Document:

Exhibit

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this [•] day of [•], between Nuance Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and [•] ("Indemnitee").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, Indemnitee performs a valuable service for the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company have adopted Bylaws (the "Bylaws") providing for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company to the maximum extent authorized by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended ("Law"); and
WHEREAS, the Bylaws and the Law, by their nonexclusive nature, permit contracts between the Company and the officers and directors of the Company with respect to indemnification of such officers and directors; and permits the Board of Directors to authorize indemnification by the Company for any employee or agent made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason that he, his testator or intestate is, or was, an employee or agent of the Company; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the authorization as provided by the Law, the Company may purchase and maintain a policy or policies of director's and officer's liability insurance ("D&O Insurance"), covering certain liabilities which may be incurred by its officers, directors or employees in the performance of their obligations to the Company; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of past services and in order to induce Indemnitee to continue to serve the Company, the Company has determined and agreed to enter into this contract with Indemnitee.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee's continued service to the Company after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.    Indemnity of Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provisions of the Law, as such may be amended from time to time, and Article VII, Section 6 of the Bylaws, as such may be amended. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:
(a)    Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(a) if, by reason of his Corporate Status (as hereinafter defined), he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(a), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
(b)Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(b) if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 1(b), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall determine that such indemnification may be made.
(c)Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, he shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
2.Additional Indemnity. In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1 hereof the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company's obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful.
3.Contribution in the Event of Joint Liability.
(a)    Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment and Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

(b)Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and lndemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which the law may require to be considered. The relative fault of Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.
(c)Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
4.Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness or is made (or asked) to respond to discovery requests, in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.

5.Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee's Corporate Status within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5 shall be unsecured and interest free. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligation of the Company to advance Expenses pursuant to this Section 5 shall be subject to the condition that, if, when and to the extent that the Company determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed, within thirty (30) days of such determination, by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, any determination made by the Company that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advance of Expenses until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed).

6.    Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the law and public policy of the State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:
(a)To obtain indemnification (including, but not limited to, the advancement of Expenses and contribution by the Company) under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b)Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 6(a) hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee's entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following three methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (I) by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
(c)If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 6(c). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board of Directors). Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of "Independent Counsel" as defined in Section 13 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other's selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6(c), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
(d)In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 6(a) of this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by clear and convincing evidence. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(e)Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee's action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise (as hereinafter defined), including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(e) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by clear and convincing evidence.

(f)The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by clear and convincing evidence.

(g)If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 6 to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee's statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 30 day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(g) shall not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination the Board of Directors or the Disinterested Directors, if appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat.

(h)Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel, member of the Board of Directors, or stockholder of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination under the Agreement of the Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(i)The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
7.    Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a)    In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of his entitlement to such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 7(a). The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee's right to seek any such adjudication.

(b)In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.
(c)If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee's misstatement not materially misleading in connection with the application for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d)In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7, seeks a judicial adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or to recover under any D&O Insurance policies maintained by the Company the Company shall pay on his behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in the definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses or D&O Insurance recovery.
(e)The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. 
8.    Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance: Subrogation.
(a)    The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the certificate of incorporation of the Company, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in the Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. In the event of any change in the Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, that narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, such change, to the extent not otherwise required by such statute or judicial decision to be applied to this Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the lndemnitee's rights and obligations hereunder. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

(b)To the extent that the Company maintains a D&O Insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies.
(c)In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
(d)The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any D&O Insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise,
9.Exception to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement with respect to any Proceeding brought by Indemnitee, or any claim therein, unless (a) the bringing of such Proceeding or making of such claim shall have been approved by the Board of Directors or (b) such Proceeding is being brought by the Indemnitee to assert his rights under this Agreement.

10.Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer or director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as an officer or director of the Company or any other enterprise at the Company's request.

11.Security. To the extent requested by the Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to the Indemnitee for the Company's obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to the Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

12.    Enforcement. 
(a)The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as an officer or director of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as an officer or director of the Company.
(b)This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13.    Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a)"Corporate Status" describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the express request of the Company.
(b)"Disinterested Director" means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(c)"Enterprise" shall mean the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the express written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.
(d)"Expenses" shall include all reasonable attorneys' fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.

(e)"Independent Counsel" means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee's rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(f)    "Proceeding" includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting as an officer or director of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; in each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement; and excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement.
14.Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
15.Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, termination or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
16.Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.
17.Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

(a)If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth below Indemnitee signature hereto,
(b)If to the Company, to:
Nuance Communications, Inc.
1 Wayside Road
Burlington, MA 01803
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
18.Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
19.Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
20.Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware without application of the conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Court"), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.
21.Gender. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.

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

NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 
 
 
 
By:____________________________________ 
    Name:   
    Title:     
 
INDEMNITEE 
 
______________________________________ 
Name:    
 
Address:

1Exhibit

EXHIBIT 10.1

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (“Agreement”), effective as of May 7, 2019  (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between Christopher J. Abate (the “Executive”) and Redwood Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and amends and restates in its entirety that certain Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between the Executive and the Company effective May 22, 2018 (as subsequently amended, the “Prior Agreement”).

The Company desires to establish its right to the continued services of the Executive, in the capacity, on the terms and conditions, and subject to the rights of termination hereinafter set forth, and the Executive is willing to accept such continued employment in such capacity, on such terms and conditions, and subject to such rights of termination. 

