Document:

Prepared and filed by St Ives Burrups

Exhibit 10.9

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2003, by and between  DDS Technologies USA, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Employer”), and KERIN FRANKLIN (the “Executive”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Employer considers it essential and in the best interests of its stockholders to foster the employment of key management personnel and desires to engage the services of the Executive on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS, Executive desires to render services to the Employer and its subsidiaries on the terms and conditions provided in this Agreement; 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

The parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

		1.	
DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1:

“Agreement” means this Employment Agreement, as amended from time to time. 

“Basic Compensation” shall include base salary, bonuses that have been declared and are payable and benefits provided for in Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement.

“Benefits” is defined in Section 3.1(b).

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of Employer.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Disability” shall mean once the Executive is unable for the “Disability Period” (as hereafter defined) to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s duties with reasonable accommodation.  The disability of the Executive will be determined by a medical doctor selected by written agreement of the Employer and the Executive upon the request of either party by notice to the other.  If the Employer and the Executive cannot agree on the selection of a medical doctor, each of them will select a medical doctor and the two medical doctors will attempt to make a determination of disability.  If they cannot agree, they will select a third medical doctor who will
determine whether the Executive has a disability.  The determination of the third medical doctor selected under this provision will be binding on both parties.  The Executive must submit to a reasonable number of examinations by the medical doctor making the determination of disability under this provision, and the Executive hereby authorizes the disclosure and release to the Employer of such determination and all supporting medical records.  If the Executive is not legally competent, the Executive’s legal guardian or duly authorized attorney-in-fact will act in the Executive’s stead for the purposes of submitting the Executive to the examinations, and providing the authorization of disclosure, required under this provision.

 

“Disability Period” shall mean 180 consecutive days or 180 days during any twelve (12) month period; or such lesser number of days as elapse until disability insurance benefits commence under any disability insurance coverage furnished by Employer to Executive, if any.

“Effective Date” means May 15, 2003.

“Employer’s Business” means the development and sale of separation, disaggregation, and extraction technology.

“Employment Period” means the term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement as defined in Section 2.2.

“For Cause” shall mean:  (a) any violation of a law, rule or regulation other than minor traffic violations, including without limitation, any violation of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; (b) a breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit; (c) fraud, dishonesty or other acts of misconduct in the rendering of services on behalf of the Employer or relating to the Executive’s employment; (d) misconduct by the Executive which would cause the Employer to violate any state or federal law relating to sexual harassment or age, sex or other prohibited discrimination or any violation of written policy of the Employer or
any successor entity adopted in respect to such law; (e) failure to follow Employer work rules or the lawful instructions (written or otherwise) of the Board of Directors of the Employer or a responsible executive to whom the employee directly or indirectly reports, provided compliance with such directive was reasonably within the scope of the Executive’s duties and the Executive was given notice that her conduct could give rise to termination and such conduct is not, or could not be cured, within thirty (30) days thereafter or; (f) any violation by the Executive of the terms of this Agreement.

“Good Reason” shall mean, unless Executive shall have consented in writing thereto, any of the following: (i) a reduction in Executive’s title, duties, responsibilities or status which are inconsistent with Executive’s position with Employer; (ii) a reduction by Employer in Executive’s base salary or material reduction in fringe benefits; (iii) the breach by Employer of any material agreement or obligation under this Agreement after notice and a thirty (30) day right to cure; or (iv) a requirement that Executive relocate from Executive’s current location in Erie, Colorado.

“Person” means any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, or governmental body.

 

2

		2.	
EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND DUTIES
		 	 

			2.1	EMPLOYMENT

The Employer agrees to, and hereby does, continue to employ the Executive for the term of this Agreement upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.  

			2.2	TERM

Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the Employment Period for the Executive’s employment under this Agreement will be five (5) years, beginning on the Effective Date, and expiring on the earlier of the fifth anniversary of this Agreement or as earlier permitted under this Agreement. 

			2.3	DUTIES

The Executive will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of Employer and will use her best efforts to perform all duties required in furtherance of her position, including without limitation, all such duties as are customarily associated with such position or such duties as are assigned or delegated to the Executive by the Board of Directors.  The Executive agrees to perform in good faith and to the best of her ability all services which may be required of her hereunder and will devote sufficient efforts and business time, skill, attention and energies as are reasonably necessary to perform her duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and to promote the success of the Employer’s
Business.  Executive may continue to engage in the following activities: (a) providing consulting services to non-competitive businesses consistent with her practice prior to the Effective Date, including but not limited to Bionik, (b) attending board of directors’ or like meetings of other companies in which Executive or an affiliate has invested or in which Executive has been elected to serve, and (c) managing her personal investments, provided that such activities set forth in (a), (b) and (c) (individually or collectively) do not in the reasonable view of Employer’s Board of Director’s interfere or conflict with the performance of Executive’s duties or responsibilities under this Agreement.  If the Board reasonably believes that such activities do interfere or conflict,
Employer shall inform Executive of the basis for such belief in writing and shall give Executive a minimum of ninety (90) days to respond to the Board’s concerns and discontinue such activities, if appropriate.

