federal, state or local laws. Bancshares shall have
no liability for taxes of whatever nature, including but not limited to, Federal income taxes, FICA taxes, Workers’ Compensation, or Social Security taxes. If Bancshares is required to pay or withhold any taxes or make any other payment with
respect to fees payable to Consultant, Consultant will reimburse Bancshares in full for such taxes or amounts paid on demand or Bancshares may offset such amounts necessary from compensation due Consultant. 
  

 3 

 (b) During the Consulting Term and for so long as such may be provided by Bancshares or
its subsidiaries pursuant to COBRA, Consultant shall be provided medical insurance coverage by Bancshares or the Bank through the COBRA provisions of the applicable medical insurance plan then in effect. Consultant shall pay an amount equal to the
premium that Consultant would pay if Consultant were employed by Bancshares and Bancshares shall pay the remaining portion of the premiums associated therewith. Upon termination of COBRA benefits and for the remainder of the Consulting Term,
Bancshares shall reimburse Consultant for comparable medical insurance coverage. Subject to the foregoing, Bancshares shall not be required to provide, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to receive, any benefits otherwise provided by
Bancshares or the Bank to their employees. 
  
 (c) Subject to the provisions of Article 2 above, Bancshares shall reimburse Consultant for any and all business expenses reasonably necessary and incurred by Consultant in connection with providing the consulting services required
hereunder. Prior to payment, Consultant shall submit to the Chief Executive Officer with each reimbursement claim adequate documentation satisfactory to the Chief Executive Officer to support such claim, including but not limited to actual bills,
receipts or other evidence of expenditures. All such claims for reimbursement shall be submitted within 90 days of being incurred or forever waived. 
  
 4. Further Agreements of Consultant and Bancshares. The parties agree that nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on Consultant to
provide services to such other clients as Consultant may from time to time have the opportunity to provide services to; provided, however, that (i) the Consultant shall continue to be bound by the provisions of Article 5 of the Employment Agreement
in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof, and (ii) Consultant further agrees, for and in consideration of amounts payable to Consultant hereunder and continued disclosure of confidential information by Bancshares and the Bank to
Consultant, that during the Consulting Term and for a period of two years after termination of this Agreement, Consultant shall not provide consulting services of any nature to, or be employed by, any financial institution that either accepts
deposits or extends credit of any type to its customers, operating in Texas. Consultant acknowledges that if he violates or threatens to violate this Section 4, Bancshares is entitled, in addition to any other rights available under Employment
Agreement, to obtain a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary and permanent injunction in addition to all other available remedies from a court, enjoining Consultant from violating this Agreement, in order to prevent immediate and
irreparable harm to Bancshares and/or the Bank. Consultant further agrees that Bancshares shall be entitled to recover all of its expenses in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this Section 4 including costs and attorneys’
fees. 
  
 Consultant further agrees that if any part of this Agreement is held to
be unenforceable for any reason, then the covenants contained in this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner that will render them enforceable. Consultant agrees that the restrictions contained in this Section are reasonable and acceptable to
him. 
  

 4 

 5. Confidentiality. 
  
 (a) In the Consultant’s positions with Bancshares and the Bank, Bancshares and the Bank have previously
(i) disclosed to Consultant, and placed Consultant in a position to have access to or develop, trade secrets or confidential information of Bancshares, the Bank and their affiliates, (ii) entrusted Consultant with business opportunities of
Bancshares, the Bank and their affiliates, and/or (iii) placed Consultant in a position to develop goodwill on behalf of Bancshares, the Bank and their affiliates. Consultant acknowledges that in his director positions with Bancshares and the Bank
and in the performance of his duties under this Agreement, Bancshares and the Bank shall continue to (i) disclose to Consultant, or place Consultant in a position to have access to or develop, additional and subsequent trade secrets or confidential
information of Bancshares, the Bank and their affiliates, (ii) entrust Consultant with future business opportunities of Bancshares, the Bank and their affiliates, and/or (iii) place Consultant in a position to develop business goodwill on behalf of
Bancshares, the Bank and their affiliates. Consultant recognizes and acknowledges that Consultant has had, and will continue to have, access to certain information of Bancshares and the Bank and that such information is confidential and constitutes
valuable, special and unique property of Bancshares and the Bank. Consultant shall not at any time, either during or subsequent to the Consulting Term, disclose to others, use, copy or permit to be copied, except in pursuance of Consultant’s
duties for and on behalf of Bancshares, the Bank, their affiliates and their respective successors, assigns or nominees, any Bancshares Confidential Information of the Bank or Bancshares (regardless of whether developed by Consultant) without the
prior written consent of the Bank and Bancshares. The term “Bancshares Confidential Information” means any secret or confidential information or know-how and shall include, but shall not be limited to, the plans, customers, costs, prices,
uses, corporate opportunities, proposed or contemplated acquisitions, research, financial data, evaluations, prospects, and applications of products and services, results of investigations or studies owned or used by Bancshares or the Bank, and all
apparatus, products, processes, compositions, samples, formulas, computer programs, computer hardware designs, computer firmware designs, and servicing, marketing or manufacturing methods and techniques at any time used, developed, investigated,
made or sold by Bancshares or the Bank, before or during the Consulting Term, that are not readily available to the public or that are maintained as confidential by Bancshares or the Bank. Consultant shall maintain in confidence any confidential
information of third parties received as a result of the performance of his services hereunder in accordance with the obligations of Bancshares and/or Bank to such third parties and the policies established by Bancshares and the Bank.
Consultant’s obligations under this Section 5(a) shall survive termination of this Agreement. 
  