In consideration of the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, the Executive and the Company have agreed and do hereby agree as follows:

1.     Employment and Responsibilities. During the Term, the Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, reporting to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). The Executive does hereby accept and agree to such employment. The Executive’s duties shall be such executive and managerial duties as the Board shall from time to time prescribe and as provided in the By-Laws of the Company.  The Executive does hereby accept and agree to such continued employment. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, in its sole discretion, modify, reassign and/or augment the Executive’s responsibilities, and any such modification, reassignment and/or augmentation shall be deemed a waiver by the Executive of his rights under Section 6(e)(i) hereof only with his express written consent.  Any such modification, reassignment or augmentation of responsibilities shall be in writing.  The Executive shall devote such time, energy and skill to the performance of his duties for the Company and for the benefit of the Company as may be necessary or required for the effective conduct and operation of the Company’s business. Furthermore, the Executive shall act only in good faith and exercise due diligence and care in the performance of his duties to the Company under this Agreement.
  
2.     Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue through December 31, 2019; provided, however, that (i) on January 1, 2020 and each succeeding January 1, the Term shall automatically be extended for one additional year unless, not later than three months prior to any such January 1, either party shall have given written notice to the other that it does not wish to extend the Term and (ii) such one year extensions of the Term shall not occur on and after the January 1 of the year in which the Executive will attain age sixty-five (65) but instead the Term shall be extended only until the date of the Executive’s sixty-fifth (65th) birthday.

3.     Compensation.
(a)    Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive, and the Executive agrees to accept from the Company, in payment for his services to the Company a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at the rate of $750,000 per year, paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company subject to annual review and increase by the Board in its sole discretion (or by the Board’s separately designated Compensation Committee in its sole discretion).  For the avoidance of doubt, references to the Board in this Section 3 shall include the Board’s separately designated Compensation Committee. 

(b)    Performance Bonus - Board of Directors’ Discretion. The Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus. The Board in its discretion will determine whether such annual bonus will be paid, the amount of such bonus and its form of payment. The Executive’s target annual bonus amount is 175% of his Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”). If the Board determines in its discretion that the Executive’s performance meets or exceeds the criteria established by the Board for the award of a Target Bonus, the Board may award the Executive the Target Bonus or a higher amount. Likewise, if the Executive’s performance does not meet said criteria, the Board may award a lesser amount, or no bonus may be awarded. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Executive’s eligibility to receive any bonus under this Section 3(b) shall be expressly conditioned on, among other things, the Executive remaining employed with the Company up through any designated distribution date set by the Board.

(c)    Equity Incentive Awards. Executive shall be eligible to receive grants of equity-based long-term incentive awards, which may include options to purchase Company stock, performance or restricted stock units and Company restricted stock contributions to Company’s deferred compensation plan, or other equity-based awards. Such awards shall be determined in the discretion of the Board. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the Redwood Trust, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan) in which the surviving or acquiring corporation does not assume the Executive’s outstanding equity-related awards (including options and equity-based awards granted both before and after the Effective Date) or substitute similar equity-related awards, such equity-related awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable if the Executive’s service with the Company has not terminated before the effective date of the Change of Control; provided, however, that the foregoing provision shall only apply if the Company is not the surviving corporation or if shares of the Company’s common stock are converted into or exchanged for other securities or cash.

(d)   Annual Review. The Executive’s performance shall be reviewed at least annually. The performance evaluations shall consider and assess the Executive’s performance of his duties and responsibilities, the timely accomplishment of existing performance objectives, his level of efficiency and overall effectiveness and/or other factors or criteria that the Company, in its sole discretion, may deem relevant. The frequency of performance evaluations may vary depending upon, among other things, length of service, past performance, changes in job duties or performance levels. The Board shall, at least annually, review the Executive’s entire compensation package to determine whether it continues to meet the Company’s compensation objectives. Such annual review will include a determination of (i) whether to increase the Base Salary in accordance with Section 3(a); (ii) the incentive performance bonus to be awarded in accordance with Section 3(b); and (iii) the amount and type of any equity awards granted in accordance with Section 3(c). Positive performance evaluations do not guarantee salary increases or incentive bonuses. Salary increases and incentive bonus awards are solely within the discretion of the Board and may depend upon many factors other than the Executive’s performance.

4.     Fringe Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any benefit programs adopted from time to time by the Company for the benefit of its senior executive employees, and the Executive shall be entitled to receive such other fringe benefits as may be granted to him from time to time by the Board.

(a)     Benefit Plans. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any benefit plans relating to equity-based compensation awards, pension, thrift, profit sharing, life insurance, medical coverage, education, deferred compensation, or other retirement or employee benefits available to other senior executive employees of the Company, subject to any restrictions (including waiting periods) specified in such plans and/or related individual agreements. The Company shall make commercially reasonable efforts to obtain 

medical and disability insurance, and such other forms of insurance as the Board shall from time to time determine, for its senior executive employees.

(b)    Paid Time Off. The Executive shall be entitled to twenty-five (25) days of paid time off (“PTO”) per calendar year pursuant to the Company’s policies applicable to similarly situated employees of the Company, as in effect from time to time and consistent with the Executive’s satisfactory performance of the duties set forth in Section 1; provided, however, that the Executive may only accrue up to a maximum of fifty (50) days of PTO. The Executive may use PTO for any reason, including vacation, sick time, personal time and family illness. Any vacation shall be taken at the reasonable and mutual convenience of the Company and the Executive. 

5.     Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for any and all necessary, customary and usual expenses, properly receipted in accordance with Company policies, incurred by Executive on behalf of the Company.