		3.	
COMPENSATION
		 	 

			3.1	BASIC COMPENSATION

(a) Base Salary.  The Executive will be paid an annual base salary of $84,000, subject to adjustment as provided below (the “Salary”), which will be payable in equal periodic installments according to the Employer’s customary payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly.  The Executive’s Salary will be reviewed by Employer’s Board of Directors not less frequently than annually, and may be adjusted upward by Employer, but in no event will the Base Salary be less than $84,000 per year.

 

3

(b) Bonus.  Executive shall be eligible to receive annual bonus compensation at the discretion of Employer’s Board of Directors and in accordance with Employer’s executive bonus or incentive compensation plan that may be in effect from time to time.

(c) Commission.  Executive shall be entitled to a commission, payable quarterly on the last day of April, July, October and January, equal to 5% of the prior quarter’s net cash receipts (gross receipts less discounts, taxes, and shipping) attributable to business secured by Executive, as determined by the Chief Executive Officer.  For the purpose of this Agreement, the Chief Executive Officer shall be required to make the determination prior to the commencement of sales to a particular customer as to whether the business in question was secured by Executive, it being recognized that in her capacity as Chief
Operating Officer, Executive is expected to support the marketing initiatives of all of Employer’s employees and sales representatives without receipt of commission.

(d) Benefits. 

The Executive will, during the Employment Period, be permitted to participate in such pension, profit sharing, bonus (subject to the provisions of Section 3.1 (b)), life insurance, hospitalization, major medical, and other employee benefit plans of the Employer that may be in effect from time to time, to the extent the Executive is eligible under the terms of those plans (collectively, the “Benefits”).  The Executive shall also be entitled to such other fringe benefits as are now or may become available to any of Employer’s other executive officers.

			3.2	OPTIONS

Employer hereby grants to Executive options to purchase up to six hundred thousand (600,000) shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share (the “Options”).  The Options shall be granted under and subject to the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement dated May  15, 2003, including without limitation, the vesting schedule provided therein.

		4.	OFFICE ALLOWANCE; EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT

4.1 In recognition of the fact that Executive will be located in Colorado and that Executive will incur substantial out-of-pocket, business-related expenses (e.g. phone, fax, fedex, postage, office supplies, and other expenses), Employer shall provide Employee with a $1,000 per month office allowance to reimburse her for such expenses (the “Office Allowance”).

4.2 The Employer will pay all reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of the Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement (to the extent such expenses exceed the Office Allowance), including without limitation reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in attending conventions, other business meetings and for promotional expenses, provided that any such activities must be related to Employer’s business and all individual expenses (or those aggregated for a single convention, seminar or other business trip) greater than $5,000 must be approved by either Employer’s Chief Financial Officer or Employer’s Compensation
Committee (or if Employer has no Compensation Committee, its Board of Directors).  The Executive must file expense reports with respect to such expenses in accordance with the Employer’s policies.

 

4

		5.	VACATIONS AND HOLIDAYS

The Executive will be entitled to three (3) weeks’ paid vacation each calendar year in accordance with the vacation policies of the Employer in effect for its executive officers from time to time.  The Executive will also be entitled to the paid holidays and other paid leave set forth in the Employer’s policies.  Vacation days during any calendar year that are not used by the Executive during such calendar year will be forfeited.

		6.	TERMINATION
		 	 

			6.1	EVENTS OF TERMINATION

The Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated by Employer on the following grounds:

(a) upon the death of the Executive;
  (b) upon the disability of the
        Executive immediately upon notice from either party to the other; 

    (c) For Cause (following the
        expiration of any applicable notice period from Employer to Executive); 

    (d) at the discretion of Employer
        other than For Cause.

    The Executive may terminate her
        employment on the following grounds:

    (e) without Good Reason, provided
        that Executive gives Employer at least thirty (30) days prior written
        notice of her termination of employment; or

    (f) for Good Reason (following
        the expiration of any applicable notice period from Executive to Employer).

			6.2	TERMINATION PAY

Effective upon the termination of this Agreement, the Employer will be obligated to pay the Executive (or, in the event of her death, her designated beneficiary as defined below) the compensation provided in this Section 6.2:

(a) Termination by the Employer For Cause or
    Termination by Executive Without Good Reason. If the Employer terminates
    this Agreement For Cause or Executive resigns or terminates her employment
    for other than Good Reason, the Executive will be entitled to receive her
    Basic Compensation through the date such termination is effective.

 

5

(b) Termination upon Disability.  If this Agreement is terminated by either party as a result of the Executive’s Disability, the Employer will pay the Executive her Basic Compensation through the remainder of the calendar quarter during which such termination is effective and for the lesser of (i) six consecutive months thereafter, or (ii) the period until disability insurance benefits commence under any disability insurance coverage furnished by the Employer to the Executive. 