 (b) Bancshares recognizes and acknowledges that in the course and scope of any requested consulting or training work by Consultant,
Bancshares will have access to and gain information and knowledge relating to Consultant’s processes, products and business operations, including information relating to research, development, production and marketing of such consulting
services (collectively, the “Consultant Confidential Information”). Bancshares further acknowledges that the maintenance of the proprietary nature of such information is essential to the business interests of the Consultant. Bancshares
agrees that such Consultant Confidential Information presented during the Consulting Term, 
  

 5 

 either orally or in writing, is the sole property of the Consultant, and neither Bancshares, the Bank nor
their affiliates shall reproduce, copy, duplicate, resell, or modify and resell such Consultant Confidential Information as a part of any course, training program, workshop or consulting business or any similar business activity for the purpose of
receiving directly or indirectly any financial gain. The obligations of Bancshares, the Bank and their respective affiliates under this Section 5(b) shall survive the termination of this Agreement. 
  
 (c) In the event either party hereto becomes legally
compelled (by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand, regulatory demand or other similar process) to disclose any Confidential Information of the disclosing party, such party will
provide the disclosing party with prompt written notice so that the disclosing party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section 5. In the event that a protective order or other
remedy is not obtained, or the disclosing party waives compliance with the provisions of this Section 5(c), such party will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information which is legally required and exercise reasonable best efforts to
obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information. 
  
 6. Termination. 
  
 (a) By Consultant. Consultant may terminate this Agreement for any reason without cause at any time during the Consulting Term by giving Bancshares at least ninety (90) days written notice. In the event Consultant terminates his
Agreement hereunder, Bancshares’ sole and exclusive liability shall be to pay Consultant his pro rata portion of the compensation payable hereunder for services provided through date of termination and to pay any unreimbursed expenses to which
Consultant is entitled hereunder. Bancshares shall have no other obligations to Consultant. 
  
 (b) Death or Disability of Consultant. Upon the death or disability of Consultant at any time during the Consulting Term,
Bancshares shall continue to make all payments of the consulting fees due hereunder to the Consultant or the Consultant’s estate which shall include, without limitation, the Consultant’s executor, administrator or similar personal
representative. 
  
 (c) Expiration of
Consulting Term. Unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6, this Agreement shall be terminated upon the expiration of the Consulting Term in which event Bancshares shall pay to the Consultant amounts already
due and owing for services rendered prior to the termination of the Consulting Term and any amounts due and owing for unreimbursed expenses for which Consultant is entitled hereunder. 
  
 (d) Continued Effectiveness. Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 6, the terms and provisions of this Agreement which are intended to survive the termination hereof shall continue to be enforceable against the Consultant. 
  

 6 

 7. Consultant an Independent Contractor. Consultant will furnish Consultant’s services as an
independent contractor and not as an employee or agent of Bancshares, the Bank or of any company affiliated with either Bancshares or the Bank. Consultant agrees to conduct services hereunder in accordance with all applicable laws. Consultant has no
power or authority to enter into any agreement or create any obligation, express or implied, on behalf of either Bancshares or the Bank, or to act for, represent, or bind either Bancshares or the Bank or any company affiliated with Bancshares in any
manner. Unless otherwise provided herein, Consultant is not entitled to any medical coverage, life insurance, participation in either Bancshares’ or the Bank’s retirement or savings plan, vacation, incentive compensation or bonus plans, or
other benefits afforded to the regular employees of either Bancshares or the Bank. 
  