6.     Termination of Executive’s Employment.

(a) Death. If the Executive dies while employed by the Company, his employment shall immediately terminate. The Company’s obligation to pay the Executive’s Base Salary shall cease as of the date of the Executive’s death, and any unpaid Base Salary shall be paid to the Executive’s estate. In addition, within fifteen (15) days of the Executive’s death, the Company shall pay to the Executive’s estate an incentive performance bonus based on Executive’s Target Bonus then in effect, prorated for the number of days of employment completed by the Executive during the year of his death. Executive’s beneficiaries or his estate shall receive benefits in accordance with the Company’s retirement, insurance and other applicable programs and plans then in effect. All stock options or other equity-related awards with time-based vesting, including deferred or restricted stock units, shall vest in full and, in the case of stock options, shall be exercisable for such period as set forth in the applicable award agreement by which such awards are evidenced. All stock options or other equity-related awards with performance-based vesting, including performance stock units, shall remain outstanding and shall continue to be eligible to vest and become payable based on the number of target shares and the performance goals set forth in the applicable award agreement by which such awards are evidenced, with any stock options remaining exercisable for such period as set forth in the applicable award agreement.

(b) Disability. If, as a result of the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness (“Disability”), Executive shall have been absent from the full-time performance of his duties with the Company for six (6) consecutive months, and, within thirty (30) days after written notice is provided to him by the Company, he shall not have returned to the full-time performance of his duties, the Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by the Company for Disability. During any period prior to such termination during which the Executive is absent from the full-time performance of his duties with the Company due to Disability, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive his Base Salary at the rate in effect at the commencement of such period of Disability. Subsequent to such termination, the Executive’s benefits shall be determined under the Company’s retirement, insurance and other compensation programs then in effect in accordance with the terms of such programs. In addition, within fifteen (15) days of such termination, the Company shall pay to the Executive an incentive performance bonus based on Executive’s Target Bonus then in effect, prorated for the number of days of employment completed by the Executive during the year in which his employment terminated. The Executive, the Executive’s beneficiaries or his estate shall receive benefits in accordance with the Company’s retirement, insurance and other applicable programs and plans then in effect. All stock options or other equity-related awards with time-

based vesting, including deferred or restricted stock units, shall vest in full and, in the case of stock options, shall be exercisable for such period as set forth in the applicable award agreement by which such awards are evidenced. All stock options or other equity-related awards with performance-based vesting, including performance stock units, shall remain outstanding and shall continue to be eligible to vest and become payable based on the number of target shares and the performance goals set forth in the applicable award agreement by which such awards are evidenced, with any stock options remaining exercisable for such period as set forth in the applicable award agreement.

(c) Termination By The Company For Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement for Cause, at any time prior to expiration of the Term of the Agreement; provided, however, that prior to any termination of employment for Cause pursuant to subsection (i), (ii), or (iii) below, the Company must first provide written notice describing the reason for such termination of employment (and, with respect to subsections (ii) and (iii) below, such notice may be provided on the same date as the termination date). For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (i) the Executive’s material failure to substantially perform the reasonable and lawful duties of his position for the Company, which failure shall continue for thirty (30) days after written notice thereof by the Company to the Executive; (ii) acts or omissions constituting gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of the Executive in respect of the performance of his duties hereunder, his fiduciary obligations or otherwise relating to the business of the Company; (iii) the habitual or repeated neglect of his duties by Executive; (iv) the Executive’s conviction of a felony; (v) theft or embezzlement, or attempted theft or embezzlement, of money or tangible or intangible assets or property of the Company or its employees, customers, clients, or others having business relations with the Company; (vi) any act of moral turpitude by Executive injurious to the interest, property, operations, business or reputation of the Company; or (vii) unauthorized use or disclosure of trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information pertaining to Company business. 

In the event of a termination under this Section 6(c), the Company will pay only the portion of Base Salary or previously awarded bonus unpaid as of the termination date. Fringe benefits which have accrued and/or vested on the termination date will continue in effect according to their terms.

(d) Termination By The Company Without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause upon 30 days written notice to Executive or pay in lieu thereof. In the event of a termination under this Section 6(d), the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits set forth in Section 7.

(e) Termination By The Executive For Good Reason. The Executive shall have the right to terminate this Agreement for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence, without the Executive’s express written consent, of any one or more of the following events:  
(i) A material reduction in Executive’s responsibilities; title, duties or authority;

(ii) A material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary or a material reduction by the Company in the value of the Executive’s total compensation package (salary, bonus opportunity, equity incentive award opportunity and benefits) if such a reduction is not made in proportion to an across-the-board reduction for all senior executives of the Company;

(iii) The relocation of the Executive’s principal Company office to a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from its location as of the Effective Date (which location is the Company’s 

headquarters in Mill Valley, California) except for required travel on the Company’s business to the extent necessary to fulfill the Executive’s obligations under Section 1;

(iv) A failure at any time to renew this Agreement for successive one-year periods pursuant to Section 2;

(v) The complete liquidation of the Company; or

(vi) In the event of a merger, consolidation, transfer, or closing of a sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company with or to any other individual or entity, the failure of the Company’s successor to affirmatively adopt this Agreement or to otherwise comply with its obligations pursuant to Section 13 below.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive will not be deemed to have resigned for Good Reason for purposes of subclause (i) unless (1) the Executive provides the Company with written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed by the Executive to constitute Good Reason within ninety (90) days after the date of the occurrence of any event that the Executive knows or should reasonably have known to constitute Good Reason, (2) the Company fails to cure such acts or omissions within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such notice, and (3) the effective date of the Executive’s termination for Good Reason occurs no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the Company’s cure period. In the event of a termination under this Section 6(e), the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits set forth in Section 7. 
 (f) Termination By The Executive Without Good Reason. The Executive may at any time during the Term terminate his employment hereunder for any reason or no reason by giving the Company notice in writing not less than sixty (60) days in advance of such termination. The Executive shall have no further obligations to the Company after the effective date of termination, as set forth in the notice. In the event of a termination by the Executive under this Section 6(f), the Company will pay only the portion of Base Salary or previously awarded bonus unpaid as of the termination date. Fringe benefits which have accrued and/or vested on the termination date will continue in effect according to their terms.