(c) Termination upon Death.  If this Agreement is terminated because of the Executive’s death, the Executive’s estate will be entitled to receive her Basic Compensation through the end of the calendar month in which her death occurs.

(d) Termination by Executive For Good Reason or Termination by Employer Without Cause.  If  this Agreement is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, or if this Agreement is terminated by Employer other than For Cause, then as severance under this Agreement Employer shall pay to Executive, in one lump sum, an amount equal to her Basic Compensation for the greater of eighteen (18) months or until May 15, 2008 (the “Severance Period”) as if Executive had continued to remain employed during the Severance Period; provided, however, as a condition to receiving such severance payment, Executive shall provide
Employer with a general release in form and substance satisfactory to Employer and Executive.  Employer shall make the lump sum payment to Executive on or before the tenth (10th) day following the effective date of her Termination.

  7.      CHARACTER
      OF TERMINATION PAYMENTS; MITIGATION

  The amounts payable
      to Executive upon any termination of this Agreement shall be considered severance
      pay in consideration of past services rendered on behalf of the Employer
      and her continued service from the date hereof to the date she becomes entitled
      to such payments. Executive shall have no duty to mitigate her damages by
      seeking other employment and, should Executive actually receive compensation
      from any such other employment, the payments required hereunder shall not
      be reduced or offset by any such other compensation.

6

  

		8.	 CONFIDENTIALITY AND RELATED MATTERS.
		 	 

	 	 	8.1      NON-DISCLOSURE
        COVENANT

  Employer and the Executive acknowledge that
      the services to be performed by the Executive under this Agreement are
      unique and valuable and that, as a result of the Executive’s employment,
      the Executive will be in a relationship of confidence and trust with Employer
      and will come into possession of “Confidential Information” (i)
      owned or controlled by Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates; (ii)
      in the possession of Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates and belonging
      to third parties; or (iii) conceived, originated, discovered or developed,
      in whole or in part, by the Executive. As used herein “Confidential
      Information” means trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary
      business, technical, personnel or financial information of Employer, whether
      or not the Executive’s work product, in written, graphic, oral or
      other tangible or intangible forms, including but not limited to specifications,
      samples, records, data, computer programs, drawings, diagrams, models,
      consumer names, ID’s or e-mail addresses, business or marketing plans,
      studies, analyses, projections and reports, communications by or to attorneys
      (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other
      materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney
      work product), and software systems and processes that are not readily
      available to the public, even it is not specifically marked as a trade
      secret or confidential, unless Employer advises the Executive otherwise
      in writing or unless the information has been shared by Employer with entities
      not bound by non-disclosure agreements. In consideration of the compensation
      and benefits to be paid or provided to the Executive by the Employer under
      this Agreement, the Executive agrees not to directly or indirectly use
      or disclose to anyone, either during the Employment Period or after the
      termination of this Agreement, except in the performance of her duties
      of her employment with Employer or with Employer’s prior written consent,
      any Confidential Information of Employer. This non-disclosure covenant
      does not apply to information that is disclosed or becomes public through
      another source that is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with Employer;
      which Executive is required to disclose pursuant to court order, subpoena
      or applicable law (provided that Executive will use reasonable efforts
      to provide Employer with prompt notice of any such requests or requirement
      so that Employer may seek an appropriate protective order); or which is
      disclosed in any proceeding to enforce or interpret this Agreement. The
      Executive agrees that in the event of the termination of the Executive’s
      employment for any reason, the Executive will deliver to Employer, upon
      request, all property belonging to Employer, including all documents and
      materials of any nature pertaining to the Executive’s work with Employer
      and will not take with her any documents or materials of any description,
      or any reproduction thereof of any description, containing or pertaining
      to any Confidential Information.

			8.2	
WORK MADE FOR HIRE

          Executive recognizes and understands that Executive’s duties at the Employer may include the preparation of materials, including without limitation written or graphic materials, and that any such materials conceived or written by Executive shall be done as “work made for hire” as defined and used in the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq.  In the event of publication of such materials, Executive understands that since the work is a “work made for hire”, the Employer will solely retain and own all rights in said materials, including right of copyright.

			8.3	
DISCLOSURE OF WORKS AND INVENTIONS/ASSIGNMENT OF PATENTS 

                    In consideration of the promises set forth herein, Executive agrees to disclose promptly to the Employer, or to such person whom the Employer may expressly designate for this specific purpose (its “Designee”), any and all works, inventions, discoveries and improvements authored, conceived or made by Executive during the period of employment and related to the Employer’s Business, and Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign all of Executive’s interest in the foregoing to the Employer or to its Designee.  Executive agrees that, whenever she is requested to do so by the Employer, Executive shall execute any
and all applications, assignments or other instruments which the Company shall deem necessary to apply for and obtain Letters Patent or Copyrights of the United States or any foreign country or to otherwise protect the Company’s interest therein.  Such obligations shall continue beyond the termination or nonrenewal of Executive’s employment with respect to any works, inventions, discoveries and/or improvements that are authored, conceived of, or made by Executive during the period of Executive’s employment, and shall be binding upon Executive’s successors, assigns, executors, heirs, administrators or other legal representatives.