 8. Indemnification. 
  
 (a) Consultant shall defend, indemnify and hold Bancshares and the Bank harmless from and against any loss, cost, damage, or liability for bodily injury to or death of any person, including Consultant, or damage to or
destruction of any property, arising from or in connection with the rendering of the consulting services provided hereunder; provided, however, that Consultant shall have no obligation or liability with respect to any loss, cost, damage, or
liability arising from or attributable to the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Bancshares, the Bank, their affiliates or their respective employees. 
  

(b) Bancshares shall defend, indemnify and hold Consultant harmless from and against any loss, cost, damage or liability for bodily
injury to or death of any person, or damage to or destruction of any property, arising from or in connection with the acts or omissions of Bancshares, the Bank, their respective employees pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or in any way
connected with the rendering of the consulting services provided hereunder; provided, however, that Bancshares shall have no obligation or liability with respect to any loss, cost, damage, or liability arising from or attributable to the willful
misconduct or gross negligence of Consultant, his agents or employees. The provisions of this Section 8 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. 
  
 9. Trademarks/Trade Names. Consultant acknowledges Bancshares’ and Bank’s sole ownership of all of the respective trademarks and trade
names used by each entity. In his capacity as a consultant hereunder, Consultant shall have no authority to use trade names or trademarks, except as specifically authorized in writing in advance by Bancshares through its Chief Executive Officer.
Except as may be necessary and appropriate for his actions as a director of the Bank and Bancshares, Consultant shall have no authority to use Bancshares’ or Bank’s trade names or trademarks on stationery, invoices, product literature,
brochures, business cards, advertising or in any other materials of Consultant. Except as may be necessary and appropriate for his actions as a director of the Bank and Bancshares, Consultant shall not use Bancshares’ or Bank’s trade name
or trademarks in any written communications with third parties without the prior written consent of the Chief Executive Officer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Consultant shall be permitted, without the prior consent of Bancshares, to (i)
include in any resume or other biographical information statements reflecting his prior employment by, and services to, Bancshares and the Bank, and (ii) identify Bancshares and the Bank as clients of the Consultant in any advertising and
promotional literature of the Consultant. 
  

 7 

 10. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, excluding
its conflicts of law provisions. 
  
 11. Enforceability.
Any invalidity, in whole or in part, of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any other of its provisions. 
  
 12. Enforcement of Agreement. If either party brings an action to enforce its rights under this Agreement and prevails, it shall be entitled to
recover its costs and expenses, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, if any, incurred in connection with such suit. 
  
 13. Sole Agreement. Except for such provisions of the Employment Agreement which continue to be binding upon Consultant following the Employment
Termination Date, this Agreement represents the sole and entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements, negotiations and discussions between the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matters covered hereby. 
  
 14. Amendment to
Agreement. Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto and stating the intent of the parties to amend this Agreement. 
  
 15. Assignment. This Agreement, and his rights, duties and obligations
hereunder, may not be assigned or otherwise transferred by the Consultant. The Consultant shall not assign or subcontract, in whole or in part, its obligations under this Agreement to provide consulting services without Bancshares’ prior
consent. No such approval shall relieve the Consultant from any of his obligations or liabilities under this Agreement. 
  
 16. Notice. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been duly
given and made if in writing and served either by personal delivery or mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in the U.S. mail to the party for whom it is intended or one business day after having been
dispatched by an overnight courier service bearing the address set forth in this Agreement with respect to Bancshares and with respect to Consultant, such address as may be designated in writing by the Consultant: 
  

			
	 If to Bancshares:
	  	Sterling Bancshares, Inc.
	 	  	2550 North Loop West, Suite 600
	 	  	Houston, Texas 77092
	 	  	Attn: President and Chief Executive Officer

  
 17.
Bancshares’ Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, Bancshares and its successors and assigns and upon any person acquiring, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or
otherwise, all or substantially all of Bancshares’ assets and business. 
  
 18. Counterparts to Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement, with the same force and effect as if all signatures had been
entered on one document. 
  

 8 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the 9th day of June, 2004, to be
effective as of the Effective Date. 
  

									
	 STERLING BANCSHARES, INC.
 a Texas corporation 
	 	 	 	 GEORGE MARTINEZ

				
	By:	 	/s/    J. Downey Bridgwater	 	 	 	/s/    George Martinez
	 	 	 J. Downey Bridgwater
 President and Chief Executive
Officer
	 	 	 	 	 	 

  

 9

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