7. Compensation Upon Termination By the Company without Cause or By The Executive for Good Reason.
(a) If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:

(i) Payment of Unpaid Base Salary. The Company shall immediately pay the Executive any portion of the Executive’s Base Salary through the date of termination or previously awarded bonus not paid prior to the termination date.

(ii) Severance Payment.
 
(A)  In the event such termination is not a CIC Termination (as defined below), then the Company shall provide the Executive (x) an amount equal to two (2) times the Executive’s Annual Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to his termination and (y) an amount equal to the Executive’s Annual Base Salary in effect immediately prior to his termination pro-rated for the number of days of employment completed by the Executive during the year in which his employment is terminated.

(B)  In the event such termination of employment occurs within three months prior to, on, or within 24 months following a Change of Control (a “CIC Termination”), then instead of providing the payments in Section 7(a)(ii)(A), the Company shall provide the Executive an amount equal to the sum of (x) the Executive’s Target Bonus in effect immediately prior to his termination, prorated for the number of days of employment completed by the Executive during the year in which his employment terminated; (y) two (2) times the Executive’s Annual Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to his termination; and (z) two (2) times the Executive’s Target Bonus in effect immediately prior to his termination.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum aggregate amount that the Company shall pay to the Executive pursuant to this Section 7(a)(ii)(B) is $6,500,000.

(iii) Equity Awards. All stock options or other equity-related awards with time-based vesting, including deferred or restricted stock units, shall vest in full and, in the case of stock options, shall be exercisable for such period as set forth in the applicable award agreement by which such awards are evidenced. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company without Cause, all stock options or other equity-related awards with performance-based vesting, including performance stock units, shall remain outstanding and shall continue to be eligible to vest and become payable or exercisable based on (x) the performance goals set forth in the applicable award agreement by which such awards are evidenced and (y) a reduced number of target shares adjusted on a pro-rata basis to reflect the number of days of employment completed during the applicable vesting period in which termination occurs, with any stock options remaining exercisable for such period as set forth in the applicable award agreement. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, all stock options or other equity-related awards with performance-based vesting, including performance stock units, shall remain outstanding and shall continue to be eligible to vest and become payable based on the number of target shares and the performance goals set forth in the applicable award agreement by which such awards are evidenced, with any stock options remaining exercisable for such period as set forth in the applicable award agreement.

(iv) Continuation of Fringe Benefits. For a period of up to twelve (12) months (or, in the event of a CIC Termination, twenty-four (24) months) following the date of Executive’s termination of employment with Company, subject to the Executive’s valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the regulations thereunder, the Company shall continue to provide the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents with coverage under its group health plans at the same levels and the same cost to the Executive as would have applied if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated based on the Employee’s elections in effect on the date of termination (the “Continued Coverage”), provided that (1) if any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (2) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover the Executive under its group health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), the Company may in its sole discretion provide that (i) the Executive shall pay to the Company, on an after-tax basis, a monthly amount equal to the full premium cost of the Continued Coverage for such month and (ii) within 30 days of such premium payment, the Company shall reimburse the Executive in cash (less required withholding) an amount equal to the sum of (A) the excess of (x) the full premium cost of the Continued Coverage for such month over (y) any premium amount that would have been payable by the Executive if the Executive had been actively employed by the Company for such month and (B) an additional tax “gross up” payment to cover all estimated applicable local, state and federal income and payroll taxes imposed on the Executive with respect to the Continued Coverage. For the twelve (12) month (or, in the event of a CIC Termination, twenty-four (24) month) period following the termination of the Executive’s employment, the Company shall also continue to provide the 

Executive with all life insurance, disability insurance and other fringe benefits set forth in Section 4 as if the Executive’s employment under the Agreement had not been terminated; provided, however, that such life insurance, disability insurance and other fringe benefits shall cease as of the date the Executive receives such coverage from a subsequent employer. 

(v) Payment/Benefit Limitation.  If any payment or benefit due under this Agreement, together with all other payments and benefits that the Executive receives or is entitled to receive from the Company or any of its subsidiaries, affiliates or related entities, would (if paid or provided) constitute an “excess parachute payment” for purposes of Section 280G of the Code, the amounts otherwise payable and benefits otherwise due under this Agreement will either (i) be delivered in full, or (ii) be limited to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion thereof will fail to be tax-deductible to the Company by reason of Section 280G of the Code (and therefore, no portion thereof will be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code), whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes and the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, results in the receipt by the Executive, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of payments and benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such payments and/or benefits may be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.  Unless otherwise specified in writing by the Executive, in the event that the payments and/or benefits are to be reduced pursuant to this Section 7(a)(v), such payments and benefits shall be reduced such that the reduction of cash compensation to be provided to the Executive as a result of this Section 7 is minimized.  In applying this principle, the reduction shall be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and where two economically equivalent amounts are subject to reduction but payable at different times, such amounts shall be reduced on a pro rata basis but not below zero.  All determinations required to be made under this Section 7(a)(v) shall be made by the Company's independent public accounting firm (or such other nationally recognized public accounting firm as may be selected by the Company and to which selection the Executive consents (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld)) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a payment or benefit subject to this Section 7(a)(v), or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.