7

 

		9.	
NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION MATTERS
	 	 	 

			9.1	
NON-COMPETITION

  During the term of this
        Agreement (the “Non-Compete Period”) the Executive agrees that
        she shall not work for or be interested in any business which provides services
        or products which are directly competitive with the Employer’s Business.
        In the event the Executive is terminated For Cause or Executive terminates
        for other than Good Reason, the Non-Compete Period shall be extended until
        the earlier of (i) one year; or (ii) the then scheduled expiration of the
        term of the Agreement. For the further purposes of this Agreement, the term “work
        for or be interested in any business” means that the Executive is
        a stockholder, director, officer, employee, partner, individual proprietor,
        lender or consultant with that business, but not if (i) her interest
        is limited
        solely to the passive ownership of five percent (5%) or less of any class
        of the equity or debt securities of a corporation whose shares are listed
        for trading on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter
        market; provided, however, that Employer acknowledges that Executive
        has preexisting relationships with and equity interests in Bionik (30%)
        and
        FoodWave LLC (10%) and that, notwithstanding any other provision of this
        Agreement,
        such relationships and interests shall not be deemed to violate any provision
        of this Agreement. In the event that any part of this Section 10 is adjudged
        invalid or unenforceable by any court of record, board of arbitration
        or judicial or quasi judicial entity having jurisdiction thereof by reason
        of length of time, geographical coverage, activities covered, or for
        any
        other
        reason, then the invalid or unenforceable provisions of this covenant
        shall be deemed reformed and amended to the maximum extent permissible
        under
        applicable law and shall be enforced and enforceable as so amended in
        accordance with
        the intention of the parties as expressed herein.

			9.2	
NON-SOLICITATION

  During the Non-Compete
        Period, the Executive also agrees that she will not directly or indirectly:
        (i) solicit the trade of, or trade with, any past, present or prospective
        customer of the Employer for any business purpose that directly or indirectly
        competes with the Employer’s Business; or (ii) solicit or induce,
        or attempt to solicit or induce, any employee of Employer to leave Employer
        for any reason whatsoever, or assist or participate in the hiring of
  any employee of Employer to work for another entity.

	 	10.      REPRESENTATIONS OF EXECUTIVE
	 	 

  As a material inducement
      to Employer to execute this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated
      thereby, the Executive hereby makes the following representations to Employer,
      each of which are true and correct in all material respects as of the date
      hereof.

   

  8

 

			10.1	
     QUESTIONNAIRE

  On or before the date
      hereof Executive has completed and returned to Employer a Directors and
      Officers Questionnaire (the “Questionnaire”) which is true
      and correct in all material respects.

			10.2	
     NO PRIOR AGREEMENTS

  Executive represents and warrants
      that Executive is not a party to or otherwise subject to or bound by the
      terms of any contract, agreement or understanding
    which in any manner would limit or otherwise affect Executive's ability to
    perform her obligations hereunder, including without limitation any contract,
    agreement or understanding containing terms and provisions similar in any
    manner to those contained in Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement; provided,
    however, that Executive has confidentiality agreements with Bionik and FoodWave.
    Executive further represents and warrants that her employment with the Employer
    will not under any circumstances require her to disclose or use any confidential
    information belonging to prior employers or other persons or entities, or
    to engage in any conduct which may potentially interfere with the contractual,
    statutory or common-law rights of such other employers, persons or entities.
    In the event that Executive knows or learns of any facts whatsoever which
    suggest that such interference might arguably occur as the result of any
    proposed actions by either Executive or the Employer, Executive expressly
    promises that she will immediately bring such facts to the Employer’s
  attention. 

  			10.3	      REVIEW BY
          COUNSEL

  
    Executive expressly
          acknowledges and represents that Executive has been given a full and
          fair opportunity to review this Agreement with an attorney of Executive’s
          choice, and that Executive has satisfied himself, with or without consulting
          with counsel, that the terms and provisions of this Agreement, specifically
          including, but not limited to, the restrictive covenant and related
          provisions of Section 9 hereof, are reasonable and enforceable.

        

  			10.4	
     NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

  Other than as disclosed
        in Section 9.1, Executive covenants that, as of the date hereof, she
      is not involved in any venture or activity that could compete with Employer’s
        Business or which could potentially interfere with her ability to perform
        under this Agreement. During the Term, she will disclose to the Company,
        in writing, any and all interests she may have, whether for profit or compensation
        or not, in any venture or activity which could potentially interfere with
        her ability to perform under this Agreement or create a conflict of interest
        for her with the Company. For purposes of this Section 10.4 only, “conflict
        of interest” shall mean ownership of greater than one percent (1%) of,
        or $25,000 worth of equity in, another company which conducts business similar
        to Employer’s Business (other than Bionik and FoodWave).