(b) No Mitigation Required; No Other Entitlement To Benefits Under Agreement. The Executive shall not be required in any way to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Section 7, including, without limitation, by seeking other employment, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for in this Section 7 be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment with another employer after the termination date of employment, or otherwise. Except as set forth in this Section 7, following a termination governed by this Section 7, the Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation or benefits set forth in this Agreement, except as may be separately negotiated by the parties and approved the Board in writing in conjunction with the termination of Executive’s employment under this Section 7.
(c) Release Agreement. As a condition of receiving any of the payments, vesting and benefits set forth in this Section 7 (other than the payment provided for in sub-section 7(a)(i)), the Executive shall be required to execute a mutual release agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or Exhibit B, as appropriate, and such release agreement must have become effective in accordance with its terms within 60 days following the termination date. The Company, in its sole discretion, may modify the term of the required release agreement to comply with applicable law and may incorporate the required release agreement into a termination agreement or other agreement with the Executive
(d) Timing of Severance Payments. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, all severance payments provided under this Agreement in connection with the termination of the employment of the Executive shall be payable in an amount equal to 75% of such payments on the date that is six months after the termination date, and the remaining 25% shall be payable in six equal monthly installments beginning 

on the date that is seven months after the termination date and continuing on the same date of each of the five months thereafter.
(e) Timing of Bonus Payments. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, all bonus payments provided under this Agreement in connection with the termination of the employment of the Executive shall be payable on the date that is six months after the termination date.

8. Disputes Relating To Executive’s Termination of Employment For Good Reason. If the Executive resigns his employment with the Company alleging in good faith as the basis for such resignation “Good Reason” as defined in Section 6(e), and if the Company then disputes the Executive’s right to the payment of benefits under Section 7, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the full compensation (including, without limitation, his Base Salary) in effect at the date the Executive provided written notice of such resignation, and the Company shall continue the Executive as a participant in all compensation, benefit and insurance plans in which the Executive was then a participant, until the earlier of the expiration of the Term or the date the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by application of the provisions of Section 11. For the purposes of this Section 8, the Company shall bear the burden of proving that the grounds for the Executive’s resignation do not fall within the scope of Section 6(e), and there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the Executive alleged such grounds in good faith.

9. Restrictive Covenant Provisions.
(a) Noncompetition. The Executive agrees that during the Term prior to any termination of his employment hereunder, he will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of a majority of the non-employee members of the Board, manage, operate, join, control, participate in, or be connected as a stockholder (other than as a holder of shares publicly traded on a stock exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System), partner, or other equity holder with, or as an officer, director or employee of, any real estate or mortgage investment organization whose business strategy is competitive with that of the Company, as determined by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board. It is further expressly agreed that the Company will or would suffer irreparable injury if the Executive were to compete with the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company in violation of this Agreement and that the Company would by reason of such competition be entitled to injunctive relief in a court of appropriate jurisdiction, and the Executive further consents and stipulates to the entry of such injunctive relief in such a court prohibiting the Executive from competing with the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, in the areas of business set forth above, in violation of this Agreement.
(b) Duty To Avoid Conflict Of Interest. During his employment by the Company, Executive agrees not to engage or participate in, directly or indirectly, any activities in conflict with the best interests of the Company. The Company shall be the final decision-maker with regard to any conflict of interest issue.
(c) Right To Company Materials. The Executive agrees that all styles, designs, lists, materials, books, files, reports, correspondence, records, and other documents (“Company Materials”) used, prepared, or made available to the Executive shall be and shall remain the property of the Company. Upon the termination of employment or the expiration of this Agreement, the Executive shall immediately return to the Company all Company Materials, and the Executive shall not make or retain any copies thereof.
(d) Nonsolicitation. The Executive promises and agrees that he will not directly or indirectly solicit any of the Company’s employees to work for any competing real estate or mortgage investment organization as determined under Section 9(a) for a period of one (1) year following the occurrence of any event entitling the Executive to payments and benefits, provided the Company makes all such payments when due according to the provisions herein.
(e) Confidential And Proprietary Information.

(1) It is hereby acknowledged that Executive has and shall gain knowledge of trade secrets and confidential information owned by or related to the Company and/or its affiliates including but not limited to the following: (i) the names, lists, buying habits and practices of customers, clients or vendors, (ii) marketing and related information, (iii) relationships with the persons or entities with whom or with which the Company has contracted, (iv) their products, designs, software, developments, improvements and methods of operation, (v) financial condition, profit performance and financial requirements, (vi) the compensation paid to employees, (vii) business plans and the information contained therein, and (viii) all other confidential information of, about or concerning the Company, the manner of operation of the Company and other confidential data of any kind, nature or description relating to the Company (collectively, the “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information does not include information which (A) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by Executive; or (B) becomes available to Executive on a non-confidential basis after the termination or expiration of Executive’s obligations under this Agreement from a source other than the Company, provided that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company or any other party with respect to such information; or (C) is independently developed after the termination or expiration of Executive’s obligations under this agreement without reference to the Confidential Information, provided such independent development can reasonably be proven by Executive by written records.

(2) The parties hereby acknowledge that the Confidential Information constitutes important, unique, material and confidential trade secrets which affect the successful activities of the Company, and constitute a substantial part of the assets and goodwill of the Company. In view of the foregoing, Executive agrees that he will not at any time whether during or after the term of this Agreement, except as required in the course of Executive’s employment by Company and at its direction and for its sole benefit, in any fashion, form or manner, directly or indirectly (i) use or divulge, disclose, communicate or provide or permit access to any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, any Confidential Information of any kind, nature or description, or (ii) remove from Company’s premises any notes or records relating thereto, or copies or facsimiles thereof (whether made by electronic, electrical, magnetic, optical, laser, acoustic or other means).

(3) Promptly upon the request of Company, and immediately upon the termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall not transfer to any third person and shall deliver to Company all Confidential Information, and other property belonging to the Company, including all copies thereof, in the possession or under the control of the Executive.

(4) Executive represents that the performance of all the terms of this Agreement will not conflict with, and will not breach, any other invention assignment agreement, confidentiality agreement, employment agreement or non-competition agreement to which Executive is or has been a party. To the extent that Executive has confidential information or materials of any former employer, Executive acknowledges that the Company has directed Executive to not disclose such confidential information or materials to the Company or any of its employees, and that the Company prohibits Executive from using said confidential information or materials in any work that Executive may perform for the Company. Executive agrees that Executive will not bring with Executive to the Company, and will not use or disclose any confidential, proprietary information, or trade secrets acquired by Executive prior to his employment with the Company. Executive will not disclose to the Company or any of its employees, or induce the Company or any of its employees to use, any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employers or others, nor will Executive bring to the Company or use in connection with Executive’s work for the Company copies of any software, computer files, or any other copyrighted or trademarked materials except those owned by or licensed to the Company. Executive represents that he is not a party to 

any other agreement that will interfere with his full compliance with this Agreement. Executive further agrees not to enter into any agreement, whether written or oral, in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement.

(5)  Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit the Executive from filing a charge with, reporting possible violations to, or participating or cooperating with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local regulatory body or law enforcement agency, including in relation to any whistleblower, anti-discrimination, or anti-retaliation provisions of federal, state or local law or regulation. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1833(b), the Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made: (x) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (y) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

(f) Inventions. Any and all inventions, discoveries or improvements that Executive has conceived or made or may conceive or make during the period of employment relating to or in any way pertaining to or connected with the systems, products, computer programs, software, apparatus or methods employed, manufactured or constructed by the Company or to systems, products, apparatus or methods with respect to which the Company engages in, requests or anticipates research or development, shall be promptly and fully disclosed and described by Executive to the Company and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and Executive shall assign, and hereby does assign to the Company Executive’s entire right, title and interest in and to all such inventions, discoveries or improvements as well as any modifications or improvements thereto that may be made.
 
The obligations outlined in this Section 9(f) do not apply to any invention that qualifies fully under California Labor Code Section 2870 (a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C) or to any rights Executive may have acquired in connection with an invention, discovery or improvement that was developed entirely on Executive’s own time for which no equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information of the Company was used and (a) that does not relate directly or indirectly to the business of the Company or to the Company’s actual or demonstrable anticipated research or development, or (b) that does not result from any work performed by Executive for the Company.

(g) Maryland Law. The Executive agrees, in accordance with Maryland law, to first offer to the Company corporate opportunities learned of solely as a result of his service as an officer of the Company.

(h) Breach. It is expressly agreed that each breach of this Section 9 is a distinct and material breach of this Agreement and that solely a monetary remedy would be inadequate, impracticable and extremely difficult to prove, and that each such breach would cause the Company irreparable harm. It is further agreed that, in addition to any and all remedies available at law or equity (including money damages), either party shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of this Section, without the necessity of proving actual damages. It is further agreed that either party shall be entitled to seek such equitable relief in any forum, including a court of law, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11. Either party may pursue any of the remedies described herein concurrently or consecutively in any order as to any such breach or violation, and the pursuit of one of such remedies at any time will not be deemed an election of remedies or waiver of the right to pursue any of the other such remedies. Any breach of this Section 9 shall immediately terminate any obligations by the Company to provide Executive with severance and continued benefits pursuant to Section 6 or 7 of this Agreement.

(i) Unenforceability. Should any portion of this Section 9 be deemed unenforceable because of its scope, duration or effect, and only in such event, then the parties expressly consent and agree to such 

limitation on scope, duration or effect as may be finally adjudicated as enforceable, to give this Section 9 its maximum permissible scope, duration and effect.

10. Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by fax or first class mail, certified or registered with return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to have been duly given three (3) days after mailing or twenty-four (24) hours after transmission of a fax to the respective persons named below:

If to the Company:    Redwood Trust, Inc.
Attn: General Counsel
One Belvedere Place, Suite 300
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 389-7373
Fax: (415) 381-1773

If to the Executive:    Christopher J. Abate
c/o Redwood Trust, Inc.
One Belvedere Place, Suite 300
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 389-7373
Fax: (415) 381-1773
Either party may change such party’s address for notices by notice duly given pursuant hereto.

11. Resolution of Disputes. To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment, or the termination of the Executive’s employment (“Arbitrable Claims”) shall be submitted to confidential mediation in San Francisco, California conducted by a mutually agreeable mediator from Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (“JAMS”) or its successor under the JAMS Rules of Practice and Procedure then in effect, which can be found at www.jamsadr.com/adr-rules-procedures.  The cost of JAMS’ mediation fees shall be paid by the Company. In the event that mediation is unsuccessful in resolving the Arbitrable Claims, the Arbitrable Claims shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration in San Francisco, California conducted by JAMS or its successor, under the then applicable rules of JAMS. 

The Executive acknowledges that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both the Executive and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. 

The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision including the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award any or all remedies that the Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law, including, without limitation, the award of attorneys’ fees based on a determination of the extent to which each party has prevailed as to the material issues raised in determination of the dispute. The Company shall pay all JAMS’ arbitration fees in excess of those which would be required if the dispute were decided in a court of law. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either the Executive or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such mediation or arbitration.