  9

 

			10.5	
     EXECUTIVE’S ABILITY

  Executive represents
        that Executive’s experience and capabilities, and the limited provisions
        of Section 9, are such that she will not be prevented from earning her livelihood
        in businesses similar to that of Employer’s Business. Executive
        acknowledges that there are a significant number of businesses for which
        her qualifications
        and experience would render her qualified for employment that do not
        constitute competing businesses such that her ability to become employed
        after the
        termination or nonrenewal of this Agreement would not be impaired.

  11.     GENERAL
      PROVISIONS

  11.1      INJUNCTIVE
      RELIEF AND ADDITIONAL REMEDY

The Executive acknowledges
    that the injury that would be suffered by the Employer as a result of a breach
    of the provisions of any provision of Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement
    would be irreparable and that an award of monetary damages to the Employer
    for such a breach would be an inadequate remedy. Consequently Employer will
    have the right, in addition to any other rights it may have, to obtain injunctive
    relief to restrain any breach or threatened breach or otherwise to specifically
    enforce any provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement, and the Employer
    will not be obligated to post bond or other security in seeking such relief.

  11.2      WAIVER  

  The rights and remedies of the
        parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. Neither
        the failure nor any delay by either party in exercising any right, power,
        or privilege under this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right,
        power, or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right,
        power, or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such
        right, power, or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power,
        or privilege.
  
11.3      TOLLING
  PERIOD  

  The non-competition,
      non-disclosure and non-solicitation obligations contained in Sections 8 and
      9 of this Agreement shall be extended by the length of time during which
      Executive shall have been in breach of any of the provisions of such Sections
      8 and 9.

  
    11.4      NOTICES

  

  All notices, consents,
      waivers, and other communications under this Agreement must be in writing
      and will be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered by hand, (b)
      sent by facsimile (with written confirmation of receipt), provided that a
      copy is mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, or (c) when
      received by the addressee, if sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery
      service (receipt requested), in each case to the appropriate addresses and
      facsimile numbers set forth below (or to such other addresses and facsimile
      numbers as a party may designate by notice to the other parties):

   

  10

 

  	If to Employer:  	DDS TECHNOLOGIES USA,
            INC

        150 East Palmetto Park Road, Suite 510 

      Boca Raton, Florida 33432
	 	Telephone
No.:

Facsimile
No.:      	(561)
750-4450 

 (561) 852-5803      
	 	 	 
	If to Executive:	Kerin
Franklin

1574 Carlson Avenue 

Erie, Colorado 80516
	 	 	 

                                                                         

12.5      ENTIRE
    AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS
  This Agreement and the documents
        referenced herein, contain the entire agreement between the parties with
        respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements
        and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto with
        respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be amended
        orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the parties hereto.

    2.6      GOVERNING
        LAW

    This Agreement will be governed
        by the laws of the State of Florida without regard to conflicts of laws
        principles.

    12.7      ARBITRATION,
        OTHER DISPUTES.

    In the event of any dispute or
        controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement, the parties
        shall first promptly try in good faith to settle such dispute or controversy
        by mediation under the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association
        before resorting to arbitration. In the event such dispute or controversy
        remains unresolved in whole or in part for a period of thirty (30) days
        after it arises, the parties will settle any remaining dispute or controversy
        exclusively by arbitration in Denver, Colorado in accordance with the
        commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association
        then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award
        in any court having jurisdiction. All administration fees and arbitration
        fees shall be paid solely by Employer. Notwithstanding the above, Employer
        shall be entitled to seek a restraining order or injunction in any court
        of competent jurisdiction to prevent any continuation of any violation
        of section 8 or 9 hereof. The prevailing party may recover attorneys’ fees
        in any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
        Agreement

    12.8      ASSIGNABILITY,
        BINDING NATURE

    This Agreement shall be binding
        upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors,
        heirs (in the case of the Executive) and assigns. No rights or obligations
        of the Executive under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred
        by the Executive other than her rights to compensation and benefits,
        which may be transferred only by will or operation of law.

11

 

12.9      SURVIVAL
  The respective rights and obligations
        of the parties hereunder shall survive any termination of the Executive’s
        employment to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such
        rights and obligations.

    12.10      SECTION
        HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION

    The headings of Sections in this
        Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction
        or interpretation. All references to “Section” or “Sections” refer
        to the corresponding Section or Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise
        specified. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of
        such gender or number as the circumstances require. Unless otherwise
        expressly provided, the word “including” does not limit the
        preceding words or terms.

    12.11      SEVERABILITY

    If any provision of this Agreement
        is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction,
        the other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and
        effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or unenforceable
        only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the extent
        not held invalid or unenforceable.

    12.12      COUNTERPARTS

    This Agreement may be executed
        in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original
        copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be
        deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement (and
        all other agreements, documents, instruments and certificates executed
        and/or delivered in connection herewith) may be executed by facsimile
        signatures, each of which shall be deemed an original copy of this Agreement
        (or other such agreement, document, instrument and certificate).