12.  [Reserved]

13. Assignment; Successors. This Agreement is personal in its nature, and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that, in the event of the merger, consolidation, transfer, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company with or to any other individual or entity, this Agreement shall, subject to the provisions hereof, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of such successor and such successor shall discharge and perform all the promises, covenants, duties, and obligations of the Company hereunder.

14. Governing Law. This Agreement and the legal relations thus created between the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed under and in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

15. Entire Agreement; Headings. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes in their entirety all other or prior agreements, whether oral or written, with respect thereto, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement, but excluding the plans, programs and equity award agreements under which compensation and benefits are provided pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 hereof to the extent such plans and programs and equity award agreements are not inconsistent with this Agreement.  Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose.

16. Waiver; Modification. Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants, or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of, or failure to insist upon strict compliance with, any right or power hereunder at any one or more times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times. This Agreement shall not be modified in any respect except by a writing executed by each party hereto.

17. Severability. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any portion of this Agreement is in violation of any statute or public policy, only the portions of this Agreement that violate such statute or public policy shall be stricken. All portions of this Agreement that do not violate any statute or public policy shall continue in full force and effect. Further, any court order striking any portion of this Agreement shall modify the stricken terms as narrowly as possible to give as much effect as possible to the intentions of the parties under this Agreement. 

18. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless to the maximum extent permitted by Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporations Law or its successor statute, or if greater, by the Company’s Bylaws, by any applicable resolution of the Board or by the terms providing the most extensive indemnification contained in any written agreement between the Company and any director or officer of the Company. The Company shall make Executive a named beneficiary under all director and officer liability policies maintained by the Company from time to time for the benefit of its directors and officers, entitled to all benefits provided thereunder to persons serving in a comparable role as an officer of the Company.

19.    Section 409A. Any payments under this Agreement subject to Section 409A of the Code that are subject to execution of a waiver and release which may be executed and/or revoked in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the payment event (such as a termination of employment) occurs shall commence payment only in the calendar year in which the consideration period or, if applicable, release revocation period ends, as necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits shall be paid to the Executive during the six (6)-month period following the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company (within the meaning 

of Section 409A of the Code, a “Separation from Service”) if the Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first day of the seventh month following the date of Separation from Service (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of the Executive’s death), the Company shall pay the Executive a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to the Executive during such period. Any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. To the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any separate payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise shall not be deemed “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of Section 409A. All payments of nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company

20.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

21. Successor Sections. References herein to sections or rules of the Code shall be deemed to include any successor sections or rules.

[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Executive has hereunto signed this Agreement, as of the Effective Date.

	
					
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	REDWOOD TRUST, INC.

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	By:
	 
	/s/ Andrew P. Stone

	 
	 
	Andrew P. Stone

	 
	 
	Executive Vice President & General Counsel

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	EXECUTIVE
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	/s/ Christopher J. Abate

	 
	 
	Christopher J. Abate

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

INDIVIDUAL TERMINATION
EXHIBIT A
RELEASE AGREEMENT

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release Agreement or in Sections 7 and 18 of the Employment Agreement between Christopher J. Abate and Redwood Trust, Inc., Christopher J. Abate (“Executive”) hereby generally and completely releases the Company and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date Executive signs this Release Agreement. The Company, its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns, hereby releases Executive and his heirs, executors, successors and assigns, from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date the Company signs this Release Agreement. This general mutual release includes, but is not limited to: (A) all claims arising out of or in any way related to Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (B) all claims related to Executive’s compensation or benefits from the Company, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (C) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (D) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; (E) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (as amended) (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended); and (F) all claims and rights with respect to Executive’s right to communicate directly with, cooperate with, or provide information to, any federal, state or local government regulator; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to release the Company from its obligation to indemnify Executive pursuant to agreement, the Company’s bylaws or binding resolutions, or applicable law.

Executive acknowledges that he is knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the ADEA, and that the consideration given under his Employment Agreement with the Company for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which he was already entitled. Executive further acknowledges A-1

that he has been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date Executive signs this Release Agreement; (B) Executive should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release Agreement (although Executive may choose voluntarily not do so); (C) Executive has twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release Agreement (although Executive may choose voluntarily to sign this Release Agreement earlier); (D) Executive has seven (7) days following the date that he signs this Release Agreement to revoke the Release Agreement by providing written notice to an officer of the Company; and (E) this Release Agreement shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day after Executive signs this Release Agreement. Both Executive and the Company acknowledge that each has read and understands Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: 

A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.

Both Executive and the Company hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to each party’s release of any claims hereunder.

Notwithstanding anything herein, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to 18 USC Section 1833(b), the Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made: (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

Mutual Nondisparagement.  
(a) Nondisparagement by Executive. At all times following the cessation of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive agrees not to make negative comments or statements about, or otherwise criticize or disparage, in any format or through any medium, the Company or any entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company ("Affiliates") or any of the officers, directors, managers, employees, services, operations, investments or products of the Company or any of its Affiliates. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, disparagement shall include, but not be limited to, negative comments or statements intended or reasonably likely to be harmful or disruptive to a person’s or entity’s respective business, business reputation, business operations, or personal reputation.   
(b) Nondisparagement by Designated Company Representatives. At all times following the cessation of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Company agrees not to publish, and agrees to cause the Designated Company Representatives not to make, negative comments or statements about, or otherwise criticize or disparage, in any format or through any medium, the Executive. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, disparagement shall include, but not be limited to, negative comments or statements intended or reasonably likely to be harmful or disruptive to a person’s business reputation or personal reputation. For purposes of this sub-section (b), the “Designated Company Representatives” are (i) all executive officers of the Company while serving in such capacity and (ii) all members of the Board of Directors while serving in such capacity. 

(c) The foregoing sub-sections (a) and (b) shall not be violated by truthful comments or statements (i) made in response to legal process, in required governmental testimony or filings, in judicial, administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings), in compliance with law, administrative rule, or regulation, or made pursuant to a court or administrative order, or in connection with reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, (ii) made by members of the Board of Directors in the course of meetings or discussions of the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) or in communications between members of the Board of Directors and the Executive, and not disclosed to the public, (iii) made by a member of the Board of Directors in the good faith belief that the statements are required for the proper discharge of his or her fiduciary duties, or (iv) made by the Board of Directors in connection with a termination of the Executive for Cause.

[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Executive has hereunto signed this Agreement, as of the date set forth below.
    
	
			
	 

	 
	 
	 

	EXECUTIVE

	 
	 
	 

	Name:
	 
	 

	 
	 
	Christopher J. Abate

	 
	 
	 

	Date:
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 

	COMPANY

	 
	 
	 

	Name:
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 

	Date:
	 
	 

GROUP TERMINATION
EXHIBIT B
RELEASE AGREEMENT

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release Agreement or in Sections 7 and 18 of the Employment Agreement between Christopher J. Abate and Redwood Trust, Inc., Christopher J. Abate (“Executive”) hereby generally and completely releases the Company and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date Executive signs this Release Agreement. The Company, its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns, hereby releases Executive and his heirs, executors, successors and assigns, from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date the Company signs this Release Agreement. This general mutual release includes, but is not limited to: (A) all claims arising out of or in any way related to Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (B) all claims related to Executive’s compensation or benefits from the Company, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (C) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (D) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; (E) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (as amended) (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended); and (F) all claims and rights with respect to Executive’s right to communicate directly with, cooperate with, or provide information to, any federal, state or local government regulator; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to release the Company from its obligation to indemnify Executive pursuant to agreement, the Company’s bylaws or binding resolutions, or applicable law.

Executive acknowledges that he is knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the ADEA, and that the consideration given under his Employment Agreement with the Company for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which he was already entitled. Executive further acknowledges B-1

that he has been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date Executive signs this Release Agreement; (B) Executive should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release Agreement (although Executive may choose voluntarily not do so); (C) Executive has forty-five (45) days to consider this Release Agreement (although he may choose voluntarily to sign this Release Agreement earlier); (D) Executive has seven (7) days following the date that he signs this Release Agreement to revoke the Release Agreement by providing written notice to an officer of the Company; (E) this Release Agreement shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day after Executive signs this Release Agreement; and (F) Executive has received with this Release Agreement a detailed list of the job titles and ages of all employees who were terminated in this group termination and the ages of all employees of the Company in the same job classification or organizational unit who were not terminated.

Both the Executive and the Company acknowledge that each has read and understands Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: 

A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.

Both the Executive and the Company hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to each party’s release of any claims hereunder.

Notwithstanding anything herein, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to 18 USC Section 1833(b), the Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made: (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

Mutual Nondisparagement.  
(a) Nondisparagement by Executive. At all times following the cessation of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive agrees not to make negative comments or statements about, or otherwise criticize or disparage, in any format or through any medium, the Company or any entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company ("Affiliates") or any of the officers, directors, managers, employees, services, operations, investments or products of the Company or any of its Affiliates. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, disparagement shall include, but not be limited to, negative comments or statements intended or reasonably likely to be harmful or disruptive to a person’s or entity’s respective business, business reputation, business operations, or personal reputation.   
(b) Nondisparagement by Designated Company Representatives. At all times following the cessation of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Company agrees not to publish, and agrees to cause the Designated Company Representatives not to make, negative comments or statements about, or otherwise criticize or disparage, in any format or through any medium, the Executive. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, disparagement shall include, but not be limited to, negative comments or statements intended or reasonably likely to be harmful or disruptive to a person’s business reputation or personal reputation. For purposes of this sub-section (b), the “Designated Company Representatives” are (i) all executive officers of the Company while serving in such capacity and (ii) all members of the Board of Directors while serving in such capacity. 
(c) The foregoing sub-sections (a) and (b) shall not be violated by truthful comments or statements (i) made in response to legal process, in required governmental testimony or filings, in judicial, administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings), in compliance with law, administrative rule, or regulation, or made pursuant to a court or administrative order, or in connection with reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, (ii) made by members of the Board of Directors in the course of meetings or discussions of the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) or in communications between members of the Board of Directors and the Executive, and not disclosed to the public, (iii) made by a member of the Board of Directors in the good faith belief that the statements are required for the proper discharge of his or her fiduciary duties, or (iv) made by the Board of Directors in connection with a termination of the Executive for Cause.
[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Executive has hereunto signed this Agreement, as of the date set forth below.
    
	
			
	 

	 
	 
	 

	EXECUTIVE

	 
	 
	 

	Name:
	 
	 

	 
	 
	Christopher J. Abate

	 
	 
	 

	Date:
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 

	COMPANY

	 
	 
	 

	Name:
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 

	Date:
	 
	 

        

EXHIBIT C
Section 2870 of California Labor Code

Section 2870 of California Labor Code:  Application of provision providing that employee shall assign or offer to assign rights in invention to employer.

a.Any provision and employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer’s equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information except for those inventions that either:

		
	1.
	Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer; or

		
	2.
	Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.

b.    To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.

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