  	IMPORTANT NOTICE:
            THIS AGREEMENT RESTRICTS EXECUTIVE’S RIGHTS TO OBTAIN OTHER
            EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING HER EMPLOYMENT WITH THE EMPLOYER. BY SIGNING
            IT, EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THIS FACT, AND FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT
            SHE HAS BEEN ADVISED BY THE EMPLOYER TO READ THE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY,
            AND/OR TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL OF HER CHOICE CONCERNING THE LEGAL
            EFFECTS OF SIGNING THE AGREEMENT, PRIOR TO SIGNING IT.

12

   

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
        the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first
        written above.

	WITNESS:

  _________________________________

      Signature

  _________________________________

      Print Name

  _________________________________

      Address

  _________________________________

    Address
	EMPLOYER:

  DDS TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.

   

        By:____________________________

        Authorized Executive Officer

	 	 
	 	EMPLOYEE:

  __________________________________

        Kerin Franklin

13ZION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

 

 

Zion Oil & Gas

 

 

November 3, 2003

Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.

2 Bridge Avenue, Penthouse Suite

Red Bank, New Jersey 07701

Re:Underwriting Agreement

Gentlemen:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, proposes to issue and sell through you (the "Underwriter") and other broker-dealers ("Placement Agents") up to 7,000,000 shares of the Company's $.01 par value common stock for $5.00 per share (the "Shares").  The offering of the Shares is further described in the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").

	Representations and Warranties of the Company.  In order to induce you to enter into this Agreement, the Company represents and warrants as follows:

 

	The Company has filed a Registration Statement (No. 333-107042) on Form SB-2 relating to the Shares with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").  As used in this Agreement, the term "Registration Statement" means the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus, the exhibits, and all amendments including any amendments after the effective date of the Registration Statement.  The term "Prospectus" means the prospectus filed as a part of Part I of the Registration Statement, including all pre-effective and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto.

	The Registration Statement and all other documents previously filed or filed after the date hereof with the Commission conform and will comply with all of the requirements of the Act in all material respects.  Neither the Registration Statement, the Prospectus nor the other material filed or to be filed with the Commission contains nor will contain any untrue statements of material facts nor are there or will there be any omissions of material facts required to be stated therein or that are necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except that this warranty does not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by and with respect to you expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.

	The Company has obtained a CUSIP number for its common stock and the Company has used its best efforts to qualify the Shares for offering in every state, territory or possession of the United States (including the District of Columbia, hereinafter referred to as a "State") in which it plans to offer the Shares for sale.  The materials filed or to be filed with any State do not and will not contain any untrue statements of material fact nor are there or will there be any omissions of material facts required to be stated therein or that are necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

	The outstanding capital stock of the Company has been duly and validly authorized, issued and is fully paid and non-assessable and conforms to all statements made in the Registration Statement and Prospectus with respect thereto.  The Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment as provided in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.  The Shares, upon issue, will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any shareholders of the Company and will conform to all statements in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.

 

 

	The Company has been legally incorporated and is now, and always during the period of the offering will be, a validly existing corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware, lawfully qualified to conduct the business for which is was organized and which it proposes to conduct.  The Company will always during the period of the offering be qualified to conduct business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification.

	The Company's certificate of incorporation provides for the authorization of 20,000,000 shares of common stock ($.01 par value).  There are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase securities of the Company except as described in the Registration Statement.

	The Company has no subsidiaries nor contemplates acquiring subsidiaries or engaging in mergers with or the acquisition of any companies.

	The financial statements, together with related schedules and notes, included in the Prospectus present fairly the financial condition of the Company and are reported upon by independent public accountants according to generally accepted accounting principles and as required by the rules and regulations of the Commission.

	The Company's securities are not subject to preemptive rights.

	The Company has the legal right and authority to enter into this Underwriting Agreement, to effect the proposed sale of the Shares, and to effect all other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

	The Company is eligible to use Form SB-2 for the offering of the Shares.

	The Company possesses adequate certificates and permits issued by the appropriate federal, State and local regulatory authorities necessary to conduct its business and to retain possession of its properties.  The Company has not received any notice of any proceeding relating to the revocation or modification of any of these certificates or permits.

	The Company has filed all tax returns required to be filed and is not in default in the payment of any taxes which have become due pursuant to any law or any assessment.

	All of the contracts, leases, licenses, permits and agreements under which the Company operates as described in the Registration Statement are in full force and effect.  The Company is not in default under any of the material terms or provisions of any such contracts, leases, licenses, permits or agreements.

	All original documents and other information relating to the Company's business has and will continue to be made available upon request to the Placement Agents and their counsel at the offices of the Company, and copies of any such documents will be furnished upon request to the Underwriter or its counsel.

	The Company has appointed Registrar and Transfer Company, Cranford, NJ, as the Company's transfer agent.  The Company will continue to retain a transfer agent reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter for so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements under Section 12(g) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The Company will make arrangements to have available at the office of the transfer agent sufficient quantities of the Company's common stock certificates as may be needed for the quick and efficient transfer of the Shares.

	The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Shares as set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.

	There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Registration Statement or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that have not been described or filed as required.

All of the above representations and warranties shall survive the performance or termination of this Agreement.

 

 

 

	Representations and Warranties of the Underwriter.  The Underwriter represents and warrants as follows:

	It is registered as a broker-dealer with the Commission, and is registered to the extent registration is required with the appropriate governmental agency in each State in which it offers or sells the Shares, and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and will use its best efforts to maintain such registrations, qualifications and memberships throughout the term of the offering.

	To the knowledge of the Underwriter, no action or proceeding is pending against the Underwriter or any of its officers or directors concerning the Underwriter's activities as a broker or dealer that would affect the Company's offering of the Shares.

	The Underwriter will offer the Shares only in those states and in the quantities that are identified in the Blue Sky Memoranda from the Company's counsel to the Underwriter that the offering of the Shares has been qualified for sale under the applicable State statutes and regulations.  The Underwriter, however, may offer the Shares in other states if (i) the transaction is exempt from the registration requirements in that State, (ii) the Company's counsel has received notice ten days prior to the proposed sale, and (iii) the Company's counsel does not object within such ten-day period.

	The Underwriter, in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares and in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, agrees to use its best efforts to comply with all applicable federal laws; the laws of the states or other jurisdictions in which the Shares are offered and sole; and the Rules and current written interpretations and policies of the NASD.

	The Underwriter is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder.

	This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Underwriter and is a valid agreement on the part of the Underwriter.

	Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in any breach of any of the terms or conditions of, or constitute a default under, the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Underwriter or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Underwriter is a party or violate any order directed to the Underwriter of any court or any federal or State regulatory body or administrative agency having jurisdiction over the Underwriter or its affiliates.

	No person acting by, through or under the Underwriter will be entitled to receive from the Underwriter or from the Company finder's fees or similar payments.

	The Underwriter will, reasonably promptly after the closing date, supply the Company with all information required from the Underwriter for the completion of Form SR (Application of Proceeds) and such additional information as the Company may reasonably request to be supplied to the securities commissions of such States in which the Shares have been qualified for sale.

All of the above representations and warranties shall survive the performance or termination of this Agreement.

	Employment of the Underwriter.  In reliance upon the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement:

 

 

 

	The Company employs the Underwriter as its agent to sell for the Company's account the Shares, on a cash basis only, at a price of $5.00 per Share.  The Underwriter agrees to use its best efforts, as agent for the Company, to sell the Shares subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.  It is understood between the parties that there is no firm commitment by the Underwriter to purchase any or all of the Shares.

	The obligation of the Underwriter to offer the Shares is subject to receipt by it of written advice from the Commission that the Registration Statement is effective, is subject to the Shares being qualified for offering under applicable laws in the states as may be reasonably designated, is subject to the absence of any prohibitory action by any governmental body, agency or official, and is subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement.

	The Company and the Underwriter agree that unless a minimum of 1,300,000 of the Shares to be offered are sold on or before March 31, 2004(which period may be extended for an additional period of ninety days), the agency between the Company and the Underwriter will terminate.  In such an event, the full proceeds which have been paid for the Shares shall be returned to the purchasers within ten (10) business days.  Prior to the sale of all of the Shares to be offered, all proceeds received from the sale of the Shares will be deposited into an escrow account entitled "Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. Escrow Account" with Commerce Bank/Delaware, National Association, Cherry Hill, NJ.  

	The Underwriter, the Company and Commerce Bank/Delaware, National Association, will, prior to the beginning of the offering of the Shares, enter into a fund escrow agreement ("Escrow Agreement").  The parties mutually agree to faithfully perform their obligations under the Escrow Agreement.  The Underwriter will promptly deliver the funds into the escrow account in accordance with Rule 15(c)2-4 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, but in any event not later than five (5) business days after receipt of such funds.  The Underwriter will promptly deliver a copy of each subscription agreement received to the executive offices of the Company, to the attention of the Company's Vice President of Finance.

	Subject to the sale by the Company of a minimum of 1,300,000 of the Shares to be offered, the Company agrees to pay to the Underwriter: i) a commission equal to six percent (6%) of the public offering price for the Shares sold by the Underwriter; ii) a non-accountable fee of three percent (3%) of share price to the Lead Underwriter for legal, accounting, travel, road show and other miscellaneous expenses in connection with the offering on all shares sold to the public; iii) five-year warrants to purchase stocks equal to five percent (5%) of the shares sold in this offering at a price equal to twenty percent (20%) above the offering price; and, iv) a two-year investment banking consulting agreement at $30,000 per year payable annually in advance, conditional upon the closing of the offering.  The commission and fees under this Section 3(e) shall be payable upon the release of the funds which have been deposited into the escrow account.

	A retainer of $25,000 payable in the following manner: a) $15,000 at the signing of this agreement and, b) $10,000 no later than sixty (60) days after the signing of this agreement. 

	Further Agreements of the Company.  The Company further agrees with the Underwriter as follows:

	The Company will use its best efforts to qualify the sale of the Shares in such states as shall be reasonably requested by the Underwriter.

 

	The Company will deliver to the Underwriter as many copies of the preliminary Prospectus as the Underwriter may reasonably request during the period following Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement.  The Company will deliver to the Underwriter as many copies of the final Prospectus as the Underwriter may reasonably request during the period of the offering and for 90 days after the effective date. 

	The Company agrees to notify the Underwriter immediately during the period of the offering and within the 90 day period after the effective date of any event that materially affects the Company or its securities and that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus in order to make the statements made therein not misleading.  Similarly, the Company agrees to as soon as possible thereafter prepare and furnish to the Underwriter as many copies of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus in order that the 

Prospectus as amended or supplemented will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to State any material fact required to be stated therein or that is necessary in order to make the statements made therein not misleading.

	The Company will file with the Commission the required reports on Form SR and will file with the appropriate State securities commissioners any sales and other reports required by the rules and regulations of such agencies and will supply copies to the Underwriter, if requested.

	The Company will notify the Underwriter of any additional issuance of shares following a successful closing.

The Company grants to the Underwriter the right of first refusal on any secondary offering as no less than co-lead of the offering following a successful closing of the initial public offering.

	Indemnification.

	The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Underwriter from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable legal or other expenses) incurred by the Underwriter in connection with defending or investigating any such or liabilities that the Underwriter may incur under the federal or State securities laws and regulations, State statutes or at common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses shall arise out of or be based upon a violation or alleged violation of the federal or State securities laws or regulations, a State statute or the common law resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or in any application or other papers filed with the various State securities authorities ("Blue Sky Applications") or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission or alleged omission to State therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

	The foregoing indemnity of the Company in favor of the Underwriter shall not be deemed to protect the Underwriter against any liability to which the Underwriter would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Underwriter's duties, or by reason of the Underwriter's reckless disregard of the Underwriter's obligations and duties under the Act or this Agreement.

	The Underwriter agrees to give the Company an opportunity to participate in the defense or preparation of the defense of any action brought against the Underwriter to enforce any such claim or liability and the Company shall have the right so to participate.  The agreement of the Company under the foregoing indemnity is expressly conditioned upon notice of any such action having been sent by the Underwriter to the Company in writing, addressed as provided in this Agreement, promptly after the receipt of a written notice of such action against the Underwriter.  Such notice shall be accompanied by copies of papers served or filed in connection with such action or by a statement of the nature of the action to the extent known to the Underwriter. 

	Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time by written notice to that effect sent to the other party at the address shown in this Agreement. An attempt to assign any rights and obligations under this Agreement shall constitute automatic termination of this Agreement.

	Notices.  All notices shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed, or if communicated by telegraph, facsimile, electronic mail or telephone and subsequently immediately confirmed in writing:

To the Company:

                Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

                6515 Abrams Road

                Suite 300

                Dallas, Texas 75231

To the Underwriter:

                Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.

                The Galleria, Penthouse Suite

                2 Bridge Avenue

                Red Bank, NJ 07701-1333

                Attention: Mike Zarraga, Vice President

	Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Underwriter and their successors.  Nothing expressed in this Agreement is intended to give any person other than the persons mentioned in the preceding sentence any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement.

	Arbitration.  The Company and the Underwriter agree that in the event a dispute arises between the Underwriter and the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys or accountants, arising out of, in connection with or as a result of the execution of this Agreement or as a result of any subscription tendered by any purchaser of the Shares, such dispute shall be resolved through arbitration rather than litigation.  The parties agree to submit such disputes for resolution to the NASD within five (5) days after receiving a written request from any of the aforesaid parties to do so.  The failure by the Company or Underwriter to submit any dispute to arbitration as requested may result in the commencement of an arbitration proceeding against such party.  The parties further agree that any hearing scheduled after an arbitration proceeding is initiated by any of the aforesaid parties shall take place in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The parties acknowledge that the result of the arbitration proceeding shall be final and binding on all of the parties to the proceeding, and by agreeing to arbitration the parties are waiving their respective rights to seek remedies in Court.

 

	Miscellaneous Provisions.

	This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.

	The representations and warranties made in this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect.

	This Agreement is made solely for the benefit of the Company and its officers, directors and controlling persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act and of the Underwriter and its officers, directors and controlling persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, and their respective successors, heirs and personal representatives, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.  The term "successor" as used in this Agreement shall not include any purchaser, as such, of the Shares.

If this Agreement correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate your acceptance in the space provided below for that purpose.

Sincerely,

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

 

By:s/E. A. Soltero

E. A. Soltero, President

Confirmed and accepted as of the date

of this Agreement:

Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.

By:         s/William Hunt

              William Hunt, President

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00058-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00058-of-00352.parquet"}]]